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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/12/2004 - Adjourned City Council MeetingADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COSTA MESA APRIL 12, 2004 The City Council of the City of Costa Mesa, California, met in an adjourned session April 12, 2004, at 4:30 p.m., in Conference Room 1 A, of City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Monahan, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by the Mayor. ROLL CALL Council Members Present: Mayor Gary Monahan Mayor Pro Tem Allan Mansoor Council Member Libby Cowan Council Member Chris Steel Council Member Mike Scheafer Council Members Absent: None Officials Present: City Manager Allan Roeder Acting City Attorney Tom Wood Director of Finance Marc Puckett Chief of Police John Hensley Personnel Manager Howard Perkins Recreation Manager Jana Ransom Deputy City Clerk Julie Folcik PUBLIC COMMENTS/ Martin Millard, Costa Mesa, spoke in reference to the prioritization Suggested Program of services and programs and suggested that the following and Services Cuts programs be cut: some of the Teen Programs (item no.15, in attachment 3, of the staff report), the Adult Programs (item no. 16), Day Camp (item no. 19), the Job Center (item no.21) and the Playground/Mobile Recreation (item no. 22), Family Programs (item no. 24) and Youth Programs (item no. 25). OLD BUSINESS The Deputy City Clerk presented from the meeting of April 5, 2004, Prioritizing of consideration of prioritization of programs and services efforts. The Programs and Director of Finance reviewed the Agenda Report dated April 8, Services 2004, and he and the City Manager responded to questions from Council. The Mayor confirmed with the City Manager the following conversation was only to give direction to staff to take a more detailed look at the select programs and services and determine what cost saving cuts can be implemented. The City Manager also informed the Council that the detailed reports would be brought back to the City Council during the budget deliberations. The City Manager in response to a question from Mayor Monahan, informed the City Council that staff has been working on the Fiscal Year 2004-2005 budget with the direction to "keep the budgets as flat as possible and yet to maintain the current and approved level of service," while attempting to offset the fiscal losses, attributed to the State's continued shift of property tax away from the City. He reported upon a review of the proposed budgets in February, there was a $10 Million dollar shortfall expected for the coming fiscal year. However, in April that gap was reduced to approximately $3.5 Million. He pointed out, however, that about $800,000 out a $100 Million dollar operating fund, represented additional requests. He also informed the Council that while employee benefits were a cost factor that discussions surrounding those issues would be better addressed after' negotiations with the bargaining units were conducted. He further reported that although the local economy is apparently doing well, substantial spikes in expenses are expected due to the local budget being impacted by the continuing efforts of the State to balance their budget. The Mayor explained that it was necessary for a majority vote on those programs listed in Attachment 3 from the staff report, so as to narrow the list and confirm that the majority of the Council was interested in a detailed'review of that program. Council Member Cowan, in regards to Park Rangers (item no. 1), commented that she would be interested in knowing the "go away costs"; the history of the Park Rangers and a detail on the current duties. She also wondered if the Field Ambassadors and patrol officers from the Police Department could provide the service. MOTION/To Further Moved by Council Member Cowan, seconded by Council Member Explore Park Ranger Scheafer, carried 4-1 (Mayor Monahan voting no), to further Services explore the Police Department's Park Rangers services. Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor advised that although it was not a priority for him, he was in support of the motion as he was interested in a review of those issues currently handled by the Park Rangers. Mayor Monahan expressed his opposition to the motion as he was a supporter of the Park Rangers. In response to an inquiry by Council Member Cowan, the Police Chief advised that the Community Education Programs (item no 2) was administered by two full-time and one part-time civilians. No action was taken on this item. MOTION/To Further On motion by Council Member Steel, seconded by Council review the DARE Member Cowan, carried 3-2, (Mayor Monahan and Council Program Member Scheafer voting no), to move forward for further review of the DARE Program (item no. 3) Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor commented that although he supported the motion for review, he was reluctant to consider cutting this program, as well as, the Park Rangers and felt that there are other items that would be better candidates for realizing cost savings. Council Member Scheafer expressed his opposition to the motion as he was a supporter of the program and that it provides an opportunity for fifth and sixth graders to meet the police officers. Motion died for lack of A motion made by Mayor Monahan, to further review the Police second Department's Community Services Programs died for lack of second. Council Member Cowan suggested that all items that address staff support of committees and commission be included in one discussion item. Mayor Monahan requested that the possibility of restructuring the committees to an ad hoc status, where the committees would only meet when directed by City Council, be part of the review. He also requested a review of how each committee would be affected by the status change. He commented that he was interested in finding out how much the staff support is driven by the committee and how much is directed from the City Council level. The City Manager confirmed for Council Member Steel that the reports to be provided to City Council, will detail costs, inclusive of staff time and committee expenses. He also pointed out that although status of a committee may be changed, it may primarily be a policy change that may not necessarily result in budgetary reductions. Council Member Steel further requested that all cuts in programs and services be given legal review. MOTION/To Review On motion by Council Member Cowan, seconded by Council Staff Support to Member Scheafer, and carried 5-0, to review staff support for Committees and Fairview Friends Committee (item no. 5), Planning Commission, Commissions Parks and Recreation Commission (item nos. 12, 15, 31), Westside Revitalization Oversight Committee (WROC and its six sub -committees (item no. 16), The Human Relations Committee (item no. 22), Child Care and Youth Services, Advisory Committee of Teens, Cultural Arts and Historical Preservation Committees (item no. 26). MOTION/To Include A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor, seconded by Community Council Member Steel, and carried 5-0, to include review of the Foundation in review Community Foundation (item no. 6) in the previous motion for review of staff support. Motion to review A motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor, seconded by Council Newsletter and Member Steel, to review the City Newsletter (item no. 7) along with Recreation Program the program booklet produced by the Recreation Department. Booklet. Mayor Monahan commented that he was very satisfied with the Parks and Recreation program booklet and thought the City Newsletter could perhaps be incorporated into the program booklet. SUBSTITUTE Substitute Motion was made by Mayor Monahan, seconded by MOTION/To review Council Member Cowan, and carried 4-1 (Council Member Steel City Newsletter only voting no), to review the City Newsletter, only. Motion to review Motion was made by Council Member Steel, seconded by Mayor Assistant City Manager Pro Tem Mansoor, and failed to carry 3-2 (Mayor Monahan, position Failed Council Members Cowan and Scheafer voting no), to review the Assistant City Manager position (item no. 8). Mayor Monahan commented that he did not support the motion as the need for the position has been established after much review and that the benefit of the additional position outweighed the cost of the salary. Council Member Cowan concurred encouraged the City Manager to move forward with the process. The City Manager advised that the recruitment process is well underway and that finalist were being reviewed. MOTION/To review Motion made by Council Member Monahan, seconded by Council Public Noticing Member Scheafer, and carried 4-1 (Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor Requirements - voting no), to review Public Noticing Requirements (item no. 9). The City Manager clarified that the item was intended for possible review of those current noticing requirements that are beyond what is required by the State Code and otherwise deemed discretionary, citing examples of notification to the residents as well as the required noticing of the property owners, the 500 radius notification versus the required 300 feet radius notice requirement and the posting of the site. The Acting Attorney in response to a question by Mayor Monahan advised that there are aspects of the appeals process that are discretionary. He confirmed that the procedure for the filing of an appeal could also readdressed as it is discretionary. Council Member Steel expressed he would not support a motion to review as he felt the current appeals process should be maintained thereby keeping it as easy and affordable for residents as possible. MOTION/To Review Moved , by Mayor Monahan, seconded by Council Member Appeals Process Scheafer, and carried 3-2 (Council Member Cowan and Council Member Steel voting no), for review of discretionary aspects of the Appeals process (item no. 10). MOTION/Municipal On motion by Council Member Cowan, seconded by Mayor Code Prosecutions to Monahan, and carried 5-0, that Municipal Code Prosecutions (item be considered in City no. 11) be consideration along with the City Attorney's office review Attorney's office review and RFP process. Motion Died for Lack of A motion made by Council Member Steel to review the Skate Park Second (item no. 13), died for lack of second. Motion Died for Lack of A motion made by Council Member Steel for review of the Second Community Garden (item no. 14), died, for lack of second. Motion Died for Lack of A motion made by Council Member Steel for review Shopping Cart Second Retrieval Process (item no. 15), died for lack of second. The City Manager in response to a question from .Council Member Steel advised that, as directed by City Council at the adoption of the Shopping Cart Program, a six-month review will be forthcoming to the City Council in the coming weeks. MOTION/To Review A Motion was made by Council Member Scheafer, seconded by Requirements and Mayor Monahan and carried 4-1, (Council Member Cowan voting Policies no) for a review of the requirements and policies for public noticing for Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission consideration (item no. 18), Development Permit Appeals Process (item no. 19), and of the Permit Processing Regulations (item no. 20). Mayor Monahan felt that some streamlining of the processes could be done to help the, staff be more efficient by reviewing the procedures and regulations. Council Member Cowan expressed her opposition to the motion as she felt that the Development Services Department has done an excellent job and has expended a great deal of time to streamline and create a "one-stop shop" in recent years. She agreed however, that there were issues with public noticing that could be addressed. In response to a question by Council Member Steel, the Personnel Manager advised that less than $10,000.00 is allocated to the Wellness Program (item no. 21). No Action was taken on this item. 1 1 MOTION/To Review On motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor, seconded by Council Teen Programs Member Steel, and carried 3-2 (Council Members Scheafer and Cowan voting no), to review the Teen Programs (item no. 23). Motion to Review Adult A motion moved by Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor, seconded by Council Programs Failed Member Steel, for review of the Adult Programs (item no. 24), failed 3-2 (Mayor Monahan, Council Members Cowan and Scheafer voting no). To an inquiry by Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor, the Recreation Manager advised that the youth programs are intended to cover all of the direct costs and that the adult programs are intended to return 100 percent of the direct costs plus an additional 48 percent to cover overhead costs. MOTION/To Review A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor, seconded by Concerts and Events Council Member Steel, and carried 3-2 (Council Members Cowan and Scheafer voting no), to review Concerts and Events (item no. 25). In response to Council Member Scheafer the Recreation Manager, clarified that the sponsored events partially offset the expense of the events. Motion to Review Day On Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor, seconded by Council Camp Failed Member Steel, failed to carry 3-2 (Council Members Cowan, and Scheafer and Mayor Monahan voting no) for the review of Day Camp (item no. 27). MOTION/To Review A motion was made by Council Member Steel, seconded by Field Ambassadors Council Member Scheafer, and carried 3-2 (Mayor Pro Tem and Field Allocations Mansoor and Council Member Cowan voting no), for the review of the Field Allocation and Field Ambassadors program (item no. 28). Council Member Scheafer expressed his support noting his experience in working with staff, in recent months, on complaints with the Field Ambassadors and over field allocation. He stated the necessity to work with the Newport -Mesa Unified School district to review the Joint Use Agreement to share the responsibility. Motion Died for Lack of A motion was made by Council Member Steel to review the Job Second Center (item no. 29), died for lack of second. Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor expressed his opposition to the motion explaining that review of the item has been extensive and that Council has already made a determination on the topic. MOTION/ To Review On motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor, seconded by Steel, to Mobile Recreation and review the Playground and Mobile Recreation and Skate Skate Programs Programs. The Recreation Manager, in response to Council Member Steel advised that it has been expressed by residents the desire to maintain the mobile skate park after the building of the skate park at its permanent site. Mayor Monahan expressed his opposition to the original motion explaining that he was satisfied with the playgrounds but did wish to review the mobile programs. SUBSTITUTE MOTION/To Review Mobile Programs Only Mayor made a substitute motion to review the mobile programs only. Motion withdrawn Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor withdrew his original motion. MOTION/To Review On motion by Mayor Monahan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mobile Programs Only Mansoor, and carried 3-2 (Council Members Cowan and Scheafer, voting no) to review the Mobile Programs only, (i.e. Mobile Recreation and Mobile Skate programs). (Item no. 30). MOTION/To review A motion was made by Council Member Steel, seconded by Mayor Family Programs Pro Tem Mansoor, carried 3-2 (Council Members Cowan and Scheafer, voting no) to review the Family Programs (item no. 32). Motion to Review A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor, seconded by Youth Programs Failed Council Member Steel, and failed to carry 3-2 (Mayor Monahan, Council Members Cowan and Scheafer, voting no) for a review of the youth programs (item no. 33). Motion Died for Lack of On motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor to review the Birthday Party Second Activity (item no. 34), died for lack of. second. Council Member Cowan commented that in reviewing the items that have been approved for review that the Adult Programs (item no. 24) and Youth Programs (item no. 33) should be included and requested a revote. Revote It was agreed to revote on the review of the Adult Programs (item no. 24) and Youth Programs (item no. 33). MOTION/To Review A motion was made by Council Member Cowan, Seconded by Adult and Youth Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor, and carried 3-2 (Mayor Monahan and Programs Council Member Scheafer voting no) to review Adult Programs (item no. 24) and Youth Programs (item no. 33). Mayor Monahan explained his opposition to the motion stating that his vote was to reflect if the programs should be review and not if it should be cut. He pointed out the adult programs do collect an additional cost to cover some indirect costs and felt that the youth programs are something that a City should provide its youth. No action was taken regarding Grant Writing services (item no. 35). Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor expressed the desire to reconsider the review of the Park Rangers and the DARE program explaining that That he did not wish to burden staff with further review of the programs that he may not support cutting from the budget and expressed that more substantial cuts need to be considered. Motion To Reconsider Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor, seconded by Mayor Park Rangers and the Monahan, to reconsider/revote the review of the programs of Park DARE Program Failed Rangers (1) and DARE Program (3), motion failed 3-2, (Council Member Cowan, Council Member Steel and Council Member Scheafer, and voting no). Revote Due to a misunderstanding amongst the Council regarding the motion it was agreed to revote the previous motion. Council Member Cowan stated that she felt it was unnecessary to 1 1 reconsider the votes taken on any of the items. Pointing out that it was simply a request for review and not to necessarily cut the programs. Council Member Steel concurred. Mayor Monahan indicated he was in support of reducing the work load of staff. MOTION/ To Revote Motion made by Council Member Scheafer, seconded by Mayor Reconsideration of Monahan, to reconsider/revote the review of the programs of Park Park Rangers and the Rangers (1) and DARE Program (3), motion carried 3-2, (Council DARE Program Member Cowan, Council Member Steel and voting no). Motion Not to Review Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor, seconded by Mayor Monahan, the Park Rangers failed 3-2 (Council Member Cowan, Council Member Scheafer, Services Failed Council Member Steel voting no), not to further explore the Police Department's Park Rangers services. MOTION/Not to On motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor, seconded by Mayor Review the DARE Monahan, carried 3-2, (Council Member Cowan and Council Program Member Steel voting no), not to move forward for further review of the DARE Program (item no. 3) Mayor Monahan asked staff as staff reviews the programs and services to also look at Council directed funds that are tied to a specific program. He gave the example of the percentage of funds raised by the golf course is directed' to be allocated to the Recreation Programs. MOTION/To Review On a motion made by Mayor Monahan, seconded by Mayor Pro Council Directed Tem Mansoor, carried 3-2, (Council Member Cowan and Council Funds that are "Tied" Member Steel voting no), direct staff that in their review of the to a Specified specified programs and services to also review any funds not Program mandated by the State or Federal Government, but with the City's General Fund, that Council has "tied" or mandated to be allocated to a specific program and upon review by Council for those funds to be distributed at the discretion of the staff and City Council, through the General Fund process. The Mayor recessed the meeting at 6:25 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 6:40 p.m. OLD BUSINESS From the meeting of August 4, 2003, From the meeting of April 5, Potential New 2004, consideration of potential new revenue sources. The Revenue Sources Director of Finance reviewed the agenda report dated, and he along with the City Manager responded to questions from the Council. The City Manager informed the Council of their options relative to the various proposed revenue increases and of the efforts that would be undertaken as a precursor to the placement of a measure on ballot. On motion by Mayor Monahan, seconded by Council Member Steel, carried 4-1 (Council Member Cowan, voting no), to remove a possible increase in the local sales tax from discussion, at this time. Mayor Monahan commented that he did not to support an increase in the general sales tax as he felt that the financial situation of the City did not warrant it at this time and therefore. He felt that if the State were to take more the City's sales tax then he may reconsider his position. ADJOURNMENT The Director of Finance explained the States' "triple flip" which would take .25 percent of the local sales tax which would be dedicated to pay the State's Deficit Revenue Bond, that it would be implemented July 1, 2004, and there is a State's promise to repay for the revenues taken. The City Manager explained that the if the State's promise backfill of sales tax was not to take place, that staff would advise the Council and will change the situation where this proposal may be necessary to again propose to Council. On motion by Mayor Monahan, seconded by Council Member Cowan, carried 4-1(Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor, voting no), to move forward with discussions regarding the Business License Tax, with the Chamber of Commerce and other business entities and to review alternative rate structures. On motion by Council Member Cowan, seconded by Council Member Scheafer, carried 3-2 (Mayor Monahan, Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor, voting no), to move forward with discussions with the hotel industry, regarding a two percent increase of the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), to be directed to the General Fund. Council Member Scheafer pointed out that it has been 22 years since there was a change in the City's TOT tax and felt it was timely to pursue discussions. He was supportive of the two percent increase. Council Member Steel indicated that he would support further discussion although he may not support its placement on the ballot. Mayor Monahan commented that he would not be supportive of an increase in the TOT tax but was supportive of an increase of the business license fees. He was reluctant to have two separate tax increases on the ballot speculating that there may be support for one measure but not for two increases. On motion by Mayor Monahan, seconded by Council Member Cowan, carried 3-2 (Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor and Council Member Steel, voting no), to move forward with discussions with the sanitation companies, inclusive of residential and commercial haulers, regarding implementation of a non-exclusive franchise fee. Mayor. Monahan commented that he was not comfortable with an exclusive franchise as "it would take it out of the hands of the consumer" and felt that a non-exclusive would be beneficial as it would be provide a level of competition and provide the resident alternatives with respect to haulers. On motion by Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor, seconded by Council Member Steel, carried 4-1 (Mayor Monahan, voting no), to move forward for further review, the establishing of a FireMed Subscription fee. Mayor Pro Tem Mansoor commented that he was in support as it was user fee based and it is voluntary. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Allan R. Mansoor, Mayor 1 ATTEST: Q4&2 �/�z Julie F Icik, City Clerk 1 1 1