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
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