HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 083094 - Special MtngApproved as Submitted
Meeting Date: 09/27/94
ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
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AUGUST 30, 1994
The Mayor called the special meeting to order at 4:40 p.m. in the Club Room, 4th
Floor, City Administration Building. Present were Councilmembers Carden, Highland,
Johnson, Luna and Mayor Bewley. Also present were Andy Takata, City Manager,
Henry Engen, Community Development Director, Micki Korba, City Treasurer and Lee
Price, City Clerk.
PURPOSE OF MEETING:
The City Council met to interview thirteen applicants for the City's Planning
Commission and to review and study the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 1994-94.
MEETING HIGHLIGHTS:
1. PLANNING COMMISSION INTERVIEWS AND APPOINTMENTS
The City Council interviewed the following thirteen applicants: Rush Kolemaine, Paula
Ingram, Patrick Dempsey, Allan Weaver, Rita Fernandez, Sid Bowen, Alfred Clark,
Michael Messer, George Schroff, Thomas Jespersen, Robert Johnson, Roger Miller
and Timothy O'Keefe. Following the interviews, the City Council made their selection
by ballot. Commissioner Robert Johnson was re -appointed to a four-year term.
Former Planning Commissioner Roger Miller was also selected to serve a four-year
term. Applicant Michael Messer was chosen to serve the remaining one-year of the
term left vacant following the death of Commissioner Jim Berger. Upon motion duly
made and seconded, Resolution No. 89-94 was adopted formalizing the appointments.
2. FISCAL YEAR 1994-95 BUDGET STUDY SESSION
City Manager Andy Takata presented the overall budget message and recommended
adoption. He suggested that the City Council conduct another study session at a later
date (possibly October or November) to look at the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP),
consider other revenue source enhancements and review existing service levels.
Department Heads present included Brad Whitty, Finance Director; Brady Cherry,
Community Services Director; Henry Engen, Community Development Director; Mike
McCain, Fire Chief and Bud McHale, Police Chief. Other staff present included Bill
White, Paula Anton, Tom Jamason, Brian Sword, Mark Markwort and Valerie
Humphrey. Individual departmental budgets were reviewed, as follows:
Police Department:
Chief McHale reported that the department is understaffed and emergency dispatch
equipment is in serious need of updating. The City Manager mentioned that these
items will need to be addressed when the Council studies service levels. Chief
McHale also noted that despite the fact that the department paid approximately
$19,000 this past year in booking fees, the proposed budget line item amount is
$10,000.
Leo Korba, 10905 Santa Ana Road, asked why not be realistic and put enough money
into the Police Department's budget to cover the cost of booking fees.
Fire Department:
Chief McCain noted that the Fire Department was in need of equipment replacement
and indicated that his first priority would be, if funding was available, a replacement
for the brush truck. The Fire Chief provided an overview of programs and pointed out
that the weed abatement program is very cost-effective.
Community Development Department:
Henry Engen provided an overview of staffing levels and proposed additions to the
Wastewater Operations Budget. In addition, he presented a status report on the Dial -
A -Ride program. Councilman Luna suggested that contracting for engineering services
be reviewed at the proposed future budget study session.
Community Services Department:
Brady Cherry stressed that the Recreation and Zoo Divisions are providing revenue for
the City. He explained that although he was anticipating a balanced budget for the
zoo, some assets are presently being sold. He added that he is negotiating with the
San Luis Obispo County Zoological Society for a $50,000 subsidy, but was not
certain if this amount could be secured. Lengthy discussion ensued regarding the zoo
including ways to enhance usage. Staff emphasized that there are legal and moral
obligations associated with caring for the animals and maintaining its' accreditation
status. The City Manager pointed out that no exhibit expansions are planned and
advised that it may be necessary to look at eliminating some of the exhibits to cut
costs.
Lindsay Hampton, 8402 Alta Vista, commented that zoo admission fees are very
modest and suggested that consideration be given to increasing them. Councilman
Johnson recommended that staff prepare a review of rates with other comparable
zoos.
Dialogue regarding street maintenance followed. Brian Sword, Streets Supervisor,
responded to questions regarding deteriorated streets and the City's street
maintenance program. He explained that there are several streets that need
reconstruction and street overlay projects have been postponed for four years because
of budgetary restraints. Delayed repair, he added, presents severe drainage problems
in some areas.
Councilman Luna noted that recent additions of streets into the City -maintained
system has increased the burden and asserted that a program for street maintenance
must be adopted with a clear time -line informing citizens when they can expect their
streets to be re -surfaced.
Councilman Highland asserted that it appears that the City is losing sight of the three
driving forces behind the City's incorporation in 1979: Police services, fire services
and road maintenance.
Discussion ensued regarding recreation programs. Councilman Luna remarked that he
was not supportive of subsidizing revenue neutral programs with General Fund
monies, especially in light of the needs in the Police and Fire Departments. He
suggested that this area be studied in-depth. Andy Takata emphasized that programs
must be evaluated in terms of not only if they produce revenue, but if they are
effective in other ways. He noted that many youth programs provide appropriate
activities for children who may otherwise become involved in criminal activities and
some programs, like swimming lessons, provide necessary public safety services.
Finance Department:
Brad Whitty answered brief questions regarding the accounting software maintenance
and liability insurance.
Community Group and Non -Departmental Funding:
Councilman Johnson suggested that the Council consider awarding any funding until
projections come through at mid -year. Councilman Luna spoke in favor of approving
staff's recommendation of approximately $10,000. He added that one-half of the
proposed figure is for the North County Womens' Shelter and pointed out that this
program may be responsible for diverting some of the Police Department costs.
By consensus, the City Council approved community group funding as proposed by
staff.
Councilman Luna suggested that staff approach the Atascadero Chamber of
Commerce and the San Luis Obispo County Visitors' & Conference Bureau to seek a
commitment to promote the zoo. Andy Takata reported that the Chamber was
already doing that and indicated that he would follow-up with the Visitors' Bureau.
Councilman Luna proposed that an additional $100 be awarded to the Long -Term Care
Ombudsman Services Program of San Luis Obispo County. By mutual consent, the
City Council approved the amount of $100 for the Long -Term Care Ombudsman
program.
Andy Takata mentioned that formal adoption of the budget was scheduled for the
Regular City Council meeting of September 13, 1994.
AT 10:45 P.M., THE SPECIAL MEETING WAS ADJOURNED. THE NEXT MEETING
OF THE ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL WILL BE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1994
FOR PURPOSES OF INTERVIEWING APPLICANTS FOR THE COMMUNITY SERVICES
FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND FOR THE PARKS & RECREATION
COMMISSION. SAID SPECIAL MEETING WILL CONVENE AT 4:30 P.M. IN THE CLUB
ROOM.
MINUTES RECORDED AND PREPARED BY:
LEE PRICE, Ci Clerk
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