HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-14-1978MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
June 14, 1978
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Vernon
S. Evans in the City Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza.
Council members present were: Gordon Bricken, David F. Ortiz,
Harry K. Yamamoto, John Garthe, David L. Brandt, James E. Ward
and Mayor Evans. The following members of Staff were present:
City Manager Bruce C. Spragg, City Attorney Keith L. Gow, Fire
Chief B. J. Thompson, Library Director Howard Samuelson, and
Director of Recreation and Parks Robert Gresham.
INVOCATION
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Following the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag,
the Invocation was given
by Councilman Bricken.
RECESS At 7:03 P.M. the meeting
EXECUTIVE SESSION was recessed for an
PERSONNEL MATTERS Executive Session to
discuss wage and salary
negotiation information with the City's Negotiator, Director
of Personnel Donald E. Bott. The City Manager and the City
Attorney also participated in the Executive Session. The Coun-
cil meeting reconvened at 7:35 P.M., with all Councilmen present.
OPERATING BUDGET The City Manager stated
REDUCTIONS that each of the City's
SUMMARIZED departments had prepared
Proposition 13 budget
reductions that average out to a total reduction of 14% in the
City's 42 million dollar operating budget, including the elim-
ination of 192 positions, and that each department head would
describe his proposal to Council.
FIRE DEPARTMENT Fire Chief B. J. Thompson
OPERATING BUDGET distributed reports out-
5% REDUCTION - TENTATIVELY APPROVED lining his proposals for
a 5%, 10% and 15% reduc-
tion in his operating budget, and reviewed each recommendation
in detail, using a visual aid to demonstrate how he proposed
to accomplish the reductions. He stated that a 5% reduction
would not substantially diminish the department's fire suppres-
sion capability, but that he could not recommend a reduction
in excess of 10%.
Wayne Bowman, President of the Firemen's Benevolent Association,
stated that fire service is not mathematically balanced, there-
fore a 15% budget cut does not equal a 15% decrease in service;
that it would reduce the efficiency of an engine company by 30%;
that if you reduce paramedic manpower by 15% you would reduce
30% of the City's paramedic manpower.
Councilman Ward suggested that the Fire Department Operating
Budget be reduced by 5%. The other Councilmen concurred, but
objected to the elimination of three Fire Investigator positions,
leaving only one position for arson investigation. There was
no formal motion, but the consensus was to approve a 5% reduc-
tion ($590,000) in the proposed $7,786,000 Fire Department budget
for fiscal year 1978-79, as proposed by Chief Thompson, including
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
223 JUNE 14, 1978
maintenance of existing Fire Investigator positions. The Chief's
proposal would then eliminate 14 positions, 12 of which are
presently unfilled and would convert the medic van to a paramedic
engine company for an $82,000 savings, which would support the
three investigator positions. Mayor Evans requested the Fire
Chief to submit a revised operating budget accordingly.
CA 65B
LIBRARY DEPARTMENT Howard Samuelson, Library
OPERATING BUDGET Director, stated that
REDUCTIONS CONTINUED management had requested
the Library Department
to reduce its operating budget by 17%; that it could be accom-
plished by eliminating 15 positions, 8 of which are currently
vacant, and by reducing the service level.
Mr. Samuelson proposed a reduction in hours of operation at the
central library from 66 hours to 45 hours per week, operating
from 12:00 Noon to 9:00 P.M., on Monday through Thursday, closed
on Friday; open Saturday, 12:00 Noon to 6:00 P.M., and on Sun-
day, 2:00 P.M. to S:00 P.M. For the McFadden and Newhope Branch
Libraries, he suggested a 3-day week schedule, hours from 10:00
A.M. to 8:00 P.M., in order to use one library staff for both
libraries. The reduction would include discontinuance of the
Bookmobile, 16 MM film service, and "shut-in" service; reduce
acquisition of new library material by 45%, and part-time employees
by 25%. He added that the reductions would still allow for a
high level of book oriented services.
Council requested the Director to prepare a more detailed written
description of proposed 5%, 10% and 15% reductions budget reduc-
tions, including a summary of the impacts of each, with emphasis
on minimal service impacts, to be presented at its next meeting
at 8:00 A.M., Saturday, June 17, 1978. CA 65B
ORAL COMMUNICATION Mr. Rodrigo Ramirez,
TREE STUMP REMOVAL & Chairman of the South-
SIDEWALK REPAIR - REFERRED west Neighbors Committee,
402 South Franklin Street,
stated that tree stumps had not been removed from Franklin and
Daisy Streets, as promised by the Recreation and Parks Depart-
ment; that the stumps have been an eye-sore for three months;
that during his 31-year residency on Franklin Street, the tree-
damaged sidewalks had never been repaired; and that on behalf
of his neighbors who reside on the 200-600 blocks of Franklin
Street, he is requesting Council to order immediate removal
of the stumps, new tree planting and sidewalk repair.
Mr. Ramirez' request was referred to Staff on the unanimously
carried 7:0 motion of Councilman Garthe, seconded by Councilman
Yamamoto. CA 82
CA 35
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:25 P.M. the meeting
was adjourned by Mayor Evans
to June 17, 1978 at 8:00
A.M. in the Council Chambers.
.FLORENCE I. MALONE
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 224 JUNE 14, 1978