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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-27-1999 City Council Study Session1VIINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 130 SOUTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27,1999 *~**~**~***~~**~~~~~~~**~~**~~~~**********~~~~***~*****~~~~~~~~~*~* CALL TO ORDER Mayar Kelley called the City Council Study Session to order at 1:50 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Pape. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS PAPE, KELLEY BRINLEY, METZE, VACANT (Mayor Pro Tem Metze arrived at 2:25 p.m.) Also present were: City Manager Watenpaugh, Legal Counsel Mann, Assistant City Manager Best, Administrative Services Director Boone, Community Development Director Brady, Community Services Director Sapp, Police Chief Walsh, Building & Safety Manager Russell, and City Clerk Kasad. DISCUSSION ITEM 1998/99Mid-YearBudgetReview (F30.1) City Manager Watenpaugh explained that the intent of this discussion was to give a status report on where the City is mid-year, and noted the brief packet he would be reviewing. He further noted that staff would be working the formal budget process soon and potentially could be shifting dollars from one account to another. He advised that the information presented was up through the warrants issued on January 15, 1999, noting that there is a lag time with the police and fire billings. Mayor Kelley questioned the impact of recent police raises. Mr. Watenpaugh indicated that staff is still in the process of calculating, but there will be some slight increases, and noted that those increases will address all of the necessary budget transfers in the next month or so. City Manager Watenpaugh reviewed the overview of the Revenues and Expenditures, nothing that sales taa~ revenues are up due to the projections for the new auto dealer. Councilman Pape noted that the State was supposed to make the cities whole with regard to Motor Vehicle Fees. City Manager Watenpaugh detailed the General Fund expenditures, noting that the legal services budget was nearly expended at mid-year. He advised that it will be necessary to transfer funds into that account to assure adequate funding. He PAGE TWO - CITY COUNCIL ST[TDY SESSION - JANUARY 27,1999 detailed other areas in which transfers might be needed such as Police, Fire, Parks, Streets and RDA subsidy. He reminded the Council of the impact of Proposition 218 on the Lighting & Landscape Maintenance District. He indicated that the last year has been a very good year for the Lake Fund, as it has generated substantial revenues. He cautioned the Council that the Lake Fund balance includes the $150,000 payment due from TMC,_which has not yet been received. The Councilmembers concurred that the revenue from the Lake had been substantial. He detailed the revenues by major categories and explained the actual dollars collected vs. the balances to be collected. He detailed the e~enditures and encumbrances by department and clarified high and low factors within individual departments. He noted that no billing had yet been received from the Fire service, but is will be about $308,000 for the year. He advised that at mid-year, the budget is 41 % expended. City Manager Watenpaugh provided information on the history of revenue and expenditures; noting that the City has lost about $700,000 annually to the State. He addressed the issue of new funding sources, including the potential of special districts for public safety, police, fire, etc. He noted the North Peak Development and detailed the costs for services to cover this project and expressed concern that project such as this one, put the City further in the hole. Councilman Pape questioned the rate for Ramsgate. Mr. Watenpaugh advised that staff is proposing a Community Facilities District for an annual rate of about $660 per home. Mayor Kelley questioned the timing for Rasmgate. Mr. Watenpaugh indicated that it was on a similar time line as North Peak and Liberty, and it is anticipated that they will be moving dirt very soon. Councilman Pape questioned the timing for moving dirt. Mr. Watenpaugh indicated that he would be meeting with Ramsgate on January 28tn Mayor Kelley questioned the time line for build-out. Mr. Watenpaugh indicated that is being discussed and staff is preparing to meet with the fire department to look at the City' Master Plan for Fire. He noted that changes in location for the proposed fire stations are possible. Mayor Kelley questioned the developers' response to the per dwelling unit fee. City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that they want to move forward and are willing to work out the issues.. City Manager Watenpaugh noted discussion of the issue of voting to fund parlcs and inquired whether the Council would have an interest in a property owner election. Mayor Kelley noted the wide use of parks and suggested that it would need to be set up on a neighborhood basis. Mr. Watenpaugh concurred, suggesting that there would need to be specific criteria established to define the districts. City Manager Watenpaugh stressed that the budget is not whole yet and some debts are still waiting to be addressed. He indicated that staff will be doing the annual review of city fees and bringing it to the Council. He further indicated that although the campground is open, it is important to go forward with an RFP for operations. Councilman Pape suggested that staff move forward in that are first, as it would be a purely positive approach at this time. Mr. Pape stressed the benefit of ' ha~ing a concessionaire for the campground., and noted the potential for marketing to "snow birds" to increase business. City Manager Watenpaugh noted the financial strategy adopted by the Council and PAGE THREE - CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION - JANUARY 27,1999 indicated that the Council has stuck with the plan. He commented that it has been hard, but at last it is possible to see the light at the end of the tunnel. He noted that - efforts are underway to restructure the 1996 Series B and C and there will be a phone conversation tomorrow with a representative of Standard & Poors. He reminded the Council of the August, 2000 loan debt; and the need to build a new fire station. He discussed the potential of finding an alternate location on the upper level of McVicker Park. MAYOR PRO TEM METZE ARRIVED AT 2:25 P.M. City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that if the Council is interested, staff can contact the fire station for a report with regard to alternate designs, time tables and costs. Mayor Kelley indicated that she was very interested. Councilman Pape concurred it is time to proceed. City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that staff will be starting the budget process right away so there will probably be several study sessions. Mayor Kelley inquired if the Council could have a goals and objectives session prior to the budget to allow Council to set its own goals. She stressed the need for a study session to get them out and start to accommodate their goals in the budget. Mr. Watenpaugh noted the inclusion of a copy of the 1997-98 goals statement for information and concurred that it might need to be revised. Councilman Pape suggested that based on this year there may be more potential for bringing back programs and services. Mr. Watenpaugh noted that returned dollars could be used, but one time dollars should be used for one time costs. Councilman Pape suggested that staff look at addressing the parks a little at a time. Mayor Pro Tem Metze inquired if staff was comfortable with starting to move forward with the fire station. Mr. Watenpaugh indicated that he was willing to sit with the fire department and get anticipated costs, alternate plans and discuss other matters. Mr. Metze indicated that he would like to see it started now. Mr. Watenpaugh indicated that he would report back on these issues. Mayor Kelley inquired whether a date was planned for the goals and objectives session, suggesting March or April, after a new Councilmember has been appointed. There was general discussion of possible dates for study sessions. Mrs. Kelley requested that each Councilmember come to the goals session with specific ideas or goals in mind. Mayor Pro Tem Metze noted that many of the goals will carry-over from prior approvals. Mr. Watenpaugh concurred, noting that goals such as revising the Municipal Code and General Plan are ongoing. Mr. Metze indicated that it would not be fair to staff for the Council to add too inany new goals or change the existing ones. Mr. Watenpaugh concurred that new legislation may ha~e a bearing on the direction. Mayor Kelley noted that a lot of information had been presented for the Cour.c.i.l to digest and consider. She indicated that when the Council is whole a,gain and :;ets goals things will be great. Councilman Pape questioned responses from the developers of North Peak a~zc~ Cottonwood Hills. Mr. Watenpaugh indicated that he has not had dis: L3ss?ons with them directly, but they are aware of the need for more funding. Councilman Pape inquired if Pardee was looking at removing the business development from its PAGE FOUR - CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION - JANUARY 27,1999 plan. Mr. Watenpaugh indicated that it is currently in the plan, but there is the potential that they will change the plan. Mayor Pro Tem Metze inquired if there was funding available for Captain Walsh's special programs, such as gang enforcement. Mr. Watenpaugh indicated that was a matter which needed discussion to allow for annual increases in public safety. He commented that the Police department is doing an excellent job and he would see continued support of their programs to ensure the quality of life. Mr. Metze concurred that they do an excellent job. He inquired whether the staff had any concerns with the direction of the Council and noted his efforts to limit the directions staff is pursuing. Mr. Watenpaugh indicated that the staff is professional enough to bring any concerns forward for Council direction. City Treasurer Knapp question the reason for considering a new location for the fire station, when so much is wrapped up in the existing piece of property. Mr. Watenpaugh explained that this was a suggestion of the Fire department so they could provide better service to a larger area. He further explained that the recommendation would be to move to a yet undecided building site, possible on the upper portion of McVicker Park. Mr. Knapp indicated that he could not iinagine such a change with the money already expended. Mr. Watenpaugh clarified that the original design is out and a newer more functional design would be considered. Chris Hyland, 15181 Wavecrest Drive expressed hopes that the press would clarify this issue and the reasons for the possible change. She stressed the need for the West End Fire Station noting that a lot of people have been waiting for that station for years. Mayor Kelley concurred that this was an excellent point. City Manager Watenpaugh concurred that it was a good point that it would be important to bring out the reason for the change, and indicated that point would be made when it comes to the Council far consideration; possibly at the 2"d meeting in February. Mayor Kelley expressed appreciation for the comments from the audience. ADJOURNMENT THE CITY COUNCIL STLIDY SESSION WAS ADJOURNED AT 2:50 P.M. ~ E KELLEY, MAYOR OF LAKE ELSINORE AT'g'~;S"f: ~ ~-~z~ VIi,KI KASAD, CITY CLERK Ci'TY OF LAKE ELSINORE