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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 091179MINUTES - ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting September 11, 1979 7:30 p.m. Atascadero Administration Building The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Wilkins with the Pledge of Allegiance. Reverend Rollin W. Dexter of the United Methodist Church gave the invocation. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmen Highland, Mackey, Nelson and Mayor Wilkins ABSENT: Councilman Stover PUBLIC COMMENT 1. Howard Marohn suggested that the Council establish A card system which would allow members of the audience who wished to speak on any agenda item to fill out interest cards. The Mayor could then organize the discussion; he felt that this would also encourage public participation. 2. Manford Vanderlip stated that the Atascadero Board of Realtors had voted to donate $400 to the City for the pur- chase of an overhead projector and screen to assist the Council and Planning Commission in their visual presentations. He presented the ' check for $400 to Mayor Wilkins. The Mayor thanked the Board of Realtors for their generous donation and assured them that this equip- ment would be very useful to the Council and Commission. ' A. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes of the regular meeting of August 27, 1979 (RECOMMEND APPROVAL) MOTION: Councilman Mackey moved for the approval of the minutes. The motion was seconded by Councilman Highland and unanimously carried. B HEARINGS, APPEARANCES AND REPORTS 1. Appearance of Dr. Hazel J. Jones, President, San Luis Obispo County Symphony Association requesting financial support from City Dr. Jones reviewed the function of the Symphony Association in the County. She stated that the Symphony depends on contributions in order to operate and has been successful in the past in securing funds from cities in support of the Symphony. She asked the Council to consider a $500 contribution. Council did not feel that they were in a position, at this time, to make a contribution to the ' MINUTES ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting - September 11, 1979 ' Page Two Symphony; however, they encouraged people to support the Symphony individually. Mayor Wilkins thanked Dr. Jones for her presentation. MOTION: Councilman Highland moved that no action be taken on this request. The motion was seconded by Councilman Mackey and unanimously carried. C. UNFINISHED BUSINESS ' 1. Consideration of a City retirement system program Mayor Wilkins stated that Council was in receipt of a memo from the City Manager outlining various retirement program options. Mr. Warden had recommended contracting with Public Employee' Retire- ment System for employee retirement benefits. There was considerable discussion regarding this matter with comments from Fire Chief Don Sylvia. The Fire Department will be transferring to PERS at the end of September. MOTION: Councilman Highland moved that Council adopt the PERS- only option as outlined in Mr. Warden's memo. The motion was seconded by Councilman Mackey and unanimously carried. Mr. Warden stated that the City would contact PERS and a contract proposal would come back to Council for their approval, 2. Review of 1979-80 Budget ' Mayor Wilkins reviewed Mr. Warden's memo which sat forth a. pro- posed plan to start operating various departments in the City. There were comments and questions from Lon Allen, Mike Lucas and Howard-Marohn. Councilman Mackey had several questions which Mr. Warden responded to. ' Mr. Warden emphasized that the budget was a plan only and, if adopted, could be changed by the Council at any time. He stated that he would not be transferringfunds within departments from one account to another to cover expenditures without Council approval, however, he may seek that authority at a later time. Mr. Grimes stated that State law does not require a general law city to have a budget, therefore, no public hearing is required to adopt a budget; however, Council may wish to hold a public hearing. Mr. Warden said that, although.State law does not require a budget, if MINUTES - ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting; September 11,.1979 Page Three 0 the City does not adopt one the Staff must come for approval for each and every expenditure before that expenditure can be made. This process is cumbersome and would not allow the City to take advantage of cash credits for paying bills on time. The adoption of a budget allows Staff to work within the budget without Council approval for individual matters. Mr. Warden said,that the 'City Attorney had submitted some items to be included within the budget which amount to $1200. He will provide Council with details. Council members agreed that a public hearing to adopt the pro- posed budget will be held on October 8, 1979. E. INDIVIDUAL DETERMINATION AND/OR ACTION 1. City Council (a) Mayor Wilkins stated that he, Councilman Mackey, Mr. Warden and Mr. Grimes would be out of town on September 24th, which is the next regular meeting date of the Council. They will be attending the Annual Conference of the League of Cali- fornia Cities. He asked if Council wished to set another meeting day or cancel the second meeting in September. Councilman Highland was in favor of cancelling the meeting as long as there were no pressing issues to be decided upon. Councilman Mackey and Nelson were in favor of holding the meeting on September 26th. MOTION: Councilman Highland moved that the next regular meeting of the City Council be cancelled. The motion was seconded by Mayor Wilkins and failed on the following roll call vote AYES: Councilman Highland and Mayor Wilkins NOES: Councilmen Mackey and Nelson ABSENT Councilman Stover Councilman Mackey discussed committees, i.e., Zoo Committee, Public Safety Committee and Alternate Energy Committee. She stated that she had had numerous calls from individuals interested in working on committees. She requested Council authorization to begin setting up guidelines and charges for these committees. MINUTES - ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting September 11, 1979 Page Four There was considerable discussion regarding a Public Safety Department as opposed to a Police and Fire Department. Mr. Warden stated that he was researching this matter and would be-visting,a public safety department in the near future He would try to get an analysis of this issue to Council as soon as possible. MOTION: Mayor Wilkins moved that Council adjourn their September 24th meeting to Wednesday, September 26th. The motion was seconded by Councilman Nelson and carried with Councilman Highland voting no. Councilman Nelson asked that the public safety department matter be on the next Council agenda so that discussion on the alternatives can begin. (b) Councilman Nelson brought up the matterofthe cars for sale in the street in front of the Safeway parking lot. Councilman Highland stated that there was nothing the City could do until they took over traffic enforcement in Atascadero. Councilman ' Nelson also mentioned the problems withtrafficin the Mall area. Mr. Warden stated that if specific problem times could be logged, he could contact the Highway Patrol or Sheriff's deapartment in an attempt to increase patrol times during periods of special concern. (c) Councilman Nelson p brought u the recent vandalism at g the Zoo and wanted to discuss what could be done to insure the animals' safety. Mr. Gayle, who works at the zoo, stated that he only has one man working four days a week. He said if he could get volunteers to help with trimming and other things around ' the zoo:, he would really appreciate it. Another problem is security during the night. Council members discussed this and Councilman Highland stated that the service clubs in Atascadero were looking for a joint project some time ago and perhaps working with Mr. Gayle would be a good project. Mayor Wilkins appointed Councilmen Mackey and Nelson to work on the zoo problem and secure volunteers to help Mr. Gayle. 2. City Attorney ' Mr. Grimes had nothing to report. 3. City Manager (a) Mr. Warden stated that a lady at the last Council meeting had expressed her desire to attend the League of California Cities solar workshop. She had subsequently requested MINUTES - ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting September 11, 1979 Page Five that the City pay her expenses to this workshop. He asked if Council wished to authorize this expenditure. Councilman Mackey stated that she had talked with the individual and she would be riding with Council- man Mackey and pay her own registration, so no City expenditure would be made, other than Councilman Mackey's expense. (b) Mr. Warden reminded the Council that the County Land Use Element meeting would be held September 18, 1979, at 7:00 p.m. in the Lewis Avenue School.` (c) Mr. Warden requested an executive meeting to discuss possible litigation. Mayor Wilkins adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m. and stated that no announcements would be made after the executive meeting. Recorded by: MURRAY L. WARDEN, City Manager a, x x�� By: Ardith:Davis Deputy City Clerk