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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-06-28MINUTES Council Chamber, Civic Center Huntington Beach, California Wednesday, June 28, 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 7:00 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: MacAllister, Bailey, Mandic, Siebert, Shenkman Absent: Pattinson, Thomas The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Mandic. Mayor Shenkman addressed Council and urged them to 'compromise' wherever possible regarding revenue producing sources as one person could probably negate any action. Mayor Shenkman referred to a transmittal which had been received from outside Labor Negotiator, Nicholas Counter, pertaining to Senate Bill 154, which he read to Council. LIBRARY - BUDGET BUILDING BLOCK Discussion was held regarding the Library budget. NON -DEPARTMENTAL - BUDGET BUILDING BLOCK Discussion was held between Council regarding the Non -Departmental budget. Following discussion, a motion was made by MacAllister, seconded by Mandic, to approve $700,000 in the Non -Departmental Budget with $500,000 of that amount being earmarked for Personnel. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: MacAllister, Bailey, Mandic, Siebert, Shenkman NOES: none ABSENT: Pattinson, Thomas Discussion was held by Council on the Non»Deoartmental budget and its accessibility. The Director of Public Works informed Council that the trash collection funds were included in this budget and that the City may have to add an additional cost to this fund in the amount of $300,000, since the County plans to charge the City for the use of their land -fill. Page #2 - Council Minutes - 6/28/78 The Assistant to the City Administrator informed Council that it was his under- standing that the Board of Supervisors was considering imposing a transfer station and land -fill fee of $3.00 or $2.50 and $5.00 a ton respectively. He stated that the fees would fall heavily upon the City and that Rainbow Disposal had estimated the cost to the City would be $400,000 in additional fees, if adopted for an entire year. However, it was possible that the figure could be cut in half, were it to be adopted as of January 1, 1978. Discussion was held on alternative dumping sites and land -fill sites and the Director of Public Works informed Council that the Bruce Bros. pit at the southwest corner of Talbert Avenue and Gothard Street, in checking with the County some five or six years ago, had proved impossible for use due to possible contamination of ground water CIVIC PROMOTION - BUDGET BUILDING BLOCK A review was made by Council and staff of the Civic Promotion Budget Building Block. Councilwoman Bailey stated that she believed that if the 4th of July Parade was to be mentioned in the budget for the next year, it should be with the stipulation that it be self-supporting. Councilman Siebert believed that the 4th of July Parade should be removed from next year's budget and suggested that the City embark immediately up- on an approach of greater civic involvement. He suggested various means by which the Parade could be subsidized. A motion was made by Siebert, seconded by Mandic, that the 4th of July Parade be removed from the proposed budget. A vote was taken on the motion which carried as follows: AYES: MacAllister; Bailey, Mandic, Siebert, Shenkman NOES: None ABSENT: Pattinson, Thomas Further discussion was held between Council as to the intent of the motion, and Mayor Shenkman directed that the Special Events Committee set up a meeting as soon as possible with Council after the present Parade, at which time more direction could be given as to how the Parade could be conducted in the future, especially pertaining to police protection. Councilwoman Bailey stated that.she would be attending a meeting of the Special Events Committee on June 29th and would relay the direction at that time. Discussion was held between Council regarding the Huntington Beach Community Clinic. The City Administrator informed Council that the City subsidizes the clinic in the amount of $300 a month (approximately), and that the space is given to them without charge. Councilman Mandic stated that he was not in favor of supporting the Huntington Beach Community Clinic. Councilman Siebert stated that he was not in favor of supporting them but would not oppose the continuance of the City loaning them space free of charge. Mayor Shenkman stated that he would support the clinic and funding by the City. Councilman Siebert informed Council that he was in favor of dropping the City's membership in the Southern California Association of Governments and believed the National League of Cities' membership to be a waste of funds. 133 Page #3 Council Minutes - 6/28/78 Mayor Shenkman directed the City Administrator to give Council a report on accrued benefits from the National League of Cities and possible deleterious effects upon withdrawal from the League. Councilwoman Bailey stated that she was in favor of remaining in the rational League of Cities and was also in favor of supporting the Huntington Beach Community Clinic; however, she would like to see a cut in funds to the Allied Arts Commission. Councilman Mandic stated that he would like to take a closer look at the functions of the clinic. CITY CLERK'S OFFICE - BUDGET BUILDING BLOCK Council reviewed the budget presented by the City Clerk's Office for additional funding for part-time help. CITY COUNCIL - BUDGET BUILDING BLOCK Mayor Shenkman requested that the gasoline allowance, Account No. 100-247 in the amount of $1500 be removed from the budget. Referring to 'Conferences', he stated that he was not in favor of any out-of-state conferences being funded. Mayor Shenkman suggested that '.Conferences' be budgeted and persons wishing to attend could bring the matter before Council on an individual basis at which time the necessary funds could be approved. He requested that 'Conferences' in the amount of $4,313 be removed from the budget. Councilman Siebert concurred with Mayor Shenkman's views regarding 'Conferences' suggesting that they be removed from the Administration budget also. A motion was made by Siebert, seconded by MacAllister, to remove 'gasoline allowance' in the amount of $1,500, and 'conference allowances' in the amount of $4,313, from the proposed budget. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: MacAllister, Bailey, Mandic, Siebert, Shenkman NOES: None ABSENT: Pattinson, Thomas Council would, therefore, be approving the amount of $43,187 rather than the proposed $49,000. NON -DEPARTMENTAL - BUDGET BUILDING BLOCK i TELEPHONE SYSTEM Councilwoman Bailey inquired whether the City had explored the feasibility of operating its own independent telephone system. The City Administrator responded that the matter was under consideration at the present time and a report would be submitted to Council at a.later date. COASTAL EROSION The City Administrator informed Council that this account was being reviewed, and the budget in which it was included would be increased to cover this ser- vice. Erich Matthews, Administrative Assistant, stated that the amount of $27,000 could probably be reduced to $24,000. 134 Page #4 - Council Minutes - 6/28/78 SERVICE CONTRACTS Councilman Mandic inquired as to what items the Service Contract pertained and was informed that it related to advertising submitted by the City Clerk's Office, which was a mandatory procedure. UTILITIES The City Administrator informed Council that there had been a change in the utility figures, which should now read: Water - $95,977, Gas - $77,045, and Electricity - $1,481,234. LABOR NEGOTIATIONS Councilman Mandic inquired whether City Attorney employee, R. Sangster would be acting in the capacity of Labor Relations Negotiator on behalf of the City, to which the City Attorney responded that she was preparing a memo for Council on the matter. Referring to the $35,000 fee paid to the City's Outside Labor Relations Negotiator, Councilman Mandic believed the amount was high. Mayor Shenkman believed it imperative that the City retain Nicholas Counter as Outside Labor Relations Negotiator for the City. Following discussion, a motion was made by Siebert, seconded by Bailey, that the $35,000 fee, and the title "Outside Labor Relations Negotiator" appear in the Person- nel budget. .. The motion carried by the following roil call vote: AYES: MacAllister, Bailey, Mandic, Siebert, Shenkman NOES: None ABSENT: Pattinson, Thomas POSTAL RATES It was determined that no increase had been made for postage allowance, due to underexpenditure in 1977-78. COPY MACHINES Councilman MacAllister_ suggested that charges be made for copies and was informed that the City had been following this practice for some time. He believed the City should consider hiring an in-house person, who would be able to service all the machines in the City, rather than pay contractually. OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL - CHARLES POLLYEA & ASSOCIATES Councilman Mandic informed Council that he was in favor of retaining the City's outside Legal Counsel, Charles Pollyea & Associates. The City Adminstrator commented on Mr. Pollyea's efforts on behalf of the City in the Terry Law Suit and the Bankruptcy of the Huntington Beach Inn. Following discussion, a motion was made by MacAllister, seconded by Bailey, that Chas. Pollyea & Associates be retained to represent the City in the Terry Law Suit and the Huntington Beach Inn bankruptcy procedure. Page #5 - Council Minutes - 6/28/78 Councilman Siebert stated his belief that these Contractual Services should be included in the City Attorney's budget. A vote was taken on the motion made by MacAllister, which carried as follows: AYES: MacAllister, Bailey, Mandic, Siebert, Shenkman NOES: None ABSENT: Pattinson, Thomas CITY ATTORNEY - BUDGET BUILDING BLOCK Councilman Siebert stated that he believed cuts should be made at the adminis- trative level and suggested that the classifications of 'Assistant City Attor- ney' should be eliminated, and only the title of 'Deputy' remain. Councilman Mandic concurred that cuts should be made at the administrative level but expressed concern that should the Assistant Attorney's position be eliminated, there would be no one who could function adequately in the absence of, and on behalf of the City Attorney. City Attorney Gail Hutton responded to Councilman Siebert's suggestion and stated that she had prepared some explanation, believing that there was only a difference in salary of approximately $1,800 between the position of Assis- tant City Attorney and Deputy III and in her opinion, the added responsibility of the Assistant City Attorney justified the difference in salary. Mayor Shenkman stated that he was not in support of Councilman Siebert's sugges- tion. A motion was made by Siebert, seconded by Bailey, that the classification of 'Assistant City Attorney' be removed from the City Attorney's budget. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Bailey, Mandic, Siebert NOES: MacAllister, Shenkman ABSENT: Pattinson, Thomas The City Attorney informed Council that she would prefer that they make no decision regarding reclassification at this time and suggested that a trial period be considered before formal action is taken. Mayor Shenkman expressed concern that Council might be infringing upon an employee's rights which could possibly result in litigation, with which the City Attorney agreed. She suggested that the matter be addressed properly in an Executive Session, especially with regard to changes in classification. She also informed Council that if they intended retaining the services of the current Assistant City Attorney, that Council must take action to employ him in the capacity of Deputy III, E Step. A motion was made by Bailey, seconded by MacAllister, that the City retain the Assistant City Attorney under the title of Deputy III, E Step. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Siebert, seconded by Bailey, to rescind the former motion made that the classification of 'Assistant City Attorney' be removed from the City Attorney's budget. The motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Siebert, seconded by Bailey, to rescind the motion that the City retain the Assistant City Attorney under the title of Deputy III, E. Step. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: MacAllister, Bailey, Mandic, Siebert, Shenkman, NOES: None ABSENT: Pattinson, Thomas Page #6 - Council Minutes - 6/28118 A motion was made by Shenkman, seconded by MacAllister, to fund the City Attorney's budget including $35,000 for Chas. Pollyea & Associates, Outside Legal Counsel. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: MacAllister, Bailey, Mandic, Siebert, Shenkman NOES: None ABSENT: Pattinson, Thomas PERSONNEL - BUDGET BUILDING BLOCK Council reviewed the Personnel budget but no comments were made. RECESS - RECONVENE Mayor Shenkman called a recess of Council at 9:30 P.M. which he later reconvened at 9:50 P.M. RECREATION, PARKS AND HUMAN SERVICES Discussion was held on the matter, following which a motion was made by Bailey, seconded by Mandic, that the City fund the Human Resources grant from revenue sharing, not to exceed $100,000. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: MacAllister, Bailey, Mandic, Siebert, Shenkman NOES: None ABSENT: Pattinson, Thomas RESOLUTION NO 4631 INTE_R_IM BUDGET 1978179 - ADOPTED The Clerk was directed to give Resolution No. 4631 a reading by title - "A RESOLUTIO OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH ADOPTING AN INTERIM BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1978-1979 IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,826,800 WITH A THIRTY -DAY MORATORIUM ON ANY REDUCTION OF PERSONNEL". Mayor Shenkman announced that the City council would be adopting the budget at this time, based on the Jarvis budget of $27,000 without Building Blocks, as an interim budget, and that this would include a 30 day moratorium on personnel lay-off to enable Council to ascertain what amount of State funding would be forthcoming and give the matter the advantage of a full Council. On motion by MacAllister, second Siebert, Council waived further reading of Resolution No. 4631 and adopted same by the following roil call vote: AYES: MacAllister, Bailey, Mandic, Siebert, Shenkman NOES: None ABSENT: Pattinson, Thomas HARBORS & BEACHES - RECREATION, PARKS & HUMAN SERVICES The Director of Harbors & Beaches requested Council to take formal action regarding the Junior Lifeguard program, which he reminded Council was being privately funded. The Recreation & Parks Director stated that their department involved a similar situ tion. A motion was made by Siebert, seconded by MacAllister, to adopt into the Interim Budget the building block amounts for Harbors and Beaches, and Recreation, Parks & Human Services. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: ,1,`3'';NOES : ABSENT: MacAllister, Bailey, Mandic, Siebert, Shenkman None Pattinson, Thomas Page #7 - Council Minutes - 6/28/78 ANIMAL CONTROL CONTRACT Discussion was held between Council and staff on the Animal Control services to the City. On motion by Siebert, second MacAllister, Council directed that the Animal Control contract be cut by one-third by eliminating one shift at a saving of $3,500 per month to the City. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: MacAllister, Bailey, Mandic, Siebert, Shenkman NOES: None ABSENT: Pattinson, Thomas TRAFFIC SIGNALS - MAINTENANCE CONTRACT The Director of Public Works informed Council that a signal maintenance con- tract would be necessary in the amount of $30,000 but that it could be voided with 30 days notice. A motion was made by MacAllister, seconded by Siebert, to extend the contract between the City and Signal Maintenance, Inc. for maintenance of traffic sig- nals for 30 days. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: MacAllister, Bailey, Mandic, Siebert, Shenkman NUES: None ABSENT: Pattinson, Thomas REVENUES The City Administrator addressed Council regarding the Revenue Budget Building Blocks. FIRE DEPARTMENT Fire Chief Ray Picard addressed Council regarding fees charged by the Fire Department and the categories for the services. Discussion was held on whether the fire protection services should be fully funded by the City. Mayor Shenkman did not believe it would be beneficial to take any action before July 1, 1978. Discussion was held on the Paramedic services to the City and the procedure for collecting fees. Various suggestions of methods of coTlectin fees -for Paramedic services by Council and staff were discussed. 111,38 Page 08 - Council Minutes - 6/28/78 ADJOURNMENT On motion by MacAllister, second Shenkman, the adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach was adjourned to June 29, 1978 at 7:30 P.M., Council Chamber. The motion carried unanimously. City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach, California ATTEST; AV city C1 erk t+iayor I Ill 9