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04-14-2004 - Special Meeting - Minutes• E MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL April I4, 2004 Mayor Miller called to order the special meeting of the West Covina City Council at 7:10 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina. ROLL CALL Mayor Miller, Mayor Pro Tern Sanderson Councilmembers Herfert, Hernandez, Wong Others Present: Pasmant, Adams, Freeland, Fields, Bachman, Swink, Briley, Yauchzee, Hoppe Paul, King, Smilowitz, Bommarito, Genovese, Janis, Myrick, McIsaac, Samaniego, Dewus, Anderson, Johnson, Durbin, Ballard, McDonald, Tedesco, Houston, Morgan, Hernandez, Gardner, Jamison, Devera, Chaparyan, Rodriquez, Berry PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA Mayor Miller stated that the staff presentation would be given first and then comments from the audience would follow. STUDY SESSION — FY 2004/2005 BUDGET Introductory remarks were given by the City Manager and Finance Director gave a full report for the budget discussion, utilizing a PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Bachman emphasized the need for a balanced approach to the budget, not relying solely on cuts, nor taxes, nor reserves — but a combination of approaches, including economic development. Mr. Bachman explained estimated expenditures for the end of this current calendar year and projections into FY 07/08 of revenues, expenditures, and reserves. He outlined cuts offered by each department to reach the target preliminary FY 04/05 budget as well as the additional, deeper 13% cuts. Eighty-two percent of the City's total FY 04/05 budget is dedicated to personnel costs, 11% for materials and services, 6% for Insurance, Utilities, etc., and 1% for capital outlay. Of particular note, was the following employee annual average cost comparison (which includes salary, benefits, retirement, workers' comp, etc): Firefighter/Paramedic $147,154 Police Officer $120,230 Average non -safety employee $ 62,000 Additional Gap Closing Options were discussed as areas for further exploration and analysis: * Raise Shuttle Bus fares * Reduce regulations reducing additional staff work (due to reduced number of employees to carry out the enforcement) * Reduce number of commissions or commission meetings * Consolidate City departments, were possible * Charter City designation * Form a Fire District * 911 Fee for Communications * Apartment Service Fee Council Minutes of4/14/04 • • PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Bachman presented a chart of sample budgets projected through FY 07/08 that depicted a variety of options with which to help balance the budgets. Discussion followed on several of those. Mayor Miller stated that he would like to maximize sales tax and income from any commercial economic development on the old landfill site. To do so, he requested a staff report addressing the legal and financial implications would be to set aside both the golf course and the Sports-plex until we have better times and not put additional loads on the General Fund. City Manager Pasmant stated a full report with all the facts would be prepared for Council's review of the landfill site project, including past expenditures already spent on the whole project. Councilmember Hernandez asked the City Manager when the City Council would receive an update on the ambulance service. Chief Ballard responded that his department is working on a comprehen- sive plan (including ambulance service) that would be presented in about thirty days. Councilmember Sanderson asked whether the City has approached the school district regarding the reduction in school resource officers. City Manager Pasmant responded that if the Council were interested in this reduction, then the school district would be consulted. Councilmember Sanderson asked for a clarification of the impact of reducing municipal pool hours and the elimination of a cable production technician. Staff responded. Royal Brown, West Covina resident, made several suggestions: * Make the 2% cuts this evening to make the target budget. * Since positions will go vacant or unfilled, a position could be cut from Human Resources. * The Waste Management/Environmental Quality Commis- sion has outlived its usefulness. Transfer the department's programs to Community Services. * Use volunteer code enforcement officers. * Make reductions before running to the public for additional taxes. John Scheuplein, West Covina resident, would like to hear from the public services departments as to the impacts to public safety with these proposed cuts. He said the real answer is bringing more revenues into the City. Phil Weiner, West Covina Dispatcher, spoke on behalf of the West Covina Public Safety Dispatchers Association, and discussed the impact of the proposed reductions to his department and the subse- quent service to the community. Khan Kayum, West Covina resident, suggested that Council not cut safety, but do cut recreation. Council Discussion Councilmember Herfert commended the Dispatchers for the services they provide to the citizens. He explained the difference between recreational facilities funded through park development fees and those funded through the General Fund. He also discus- sed the big projects planned three years ago, including the BKK site development and the Citrus/Workman site. Economic development is the most important facet of balancing the budget. 2 Council Minutes of 4/14/04 Councilmember Herfert felt the City's reserves were still very healthy. He was not prepared to snake cuts this evening. Councilmember Sanderson agreed that increased revenue through economic development is key to this City. It's difficult to cut services with a growing population and ask for more taxes. Public Safety is number one priority. She said that she would not cut isCouncilmember safety services, nor increase taxes. Councilmember Hernandez noted that none of the Councilmem- bers want to cut employees or services to the community, par- ticularly public safety. He favored a hybrid of cuts and use of reserves and the concept of gaining the input of the residents. He, too, desired to hear from the Fire Department before any decisions are made. Councilmember Wong noted that there is no way the City Council can balance this budget without making some cuts. He suggested starting by cutting, first and foremost, the $8 million expenditure that profits a private company, Big League Dreams. The City will be out of reserves in five years — what will the City do then? We will have to make cuts. Mayor Miller made the following comments: * Council needs to know how the overtime/training cuts would impact the operations of the Communications Dept. * Would like more information regarding Charter vs General Law City. * This is not the time to survey/poll residents as to taxes. * The City only receives 16% of the property taxes. * Agreed with moving economic development forward for the City. * The City must set aside any consideration of funding the Big League Dreams and golf course development as long as we have a funding problem and budget issues, and concentrate on getting a commercial development for the BKK site. City Manager Pasmant noted that this is the first of the budget study sessions and staff would be contacting Council for future budget study sessions between now and June. Councilmember Sanderson suggested that the Council start this evening with earniarking those proposed cuts that they are individually comfortable with. City Manager Pasmant suggested that the questions raised by the Council this evening require staff response and he encouraged Council to wait until the next report by staff. Mayor Miller suggested the Councilmembers indicate their remarks on the list to the City Manager. • Councilmember Herfert asked for two past staff reports: a) In 2000, the then City Manager presented a report that talked about reserve levels for cities and the recommendation was around $15 million for the City of West Covina. b) At about the same time, there was a Community Reinvest- ment Strategy/Program and include the various components of the program. 3 Council Minutes of 4/14/04 Mayor Miller asked Council to look at the 2% and the 13% reductions and get back to the City Manager any concerns and questions. Council concurred. On another matter, Mayor Miller reminded the Council of the upcoming Cherry Blossom Festival scheduled for Saturday, May 1, • 2004 from 12 noon to 7 pm at the West Covina Civic Center Courtyard. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Herfert and seconded by Hernandez to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 pm. Motion carried 5-0. 41 City Clerk Janet Berry • Mayor Michael Miller rd