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05-13-1997 - Special Meeting - MinutesIs MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL MAY 13,1997 The special meeting of the West Covina City Council, scheduled for 6:00 pm, was called to order by Mayor Wong at 6:15 pm in the Management Resource Center at City Hall, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina. ROLL CALL Mayor Wong, Mayor Pro Tern Melendez, Councilmembers Herfert, Howard, Touhey Others Present: Starbird, Wylie, Tucker, Delgadillo, Panas, Greene, Samaniego, Distelrath, Collins, Glover, Collier, Yoshizaki, Ure, Bommarito, Berry PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS No comments offered. STUDY SESSION - FY 97/98 PROPOSED ANNUAL BUDGET Staff Presentation City Controller Panas presented an overview of the FY 96/97 picture, discussing entries on the combined funds statement. He also stated that there will be about $405,000 available from expenditure savings by the end of the fiscal year. City Manager Starbird recommended utilization of a majority of this amount for capital equipment purchases originally requested by departments in the FY 97/98 budget. Though no vote was taken, Council concurred with this approach. Councilmember Herfert suggested earmarking the remaining $3200 for a sound system for the Human Services Recreation Department. Human Services Director Collins was asked to check into this as the current sound system has been faulty in the past. Mr. Panas reported that this year's economy has been better than anticipated during last year's budget sessions, noting that this past Christmas quarter was 5% higher than the previous year. He stated that the car dealership sales, however, were slightly down this fiscal year. Councilmember Herfert was interested in receiving a more detailed report on the car sale activities. The next discussion revolved around the combined funds statements, both the FY 96/97 and FY 97/98 reports. City Manager Starbird explained that the combined funds statement is an excellent mechanism to grasp the overall picture of the City's finances. A breakdown on the revenues by source engendered some discussion on a few of the entries. City Manager Starbird the led Council through alternatives in response to impacts of Proposition 218, loss of Asset Forfeiture Funds, and budget initiatives. Recess Mayor Wong recessed the City Council meeting at 7:42 pm and recon- vened the meeting at 7:50 pm with all members present. Council Minutes of 5/13/97 • 46 Council Initiatives Mayor Pro Tem Melendez offered two ideas for Council consideration: 1) A "West Covina Center" in the southern portion of West Covina, near Amar and Azusa Avenues. His vision includes various City personnel to be available for a variety of City functions and services, such as: water payments, Code Enforcement issues, fingerprinting, crime prevention, etc. The center would, in essence, be a satellite City Hall. He felt strongly that major funding for this should not come from the Police Department budget, but grants, volunteers, and donations, etc. 2) Taking a hard look at Galster Park, the City's wildlife preserve. He suggested that UCLA, or perhaps Cal Poly, be contacted to conduct an audit of the whole park area on the types of animals, the facilities (including the Boy Scout Camp and the Girl Scout Camp), and produce a report that will give Council a starting point for developing it to the extent possible, if that's their desire. UCLA has done such an audit for another agency and free of charge. In response to another Councilmember's comment, Mayor Pro Tem Melendez noted that the report would also address land entitlement issues, as the park was deeded to West Covina as a wildlife preserve. Councilmember Howard felt that until Proposition 218 issues were settled, she would reserve offering projects for consideration. Councilmember Herfert suggested the City obtain electric -motorized bikes for the Police Department's bicycle patrol. He also suggested a roller hockey rink and a municipal pool be located at Shadow Oak Park. Councilmember Touhey suggested several ideas: * Expansion of code enforcement efforts, with bus shelter advertisements to bring in some revenue. * Exclusive contracts with soda vendors for recreation activities could also generate revenue. * There are parks and other locations that are in need of pay phones. * he also suggested looking at funds not already impacted once prop 218 is settled. In relation to the comments relative to City parks, Mr. Starbird noted that staff has discussed the idea of each park having some commercial aspect to it to help offset expenditures. Mayor Wong suggested that a change in the Code Enforcement pro- cedures could generate some funds while encouraging citizens to correct their violation's quickly. He explained the compliance process used in the Fire Department wherein violators are given a certain amount of time to correct a defect or problem. If a second reinspection is required, then the violator is fined. The money generated by this process with the other suggested revenue generators above could fund another Code Enforcement officer. ' Mayor Wong suggested a "community vision process" where members of the community come together to formulate a vision for the future of West Covina. Councilmember Touhey asked the Police Chief to check into impound fees for DUI's. He understood the City of Monrovia charges $230. He added that the Police could be more aggressive in enforcing DUI's and DWI's. Council Minutes of 5/13/97 • • s Mayor Wong stated that the City of Pasadena installed a piece of equipment to cite traffic violators via video camera. Councilmember Howard related that Pasadena received so much negative public response that they stopped using it. Conclusion City Manager Starbird stated that the next study session is scheduled for May 19s' at 6:00 pm and that he anticipates the Department Managers to present overview of their budgets and particular items win be discussed on an exception by exception basis. Staff win not be able to address the items suggested this evening by Council at the May 191s meeting, but a report will be forthcoming at the following budget meeting. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Melendez and seconded by Herfert to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 pm. Motion carried 5-0. ATTEST: Ci y. CIOi-,k Janet rry OlnIN 1 , '