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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-10-10MINUTES Council Chamber, Civic Center Huntington Beach, California Tuesday, October 10, 1978 A tape recording of this meeting is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Mayor Shenkman called the ajourned regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach to order at 7:00 P.M. The Pledge of Allegiance was given by all present in the Council Chamber.. ROLL CALL Present: Pattinson, MacAllister, Bailey, Mandic, Siebert Absent: Thomas, Shenkman 2- . "1 PRESENTATION BY CITY ADMINISTRATOR RE: PROPOSED REORGANIZATION Proposed Reorganization of Development Services Activities The City Administrator reported on the possibility of combining the Department of Planning and Environmental Resources and the Depart- ment of Building and Community Development into one department. He referred to his communication dated October S, 1978, to Council and the six recommendations relative to the proposed consolidation which had also been transmitted to Council. Each .Co.uncilmember gave their viewpoint on the proposal. Items such as cost, personnel, savings by elimination of duplication, and whether the proposed reorganization would adversely affect the function of the various boards and commissions. The Director of Public Works reported on the transportation planning and traffic engineering functions. The Acting Planning Director stated that he believed the proposed consolidation was a great oppor- tunity for the City. He stated that he believed the present Building Director had the qualifications necessary to assume this role. He recommended that the department be structured so that a system of "checks and balances" is retained. A motion was made by Pattinson, to direct the City Administrator to advertise for a Director of Development Services. Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert presented reasons why he did not believe a motion should be entertained. Discussion was held by Council. The Mayor Pro Tempore directed the City Administrator to prepare recommendations relative to the reorganization of Development Ser- vices Activities and the advertisement for a Director for presentation at the October 16, 1978 Council meeting. The motion *4 de by Pattinson died for lack of a second. Page ##2 - Council Minutes - 10/10/78 J Harbors & Beaches/Parks, Recreation & Human Services Consolidation The City Administrator reported on the proposed consolidation of the Department of Harbors, Beaches and Development and the Parks, Recreation and Human Services Department. Councilwoman Bailey requested that the involved department heads report on the matter. The Director of Parks, Recreation and Human Services gave reasons why he did not believe the depart- ments should be merged, citing the accomplishments of his depart- ment. He stated that if it were Council's desire for such consol- idation that he would pledge the support of his department. The Director of Harbors, Beaches and Development stated that he was in support of the consolidation. Discussion was held by Council. Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert stated that consolidation appears to be the desire of Council, however much more back-up information from the involved departments, the areas in which they currently function and the proposed changes, would be necessary for Council to review at a later date. Reor anization of Development Services Activities Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert suggested that the Director of Building and Community Development be given an opportunity to comment on the proposed combining of the Department of Planning and Environ- mental Resources and the Department of Building and Community Development, as he had not had the opportunity when the proposal was discussed earlier in the meeting. The Building Director replied that he believed there were substan- tial advantages to consolidation, such as time saving, administra- tion and elimination of duplication, however, he did not believe the plan proposed was in the City's best interests, as it relates to a planning process and that he believed the Department of Public Works and Fire. Department should be involved. He also stated that he believed advance planning should be separate from line planning. The Acting Planning Director informed Council that he had directed a memorandum to Richard Harlow, former Assistant City Administrator regarding the proposed consolidation. He spoke regarding the need for deep, detailed planning. Councilman Mandic stated that he would like a breakdown on the organization structure. The Mayor Pro Tempore requested that Administration prepare a report on the separation of line planning from advance planning. Consolidation of Mechanical_ Maintenance The City Administrator stated that a meeting had been held by a committee consisting of Erich Matthews, Assistant to the City Administrator, Police Chief Robitaille, Fire Chief Picard, Max Bowman, Assistant Harbors and Beaches Director and the Director of Public Works; however, since that time information from the City of phoenix, Arizona and Fullerton had been received. He stated that he would like to hold this item in abeyance pending an analysis of the reports. The City Administrator stated that Page #3 - Council Minutes - 10/10/78 he concurred with Councilman MacAllister's opinion that the beach vehicles be maintained at the present location. Discussion was held by Council regarding various aspects of vehicle maintenance and surplus vehicle procedure. The Mayor Pro.Tempore suggested that a plan be established to allow for normal routine maintenance as differentiated from major maintenance. Councilman Pattinson gave reasons why he believed the Police Department and the Fire Department needed their own mechanics and stated that this should be examined. Councilman Mandic suggested that a centralised place for parts be studied as well as a consolidation of the brands of vehicles purchased for the City. He stated the possibility of using old police cars for department head vehicles rather than junking them. Erich Matthews, Assistant to the City Administrator explained the current process whereby auctions bring in more money than trade-ins. Administration Reorganization The City Administrator reported on his recommendations for the reorganization of his department as outlined in his communication dated October 6, 1978. Considerable discussion was held between the City Administrator and Council regarding his recommendation that the position of Assistant City Administrator not be filled at the present time. Department of Public Works Reorganization The City Administrator reported on the proposal .for a reorganization of the Department of Public Works as outlined in his communication dated October 6, 1976, and the report from the Director of Public Works dated October 5, 1978. Discussion was held between the Council and the Director of Public Works. The Director of Public Works presented reasons why he believed the water operations should remain a part of the Department of Public Works. Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert requested that this item be on the next Agenda for Council approval. Finance De artment Reorganization ✓ The City Administrator reported on the proposed reorganization of the Finance Department as outlined in the Finance Director's communi- cation dated September 27,!1978 and'in his communication to Council dated October 6, 1978. The Finance Director reported onthe effect of the CETA program on the structure of his department, stating that reliance on CETA must be phased out. Discussion was held regarding conference accounts. Councilwoman Bailey inquired as to whether consideration had been given to com- bining the Treasurer's office with the Finance Department, and the City Administrator stated that this matter would be reported on at a later date. Discussion was then held regarding the matter of placing surplus salaries into unappropriated surplus. The Mayor Gs Page #4 - Council Minutes - 10/10/78 Pro Tempore requested that the proposed reorganization of the Finance Department be placed on the.October 16, 1978 Agenda. DOWNTOWN ENFORCEMENT POLICY The City Administrator reported on the proposed Downtown Special Enforcement Plan as set forth in the communication from Captain Bert T. Ekstrom dated October 5, 1978. Police Captain Jenkins reported on the personnel constrictions of the department. A workable solution was discussed by the Council and Captain Jenkins. It was suggested that a 60 day period be used to implement the plan. Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert stated this matter would appear before Council at the October 16, 1978 meeting with information relative to the implementation of the plan. Discussion was then held regarding scheduling a meeting between the Police Department, downtown merchants and the police officers who will be partici- pating in the plan. The Mayor Pro Tempore informed Council that Councilman Thomas had informed him that if Council agreed with the proposal he would also be 100% in favor and requested that this be made a matter of record. LEVEL OF VICE ENFORCEMENT The City Administrator informed Council that they had been pro- vided with copies of the communication dated October 5, 1978, from Captain G. L. Payne, Commander, Investigation Division, re- garding vice enforcement. He stated that Council policy was re- quested in this matter, Captain Payne addressed Council regarding the matter. Discussion was held regarding the need to revise the City code relative to masseuse activities. The City Administrator was requested to meet with the Police Department to determine the factors involved, such as the writing of ordinances, so that vice enforcement can be effective. CLARIFICATION AND UNIFORMITY OF THE BUDGETING PROCESS - DEFERRED The Council determined that the matter of the budgeting process would be deferred to water date. LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE The City Administrator referred to a communication from the Planning Department recommending the appointment of persons to -the Local Coastal Program Citizen Advisory Committee as recommended by Council members Bailey, Mandic and Pattinson. He informed Council that a communication had been received from the California•Marine Parks and Harbors Association suggesting names of people who could be appointed. He stated that a letter from the industrial segment was expected to be received, and that a letter from the Building Industries association had been received suggesting that if Council were to consider a representative from their area; that it be Richard Harlow, former Assistant City Administrator, who is now in their employ. The City Administrator stated that he would recommend Page #5 - Council Minutes - 10/10/78 staying with the present recommendation of 17 members and that others could still provide input as private citizens. A motion was made by Bailey, seconded by Mandic to appoint, the 17 members to the Local Coastal Program Citizen Advisory Committee as recommended by the Council Committee, with the exception of Sissel Andreasson, Redevelopment Commissioner, replacing Manuel Perez, former Redevelopment Commissioner. Discussion was held regarding the matter of withholding action on this item to the next regular meeting. The motion failed to pass by the following roll call vote:. AYES: Mandic, Bailey NOES: Siebert, MacAllister ABSTAIN: Pattinson ABSENT: Shenkman, Thomas COUNCIL STUDY SESSION QUESTIONNAIRE The City Administrator informed Council that a questionnaire from Councilman MacAllister had been placed in the Council packets relative to procedures for study sessions. PUBLIC HEARING - GENERAL REVENUE SHARING FUNDS - 10 16 76 The City Administrator informed Council of the public hearing set for October 16, 1978, at 6:30 P.M. in the Council Chamber, on the use of General Revenue Sharing Funds. r COMMUNCIATION FROM ASSEMBLYMAN MANGERS RE: COUNCILMAN THOMAS The Mayor Pro Te mpor* read a ropy of Yaycr Shenkman's communication transmitting a letter from Assemblyman Mangers who had received input from the Office of the Attorney General on October 6, 1978. The communication from the Mayor recommended that the City no longer pursue the issue as it relates to Councilman John Thomas, that Councilman Thomas be allowed to function without a cloud over his title and that the City Attorney be directed to stop all proceedings as they relate to rendering an opinion on this issue. Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert then read the attached letter dated October 10, 1978 written by Assemblyman Mangers to Mayor Shenkman regarding the opinion from the Office of Legislative Counsel, California State Legislature. f �� Page #6 - Council Minutes 1O/10/78 ADJOURNMENT The Mayor Pro Tempore adjourned of the City Council of the City October 16, 1978, at 6:30 P.M., ATTEST: City Clerk the adjourned regular meeting of Huntington Beach to Monday, in the Council Chamber. City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach, California Mayor Pro Tempore