HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/12/2008 - Adjourned City Council Meeting - Study Session1
REGULAR AJOURNED MEETING (STUDY SESSION) OF THE
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF COSTA MESA
November 12, 2008
The City Council of the City of Costa Mesa, California met in a Regular
Adjourned Meeting (Study Session), on Wednesday, November 12, 2008, at
4:35 p.m. in the Conference Room 1A of City Hall, 77, Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.
ROLL CALL:
Council Members Present: Mayor Eric R. Bever
Mayor Pro Tem Allan R. Mansoor
Council Member Katrina Foley
Council Member Wendy Leece
Council Members Absent: Council Member Linda Dixon
Officials Present: City Manager Allan Roeder
City Attorney Kimberly Hall Barlow
Administrative Services Director Steve Mandoki
Assistant Finance Colleen O'Donohue
Budget and Research Officer Bobby Young
City Clerk Julie Folcik
I. PUBLIC COMMENT
Beth Refakes, Costa Mesa, expressed her opposition to the possible expenditure
for a review of the Time Warner's cable system considering the current budget
crisis and instead preferred looking for another local provider of cable services.
II. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Presentation Regarding Proposal To Inspect Time Warner, Physical Plant
Systems And Facilities
Steve Mandoki, Administrative Services Director introduced Jonathan Kramer,
Kramer Firm Incorporated, who made a presentation to Council regarding the
proposal for a comprehensive review of the technical and operational system
with the current cable system operated by Time Warner. He addressed how an
assessment of the current system would provide for the needed repairs and
modifications that the cable company would directly respond to; pointing out
that AT&T has a corporate engineer that is assigned to work with him to resolve
issues, nationwide. He and Administrative Director Steve Mandoki responded
to questions from the City Council regarding consumer complaints, over -site of
the franchise, and usage of Public- Education -Government (PEG) fees, funding
reimbursement, and enforceability of findings. No action was taken by the City
Council.
2. Review Of City's Cost -Cutting Budget Balancing Actions
Budget and Research Officer Bobby Young presented a review on the current
Fiscal budget year for 2008-2009, addressing revenue and budget expenditures,
pointing out the City's current general fund status, challenges concerning sales
tax reduction, and summarized the general fund appropriations by fund/fund
type.
City Manager Allan Roeder gave an overview of the implementation of budget
management measures and noted the comprehensive efforts/approach of City
Departments to control operating budget appropriations. He summarized the
breakdown of funding categories of contractual, mandated, and discretionary and
the identification of significant expenditure reductions and cost shifts by each
department.
City Department Directors, Fire Chief, and the Chief of Police addressed City
Council questions and concerns relating to Cost Control Items for consideration
explaining personnel and operational accounts in detail. City staff responded to
questions relating to permanent and broader long-term changes, future costs of
operations, personnel and retirement costs. No action was taken by the City
Council.
3. Employee of the Month
The City Council reviewed applications for Employee of the Month a preference
was indicated, absent any objection. Announcement of the Employee of the
Month would be made at a subsequent City Council meeting.
III. COUNCIL MEMBERS REPORTS, COMMENTS, AND SUGGESTIONS
There were no comments by the Council.
IV. ADJOURNMENT:
The Mayor declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. The next
Regular Meeting will be held November 18, 2008.
Eric R. Bever, Mayor
ATTEST:
Julie olciklerk -
Y
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