HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-10-30u
MINUTES
Room 6-8, Civic Center
Huntington Beach, California
Monday, October 30, 1978
A tape recording of this meeting is
on file in the City Clerk's Office.
Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert 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: Pattinson, MacAllister, Bailey, Mandic, Siebert
Absent: Thomas, Shenkman
MANAGEMENT AUDITS - 8007, ALLEN & HAMILTON - PUBLIC WORKS/POLICE/LIBRARY
Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert announced that there would be a limited time for oral
communications, following the management audit report, the City Administrator's re-
port and presentation on the proposed reorganization of Harbors & Beaches/Recreation
and Parks Departments.
The City Administrator addressed Council and informed them that the auditing of the
three departments had been initiated by the departments. In his opinion, due to
Proposition 13, it was essential that the audits be initiated at this time.
Earle Boulton, Booz, Allen & Hamilton, addressed Council and outlined the manage-
ment audit process, adding that the Department Directors had endorsed this type of
approach. Mr. Boulton informed Council that this was not a remedial situation but
rather where a good operation was helped to become an even better one.
He introduced Peter Gorman, who informed Council that he would review them, through
the use of graphics, the financial conclusions and recommendations of the study and
its background.
Peter Gorman, Project Director, addressed Council and referred to the departmental
studies. He referred to the "Summary of Management Audits of the Huntington Beach
Public Works, Library and Police Departments", dated October,1978. 111r. Gorman also
referred to the background and objectives, recommendations from the Public Works,
Library and Police Departments and departmental responses and summary. He referred
also the General Fund from 1973 - 1978, going through the summary and explaining
recommendations of the auditors.
Discussion was held on the recommendation of the auditors to close the Library
Annexes. Mr. Gorman explained that the system would only be discontinued when an-
other system such as an outreach program had been developed to replace it. However,
he informed Council, the auditors would not withdraw any of their major suggestions
which had been submitted in the report.
100
Page #2 - Council Minutes - 10/30/78
Reorganization of the Police Department was discussed and the procedure by which
the Acting Police Chief is selected during the absence of Chief Robitaille. Police
Chief Robitaille gave reasons why he was not in favor of the recommendation made
by the auditors against the policy of rotating Acting Police Chiefs, as he believed
it was a good personnel training procedure.
Discussion was held on job categories, such as Directors and Assistant Directors
and in particular at the Library. The Library Director spoke on the matter.
Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert thanked Booz, Allen & Hamilton for their presentation,
stating that he particularly appreciated the capsulated report.
PROPOSED REORGANIZATION OF HARBORS & BEACHES/RECREATION & PARKS DEPARTMENT -
ACTION DEFERRED TO 11� 78 - - - -
The City Administrator referred to his recommendation that the functions of
Recreation, Parks and Human Services be consolidated with the Harbors, Beaches and
Development Department, pointing out that this would reduce his span of control and
provide a coordination of beach and park maintenance functions. The City Adminis-
trator referred to the program operated by Vivian Horns, Human Services Superin-
tendent, and her concern for the Senior Citizen Programs. He stated that the same
concern would be given under the new administration, along with the recreational
program, for which the City had received national recognition.
The City Administrator suggested that because of the maintenance of the proposed
consolidation, that a decision on the matter be held in abeyance until a full
Council is present.
Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert invited Council to comment upon the proposed consolida-
ion of the two departments, following which he would open the meeting to public input.
Councilman Pattinson informed Council that he had read the reports and would not
want to diminish any of the present services, however, he concurred with the opinion
of the City Administrator.
Councilwoman Bailey reminded Council that the proposed consolidation was being
considered upon the recommendation of the City Administrator; that Council had not
made the recommendation. She stated that her recommendation had merely been to
consolidate maintenance and in her opinion, public opinion should be sought in
addition to that of the Recreation and Parks Commission before a decision is made.
She pointed out that no definite costs were indicated; some people would be demoted;
Council should be made aware of costs and whether the benefits warranted the action,
and; whatever else would be achieved other than narrowing the span of control of
the City Administrator. One of her special interests, she stated, is Human Resources
and she would not like to see the service cut back.
Councilman MacAllister informed Council that he had looked into duplication of
services in many areas of other departments. He gave reasons why he was in favor of
combining the two departments and strongly approved the reduced administrative costs.
Councilman Mandic stated that he had difficulty in approving changes at this time
since he believed everything would have to be reviewed should a new budget be adopt-
ed later on, and reshuffling costs money. He suggested waiting for new revenue
figures for next year before reorganizing.
10 .
Page #3 - Council Minutes - 10/30/78
Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert questioned whether the proposed consolidation of the two
departments would amount to any cost -saving. He believed citizens should be per-
mitted more opportunity for input, and in his opinion this type of amalgamation
would close doors to citizens' rights on how funds are spent, since the combination
would be more segregated and less accessible to the public. In his opinion, also
the needs of the public are not being met; he suggested greater public involve-
ment and more accessibility of departments heads. In conclusion, Mayor Pro-Tempore
Siebert informed Council that unless he saw a great cost savings to the City in
dollars and cents, he would not vote in favor of combining these two departments
at this time. He questioned how each Councilmember judged each dollar spent,
against the community needs.
The City Administrator concurred that the cost savings should be identified. He
pointed out that in each of the two departments, service costs represent 80% of
their budget. He gave reasons why he was in favor of combining the two departments.
PUBLIC INPUT
Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert announced that the meeting would now be open to the public
for their comments.
Councilman Pattinson left the meeting at this time, requesting that a tape of the
following oral communications be made available to him before the next Council
meeting.
Tom Lyles, City, addressed Council and informed them that he found it confusing that
the City Administrator wants greater efficiency by increasing his span of control by
decreasing control of the departments. He gave reasons why he was not in favor of
consolidating the two departments and expressed concern that services would be
reduced.
Fred Leahey, City, addressed Council and presented an informal petition, listing
approximately 267 signatures, which expressed concern for the welfare of the senior
citizens and youth of the community. Mr. Leahey read the petition to Council, which
did not favor combining the departments, unless continued under the Director of staff
of Recreation, Parks and Human Services, who they believed understand and have pro-
moted the welfare of senior citizens and youth and proven sincerity in development
of successful programs for these groups. He suggested 'trimming the fat' from
department head salaries rather than cutting back on services to the community as
a means of economizing within the City.
,y/ ✓
Marty Earlabaugh, City, addressed Council and informed tham that she is actively
involved in the City's Community Free Clinic, and also Chairperson of the Human
Resources program. She referred to the needs of the community and stated that she
believed administration, through Recreation, Parks and Human Services has for
years been addressing itself to identifying the needs of the City, in her opinion
which are being met. She cited several Recreation & Parks projects which catered
to the needs of the City giving reasons why along with the Department of Human
Resources, she would like to see each department con roue as at present.
Betty Kennedy, Chairman of the Recreation and Parks Commission, addressed Council
and stated that the Commission was looking forward to voicing their reaction to the
change. Mrs. Kennedy stated that on behalf of Dr. Shipley, she urged Council to con-
Page #4 - Council Minutes - 10/30/78
sider all the factors and not make a hasty decision. She read the communication from
Dr. Shipley at this time and in conclusion, urged Council to permit the department
to continue operating as at present.
Gary A. Reboin, City, addressed Council and stated that he believes the Recreation
and Parks Department to be the finest of its kind and that staff had made it so.
He urged Council to consider leaving the departments separate from each other.
Norma Vander Molen, Recreation and Parks Commissioner and Vice Chairman, addressed
Council informing them that she concurred with Betty Kennedy and Fred Leahey and
additionally was concerned that under new leadership, goals set for Huntington
Central Park may not be achieved. She referred to a committee report on the matter,
adding that she believed citizens to be concerned with ordinary things such as play-
grounds, youth complexes, etc. and not necessarily 'commercial' things.
Lynn Balding, City, addressed Council, informing them that she was one of the
original 'People for Parks' in 1966, and together with Dr. Shipley was instrumental
in instigating the six million dollar bond issue for Central Park. She stated that
she was in favor of Recreation & Parks remaining as a separate entity.
There being no one further to speak on the matter, Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert closed
public input.
Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert announced that Mayor Shenkman and Councilmen Thomas and
Pattinson would listen to a tape recording of the evening's meeting and that the
matter would be put back on the agenda at a later date.
The City Administrator reminded Council that in his initial report, he had sub-
mitted alternatives, which were as follows:
1. Follow the City Administrator's proposal and consolidate the Recreation, Parks
and Human Services Department into the Harbors and Beaches Department. This
would reduce the department head span of control by one.
2. Consolidate Recreation, Parks and Human Services with Harbors and Beaches Depart-
ment and also merge the Street Tree and Landscape Division of Public Works into
the new department. This would reduce the department head span of control by
one.
3. Transfer the park maintenance operation, contract negotiation and lessee manage-
ment responsibility to the Harbors and Beaches Department. This would leave a
Department of Recreation, Park Development and Human Services as a separate
entity. The span of control would remain the same.
4. Transfer park maintenance to the Tree and Landscape Division of the Public Works
Department. Transfer contract negotiations and lessee management responsibility.
to the Harbors and Beaches Department. This would leave a department of
Recreation, Park Development and Human Services as a separate entity. The span
of control would remain the same.
Councilman MacAllister referred to the study session to be held November 6, 1978 at
6:30, giving various suggestions of what he would like to see discussed at that
time.
Page #5 - Council Minutes - 10/30/78
Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert stated that he had a question which comes from the public
as well as himself relative to the procedure necessary to implement this type of
change in the City's reorganization, since staff is created by ordinance.
The City Attorney responded that she assumed the ordinance would be changed, point-
ing out that an ordinance can always be changed, but that the Charter cannot.
Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert stated that people had been inquiring whether the proposals
were administrative suggestions, made with the concurrence of Council.
Councilwoman Bailey inquired whether the new position of a Department head would need
to be advertised. The City Attorney responded that she would have to review ordinances
and personnel rules before making a determination. Following further discussion, the
City Attorney was directed to look into the matter and report her findings to Council.
RECESS - RECONVENE /
Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert called a recess of Council at 9:05 P.M. for the purpose of
meeting with Nicholas Counter, Outside Labor Negotiator for the City. The meeting
was later reconvened at 11:45 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert adjourned the adjourned regular meeting of the City Council
of the City of Huntington Beach at 11:45 P.M. to Monday, November 6, 1978 in Room
B-8, Civic Center.
ATTEST:
Alicia M. Wentworth
City Clerk
BY1'�41 -
Deputy City Terk
Alicia M. Wentworth
City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk
of the City Council of the City
of Huntington Beach, California
Deputy T-fty gerk'=
Ron Shenkman
Mayor
BY•
Mayor Pro Tempore