Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-06-12MINUTES Council Chamber, Civic Center Huntington Beach, California Monday, June 12, 1978 A tape recording of this meeting is on file in the City Clerk's Office Mayor Shenkman called the adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach to order at 4:30 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: MacAllister, Bailey, Mandic, Siebert, Shenkman, Thomas (arrived 6:00 P.M.)1 Absent: Pattinson �v POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET PRESENTATION Earle Robitaille, Police Chief, reviewed his departments proposed budget and referred to the organizational chart which was displayed on a viewgraph. He informed Council that if the department was to retain its present ser- vices, it would constitute a 111% budget. The projected costs to. pick up the downtown foot beats, beach officers and intersection details from July 1 to mid -September could be $120,000, and that this will not be addressed in this budget presentation as it is not a current program and is not reflected in any of the materials to be presented at this time. The Police Chief displayed a viewgraph showing the 88% (Jarvis) 100% 1977-78 Budget, 111% (Allocated Services), and reviewed the organizational structure of his department. He reported on the priorities of his department if it should have to function on the minimum budget. The budgetary cuts would be reflected in lengthened response time, lowered investigation time in certain matters, and reduced personnel communication with citizens. The possibility of Police Reserve Officers was discussed and the Police Chief stated that forthcoming legislation will require 400 hours of train- ing time as well as 200 hours of field work. He stated that people desir- ing to become Reserve Officers are usually working people and that it takes many months for them to fulfill the requirements. The Police Chief reported that his department intends to establish a fee for responses to false alarms and increase fees for copies of reports, etc. The function of the Police Officer's Association Pistol Range was also discussed as well as educational incentive costs. RECESS - RECONVENE The Mayor called a dinner recess of the Council at 6:10 P.M. Tha Ming was reconvened at 7:00 P.M. The Police Chief informed Council that during the recess he had obtained a copy of Resolution 4660, which sets forth charges for various pOblic documents, which Council had requested. He then continued his budget presen- o Page #2 - Council Minutes - 6/12/78 tation. The Police Chief was requested to provide information as to what cuts he would recommend if the Police Patrol force remained at its present level. Chief Robitaile stated that he would need direction as to Council's policy rela- tive to beach patrols, and the extent of the City's participation on the State beach. Councilman MacAllister requested that the Police Chief look into being reimbursed from the outside agencies needing the department's assistance such as in emergen- cies. Councilman Siebert spoke regarding the need to review policy decisions of the Police Department relative to priorities and best utilizing the department's resources. It was determined that the Police Chief and Councilmen Siebert, Shenk - man and MacAllister would meet at a later date. The Police Chief continued his budget review. The function of the City jail was discussed and the costs of transporting arrestees to the County would be more than the jail maintenance costs. The possibility of the County assuming the jail was discussed and the Council requested that this be investigated. The Council requested that the City Adminstrator present this proposal to the Board of Super- visors. Councilman Siebert requested that other cities be contacted for possible joint use of the City s jail and the Police Chief was requested to investigate this possibility. The City Administrator was requested to contact the school district to determine if volunteer PTA members could serve as crossing guards. Councilman MacAllister commented on the feasibility of using students for this purpose. The Aero Bureau was then reported on by the Police Chief. Discussion was held between Councilman Siebert and the Police Chief regarding the helicopter program. Councilman Siebert stated that he was opposed to the program. Councilman MacAllister requested a re0ort as to how many more units and officers would be needed to provide the service given by the helicopter. The Chief reported that he believed the savings in dropping the helicopter program would not be significant in relation to the total budget. Discussion was held between Councilman Thomas and the Police Chief relative to the amount of money for which the helicopters could be sold. Leslie Ross City resident, addressed Council and stressed the importance of the Police, Fire Department, Civil Defense and Harbors and Beaches Department and requested that the non -essential services be reduced. He spoke in support of the helicopter program both as a person working in the aviation field and as a resident. Susie Newman, City resident, addressed Council in support of the Police Department. She stated that she would request that a moratorium be placed on building development if the same level of service cannot continue to be provided. Mrs. Newman stated that she believed the Jarvis initiative passage showed that the citizens wanted a "no frills" government. The Director of the Huntinton beach Community Clinic addressed Council and stated his favorable impression of the Police. He urged that cuts not be made in the Police Department or the Fire Department paramedics. Page #3 - Council Minutes - 6/12/78 Dean Albright , City resident, addressed Council regarding the fact that the helicopter provides patrol over the school thus he believed lowering their insurance rates. He also spoke regarding the favorable Environmental Council Report on the helicopter program, citing its benefits. RECESS - RECONVENE The Mayor called a recess of Council at 8:55 P.M. The meeting was reconvened at 9:10 P.M. COASTAL INTERCEPTER SEWER Councilman Siebert brought Council's attention to the action taken by Council on June 7, 1978, authorizing the Planning Director to attend the Coastal Commission hearing on June 12, 1978 to state Council's support of the first reach of the Coastal Interceptor Sewer Project (From the Sanitation District to Lake Street). Councilman Siebert stated that Councilwoman Bailey, Council- man Mandic, Councilman Thomas and he had since that time sent a directive to the City Administrator that this recommendation be altered to request an extension of time from the Coastal Commission to allow the City time to further review the matter. He stated, however, that the Coastal Commission meeting today had been cancelled. GOLDENWEST/WARNER REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT SUIT - CONSULTATION AUTHORIZED On motion by Siebert, second Shenkman, Council authorized the City Attorney to meet at no cost to the City with Mr. Ed Dilkes, Redevelopment attorney, to review the merits of the Business Properties law suit at this preliminary stage, relative to the Warner/Goldenwest Redevelopment Project Suit. The motion carried unanimously. FREEZE ON HIRING - DISCUSSION Councilman Siebert stated that the subject of a hiring freeze had been discussed at the last meeting and that he believed the City Administrator should be given direction to place a freeze on hiring, except for emergency situations involving the City, until the budget procedure is completed and Council deter- mines the financial status of the City. Discussion was held on the matter and Councilman MacAllister questioned how this action would affect the City Attorney's Office as it was presently short staffed, further discussion was held. COASTAL INTERCEPTOR SEWER A motion was made by Bailey, second Siebert, to reconsider action taken on June 7, 1978, authorizing the Planning Director to attend the Coastal Commis- sion meeting to convey Council's support of the first reach of the Coastal Interceptor Sewer (from the Sanitation District to Lake Street). The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Thomas, Bailey, Siebert, Shenkman NOES: MacAllister ABSTAIN: Mandic ABSENT: Pattinson 01 Page #4 - Council Minutes - 6/12/78 HIRING FREEZE IMPOSED A motion was made by Bailey, second Siebert, to impose a hiring freeze on perma- nent full-time positions until after the budget is adopted, except for emergency exceptions. The City Attorney, in response to a question by Councilman MacAllister, reported on the staff available in her office to carry out the work and the problems faced. Discussion was held regarding the feasibility of transferring the attorney presently assigned to the Police Department to the City Attorney's Office. The motion made by Bailey, seconded by Siebert, carried by the following vote: AYES: Thomas, Bailey, Mandic, Siebert, Shenkman NOES: MacAllister ABSENT: Pattinson FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET PRESENTATION Chief Picard made his department's presentation of the Jarvis Budget. He stated that in order to maintain the two paramedic units the level of fire station cover- age was spread very thin. He displayed a viewgraph of the Fire Department Activity Report covering 1974 through projected 1979 and presented the ten year goal line of fire incidents. A fire loss chart was displayed showing the loss and the inflation factor loss as well as the per capita fire loss. A report was also made on the emergency medical aid incident The employment strategy of the fire stations was shown, together with the interdependency among cities. The Fire Chief then pre- sented a review of service levels. He stated that the major impact of Jarvis would be the closure of two fire stations for 50% of the time. He reviewed the Fire Control Situation, Fire Prevention Program, and Joint Powers Program under a Jarvis 80% budget. A review was made of the Adminstrative Division of the Department and the Fire Prevention Division. He outlined the Operations Division which included Fire Control and Medical Aid, Paramedics, Support and Joint Powers. The Fire Chief stated that in his professional opinion the City Fire Department will not run on any less than seven divisions and two trucks and that if necessary he would consider volunteers. He presented a program cost/revenue summary showing various ways revenues could be derived such as a $1.00 per month subscription paramedic fee or $80 users fee, increased cost for report sales, plan check fees and inspections. The Mayor requested that other departments use the Fire Departments format. The method of collection for paramedic service fees was discussed as well as other aspects of this proposed plan. Councilman Siebert spoke regarding his belief that the paramedic subscription rates be differentiated as to school, doctor offices and others who use these services more frequently. He stated that the paramedics must have the resources to cope with increased usage which he believes will result with subscription service. 135 Page #5 - Council Minutes - 6/12/78 1 ADJOURNMENT The Mayor declared the adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach adjourned to Tuesday, June 13, 1978 at 4:30 P.M. in the Council Chamber. ATTEST: Alicia M. Wentworth City Clerk d?Z�/1.� Deputy Alicia M. Wentworth City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach, California By: Deputy -City Clerk S('�