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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-17-1978MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA June 17, 1978 The meeting was called to order at 8:05 A.M., by Mayor Vernon S. Evans, in the City Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza. Council members present were: Gordon Bricken, Harry K. Yama- moro, John Garthe, James E. Ward and Mayor Evans. Councilman David L. Brandt was absent, and Councilman David F. Ortiz arrived at 8:15 A.M. The following Staff members were also present: City Manager Bruce C. Spragg, City Attorney Keith L. Gow, Library Director Howard Samuelson, Director of Recreation and Parks Robert Gresham, and Clerk of the Council Florence I. Malone. INVOCATION PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, the Invocation was given by Councilman Garthe. MEETING OBJECTIVES Mayor Evans announced OUTLINED BY M~kYOR that Council would continue its review of the Library Department's 1978-79 budget reductions; devote about 15 minutes to discussion of the tree problems on South Daisy and South Franklin Streets; allow approximately 15 minutes for comments and questions; and conclude the meeting by 10:00 A.M. He advised that Councilman Brandt was in Sacramento. LIBRARY DEPARTMENT Howard Samuelson, Library OPERATING BUDGET Director, stated that the 15% REDUCTION - TENTATIVELY APPROVED Library Department had been asked by the Adminis- tration to reduce its budget by $266,000 (17%), which would necessitate elimination of 15 library positions and reduce the library service level; that the proposed cuts would make it more difficult to use the libraries and eliminate a number of popular services but would continue the basic book oriented services at a high level; and that the reductions would affect eight major programs: central library hours would be reduced from 66 per week to 45, allowing for the deletion of 5 positions for a savings of $60,000 (3.82% of the total operating budget); elim- ination of the Bookmobile would save $60,000 (3.82%); discontinue educational film service loan program for a savings of $35,000 (2.23%); discontinue "shut-in" service (handicapped or elderly) would save $20,000; reduce the library book services for a $21,000 savings; cut acquisition of new library materials for a $45,000 savings; and reduce part-time employee hours to achieve the required $266,000 reduction. Mr. Samuelson stated that these cuts are essentially the ones approved by the Library Board in March 1978. Councilman Ortiz arrived at 8:15 A.M. During Council's discussion of the proposals, Councilmen Ward and Yamamoto favored a 10% reduction; Councilman Bricken suggested 8-hour days in the central and branch libraries, with the central library to remain open on Friday; and continued operation of the bookmobile and the use of part-time volunteers to continue "shut- in" services; Councilman Ortiz favored a 15% reduction; Council- man Garthe favored continuance of bookmobile and "shut-in" ser- vices, as did Mayor Evans. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 225 JUNE 17, 1978 Councilman Bricken moved to tentatively approve a 15% reduction in the Library Department's Operating Budget with the proviso that the bookmobile and "shut-in" services be continued and to instruct the Library Director to recommend the hours of operation for the libraries and services. Councilman Ward seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously 6:0. CA 65B TREE REPLACEMENT & SIDEWALK REPAIR Mr. Rodrigo Ramirez, 402 S. FRANKLIN, DAISY & S. CEDAR STREETS South Franklin, represent- REFERRED TO STAFF ing the Southwest Neigh- bors, described the status of the tree replacement and sidewalk repair programs for South Franklin and Daisy Streets. He stated that the neighbors had complied with Staff's request for a petition to remove and re- place the parkway trees and repair the sidewalks damaged by them; that it was agreed that all trees on South Franklin would be removed from the parkway because many are illegal and are not designated for parkway planting; that a letter dated June 1S, from the Director of Recreation and Parks, specifies that there are only seven addresses on South Franklin where tree removal is scheduled after July 4, instead of the 18 locations agreed upon previously; that while it is true some of these locations no longer have trees, they do have severe sidewalk and curb damage, none of which has been repaired, and therefore pose a hazard for pedestrians; and that the Southwest Neighbors had been promised removal of all trees and repair of sidewalk, curb and drainage problems by the end of the year. Others who spoke on the matter, in support of Mr. Ramirez' comments, were: Mrs. Beatrice Alvarez, 409 S. Franklin; and Rosie Montoya, 2039 South Hickory Street. Mrs. Montoya stated that the tree removal project on South Cedar Street had also failed to commence on schedule, with no communication from the Staff, and she requested a definite starting and completion date for the Cedar Street tree removal. Councilman Yamamoto moved to refer the matter to the City Manager for study and report back to Council if it cannot be resolved prior to the next regular Council meeting, June 27. Councilman Ward seconded the motion, which carried 4:2, with Councilman Garthe and Mayor Evans dissenting. CA 52; CA 35 RECREATION & PARKS DEPARTMENT Robert ~resham, Director OPERATING BUDGET of Recreation and Parks, 15% REDUCTION - TENTATIVELY APPROVED distributed written proposals to reduce his $2,876,000 Department Operating budget for 1978-79 by 5%, 10% and 15% or by $143,665, $287,330, $460,000, repsectively. He then described the impacts of each, stating that a 5% reduction would eliminate 4 positions (all currently vacant), effect the closure of 15.4 acres of parks (S parks), and a 10% reduction of the total part-time recreation program; a 10% reduction would further eliminate 8 positions (4 currently vacant), effect the closure of 33.4 acres of parks (8 parks), a 25% reduction of efficiency in tree maintenance, and a total reduction of 31.4% of the entire part-time recreation supportive program; a 15% reduction would further effect the closure of all 6 swimming pools; reduce potential revenue $20,000, effect the closure of 14 parks; and eliminate 11 positions (4 vacant). During Council's discussion, all were agreed that parks should not be closed, using the strict interpretation of that word; and they directed that parks be watered and mowed. Councilman Bricken favored maintaining therapeutic recreational programs, even if it meant increased Little League fees, and he suggested that volunteer assistance be used wherever possible. Mayor CITY COUNCIL MINHTES 226 JUNE 17, 1978 Evans favored maintenance of the Cypress Adult Center. Council- man Yamamoto favored maintaining the swimming pool programs to keep children occupied during the summer. Councilman Ward supported all of the foregoing comments. CA 65B RECESS same Councilmen present. At 9:22 A.M. Mayor Evans declared a recess. The meeting reconvened at 9:30 A.M., with the RECREATION & PARKS DEPT. BUDGET (Continued): There was no formal motion, but Councilman Bricken's suggestion to tentatively approve a 15% reduction, subject to the following comments, received support from all Council members present: Ail parks are to be mowed and watered as required; administrative and operational methods are to be reviewed and modified as required; summer recreational programs are to be emphasized because they serve the needs of the greatest number of people; the administrative Staff may be reduced, but retain labor necessary to maintain parks and trees. CA 65B ORAL COMMUNICATION SUMMER SCHOOL FOR HANDICAPPED SUPPORTED BY CITIZEN programs for the handicapped. Ms. Zelma Miles, 2205 W. 14th Street, a teacher, spoke in favor of main- taining the summer school CA 6SB ORAL COMMUNICATION Mr. John O'Mally, Staff BUDGET REVENUE FACTORS CITED representative for the Santa Ana City Employees Association, stated that all services are important, police, fire, library and parks; that they should be cut proportionately; that precipitous deci- sions should be avoided until there is more definite information about revenue sources, including the State surplus and use of reserves and Federal funds. CA 65B ORAL COMMUNICATION Mr. Geno Leonetti, 2914 CORBIN CENTER CLOSURE W. Raymar Street, stated that he had received information from a City employee that a letter from the Recreation and Parks Department dated June 2, had told of the closing of Corbin Center as a result of the passage of Proposition 13. He spoke against that possibility, describing the Center and the pool as vital to the welfare of the community. The City Manager stated that no decision had been made to close the Center, and that he knew of no letter to that effect. Mayor Evans stated that a lot of this is scare tactics; that Council has ordered no cuts; and that programs will continue until Council orders otherwise. CA 65B ADJOURNMENT seconded by Councilman Ward. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES At 10:07 A.M. the meeting was adjourned on the unani- mously carried 6:0 motion of Councilman Garthe, FLOR~NCEI./~,'~LON~ CL~OF THE COUNCIL 227 JUNE 17, 1978