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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014/06/11 - Minutes - Special June 11, 2014 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING I A. CALL TO ORDER A special meeting of the Rancho Cucamonga City Council and Fire Protection District was held on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, in the Tri-Communities Room at the Civic Center located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. Mayor/President L. Dennis Michael called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Present were Council Members/Board Members: Bill Alexander, Marc Steinorth, Diane Williams, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice President Sam Spagnolo and Mayor/President L. Dennis Michael. Also present were: John Gillison, City Manager; Linda Daniels, Assistant City Manager; Lori Sassoon, Deputy City Manager/Administrative Services; Jeff Bloom, Deputy City Manager/Economic and Community Development; Tamara Layne, Finance Director; Robert Neiuber, Human Resources Director; Candyce Burnett, Planning Manager; Bill Wittkopf, Public Works Services Director; Nettie Nielson, Community Services Director; Trang Huynh, Building and Safety Services Director; Chief Mike Bell, Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District; Police Chief Anthony Onodera, Veronica Fincher, Animal Services Director, Debra L. McNay, Assistant City Clerk/Records Manager and Adrian Garcia, Assistant City Clerk. B. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS I No communication was made from the public. I C. ITEMS OF DISCUSSION Cl. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED BUDGETS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014/15 John Gillison, City Manager made a PowerPoint presentation on the proposed budgets for Fiscal Year 2014/15. He reported that FY 2014/15 marks a second consecutive budget of mostly positive overall growth. Mr. Gillison reported that unemployment in the City is down to 6% and stated that the City saw a net taxable property value increase of 3.1% overall with an increase in median price for SFRs by more than 20%. He addressed property tax and sales tax and discussed a chart which compared the sales tax revenue versus employment rate. Mr. Gillison discussed in more detail the principal challenges for Fiscal Year 2014/15. These include controlling rising costs for fixed utilities; controlling rising personnel costs while maintaining a quality workforce; controlling rising contact vendor costs; embracing mobile technologies; setting aside funding for capital and infrastructure needs and creating a new Economic Development Plan, strategy, and organizational culture to support it. Mr. Gillison addressed revenues and expenses, noting that City revenues are improving at a more normal gradual pace than pre-recession. He indicated that the total General Fund tax revenues are finally anticipated to meet their FY 2007/08 peak of$56.3 million; however at the same time, the prices for utilities, fuel, health care, and retirement continued to rise on average 1-3% per year. Mr. Gillison noted that our workforce is leaner, Proposed Budgets for Fiscal Year 2013/14 Fire Protection District, City Council Minutes June 6, 2013- Page 1 of 3 utilizes technology more, and delivers increased services as compared to the pre-downturn time period. Fiscal prudence is the watch word of the day. The Fiscal Year 2014/15 Operations and Maintenance budget changes were discussed, including a significantly increased expenditure for infrastructure replacement. Mr. Gillison noted that this year, the City must focus on succession planning and reorganization of departmental personnel. The goal is to minimize the growth of full- time workforce and prioritize changes that improve services, address a critical workload issue, make succession planning progress, and being the most cost-effective. Also, he addressed the major cost increase with the contract for law enforcement services. Mr. Gillison noted that the budget contains various performance metrics that indicate the activity levels in each department. Beyond performance metrics, he outlined other measurements that indicate return on investment. He also addressed the inclusion of funding in the budget to manage the holiday light display on Thoroughbred and Cucamonga Canyon. In summary, the City General Fund proposed budget is$69,162,990, the Fire District operational budget is $31,274,530 and the Library budget is $4,222,020. The key revenue sources in each budget were discussed. Also, the City Manager discussed each budget's reserve. He reported that$197 million in reserves previously funded by RDA were taken by the State in 2012. In Fiscal Year 2013/14, $508,680 was budgeted for the reserve.This year, $607,480 is proposed to be budgeted to go into the reserves. Mr. Gillison presented an operating budget analysis for the Fire District and the Library. The Fire District's budget is 9.3% higher than last year, primarily due to increased workers' compensation costs and the implementation of new labor contracts. The reserve is not being used to fund the FY 2013/14 expenses. The Library's budget is 2% higher than last year, primarily due to increased funding for eBooks and downloadable books. The Library budget utilizes $196,750 of reserves for continuing operations, as well as enhancements to the book budget and various services. Special Districts were discussed. Recommended changes for FY 2014/15 include an increase of 3%, or$11.40 per home, per year in LMD 4R, an increase of 2.1%, or $8 per home, per year in LMD 6R, an increase of 5%, or $30.81 per home, per year in LMD 10 and an increase of 14.63%, or $146.36 per home, per year in CFD 2000-03. The planned capital improvements in the special districts was also discussed. In conclusion, City Manager Gillison reported that the City remains committed to maintaining its 30+ year tradition of fiscal stability and providing the highest quality services within budgetary constraints for the community. He noted the need to plan as carefully for the last phases of the City's development as those before us with the goal to ensure that, in 20 years, Rancho Cucamonga is still the premier city in the Inland Empire in which to live or do business. Council Member Alexander appreciated the opportunity to meet with the City Manager. He indicated that the information that he received was helpful and was satisfied with the budget documents. Council Member Steinorth supported the succession planning, the park ranger concept and the proposed addition of a communication specialist. He looked forward to seeing decreased maintenance costs in the community facilities maintenance districts and supported the inclusion of funds towards the reserves. Mayor Pro Tem Spagnolo agreed with the succession planning. He noted that it is important for mature cities to maintain their infrastructure. He was pleased with the decrease in crime levels in the City and liked the park ranger concept. Council Member Williams also appreciated the meeting with the City Manager, noting that the budget was thorough and well-prepared. She was pleased that the recession was over and that the revenue stream was returning to the City. Mayor Michael really liked the budget message and how it referenced the Council goals. He supported controlling costs and implementing sustainable solutions. Mayor Michael thanked the employees for partnering with the City to control personnel costs. He also appreciated the change in economic development strategy as the City is now thinking about regional solutions. Proposed Budgets for Fiscal Year 2013/14 Fire Protection District, City Council Minutes June 6, 2013 - Page2of3 In response to Mayor Michael, the Council Members concurred that there was not a need to hold the second budget workshop, tentatively scheduled for June 19, 2014. City Manager John Gillison reported that the budget documents would be prepared for the City Council's consideration on June 26, 2014. The meeting will be at 5:00 p.m. in the City Council chambers. **** ** I E. ADJOURNMENT I The meeting adjourned at 5:56 p.m. R spectfully submitted, k/ De ra L. McNay, MMC Assis ant City Clerk/Records Manager Approved: Wednesday, July 2, 2014 Proposed Budgets for Fiscal Year 2013/14 Fire Protection District, City Council Minutes June 6, 2013 - Page 3 of 3