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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-27-2010 Special City Council Meeting MinutesMINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 183 NORTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2010 . CALL TO ORDER Mayor Melendez called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Melendez invited Ms. Renee Cummings to lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL PRESENT: MAYOR MELENDEZ MAYOR PRO TEM BHUTTA COUNCIL MEMBER BUCKLEY COUNCIL MEMBER HICKMAN COUNCIL MEMBER MAGEE ABSENT: NONE PUBLIC COMMENTS There were none. CLOSED SESSION There were none. DISCUSSION ITEM 1. Consideration of Fiscal Year 2010-2011 City Operating Budget Recommendation: It is recommended the City Council review the proposed Fiscal Year 2010-2011 proposed Operating Budget. Mayor Melendez asked if anyone wished to speak either for or against the issue. Kevin Davis, resident of the City, spoke of the allocated funds set aside for the Chamber and does not feel the Chamber of Commerce should be allocated that much Special City Council Meeting Page 2 of 5 May 27, 2010 money based on the lack of information on their Web site particularly pertaining to water sports activity. Genie Kelley representing the Boys & Girls Club thanked City Council for their continued support over the past several years and wanted to make sure the Boys & Girls Club was being considered in the budget for the next fiscal year. Renee Cummings, resident of the City and a member of the Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC) expressed her concerns with reducing the funds for the commission and requested City Council to reconsider because of the significant contributions the committee has made. Richard Knapp, resident of the City requested clarification on the Public Safety Expenditures. Director of Administrative Services Riley explained that the funds used for public safety comes from the General Fund and the Special Revenue. There being no further requests to speak, Mayor Melendez requested the budget presentation. Director of Administrative Services Riley provided a PowerPoint presentation to the City Council which showed a $3.8 million shortfall. He indicated the portion of the shortfall is due to the reassessment of property which has an effect on the property tax revenue, the use of the $2.7 "Rainy Day" fund, the law enforcement 5% increase and the personnel costs. Mayor Melendez requested Council Members comments on the budget. Council Member Buckley commented on the following: • He pointed out that if the State had not taken $7 million that amount could have been repaid ahead of time. • He spoke of the support to community organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club which would come from the CDBG funds. • He suggested the PSAC have quarterly action meetings or monthly listening meetings where the public can attend and address their concerns. • He spoke of the boat launch fees increasing and asked if the City would be increasing the fees for non-residence. Director of Lake & Aquatics Kilroy responded by saying the fees that are increasing are the daily use passes. Council Member Hickman commented on the following and staff provided the following responses: • He pointed out that the economy is showing some signs of improvement, such as a slight increase of construction. He stated the City should continue to offer services that are available. Special City Council Meeting Page 3 of 5 May 27, 2010 • He complimented the City's Union for their hard work. He pointed out that the City reduced staff members by 25% and yet the staff members are continuing to provide great service to the community. • He expressed the "Rainy Day" fund was created to be used during times like this, and is almost empty. • He noted that the City's employees have suffered along with the rest of the community and suggested extending their contract for another two years to show good faith. • He suggested terminating the car allowance for staff members and reimburse for mileage only. • He spoke of the E-Verify system and thinks the City's Code Enforcement could handle the additional task. • He requested a bus to help out the seniors in the community and noted there isn't much that could be done to help with the General Fund. • He asked how important the funds were for the Rape Crisis. Police Chief Cleary pointed out to the Council the benefits that the program provides. Council Member Hickman suggested cutting funds from the TIP program to allow money for the Unity In The Community Parade and the Memorial Day Service ceremony. Council Member Magee commented on the following: • He spoke of the Boys & Girls Club allocated funds in the amount of $9,500. • He expressed that he did not see any allocated funds for Elsinore Valley Arts Network. City Manager Brady responded by saying the funds were included in the Parks & Recreation's budget. • He thanked the members of the Budget Committee as it was not an easy task. • He pointed out that the City would be reducing funds from the Police Department and would not open the Rosetta Canyon Fire Station. • He spoke of how the City is looking at raising fees including the boat launch and raising the franchising fees. • He spoke of how the Budget Committee is requesting staff to forego the cost of living increases, merit pay increases and to continue to have two furlough days per month. • He pointed out that he received many email messages pertaining to the cuts recommended to PSAC. He stated the PSAC Chairman who also serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Chamber of Commerce did not mention any cuts to the Chamber. He stated if they have enough money perhaps they need to reduce their funds. He recommended increasing the funds from the Chamber of Commerce and back-fill the funds into the PSAC while asking staff and the Commission members to continue to look at ways to reduce costs. • He suggested reducing funds by $500 under the City Council budget for the EDC luncheons and local regional events. • He suggested keeping the car allowance for the employees. • He spoke of sharing the cost of the narcotics officer with the City of Wildomar because neither the City of Lake Elsinore nor Wildomar has the funds for that at this time. Special City Council Meeting Page 4 of 5 May 27, 2010 • He spoke of training and certifying reserve officers that could help backfill some of the cuts that are proposed in the Police Department. • He suggested to the employees to ask their union representative to carry a message back to Sacramento to stop taking money away from the City in order to balance their own budget. Mayor Pro Tern Bhutta commented on the following: • She spoke highly of the Budget Committee and indicated they worked very hard to come up with the numbers. • She suggested possibly having PSAC take on some of the responsibilities that staff would normally handle. • She believed that the recommendations are appropriate and thanked staff for their help with the budget. • She expressed to the audience the community that the City needs volunteers and any help would be appreciated. City Treasure Baldwin commented on the following • He commented on the amazing diligence the Budget Committee had in accomplishing this budget. • He spoke of how the City employees are working more and making less money. • He predicted that next year there won't be enough money for charities and everyone will have to pull together to make it work. Mayor Melendez commented on the following and staff provided the following responses: • She spoke of the car allowance and typically in the private sector they have eliminated the car allowance and converted to mileage expense which she feels is more appropriate. She requested clarification on how much is allowed. Director of Administrative Services Riley provided a breakdown of the car allowance of the department heads and managers which total $21,600, which is a taxable amount. • She addressed the possibility of extending the contract with the City employee union and suggested extending the contract for one year. • She requested clarification on the amount needed for EVAN. Director of Parks and Aquatics Kilroy responded by saying $12,000 has been set aside for EVAN. • She supported having the funds remain for PSAC and asked if it was necessary for legal counsel to attend those meetings. City Attorney Leibold responded by saying it is not a legal requirement for the City Attorney to attend those meetings. • She asked if the Chamber of Commerce was required to pay the necessary fees associated with an event. Director of Parks and Aquatics Kilroy responded by saying they are charged a deposit for staff time to clean up after the event. • She thanked all the Departments, City Manager and employees for their help with preparing the budget. Special City Council Meeting Page 5 of 5 May 27, 2010 Shawn Slater employee of the City of Lake Elsinore and Union representative spoke of the issues that were addressed by City Council. He indicated that he would provide the information discussed back to the City employees. Summary of the discussion was to research having mileage reimbursement versus car allowance, reduce funds from the Chamber of Commerce and increase the funds to the Public Safety Advisory Commission and research an extension of the labor union employee contract for two years. There was mention that the School District should step up to the plat with funds for the Chamber of Commerce and the Unity in the Community event since that was the District's event to begin with. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council and Agency Board, the special meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m. and returned to the Regular City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. on June 81, 2010. MELISSA MELENDEZ, MAYOR ' CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE AT CAROL GOWLEY, INTER CITY CLERK CITY OF LAKE ELSINOR