HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/12/2012 - Study SessionREGULAR ADJOURNED/STUDY SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF COSTA MESA
June 12, 2012
The City Council of the City of Costa Mesa, California met in a Regular Adjourned/Study
Session on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 77
Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.
ROLL CALL: (00:00:15)
Council Members Present: Mayor Eric R. Bever
Mayor Pro Tem James M. Righeimer
Council Member Wendy Leece
Council Member Stephen M. Mensinger
Council Member Gary Monahan
Council Members Absent: None
Officials Present: City CEO Thomas R. Hatch
Assistant CEO Rick Francis
City Attorney Thomas Duarte
Deputy CEO/Economic & Develop Dir. Peter Naghavi
Public Services Director Ernesto Munoz
Finance/IT Director Bobby Young
Public Affairs Manager Bill Lobdell
Interim City Clerk Brenda Green
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Art Goddard, Costa Mesa, expressed disappointment that the fencing around the
Historical Society building was not included in the proposed budget and spoke of
recent fires, attempted break-ins in the area and asked the Council to make the
fence a high priority. (00:00:38)
2. Tamar Goldman, Costa Mesa, spoke of a budget priority list sent by email to the
Council Members expressing concerns regarding Police Department staffing
levels and asked that the Management Partners recommendations be
considered and requested increased staffing for the Fire Department as well.
(00:02:49)
L3. Martin H. Millard, Costa Mesa, asked that the Council include improvements on
the Westside and the proposed signs for 191" Street. (00:04:52)
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4. Perry Valantine, Costa Mesa, expressed concern for allocating $1.2 million for a
budget contingency while cutting costs in needed areas and putting $500,000
aside for problem properties without a study. (00:05:42)
5. Jay Photoglou, spoke on racketeering and being pulled over by Police.
(00:08:08)
6. Beth Refakes, Costa Mesa, stated that keeping the street rehabilitation program
was money better spent than purchasing problem properties and asked that the
fencing around the Historical Society be included in the budget. (00:09:27)
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
1. FY 2012-13 Preliminary Budget — Final Budget Balancing Recommendations
(00:11:18)
CEO Hatch introduced this item and gave a brief history on the compilation of the
budget document and the topics of each study session in May dealing with the
budget. Finance/IT Director Bobby Young provided an overview of the general fund,
CEO's final recommendations to balance the general fund, estimated revenues,
appropriations and capital improvement projects by category.
Mr. Young explained the general fund deficit of $1,191,716 and the CEO's
recommendations to reduce the budget by the same amount. CEO Hatch explained
the loss of Redevelopment funding and costs for the successor agency, oversight
board and housing authority efforts to maintain services and agreements that must
be provided due to State mandates.
CEO Hatch summarized his recommendations to balance the budget including the
elimination of vacant positions, a layoff of four full-time positions occupied by staff
providing various services and the suspension of the street rehabilitation program.
Further details would be provided in the June 19 staff report.
Mayor Bever asked for clarification of the Redevelopment revenue losses. CEO
Hatch indicated that in the Successor Agency report, the City expects to continue to
receive the interest earnings from the RDA loan preventing further budget
reductions.
Mr. Young summarized the balance of the report including the Capital Improvement
Project budget noting a surplus of $55,225 which would be transferred back to Fund
Balance and a final budget of $132,676,130.
Council Member Leece asked questions regarding the four positions to be laid -off
and how the delivery of services will be measured when the vacant positions are
eliminated. Council Member Leece expressed concern with supporting the
Study Session — June 12, 2012 — Page 2
recommended staff reductions while allocating $500,000 toward the purchase of
problem properties and $200,000 for trails at Fairview Park while the level of
services at the city drops. Council Member Leece asked that the city use the
Management Partners recommended staffing levels for the Police Department and
asked about the school resource officer positions.
Mayor Pro Tem Righeimer commented on a reduction of funding for the Historical
Society fencing, position reductions and the added positions possibly being offered
to persons laid -off. Mayor Pro Tem Righeimer stated that he was impressed with
the increased capital improvement budget and explained the need for a budget
contingency and problem properties causing a drain on city resources.
Council Member Mensinger asked questions about sidewalk repair work and the
number of layoffs over the last eighteen months and commented on supporting two
effective school resource officer positions at the schools.
Council Member Monahan commented on what is needed to have two effective
school resource officer positions at the schools.
The City Council took no action on this item
COUNCIL MEMBERS' REPORTS, COMMENTS, AND SUGGESTIONS (01:17:31)
Mayor Bever congratulated Ethan Cochran, a Newport Harbor High School student
and Costa Mesa resident who will be competing in the Shot Put and Discus
competitions of the USA Junior Outdoor Championships in Indiana for to a chance to
compete internationally in Barcelona, Spain.
ADJOURNMENT (01:18:04)
The Mayor adjournodt dy Session at 5:55 p.m.
May of City of Costa Mesa
ATTEST:
b(A&
City Clerk of the City of Costa Mesa
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