HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06/14/2004
: June 14, 2004 Vol. 40, Page 109
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a ~ City of Petaluma, Calif®rniac
X85$ MEETING OF THE PETALUMA CITY COUNCIL
City Council Budget. Workshop. Minutes
Monday; June 14;;2004 - 6:00'P:M.
Special Meeting
1 CALL TO ORDER - 6:00, p.m.
2
3 A. Roll Cdll
4
5 Present: Glass„Harris, Healy, Moynihan, O'Brien, Torliatt
6 Absent: Harris and Thompson
7
8 B. Pledge, of.Allegignce _
9 C. Moment of Silence
lp
1 1 PUBLIC COMMENT
12
13 Janice Cader-Thompson, Petaluma, addressed the City Council regarding the Planning
14 Commission Meeting regarding transportation, which is scheduled to take place
15 tomorrow. She indicated. she feels the Council is doing things backwards. She continued
16 by noting there: may be possible conflicts of interest by Council Members who supported
17 the Rainier alternative. She added there. is no funding for Rainier and questioned where
18 the Council will get the money. She also informed the Council that SCTA says there is no
19 funding available. In conclusion, she asked that the Recreation, Music and Parks
20 Commission consider looking at the Corona Reach for more parkland.
21
22 CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
23
24 Council_Member Healy gave an update on the meeting with representatives of city
25 governments from about five difference counties grid Legislative Staffers regarding the
26 status of the LOCAL ;initiative and the. compromise with the Governor and where that
27 stands in the legislative process. He indicated Assembly Member Wiggins in Sonoma
28. ••County has agreed to support the compromise measure;. the others have not taken
29 .'positions. He noted .Senator Chesbro's representative there indicated this is likely to be
30 resolved in the conference committee over the next several days. He indicated he
31 came ou of these hopeful that the Legislature would agree to the compromise measure
32 and place it on the bdllot in November. He continued by commenting on a recent SCTA
33 meeting where the City of Petaluma's request for $1 million for the resurfacing of South
34 McDowell.Boulevardwas approved and there may be more fundingfor a segment if the
35 actual bids come in below what the estimates are. He indicated there continues to be a
36 discussion regarding d possible cent sales tax measure for Sonoma County on this
37 November's ballot, assuming that the SMART Board does not elect to go forward with a
38 November ballot rneasur.e. There was direction given to the... Executive Committee of the
39 Transportation .Authority to come forward with some scenarios for a special meeting in
40 two weeks on what kind of things could be funded countywide for the different
Vol. 40, Page 1 10 June 14, 2004
1 jurisdictions out of a cent ballot measure.. If there is interest in pursuing that .measure,
2 that will be forwarded to the nine ,city :councils for their input. He noted this has to
3 happen within a veryahort timefrarne because the. deadline for the. Board of Supervisors
4 for adopting anything to be placed on 'the ballot is the first week of August.
5
6 Vice Mayor Moynihan questioned if the letter had been. written in regards to the ,Rainier
7 Inferchange selection and if SCTA hasreceived a copy of that:
8
9 City Manager Bierman responded that had not been written yet.
1-0
1 1 Vice Mayor Moynihan stated he would appreciate it if that would be completed.
12
13 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
T4
15 There were none.
16
17 1. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
18
19 A. Adoption (Second :Reading), of .Ordinance '2185 N.C.S. Amending the
20 Petaluma Municipal Code, 'Title :9, Animal Regulations. Bierman/Tdvares)
~
21 This~item was coriit~nued fcom'the June~7, 2004 City~Council Meefing. ~
22 -
23 City Council discussion ensued regarding whether this ordinance should
24 be referred back to the. Animal Services Advisory Committee for further
25 review and input. ~ -
26 -
27 Council .Member Torlatt indicated she would rather see the portion
28 Yegarding feral cats: removed and referred back to the Advisory
29 Committee and move forward with the rermainder of the ordinance.
30 .
31 City Attorney Rudnansky recommended removing the feral cat
32 language, should: the Council wish to, and reintroduce the ordinance;
33 which would then come back at the next Council Meeting.
34 ,
35 The consensus of Council was #o move forward with the consideration of
36 the full ordinance this evening.
37
38 Prior to the presentation, Vice. MayorMoynihan questioned -thee necessity
39 for livestock' permits..
40
41 Council Member Torliatf also mentioned that when a permit is issued; a
42 phone number.should be requested also.
43
44 Nancee Tavares, Animal. Services Manager, gave an overview of the
45 proposed ordinance and cited the difficulties in dealing with -feral cats in -
46 public parks. ,
47
48 PUBLIC INPUT:
49
50 Kathy Sousa,. Petaluma .Animal, Services; addressed the City Council. as the
51 Shelter Supervisor. She expressed concerns for feral cat colonies; including
June 14, 2004 Vol. 40, Page l l l
1 their safety and welfare'. She stressed it is critical that the park site be
2 monitored.
3
4 Jane Baskin; Sonoma County Volunteer Board of ..Directors; addressed the
5 City Council in.opposition to the proposed restrictions to feral cat colonies.
6
7 Jennifer Kirchner, Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County, .addressed the City
8 Council in opposition to the proposed ordinance. She asked how the City
9 proposes to pay for enforcement of the ordinance. She also offered Trap
10 and' Return fraining and/or workshops to take place at Lucchesi Park.
11
12 Council AAember TorliatF questioned if workshops had been held thus far
13 and expressed concerns with the current situation.
14
15 B`ob Dyer, Petaluma, addressed the City. Council. indicating he is a docent
16 at SholCenberger Park and stated his support of the restrictions to protect
17 the wetlands.
18
19 Council Member Torliatt asked if the Ferdl Cat Committee had reviewed
20 the enfi~e ordinance and was told there were rio objections.
21
22 R. J. Kamprath, Pres., _ Pete .Population Control Fund of Sonoma Valley,
23 addressed the City Council in support of prevention and intervention as it
24 relates to feral coats, but stated her opposition to the ordinance as
25 written. -
26
27 Sheri Cardo, 'Petaluma, addressed the City Council indicating the
28 proposed ordinance is seriously flawed. She indicated staff told her the
29 ordinance would be~ a compromise from the Committee and it was not.
30 She continued by commenting that the feral cal community had nothing
31 to do with the drafting, of th'e ordinance and that the proposed ordinance
32 was misrepresented to them and to the Council. She urged the Council to
33 remove the.language'referring to feral-eats from the ordinance.
34
35 Stan Gold, Petalumg, addressed the City Council noting feral cats are not
36 a natural part of the environment. He indicated there should be heavy
37 . fines and.stated his support for the ordinance.
38
39 Dwayne :Meredith, Petaluma Animal Services Officer, addressed the City
40 Council supporting caretakers, but stressed there needs to be a balance.
41 He indicated, unfortunately this has become a Forgotten Felines vs. city of
42 Petaluma issue. He noted ,his support for the. ordinance and indicated it
43 would provide for the proper level of care for cats.
44
45 City Councif discussion. ensued regarding the number of colonies in the
46 city, locations of known colonies and relocations efforts.
47
48 Victoria 'EVans~ Petaluma, addressed the City Council in opposition to the
49 ordinance and noted she has ,had numerous ariimals dumped onto her
50 property.
51
Vot. 40, Page 1 12 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.
5
6 .Ruth Feldmgn, Petaluma, addressed fihe City Council in . upport of the
7 ~ proposed expansion of the' Petaluma Outlet Center.
8
9 Gail` Thompson, Petaluma, addressed the City Gouncil indicating she- had
10 ~ sent information on how to properly trap feral eats.
11
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 t~gpped
14 numerous cats at the park and removed them. She asked the Council to
15 consider a' "grandfatFier'` clduse and noted taking their'food dway would
16 ~ be eruel.'She'suggested'a catsanct'uary be looked into...
17
18 Council M
ember Hegly questioned the .budgetary irnpac-ts if the
1`9 ordinance `is adopted. He clarified with staff that there will be a meeting
20 tomorrow of the Feral Cat committee and that they will be looking at
21 ~ educational opportunities. It~w'as also notedthat staff would be glade to
22 resedreh grants, but there just is not any extra money in the budget at this
23 time.
24
25 Viee~ Mayor Moynihan commented the removal of the feeding station. in
26 the park is the issue.
27 '
28 Council IVI'ember'Torliatt stated her support for the relocation of the feral
29 cats at Lucchesi Park. She asked if the proposed ordnance couldcontain
30 amended language ~ to ,give the Animal Shelter manager the ability to
31 work with. Forgotten Felines to ensure,rel.ocation efforts are considered'.
32 _
33 Council Memb~er_'~Healy indicated 'the: Council could give authority to
34 grant a. waiver a_ nd approves and' direct staff to..come back in 3 'to 6
35 .months with any needed amendments for compliance.
36
37 Council Member O'Brien agreed ard'indicated Council should" adopt the
38 ordinance as is `and bring back any needed a_menaments at a late~`dafe.
39
40 MOTION to adopf the ordinance as presented`
41
42 M/S' Healy and Moynihan. CARRIED UNANIMOllSLY.
43 '
44 City Council recessed at 7:45 p.m. to 7:55 p.m.
45 '
46 2. NEW BUSINESS
47 - '
48 A. Continuation of piscussions and Overview of Proposed- FY '2004-2005
49 Budget to include presentations by the following. departments:
50
51 2. ,Parks and, Recreation . `
52
June 14, 2004 .Vol.,. 40; Page 1 13
1 Jim Carr, Director of .Parks and Recreation, gave an overview of
2 the proposed departmental budgef.
3
4 Council Member Torliatt commented on Prop. 40 monies and
5 asked. if they would be outlined in the CIP budget.
6
7 Mr. Carr confirmed that would be the case.
8
9 With respect to questions regarding the pool, Mr. Carr noted the
10 budget was predicated on opening the pool in April through the
1 1 end of the fiscal year. The current fiscal year it would stay open
12 until the end of October.
13
14 Council Member Torliatt commented tha the Aquatics Committee
15 should be provided with the most refined numbers to weigh ,
16 options for fundraising over the next year.
17
18 Council Member Healy commented on collection of payments for
19 the Marina, clarified there. is .no funding for 4th of July F'ireworks'
20 displays, and concluded by commenting that he is astounded at
21 -the riurriber of programs that are put forward with the funds that
22 are available.
23
24 Vice Mayor Moynihan commented on graffiti at the skate park,
25 the inability of Parks and Recreation to, pay back the loan for the
26 Marina Fund, and' concerns for the increase in demand for parks
27 maintenance iri the upcoming CIP budget. He continued by
28 asking how the Council might help, i.e. through limiting ;obligations
29 for maintenance, dnriuities, and assessment districts.
30
31 Council Member Torliatt questioned: the number of part-time
32 equivalents and how their hours and pay are determined. Mr. Carr
33 noted they do a comparison with neighboring communities.
34
35 Vice Mayor Moynihan commented on the proposed decrease in .
36 services and supplies and confirmed it was primarily in parks, but
37 was assured there would be a focus on the active parks. It was
38 also .noted the medians and parkways would be maintained and
39 they would continue to use herbicides.
40
41 Council Member O'Brien cornrnented, on management fees paid
42 for Landscape Assessment Districts and expressed d desire to see
43 these go out to bid. He questioned how-.many vehicles employees
44 take home of night and verified they take them home due to
45 frequent call-ups after hours. Council .Member O'Brien clarified
46 that Mr. Anchordoguy does not experience frequent call-ups and
47 asked Mr. Carr fo provide the numbers as it relates to this issue
48 overall.
49
50 Mayor Glass suggested increasing the fee for golf carts. at Rooster
51 Run to increase revenue,
52
Vol. 40, Page 1 14 June 14, 2004
1 ~ 1': Public.Facilities & Services
2
3 Rick Skladzien, Director ofi P-ublic Facilities and Services; gave an
4 overview of the proposed departmehtal budget.
5
6 Vice Mayor .Moynihan commented on. the Pavement
7 Management Program and questioned the street reconstruction
8 fund.
9
10 City Manager Bierman clarified there would be $2.5 .million spent .
1 1 on street maintenance over the next year.
12
13 Vice Mayor Moynihan questioned having S people for street signs
14 and verified that they do additional duties, as well. He additiohally
15 asked for a break out of the general fund revenues
16
17 Council Member Torliatt commented that PF&S employees are-
. 18 doing a greatjob. She suggested renaming the line item'for''streef
19 signs" to "street signs & painting." .She added that perhaps the
20 Citizens Advisory Committee Regarding Streets could be revived to
'21- ~ - ~ - - ~ do~a review of`vihat work has been done over fhe: last year.
22
23 Mr. Skladzien noted when construction season slows down,. that
24 would be a possibility.
25 ~ -
26 - 1t~ was also noted that the gas tax and general fund monies fund
27 ~ the PF8~S Department..
28
29 Council Member O'Brien complimented Mr. Skadzien on how his
30 department is doing a good job on ahe. streets. He. clarified whey
31 .had: completed the 'LED Program with loops and indicated the
32 umber lights-will be done soon.
33
34 In response. to .question as to'when the lighted pedestrian crossing
35 o.n .ahe boulevard between Western. 8~ Washington would be
36 working. again; it was noted it .would be working again when the
37 street work `is~ completed., It was also .rioted they are repairing the
38 potholes as they ar'e able to do so.
39 _
40 Council Member Hegly :clarified with staff the challenges in
41 ~ - . working wi~thCaltrans on various issues.
42 `
43 ,Council 'Member Torliatt commented on the oversight of street
44 repair grid the :issue of 'the quality of asphalt. She expressed
45 concern with the timing of certain areas to be repaired and
46 ~pointed out the importance of keeping the public informed.
47
48 Vice. Mayor Moynihan commented on concerns with preventive
49 maintenance dnd questioned what it would take to do a.
50 comprehensive program to slurry streets.
51
June 14, 2004 Vol. 40, Page 1 15
1 Council Member O'Brien questioned how many city vehicles are
2 going home: with ,employees on a daily basis. Mr. Skladzien noted
3 there are two vehicles going home with employees that are "on
4 call'' for call back. Council :Member O'Brien asked for the hard
5 numbers regarding the number of call backs and concluded by
6 stating the roof on the.facilities building looks bad and is in need of
7 ,repair. .
8
9 Public Input:
10
11 Victor Checdnov:er; Petaluma; addressed the City Council,
12 extending .his congratulations on, their patience and fortitude with
13 the proposed budget: He expressed concerns with the cut in
14 maintenance and repairs of .city parks. He commented on the
15 repairs done on Industrial Drive and indicated Ely Blvd. could use
16 some work. ,He addifional noted thaf Parks and Recreation
17 programs are. important to people in the community and urged
18 the Council to try to get Legislators to change their priorities.
19
20 Mr. Skladzien verified that. repairs to Ely Blvd, are on the work
21 _ . ...._..program for the coming year... _
22
23 Mayor Glass commented on the proposed street measure being
24 circulated in the community and rioted if the measure passes it
25 would be too bad for the City. He noted with the current
26 maintenance being done, the roads would go from a PCI of 49 to
27 a PCI of 64, which is very good.
28
29 B. Discussion of Various Outstanding Issues Following Departmental Budget
30 Presentations.
31
32 City Manager Bierman :commented that the State is not quite finished with
33 their budge,, although it seems that the League of California cities and
34 the Governor have worked out a deal on compromise legislation.
35
36 He mentioned proposed new legislation that would allow PCDC funds to
37 backfill the Vehicle License Fee hit; a possible new revenue source with
38 respect to an emergency 91 1 fee for cell phones, although that cannot
39 be counted upon yet.
40
41 He additionally mentioned there were. monies held during the energy crisis
42 with regard to a power holding deal, and that account would not be
43 freed up; which could be somewhere around $5Q0;000. He indicated he is
44 not. sure if thaf would be general fund .monies or not at this point.
45
4.6 With respect to outstanding issues, the City Manager noted the following:
47
48 ~ Compensation policy -vacant 8~ Unfilled positions
49 Narcotics Task Force Office
50 o TOT Funds
51 Additional funds for Recreation anel Parks Maintenance
52 Cars being taken home by employees
Vol: 40, Page 1 16 June'14, 2004
1 • Hours of operation for Ci y Hall
2 • ~ Contrac# Planners -phasing out
3
4 Vice Mayor Moynihan asked for the inclusion of discussions regarding;
5
6 - • Capping health, care benefits
7 • .Fund Surrimaries~ ,
8 • Street Maintenance -transfers in and out
9 o Increasing the street maintenance fund ~$700',000
10 Supporting TOT Funding in .fihe amount $325,000 for the Petaluma
1 1 Visitors Bureau
12 Restoring. $200,000 in the Re -creation and Parks Budget for on-
13 going rnaintendnce
14 • RDA/I'CDC/CIP needs to, be corrected, revised i~ reviewed prior to
15 the adoption of the operational budget - an interim ord'ihdnce
16 should be done until that time.
17 Desire to see a delineation of'revenue sources
18
19 Vice Mayor, Moynihan questioned- how the '04 Budget "Revised" is the '
20 ame as the '04 "Adopted."
22 City Manager Bierman clarified that'the City works off of a revenue based
23 budget.
24
25 Vice Mayor Moynihan. commented there is a need to estimate revenues
26 well,' but ;there `is also a'. need to control expenditures. Ne would like to
27 have a good feet for the actual numbers.
28
29 ~ .City Manager Bierman responded the budget document is: a policy
30 ~ document and the Council. will be cooking at variance reports.
3~1
32 Vice- Mayor .Moynihan expressed. again the desire to .see additional
33 information on vacant and. unfounded positions.
34 - .
35 City Manager `Bierman summarized where ;he feels there may be .room: to
36 ~ deal wifh the Council's requests for additional funding.
37
38 Council Member Hedly ddditionally commented thaf with .:regard fo the
39 revenue: side of the equation and the state's impact, there should be
40 better information in the next few days. ,He also indicated. a desire fo,see
41 d sumrnar`izdfion of the assumptions^for the existing empfoyee groups.,
42
43 City ,Manager Bierman briefly went over 'the status of the current
44 negotiated contracts:: He noted the City is ;in negotiations, currently, with. ,
45 every group but-the Police Department. He also stilted-the City still has in
46 the General Fund. Resenies $5.5 million.
47
48 Vice Mayor Moynihan commen"ted' on the total. expenditure increase of
49' over $2 million: in this year's budget for empl"ogee expenses. He stressed
50 the need to control. compensation expenditures.
51
June 14, 2004 Vol. 40, Page l l'7
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 qs a means to making the Council's suggested
7 adjustments to the budget.
8
9 Council Member Torlidtl commented on the need for the City Council to
10 bargain in good faith with the employee associations and indicated her
i~ 1 1 priority is to continue to provide jobs.
12
13 The majority of Council was in generdl concurrence with the City
14 Manager's suggested means of addressing the budget adjustments they
15 would like see made.
16
17 ~ Yice 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.
20
21 ADJOURN
22
23 The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
24
25
26
27 ~
28
29
30 DaviclrGlass, Mayor
31
32 Attest:
33
34
35
36
37 Gayle P tersen, City Clerk
38
39
40
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