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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 2001 0530 CC SPCMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL Moorpark, California May 30, 2001 A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Moorpark was held on May 30, 2001 in the Council Chambers of said City located at 799 Moorpark Avenue, Moorpark, California. 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Hunter called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Mikos, Millhouse, Harper, Wozniak, and Mayor Hunter. Staff Present: Steven Kueny, City Manager; Hugh Riley, Assistant City Manager; Wayne Loftus, Director of Community Development; Ken Gilbert, Director of Public Works; Mary Lindley, Director of Community Services; Dana Shigley, Director of Administrative Services; Walter Brown, City Engineer; Captain Robert LeMay, Sheriff's Department; Gwendolyn Indermill, Recreation Superintendent; Laura Stringer, Senior Management Analyst; Deborah Traffenstedt, ATCM /City Clerk; and La -Dell VanDeren, Deputy City Clerk. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. 4. PRESENTATION /ACTION /DISCUSSION: Mayor Hunter stated that items 4.A. and 4.B. would be considered concurrently. A. Consider Proposed Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets for Fiscal Year 2001/2002. (Continued from May 16, 2001.) Staff Recommendation: Discuss proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2001/2002. B. Consider Proposed City Goals and Objectives for Fiscal Year 2001/2002. (Continued from May 16, 2001.) Staff Recommendation: Discuss City goals and objectives for Fiscal Year 2001 -2002 with recommended budget. Mr. Kueny gave an overview of the annual budget message. He discussed the revenue from the City's endowment fund. He discussed the increase in health costs and the budget Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 2 May 30, 2001 proposal for addition of two full time positions, one in Administrative Services, and one in Community Services. Ms. Shigley discussed General Fund revenue sources. She stated the property tax, sales tax, and motor vehicle license fee revenue make up approximately 70 -80 percent of the General Fund. She stated that property tax is approximately 3 percent per year, and explained that Moorpark is considered a low property tax city. She stated there has been low sales tax revenue growth. She also stated that motor vehicle license fee revenue might be at risk. Mr. Kueny discussed the portion of the General Fund that is discretionary; Ms. Shigley summarized the non - discretionary funds. Mr. Kueny suggested that each department's budget be discussed individually. LAW ENFORCEMENT In response to Mayor Hunter, Captain LeMay replied that the cost of the 40 -hour deputy, with no relief, would be approximately $98,700. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Kueny stated that he anticipated that Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) funds of approximately $42,400 would be received to help with the cost of the 40 -hour deputy with no relief. In response to Councilmember Mikos, Mayor Hunter replied that a 56 -hour deputy with relief means that the position is budgeted to include coverage on weekends and when the 40 -hour deputy is on vacation, and a 40 -hour deputy without relief means there is no one to cover when the deputy is not at work. Captain LeMay stated that the 40 -hour deputy without relief would better serve their needs. He stated that the 40 -hour deputy would be used in conjunction with the two DARE officers and the High School Resource Officer to better serve the needs of the community during peak traffic hours. Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 3 May 30, 2001 In response to Councilmember Harper, Captain LeMay replied that salaries are the largest part of the budget. He stated that he is planning the deployment of three shifts and will bring in one car on a 9/80 shift from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. to cover the high traffic needs in the early morning and after school hours. He stated the other shifts would be assigned as needed for crime that occurs during certain hours. He stated that the 40 -hour deputy would serve as a special enforcement car. Mr. Kueny stated that the proposed budget would also allow the conversion of two cadet positions to a Sheriff's Services Technician (SST). In response to Councilmember Mikos, Captain LeMay explained that the cadet positions are hard to fill and that he has proposed to eliminate the cadet positions and hire one SST to function at a higher level than a cadet, including report writing, issuing parking citations, and conducting minor traffic work and evidence collection. He also stated that the proposed change would require a $21,000 increase to the budget, with the position budgeted for less than one year. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Kueny stated that it would be preferred to have a 40 -hour deputy with no relief versus a 56 -hour position with relief. Captain LeMay concurred and stated that if an officer is absent, he may not need to authorize overtime to cover that position. In response to Mayor Hunter, Captain LeMay stated that if the 40 -hour deputy calls in sick, overtime is discretionary. In response to Mr. Kueny, Captain LeMay stated he would prefer the report writer position to additional overtime to cover the 40 -hour deputy. Mayor Hunter stated that he could support the 40 -hour deputy, but would like to see greater ability to respond to calls for service for emergencies and would like to see the new officer in a standard black and white police vehicle. Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 4 May 30, 2001 In response to Councilmember Millhouse, Mr. Kueny stated that the City pays 65 percent and the School District pays 35 percent of the cost for the DARE officers. Captain LeMay stated that the School District would prefer a middle school resource officer versus an eighth - grade DARE officer. In response to Mayor Hunter, Captain LeMay stated that the DARE and resource officers may not be in a black and white vehicle every day, because they also would work on special enforcement assignments. In response to Councilmember Mikos, Captain LeMay explained his preference is to maintain a flexible approach to reduce overtime and allow for the ability to respond to peak calls for service. Mr. Kueny stated that the special enforcement concept is a better utilization of a two - person car using the High School Resource and DARE officer positions. Mayor Hunter asked if funding for police training had previously been higher. In response to Mayor Hunter, Captain LeMay stated that specialized police training is a City obligation. Mayor Hunter asked for training funds to be verified regarding the past allocation. In response to Councilmember Harper, Mr. Riley stated that the new police facility to be located on the Spring Road site is in the early planning stages. In response to Councilmember Harper, Mr. Kueny stated that the Sheriff's Department had not yet appointed anyone to assist with the facility planning. He further stated that it is the City's intent that Captain LeMay be the point person for the Sheriff's Department. Captain LeMay stated that beginning September 15, the City would have a Proposition 172 funded Sergeant position to provide supervision assistance during the evening hours. Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 5 May 30, 2001 PUBLIC WORKS: Mr. Gilbert gave his report and stated that there is not a lot of change in the Public Work's Department budget from last year. Mr. Gilbert gave an overview of Public Works current, pending, and future capital improvement projects as they are funded and planned to be accomplished in the future. He stated that the budget detail pages show prior year carryovers for ongoing capital improvement projects. Ms. Shigley stated that Capital Improvement Budgets are multi -year and carry over to subsequent years. AT THIS POINT in the meeting, Mr. Gilbert and Captain LeMay left. The time was 8:03 p.m. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Mr. Kueny discussed staff vacancies in the Community Development Department and the recent addition of the Senior Management Analyst position. He stated that there is not much change in the Department budget and gave an update on projects and revenues. He stated that project entitlement and building permit fees are used to fund staff costs. He explained a new budget line item for the addition of Local Agency Formation Commission ( LAFCO) funding that is now required. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Kueny replied that the LAFCO cost is shared one third by the County; one third by special districts; and one third by the ten cities, which is based on city revenues as reported to the State Controller. In response to Councilmember Harper, Mr. Loftus discussed staff vacancies in the Community Development Department and stated that an employment offer has been made for the Planning Technician position, and that the Associate Planner position was recently filled with an Assistant Planner. Mr. Kueny stated that the City has increased efforts to find good contract staff. Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 6 May 30, 2001 In response to Mr. Kueny, Mr. Loftus discussed the revenue the City receives as its share of the Building and Safety contract. AT THIS POINT in the meeting Mr. Loftus and Mr. Brown left. The time was 8:15 p.m. COMMUNITY SERVICES Ms. Lindley gave an update on the Community Services Department budget. In response to Councilmember Harper, Ms. Lindley stated that a budget item was included for a portable lectern and microphone. Councilmember Harper stated that he would like to see a portable stage included in the budget for the next fiscal year. Councilmember Harper stated he would also like to see a budget line item for the Moorpark Symphony Orchestra in the amount of $5,000. Mr. Kueny stated that the City and the community should get something for the contribution, and suggested that there should be a formal signed agreement. Councilmember Harper stated he would like a $5,000 commitment in the budget. Councilmember Mikos stated that the Moorpark Symphony Orchestra members are comprised of residents from the local area and that the majority are from Moorpark, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks. Mayor Hunter stated he would support a line item in the budget. Councilmember Mikos stated that she concurred. CONSENSUS: By consensus, the Council agreed to add a line item to the budget in the amount of $5,000, in support of the Moorpark Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Shigley stated she would change the line item already included in the budget as a specific allocation for the Moorpark Symphony Orchestra. Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 7 May 30, 2001 Animal Regulation: Ms. Lindley stated that with the proposed budget, on a trial basis, in -house staff would be assigned to pick up dead animals. She stated the County is currently obligated to provide that service to the City at no additional cost; however, there have been complaints about the County's poor response time. She stated that about $4,000 would be added to purchase the minimal tools and equipment needed. She stated that amount would also include training for the staff. Mayor Hunter stated that he had proposed to Mr. Kueny and to Ms. Lindley that the City contract with the County only for shelter services. He stated that everything else should be done in -house on a half -time basis by vector control staff to provide a better service to our community. In response to Councilmember Mikos, Ms. Lindley replied that the County is obligated to provide the dead animal pickup service; however, it is very slow service. Mr. Kueny stated that the City wants the dead animals picked up immediately. Mayor Hunter stated that the City has the personnel on staff to provide a better level of service to the community, but that training is needed. Mr. Kueny stated that the cities of Oxnard and Santa Paula are already doing their own animal regulation enforcement and dead animal pickup. He stated that Santa Paula has a full -time person who works under the Police Department and puts in a lot of overtime. He stated Santa Paula and Oxnard still use the County animal shelter. Ms. Lindley stated that shelter costs might increase if there is more leash law enforcement; however, some of that cost may be recoverable from the owner of the animal. Transit: In response to Councilmember Millhouse, Ms. Lindley replied that the beach bus proposal for the summer is estimated to cost less than $10,000, and that the intent Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 8 May 30, 2001 was to fund the program with Transportation Development Act money and have the service provided two days per week. She stated this proposal is very similar to the beach bus service in Agoura Hills, which is quite popular. She stated a flyer will be provided to local schools and the cost would be $2 round trip. In response to Mayor Hunter, Ms. Lindley stated the times that the bus would leave from various locations in Moorpark and the pick up time at the beach for return to Moorpark. In response to Councilmember Harper, Mr. Kueny stated that the Council could direct staff to provide free passes to economically disadvantaged youth through the School District. Vector Control: Ms. Lindley stated there is nothing different to report. Solid Waste: Ms. Lindley stated there is nothing different to report. Seniors: Mr. Kueny discussed the addition of a half -time recreation leader position at the Senior Center. He stated there is a slight offset by reducing the hours of the existing temporary part -time staff. Recreation: Ms. Lindley summarized changes in her Recreation Division budget. She discussed that her staff is continuing to expand the teen programs, which have been very popular. AT THIS POINT in the meeting, Gwendolyn Indermill left. The time was 8:45 p.m. Councilmember Millhouse discussed Arroyo Vista Recreation Center and the use of the various fields by sports organizations. Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 9 May 30, 2001 In response to Mr. Kueny, Ms. Lindley stated she thinks by hiring an architect and using funding from the Park Improvement Fund and developer project fees that certain improvements to the fields at Arroyo Vista Community Park could be accomplished by September 2002. Councilmember Millhouse stated if a soccer field is removed to allow a different park use, then the field should be replaced at another location. In response to Councilmember Harper, Mr. Kueny stated that staff is looking at trail system access to the open space in the Carlsberg Specific Plan area. He stated that staff would provide a future agenda item on this matter. In response to Councilmember Harper, Ms. Lindley replied that depending on whom you talk to, it is feasible to add an additional baseball field in Miller Park. Councilmember Wozniak stated his concern about use of lighting at the park fields while we are in the middle of an energy crisis. Mayor Hunter stated the issue is not just the cost but also the availability of the electricity. Mr. Kueny stated the City needs to take a broad look at energy use and its effects and then make choices about how best to address the demand. Library: Councilmember Wozniak stated he would like to see part of the library fee revenue used to increase the hours the library is open. Councilmember Harper discussed the cost for Moorpark residents to be allowed to use the City of Thousand Oaks library. Capital Projects: Ms. Lindley summarized the capital projects and also stated that two new trucks are proposed to be purchased. Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 10 May 30, 2001 PUBLIC WORKS Mayor Hunter asked that consideration be given to having the City take over the street sweeping responsibility by purchasing two street sweepers and using City staff versus an independent contractor. He stated he is proposing the purchase of two street sweeping vehicles using Transportation Development Act and Gas Tax revenues. He also stated the cost of the vehicles could be reimbursed with parking ticket revenue. He stated that the intent of his proposal was to give the community a better level of service. Mr. Kueny stated street sweepers cost about $120,000, and that two would be needed. Mr. Kueny further stated that there is an issue of vehicle maintenance and having someone to provide that service. CONSENSUS: By consensus, the Council directed staff to provide information on providing street sweeping services with City staff. CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Harper stated he wants serious consideration given to a paperless agenda and getting the agenda and staff reports via CD -ROM or a more modern method. Mr. Kueny stated there are several software products that other cities are currently using. Councilmember Mikos stated she would like the agenda packet to be available on the City's website. Mr. Kueny stated that at a minimum the Council will need laptop computers. Mayor Hunter stated he would prefer to still have a printed document for reading and editing purposes. CONSENSUS: By consensus, the Council agreed to add $6,000 to the budget for three laptop computers for the council's use. Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 11 CITY MANAGER May 30, 2001 Ms. Shigley stated that the Assistant City Manager's budget was moved from Administrative Services to the City Manager's Office. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Kueny replied that the Grassroots Network proposed by the League of California Cities for lobbying efforts would be on the June 20, 2001, meeting agenda. He stated there is a two - thirds vote of all members required, and there is a sunset date. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Kueny stated that the proposal was to hire 30 staff members to increase the effectiveness of the lobbying efforts of the League of California Cities. He stated printed material would be provided with the June 20, 2001 agenda report. CITY COUNCIL Mr. Kueny stated that honorariums are mandated to be treated as salary. He stated that councilmember checks will be a little less due to deductions that are required to be made, including Medicare and State Disability Insurance. CITY CLERK Ms. Traffenstedt stated that the biggest cost item will be to hire an outside firm to scan the Building and Safety records. Councilmember Harper suggested the use of image files and avoiding the use of a proprietary format that would prevent the use of other vendors. Mayor Hunter requested that cell phones of City staff and the Sheriff's Department be monitored to make sure they are used wisely. He also requested that every effort be made to ensure the City is doing its best to keep the costs down with regard to motor fuel and vehicle maintenance. Human Resources Ms. Traffenstedt stated there is nothing new to report. Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 12 May 30, 2001 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Ms. Shigley discussed the interest payment by the Moorpark Redevelopment Agency to the General Fund, which would be used for equipment replacement. She stated that every year the equipment replacement fund would need to be replenished. Mr. Kueny stated that some of the money would be used for refurbishment of the building being purchased across from City Hall. FINANCE Ms. Shigley discussed that a complete infrastructure assessment is now required, and the City is required to comply by the end of fiscal year 2003. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Kueny stated that the Gas tax expenses would fund the assessment. In response to Mayor Hunter, Ms. Shigley stated that there are no sanctions for non - compliance of completing the assessment. She stated it is not a state mandate; it is a Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirement. Ms. Shigley discussed the rising costs for insurance, electricity, telephones, and user departments. C. Consider Use of General Funds Remaininq Available from the 1999/2000 Fiscal Year. Staff Recommendation: 1) Appropriate remaining 1999/2000 FY General Fund monies as recommended in the agenda report, and 2) consider use of the 2000/01 FY projected General Fund carryover as part of the 2001/02 FY budget deliberations. Mayor Hunter requested an item by item discussion. Mr. Kueny discussed each item from the agenda report. Mr. Kueny stated that he is projecting another savings for not filling certain positions, and he would not recommend that these amounts be programmed for ongoing money. He stated Arroyo Vista Park and pool are Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 13 May 30, 2001 adequately covered by Park Improvement funds coming in the future. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Kueny replied that he did not see a need for reallocation of funding or staff for better enforcement along Walnut Canyon, but stated that staff will be directed to focus more attention on enforcement in that area. Mayor Hunter directed staff to provide additional information to the Council regarding bringing the Animal Regulations and Street Sweeping in house. Councilmember Wozniak stated he will obtain information regarding the cost for Moorpark residents to use the Thousand Oaks library. Mr. Kueny discussed historical General Fund revenues and expenditures analysis 1998 -1999 and projected to 2005- 2006. He discussed maintenance costs for future years. He stated he is working on updating the endowment fund. CONSENSUS: By consensus, the Council determined to continue City Goals and Objectives for Fiscal Year 2001/2002 and Presentation of City Manager's Recommended Operating and Capital Improvements Budget for Fiscal Year 2001/2002 to the June 20, 2001, regular meeting. 5. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Hunter adjourned the m ATTEST: Deborah S. Traffenstedt, City Clerk