HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-11-2014 City Council Minutes Special MeetingCITY` of ,�,
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Tuesday, March 11, 2014
City of Lake Elsinore
Meeting Minutes - Final
Special City Council Meeting
CALL TO ORDER - 4:00 P.M.
4:00 PM
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
LAKE- ELSINORE.ORG
(951) 674 -3124 PHONE
CULTURAL CENTER
183 N. MAIN STREET
LAKE ELSINORE, CA
92530
PRESENT: Mayor Johnson, Mayor Pro Tem Memos, Council Member Hickman, Council
Member Magee, and Council Member Tisdale.
Also present: City Manager Yates, City Attorney Leibold, City Clerk Bloom, Administrative
Services Director Simpson, Lakes, Parks & Recreation Director Kilroy, Community
Development Director Taylor, Interim Public Works Director Eskandari, Police Chief
Kennedy- Smith, Police Chief Hollingsworth, Fire Chief Barr, and Deputy City Clerk Gir6n.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
DISCUSSION ITEM
Cultural Center
ID# 14 -032 Fiscal Year 2013 -14 Mid -Year Operating Budget Status Report - General
Fund
Staff recommends that the City Council review the Fiscal Year 2013 -14 Mid -Year
Operating Budget, proposed adjustments and provide direction to staff for formal
consideration by the City Council at the regularly scheduled City Council
meeting.
City Manager Yates stated that the Mid -Year Budget overview was to ensure that revenues
and expenditures were tracked from the adopted budget in June 2013. Staff has worked
closely with the Budget Subcommittee, Mayor Johnson, Council Member Magee, and City
Treasure Baldwin. The goal of the budget workshop is to educated the Council and
community as to the City's current fiscal situation and create a solid foundation.
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Special City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final March 11, 2014
Administrative Services Director Simpson provided an overview of the 2013/2014 operating
budget and explained its process. The budget expenditures within the mid -year budget are
prioritized in accordance to Council's goals and will continue implementing the public safety
goals that Council has set. Director Simpson reviewed general fund revenues and
appropriations and stated that staff will work toward appropriation reductions; a five -year
financial projection of all funds; a capital improvement plan that identifies projects; and a wish
list of items.
Treasurer Baldwin stated that the City's budget is complex and that staff is working to remodel
and refine the budget to make Council's goals effective.
Council Member Magee thanked Administrative Services Director Simpson and finance staff
for their thorough work. He stated that Director Simpson was prompt and detailed when
responding to questions from the Finance Subcommittee. Council Member Magee stated that
Mayor Johnson chose to hold this study session to allow full vetting to Council and the public.
Council Member Magee explained that it is Council that sets goals and objectives for
expenditure of funds. Council relies on the City Manager and staff to execute their goals and
objectives and spend money within the time period assigned, so that projects may be
delivered in a timely manner.
Mayor Pro Tern Manos thanked Administrative Services Director Simpson for the overview of
the financial analysis and trends and asked if there was any indication of the percentage
increase for police and fire services. City Manager Yates responded that a 5% increase is
minimal over the next several years and that there will also be costs for a new radio system.
Mayor Pro Tem Manos asked if the increase is going be absorbed. Director Simpson
responded that it has not been analyzed yet. City Manager Yates stated that every budget
year the Fire and Police Departments budgets determined are at top step, so there is play
built into the budget. Mayor Pro Tern Manos asked if staff was going to spend time analyzing
the City's franchise taxes and fees. City Manger Yates responded in the affirmative. Mayor
Pro Tern Manos stated that he was in favor of stream lining the structure of the budget to
make it more transparent.
Council Member Hickman stated that the City will reduce the general fund budget to reduce
the deficit. City Manager Yates explained that under this mid year budget the City cut
$100,000 from the fire and police without it affecting services. Council Member Hickman
stated that the City permit fees are extremely high and cautioned staff to take that into
consideration because that revenue will eventually end.
Council Member Magee stated that Director Simpson will embark upon joining the Building
and Safety permit issuance to the assessed value of said property, as well as ensure that the
City reports the permit activity and increased assessed value to the Tax Assessor. The City
loses money by not reporting changes in property value. Council Member Magee stated that
people who demolished their house continue to receive a tax bill for a single family home that
once existed on said property.
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Special City Council Meeting Meeting Minutes March 11, 2014
Mayor Johnson stated that the Finance Budget Subcommittee discussed the budget being
more transparent for both Council and the public. Mayor Johnson commended Director
Simpson for his work.
Treasurer Baldwin commented on the $738,000 for Animal Control and asked if there was any
softness. City Manager Yates responded that Council Member Tisdale has a great plan to
address issues and concerns regarding the $738,000 budgeted for Animal Control. Council
Member Tisdale stated that some of the Animal Shelter expense is bond debt that the City
cannot do anything about. The City pays 26% of the Animal Shelter becasue of the City's
animal population. Council Member Tisdale stated that the City needs to decrease the
number of animals in shelters. He is on the committee with South Coast Finance Authority
and will try to figure out how the City can work on fees and marketing to encourage people to
do the right thing with their pets.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 4:42 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting to
be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Cultural Center located at 183 N.
Main Street, Lake Elsinore, California.
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