05-06-1999 - Special Meeting - Minutes•
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
MAY 6, 1999
The special meeting of the West Covina City Council was called to order by Mayor Howard at 6:33 pm
in the Management Resource Center at City Hall, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina.
ROLL CALL Mayor Howard, Mayor Pro Tern Melendez, Councilmembers
Herfert, Touhey, Wong
Others Present: Hobbs, Fields, Tucker, Wills, Houston, Greene, Collier, Briley,
Mayer, Bommarito, Garcia, Samaniego, G. Johnson, Fox, Chung,
Martyn, Kelly, Paul, Keating, Jones, King, Yauchzee, McIsaac,
Berry
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS No comments offered at this time. .
STUDY SESSION — FY 1999/2000 OPERATING BUDGET
Budget Message . City Manager Hobbs introduced the evening's study session,
noting the revised format of the budget document. His presentation
has been included in the beginning of the budget document. Mr.
Hobbs suggested a Community Reinvestment Strategy utilizing ten
key components.
Councilmember Herfert questioned Mr. Hobbs on one of the
recommended key components proposed in the Community
Reinvestment Strategy. Councilmember Herfert opposed the City
Manager's recommendation to redefine the City's current reserve
policy. The new policy would insist on a minimum 50% reserve of
the General Fund expenditure level each year. For FY 1999/2000,
that would increase the heretofore untouchable reserve amount of
$10 million to $17.5 million.
At the current reserve level of approximately $22 million, Council -
member Herfert was adamant about touching none of it, except on
a project by project basis. He opposed the adoption of a blanket
policy, stating that the current policy was sufficient and needed no
changes. City Manager Hobbs explained his purpose was to
strengthen the current reserve position while providing a plan to
reinvest back into the residential community.
Overview of Funds and Assumptions
Finance Director Tucker presented this portion of the presentation,
discussing first the Combined Fund Summary for FY 1999/2000.
She mentioned that approximately $70,000 might be available after
another close scrutiny of the various budgets.
Councilmember Herfert requested a report reconciling the
difference between the 6/30/99 Fund Balance as listed in the
current fiscal year budget and the 7/l/99 Estimated Fund Balance
as listed in the proposed budget document.
Departmental Presentations The departmental presentations were presented in the following
order:
Police Department - Presented by Chief Wills
Council Minutes of May 6, 1999
Fire Department — Presented by Chief Greene
Staff was directed to look into the possibility of conducting
weed abatement more than three times a year.
Communications — Presented by Director Keating
• Public Services — Presented by Director Collier
Councilmember Touhey requested a listing of the number
of employees and the actual positions that would be transferred
from the Water Division into the Maintenance Department if the
Water System was sold.
Recess Mayor Howard called a recess at 8:14 pm. The City Council
reconvened at 8:25 pm with all members present.
Community Services — Presented by Acting Director Bommarito
Council concurred on the need to revise the fee and charge
structure and to implement appropriate fees as soon as possible.
Ms. Bommarito noted that the City is also behind in wages for
part-time employees.
Councilmember Wong requested a breakdown of the
number of people riding the corridor shuttle, a program utilizing
the Prop "A!' and Prop "C" Funds.
Councilmember Herfert commenced a discussion on
special events budgeting and that there are no available funds.
Council directed the Acting Community Services Director to
recommend placement of the special events in the upcoming
budget. Councilmember Wong was not supportive of funding
ongoing programs with reserves. Mayor Howard reminded
Council that the Finance Director may be able to find $70,000
towards the needed $80,000 for special events. Staff was directed
to report back on the funding and how the deficit occurred.
Environmental Management —Presented by Director Samaniego
Redevelopment Agency — Presented by Director Chung
General Administration and City Clerk's Office — Presented by
Assistant City Manager Fields
Staff was directed to invite to a Council meeting for a status report
the gentleman who is auditing bills from the various law firms
used by the City.
Councilmember Herfert suggested that the City Attorney's billings
be placed in a single account, separate from the other law firms
used by the City.
Staff was directed to report back with a clarification of the
professional services (accounts 6110, 6111, 6119) listed under
General Administration on page L-12 as well as the professional
• services (accounts 6110, 6120) listed under Community Infor-
mation on page L-15.
° Mayor Pro TernMelendez reminded staff to include enough tape
recording equipment and supplies into the City Clerk's budget in
the event closed sessions are taped and stored under lock and key.
Personnel Services — Presented by Director Fox
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Council Minutcs of May 6, 1999
Finance — Presented by Director Tucker
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Lollie Bergman, 847 Wescove Place, appreciated the Unmet Needs
listed for each department in the budget document and favored the
City Manager's plan to upgrade the streets. She supported the
• concept of the Fire Department assisting Code Enforcement as
long as it doesn't turn punitive. She suggested that the City
include a listing of accounts owed to the City, such as developers.
In light of the fact that City Hall is thirty years, perhaps it is
time to have it evaluated. She felt it was exhibiting "sick building"
symptoms. In reference to reserves, she liked the City Manager's
idea to adopt an ordinance with the 50% reserve level, freeing the
interest to be used for other things.
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Herfert and seconded by Melendez to adjourn the
meeting at 9:57 pm. Motion carried 5-0.
Attest:,
City Cleik Janet Berry
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