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06-16-2004 - Special Meeting - MinutesMINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL JUNE 16, 2004 isMayor Miller called to order the special meeting of the West Covina City Council at 7:15 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina. Councilmember Hernandez led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Mayor Miller, Mayor Pro Tern Sanderson, Councilmembers Herfert, Hernandez, Wong Others Present: Pasmant, Nichols, Freeland, Wills, Tedesco, Houston, Ballard, Durbin, Bachman, Swink, Yauchzee, Briley, McIsaac, Samaniego, Morgan, King, Martinez, Gardner, Chaparyan, Smilowitz, Yuasa- Yang, Paul, Hoppe, Fields, Hernandez, Chung, Berry PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA Royal Brown, West Covina resident, suggested that the Waste Management/Environmental Quality Commission has outlived its usefulness and should be eliminated. Cookie Nance, West Covina, suggested that cuts to the Communi- cations Department would severely impact public safety. I HEARING FEE AND CHARGE INCREASES City Clerk Berry verified the affidavit of publication and Mayor Miller opened the hearing. Fees & Charges City Manager Pasmant noted that as a follow up to the Council meeting on June 15, the City Council has received a memorandum concerning the costs for installing and removing banners for outside organizations. Finance Director Bachman presented a Power Point presentation of the proposed fees and charges. In response to Councilmember Wong's question as to why just a 2% increase, Finance Director Bachman stated that his department intends to do a full-blown study of all the services, charges, etc. every three to five years as it did last year, but tonight's proposed increase is to "not lose ground" which only includes CPIs. Mayor Miller suggested moving forward this evening with the proposed 2%, but have staff conduct the study later in FY 04105. Public Testimonv Joanne Wilner, West Covina resident, asked for a clarification of the code enforcement fees and citations and the process used in enforcing them. She suggested creating a policy that whenever a home is sold in the City, a City inspection be required for a fee to ensure the house meets code standards. • John Scheuplein, West Covina resident, felt that some of the fee and charge programs are set quite low and could be increased. Testimony closed There being no others wishing to address the City Council, Mayor Miller closed the public testimony portion of the hearing. Council discussion ensued regarding the appropriateness of the 2% increase when the City is hurting for revenue. Councilmember Council Minutes 6-16-04 Sanderson stated that she was not ready to support the resolution this evening. City Manager Pasmant suggested that in response to Council - member Wong's comment, the resolution could be modified to include the cost of printing the forms. r City Clerk Berry presented: Resolution 2004-59 RESOLUTION NO. 2004-59 — A RESOLUTION OF THE Setting fees CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI- FORNIA, SETTING AND INCREASING CERTAIN FEES Motion by Wong and seconded by Herfert to waive further reading of the resolution and adopt. Motion carried 4-1 with Sanderson voting no. II 2004/2005 FISCAL YEAR PRELIMINARY BUDGET PREVIEW Finance Director Bachman presented the staff report, referring slides to emphasize his points. He then proceeded through the target budget cuts department by department. Police Department The following spoke about the proposed cuts to the Police Department, once Police Chief Wills addressed Council comments and questions: Police Department Walt Hauser, West Covina resident, addressed Council as a W.C. Police Officer and related the impact to Fire and Police if communications funding was cut. He noted that, with all due respect, the Council was not qualified to make the proposed cuts. Lollie Bergman, West Covina resident, suggested eliminating the crossing guards — shifting responsibilities to parents. She could not imagine reducing the reserve program, nor the School Resource Officer program. Councilmember Herfert did not support cutting the reserve officer program. He also suggested that the School District be approached with either paying their fair half of the SRO salary or lose the officer. Councilmember Wong reminded Council of a pilot program else- where in California where fines double in school zones. Staff was directed to bring back more specificity on the School Resource Officer Program and the Reserve Officer Program, although the Reserve Officer Program will probably not be cut. Fire Department Interim Fire Chief Ballard addressed Council's questions and com- ments. The proposed cut of $441,462 was removed from the tar- geted cuts, based on the action taken by Council the previous evening relating to ambulance services. • Communications Communications Director Durbin responded to questions. Council expressed their desire to retain the overtime in the budget. Recess Mayor Miller called a recess at 9:20 pm. The City Council recon- vened at 9:35 pm with all members present. 2 Council Minutes 6-16-04 r� 0 Council discussed possible future budget meeting dates. City Manager's Office will follow up to confirm. Public Works Public Works Director/City Engineer Yauchzee stated that closing the City Yard on Fridays could save $13,000. Councilmember Wong requested staff to check with the City of Monrovia which has been closed on Fridays, but now they have found a way to open on Fridays without incurring additional costs. Joanne Wilner, West Covina resident, wondered how, if the council packets are now completed by Friday 5:00 pm, how can staff get the packets out on Thursday if City Hall is closed on Fridays. Lollie Bergman, West Covina resident, suggested closing City Hall half a day on some day other than Friday. Rather than reducing overtime for special events, staff was directed to explore the concept of having participants who are causing the overtime pay for it. She also felt reducing parts and repairs for City vehicles was not a smart thing to do. George Ogden, West Covina resident, suggested seeking the larger businesses to sponsor the holiday lighting and in return, would receive free advertising in the City's newsletter or something palatable. ' Herb Redholtz, West Covina resident, urged Council to retain the holiday lighting on the south side of the City. Staff was asked to supply a breakdown of the holiday tree lighting costs. Council directed staff to continue to light trees on Azusa Avenue and Glendora Avenue. Mayor Miller noted that reduction of the fountain hours to 4-5 hours a day was off the table. Community Services Interim Community Services Director Samaniego responded to the questions regarding the difference between reducing Senior Center hours of operation (2 positions) and reducing operating hours for senior center (another position). The two entries could have been combined together for the list of proposed cuts. Discussion ensued on actual hours of operation at the center and staff s proposal to rent space out for private affairs. Councilmember Wong suggested that the senior center cut down on programs but remain open. If long-term rentals pick up, then we can look again at reducing the hours to the public. Penny Schaefer, West Covina resident, explained why she felt it would be wrong to close the senior center to the seniors. John Scheuplein, West Covina resident, spoke highly of the center and it's function as a home away from home to a lot of seniors. Royal Brown, West Covina resident, spoke highly of volunteers and the service they can provide in place of paid staff. Councilmember Sanderson left the meeting at 10:25 pm. tj Council Minutes 6-16-04 Joanne Wilner, West Covina resident, concurred with previous speaker. She asked about the line item reductions referencing Prop A funds when those are restricted funds. It appears that those two items should have been placed in the "special funds" which is coming up later for discussion in the budget process. • George Ogden, West Covina resident, suggested that staff needs to be sure that the City doesn't inadvertently lose state or federal grants by closing certain programs or cutting the hours. Perhaps some small fundraisers at the Center could help offset costs. Councilmember Herfert did not support cutting hours at the municipal pool. He noticed that there are a lot of cuts being offered, but there are no cuts being proposed in the management rank. The City Council concurred on seeking more information from staff, based on the comments made by Council and the audience. Environmental Management Environmental Management Director Samaniego explained engi- neering services for BKK postclosure. Lollie Bergman, West Covina resident, highly suggested that the City charge an admission of $2 per person for the Fourth of July fireworks show. III APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004/2005 Council reviewed the staff report. City Clerk Berry presented: Resolution 2004-60 RESOLUTION NO. 2004-60 — A RESOLUTION OF THE Gann Limit CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI- FORNIA, SETTING THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 03, 2005 Motion by Wong and seconded by Herfert to waive further reading of the resolution and adopt. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Sanderson absent. Jack Willick, West Covina resident, commented on the Senior Citizens Center and his participation. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Herfert and seconded by Hernandez to adjourn the meeting at 10:52 pm. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Sanderson absent. Attest: • City -Clerk Janet Berry Mayor Michael L. •Miller M