HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 06/08/1994June 8, 1994
Vol. 28, Page 227
1 REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING
2 PETALUMA CITY COUNCIL ~
3 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1994 0 ~ ~
4 COMMUNITY CENTER, LUCCHESI PARK
5 ROLL CALL 7:00 p.m.
6 Present: Parkerson, Sobel*, Hamilton, Barlas**, Shea, Vice Mayor Read, Mayor
7 Hilligoss -
8 Absent: None
9 * -Arrived at 8:50 p.m.
10 * * -Left at 9:20 p. m.
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12 Budget Committee Members Present:
13 Paula Wiiken, John Schloetter, Pierre Miremont, Arthur Kerbel,
14 Tom Siragusa, Mary Stompe, Peter Cozzolino, Victor Checkanover,
15 Yigal Toister, Gerry Dadey, and Barbara VanCleve Smith
16 OATH OF OFFICE
17 City Clerk Pat Bernard administered the Oath of Office to E. Ross Parkerson. He was
18 selected by the City Council at the Monday evening meeting to serve the City for the
19 remaining part of the year as a replacement of Bonnie Nelson who resigned in April.
20 JOINT MEETING WITII TAE BUDGET COMMITTEE
21 The Budget Committee reviewed their recommendations with the City Council and the
22 following decisions were reached by the Council:
23 1. FIRE CITATIONS Public Safety recommendation - To issue citations for
24 businesses who don't comply with fire inspection violations. The Council agreed
25 that a resolution should be adopted which would set forth a fine for these violations,
26 pursuant to the Fire Code. Also some additional Erne should be considered for
27 those situations where the Fire Department must reinspect over and over again.
28 2. BOOKING FEES Police recommendation -Require reimbursement of booking
29 fees ($176) from all people that are arrested and booked in Petaluma. The Council
3o agreed. There is some process being developed at the County that would track
31 whether the individuals were convicted or absolved. When that information
32 becomes available to the Petaluma Police, staff is to pursue this recommendation.
33 3. IMPOUND CARS Police recommendation -Impound car program to be operated
34 similar to the Santa Rosa program. The City should consider charging a car storage
35 company a percentage of the revenue received from the impound program, or it
36 should consider storing the cars on City property and receiving all of .the revenue
37 generated. Since the Santa Rosa program is a pilot program, it was the Council
38 consensus to watch it's progress and implement this: idea if the program proves
39 beneficial and is raot challenged legally. There currently is not sufficient City land
40 on which to store such vehicles.
41 4. CAT LICENSING Police recommendation - Implement a Cat licensing program
42 through the current Animal Control Shelter contractor, the Humane Society.
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Page 228; Vol. 28
June 8, 1994
This ..idea was put on hold.. The Thunder and Lightening group has made a
presentation to the City to do cat licensing. It was reported that group is close to
the point where they can begin ,to develop' a cat licensing program. The Council
asked that the two progrnnis (Humane Society and Thunder and Lightning be
compared and report back to the Coltncil:
5. EUTHANASIA Police recommendation -Fee for euthanasia services. It appears
that the cost to accomplish this through. the local veterinarians is somewhat pricier
than through The Animal Control, or Humane Society. Staff advised the group that
this fee is scheduled to be increased to be more competitive.
6. FIRE SPRINKLER Fire recommendation -Adopt residential and commercial
"zero" square foot sprinkler ordinance for all new construction. As the City of
Petaluma grows, the need for fire protection increases. The ability to maintain a 4-
minute response time decreases. The savings to the City would come .from "future
staffing" needs being reduced.. There would. be no cost to the City. The cost is
passed on to purchasers of all .new construction. The homeowner would be entitled
to lower insurance premiums because of better fire protection. The Council asked
staff to look at what other cities are doing with regard to this recommendation and
to report back to the Colrncil.
7. FIRE TRUCK Fire and Finance recommendation -Purchase an additional new fire
engine which will reduce the maintenance costs in the future by approximately
$3,500 a year for the first ten years. On are on going-and on a City tivide• basis,. there
needs to be the input of money into replacement fired accounts. There needs to be a
plan. Perhaps there could be crn anrnral Firemen's Muster that would assist in
raising money for the Fire Department's needs. The life of a free engine is l S years.
The front line engine is 28 years old. The Blydget committee also suggested looking
at the use of Redevelopment Flrnds for this plrrpose.
8. SHARE TRAINING Fire recommendation -Review of an automatic aid' agreement
by the City. This would allow for the sharing of equipment and :personnel with
surrounding fire departments. The training b~rdget for the Fire .Department is
$2, 000. It would be good to have a training officer. This is a good idea,
particularly if the city could share a trcrinirlg officer between local fire
departments. Also, there was some discussion regarding development of a volunteer
cardiopulmonary resuscitation training consortilrnl of local companies.
9. SB-90 REFUNDS Finance recommendation -Return SB-90 money to the Fire and
Police departments. The Finance Director advised that this money goes back into
the General Fund and is reappropriated each year to the departments. The
Committee's objective was to field some 'protected"funds for the departments.
10. MAINTENANCE FUNDS Public Works and Recreation recommendation -
Budget permanent maintenance funds for both departments. Tlae Council agreed
there is a need to develop strategic schedules 7o face these issues on a long.: term
basis. This sholrld be .looked lrrto throlrghozrt the City for everything from
infiltration problems on the West side of town to police cars to fire trucks to
building maintenance and more.
11. MARINA Parks and Recreation recommendation -Change size of Marina slips to
accommodate the actual size of the boats desiring space at the Marina. This has
been accomplished.
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June 8, 1994
Vol. 28, Page 229
1 12. NEW LANDSCAPING Parks and Recreation recommendation -Extend the time
2 developers are responsible for landscaping from 1 to 3 years. The Council thought
3 this was a good idea and asked that staff work with the development community to
4 see what can be done to redzrce the City's need to put staff time on new landscape
5 plantings which have a lengthy mat2rration process. Perhaps different plants could
6 be used.
7 13. ACTUAL PARKS COSTS Parks and Recreation recommendation - After
8 determining actual costs, the Parks and Recreation Department should prepare a
9 report for the City Council comparing City costs to contract costs. The Budget
to Committee is concerned there is inszrffrcient information available to determine the
11 City's actual costs to maintain each park and each landscaped area. Staff has
12 begun to utilize special computer software that will supply management with. this
13 tool to enable them to compare the costs of contract services versus the costs of City
14 crew ServICBS at any glVerl area.
15 14. ACTUAL EMPLOYEE COSTS Finance recommendation -Determine actual
16 costs for employees.. Government is required to bill services "at cost" rather than "at
17 profit". There does not seem to be an analysis of actual employee costs with
18 benefits, equipment use, rental of space; et cetera, which should be figured in the true
19 cost of services provided to the public. Presently the departments bill for extra
20 services beyond normal :fees on an hourly basis, e.g., research. This hourly charge
21 could be increased. The Council agreed this should be tracked and incorporated
22 into charges for services where legally possible. It was noted that caution should be
23 used in charging for employee and building costs, because of the fact that
24 "government" is a service.
25 15. BUILDING VIOLATIONS Building Department recommendation -Building
26 .Division must answer complaints of possible building violations. If violations exist,
27 the Division should bill for time taken to inspect and report violations. The Party
28 responsible for violation should pay these expenses as well as necessary fees to
29 correct violation. The Council agreed with this and was advised that staff is in the
3o process of developing procedures to resolve these situations.
31 16. ADDITIONAL INSPECTORS Building Department recommendation -Hire part
32 time inspectors or plan checkers during summer or peak times. The cost of the
33 employee is paid by fees or by builders who are willing to pay for these services
34 during heavy building months. The Building Division does not have the manpower
35 to cover the swings in demand, but it does have the ability to anticipate demand in
36 the immediate future. Planning and Engineering could allow fast tracking of
37 development by offering quicker than standard service for those willing to pay
3s additional fees. The Council agreed this should be offered to developers. If they
39 don't use it then it co2ild be dropped. Staff noted this has been used in the past and
4o suggested this could be marketed better. Perhaps it is something that could be
41 shared with another jurisdiction.
42 17. ®FFER OVERTIME Building and Planning recommendation -Offer more
43 overtime to existing employees during peak periods, if builders wish to pay for the
44 service. Builders may not be aware of this possibility. The Council was in
45 agreement with this. This cozrld be either overtime before 8:00 a. m. or after 5:00
46 p. m.
47 18. SHORTEN APPROVAL PROCESS Planning, Engineering and Building
48 recommendation -Requirements for plans seem needlessly lengthy. Discussions with
49 architects and builders indicate other cities have fewer requirements. If the amount
50 of detail were reduced, employee time would be consequently reduced and the
51 service level enhanced by diminished reviewing time.
Page 230, Vol. 28
June 8, 1994
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Also this lessens the need for additional employees. The Corrncil wants to take a
look at this again, as well as, it wants to reevah~ate the commitment to the
committees.
4 19. CROSS TRAIN Planning, Engineering and Building recommendation -Further
5 cross-train existing employees for plan checking, inspection, and the like. This is
6 .currently being done.
7 20. OUTSIDE PLAN CHECKING Building recommendation -Plan checking costs to
8 outside vendors was $65,732 for Fiscal Year 1992-93. Mostly commercial buildings
9 which the Building Division indicates it is not qualified to do. Presently there are
io four vendors for this service. It was suggested there be a reduction to two or three
11 vendors. This provides more money to fewer vendors which may help improve
12 service and even reduce rates. The Council agreed.
13 21. ADDITIONAL INSPECTION COSTS Building recommendation -Multiple
14 inspection charges. If the inspector has, to return to the site more than. twice to
15 examine the same item, additional 'cha'rges should be required of the builder, if he has
16 not responded to the inspector's objections. (Same response as the response to
17 Recommendation #] for the Fire Department)
18 22. RED TAG CHARGES ..Building recommendation. -Red tag charges. Builders
19 constructing without a proper permit can be "red tagged" and are charged twice the
20 normal permit fee. This could be increased but should be done with guidelines in
21 order to protect the user from abuse, such as excessive penalties. (Same response as
22 the response to Recommendation #1)
23 23. VOLUN'T'EERS, STUDENTS Planning, Engineering, Building recommendation -
24 Use volunteers such as college students or retired individuals. These departments
25 are utilizing college strrdems rrow, and the Council supports expanding their use
26 where possible.
27 24. COMPUTERS Informational Services recommendation -Computers. Equipment
28 is antiquated. Review on city-wide basis. Staff advised there is a Computer Use
29 Master Plan which was adopted by the Council two yegrs ago. The only thing that
3o has prevented implementation of ihcrt Plan is therestriction in funding.
31 25. EMPLO~'EE BENEFITS Employee benefits - This recommendation was
32 combined with #32 which is listed later in the minutes.
33 26. ZONING VIOLATIONS Planning recommendation - Initiate. a zoning violation
34 abatement fee of '$200 per violation. It is anticipated there, are .200 violatigns per
35 year which would generate $40,000 per year. Staff is currently working on this item.
36 27. REDEVELOPIVIENT FUND USE Economic Development recommendation -
37 PCDC could fund the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program ;by using
38 the refund mechanism granted to taxing agencies which lost tax revenues in the
39 redevelopment agency setup. An amount equal to the full funding of approximately
40 $140,000 annually for DARE could be transferred as rebate to the schools by
41 agreement, then contributed by the schools for this Police Department expense.
June 8, 1994
Vol. 28, Page 231
1 Since the DARE, program is for the benefit of school children, funding by PCDC via
2 the schools maybe permitted. The Coamcil agreed there needs to be a full review of
3 the allowable uses of redevelopment funds to determine where there is any flexibility
4 that can be explored.
5 28. REDEVELOPMENT COSTS Finance recommendation - Transfer more
6 department administration charges to PCDC as redevelopment has money in its
7 budget, and we may be underestimating the cost. of that agency's requirements. The
8 Council agreed as long as a nexus exists.
9 29. COMMUNITY FACILITIES & TRAFFIC FEE Planning recommendation -
lo Community Facilities Development Fee for housing construction should be charged
11 at $1,500 per dwelling instead of allowing 50% rebate when Traffic fees are paid.
12 Review legal status of this item. The Council agreed to ask the City Attorney to look
13 at this suggestion.
14 30. DWELLING CONSTRUCTION FEE DIFFERENCE Planning recommendation
15 -Dwelling Construction Fee could be raised from $240 to $3,500, equal to the Parks
16 and Recreation Fee. Major developments pay the larger fee; custom homes seem to
17 pay the smaller. Review legal status of this item. Staff advised that current State
18 law does not give .the City the flexibility to charge this to custom homes. The
19 Committee suggested the State Legislature may need to look at that inconsistency.
20 Council agreed.
21 31. IN-LIEU SOUSING FEE Housing recommendation - In-lieu Housing fee of
22 $2,400 should be eliminated and substituted with a Capital Improvement fee which is
23 needed more than low income housing. At present, PCDC contributes $600,000 and
24 more in the future towards low income housing.. This is mandated by the state.
25 Petaluma seems to have met its low income housing requirements at this time. By
26 transferring the in-lieu fees to Capital Improvements (e.g. streets, sewers. police and
27 fire vehicles) there is a potential gain of nearly $500,000 per year. This assumes 200
28 units: x $2,400 = $480,000. The_Council agreed that the State Legislature should be
29 asked to consider ara amendment to the State regulatio~7s.
30 (At 9:20 p.m. Councilwoman Barlas left the meeting.)
31 32. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CAFETERIA PLAN Personnel recommendation -
32 Employee benefits -Strongly recommend review of benefit costs and providing no-
33 cost benefits such as a Flex Plan. (The foregoing was #25) Review benefits for all
34 city employees including: *Establishment of a Section 125 Cafeteria Plan, *Permit
35 employees with dual health and dental coverage to waive City coverage (only if
36 coverage under another group plan) for 50% credit added to gross pay,
37 *Renegotiation of health and welfare plans and review City contributions to all plans.
38 The. Council liked the idea. Some of the committee members agreed to meet with
39 Personnel Director Mike Acorne to work this out. There was discussion about the
4o potential of a major change in the health care, health insurance industry, through
41 the Federal Government. The Council felt that with a potential of dollar savings for
42 the City and income increases for the employee this should be dealt with at an early
43 time.
44 33. CITY COUNCIL BENEFITS City Manager recommendation -Review City
45 Council health benefits. Consider giving health benefits during term only, and for
46 Council member only. This is a Council item. The Council agreed to look at this
47 again, very carefully.
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Page 232, Vol. 28 ~ `~ '~.`` June 8, 199
1 34. GRANT WRdTER City Manager recommendation - Hire a city-wide grant writer.
2 If was agreed that the next. Management staff member that is hired should be well
3 trained in grant writing.
4 DIRECTION REQUESTED BY BUDGET COIViMITTEE
5 PCDC The Budget Committee asked the Council for direction on whether or not they
6 should continue their consideration of redevelopment (PCDC) data. It was the Council's
7 direction that the Budget Committee should continue to look at the PCDC in making future
8 budget recommendations.
9 WHERE IS THE COMMITTEE GOING FROM HERE? It was agreed that there
1o should be another joint meeting sometime in July to discuss this issue.
11 BUDGET COMMITTEE QUORUM Committee members noted that there are
12 consistently 10 or 11 members of the 17 member committee who are able to attend the
13 meetings. They requested the Council alter their quorum from 9 to 7. It was moved by Vice
14 Mayor Read and seconded by Ross Parkerson to reduce the quorum .for the Budget
15 Committee from 9 to 7.
16 AYES: Parkerson, Sobel, Hamilton, Shea, Vice Mayor Read, Mayor Hilligoss
17 NOES: None
18 ABSENT: Barlas
19 BUDGET COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP Finance Director Spilman was requested to
20 send a letter to all the members of the Budget Committee to find out who wishes to continue
21 his or her membership on the committee.
22 ADJOURN
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At 9:40 p.m., the meeting was. adjourned. The Council will next meet at 7:00 p.m. on
Monday, June 13; at Lucchesi Park .Community Center discuss Moon Raneh and Lafferty
Ranch. ~ /~
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M. Patricia Hilligoss,
ATTEST:
Patricia E. Bernard, City Clerk