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Home My WebLink About12-16-1999 City Council Study Session MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 183 NORTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1999 ****************************************************************** CALL TO ORDER The City Council Study Session was called to order by Mayor Brinley at 10: 10 a.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City Manager Watenpaugh. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: KELLEY, P APE, SCHIFFNER, BRINLEY ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS,: METZE Also present were: City Manager Watenpaugh, Assistant City Manager Best, Administrative Services Director Boone, Community Development Director Brady, Community Services Director Sapp, Police Chief Walsh, Building & Safety Manager Russell, City Treasurer Ferro and City Clerk Kasad. DISCUSSION ITEM A. 26th Year Community Development Block Grant Allocation - Fiscal Year 2000-2001. (F:84. 2) . City Manager Watenpaugh explained that this is an allocation from the federal government, which is passed through by the County. He noted that the full allocation is not eligible for use by service organizations, with only about $30,000 of the $200,000 allocation available for public services. He noted that some of the requesting organizations were present for input. Community Services Director Sapp indicated that this year seven applications were received for about $220,000, while the total allocation will only be about $200,000. He detailed the applications received and the staffs recommendations. Mayor Brinley questioned the impact of proposed cuts on the Senior Citizens' Center. Mr. Sapp indicated that the reductions were being reviewed for alternatives and staffing levels, which would be addressed during the budget process. PAGE TWO - STUDY SESSION MINUTES - DECEMBER 16, 1999 City Manager Watenpaugh clarified that the total requested funds were $251,800. Florence Pebley, representing the Assistance League of Temecula Valley, _ explained Operation School Bell. She stressed that the program does not allow for self-referral, but does work closely with the school principals for referral. She advised that upon referral, each student receives two complete outfits of clothing, new shoes and a jacket in winter. She stressed that the program builds self-esteem by allowing the students to pick their own clothing. She further stressed the need in Elsinore, noting that they will cloth 400 children in the Lake Elsinore area. She noted that the extremely needy receive clothing twice in the year. - Mayor Pro Tern Pape commented that he had the opportunity to tour the facility and noted that they do great work. Councilman Schiffner questioned the 400 Lake Elsinore students vs. the total population they serve. Ms. Pebley indicated that the 400 were nearly half of the children they serve, noting that in the coming year they anticipate serving over 1,000 students. Councilwoman Kelley noted that she was personally aware of this program because it had helped children in her classes, and stressed the difference the program makes in the lives of the 'children. Mayor Brinley concurred that she also was aware of the children helped by the program and stressed that the students walk away with their pride and self-esteem intact. - Pastor Don Butensohn, representing HOPE, noted that the Lake Elsinore area has one in five families living below the poverty level, commenting that this statistic has even caught the attention of the County Supervisors. He further noted that the Supervisors want to funnel additional dollars into the area. He indicated that he was elated with the recently discussed proposal for a citizens' committee and suggested that they first study ways to better serve the low-income population. He expressed concern that the candidate speeches had not addressed how to provide services for the "down and out". He stressed the concerns associated with poverty and indicated that he would like the Council to consider an ongoing Ad Hoc Committee to deal with these issues. Mayor Brinley noted RTA's previous assistance provided to HOPE in getting a van for their use, and noted efforts over the last 18 months by R T A to address the "welfare-to-work" issues. She also noted that HOPE is a wonderful organization and thanked them for their efforts in the community. - Pastor Butensohn noted that HOPE is proud of their success and will continue to seek ways to improve their service to the community. He also noted that they are aware of the problem of dollars going to bigger cities instead of smaller cities like Lake Elsinore. PAGE THREE - STUDY SESSION MINUTES - DECEMBER 16, 1999 Mike Studebaker, representing the Emergency Cold Weather Shelter Program, expressed understanding of the difficult decisions on how to split the $30,000 for public services, and thanked the Council for the opportunity to apply for the funding. He indicated that from their perspective they would like to come to the community and provide assistance to the community; even on the welfare-to-work and homeless issues. Eliza Daniely- Woolfolk, representing Alternatives to Domestic Violence, noted that their organization did not receive funding last year and did not apply last year, but they are now finding that they are seeing more individuals from Lake ~lsinore. She noted that they provide assistance through shelters, child-care facilities, and counseling to assist individuals in putting their lives back together. She noted that most clients in Lake Elsinore fall into the low-income status, noting assistance they c-an provide in cooperation with HUD. She detailed the assistance provided to Lake Elsinore clients and provided statistics for the area. She noted that Domestic Violence is not just a women's issue, and requested the Council's consideration. - Councilman Schiffher questioned the division of funds based on the funds available. Mr. Sapp clarified the diVIsion between public works project and public services. Councilman Schiffher commented that all of the projects and programs are admirable and expressed his wish that there was enough to fund all of the programs. He noted that he would prefer to put some of the public works dollars toward public services. He further noted that he would rather see the funds for HOPE and Operation School Bell increased, rather than decreased. City Manager Watenpaugh further clarified the division and funds, noting that the County retains a portion of the administration dollars. Community Services Director Sapp noted the option of granting less support to the Senior Center. - Councilwoman Kelley noted that this is always the worst meeting of the year because there are never enough dollars to go around and she would like to support them all. She inquired if the streets, curbs, gutters and sidewalks to be addressed had been identified. Mr. Sapp indicated that they had not yet been designated but would be in the area between Chaney Street and the Avenues. City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that the Council would be making those decisions during budget review, as the funds would not be available until July. Mrs. Kelley addressed the Code Enforcement requested and expressed hopes that it would assist in doing away with the criminal element. She expressed sorrow that there was not more money for another agency, but noted that she could see the need for funds for the Senior Center. Mayor Pro Tern Pape noted that every year there are more requests for good programs that exceed the funds allocated. He questioned the Code Enforcement program and inquired if the entire amount is applied to structures and if there was a list of proposed structures. Councilwoman PAGE FOUR - STUDY SESSION MINUTES - DECEMBER 16, 1999 Kelley questioned a structure on Riverside Drive. Building & Safety Manager Russell indicated that there is a priority list of structures, however the structure on Riverside Drive has new owners who indicated they are planning to develop the property. He noted that they have even ptlrchased an adjacent property to provide access to the building. City Manager Watenpaugh suggested that staff could provide the Council with the priority list of structures. - Mayor Pro Tern Pape further questioned the funds going to structure abat.ement. Mr. Russell clarified and stressed that the funds cannot be used until July. He advised that the small properties like MountainlLake would be addressed in the next series of abatements. Mr. Pape further questioned the ability to use the funds in advance of July. Mr. Russell stressed that the funds cannot be expended until the authorization is received for-July 1 st. Mayor Brinley concurred with the Council's wishes for more money to give out. She indicated that she would be working with Pastor Butensohn regarding an advisory committee to address the issues discussed. She noted that the City is working hard to obtain increased funding in future years. She thanked the applicants for their participation in the process and looked forward to working with them in the future. ADJOURNMENT - THE CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION WAS ADJOURNED AT 11:05 P.M. ATTEST: ~4L~ITYCLERK CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE - MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 183 NORTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1999 ****************************************************************** The Lake Elsinore City Council Meeting regularly scheduled for this date was cancelled, as a quorum of City Council Members was not able to attend. AT-TEST~ . (:"- ... QJJL~ \ VICKI KASAD, STy CLERK CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE -