06-06-2005 - Special Meeting - MinutesSPECIAL MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
NNE 6, 2005
• Mayor Sanderson called to order the special meeting of the West Covina City Council at 7:11 p.m. in the
City Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councihnember Hernandez
ROLL CALL Mayor Sanderson, Mayor Pro Tem Wong, Councilmembers
Herfert, Hernandez, Miller
Others Present: Pasmant, Nichols, Gardner, Freeland, Bachman, Swink, Durbin,
Fields, Chung, Dominguez, McIsaac, Samaniego, Smilowitz,
Yauchzee, Wills, Yuasa, Houston, Taylor, Devera, Paul, Smith,
Caplin, Hoppe, Rush
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Mayor Sanderson received the consensus of Council to hold Oral
Communications after the budget presentation.
2005-2006 FISCAL YEAR PRELIMINARY BUDGET PREVIEW
City Manager Pasmant stated requests for classification changes
and proposed Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) will be
submitted at a separate time, tonight will be a budget study session.
Finance Director Bachman introduced his presentation by stating a
few items for discussion would be property tax, PERS, and sales
tax reimbursement between the City and CDC. Mr. Bachman
utilized a PowerPoint presentation as he discussed the historical
perspective of the budget, measures taken to close the 2004-05
budget gap, an overview of the 2005-06 budget and a multi -year
strategy to eliminate a budget gap in future years. During the
presentation staff responded to Council's questions.
In response to a question regarding the annexations of
certain areas, City Manager Pasmant stated that the information is
preliminary, and would require a consultant for more in depth
detail.
During the presentation regarding the sales tax
reimbursement agreement City Manager Pasmant explained for the
public the sales tax agreement with the plaza and the concept of
restructuring the debt between the CDC and City.
Mr. Bachman closed his presentation with strategies to
close the budget gap and recommending the implementation of a
sales tax reimbursement agreement between the City and CDC.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
John Scheuplein, West Covina resident, complimented the Finance
is Department's report and made several comments regarding the
cost cutting measures.
Bernie Wilner, West Covina resident, also commended Mr.
Bachman's report and recommended a homeowners fee such as the
proposed apartment fee, suggesting that in order to maintain the
level of service homeowners would be open to a nominal fee.
Council Minutes of 06/06/05 special meeting
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Corey Warshaw, West Covina resident, inquired if any police and
fire expenditures were considered in the projected annexation
revenues and if any of the cut capital expenses had been factored
back in future years.
Council Discussion Councilmember Herfert stated for the public that the strategies
proposed by staff are proposals, that Council has not yet provided
their ideas. Herfert inquired as why there are no revenue
projections for the sale of any surplus property and would like to
see projections when the budget is brought back.
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Assistant City lerk Susan Rush
Councilmember Hernandez commented that the presented
projections were conservative and responsible and would provide
for a balanced budget with surplus in future years. He would also
like to see increased levels of public safety in future years.
City Manager Pasmant emphasized that the strategies provided do
stabilize the budget gap but not without distress to the departments
working with limited resources.
Councilmember Millers echoed previous comments
complimenting staff with the information provided, would like to
see a balanced budget and supported the sales tax reimbursement.
Motion by Miller and seconded by Hernandez to approve the
concept of the sales tax reimbursement agreement between the
City and the Community Development Commission and directed
staff to prepare the necessary documents.
Motion carried 4-0-1 with Wong abstaining. Mayor Pro
Tern Wong stated there is not information and does not see how
the agreement would provide a benefit to the City.
Mayor Pro Tern Wong also commended the preliminary budget
report and hoped to rebuild reserves, and cautioned against
spending any surplus as it comes in.
Motion by Hernandez and seconded by Miller to adjourn the
meeting at 8:45 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
�ayor Shelley Sanderson
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