HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Bill 1.C-Minutes 07/12/2004�;.
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June 14, 2004
July 12.."2004
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City of Petaluma, California
X MEETING OF THE PETALUMA CITY COUNCIL
DRAFTCity Council Budget Workshop Minutes
Monday, June 14, 2004 - 6:00 P.M. 1
Special Meeting
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CALL TO ORDER - 6:00 p.m.
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A. Roll Call
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Present: Glass,: Harris, Healy, Moynihan, O' "Brien, Torliatt
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Absent: Harris and Thompson
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B. Pledge of Allegiance
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C. Moment of Silence
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PUBLIC COMMENT ,
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Janice Coder- Thompson Petaluma, addressed the City Council regarding the Planning
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Commission Meeting regarding transportation, which is scheduled to take place
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tomorrow. She indicated she feels the Council is doing things backwards. She continued
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by noting there may be possible conflicts of interest by Council Members who supported
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the Rainier alternative. She added there is no funding for Rainier and questioned where
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the Council will .get the money. She also informed the Council that SCTA says there is no
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funding available. In conclusion, she asked that the Recreation, Music and Parks
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Commission consider looking at the Corona Reach for more parkland.
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CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
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Council Member Healy gave an update on the meeting with representatives of city
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governments from about five difference counties and Legislative Staffers regarding the
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status of the LOCAL initiative and the compromise with the Governor and where that
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stands in the legislative process. He indicated Assembly Member Wiggins in Sonoma
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County has agreed to support the compromise measure; the others have not taken
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positions. Her noted Senator Chesbro'`s representative there indicated this is likely to .be,
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resolved in the conference committee over the next several days. He indicated he
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came out of there hopeful that the Legislature would agree to the compromise measure
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and place it on the ballot in November. He continued by commenting on a recent SCTA
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meeting where the City of Petaluma's request for $1 million for the resurfacing of South
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McDowell Boulevard was approved and there may be more funding for a segment if the
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actual bids come'in below what the estimates are. He indicated there continues to be a
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discussion regarding a possible ' /4 cent sales tax measure for Sonoma County on this
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November's ballot; assuming that the SMART Board does not elect to go forward with a
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November ballot measure. There was direction given to the Executive Committee of the
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Transportation Authority to come forward with some scenarios for a special meeting in
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two weeks on what kind of things could be funded countywide for the different
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Vol. XX, Page 2
June 14, 2004
jurisdictions out of a 'A cent ballot measure. If there is interest in pursuing that measure,
that will be forwarded to the nine city councils for their input_ He noted this has to
happen within a very short tirneframe because the deadline for the Board of Supervisors
for adopting. anything to be placed on the ballot is the first week of August.
Vice Mayor Moynihan questioned if the letter had been written in regards to the Rainier
Interchange selection and if SCTA has received a copy of that.
City Manager Bierman responded that had not been written yet.
Vice Mayor Moynihan stated he would appreciate it if that would be completed.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
There were none.
1. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Adoption (Second Reading) of Ordinance 2185 N.C.S. Amending the
Petaluma Municipal Code, Title 9, Animal Regulations. (Bierman /Tavares)
This item was continued from the JuneT 2004 City Council Meeting.
City Council discussion ensued regarding whether this ordinance should .
be referred back. to the Animal Services Advisory Committee for further
review and input.
Council Member_ Torliatt indicated she would rather see the portion
regarding feral cats removed and referred back to the Advisory
Committee and move forward with the remainder of the ordinance.
City Attorney Rudnansky recommended removing the feral cat
language, should the Council wish to, and .reintroduce the ordinance
which would then come back at the next Council Meeting.
The consensus of Council was to move forward with the consideration of
the full ordinance this evening.
Prior to the presentation, Vice Mayor Moynihan questioned. the necessity
for livestock permits.
Council Member Torliatt also men, tioned. that when a permit is issued, a
phone number should be requested also.
Nancee Tavares, Animal Services Manager, gave an overview of the
proposed ordinance and cited the difficulties in dealing with feral cats in
public parks.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Kathy Sousa, Petaluma Animal Services; addressed the City Council as the
Shelter Supervisor. She expressed concerns for feral cat colonies, including
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their ,safety and welfare. She stressed %it is critical that the park site be
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monitored.
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proposed :ordinance is seriously fIdWed. She indicated staff told her the
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Jane Baskin, Sonoma County Volunteer Board of Directors, addressed the
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City Council in oppositioni 'to the proposed restrictions to feral cat colonies.
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to do with the drafting of °the ordinance and that the proposed ordinance
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Jennifer Kirchner Forgotten Felines nes of Sonoma County, addressed the City
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Council in opposition to the proposed ordinance. She asked how the City
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proposes, ta:pay for enforcernent of the ordinance. She also offered Trap
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''Wing and/or workshops to take place at Lucchesi Park.
and Return trdi
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Council Member ° Torliatt ,questioned if' workshops had been held thus far
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and expressed concerns with the current situation.
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Bob Dyer ; ;, Petaluma, addressed the City Council indicating he is a docent
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at Shollenberger ;Park and. stated; his support of the restrictions to protect
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the wetlands.
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Petaluma issue..He noted his support for the ordinance and indicated it
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Council Member Torliatt clarified 'that the Feral Cat Committee had
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reviewed the entire ordinance and that there were no objections.
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City Council discussion ensued regarding the number of colonies in the
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R. J. Kamprath, Pres., Pet Population Control. Fund of Sonoma Valley,
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addressed the City Council in support of prevention and intervention as it
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relates to 'feral coats, but stated her opposition to the ordinance as
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written.
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Sheri Cardo, Petaluma, addressed the City Council indicating the
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proposed :ordinance is seriously fIdWed. She indicated staff told her the
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ordinance would be a compromise from the Committee and it was not.
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She continued by commenting that,'the' feral cal community had nothing
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to do with the drafting of °the ordinance and that the proposed ordinance
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was misrepresented to the_ m and to the Council. She urged the Council to
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remove the language referring to feral, cats from the ordinance.
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Stan Gold,. Petaluma; addressed the City Council noting feral cats are not
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a natural part of the e.nvironmert. He indicated there should be heavy
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fines and stated his support for the ordinance.
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Dwayne Meredith, Petaluma Animal Services Officer; addressed the City
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Council supporting caretakers„ bot stressed, there needs to be a balance.
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He indicated, unfortunately_ this bds become a Forgotten Felines vs. city of
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Petaluma issue..He noted his support for the ordinance and indicated it
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would provide for the proper level of care for cats.
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City Council discussion ensued regarding the number of colonies in the
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city, locations of known colonies and relocations efforts.
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Victoria Evans, Petaluma, addressed °the City Council in opposition to the
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ordinance and noted she has had numerous animals dumped onto her
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property.
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Vbl. XX, Page 4 June 14, 2004
1 Victor Chechanover, Petaluma, addressed the City Council commenting
2 on the bird issue resulting from the number of feral cats. He indicated
3 irresponsible people won't go away and urged the Council to support the
4 ordinance.
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6 Ruth Feldman, 'Petaluma, addressed the City Council in support of the
7 proposed expansion at the POfalumd Outlet Center.
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9 Gail Thompson, Petaluma, , addres "sed the City Council indicating she had
10 sent information on how to properly trap feral cats.
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12 Jolee'Wiggins, Petaluma, addressed the City Council indicating she is the
13 caretaker of the feral cats ,at Lucchesi Park. She noted she has trapped
14 numerous cats at the park and removed them. She asked the Council to
15 consider a "grandfather" clause and noted taking their'food away would
16 be cruel.. She suggested a cat sanctuary be looked into.
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18 Council Member Healy questioned, the budgetary impacts if the
19 ordinance is adopted. He clarified with staff that there will be.a meeting
20 tomorrow of the Feral Cat committee and that they Willi be looking at
21 educational opportunities, it was also noted that staff would be. glad to
22 ,research grants, but there just is not any extra 'money in the budget at this
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25 Vice Mayor Moynihan commented the removal of the feeding station in
26 the park is the issue.
Council Member Torliatt stated her support for the relocation of the feral
catsat Lucchesi Park. She asked if the proposed ordinance could contain
arnerided language to give the .Animal Shelter manager the ability to
Work with Forgotten Felines to ensure relocation efforts are considered.
Council Member. Healy indicated the Council could give authority to
grant a "waiver and approve and direct staff to come back in 3 to 6
months with any needed amendments for compliance.
Council Akember O'Brien agreed and indicated Council should adopt the
ordinance as is and bring back any needed amendments at a later date.
MOTION to adopt the ordinance as presented:
M%S Healy and r Moynihan. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
City Council recessed, at 7:45 p;m. to 7:55 p.m:
2. NEW BUSINESS
A. Continuation of Discussions and Overview of Proposed FY 2004 -2005
Budget to. include presentations by the following departments:
2. Parks and Recreation
June 14, 2004 Vol. XX, Page 5
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Jim Carr, Director of Parks and Recreation, gave an overview of
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the proposed departmental budget.
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Council Member Torliatt commented on Prop. 40 monies and
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asked if they would be outlined in the CIP budget.
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Mr. Carr confirmed that would be the case.
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With respect to questions regarding the pool, Mr. Carr noted the
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budget was predicated ,on 'op.ening the pool in April through the
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end of the fiscal year. The. current fiscal year it would stay open
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until the end of October.
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Council Member Tor liatt commented that the Aquatics Committee
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should be provided with the most refined numbers to weigh
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options for fundraising over the next year.
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Council Member Healy commented on collection of payments for
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the Marina, clarified there is no funding for 4th of July Fireworks'
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displays, and concluded by commenting that he is astounded at
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the number of programs that are put forward with the funds that
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are available..
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Vice Mayor- Moynihan commented on graffiti at the skate park,
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the inability of Parks and Recreation to pay back the loan for the
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Marina Fund., and' concerns for the increase in demand for parks
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maintenance in the upcoming CIP budget. He continued by
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asking how the Council might help, i.e. through limiting obligations
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for maintenance, annuities, and assessment districts.
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Council Member Torliatt - questioned the number of part -time
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equivalents and how their hours and pay are determined. Mr. Carr
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noted they do a comparison with neighboring communities.
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Vice Mayor Moynihan commented on the proposed decrease in
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services and supplies and confirmed it was primarily in parks, but
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was assured there would be a focus on the active parks. It was
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also noted the ,medians and parkways would be maintained and
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they would continue. to use herbicides.
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Council Member O'Brien commented on management fees paid
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for Landscape Assessment Districts and expressed a desire to see
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these go out to ;bid. He .questioned how many vehicles employees
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take home at night and verified they .take them home due to
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frequent call -ups after hours. Council Member O'Brien clarified
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that Mr. Anchordoguy rdoes not experience frequent call -ups and
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asked Mr. Carr to provide the numbers as it relates to this issue
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overall.
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Mayor .Glass suggested increasing the fee for golf carts at Rooster
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Vol. XX, Page 6 June 14, 2004-
Public Facilities. & Services
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Rick Skiadzien, Director of Public Facilities and Services, gave an
overview of the proposed departmental budget.
Vice Mayor Moynihan commented on the Pavement
Management Program and questioned the street reconstruction
fund.
City Manager Bierman clarified there would be $2.5 million spent
on street maintenance over the next year.
Vice Mayor Moynihan questioned having 5 people for street signs
and verified that they do additional duties; as well. He additionally
asked for a break out of the general fund revenues
Council Member Torliatt commented that PF&S employees , are
doing a great job-. She suggested renaming the line item for "street
signs" 'to "street signs & painting." She added that perhaps the
Citizens Advisory Committee Regarding Streets could be revived to
do ar review of what work h been done over the last year.
Mr. Skiadzien noted when construction season slows down, that
would be a possibility.
It was also noted that the gas tax and general fund monies fund
the PF &S Department..
Council Member O'Brien complimented Mr. Skadzien on how his
department is doing a good job on the streets. He clarified they
had completed the LED Program with loops and indicated the
amber lights'will be done soon.
In- response to question as to when the lighted pedestrian crossing
on, the boulevard between Western & Washington would be
working again, it was noted.:it would be working again when the
street work is completed. It was also noted they are repairing the
potholes as they are able to do so.
Council Member Healy clarified with staff the challenges in
working with Caltrans on various issues.
Council Member Toriiatt commented on the oversight of street
repair and the issue of the quality of asphalt. She expressed
concern with the timing of certain areas to be repaired and
pointed out the importance of keeping the public informed.
Vice Mayor Moynihan commented on concerns with preventive
maintenance and questioned what it would take to do a
comprehensive program to slurry streets.
June 14, 2004. Vol. XX,.Page 7
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Council Member O'Brien questioned how many city vehicles are
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going home with employees on a daily basis. Mr. Skladzien noted
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there are two vehicles going home With employees that are "on
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call" for call back. Council Member O'Brien asked for the hard
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numbers regarding the number .of callbacks and concluded by
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stating the roof on :the facilities building looks bad and is in need of
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repair:
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Public Input
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Victor Checanover Petaluma addressed the City Council,
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extending his congratulations on: their patience and fortitude with
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the proposed budget. He expressed concerns with the cut in
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maintenance and repairs of city parks. He commented on the
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repairs do'he on Industrial Drive and indicated Ely Blvd. could use
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some work. He . additional noted that Parks and Recreation
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programs are important to people in the community and urged
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the Council to try to get Legislators to change their priorities.
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Mr. Skladzien verified that repairs to Ely Blvd. are on the work
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program for the coming, year.
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Mayon Glass commented on the proposed street measure being
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circulated in the-:community and noted if the measure passes it
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would be too bad for the City,. -He noted with the current
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'maintenance being .done, the roads would go from a PCI of 49 to
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a PCI of 64; which is verygood.
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B. 'Di I sc"ussion of Various Outstanding Issues Following Departmental Budget
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Presentations.
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City Manager ; Bierman.coMmented,that the State is not quite finished with
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their budget,. although if seems 'that the' League of California cities and
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the Governor have W out a. deal on compromise legislation.
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'He mentioned proposed new legislation that would allow PCDC funds to
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backfill the Vehicle License Fee hit; a possible new revenue source with
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respect ,to. "an emergen y911 fee for, cell phones; although that cannot
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be counted upon yet..
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He additionally mentioned there, were monies held during the energy crisis
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with regard to a power holding deal, and that account would not be
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freed up, which could. be somewhere around $500,000. He indicated he is
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not sure if -that would be general fund monies or not at this point.
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With respect to outstanding issues, the Manager noted the following:
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Compensation policy vacant ,& Unfilled positions
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Narcotics Task Force Office
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TOT Funds
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Additional funds for Recreation and Parks Maintenance
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Cars being taken home by employees
Vol. XX, Page 8 June 14, 2004
'Hours of operation for City Hall
Contrdct Planners- phasing out
Vice Mayor Moynihan asked for the inclusion of discussions regarding;,
• Capping health care benefits
• Fund Summaries
• Street Maintenance - transfers in and out
• Increasing the street maintenance $700,000
• Supporting TOT :Funding_ in the amount $325,000 for the Petaluma
Visitors Bureau
• Restoring $200;000 'in the Recreation and Parks Budget for on-
going maintenance
RDAyPCDC /CIP needs to be corrected, revised & reviewed prior to
the adoption of the operational budget - an interim ordinance
should be done until that time.
• Desire to see a delineation of revenue sources
Vice Mayor Moynihan questioned how `the '04 Budget "Revised" is the
same as the '04 . "Adopted.
City Manager Bierman clarified that the City works off of a revenue based
budget.
Vice Mayor Moynihan commented there is a need to estimate revenues'
well,: but there is also a need 'to control expenditures. He would like to
have a good feel for the actual numbers.
City 'Manager Bierman responded . the budget .document is a policy
document and the Council will be looking at variance reports.
Vice Mayor Moynihan expressed. again the desire to see additional .
information on vacant and unfounded positions.
City` Manager Bierman summarized where, he feels there may ,be room to
deal . with the Council's requests for additional funding.
Council Member Healy additionally commented that with. regard to the
revenue side of the, equation and the state's impact, there should be
better information in the next few days. He also indicated, a desire to see
a summarization of the assumptions for -the existing employee groups.
City Manager Bierman briefly went over the status of the current
negotiated contracts. He noted the City is in negotiations, currently, with
every group but the Police Department. He also stated the City still has in
the General `Fund Reserves $5.5 million,
Vice Mayor Moynihan commented on the total expenditure increase of
over $2 million in this year's budget for employee expenses. He stressed
the need to control compensation expenditures.
June 14, 2004 Vol. XX, Page 9
1 Council Member Healy added that is a compensation issue and he would
2 not like to :see. the Council be penny -wise and pound - foolish. He
3 commented on the challenges the Council faces in employee retention
4 and indicated his support for the City Manager's recommendations and
5 suggestions for utilizing adjusted revenues, the TOT Fund balance and
6 PCDC monies'for tourism as a means to making the Council's suggested
7 adjustments 1to, the budget.
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9 Council Member Torliatl commented. on the need for the City Council to
10 bargain.' in good faith with the employee associations and indicated her
1 1 priority is to continue to provide jobs.
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13 The majority of Council was in general concurrence with the City
14 Manager's suggested means of addressing the budget adjustments they
15 would like see made.
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17 Vice Mayor Moynihan expressed a desire to see the elimination of non-
18 critical positions and stated'he would like to see an increase of $200,000
19 to the Parks and Recreation Department to address maintenance needs.
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21 ADJOURN
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23 The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
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30 David Glass, Mayor
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32 Attest:
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37 Gayle Petersen, City
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