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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-26-2011 Special City Council Study SessionMINUTES SPECIAL MEETING LAKE ELSINORE CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 183 NORTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2011 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Bhutta called the Special Study Session to order at 4:09 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Mayor Bhutta Mayor Pro Tern Magee Council Member Hickman Council Member Melendez Council Member Tisdale ABSENT: Also present: City Manager Brady, City Attorney Leibold, City Treasurer Baldwin, Police Chief Fontneau, Fire Chief Lawson, Director of Administrative Services Riley, Public Works Director/City Engineer Seumalo, Director of Lake, Parks and Recreation Kilroy, Public Works Superintendent DeSantiago, IT Supervisor Soto, Redevelopment Agency Analysis Carlson, City Clerk Bloom and Office Specialist Porche. CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION (1) CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Gov't Code Section 54957.6) City Negotiator: City Manager Robert Brady Employee Organization: Lake Elsinore Chapter of Laborer's International Union of North America, Local 777 City Clerk Bloom announced that the City Council would recess at 4:09 p.m and go into Closed Session to discuss Item No. 1. City Council reconvened at 5:00 p.m. City Attorney Leibold announced that the City Council met for a Special Joint Study Session at 4:09 p.m. to discuss a matter under closed session and indicated there was no reported action. Joint City Council/RDA/PFA Study Session May 26, 2011 Page 2 of 5 DISCUSSION ITEM (2) Consideration of Fiscal Year 2011-12 City Operating & Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Budgets Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council review the Fiscal Year 2011-12 proposed Operating and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Budgets and provide direction to staff. Director of Administrative Services Riley provided an overview of the proposed Fiscal Year Operating and Capital Improvement Plan Budget for 2011-12. City Treasurer Baldwin stated that he is very pleased with the outcome of the budget. Mayor Pro Tern Magee commented on the following: • He thanked staff for working with the members of the Budget Committee and Council and noted all of the efforts made for moving this forward. • He noted that the public safety service levels remain the same and that there are no new fees or fee increases. • The City Attorney's budget is lower and money is going back into the City's reserve accounts. • Pending the labor negotiations, there will be no new lay offs • Money being put back into the Lake Water fund. He asked about the Towing Franchise Fee of $2,000, how many towing companies pay into that fee, what is the fee and when was the last time the fee was adjusted. He pointed out on page 11 of the report; it shows a decrease in lake fees & passes and asked why? Director Kilroy stated that the fees are an estimate and is based on gas prices. He asked if any money for the NPDES Permits? Director Seumalo stated money has been received from 3 out of the 4 operators in the amount of $45,000.00. He noted of the funds reserved for the Municipal Code Violations in the amount of $75,000.00 and requested an explanation. Director Riley stated those funds are pertaining to the violations on foreclosed homes. He stated before the City can release the title to the new owner, the violations must first be corrected and the fees must be paid. City Manager Brady stated the banks have been more responsible than they have been in the past. Mayor Pro Tern noted that the Budget Committee suggested removing the travel and meeting expenses for the City Council. He expressed his concern with the Fire Department's Station No. 94 as it relates to the City of Canyon Lake. He stated it has been brought to his attention that as many as 60% of all responses are going into the City of Canyon Lake and the City of Canyon Lake's Station No. 60 has not responded to a single Lake Elsinore incident. Fire Chief Lawson stated that the percentage of responses into Canyon Lake is lower. He stated that the City of Lake Elsinore has received responses from Canyon Lake, and the responses are to the citizens of the County and feels that the Fire Department is providing the best service to Joint City Council/RDA/PFA Study Session May 26, 2011 Page 3 of 5 the citizens in the City. Mayor Pro Tern Magee stated his concerns are not with the level of service but the fact that the City of Lake Elsinore is subsidizing another town. He asked Fire Chief Lawson about the funds to have a fitness center added to Station No. 85. Chief Lawson stated the fitness center was added for the health and safety of the firefighters as under their MOU they are allowed 1.5 hours per daily to work out. Mayor Pro Tern spoke of the old animal control shelter and whether or not it is going to stay or turned into an emergency or large animal facility. If it is to remain as an animal facility, then the City should be credited. He spoke of EVMWD matching the money that is put into the Lake Fund and what is the share that Supervisor Buster would be contributing. He stated that he is please to see that the play equipment at the Summerhill Park has been added to the budget. He pointed out to the public that although the Council cannot vote on the budget he asked the Council if they would all agree not to continue to subsidize protection for Canyon Lake and needs to be amended. Council Member Tisdale commented on the following: • He thanked the Council and Budget Committee for all their efforts with the budget. • He agreed with Mayor Pro Tern Magee's issue with the Fire Station No. 94. • He advised the Council that Supervisor Buster was asked for contributing funds for the Lake and the response was "no". • He spoke of the old animal shelter and possibly continuing to use the facility. He advised JPA that this would need to come before Council for discussion first. • He spoke of the lower costs for the Animal Shelter as they had additional construction savings; however a goal that needs to be reached is to lower the amount of animals going to the shelter from the City residents. He asked Director Riley if it would be necessary to use any money from the supplemental funds in lieu of the fact that the City would be saving $189,000 from the Fire Department. Director Riley stated that it may not be necessary, but would wait for direction from Council. Council Member Tisdale asked if there would be additional savings from the Sheriff's Department. Director Riley stated, yes that could be possible. Chief Fontneau stated that the Sheriffs Department is that they are still conservatively projecting a 5% increase for budgeting purposes, however is pending the contract of the Deputy Sheriff's Unit which may have an effect on the rate. Council Member Tisdale asked about the proposed projects and the need for a new vehicle. Director Seumalo stated that the department needs three new vehicles including a dump truck, asphalt patch truck and the water truck. Council Member Tisdale spoke of the funds used for the Special Election and could the City be reimbursed the money that was spent for the Special Election. City Attorney Leibold stated that she is not aware of any retribution clause however could look into the matter. Joint City Council/RDA/PFA Study Session May 26, 2011 Page 4 of 5 Council Member Hickman commented on the following: • He suggested closing Fire Station No. 94 and relocate everything to the Rosetta Canyon Fire Station. • He inquired about the $6.9 million which was taken from the Redevelopment Agency. Director Riley stated at the direction of Council, the funds were transferred into various investments for the City. • He stated overall he is pleased with this upcoming budget. Council Member Melendez commented on the following: • She inquired about the increased sales taxes, yet the Public Safety and In Lieu taxes decreased. Director Riley stated, staff has observed that the numbers are decreasing over the past couple of years. • She requested an explanation as to why the grading and plan check fees decreased, yet the planning review fees increased. City Manager Brady stated some of the figures could be adjusted and a number of maps and lots have already been approved. • She requested an explanation as to why the Finance Department has an increase in personnel. Director Riley stated that the Financing Department's increase covers the increased time for contractor services, and under Human Resources the increase is for an employee who had returned back to work after beinglayed-off. • She asked about the increase in the Community Development Department. City Manager Brady stated the increase is to cover the new Planning Manager. • She spoke of the increase in weed abatement. Director Seumalo stated the increase is to cover the fuel cost and for personnel resources. • She noted the increase of funds at the Boat Launch facility. Director Kilroy stated that the parking lot would soon need repairs and re-stripping. • She asked about the increase under the car allowance. Director Riley stated that the increase is for the new Planning Manager. • She noted that under the City Council's budget she suggested to withdraw membership from the League of Cities. • She spoke of the office supply funds under Citizen Corp. Public Works Superintendent DeSantiago stated that the funds are to cover the costs of printing supplies for the CERT Classes and the Citizen's Corp. • She asked about the increase under the IT Department. Supervisor Soto stated that the money is for the copiers/printers. City Manager Brady pointed out that staff is looking into iPads for the Council which would help cut back on paper costs. • She noticed the way the City Attorney would be billing to the City and what would fall into the category of additional legal services. City Attorney Leibold stated basic services are generally the retaining fees which are approximately 50 hours. Everything beyond that are billed at the hourly rate which is known as special matters. She stated they have budgeted 90,000.00 for the fiscal year for matters Joint City Council/RDA/PFA Study Session May 26, 2011 Page 5 of 5 outside the basic retainer services, which is significantly lower than prior fiscal years. Mayor Bhutta commented on the following: • She thanked the Budget Committee and staff for all their hard work with the budget. • She spoke of the old animal shelter and requested clarification that when an animal is dropped off at that location, that it is determined which city the animal came from. • She agjced if there was any funding listed for the Chamber of Commerce. Director Riley stated that they are under Community Promotions. Mayor Bhutta requested to have it identified more clearly. • She asked if there was any money set aside for promoting the Lake. Director Kilroy stated that staff did not include any additional advertising for the Lake other than using the City's website. • She inquired about the false alarm fee and why the decrease from $1,500 to $400. City Manager Brady stated the funds come from the Sheriff's Department. • She asked about the Park and Recreation animal license fee and requested staff to clarify. Director Kilroy stated that this year staff added that line so staff could monitor revenue and expenditures. • She requested that both the Assistance League of Temecula Valley and New Vision Children's Services be funded $2,000 each. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS There were none. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council and Agency Board, the special meeting was adjourned at 6:37 p.m. and returned to the Regular City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. on June 14, 2011. Amy u a, ayor 1 City of Lake Elsinore Virginia ,UBloo , C'i Clerk City of Lake Elsir re w