HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 06/09/2003June 4, 2003' Vol. 38; Page 503
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~AL'U .
a ~ ~ C'aty of'Petailuynae, Calfora~a
- REGULAR MEETING
I85$ OF THE PETALUMA CITY COUNCIL
':City Council Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes
Monday, June, 4, 2003 - 6:00 P.M.
.Regular Meeting
CALL TO ORDER r
A. RoIF Call
Present: Members Harris, Canevgro, Healy, Moynihan, O'Brien, Torlidtt
and- Mayor Glass
B. Pledge of Allegiance
C. Moment of Silence
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jack. Balshaw, Petaluma, addressed the City Council risking for a definition of the
General Fund. balance. Fie questioned when the funds are actually available,
i.e., as of what date.
CITY COUNCLL COMMENTS
Vice Mayor O'Brien commented on the recent death of Bill Sobranes and asked
that today's Council Meeting be adjourned in his memory.
Council Member Torliatt commented on the Bay Area Air Quality Management
District meeting held today arid proudly anriounced the receipt of $25,000 for
the Climate Protection. Campaign.
Council Member Torliatt also commented on LAFCO's proposed budget and
that they are looking. to shift 20% of funding to cities and counties, which will
result in an approximate '7~ increase in LAFCO fees for cities. She suggested the
need for the Council to look at increasing Petaluma's user fees to make up the
difference.
Council Member Moynihan commented on the need for clear direction from the
Council on revisions to be made to the budget.
Vol. 38, Page 504 June 4, 2003
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CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
The City Mana'g_er indicated he would be tracking' requ~°sted chdnges to the
budget.:.
AGENDA CHANGES AND DELETIONS -There were none.
NEW BUSLNESS
Overview of Proposed FY 2003-2004 ,Budget
A.
Bill Thomas; Finance Director, gave an overview of the proposed' budget.
City Council discussion. ensued regardirg a possible contingency budgef'
to address the oss of vehicle license fee `funds.. G_ eneral comments vvere~
made regarding specific accounts,, but the Council. gave positive
feedback on the budget being submitted on time ,and being easy to
understand.
Council Member Moynihan thanked, fhe Finance Director for a clean,
neat and easy t.a follow budget:. He expressed general concerns
regarding the balancing of the budget on the back of sp'eeial :funds., He
also expressed issues with the proposed CPP Budget.
Legislative and Administrative Departrnen#s.
B;.
Budget presentations were then made by individuals departments-
including: .
1. City Council
2. City Cferk
3. City Attorney
4.. Tiansient Occupdncy Tax .(TOT)
5. C'omrnunity Development Block
Grant
6. HOME
7. Housing In-Lieu
8: City Manager.. '
9: General Plan Administration
10. Geographic Information. Services
(G9S,)
11. Animal Control:
12. Infiorrnaton Services (IS)
13. Human Resources
14. Finance
General City Council discussion ensued as each ,presentation was made,
with the following issues being noted..:
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June 4, 2003
Cify' Attoicney's Budget
Vol. 38, Page 505
Council discussion centered: o,n the: need' for curtailment of expenses and
direction was. given to d'o an analysis of contractual vs. in-house services;
as well as alternative approaches to keeping costs for litigation expenses
down.
City Clerk
It was ,rioted, should fherCity Council decide to call a Special Ele°ction for
November''"2003, there would: have to be an additional appropriation of
monies to cover that.election:
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)
_,
In response to the recommendations of the subcommitfee, the majority of
the City Council was supportive. of'the recommendations.
.Council Member Moynihan commented he would like to eliminate "pass-
. .,: _..
throughs" to the "redevelopment }budged, and. noted the need to look qt
lowering. the expenditures:: He 'proposed eliminating all the
recommended expenditures" except for the Petaluma Visitors
Program/Enhancements, and the Sonoma County Convention & Visitors
Bureau.
CDBG/HOME/Housing In-Lieu
The following corrections were noted:
CDBG:.
Petalumd Ecumenical Properties - Ms. Gdebler clarified that the C~ will
be allocafed $10,000 to modify a handicapped ramp on McDowell that
was troublesome.
Housing In-Lieu.:
Correction noted: On April 21, 2003,'the Council approved funding for the
Mary Isaac' Center that is not reflected in this budget. That will reduce the
Housing In-Lieu fund to approximately $3.2 Million.
It was noted that a discussion regarding fees is most likely to take place at
the. end of August.
General Plan
Direction was given to "break out" the revenues and show them the same
way they were shown in last year's budget.
vol. 38, Page 506 June 4,, 2003
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2 Animal' Control
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4 Overall, City Council discussion was, supportive of the "proposed- budge ,
5 with the majority of Council supporting the existing,staffing numbers. Staff`
6 was. asked to look at increasing :revenues, efficiencies and :a regional look
7 at animal control.
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9 Council Member Moynihan suggested elirriination of the Animal. Services
10 Committee as a cost savings,'proposal and ;indicated he w.o.uld ike to ee
11 expenditures kept, at the departmenf> level; equal to ,last y.edr's.
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13 The b.dldnce of the City "council. agreed with,`I`ooking at ways to do things
14 more efficiently over the Ip:ng term to keep expendtures..down> but° we"re-
15 .supportive of the existing staffing levels, i'ndicafing there qre agreements
1;6 an_d contracts in place.for emplo.yees:, ., T ~ .
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18 Finance - '
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20 Council Member Canevaco requested staff to~ locik at t_he possibility .of
21 increasing reven,ues.for parking enforce,me~nt.
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23 General Closing Comments:; ~ '
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25 The issue of ;fhe quality of maintenance in the Public facilities and Services,
26 Budget-was also discussed. with concern being expressed. for the downtown,
27 restroom facility.
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29 ADJQIlRiV
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31 The meeting was adjourned at 8:.15 p.rn.: to ~ fhe next Budget Workshop,
32 scheduled #or Monday,.J'une 9, 2003 at5 p.m.
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38 David Glass, Ntayor
3,9 _
40 ATTEST:
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45 G . le Pe rsen, City Clerk
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June 9, 2003 Vol, 38, Page 507
aw~AL~ ~ C'ity of'Petalur~a9 C`ailifoN~aa
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE PETALIIMA CITY COUNCIL
j85$
City Council Budget~Workshop Meeting Minutes
Monday, June 9;.2003- 5:00 P.M.
Regular Meeting
1 CALL TO ORDER
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3 A. Roll Call . - ,
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5 Present: Members Harris, Canevaro,-Healy, Moynihan, O'Brien, Torliat# ,
6 and Mayor Glass
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8 B. Pledge of Allegiance .
9 C. Moment of Silence
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11 PROCLAMATION.
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13 The' Mayor presented a proclamation. regarding "United Sfates Army Week,"
14 June 8th - 14th, 2003 in. Recognition of the :228th Birthday of the United- States
15 Army.
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17 PUBLIC COMMENT
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19 John Hanania, Petaluma, addressed the City Council regarding the number of
20 junk cars in his neighborhood. He expressed his, frustrations in .dealing with the
21 Police Department to address this issue.
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23 CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
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2S Council:Member Canevaro indicated he did mee with the Chief of Police and
26 the Assistant City:Manager to address Mr. Hdnania's issue. He noted there needs
27 to be a list to work from, and as of this date, neither he or the Chief has seen a list
28 of vehicles/locations that need to be addressed.
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30 Council Member Torliatt commented she has spoken with Mr. Hanania also, and
31 she, too, has requested a list. She noted it takes a whole community together to
32 eradicate those problems.
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34 Council Member Torliatt also reported on having attended a Sonoma County
35 Transportation Authority Meeting and noted the E. Washington to Lakeville
36 improvements are scheduled for- design in 03-04; and there is a community
Vol. 38, Page 508 June 9, 2003
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meeting cheduled regardirig the widening .of 101 for Tuesday, June 24, 2003 in
Rohnert Park. Agencies will be meeting from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. and there will. be
an opportunity for the general pufjlic to speakfrom :5:30 to "8;:00. p.m. She. also
noted a presentation to be made by SCTA at' the Rohnert Park meeting.: She
concluded by stating,; with regard to the Steele Lane Project, final construction
has been bumped to 2008 for completion.
Council Member Moynihan thahked Couneif Member Canevaro for his
comments and noted having overheard two individuals. at the Police-
Department dealing with impounded car issues. -
With regard fo the compensation policy he has- been requesting, Council
Member Moynihan expressed his disapponfinent that one was not created for
this year's" budget. He briefly went over cgmpensation -increases in the- last year
or two and stressed the necessity for such a policy.
CIiY` MANAGER COMMENTS -There were .none:
AGENDA CHANGES AND DELETIONS To currenf agenda only: There. were no
changes made.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Pierre Mire"mont;";Petaluma, addressed. the City Council, reminding them of their
promisee to :fund street reconstruction. He commen#ed there 'w.as a public poll.
taken some time qga .and. it showed. you wouldn't"be"able to get a 2/3rds vote
for a Utility Users Tax. He continued by sfire°ssing the Council should not consider
an additional tax for the citizens of Petaluma.. He commented on how overall
fees have increased and added. if there is money for additional staff or increases
in compensation, the Council should use some of that money to fix the streets.
Bill Donahue,:: Petaluma, addressed the City .Councih aid submitted a letter
recommending consideration of a Utility Tax of 5% to recognizethe plight of fhe
City's seniors and those. residents with very' low ineo,mes. He recommended the
proposed Utility Tax include utilizing P-GB~E's CARE program, which should exempt
low and-.very low income residents: from such taxation. He concluded by stating
should fhis matter come befiore a vote of the citizens, certainly those: on the
CAREprogram would support the inifiative. -
John Hanania, Petaluma,. addressed fh'e City Council, venting frustration with the
lack of attention. to abandoned vehicle`s in the city.
June 9, 2003 vbl. 3$,. Page 509
1 NEW':BUSINESS
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3 A._ Coritinuafion of Departmental Presentations re: Proposed FY 20U3~ 2004.
4 Budget
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6 Continued Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding Recommendations
7 Received From~the Citizens Advisory Committee on Street Improvements.
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9 City Manager ".Bierman went over a matrix he prepared regarding the CAC
10 recommendations and those. of staffi and the City Manager. He asked for
11 Council direction on whether to establish two special revenue accounts arid
12 direction .regarding the proposed UUT Tax rate (5% or 7%) and a sunset clause.
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14 Mark Albertson, CAC Chair, went over the recommendations and .noted if the
15 Council considers a Utility User Tax, it can protect those who are financially
16 disadvantaged.. He indicated he would also ..like to see a ceiling or cap put on
17 the tax. He also indicated the commiftee's support for two separate revenue
18 accounts -one for maintenance and one for reconstruction.
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20 Lengthy City Council discussion ensued regarding a potential Utility Users Tax.
21 measure for the November 2003 ballot or q general tax measure for the
22 November 2Q04 ballot, as well as whether or not to set up two revenue accounts
23 for street reconstruction and maintenance.
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25 Mayor Glciss indicated he would support a Utility Users Tax Measure.
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27 Council Member Moynihan stated he would not support a Utility Users Tax
2'8 Measure, but supports using Gas Tax for maintenance. He indicated he feels the
29 public would. be suspect of` a UUT an'd would. not support ;it. In conclusion he
30 noted if the City were to gea a tax measure passed, it should be specifically
31 designated for streets.
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33 Vice .Mayor. O'Brien indicated he is not terribly supportive of new taxes either, but
34 the people of Petaluma have a right to decide. He stated support for d CARE
35 Program, caps for businesses,. and noted his support for the City Manager's
36 recommendations submitted iri the matrix.
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38 Council Member Healy commented on the great job staff has done with the
39 budget. He indicated. he is generally supportive of .a U'UT :for gas and electric
40 only, would support a dollar cap for businesses, supports PG8~E's CARE Program,
41 and stressed the ..need for a show of support in the community to make this tax'
42 happen. H`e also noted if would be important to have a list of streets to be
43 repaired included' in the ballot information.
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45 Council Member Canevaro indicated it is about attitude and, how the Utility Users
46 Tax is sold to the public. He noted something smaller would be easier to sell, but
47 would be supportive of a~CARE Program.
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Vol. 38, Page 510 June 9, 2003
1 Council Member Harris+ indicated he wo"uld support' a UUT grid not a general tax.
2 He also indicated he feels 'it should have a~ sunset clause and stressed'. the
3 importance of the Council showing; the appropriate leadership on this,.issue.
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5 Although .the majority of the Council was supportive o:f plai~ing a measure o;n the
6 ballot, Council Member Moynihan s'tated;,he would not support a Utility Users Tax:
7 In addition, Council Member Moynihan submitted a June 9; 2003 Memorandum
8 with recommendations on revising, the draft budget ''#o include the 'renaming of
9 funds and details, regarding re:venuo and Transfers-in. H~~ 'indicated he would
10 also like, to see a 'Special Revenue fund #2'18, Street Reconstruction Fund,
11 created showing revenue and transfers-in de-tail to`incJude;
13 Federal Grants
_. -. _
14 State Grants
15 Indian Gaming Revenues .
16 D.eve oper, contributions "
1.7 Major Traffic Mitigation funds .
18 PCDC Contributions
19 New Utility U ers Tax
20 Proposition 42 funding
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22 He concluded' by requesting those changes an;d, asking that the :draft ,.budget b:e~
23 re-circulated it to show his recommended' changes.
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25 The City Manager referenced a Memorandum dafed June 9 2003;. from th`e
26 Finance. Director in response to Council Member Moynihan"s Memo outlining the
27 proposed sfreet rriaintendnce funding for FY 2004..
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Council Member Torlgtt cgmme.nted sh;e would ~lke To see a corrimttee draft
and promote the ut,lity users tax measure. She agreed with the entire amount of
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the Gas Tax Subvention. Funds being appropriated. to .c~ Street Mdinte"nance.
account; agreed we~ need to keep General Fund Reserves; was glad. to see we
are using transportation mifigatiori funds Tor- .this .fiscal year; wou d support. a'
measure on The Ngvember 03 ballot for a' utility users tax; supports the: low
income option (CARE Program);.. a cap on the tax (-with criteria); would support
the UUT :being set at 5% over 20 years~for gas and electric .only; feels the ballot
measure package needs to be carefully `put to,ge,ther; and ''indic'ated she would
like to .look at th,e fl'exibilifiy of reducing the tax if the City were:, to realize more
money than expected; She continued by restating she would suppotf the .CA.C
drafting .and' promoting the measure. '
42 Council Member Torliatt concluded by commenting she would like to se'e, the.
43 revision or implementation of new development impact fees. during the General
44 Plan process and would like to adopt the policies the. CAc.: recornmend:ed-: She
45 would prefer.the policies be in writing and easily accessible.
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47 Council Mem., ber,M'oynihan stressed the necessity to be~ clear about the naming
48 of account and what those funds are actually used for.
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June 9, 2003
vol: 38; Page 51 }'
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At the completion of the- discussion ,regarding the proposed Utility User Tax
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Measure, the majority of the City Council supported the City 'Manager's
recommendations and' directed the City .Attorney fo prepare the legislation
necessary to :place a. Charter Amendment on the ballot to repeat the Charter's
current prohibition of instituting a tax; .and to prepare a companion measure to
institute a Utility User Tax to include:
• a tax rate of 5~ with a 20-year end date.
• that the tax be on gas. 8~ electric services only
• that there be a CARE Program compatible with that of PG&E's
The Council recessed at 7:40 p.rn.'to 7:4b p.m.
1. Public Facilities 8~ .Services Department
Rick Skladzien, Director of Public ;Facilities .& Services, gave an overview
of their proposed budget..
There was brief City Cauncil discussion regarding airport personnel and
wages, and monies spent on electricity:
Council Member Torl'iatt stressed the importance of retrofit lighting to
help reduce costs.
It was also noted' that the cross-town connector line item would need
to be brought back'and included in the budget.
2. Police Department
Chief Tom Simms gave the overview of the Police Department.
Council Member Torliatfi commented that they should be reimbursed
for the special events they cover.
City Council discussion ensued regarding funding for training and the
Council thanked the Chief and department for the job they do and
services t'fley provide.
Council Member Moynihan commented on joint dispatch or training
possibilities;. traffic enforcement and parking enforcement
responsibilities that have been transferred to the Finance Department
and'the impact of PERS future increases on the organization.
Vol. 38, Page 512
3. Fire. D,eparfment
June 9, 2003'
Chief Alb;erfs.on gave the overview of'the Fire Department budget..
After a„ brief discussion, the ;Ci`ty Council expressed their apprecia~tiori
and thanked Chief Albertson for doing. a great jab.
It was rioted .that there would 'be an Academy 'Graduation on Friday,
June 13, 2003 as 3 p:m. at Station # 1. '
ADJOURN
The City Councih adjourned at 7:45 p:m. to next Budget Workshop scheduled for
Tuesday,,, June l0; 2003' at 3 p:m. for' D'eparfme,nt;al 'Presen'tations from Parks
Recreation and Water Resources' 8~ Coriservation.
~,
David Glass, Nlaygr
ATTEST:
Gay e Pe't, en; City C erk~