HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/08/2009 - Adjourned City Council Meeting - Study SessionREGULAR AJOURNED MEETING (STUDY SESSION) OF THE
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF COSTA MESA
December 8, 2009
The City Council of the City of Costa Mesa, California met in a Regular Adjourned
Meeting (Study Session), on Tuesday, December 8, 2009, at 4:30 p.m., in the
Conference Room 1A of City Hall, 77, Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. The meeting was called
to order by the Mayor Pro Tem.
ROLL CALL:
Council Members Present: Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Leece
Council Member Eric R. Bever
Council Member Katrina Foley
Council Member Gary Monahan
Council Members Absent: Mayor Allan Mansoor
Officials Present: City Manager Allan Roeder
Assistant City Manager Tom Hatch
City Attorney Kimberly Hall Barlow
Acting Development Services Director Kimberly Brandt
Public Services Director Peter Naghavi
Chief of Police Christopher Shawkey
Police Officer Jason Chamness
Budget & Research Officer Bobby Young
City Clerk Julie Folcik
(Council Member Katrina Foley entered the meeting at 4:33 p.m.)
I. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
II. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
1. ATS Redlight Camera update
City Manager Allan Roeder announced a request for continuance had been
received from a representative of ATS due to a flight delay into Orange County
and recommended withdrawal of the item. He noted that City Attorney Kimberly
Hall Barlow is working on an agreement concerning transfer of service from the
prior vendor to ATS.
2. Graffiti Cell Phone/Database Technology
Chief of Police Christopher Shawkey introduced Officer Jason Chamness who
made a presentation on the Tracking and Automated Graffiti Reporting System
(TAGRS) a shared database which was designed and developed by the Orange
County Sheriff Department to abate graffiti. He explained the collaborate efforts
needed between Police, City Officials, and Public Works to tackle graffiti issues
pointing out the installment of TAGRS has resulted in an arrest of a young man
relating to 40 graffiti incidents. Officer Chamness gave an overview of the
program and responded to questions from the Council relating to improvements
to the system, determination of restitution, and graffiti reports from the
community. The City Manager reported that a presentation will be forthcoming
once the system has been fully implemented. No action was taken on the item.
3. Status/impact of Early Retirement Incentive
Budget & Research Officer Bobby Young presented the staff report pointing out
that 51 employees have taken advantage of the PERS 2 -Year Retirement
Incentive. He reported on the impacts will include leaving 45 positions vacant
with a savings of $3.6 million dollars through the end of the current fiscal year.
The City Manager reported on the departments' efforts and plans on dealing with
vacancies and noted that savings does not include fire personnel that would be
taking advantage of the retirement incentive later in the year. He pointed out that
the City will not be able to operate on keeping all the positions vacated noting the
need to fill some positions due to liabilities and legal responsibilities. The Budget
& Research Officer and City Manager responded to questions from the City
Council relating to,vacancies in the Maintenance Services Division, consideration
of alternative pension plans, and the prospect of filling the vacated positions. No
action was taken on the item.
4. Employee of the Month
The City Council reviewed applications for Employee of. the Month and 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
Council Member Foley reported that .she attended a meeting with Mayor Pro
Leece on December 7, 2009, in Sacramento relating to stopping the sale of the
Orange County Fair and Event Center. She noted that they met with the Director
of the Department of General Services (DGS), Director of Consumer Affairs, and
Policy and Planning Official and was informed that they were not in the position .
to stop the sale. They met with other public officials and encouraged the support
of Assembly Member Jose Solorio's bill to cancel the sale of the fairgrounds.
The City Manager reported that additional information has recently been posted
on the DGS website.
Mayor Pro Tem Leece commented on their meeting with additional public officials
in Sacramento to the support of stopping the sale of the fairgrounds. She
indicated that the recommendation to sell the fair was based on an article in the
Orange County Register which was in contrast to the City's position on the sale
of the fairgrounds. She also reported that the Governor does know the City's
position on the matter.
Further discussion ensued among the Council and City Manager on gaining
community support of stopping the sale of the fairgrounds. Mayor Pro Tem
Leece noted that some cities have adopted resolutions in support of the City's
position.
Council Member Bever suggested sending a letter to the Daily Pilot indicating the
contact information of offices to send correspondences relating to cancelling the
sale of the Fairgrounds.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
The Mayor Pro Tem declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m., to
the Special Meeting for the purpose of conducting a Closed Session. The next
Regular Meeting will be held November 17, 2009.
Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa
ATTEST:
Oty Clerk of the City of Costa: Mesa