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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/08/2008 - Study Session - City CouncilREGULAR AJOURNED MEETING (STUDY SESSION) OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COSTA MESA January 8, 2008 The City Council of the City of Costa Mesa, California met in a Regular Adjourned Meeting (Study Session), on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, at 4:35 p.m. in Conference Room 1 A, City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. The meeting was called to order by the Mayor. ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Mayor Eric Bever Mayor Pro Tem Allan Mansoor Council Member Linda Dixon (Entered at 4:40 p.m.) Council Member Katrina Foley Council Member Wendy Leece Council Members Absent: None Officials Present: City Manager Allan Roeder Assistant City Manager Thomas Hatch City Attorney Kimberly Barlow Finance Director Marc Puckett Acting Public Services Director Peter Naghavi City Clerk Julie Folcik . II. PUBLIC COMMENT 1. Judi Berry, Costa Mesa, commented that the business license fees are unfair and felt that the upper limits/fees should be increased; and regarding fireworks agreed with moving the areas were they may be set off away from the parks was a good idea. 2. Mike Berry, Costa Mesa, commented that he did not agree with the recommendations/alternatives relative to fireworks, asked Council to revisit the results of the ballot measure from 1990; pointed out that the money earned by the non -profits are not reported to ensure appropriate allocation and suggested that money used for enforcement and cleanup be simply given to the schools or non- profit organizations as a means of banning fireworks and supporting their fundraising efforts. He also expressed concern relative to the possible placement of the utility boxes being installed about the city by AT&T, on private property. 3. Beth Refakes, Costa Mesa, reported that the patching done surrounding the box installed on Santa Ana by AT&T was not level and expressed concern on the quality of work relative to the installations. She also commented with regards to the fireworks that the while the best solution was a ban, felt that focusing on tightening of restrictions would possibly work; and reported that at a parking lot across the street from her residence there were people who set up and set off fireworks. 4. Anne Hogan Shereshevsky, Costa Mesa, reiterated her support for a ban of fireworks; inquired as to what other schools are doing to raise funds and encouraged placement of the issue relative to banning fireworks in Costa Mesa on the November ballot. III. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION 1. Review of the Citv's Revenue Structure and Budaet Development Considerations Finance Director Marc Puckett made a presentation that focused on an overview of the City's major revenue sources and expenditures and how they are comparable to surrounding communities as well as the county as a whole, explained factors affecting the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 budget development, and how that is effected by the State's budget development process and concerns in the next fiscal year. Mr. Puckett responded to questions from the Council which included questions regarding possible opportunities for a revenue increase, revenue resources for expenditures, sales tax, business license taxes, and property revenues. No action was taken on this item. 2. Status Report for Above Ground Utilitv Boxes for AT&T Council Member Foley had requested the item in order to address the concerns surrounding the installations that were taking place around the city by AT&T, pointing out that the boxes were not replacing but instead adding to the existing box locations, that they were located in places that were highly visible, and found located in residential neighborhoods in front of residences. She expressed interest in discussing the limiting of the number of boxes, and to look at screening or landscaping of location sites. Jeff Morin, Director of External Affairs for AT&T, explained that the program as "Project Light Speed" a superior fiber-optic networking system to serve the consumers, provided an overview of the nationwide project, and addressed Council concerns regarding landscaping, undergrounding, screening, platform requirements, maintenance and graffiti removal, responses to customer concerns. The Council emphasized their concerns relative to screening, beautification and location placement. No action was taken. The Mayor recessed the meeting at 6:15 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 6:24 p.m. 3. Fireworks: Education, Regulation and Enforcement Report City Manager Allan Roeder introduced the item pointing out the research done since the last time this item was brought before Council. Council Member Leece emphasized her reason for addressing this issue with workable solutions, to curtail the illegal usage of fireworks within the City limits, which is a safety issue. Discussion ensued amongst the Council relative to ideas previously entertained, penalties for use of illegal fireworks, and the suggestions prepared by staff, which included a reporting mechanism, education, fees for clean-up, zero -tolerance, increasing the age in which someone could purchase fireworks, further restricting boundaries and locations of where fireworks could be discharged, and liabilities. Council Member Dixon went on record to express that she felt the question relative fireworks should be placed before the voters. No action was taken on this item. 5. Emplovee of the Month Absent objection, the Employee of the Month applications will be reviewed at the next study session. III. COUNCIL MEMBERS REPORTS, COMMENTS, AND SUGGESTIONS Council Member Linda Dixon reported that Senior Center was selling an entertainment book for $35.00 that included discounts to favorite restaurants and attractions. Council Member Katrina Foley welcomed Mayor Bever to serving as Mayor. IV. ADJOURNMENT: The Mayor declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. The next Regular Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2008. ATTEST: Julidwolcik,City Clerk 1 Eric R. Bever, Mayor