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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-18-2007 SSMINUTES JOINT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY STUDY SESSION CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 183 NORTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2007 :~:~*~:~~:~*:~~:~~:~~:*~**~~~:~~:~~~*:~~~:~:~~*:~~:~*~*~~~~*~~:**~*~:~~~*:~~~**~~~:~~*~: CALL TO ORDER Mayor Magee called the Joint Study Session to order at 4:06 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: HICKMAN, KELLEY SCHIFFNER, MAGEE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: BUCKLEY Also present were: City Manager Brady, City Attorney Leibold, Administrative Services Director Pressey, Community Development Director Preisendanz, Lake & Aquatic Resource Director Kilroy, Information/Communications Manager Dennis, City Engineer Seumalo, Finance Manager Riley, Planning Manager Weiner, Building & Safety Manager Chipman, Lieutenant Fontneau, Chief of Police Fetherolf, Fire Chief Gallegos, City Treasurer Weber and City Clerk Ray. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Magee. INVOCATION - MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER Mayor Magee led the meeting in a moment of silent prayer. Agenda Item No. Page 1 of Page 2- Joint Study Session Minutes - January 18, 2007 PUBLIC COMMENTS Ron Hewison, PSAC, commented on the budget packet that he was provided. He noted that upon studying the packet, he discovered that the police budget had increased 88% since 2002. He noted that he felt the current budget for police services was favorable for the City relative to the percentage increase and statistics. He commented on the goal to increase police. He suggested phasing an increase in the budget to allow for more police. He commented on "Option 3" and suggested that it would be worthwhile to look at increasing patrol. Mr. Hewison commented on Code Enforcement. He noted that there had been a good increase in that department over the course of the past 5 years. He noted that the PSAC supported an increase in Code Enforcement Officers. He commented on Graffiti. He noted that the Commission was still working on the ordinance. He noted that it was important to get a total cost to the City for graffiti and surveillance. He commented that the Commission had not discussed any details on a PSAC coordinator. Chris Hyland commented on increasing police enforcement. She commented on the drivers who travel on Grand Avenue and Riverside Drive. She expressed her concern for the safety of the children. She suggested cutting down on other projects to increase police enfarcement. She commented on the limited amount of public sidewalks. DISCUSSION ITEM A. Mid-year Budget Review. City Manager Brady commented on the budget. He noted that the City was in a healthy financial state. He noted that the budget process was a team effort. He commented on increasing operating expenditures. He commented on the allocated and unallocated revenues. He noted that there was close to $7 million in the reserve. He gave credit to staff, City Council and the City Treasurer for working through the budget process. Administrative Services Director Pressey commented on the items that were included in the packet. He noted that the packet that was distributed included the General Fund Operating budget, the CIP additions and modifications, status of major goals and the status of the selective service indicators for the year. Agenda Item No. Page 2 of Page 3- Joint Study Session Minutes - January 18, 2007 Administrative Services Director Pressey commented on unallocated revenue. He noted that properiy tax and franchise taa~ would increase during the year. Administrative Services Director Pressey commented on expenditures. He noted that in regard to personnel cost, there were some changes in health insurance that had increases. He noted that each department had been evaluated. He noted that each department had submitted a request in regard to new programming and revised estimates toward to the end of the year. Administrative Services Director Pressey commented on the transfer to the General CIP Fund 105. He noted that staff was proposing an increase of $5.1 million. He commented that majar expenditures would include paving Franklin Street, the boat launch project and the Alberhill Community Center. Mayor Magee commented that the Franklin Street improvement was absolutely necessary. He inquired if the project could be done this year. City Engineer Seumalo confirmed. Mayor Magee noted that setting aside $1 million toward the Civic Center Fund was an excellent idea. He further commented on money set aside for the boat launch improvements. Mayor Pro Tem Hickman inquired how many roads could be paved with $1 million. He inquired if the original6-year plan could be accelerated if the $1 million could be used toward it. City Engineer Seumalo noted that the $1 million would help accelerate the 6- year plan. He noted that to pave streets was an estimated $100 thousand per mile. Mayor Pro Tem Hickman commented that he would prefer to pave the streets rather than place the money in the lake. He commented on the revenue of the lake. Mayor Magee commented on the 24-foot Boston Whaler. Mayor Pro Tem Hickman inquired if the Boston Whaler would be replacing the existing vessel. Agenda Item No. Page 3 of Page 4- Joint Study Session Minutes - January 18, 2007 Public Works Manager Payne noted that the Boston Whaler would be replacing the existing vessel. He noted that it was a 24-foot vessel which had a lift to help rescue individuals. He noted that the Boston Whaler would be the flag ship of the patrol. Mayor Magee noted that he supported improvements to the Chamber of Commerce Building. He noted that the City owned the Chamber of Commerce Building. Mayor Magee commented on $1.5 million for the Alberhill Community Center. He inquired if the dollar amount would complete the project. City Manager Brady confirmed. Mayor Magee noted he was concerned with the boat launch. He noted that he would support getting Franklin Street paved and leaving the existing plan in place for the Country Club Heights area. Councilmember Schiffner commented on land acquisition. He suggested purchasing land on Lakeshore Drive. He inquired if that had been considered. City Manager Brady indicated that the monies for land acquisition could be used toward the purchase of land on Lakeshore Drive. Mayor Pro Tem Hickman noted that he would prefer to have $2 million in the unallocated reserve. City Manager Brady noted that the total reserve estimated $7 million. Councilmember Schiffner suggested $200 thousand from the reserve toward land acquisition. Councilmember Kelley noted that she was in support of paving Franklin Street. She commented on the cost of the Civic Center. She noted that she would rather place the $1 million in police services and other public safety issues. She noted that she supported the Community Center in Alberhill Ranch going forward. She noted that she would like to see more in the budget line item for Land Acquisition. She noted that acquiring the land around the lake edge was the first step in improving the lake. Agenda Item No. Page 4 of Page 5- Joint Study Session Minutes - January 18, 2007 City Treasurer Weber noted that the budget was a real good forecast. He commented on permit fees. He commented that more money was needed for the Rosetta Canyon Fire Station. He suggested working out an agreement with the developer to help cover costs. He noted that there was an Operations Agreement set up with the County and it would cost the City less in operations. He commented on the cost of the bonds for the animal shelter. He commented that the bonds for a new City Hall would be expensive. He noted that he had not seen any financials on what it would cost to build. He commented on the Police and Fire budget. He suggested adjusting the budget to support the police. He commented on the work the City had done on Railroad Canyon Road. He noted that the City had not received anything from WRCOG and the County. Mayor Magee asked City Engineer Seumalo to respond to City Treasurer Weber's comments regarding Fire Station Funding, T`UMF funds that the City was receiving in respect to Highway 74 and any County monies for Railroad Canyon Road and Highway 74. City Engineer Seumalo noted that he was not familiar with the Fire Station Funding. He noted that according to the approved Capital Improvement Program, the cost for the fire station was distributed between the General Fund, the County and the Fire Facility Fee. He noted that the totals per fund were $1.478 million for the General Fund, County Contributions of $700 thousand and $1.5 million from the Fire Facility Fee. He noted that the total cost of the project would be $3.678 million. City Engineer Seumalo commented on the Grand Avenue and Ortega Highway Project. He noted that WRCOG was contributing $400 thousand from the zone money. He noted that the City was using a small percentage of the WRCOG fund to fund the interim interchange program. City Engineer Seumalo noted that the City was funded far $23 million for the ultimate interchange at Railroad Canyon Road. He noted that staff was going back to increase the request to $45 million. Mayor Magee commented on the City receiving $120 thousand from Caltrans to do the signal at Grand Avenue and Ortega Highway. Agenda Item No. Page 5 of Page 6- Joint Study Session Minutes - January 18, 2007 City Engineer Seumalo noted that there was an emergency fund that Caltrans granted to the Grand Avenue and Ortega Highway interchange. Mayor Pro Tem Hiclanan suggested taking money from the boat launch to be used toward land acquisition. Mayor Pro Tem Hickman inquired if e~ra money could be put toward accelerating the paving program by paving roads in a shorter period of time. City Manager Brady commented that there was an option in regard to the paving of the roads. He suggested that staff could come back to Council indicating how many roads had been paved and what the costs were at that time at the next Budget study session. Councilmember Schiffner noted that most of the paved streets in the City were paid for by properiy owners tlu~ough CFDs. He noted that it was not Council's responsibility to pave streets for residents who have not paid anything toward street improvements. Mayor Pro Tem Hickman noted that residents still paid sales tax. Mayor Magee commented that residents who pay into CFDs are entitled to have their streets maintained. Mayor Magee reviewed the comments made by other Councilmembers. Councilmember Kelley commented on being cautious with the City moving forward on the Civic Center. Mayor Magee inquired how much money each of the Councilmembers would like to see in Land Acquisition. Councilmember Schiffner noted that he would like to put $200 thousand in the first year. Mayor Pro Tem Hickman suggested $400 thousand. Councilmember Schiffner suggested taking the money from unallocated reserves. Agenda Item No. Page 6 of Page 7- Joint Study Session Minutes - January 18, 2007 Mayor Magee confirmed that $300 thousand would be taken out of the Civic Center Fund to be used toward Land Acquisition. City Engineer Seumalo noted that he would like to propose $16 thousand funding for drainage improvements at the west end of 3`d Street. He noted that there was a drainage issue that staff had been trying to deal with. He noted that he would like to include that project in that budget. Mayor Magee inquired where the $16 thousand would come from. City Engineer Seumalo suggested using unallocated revenue. City Manager Brady suggested that staff review the item further to try and find another way to fund the item. Mayor Pro Tem Hickman commented on the General Fund. He commented on what was being proposed for Law Enforcement. Chief of Police Fetherolf indicated that Option No. 1 would be his first choice. Councilmember Kelley noted that she had requested Chief of Police Fetherolf to put together the options. She noted that approving additional officers in the Annual Budget could take up to 6 months for the officers to hit the street. She suggested phasing in one of the options to allow for officers to get on the street quicker. She commented on the need for additional officers. Mayor Pro Tem Hickman inquired if the City could afford $1.6 million for police services. Administrative Services Director Pressey noted that going forward Option No. 3 was already built in and showed a break even point in 2007/2008. He noted that if the City "pre-funded" Option No. 2, the City could pay for it within the fiscal year and allow them to start as soon as possible. Mayor Pro Tem Hickman suggested Option No. 2. Chief of Police Fetherolf commented on a signing bonus being offered in the Los Angeles area. He suggested that anything the City could do to get ahead of the curve, he would encourage Council to do. Agenda Item No. Page 7 of Page 8- Joint Study Session Minutes - January 18, 2007 Councilmember Kelley commented on the concentration with traffic enforcement. She inquired about the traffic light cameras that other cities use. She inquired if those pieces of equipment were expensive. Chief of Police Fetherolf noted that the equipment was not too expensive. He noted that his staff was currently in the process of studying those cameras for traffic control and other crime patrol. Councilmember Kelley inquired if the cameras would be helpful to Law Enforcement. Chief of Police Fetherolf noted that he anticipated having a final recommendation by the end of the budget year. City Treasurer Weber commented on the Police, Paramedic and Fire bond 2003-1. He suggested placing the item on the ballot for people who were not yet paying into it. He noted that the revenue would not be there next year. Mayor Magee noted that his biggest issue was in regard to the number of patrol hours. He commented on Option No. 1 and acquiring 6 more deputies, and inquired where that would put the patrol hours on a daily basis. Administrative Services Director Pressey noted that the daily patrol hours would be 154 hours. Mayor Magee indicated that from 1991 to 2003, the City had not put any additional officers on the street. He noted that the amount of ofFicers had increased each year since 2003. He noted that if Council was to approve Chief of Police Fetherolfls proposal, the overall performance would need to be increased. Council agreed on Option No. 1. Mayor Pro Tem Hickman commented on the study session packet and the mention of a full-time recreation person for the Lake Department and the same position for Community Services. City Manager Brady commented on splitting up the Recreation & Tourism Manager position to be 2 supervisor positions. Agenda Item No. Page 8 of _ Page 9- Joint Study Session Minutes - January 18, 2007 Mayor Magee inquired on $16,700 for the PSAC Consultant. He inquired what that was for. City Manager Brady noted that it would be for a staff person/consultant to help provide information and support to the PSAC. He noted that currently, Information/Communications Manager Dennis was the only staff inember supporting those functions. Mayor Magee inquired on the increase in health insurance and if it was just a function of the City's health care system. City Manager Brady confirmed. Mayor Magee inquired on the City Attorney's 36% increase. City Attorney Leibold indicated the reasoning of the increase. She noted that the City Attorney's budget was a function of response far legal needs of the City. She noted her office had provided increased services and response to a variety of needs. Mayor Magee inquired if the City Attomey's Office had increased the size of their staff to help accommodate the growing needs of the City. City Attorney Leibold noted that she had increased their staff. She noted her and her associates involvement within the City. Mayor Pro Tem Hickman inquired what the legal services cost for the RDA. Administrative Services Director Pressey indicated that $150 thousand had been allocated. Mayor Pro Tem Hickman commented on the revenue section of the budget. He commented on the part-time Recreation Lake Program Coordinator and Parks Supervisor. He inquired if those positions could be consolidated. Public Works Manager Payne noted that the Parks Supervisor position had been filled. Agenda Item No. Page 9 of Page 10 - Joiut Study Session Minutes - January 18, 2007 Administrative Services Director Pressey noted that the part-time position for the Lake was a vacant position that could be unfunded since it was managed by the Concessionaire. City Treasurer Weber commented on the increase in investment earnings. He noted that it would help out the budget. He noted, based on the information in the budget packet, the stadium broke even and did not cost the City anything financially. City Treasurer Weber commented on getting rid of contract personnel if the housing market continues to decrease. Mayar Magee indicated that as work load diminishes, the need for contract personnel begins to reduce. Mayor Magee commented on the $11 thousand budgeted in "League" under Publications & Memberships for Council. He inquired what Council received for $11 thousand. He inquired if the Council could cancel their membership subscription. City Manager Brady noted that it was his belief that Council could cancel that membership. Mayor Magee noted that he would like the Council to consider a line item for next year that supports community organizations. He noted that the City had a request from the USO for $1 thousand. He noted that USO had opened an operation in the Ontario Airport. He noted that many service people that come to Lake Elsinore come in and out of that area. Mayor Pro Tem Hickman inquired on giving the Senior Center $10 thousand. Mayor Magee inquired if staff could add a line item under "Community Organizations" for the Senior Center. City Manager Brady noted that the CDBG funding that was previously discussed, was for next fiscal year. Mayor Magee commented on page B-2 of the CIP portion of the budget. He inquired if the signs for Serenity and Lincoln had already been included. Agenda Item No. Page 10 of Page 11- Joint Study Session Minutes - January 18, 2007 City Engineer Seumalo noted that he did not believe that they were included. Mayor Magee requested that he would like to receive confirmation on that matter. He noted the importance of Lincoln Park ha~ing the new branding sign. He noted that Serenity should have a sign as well. Mayor Magee commented on the expansion of City Hall to the Music Store. He inquired how firm staff was on the $120 thousand for the proj ect. Administrative Services Director Pressey noted that the dollar amount was conservative. Mayor Magee noted that he would like to see the drainage improvement for Walnut Street and Frasier Drive move up. He noted that there was a current need for safety and drainage improvements in that specific area. Mayor Magee commented on the Sunswept Drive Improvement. He inquired what kind of work would be done. City Engineer Seumalo indicated that when the project was initially approved by the Planning Commission and City Council, there was a contingency of residents who did not want the street to be connected. He noted that a gap had been left. He noted that the Fire Department, from a transportation stand point, felt that circulation would improve. Mayor Magee commented on roadway reconstruction on Dexter Avenue. He inquired if work would be done to the southern portion of the project. City Engineer Seumalo indicated that part of the property went into the County area. He noted that staff had made a decision that 3`d Street was a logical stopping point. He noted that further street improvements could be included. Mayor Magee noted that 3rd Street to Camino Del Norte was taking a significant beating. He suggested doing something similar to what was done on Corydon and Mission Trail with the County. City Engineer Seumalo noted that staff had been in contact with the County. He noted that it was his belief that the County would be open to participate. Agenda Item No.. Page 11 of Page 12 - Joint Study Session Minutes - January 18, 2007 Mayor Magee commented on accelerating the construction of bike paths. He noted that there was a resident in the area who had been trying to get that project done for 15 to 20 years. City Manager Brady indicated that he felt staff had adequate direction. He noted that budget adjustments would be addressed at the first meeting in Februaxy far Council consideration. Administrative Services Director Pressey commented on future study sessions regarding the budget. ADJOiIRNMENT THE JOINT CITY AGENCYSTUDY SESSION WAS ADJOURNED AT 5:47 P. . ~ R RT E. MAGEE AYOR CITY OF LAKE ELS NORE REDEVELOPMENT Respectfully submitted, ~, ~~~~ ~ MICHELLE SOTO, DEPUTY CITY CLERK Agenda Item No. Page 12 of