06-12-1995 - Special Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
June 12, 1995
The special meeting of the West Covina City Council was called to order at 6:14 p.m. by Mayor
. Herfert in the Management Resource Center, Room 314, City Hall, 1444 West Garvey Avenue, West
Covina.
ROLL CALL Mayor Herfert, Mayor Pro Tern Touhey, Councilmembers McFadden, Wong
Absent Councilmember Manners (excused)
Others Present Starbird, Wylie, Samaniego, Gardener, Orr, Koniarsky, Panas, Janis, Jones,
Miller, Greene, Ure, Glover, Parker, Mayer, Keating, G. Harden, Hernandez,
Winters, Bovard, Buchanan, Collier, Williams, Burton, Irwin, Salazar, Distelrath,
Hauser, Fong, Velasquez, Mclsaac, Harms.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
None offered.
II. FY 95/96 BUDGET STUDY SESSION
City Manager Starbird began by reiterating the proceedings of the prior study sessions, and
called on Police Chief Distelrath to offer additional comments on police positions and
programs. Chief Distelrath began by announcing the death of former Police Chief Craig .
Meacham and continued with comments on issues of concern from last meeting, i.e. P.D.
response time, programs, etc.
Using a monthly report provided by the Police Department as a reference, Mr. Starbird then
clarified some figures reported in a local neighborhood newspaper regarding response times
by the Police Department.
City Manager Starbird began the study session by reviewing options for various positions
planned for elimination. He noted a possible cost impact of $114,000 to $184,000 (for 3 to 6
months to further study these positions) which could be funded by interest from the Long
Range Strategic Financial Planning Implementation (LRSFPI) fund.
Councilmember McFadden asked if the City could use BKK Augmentation Funds. Mr. Starbird
answered yes. Mr. McFadden then stated that he was not in favor of eliminating the Photo
Technician and added that he wanted more information on the implications of this cut,
including the added cost of processing and the workload of detectives.
Councilmember Wong concurred with Mr. McFadden's concerns and noted that elimination of
the Photo Technician may not be a true saving.
Mayor Herfert suggested that there be no automatic elimination of positions.
Mayor Pro Tern Touhey expressed concerns with the gang activity. He suggested that Council
concentrate on hiring more Police Officers.
Motion by Herfert, seconded by Touhey to accept all of the City Manager's recommendations
as set forth in the staff report of June 6, to look at the Recreation and Photo Technician
positions in 3 months rather than 6 months, and appropriate the lower ranges for all
recommendations with variable ranges. Staff was directed not to eliminate these positions
without seeking direction from the Council. Motion carried 4-0.
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City Council Minutes
June 12, 1995
DISCUSSION OF ITEMS AS 15 THROUGH 21 AS LISTED IN "BUDGET DECISION POINTS"
Item #15
Mayor Pro Tern Touhey suggested that the Council continue to keep BKK in the Integrated
Waste Management Program support.
Item #16
Mayor Pro Tern Touhey stated that he did not like the idea of an additional fee to the cable
subscriber to fund WCCT. Mayor Herfert suggested to budget the funds to support WCCT for
2 to 3 months out of the LRSFPI fund.
Item #19
Mayor Herfert, Mayor Pro Tern Touhey and Councilmember McFadden raised concerns about
the distance some employees commute at taxpayers' expense in City vehicles. It was
suggested that Council consider reimbursement of costs beyond a certain radius.
Item #20
Mayor Herfert and Mayor Pro Tem Touhey reported that some Council memberships are
duplicative and some are too distant to be relevant to the City. They suggested that staff bring
back this item for separate consideration.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Robert Parry of "The Guardian" clarified figures quoted in the article mentioned earlier by City
Manager Starbird.
Val Bovard (employee: Information Systems) commented against the elimination of her
present position.
Iris Delameter commented on the differences in compensation between public and private
sector employees.
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Herfert, seconded by McFadden to adjourn the
meeting at 8:29 p.m.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
cndmin6.12
Mayor e