HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 1.A 02/23/2004January 20, 2004
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February
'City of Petaluma, 'California
MEETING OF PETALUMA CITY COUNCIL
Draft City Council Minutes
Monday, January 20; 2604 - 6;00 P.M.
Special Meeting
6:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL
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1 CALL TO ORDER
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3 A.* Roll Call
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5 Present: Mayor Glass, Harris, Healy, Vice Mayor Moynihan, - O'Brien, Torliatt
6 Absent_: CanevaroA
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8 B. Pledge of'Allegi'ance'
9 C. Moment of Silence
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11 PUBLIC COMMENT_
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13 Carol Eber Petaluma Aquatics Advisory Board, addressed the City Council, asking them
14 to keep in mind that Recreation programs do have the potential to generate revenue for
15 the City.
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17 Norm Hilliard,, Petaluma, addressed the City Council in opposition to the proposed
18 Buckelew Housing ,Pr.oject.
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20 COUNCIL COMMENTS
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22 There were none.
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24 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
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26 There were none.
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28 1. NEW BUSINESS
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30 A. Presentation and Discussion of the 2003 -2004 Budget. (An overview and
31 status of current revenues and expenditures). (Bierman)
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33 Bill Thomas, Finance Director, gave an overview of the state of the City's
34 General' Fund.
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36 Council •Member Torliatt asked for more detailed information on the
37 reasons for'the shortfall as it relates to recreation programs. She continued
38 by inquiring about the estimated property taxes, confirmed with staff the
Vol. XX, Page 2 January 20, 2004 E
impacts to the Police Department Budget due to the Petaluma Prowler,
and. verified the City currently has, a vacancy of 28. personnel.
Vice. Mayor Moynihan commented on the need to increase the street
maintenance fund using Gas Tax monies and commented on the need to
eliminate non- critical positions in the city.
City .Manager Bierman indicated he will be making recommendations
regarding the City's General fund shortfall over the next few months , and
stated he'plans on meeting with the city's Department Heads as well as
general city employees to discuss how to address the shortfall He clarified
by the end of this fiscal year 'there should. be a $600,000 to $700,000
problem still existing.
City Council discussion ensued regarding anticipation of .next year's
shortfalls and the impact of PERS (Public Employee Retirement System)
costs to the overall budget.
City Manager Bierman gave ,a summary of the presentation and
indicated` the need to look at multi -year budgeting-.
Council Member Torliatt commented on the need for emplo,`yees to
'participate in meetings with Department Heads and the City Manager to
address the City's budgetary shortfall and indicated it should be.look'ed at
in every aspect as a group and .a family. She, then clarified with the City
Manager that the Council would, get 'an opportunity to review the
redevelopment agency mid -term budget. •
Council Member Torliatt stated she would like to -see CIP projects started
sooner rather than later.
City Manager Bierman agreed and indicated the need for sales tax
diversity other than car sales in Petaluma.
Council Member Healy commented on the state measure on the March
ballot that anticipates dealing with the state's budgetary. issues this fiscal
year, but indicated he doesn't hold out. - much hope for the measure
passing.
Vice. Mayor Moynihan asked the City Manager for additional information
on employee positions and indicated some positions should be eliminated
through attrition. He continued by commenting, he does not feel staff is
looking at the overall picture regarding expenditures "and reiterated his
desire to see more funding dedicated to street maintenance issues.
Vice Mayor Moynihan stressed the need to look at PERS premiums and
how that- should be factored into the budget and asked for additional
information on park maintenance expenditures, bikes and trail
maintenance, as well as streetscape expenditures..
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January 20, 2004 Vol. XX, Page 3
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Council Member Harris commented briefly on the presentation and
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indicated his feeling that the city's budget is in good hands with the City
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Manager and Finance Director addressing the city's concerns.
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City Manager . Bierman distributed additional detailed information
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regarding General Fund ;rev.enues, expenditures and employee position
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informatioon... In conclusion, suggested canceling the Special City Council
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Meeting' scheduled for Friday, January •23, 2004, as there is no new
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additional information to provide to the Council at this time. He did not
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that he will . provide for continued discussion of the status of the city's
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budget at each upcoming Council Meeting and will be dealing
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extensively over the next couple of months with the current shortfalls.
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Vice Mayor Moynihan thanked .Mr. Thomas, Finance Director, for his efforts
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and advancements made with the City's financial reporting system.
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The City Council' recessed at 7:10p. m: to 715 p, m.
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state their case for appointment. `She also suggested the candidates
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B. Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding Process for Appointment to
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the Temporary Absence of Council Member Canevaro. (Rudnansky)
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Petaluma" and the people have the right to know the candidates before
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_Public Input
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Connie 'Madden, Petaluma Tomorrow, addressed the City Council and
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wished Council Member Canevaro well. She encouraged the balance of
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the City Council to ensure :an open selection process for a temporary
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replacement and suggested the position be advertised, the there be a
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statement ,required indicating why the applicant would want to serve,
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and an opportunity to address the Council in open session for the public
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to view.
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Elaine Lucia, ,Petaluma, addressed the City Council and indicated the
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public-who voted to fill the seat in the first place should have a chance for
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input on the temporary replacement. She stressed her desire to see the
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Council allow three (3) weeks for applications to be submitted. She, too,
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encouraged the Council to have each candidate come before them to
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state their case for appointment. `She also suggested the candidates
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should answer the question of "how they will best serve the people of
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Petaluma" and the people have the right to know the candidates before
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a replacement is selected.
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Bill Phillips; Petaluma, addressed the City Council indicating it is the goal
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to 'select someone who will objectively assess the problems facing
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Petaluma. He commented on the various ,candidates whose views may
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be shared by others on the Council and asked that the Council use this
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opportunity to make a wise selection.
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Jane Hamilton, Petaluma, addressed the City Council and urged them to
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set d process and allow enough time for the : public to participate.
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Janice Cader- Thompson, Petaluma, addressed %the City Council, stressing
the need to keep this process open. She expressed her opposition to
having a defeated mayoral candidate appointed, as she believes this will
cause conflict. She urged a three (3) weeks process and one that is fair
and open. She noted the General Plan is a huge project to be reviewed
over the next year and a new person to the Council needs to be up to
speed on issues. She urged the Council to not rush the process through.
City Council ,discussion ensued regarding timeframes for legal noticing for
a temporary vacancy. The City Clerk noted a .Legal ad could be placed in
the newspaper next week, with a deadline for applications being Friday,
February 13 „2004. The applications could then be distributed for Council
review and the matter scheduled for discussion and /or candidate
interviews for possible appointment of an applicant at the Council's
February 23rd City Council Meeting.
Council Member Torliatt commented she hopes the Council, if they chose
to go through this process, has a 'united vote on the temporary
replacement for Council Member Canevaro,.
Council Member O'Brien interjected this has been an open three week
process, as Council - Member Canevaro announced his upcoming
vacancy and his desire for Clark Thompson to be his replacement at the
January 5; 2004 City Council Meeting..He indicated he would like to see
this resolved and an appointment made by January 26;.2004.
Council' Member Harris stated the importance of the City Council having
an open process.
Mayor Glass commented on the difference in-values and beliefs between
he and Clark Thompson. He, too, stressed the need for an open process
and added, fundamentally, this is what our U.S. ,military troops are fighting
for. He continued by commenting he had suggested .Mark Albertson as a
viable candidate to fill the vacancy because he felt it would be a non -
divisive alternative for the Council.
Council Member O'Brien quoted the Veteran's Code and stressed this is
not a "vacancy” on the Council. He added.;Co,uncil Member Canevaro'
will be at the January 26, 2004 Council .Meeting and will not be available
in February and stressed he should be able to participate in the decision
to appoint his replacement.
Council Member Torliatt noted Council Member Canevaro"S wishes were
to appoint Clark Thompson to fill his temporary seat,, or to leave the seat
vacant while he is gone. She .added if the Council decides to not leave
the seat vacant,; they should reach out and get diversity by allowing for
an application process.
City Council verified with the City Attorney there is no precedent
regarding Council Member Canevaro.vofing on the issue.
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January 20, 2004 Vol. XX, Page 5
Council ' Member Healy indicated his support for an open process and
placing an ad 'in the Argus. He supported have the item for discussion and
action at the February 23d Council Meeting and indicated due
deference would be given to Council Member Canevaro's wishes.
City ,Council discussion ensued , regarding what an applicant should
submit if interested in the appointment and consensus was reached to
require a fetter of interest (not to exceed two pages), a questionnaire to
be completed (using the current Planning Commission questionnaire,
reformatted), and allow for a one -page resume to be submitted. It was
noted applicants must be a resident of the City of Petaluma, as well as a
registered voter.
Mayor Glass broached the possibility of having the `fourth seat in the
November 2004 election be the person who fills the vacancy but there
was no Council support to move forward in that way.
Council Member O'Brien adamantly indicated he would not support the
Mayor's suggestion.
The..balance of Council was not in favor of making this issue a part of the
November 2004 ballot.
City Council consensus was to move forward with an application
process,, as outlined, with applications due by the close of
business Friday, February 13, 2004' and the appointment of a
replacement to .be placed on the City Council Agenda February 23,
2004' for .Council consideration.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned" at 8:00 p.m.
;David Glass, Mayor
G.ayle,Petersen, City Clerk
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