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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-15-1998 City Council Study SessionMINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 130 SOUTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA TUESDAY, DECEMBER 151998 ..............R. D....ER ....................... ..............................1 CALL TO O The Regular City Council Meeting was called to order by Mayor Pape at 11:10 a.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Deputy City Clerk Bryning led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: BRINLEY, KELLEY METZE, PAPE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ALONGI Also present were: City Manager Watenpaugh, Assistant City Manager Best, Administrative Services Director Boone, Community Development Director Brady, City Engineer O'Donnell, Community Services Director Sapp, Recreation and Tourism Manger Edelbrock, Public Works Manager Payne, Building and Safety Manager Russell and Deputy City Clerk Bryning. PUBLIC COMMENTS — AGENDIZED ITEMS None. DISCUSSION ITEM 25th Year /CDBG Allocation Study. (F:84.2) City Manager Watenpaugh explained that annually City Council has a Study Session to make a review of the requests for the Community Development Block Grant Funding. He noted that the City of Lake Elsinore is not an entitled Agency and therefore gets a portion of the funding based on population, through the County of Riverside. He stated that the City would receive $197,000 this year and of that 15% can be spent of public service programs with the balance on public works project. City Manager Watenpaugh stated that three years ago Community Services Director Sapp worked out an arrangement with the County to allow the City of Lake Elsinore to apply for the extra cap from other cities that did not utilize their funding for public service programs, allowing the City to spend $57,130 this year PAGE TWO — STUDY SESSION — DECEMBER 15, 1998 and the balance of $140,000 on public works projects. He indicated that there were six applications submitted amounting to $220,000. He explained that within the staff report there was a graph, showing what has been requested, what is suggested and what was funded in the previous year. Community Services Director Sapp indicated that Don Butenshon from HOPE and Marian Edwards from the Assistance League of Temecula Valley (Operation School Bell) were present. City Manager Watenpaugh noted that the Lake Elsinore Historical Society applied for funding, however they do not qualify under the criteria necessary for CDBG funding. Mayor Pape questioned the amount of funds for the Senior Center. He stated that at the last meeting the City requested $30,000 from the County, but he thought it was $38,000. City Manager Watenpaugh explained that in previous years the City had requested $30,000, however this year the City is requesting $38,000. Councilman Metze commented on Item 1 a, Section B and stated that he would like to see a Councilmember sitting on the Committee which will identify the specific locations in the downtown area for curbs, gutter, sidewalk construction and replacement. He explained that Council is approached by the citizens to have their areas addressed more often than staff. Community Services Director Sapp explained the location being proposed. Mayor Pape asked if there were specific sites or areas targeted and if it was for new construction or repairs. Community Services Director Sapp stated that it is for both. City Manager Watenpaugh explained that the requirement is for total replacement or new construction and the funds can not be for repair. Mayor Pape questioned Item 1 f, and asked if this was going to be for the structure abatement or general violations, compliance and structure abatement. Community Services Director Sapp indicated that this would be for structure abatement. City Manager Watenpaugh explained the amount of funds used last year and the need for this program. Councilman Metze asked how well the program is working. City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that it is very effective. Councilwoman Brinley asked how many buildings were abated this year. Building and Safety Manager Russell stated that Code Enforcement has demolished 15 units at 283 North Main Street, 2 PAGE THREE — STUDY SESSION — DECEMBER 159 1998 buildings and an out building at 801 W. Graham Street and there are four others waiting in line for funding. Councilwoman Brinley asked how many were scheduled for demolition this year. Building and Safety Manager Russell stated that he had four waiting to be demolished. Councilwoman Brinley asked if the City recoups the money spent on these demolitions. Building and Safety Manager Russell explained that it is done through a cost recovery program and is done through tax liens. City Manager Watenpaugh asked if the City has recouped any dollars. Building and Safety Manager Russell stated that the City has recovered some of the money spent. Councilwoman Brinley asked how much. Building and Safety Manager Russell indicated that The City has received $7,000 to date. City Manager Watenpaugh asked how the budget was doing for structure abatement. Building and Safety Manager Russell stated that they have been very careful so it is O.K., and they have been working from CDBG funds to facilitate more abatement. Councilman Metze asked if the funds would be sufficient for all four. Building and Safety Manager Russell stated that he does not have enough funds for all four and gave an overview of the costs. Councilwoman Brinley asked how much money the City would recoup from these abatements. Building and Safety Manager Russell indicated that the City would recoup the entire amount. He explained the recovery process for the funds and noted that the longest it would take is 5 years; and then the property would be sold through a tax lien. He indicated that the most recent properties that have been demolished have been commercial and because of their value, the property owners will pay the costs to preserve ownership. Mayor Pape asked when the money from the CDBG would be available. Community Services Director Sapp stated that the funds are available July 1st. Councilwoman Brinley stated that Operation School Bell and HOPE are deserving of assistance and noted their efforts for the community. Councilman Metze stated that he is happy that the City can increase the amount for these organizations. Mayor Pro Tern Kelley asked what percentages of the children receiving services are from the City. Ms. Edwards, Assistance League of Temecula Valley, explained that the numbers are down for the Lake Elsinore area. She further explained that they do not have exact numbers because they cannot ask for addresses in protection of privacy, however they can use zip codes. She noted the wonderful cooperation they receive from the schools. Councilwoman Brinley asked if the program still offers all new clothes. Ms. Edwards indicated that they offer the children all new clothing, which consists of 3 full outfits, a backpack and school supplies, underwear and socks, one PAGE FOUR — STUDY SESSION — DECEMBER 15,1998 sweater and one jacket per child. Councilwoman Brinley questioned the availability of a jacket if they outgrow the one that they are given. Ms. Edwards stated that they can receive clothes up to two times a year and they have never turned a child away. Councilwoman Brinley stated that she felt this was a very good program. Mayor Pro Tern Kelley stated that being a schoolteacher she has had the opportunity to see the program in action and noted what a good thing this does for the students. Mayor Pape clarified that final consideration would be presented at the first meeting in January. City Manager Watenpaugh confirmed. Pastor,Butenshon gave an overview of the functions of HOPE and explained that poverty has not diminished, but rather grown and the service level of HOPE has increased. He noted an article in the Press Enterprise for September 7, of a field poll, which showed a high number of people who live in poverty in the State of California. He further noted a study done by the schools and their findings show that 20% of the students come from homes, which live in poverty or just above the line of poverty. Pastor Butenshon stated that he is being asked all the time if the Welfare System is doing their job, and he stated that for those who are low income it does not offer much help. He stated that it is training that is most needed throughout the State, and until the State develops better job training there is going to be an ongoing probleh --with ^poverty: City Manager Watenpaugh stated that this item would be presented at the January 12, 1999 City Council Meeting as proposed. Pastor Butenshon asked what amounts would be awarded this year. Mayor Pape stated that both HOPE and Operation School Bell would be receiving $3,565, which is up from last year. ADJOURNMENT THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 12:09 P.M. VIN W. PAP ,MAYOR ITY OF LAKE ELSINORE AT TES ADRIA L. BRYNIN , DE U CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE