06-25-2002 - Special Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
NNE 25, 2002
Mayor Touhey called to order the special meeting of the West Covina City Council 6:05 pm in the City
Manager's Conference Room at City Hall, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina.
ROLL CALL Mayor Touhey, Mayor Pro Tern Herten, Councilmembers: Miller,
Sanderson, Wong
Others Present: Pasmant, Alvarez-Glasman, Fields, Hoppe. All Department Heads
and key departmental personnel were in attendance for the budget
study session, following the closed session.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA No comments offered.
CLOSED SESSION Mayor Touhey commenced the closed session at 6:05 pm to
discussion the following matters:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL —
EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code 04956.9(a):
* Benjamin Acuna et. al. vs. City of West Covina
* Arlene Aguirre vs. City of West Covina
* Danny Alarcon vs. City of West Covina
* Veronica Batiz vs. City of West Covina
* Robert Mendoza vs. City of West Covina
* James Novak et. al. vs. City of West Covina
* Blanche Pepito vs. City of West Covina
* Lavern White vs. City of West Covina
The closed session concluded at 6:50 pm at which time the City
Council reconvened in the Community Room on the First Floor of
City Hall for the second purpose of the special meeting:
THIRD FISCAL YEAR 2002/2003 BUDGET STUDY SESSION
Mayor Touhey offered an opportunity for members of the public to
address the City Council on the proposed budget. The following
individuals spoke:
Royal Brown Royal Brown, 2153 Aroma Drive, asked for a clarification about
$2.1 million of Prop 12 monies that were reported to be included in
the City's budget.
John Scheuplein John Scheuplein, 1800 Aroma Drive, #247, addressed the proposed
Big League Dreams at the BKK landfill site. He suggested that the
proposed gymnasium for Cameron Park continue as scheduled and
not become a part of the BLD development on the BKK property.
City Manager Pasmant presented a slide presentation regarding the
Redevelopment Agency proposed FY 2002/2003 budget. He dis-
cussed the following facets:
City Council Minutes of 6-25-02
* The projected ending fund balance for Housing Set Aside
Fund (862) for FY 02/03 is estimated at $7,084,650
* The projected ending fund balance for the Merged Project
Area Fund (876) is estimated to be $589,821
* The projected ending fund balance for the Citywide Project
Area Fund (877) is estimated to be $377,772
* The projected ending fund balance for the Debt Service
• Fund (882) is estimated to be $2,585,142.
RDA Budget Redevelopment Agency Director Chung reviewed the $16 million
lean RDA proposed budget for fiscal year 2002/03, a 44% decrease
from the previous fiscal year budget.
City Manager Pasmant reviewed the budgetary process taken thus
far by the organization towards presenting a balance budget to the
City Council. He presented a ten-year history of the City's general
fund surplus/gap trends, and that the proposed FY 02/03 is facing a
$2.8 million gap, although that gap is smaller than the $3.2 million
gap of the previous year. He followed that information with a ten-
year general fund reserves balance chart. This particular chart
generated some questions by Council and staff was directed to
review it for accuracy. The projected beginning fund balance for
FY 02/03 is $32,706,701.
City Manager Pasmant gave an overview of the supplemental
budget requests, which was broken down by department. The next
chart indicated potential budget solutions and the need to become
aggressive with pursuing further economic development in the
City.
Regarding the pie chart depicting the amount of money in
the various reserve funds, Councilmember Herfert raised a
question as to the current placement of what was once called the
BKK Community Enhancement funds. City Manager Pasmant and
Finance Director Bachman responded.
City Manager Pasmant reviewed the Supplement Budget Requests
and drew Council's attention to several items for their information:
* Request for 3 police officers through available grants
* Conference and City event expenses for commissioners
* Request for a grant writer consultant
Next, the City Manager reviewed the Second Round Budget Cuts
and drew Council's attention to one of the items: School Resource
Officers. At the present time the City is paying the full cost of
these Police Officers and is proposing to request the school
districts to share in the cost.
Capital Improvement Program Public Works Director/City Engineer Yauchzee reviewed the
proposed Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects and
responded to Council questions. Community Services Director
Hatch was requested to prepare an update on all the projects with
Rowland Unified School District.
Other comments regarding public works projects:
• 1. Noon Rotary Club is interested in a walking track at Cortez
Park and splitting the cost 50/50 with the City. (Herfert)
Councilmember Miller thought the walking track was a
good idea.
2. Defer the restroom at Heritage Park for one year to help sup-
plement a new historical building at the Hurst Foundation site.
(Herfert)
P
City Council Minutes of 6-25-02
Regarding this, Councilmember Miller noted that the pro-
posed building at Hurst Ranch is not a historical building
and the funds would be going into private property, not
park property. He stated that he would not support this.
3. YP-15 (on page 20) earmarks $50,000 going to the Maverick
• Field and Ridge Riders property from the BKK Enhancement
Fund and Councilmember Miller wants the item to come before
the City Council for final approval before any funds are
expended.
4. Councilmember Sanderson asked about the status of creating a
sand volleyball court on the demolished property adjacent to
Cortez Park. Councilmember Miller expressed concern about
volleyballs ending up on Citrus Avenue.
Council Wish List City Manager Pasmant reviewed the City Council Wish List and
staff responded to questions and comments:
• $5,000 — Co-sponsor West Covina Beautiful events (Herfert)
• $8,000 — Security cameras for RidgeRiders area (Herfert)
• $12,000 — Tent for special events (Herfert)
• $5,000 — Walk of Fame (Herfert)
• $25,000 — Increased EOC funding (Miller)
• $80,000 - $120,000 — Enclose City Hall lobby (Sanderson)
Additional Public Comments
St. James Davis St. James Davis, 616 N. Vincent Avenue, reminded the Council
that he asked last year for a pathway at Cortez Park to the residents
on the west side of the park.
Corey Warshaw Corey Warshaw, 3330 E. Holt Avenue, requested Council to look
into increasing the funding for the Care Loan Committee, as those
businesses receiving the loans/grants through the program are
doing well as a whole. He supported the Hurst Ranch funding
because at the current time there is no place in West Covina to
hold events with a lot of people.
Councilmember Sanderson suggested a better walkway along the
parking lot at Cortez Park so that people and strollers can avoid
walking through the parking lot.
Mayor Touhey suggested that we look into working with Suburban
Water Systems regarding the possibility of exchanging or
transferring the property at the California Parkette (soon to be sold
to Suburban) and the vacant land adjacent to Cortez Park (currently
owned by Suburban).
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Herfert and seconded by Sanderson to adjourn the
meeting at 8:07 pm.
0 i
May r Michael Touhey
Attest:
City Clerk Janet Berry
3