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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-24-1976MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA April 24, 1976 The meeting was called to order in the Dan Gurney Room of the Saddleback Inn, 1660 East First Street, Santa Aha, at 8:00 A.M. following a 7:30 A.M. breakfast, by Mayor John Garthe. The following Councilmen were present: Gordon Bricken, David F. Ortiz, Harry K. Yamamoto, David L. Brandt, James E. Ward, and Mayor John Garthe. Councilman Vernon S. Evans was absent. Also present were the following Staff members: City Manager Bruce C. Spragg; City Attorney Keith L. Gow; Deputy City Managers G. David Tayco, Manuel Rede and Thomas J. Andrusky; Executive Director for Redevelopment Richard Goblirsch; Police Chief Raymond C. Davis; Acting Fire Chief Raymond H. Bachtelle; and Clerk of the Council Florence I. Malone. Visitors included Don Gilchrist and Gary Blakely, representing the Santa Aha Chamber of Commerce. PROPOSED BUDGET The City Manager dis- FISCAL YEAR 1976-77 tributed copies of his report dated April 24, 1976, containing pre- liminary capsule summaries of anticipated revenue and expendi- tures for fiscal year 1976-77, including a listing of critical, unfunded capital needs. He stated that the summaries are based on the following assumptions: 1) No tax increases but maintenance of user charges on a self-supporting basis; 2) Reduction of dependency on general revenue sharing; 3) Anti- cipated loss of $1,000,000 in general revenue sharing; 4) Anticipated continuance of manpower programs at current or reduced level; 5) No new positions, major new programs or significant enrichment in current programs; 6) Maintenance of Crime Abatement Program at programmed level (2.56 full time positions per 1,000 population ), if possible; 7) Programs to monitor and increase productivity, including probable stringent economies; 8) Possible continuation of hiring freeze. The City Manager stated that the available land in Santa Aha is rapidly diminishing, and that during the next five years the City's growth rate is expected to level off, and is pre- gicted to increase at approximately 1% per year; that building ~ermits for the 76-77 fiscal year are estimated to reach g0,000,000, which will be a record amount in terms of value of construction in the City. Mr. Spragg reported that the major increases over last year's Budget are liability, health, dental and Workmen's Compensa- tion insurance, representing an increase of over $1,000,000, police patrol cars, retirement and building maintenance costs. He stated that the preliminary estimate for total revenues is $52,255,620, for total expenditures $53,859,400, resulting in and imbalance of $1,603,880, including a $2,000,000 contingency reserve. He pointed out that the list of critical.unfunded items represented $2,000,000 of mostly capital projects. Mr. Spragg called attention to his report, which included policy alternatives for correcting the Budget imbalance, and suggested that it might be of some assistance to Council in providing guidance to Staff. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 153 APRIL 24, 1976 COMMUNITY SERVICES Mr. Manuel Rede, DIVISION Deputy City Manager for Community Ser- vices, stated that there is an 8% increase over last year's Budget in Community Services. He proposed that the City curtail its West Center and E1 Salvador Center operations, and relocate the E1 Salvador Coordinator to the new Figueroa Street Center, and the West Center Coordinator to the new Senior Citizens Center that will be opening soon. Following some discussion on the proposal, Council requested Mr. Rede to provide a breakdown of alternatives and trade-offs for the proposal. Mr. Rede stated that the Recreation and Parks Department has a net reduction of $72,000, primarily in capital items; that the Library has the biggest increase, but is balanced, with anticipated revenues plus tax support; and that there are no new programs or personnel required; that the Museum has a net reduction of $36,000, primarily in capital items. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Mr. G. David Tayco, DIVISION Deputy City Manager for Development Ser- vices, stated that the activity represents $17 million, or 32%, of the total Budget. In the area of accomplishments for fiscal year 75-76, he reported that the Public Works Department in the City Hall building had been reorganized, effecting a reduc- tion of one position. For fiscal year 1976-77, proposals include budgeting and scheduling project designs suffi- ciently far enough in advance so that the project will be completed within the year's budget; establishing centralized counter system to provide a one-stop location for curb cuts, water permits and street permits; and the completion of the construction of the on ramp to the Santa Ana Freeway at Buffalo Street to reduce traffic congestion at North Main and Santa Clara Avenue. Mr. Tayco described various goals for the Department of Pub- lic Works that include sweeping downtown three times per week, major streets once per week, and residential streets once every two weeks; yearly cleaning of sewer mains and catch basins; new and replacement water mains to permit orderly growth of the City; coordinated street construction programs; self-supporting water system at the least cost to the residential user with greater incentives to the high consumption users to conserve water; and performance measure- ment studies. Mr. Tayco reported that in fiscal year 75-76, the Planning Department completed the special census, which will result in $93,000 per year subventions and State grants; in fiscal year 76-77, a program-oriented work schedule which repre- sents all programs and activities in priority desired to be accomplished will be developed, and a system of applying the manhours over the top priority projects will be utilized, so that the most important things are completed with the amount of time and effort available. Mr. Tayco stated that the total amount of building construc- tion in the City for the fiscal year 1975-76 will amount to $80 million. He reported that the number of inspections per man per day is just under 16. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 154 APRIL 24, 1976 Councilman Ward noted that one additional position is recom- mended for the Building Department because of a State mandated program, and he suggested that an engineer already on the City payroll could be trained for this purpose. He also commented that he would not like to see fees become a disincentive to developers. Councilman Brandt agreed that fees should be kept as low as possible. ADMINISTRATIVE & SUPPORTIVE Mr. Thomas Andrusky, SERVICES DIVISION Deputy City Manager for Administrative and Support Services, stated that he is evaluating all of the services within the Division with emphasis on quality and quantity of the work performed in order to develop work standards. He stated that a major goal in the Finance Department is to revise the Budget format and procedure for monitoring the Budget during the coming year, which will include increased use of charts and graphs for summary information. He pointed out that during the past year there has been a decrease of one full time person in the Finance Department, and that the Department will process 240,000 water bills and 60,000 paychecks during the year. He noted that the proposed Budget of the Finance Department has increased by 7.2% over last year. He described a geo-coded data base being developed by the Data Processing Section, for Planning,'Police and Fire use, and outlined plans to improve financial reporting and payment of water bills. Mr. Andrusky noted that the Personnel Department Budget is up 10.2% over last year, mainly because of accounting system changes and increased Personnel costs. He stated that a pro- gram is being developed to provide an integrated personnel information system. Mr. Andrusky also described the functions of Building and Equipment Maintenance, and reviewed some of the alternatives being considered for improved services, including contractual service. Councilman Yamamoto left the meeting at 11:00 A.M. FIRE DEPARTMENT Acting Fire Chief Ray Bachtelle stated that ~ the major increases in the departmental Budget are mostly fixed costs, equipment rental, and a new paramedic van. He stated that emergency responses have been rising at about 21% for paramedic calls, and that the fire calls have also increased with an estimated $15 per capita fire loss. He stated that the Fire Department does not have the manpower~or apparatus that it had five years ago; however, 90% of the calls are answered within five minutes of the time received, and 75% within four minutes. He added that the Department is understaffed by eight people. He described the Department's training programs and routine activities, includ- ing maintenance and commercial and industrial inspections. POLICE DEPARTMENT Police Chief Raymond Davis described the progress of the Com- munity Oriented Police Program (COP), and how it has succeeded in reducing crime in the City with the most significant reduction in burglaries. He stated that increases in the Police Budget are due to increased fixed costs and increased patrol car costs; that CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 155 APRIL 24, 1976 85% of the Budget is for salaries, with 3% for office supplies, xeroxing, etc.; and that six more officers are needed to main- tain the Crime Abatement Program. He described the various activities of the Department, including increased public con- tact, implementation of an on-line administrative data system, improved response time, and federal grant programs. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT Richard Goblirsch, Execu- tive Director for Com- munity Redevelopment, stated that the Agency expects $450,000 for tax increment during the next fiscal year; that he proposes to sell a $4 million tax increment note, which can be used for Budget purposes, subject to guidelines established by the Agency and Council; and that he proposes to pay back a portion of the monies borrowed from the City. He proposes to set aside approximately one hour to provide him the opportunity to review in greater detail the Budget alternatives available. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilman Bricken stated that Staff should seek opportunities to reduce the amount of time spent in discussion and meetings that involve a lot of people, so that quicker decisions can be made for better productivity. Councilman Brandt requested a listing of City costs related to revenue sharing programs and projects, and a listing of major capital expenditures proposed for the next fiscal year. Councilman Bricken suggested that all the capital items be listed in one section of the Budget, so that the total investment will be readily apparent. Councilman Ward expressed concern for improvement in the west portion of the City, and suggested consideration of a branch library and street improvements, in addition to the proposed storm drain. Councilman Bricken suggested that some consideration be given to salary increases of unequal percentage, and contract services. Council agreed to continue its Budget discussion to its meeting scheduled for April 27, 1976, commencing at 5:00 P.M., in the City Council Chambers. CA 65B ADJOURNMENT seconded by Councilman Bricken. The meeting was adjourned at 12:40 P.M. on the unanimously approved motion of Councilman Ward, FLORENCE I. MALONE FL~LENCE L MALONE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 156 APRIL 24, 1976