06-29-2004 - Special 2 Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 29, 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. Mayor Miller led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
ROLL CALL Mayor Miller, Mayor Pro Tern Sanderson
Councilmembers Hernandez, Wong
Absent: Councilmember Herfert
Others Present: Pasmant, Alvarez-Glasman, Bachman, Swink, Ballard, Hoppe,
King, Gardner, Paul, Samaniego, Briley, Smilowitz, Yuasa-Wang,
Durbin, Hernandez, McIsaac, Lee, Yauchzee, Tedesco, Chung,
Chaparyan, Wills, Taylor, Houston, Devera, Berry
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Mayor Miller urged the audience to speak after the staff presenta-
tion because the presentation may answer some of the questions.
2004/05 FISCAL YEAR PRELIMINARY BUDGET PREVIEW
City Manager Pasmant stated that the Finance Director would pre-
sent the report, beginning at the point where the last budget session
ended.
Finance Director Bachman recapped the budget gap, referring to
the overhead slides. Issues discussed are noted below.
School Resource Officer program Police Chief Wills reported on his meetings with the schools
districts concerning the sharing of School Resource Officers'
salaries, and offered his recommendation to hit the target cut
amount.
Lollie Bergman Lollie Bergman, West Covina resident, felt that if one school
district can pay of the SRO, so can the other school district. She
demonstrated the actual cost per SRO during a school year.
John Scheuplein John Scheuplein, West Covina resident, suggested that since
WCUSD is not going to share the cost for an SRO, then the school
district should go without.
Councilmember Sanderson suggested that if Covina Unified
School District pays for one-half of a SRO at South Hills High
School, perhaps the City should pay for one-half of an SRO at
West Covina High School. Councilmember Hernandez concurred.
• Mayor Miller suggested that Council holding this issue until the
end of the budget process, waiting to see how the school district
votes, taking another look at that time and hopefully the SRO
program won't need to be cut.
Reserve Officers In relation to the Reserve Officer Program, City Manager Pasmant
initiated a discussion on the cost and suggested that rather than
Council Minutes of 6/29/04
cutting the full number of 25 positions, just budget for the current
sixteen positions.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Yauchzee reviewed the CIP
projects, all projects using restricted funds. Staff was directed to
move forward as much as possible with the median landscaping on
• Azusa Avenue.
Royal Brown Royal Brown, West Covina resident, gave a history of the Aroma
Drive parquet.
John Scheuplein John Scheuplein, West Covina resident, suggested that the Aroma
Drive parquet be delayed a year due to the financial situation of the
City's budget.
Joanne Wilner Joanne Wilner, West Covina resident, asked about the status of the
walking path at Cortez Park. She commented on cost/effective
landscaping procedures, improvements to Nogales High School.
Finance Director Bachman discussed a balanced budget plan,
seeking Council's comments on the listed items:
* Ambulance Service
* BKK Commercial Development
* Citrus/Workman Site
* L.A. County Sheriff % cent Sales Tax
* Local Tax Ballot Measure
* Charter City Designation new revenues
* New Revenue Sources
* Utility Authority
* Economic Development Activity
* Organizational Restructuring
The following citizens commented on various items listed above:
Lollie Bergman, West Covina resident
John Scheuplein, West Covina resident
Joanne Wilner, West Covina resident
City staff was directed to check with the League of California
Cities as to their information on charter cities: how many have
changed recently, how many in total, financial benefits, etc.
Councilmember Wong noted that at this point he favored
seeking information regarding changing to a charter city, but
would not be in favor of pursuing the change if increasing taxes
was the only purpose.
Councilmember Hernandez suggested the matter of placing a tax
ballot measure on the November 2004 election be brought up in
the near future for Council's action.
Councilmember Hernandez left the meeting at 9:15 pm.
Councilmember Wong asked for information regarding ongoing
bond obligations and anticipated bond obligations.
Staff was reminded to include two cell phone antenna site leases to
the revenues.
Councilmember Sanderson disagreed with increasing taxes, in
principal. She suggested however that offenders who cause and
use police enforcement services should pay for it.
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Council Minutes of 6/29/04
Councilmember Wong asked about increasing traffic fines in
school zones. City Manager Pasmant stated that it was slated for
the next Council meeting.
Staff was asked to supply more information regarding utility
• authority.
Summer Concert Series and "Movies in the Park"
Discussion ensued as to whether to authorize expenditures for this
summer's concert series and the "Movies in the Park" program.
Motion by Miller and seconded by Wong to eliminate both
programs for this 2004 summer. Motion carried 3-0.
Councilmember Wong suggested approaching Faith Community
Church about a joint fireworks show for future Fourth of July
celebrations, sharing costs.
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Wong and seconded by Sanderson to adjourn the
meeting at 9:36 pm. Motion carried 3-0. ,
Mayor Michael L. Miller ;
Attest:
V � �
City Clerk Janet Berrf
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