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07-25-2005 - Special Meeting - MinutesMINUTES SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION July 25, 2005 Mayor Sanderson called to order the special meeting of the West Covina City Council and Community Development Commission at 7:09 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the first floor at City Hall, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina. Mayor Sanderson led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Mayor/Chairman Sanderson, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chairman Wong, Councilmembers/Commissioners Herfert, Hernandez, (arrived at 7:20 p.m.), Miller OTHERS PRESENT: Pasmant, Nichols, Fields, Chung, Briley, Yuasa, Smilowitz, Bachman, Samaniego, Hudson, Freeland, Yauchzee, Cendejas, McIsaac, Elliott, Wills, Hernandez, Rodriquez, Swink, Gardner, M. Hernandez, S. Hernandez, Dominguez, DeVera, lxco, Paul, Rush Deputy City Attorney Nichols stated that oral communications must be limited to items on the agenda only, as this meeting is a special meeting. The three -minute limit established by City ordinance will also apply. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA No comments offered. ITEMS CARRIED OVER FROM PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING WEST COVINA AUTO PLAZA BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT 2005-06 ANNUAL REPORT AND ASSESSMENT Community Development Commission Administrative Analyst Oscar Ixco, presented the staff report. This item was continued from the meeting of July 19, 2005. Doug Pearson, President of the West Covina Auto Plaza Advisory Board was present to answer any questions. _ City Manager Pasmant informed the Council of a letter received prior to the meeting from the Advisory Board informing the Council of their position regarding assessment increases. Deputy City Attorney Nichols responded to questions regarding any tax assessment increases and stated that any proposed increases would require another public hearing. City Manager Pasmant confirmed that the deadline for direct assessments to be included on the tax rolls is August 1. Mr. Pearson stated the Association approved the current proposed assessment but are opposed to increases. The Association is also inviting all the auto dealers in West Covina to join the Association and would like all dealers involved in a new sign. Council Minutes of 7/25/05 Public Testimony Herb Redholtz, West Covina resident, spoke in support of improvements to the reader board and was pleased the association was inviting all dealerships to join. Testimony Closed Mayor Sanderson closed the public hearing. Assistant City Clerk presented: Resolution No. 2005-48 RESOLUTION NO. 2005-48 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY Confirming Auto Plaza COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, Annual Report CONFIRMING THE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE WEST COVINA AUTO PLAZA BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AREA FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005-06 Motion Motion by Herfert, seconded by Hernandez to waive further reading of the resolution and adopt. Motion carried 5 — 0. WEST COVINA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE — CONTRACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005-2006 Community Development Director Chung presented the staff report. Mr. Chung stated the Chamber is requesting a $50,000 increase above last fiscal year's appropriation and this year's budgeted appropriation, for a total of $100,000. Dr. Andrew Fijita, Chamber of Commerce President, addressed the Chamber of Commerce budget issues and proposed joint efforts of the Chamber and the City. The requested increase of $50,000 funding above the budgeted appropriation is to meet their operational needs. Dr. Fijita stated the Chamber made several cuts the past year, utilized reserves, and would not be able to conduct events to increase business and spur economic activity without an increase. Council engaged in discussion with staff regarding the impact to the Community Development Department budget and the deficit of the City if the appropriation to the Chamber were increased. CDC Director Chung stated the department could fund an increase, but it would have a negative effect on the department. Councilmember Herfert suggested the City auditors assist with auditing the Chambers books due to auditing' difficulties the Chamber is having. Dr. Fijita stated the Chamber would break even with an additional $25,000, but the Chamber would not be able to add any new projects, which would prevent them from generating revenue. Motion Motion by Hernandez and seconded by Herfert to grant the Chamber of Commerce an additional $25,000 [for a total of $75,000] out of CDC funds and direct staff to work with them to reduce their overhead. Amendment Miller offered an amendment to increase the amount to $100,000 with the stipulation that the additional $25,000 [above $75,000] be used by the Chamber to develop a small business program that encourages small businesses to form and promote themselves. Councilmember Hernandez stated that a 50% increase is reasonable [additional $25,000] and does not want to compromise the ability to rebuild both Planning and CDC who are down positions, and therefore, cannot support the amendment. Substitute Amendment Mayor Pro Tern Wong offered an amendment that in excess of the $75,000 to relieve the Chamber of both their rent and property 2 Council Minutes of 7/25/05 taxes, which would provide some relief to the Chamber. Mayor Pro Tern Wong commented that on tonight's agenda is a proposed sales tax reimbursement agreement between the City and the Community Development Commission, which would support the CDC's ability to appropriate additional funding. Councilmember Herfert supported allocating an additional $25,000 allowing the Chamber to balance their budget, with the option of revisiting further allocations at a later date. Councilmember Miller supported the additional $25,000 with the commitment to review in January. Councilmember Hernandez amended his original motion to include revisiting in January for possible further allocations. Amendment seconded by Herfert. Action Motion restated by Hernandez to grant the Chamber of Commerce $75,000 out of CDC funds, direct staff to work with them to reduce their overhead and revisit the matter in January to consider further allocations. Seconded by Herfert. Motion carried 5-0. 2005-2006 FISCAL YEAR PRELIMINARY BUDGET PREVIEW Finance Director Bachman presented a PowerPoint presentation of the budget overview. The presentation consisted of an overview of the measures taken to close the budget gap in 2004-05 and 2005-06 years, a revised 2005-06 budget. Public Works Director Yauchzee presented the Capital Improvement Program overview. This year there are no proposed expenditures of general fund money. Yauchzee reviewed the proposed projects for the year. Interim Human Resources Director Fields presented the Staff Reclassifications Report and proposed changes to the Human Resources, Community Development Commission departments. Staff responded to various questions from the Council. Public Testimony Audrey Lynberg had turned in a comment card in favor of the budget but left the meeting before the public comment period. Testimony Closed Deputy City Clerk Rush presented: Resolution No. 2005-49 RESOLUTION NO. 2005-49 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY Adopting July 1, 2005 through COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, June 30, 2006 Budget ADOPTING THE CITY OF WEST COVINA OPERATING BUDGET, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION BUDGET, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, AND LOCAL ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BUDGET AND APPROVING THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2005 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2006 Motion Motion by Herfert and seconded by Hernandez, to waiver further reading of the resolution and adopt. Motion carried 5 — 0. Motion by Herfert and seconded by Hernandez, to approve the budget as presented with staff reorganization coming back to Council at a later date. 3 Council Minutes of 7/25/05 SALES TAX REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF WEST COVINA AND THE WEST COVINA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Item V Finance Director Bachman presented the staff report. Council Sales Tax Reimbursement engaged in discussion. Deputy City Clerk Rush presented: Resolution No. 2005-50 RESOLUTION NO. 2005-50 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY Sales Tax Reimbursement COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, between the City and CDC ADOPTING THE CITY OF WEST COVINA OPERATING BUDGET, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION BUDGET, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, AND LOCAL ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BUDGET AND APPROVING THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2005 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2006 Motion Motion by Miller, Seconded by Herfert, to waive further reading of the resolution and adopt. Motion carried 5 — 0. Deputy City Clerk Rush presented: Resolution No. 582 RESOLUTION NO. 582 — A RESOLUTION OF THE Sales Tax Reimbursement COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY between the City and CDC OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE CITY OF WEST COVINA OPERATING BUDGET, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION BUDGET, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, AND LOCAL ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BUDGET AND APPROVING THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2005 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2006 Motion by Miller, Seconded by Hernandez, to waiver further reading of the resolution and adopt. Motion carried 5 — 0. Motion Motion by Wong and seconded by Herfert to approve the repayment of amount previously owed to the City by the CDC in the annual amount of $3.3 million. Motion carried 5-0. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Herfert and seconded by Hernandez to adjournment the meeting at 9:40 p.m. Motion carried 5-0. Submitted by: Assistant C4 Clerk Susan Rush F.