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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-02-12MINUTES CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH Central Library, Rooms C and D 7111 Talbert Avenue Huntington Beach, California Monday, February 12, 1996 Mayor Sullivan called the adjourned regular meetings of the City Council and Redevelopment Agency to order at 5:00 P.M. in Room C and D of the Huntington Beach Central Library. CITY COLINCILJREDEVELOPMEN'AGENCY ROLL CALL PRESENT: Harman, Leipzig, Bauer, Sullivan, Dettloff, Green, Garofalo ABSENT: None Study Session Preliminary Discussion Held Re larding The 1995-97 Budget The subjects covered in the study session included: 1. Status Report: Budget/Financial Planning Priorities A. Reinvent the Budget B. Long Term Financial Planning C. Infrastructure Funding 2. Refining the Problem - Why Reinvent the Budget? A. Infrastructure/Maintenance Needs B. Redevelopment C. Self -Insurance D. Salary/Benefit Program E. Slow Growth of Revenues 3. Five Year Revenue and Expense Projections - First Draft 4. Alternative Solutions A. Service Reductions B. Revenue Increases C. Salary/Benefit Cost Reductions D. Better Efficiency (1) Privatization (2) Regionalization (3) Productivity Improvements 5. Timetable/Process 6. City Council Discussion 7. March 11, 1996 Study Session - Discussion Mes Page 2 - Council/Agency Minutes - 2/12/96 Materials Distributed At -qf­411 Session The following materials were distributed at this study session: Communication dated February 9, 19%, to the City Council from the City Administrator - Subject: Budget Study Session Areas of Organization Impacted by Budget Cut - Police Department Budget Reduction Priorities - Option 5 - Library Department Budget Study Session Slide Presentation dated February 12, 1996 Fire Department Budget Reduction Options Slide Presentation Administration 1996-97 Budget Proposals dated February 12, 1996 Public Works Budget Reduction Slide Presentation Community Services Budget Overview Community Development Department Budget Report City Attorney's Office Proposed 1996-97 Budget Reduction Report Administrative Services Potential General Fund Budget Reduction Office of the City Clerk Proposed Budget Cuts The City Clerk announced the aforementioned communications with the exception of the communication from the City Attorney's Office and the communication from the City Clerk's Office which were distributed during the meeting. The City Administrator stated that this meeting was for discussion and dialogue with the City Council. Deputy City Administrator Franz presented a slide report on the status of Long Range Financial Planning and Status of Infrastructure Funding. The City Administrator reported on the city's policy for General Fund Reserve including how our city compared with other cities. In reviewing issues including the recession, state take- aways, and the Orange County bankruptcy, the City Administrator reported on the effect on the city of the $6,000,000 state take -away. He stated that the city would be in good shape except for the state's action which is causing the need to down -size. Deputy City Administrator Franz reported on the issue of Slow Growth of Revenues Projected 67 2/12/96 - City Council/Redevelopment Agency Minutes - Page 3 The City Administrator reported on Property Tax - Distribution of Basic 1 % Levy [Elementary Schools 22.3%, High Schools 22.0%, Colleges 9.3%, State (for Schools) 16.5%, County 10.5 % Other 3.8% and City 15.6%]. During the presentation on the Sales Tax - Allocation of Huntington Beach Revenue, the City Administrator reported on the importance of understanding why positions may be cut to cover the Self -Insurance Fund. Deputy City Administrator Franz responded to a question from Council regarding the Worker's Compensation Fund and Equipment Replacement Fund. Councilman Harman asked if the lawsuit regarding Bloom vs. City (Pierside) was reflected in the budget. Deputy City Administrator Franz stated that the lawsuit was reflected in the Redevelopment Budget. Following Deputy City Administrator Franz's presentation, discussion was held between the Council and City Administrator regarding the take -away by the State. Discussion was held regarding the effect of Proposition No. 62 on cities. The City Administrator stated that City Department Reports would be made at this time. Fire Department Fire Chief Dolder reported on the Fire Department's Budget Reductions Options. Discussion was held between Councilman Garofalo and the Fire Chief regarding the proposed consolidation of the Central Net and North Net. The proposed budget reduction on the overall department of $608,000 was discussed. Fire Chief Dolder reported on the transfers of the HazMat Control to the New Joint Powers Authority (JPA) and Communications transfer to the New JPA which would occur regardless of the budget; however they are a part of the budget reductions. Community Services Department The Community Services Director presented an overview of his department's proposed budget reductions. Community Services Director Hagan was asked to differentiate between the revenue and non -revenue programs. Discussion was held regarding proposed reductions. AO Page 4 - Council/Agency Minutes - 2/12/96 The City Administrator stated that these reductions were not cast in stone but were put out as options. Councilman Harman requested a list of the boards and commissions which would have to meet on their own without staff support. In response to Councilman Garofalo, the City Administrator stated that these were the department's proposals however, he had not yet made a final decision for recommendations to Council. Communitv Development Department The Community Development Director presented an overview of the operations of her department. She reviewed the functions of the Community Development Department and the prioritization Of proposed cuts. Discussion was held regarding the code enforcement program and the possibility of funding some of the employees through the Community Development Block Grant funds and increasing revenue from the Code Enforcement Program. Discussion was held regarding raising fees to reach the cost of services. Councilman Leipzig stated that if the inspection fees are raised, the city risks having inspections not requested thus not having adequate buildings. Police Department The Police Chief reviewed the effect of proposed cuts on his department. He responded to Council's questions regarding the Community Services Program and Juvenile Diversion Programs. Councilman Garofalo gave reasons why he opposed 90% of the proposed reductions. The Police Chief responded to Councilman Leipzig 's question regarding the Aero Bureau. Police Chief Lowenberg stated that the only reason the city is able to achieve 1.1 officer per 1,000 populations is because of the Aero Bureau. Councilman Leipzig asked if there was potential for some positions to go to non -sworn. The Police Chief stated he could look into this again, however he now has several non -sworn management positions that are sworn positions in other Police Departments. R M 2/12196 - City Council/Redevelopment Agency Minutes - Page 5 Taking a greater percentage of money from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds was discussed for programs such as Neighborhood Watch. Councilman Garofalo presented his views on the expenditures which have been made for the Bolsa Chica. Councilman Bauer stated that he believed people might be willing to assess themselves for some of the proposed cuts and perhaps the departments could look more carefully at assessing fees to cover the services. Public Works Department The Public Works Director reported on proposed budget reductions. He reviewed the slides. At the request of Councilman Harman, the Public Works Director reported on the effect of the elimination of all General Fund based design services. He also responded as to the effect of moving accident tracking to the Police Department. Councilman Leipzig asked if accident tracking would be more efficient in the Police Department and the Public Works Director stated that he felt it would but that it needed more study. Councilman Garofalo stated that he did not see that engineering traffic related to the Police Department and that it was not compatible. Councilman Harman, referring to the Griffith Report, requested information regarding reduced services levels under Parking Maintenance. Office Of The City Attorney The City Attorney referred to slides and distributed material regarding proposed budget cuts. She presented an overview of the City Attorney's Office and reviewed the proposed budget reductions. City Attorney Hutton stated that all the reductions proposed for her department would affect the other city departments as well as her department. Discussion was held regarding the Self- Insurance Fund encompassing legal services contracts such as the contract with the law firm of Moore and Rutter. Library Department Library Director Hayden reviewed budget reduction priorities in his department. He commented on the bond repayment that was coming due, stating the possibility of using $120,000 of those funds for the library or other needs. v`1 Page 6 - Council/Agency Minutes - 2/12/96 Discussion was held between the Library Director and Council including the effects of elimination of building maintenance at the Library. Councilman Garofalo stated that he believed that all building maintenance should come under the Public Works Department. Office Of The City Clerk The City Clerk distributed material on the proposed budget cuts in the Office of the City Clerk which included reduction in temporary salaries and overtime. Discussion was held between the Council and City Clerk regarding the effect on the City Clerk's Office from the increase in the number of City Council meetings. Administration The Assistant City Administrator presented a review of the proposed budget cuts in Administration that included a review of the past year's budget reductions. Administrative Services Deputy City Administrator Franz reviewed his department's potential General Fund Budget reductions which included personnel reorganization and reduction in Information Systems Mainframe Costs. Council/Staff Discussion Discussion was held between the City Council and staff regarding the presentations. ADJOURNMENT - CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY The Mayor adjourned the adjourned regular meetings of the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Huntington Beach to Tuesday, February 20, 1996 at 5:00 .m. in Room B-8. City Clerk/Clerk Clerk of the Redevelopment Agency and City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach, California Mayor/Chairman U