HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Bill 1.D-Minutes 06/07/2004May 24, 2004 Vol. XX, Page 1
<S A L U �L l
City of Petaluma, California
X85 MEETING OF THE PETALUMA CITY COUNCIL
DRAFT City Council Budget Workshop Minutes
Monday, May 24, 2004 - .6:00 P.M.
Regular Meeting
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CALL TO ORDER
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A. Roll Call
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Present Glass, Harris, Healy, Moynihan, O'Brien, Thompson, Torliatt
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Absent: None
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B. Pledge of Allegiance
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C. Moment of Silence
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PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public input.
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CITY COUNCIL _COMMENTS
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Council Member Torliatt commented on having attended the Wastewater Advisory
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Committee Meeting and noted there would be an upcoming meeting with Randy Poole,
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SCWA Director,, the City Manager, and Michael Ban to discuss the Master Water
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Agreement. She noted she had requested 'a redlined copy of the new Master Water
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Agreement to be provided to the City Council for reference.
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Mayor Glass reported on having attended the St. Vincent DePaul Choir Concert and
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noted that the choir will be taking a trip to Washington, D.C. and performing there on
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Memorial Day Weekend,
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CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
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There were none.
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NEW BUSINESS
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A. Continuation of Discussions and Overview of Proposed FY 2004 -2005 Budget.
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City Manager Bierman noted information had been distributed to the City
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Council regarding vacancies by department. He added the street maintenance
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,funding information had been previously distributed to the Council on May 18th,
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and the information requested regarding compensation, health benefits and
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PERS will be distributed in the near future.
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Council Member Torliatt indicated if Pentamation (the .computer program utilized
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by the Finance Department) can provide this information with the coinciding
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percentages for those accounts, it would be very helpful.
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I. Police. Department
Police Chief Steve Hood provided an overview and indicated they have
reduced staffing in order to meet the financial constraints that challenge the
City. He noted they have eliminated four police officer positions, one civilian
position, reduced part -time civilian personnel hours, and reduced their
overtime allocation. He added their budget proposal and subsequent
restructuring was based on the premise that the highest priority is their
responsibility to answer and respond to calls of crimes in progress. They have
sufficient staffing to meet this obligation, but will not be able to continue to
provide some services the community has become accustomed to, and
other programs will be scaled back substantially.
He continued by stating the reduction in overtime funding means there is less
opportunity for discretionary programs, neighborhood meetings, and other
events in which the Police Department routinely participates. He stressed they
intend to continue to emphasize traffic enforcement to reduce traffic
collisions, injuries' and ensure pedestrian and bicyclist safety, and wherever
possible limit the impact of these reductions to the public.
City Council discussion ensued regarding the Domestic Violence Position and
it was noted the position had been previously funded by various grants for a
number of years.
Vice Mayor Moynihan questioned what special revenue sources the
department could possibly utilize. It was noted most grants expire in June of
this year and that their funding is for the most part through General. Fund
monies.
Council discussion ensued regarding vacancies and funded positions. It was
noted salaries are down and benefits are up.
Vice Mayor Moynihan expressed concerns regarding overtime and the Chief
responded they would be eliminating a cover shift and well as all meetings
when an officer is not on duty. Vice Mayor Moynihan expressed additional
concerns that the elimination of positions will result in more overtime.
Chief Hood made it very clear that service levels will drop, as they are doing
less with fewer people.
Council Member Torliatt commented salaries went down by 2% and the
benefits increased based on contractual obligations. She also ,inquired about
capital equipment needs.
Chief Hood commented on the number of people going to other
departments and the cost to the City to train additional personnel. With
respect to capital equipment, he noted additional vehicles would be needed
in the next couple of years.
Council Member Healy acknowledged the issues affecting employee
retention. It was noted the reasons for employees moving to other
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departments included salary, benefits, commute distances; and greater
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opportunities for promotion.
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Chief Hood noted � that the 'City of :Petaluma's salary for police officers is
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approximately 25% below' comparable cities.
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Council Member Healy commented' these are serious issues that need to be
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addressed over the long term. He also clarified with the Chief that the City
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can continue to utilize the services of the County Drug Task Force even if the
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City no longer has an officer participating.
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It wasc noted there would be. some real service level reductions that will be
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noticed'in tie community.
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.Council Member 'O'Brien commented on benefits and salaries and noted
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there are contractual obligations to meet. He thanked the Chief for keeping
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the budget in line.
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Chief, Hood commented on .the small pay increase they have received the
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last couple of years and reminded the Council that sworn employees pay 9%
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of the PERS, benefit themselves and.;that other cities pay it for them.
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Council Member Torliatf' inquired as to: the amount of money the City receives
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as it relates to seizure dollars and 'indicated that should be factored into the
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revenues and indicated, although 'it fluctuates from year to year, she would
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like that to be looked at as a revenue resource.
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Mayor Glass commented on the ,great job the department did in putting
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together the budget and acknowledged the message to the community is
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we are "doing less with less." He indicated he looks forward to when the City
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can go back to fully funding the department and adding the personnel
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needed.
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Vice Mayor Moynihan commented he looks forward to recovering specialty
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services and suggested' partnering; with the County to try to address those
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needed. He referenced the City of Sonoma moving toward utilizing the
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Sonoma County Sheriff's Department personnel.
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Chief .Hood, stressed the City of Petaluma has '/2 the number of calls of the
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entire County and, that when an agency goes to a Task Force. Operation,
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they lose local control.
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Vice Mayor. Moynihan continued by expressed concern with the high cost of
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PER-S' prerni.ums and questioned if, there are alternatives to discuss in
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negotiations next year.
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Council Member 'Torlidtt :stressed that is only one Council Member's opinion
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and indicated the Council would be talking about the issue of employee
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compensation at the end of the budget discussions.
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Council Member O'Brien noted, the Police and Fire Departments have a 3% @
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50 retirement ,package. He also indicated Vice Mayor Moynihan was of a
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minority opinion and concluded by stating he does not see .this as being part •
of negotiations.
Council Member Harris agreed with Council Member O'Brien.
Mayor Glass clarified any change, in the ;POA contract would have to be
negotiated and it would be premature to discuss_ the matter this year.
2. Fire Department
Fire Chief Chris Albertson gave: an overview of the budget and indicated 'over
the pat decade, the City's population has `increased. by approximately 32 %.
At the same time, the number of emergency responses has increased by 88%
Since the late 1.980'x, the Fire_ Department's staffing levels have remained
unchanged. He continued by stating to meet the targeted dollar figure for
budget :seduction the Fire Department will reduce its overtime expenditure
from the previous $7.00,000,to a figure of $200,000: In an effort to achieve this
goal, the 'Fire Department will conduct an aggressive recruitment activity' for
Firefighter and Firefighter /Paramedics. and "fill all 51 uniform. positions.
Subsequently, the Fire Department will monitor all scheduled and
unanticipated personnel leaves, training and special projects so that paid
overtime remains within the targeted figure.
Vice Mayor Moynihan questioned where the detail is in the budget for the
reduction in overtime, and continued with staffing questions regarding
recruitment "for firefighter /paramedics.
`Vice Mayor Moynihan also inquired as to what revenue resources other than
the General fund the Fire Department might have'.
It was noted the General Fund and Ambulance Enterprise Funds fund the Fire
Department.
Vice Mayor Moynihan then, inquired what the impact is to their apparatus
with regard to the poor condition of city streets.
Chief Albertson conceded that the condition of the roads does contribute to
the cost of maintenance of fire apparatus.
Council Member Harris commended the. Fire Chief and thanked him for
dealing with fewer resources in this year's budget.
Council Member Torliatt commented on the salary discrepancy with regard to
the ambulance portion of the budget. She then 'inquired about overtime
costs and it was noted that all overtime costs, from each division come out of
the same fund. Council Member Torliatt indicated it would be helpful to see
detail on the overtime costs by division /category.
Council Member Torliatt also inquired about how capital equipment
replacement is shown in their budget and indicated a desire for detailed
information on. the equipment replacement fund, suggesting a line item with
revenue coming in and an expense going out would be helpful in the future..
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She concluded by stating the Fire Department is doing a great job and she
appreciates it.
Mayor Glass staged concern with firefighters working 120 -hour shifts on
occasion and questioned how capable a firefighter would be in that
instance.
Chief Albertson responded that staffing situations dictate these circumstances
and they are working toward full staffing and that they try to avoid those
types of - situations.
Public Input
Diane, Reilly Torres, Petaluma, addressed the City Council, asking when the
Council will. be taking action on the budget., She commented that the Police
and Fire Departments are not revenue generating entities and she is upset
that Council is asking about them bringing in revenues. She noted there are
untapped: revenue sources, which are the citizens of the community. She
expressed concern with the potential loss of a Domestic Violence Advocate
and ;questioned how much of an impact new development has had on the
City's resources. In conclusion, - she asked for information on where the City's
Proposed 2002 -2005 Budget is available for the public to review.
Geoff 'Carfwright, Petaluma, addressed the City Council, suggesting, tongue in
cheek, that the Council take money from service departments and put it in
the road budget for Rainier. He then commented on the City's contractual
obligations with the various employ_ ee groups and mentioned the proposed
decrease. in salary and increase in the cost of benefits. He stated the City's
department heads have done a great job with their budget presentations.
Council Member' Torliatf confirmed with the City Clerk that copies of the
budget are available for review at the City Clerk's Office, City Manager's
Office; at the back of the Council Chambers, at the Public Library and at the
Recreation and Parks Community Center.
Council Member Torliatt also confirmed with the Police Chief that the
Domestic Violence Advocate is still available.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7 :12 p.m.
David Glass,`Mayor
Attest
Gayle Petersen, City Clerk