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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993/05/13 - Minutes - Budget WorkshopMay 13, 1993 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES RANCHO CUCAMONGA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT MINUTES Budget Workshop A. CAI.I. TO ORDER A special workshop of the Rancho Cucamonga City Council, Redevelopment Agency and Fire Protection District was held on Thursday, May 13, 1993, in the Tri-Communities Conference Room of the Civic Center, located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. The meeting was called to order at 6:09 p.m. by Mayor, Chairman and President Dennis L. Stout. Present were Councilmembers, Agencymembers, Boardmembers: William J. Alexander, Charles J. Buquet II, Rex Gutierrez, Diane Willisms, and Mayor, Chairman and President Dennis L. Stout. Also present were: Jack Lam, City Manager; Jerry B. Fulwood, Deputy City Manager;, Rick Gomez, Community Development Director; Tarry Smith, Park Planning/Development Superintendent; Linda D. Daniels, Redevelopment Manager; Brad Buller, City Planner; Gail Sanchez, Planning Commission Secretary; Joe O'Neil, City Engineer; Shintu Bose, Deputy City Engineer; Cindy Hackett, Associate Engineer; Walt Stickney, Associate Engineer; Bob Zetterberg, Public Works Maintenance Manager; Jerry Grant, Building Official; Suzanne Ota, Community Services Manager; Kathy Sorensen, Recreation Superintendent; Paula Pachon, Management Analyst II; Bob Dominguez, Administrative Services Director; Susan Neely, Finance Officer; Rose Colurn, Accountant; Jim Frost, City Treasurer; Ingrid Blair, GIS Supervisor; Jana Ellis, Disaster Preparedness Specialist; Duane Baker, Assistant to the City Manager;' Diane O'Neal, Management Analyst II; Chief Dennis Michael, Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Lloyd AImand, Deputy Fire Marshal Ralph Crane, Deputy Chief Bob Corcoran, Administrative Services Officer Alex Ahumada, Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District; Capt. Bruce Zeiner, Rancho Cucamonga Police Department; and Debra J. Adams, City Clerk. B. ITEM OF DISCUSSION B1. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED BUDGETS FOR FISCAl- YEAR 1993/94 (0205-01 BUDGET) Jack Lam, City Manager, stated that all the budgets have been distributed to those that requested a copy. He pointed out that the City has made some painful cuts especially in personnel. He displayed overheads showing the downward progression of the General Fund budget since 1990/91. He stated there is a 16% decrease from the 1990/91 to 1993/94 budget. He talked about the Utility Tax being adopted and that if it had not been there would be a $2.5 million shortfall in the City's General Fund budget. He pointed out that Rancho Cucamonga is a low property tax City and explained what this meant. He stated property tax does not generate a lot of revenue for the City. He pointed out that had the Utility Tax not been approved there would have been $2.5 million at risk in the Fire District Budget which would have resulted in losing one-half of our fire stations and 33 fire fighters. He also pointed out that the City has always had an increased sales tax revenue each year which was very Budget Workshop important to the City. He stated until there is additional revenue generated in the City we cannot build new facilities or have new (i) City Council/Redevelopment Agency/ Fire District Budget Workshop Minutes May 13, 1993 Page 2 services added. He reported on the volunteer program and how important it is to the City. He stated the staff will be looking for ways to make the operation run more efficiently and without any duplication of efforts among depariments. He pointed out that the remainder of the Arroyo Seco report items will be implemented. He advised that the Fire District will be working on civilianizing personnel. He felt the City should explore joint services with other cities in order to be more effective. He felt a community survey should be done in order to get the response of the residents to give the City information to do long range planning. He commented on the residential recycling program and that the commercial and multi-family units should come on line in order to meet AB 939 requirements. He also commented on regulations the City has to comply with regarding storm drains. He pointed out that the City has met with our Congressman in Washington to get assistance. He reported on the proposed law enforcement positions for FY 1993/94. He pointed out that the City will be able to do this for $650,000 by leveraging its money with the County for services. Councilmember Alexander asked what will happen if the proposed Measure does not pass. Jack Lam, City Manager, stated the Sheriff controls the contract, but the Board of Supervisors controls the budget. He commented on the many services that will be lost by the SherifFs Department if the measure does not pass. He added the Board of Supervisors will determine what cuts will be made in the Sheriffs budget. Councilmember Alexander felt all travel to Washington, D.C. should be eliminated and that all Sacramento trips to meet with our legislators should stop since our legislators have local offices and can meet with us here. He felt no trips to Sacramento should occur unless absolutely necessary. Jack Lain, City Manager, reported to the Council that he has put a halt on all travel except for local meetings. Councilmember Alexander stated he would like for the Council to have input in the replacement of a position as an employee leaves the City. Councilmember Gutierrez asked about the hiring of new personnel for the police department positions and felt that possibly there should be more sworn officers instead of some of the other positions. Councilmember Buquet stated the Clerks are needed to do reports instead of the sworn officers which is a cost savings. Jack Lain, City Manager, commented on the cost of approximately $100,000 for a sworn officer, and that you do get more for your money if you have a clerk preparing the paperwork. Captain Bruce Zeiner, Police Department, stated there is a formula they use that is followed for the number of swom officers, supervisors and clerical staff. He also stated that is why the number of clerks were needed to go along with the other new positions. Mayor Stout commented on the law that is in effect that a police report has to be filed with the District Attorney within 48 hours or the person arrested will be released. He stated he would like to see at the next budget workshop an update on the City's Community Services cost recovery that was done not too long ago. Councilmember Buquet stated the City is constantly looking for ways to cut costs. He stated he did feel the Arroyo Seco project was important to follow through on. He also agreed that civilianization was very important in order to free up sworn law enforcement personnel. He also felt this should apply to fire personnel. He stated he was not sure about the community survey idea and felt this should be looked at closer. He stated he didn't agree with the N'PDES City Council/Redevelopment Agency/ Fire District Budget Workshop Minutes May 13, 1993 Page 3 unfunded mandate or any other unfunded mandate the state was proposing. He felt the City staff was doing an excellent job and felt the State should not dip into the pockets of cities. He did not want Rancho Cucamonga to do what other cities are doing by making "herky-jerky" decisions. Mayor Stout stated the budget is a remarkable document that has been prepared. He commented on the number of employees Rancho Cucamonga has to do the job compared to what other cities have that are comparable in size. He mentioned the planning that has taken place and the low crime rate in the City. He stated he does not understand why residents feel the City can do all of these good things and it all be done at no cost to them. Councilmember Willjams stated she concurred with Mayor Stout and felt the document was phenomenal. She thought the budget was very complete and well thought out. She stated she knows that the City Manager and Department Heads will not spend money if it is not absolutely necessary. Mayor Stout commented on how staff is using the money wisely and not wasting it. Jack Lam, City Manager, also commented that staff is using money wisely and conservatively. Councilmember Gutierrez also commented on the excellent staff. He stated he still needs to be taught by the deparunents what is in the budget. He felt the volunteer program is very importanL He felt sales tax was the key to this City. He reported on the savings of $500,000 from the Commissions, and that possibly the City does not need as many staff since the Commissions have been cut. He hoped the City could find more ways to be lean and mean. He felt we could still be a quality City by doing this. C. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBI,IC CI. Sharon Boydston of Rancho Cucamonga stated she was concerned about the "axing" of the Commissions. She felt eliminating the Commissions would not allow for the community to be as involved. She felt the City should keep on functioning as it is. She felt the Council should approve the recommendations made by Jack Lam regarding the budget. Councilmember Buquet commented that the Commissions were not being "axed," that it was well thought out. He stated the City is looking for ways not to compromise the City and still have a quality of life. Councilmember Williams stated there is no way the Council wants less participation from the residents and did not want to deny them anything. She commented that the items on the Commission agendas had decreased, but stated she does not want to cut public participation on any matter. Councilmember Buquet stated he would like to incorporate into the next budget workshop discussions the animal control facility that is not operating at this time and the library services situation, and for something to be shown in the budget, i.e., some kind of addendure. Jack Lam, City Manager, stated staff would accommodate this request. City Councii/Redevelopment Agency/ Fire District Budget Workshop Minutes May 13, 1993 Page 4 D. AD.IOURNMENT MOTION: Moved by Alexander, seconded by Buquet to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Debra J. Adams, CMC City Clerk Approved: June 2, 1993