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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJUNE 30,1970 1 1 CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL BUDGET (Salary agreements) ( POLICE) (FIRE) 18:7660 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JUNE 30, 1970 The City Council of the City of Arcadia, California, met in an adjourned regular session in the Council Chamber of the Arcadia City Hall on June 30, 1970, at 7:30 P.M. Councilman C. Robert Arth PRESENT: ABSENT: Councilmen Arth, Considine, Rage, Helms, Butterworth None The City Manager explained that negotiations have taken place with both the police and fire organizations; that an oral agreement had been reached with the representatives of the police. The contents of the proposed agreement were not revealed inasmuch as the member- ship had not been informed of the proposal. It was pointed out by the City Attorney that Council could not adopt in the budget an agree- ment which had not been made public. Whereupon the following action was taken which would provide for later adjustments relating to police and fire salaries. It was MOVED by Councilman Arth, seconded by Councilman Helms and carried on roll call vote as follows, that the previous staff recommendation for police salaries be APPROVED and EFFECTIVE July 1, 1970, subject to some increase in the event that management and the police organization reach a signed agreement by July 6, 1970. Mayor Butterworth explained the intent of the motion: that management has recommended salaries .as follows: 7~% increase which would place salaries for policemen at $942, Sergeants at $1,090, lieutenants at $1,203 and captains at $1,296; that these salaries are being approved and adjustments will be made if management and the police organization reach a signed agreement by July 6 which will be presented to Council at its regular meeting of July 7. He then called for roll call vote on the motion. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Arth, Considine, Hage, Helms, Butterworth None None The City Manager advised that there was also a tentative oral agreement with the fire organization and recommended following the same procedure as with the police organization. It was MOVED by Councilman Helms, seconded by Councilman Hage that the previous staff recommendation for fire salaries be APPROVED and EFFECTIVE July 1, 1970, subject to some adjustment in the event management and the fire organization reach a signed agreement by July 6. Mayor Butterworth explained the intent of the motion: that management has recommended salaries (based on the average salary of the 16 cities used as a benchmark) as follows: firemen 7~% $919, engineers 10% $1,038, inspector 12~% $1,064, captain 10% $1,145, batallion chief 10% $1,264, dispatcher 7~% $702 subject to a signed agreement by July 6 for presen- tation to Council at its July 7 regular meeting. He then called for the roll call vote on the motion: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Arth, Considine, Rage, Helms, Butterworth Councilmen None None - 1 - 6-30-70 ADDITIONAL REVENUE 18:7661 Richard Mauch, 2500 South Santa Anita Avenue, President of the Police Relief Association, introduced the attorney for the organization. Ronald Liebow, 6404 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, stated in part that along with representatives of the police organization he had met with the City Manager and the Personnel Director and a tentative agreement had been reached, which is thought will be beneficial to all concerned. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to negotiate which had been made possible by Council granting an extension of time in which to meet and confer. He then referred to a portion of Proposition 2 which en toto would repeal, amend, revise and renumber various provisions of the Constitution relating to local government. 1 His reference was to the possibility of retroactive pay for duties already performed - all with relation to salaries if the agreement is not signed until after July 1. The City Attorney responded in the negative, commenting that Council could not approve retroactive payment. Don Morgan, a 24 year employee with the fire department, asked if the averages calculated on the basis of the 16 benchmark cities included Ell. The City Manager answered that they are included in considering any education and incentive program or stability payment by this or any other city. Discussion ensued on the difference of $209,919 between anticipated revenue and expenditures as reflected in the preliminary budget for 1970-71. The difference was brought about by changes made during budget study sessions and salary increases higher than anticipated. The City Manager summarized adjustments as set forth in his communi- cation dated June 29 and his recommendation of same date for the adoption of a utility users tax of 5 percent. He noted that almost all of the Charter Cities have adopted such a tax which has much greater potential and growth flexibility than does an addition to the property tax because it grows almost as rapidly as the sales tax as consumption and rates both increase. He also noted the threat of State preemption. He mentioned the various projects on which Council could proceed using the utility tax as a means. Councilmen Arth and Considine felt that the entire amount should not be raised through a utility users tax, but a portion should be placed on the property tax where property owners could recognize its purpose... that a utility tax is the same as raising property taxes. Councilman Hage stated in part that the fact that State could preempt the City in this field has altered his thinking - that originally he had also felt a portion should go on the property tax...but based on the possibility of preemption he had changed his mind and would be in favor of a 5% utility tax. The City Manager stated in part that there is a Bill before the Legislature at this time to impose a 5% tax on private utilities including telephone, gas, electricity and private water companies; that if enacted into law it would freeze Charter Cities which had not adopted the utility tax or who had adopted a utility tax less than 5%. 1 Councilman Arth submitted that 5% would raise $468,000 - equivalent to 33~ on the property tax - that if a 5% utility user tax were adopted (to which he is opposed) it would appear to him to be incumbent upon Council to lower or make a proportionate decrease in the property tax. He spoke in terms of a 13~ reduction. Due to the many variables involved it was the consensus of a majority of Council that it would be in order at this time to adopt a utility users tax in principle - that the 5% could always be reduced inasmuch as there could not possibly be any revenue until after October. 6-30-70 - 2 - 1 .1 ORDINANCE NO. 1415 (Utility Tax) ADOPTED " \.' " .... 18: 7662 Whereupon the City Attorney presented, explained the content and read the title of Ordinance No. 1415, entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE .CITY OF ARCADIA AMENDING CHAPTER 6 OF ARTICLE II OF THE ARCADIA MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING THERETO PART 7 RELATING TO A UTILITIES TAX." It was MOVED by Councilman Helms, seconded by Councilman Hage and carried on roll call vote as follows, that the reading of the full body of Ordinance No. 1415 be WAIVED and that same be ADOPTED. Councilman Considine stated for the record that he could not approve an ordinance for a 5% utility users tax simply to attain a tax position, without a corresponding reduction by ordinance in the property tax. Mayor Butterworth concurred in general, and stated in part that it becomes incumbent upon Council to, at a later date, consider reducing concompetently the property tax. He then called for the roll call vote on the stated motion. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Hage, Helms, Butterworth Councilmen Arth, Considine None MOTION CARRIED ON A 3 TO 2 VOTE Councilman Arth explained his negative vote - that it was predicated on the fact that in his opinion an additional 33~ tax is being placed on residents without a firm commitment to them -- that the amount it will raise is over and above normal budgetary needs and it is without concurrent commitment to reduce other taxes. Mayor Butterworth observed that based on his previous statement concerning the matter he had voted AYE. RESOLUTION The City Attorney presented, explained the content of Resolution No. NO. ~. <//</3 5043 and read the tit Ie, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY (Salarie~) OF ARCADIA, RE-AFFIRMING THE OFFICIAL SALARY STEP SCHEDULE FOR THE.' VARIOUS POSITIONS IN THE CITY EMPLOY, ASSIGNING SCHEDULE NUMBERS TO ADOPTED SUCH POSITIONS, AND ALTERING AND ADJUSTING THE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM COMPENSATION FOR VARIOUS POSITIONS IN THE CITY EMPLOY, AND AMENDING ALL PRIOR RESOLUTIONS TO CONFORM HEREWITH." The City Attorney recommended its amendment to include previous action establishing salaries for the police and fire organizations (this would delete salaries as indicated on page 23 of said resolution under the Public Safety Series and substitute the salaries announced from the chair and adopted by minute motion earlier in this meeting). Councilman Helms MOVED FOR SAID AMENDMENT. Motion seconded by Councilman Hage and carried on roll call vote as follows: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Arth, Considine, Hage, Helms, Butterworth None None Resolution No. 5043 as AMENDED was then ADOPTED on MOTION by Councilman Helms, seconded by Councilman Hage and carried on roll call vote as follows: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Arth, Considine, Rage, Helms, Butterworth None None 6-30-70 - 3 - 18:7663 RESOLUTION NO . 5@<14 'I/<IY The City Attorney presented, explained the content and read the title of Resolution No. 5044, entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA AMENDING SECTION 3(a) AND SECTION 4(a) OF THE (Vacations,etc)PERSONNEL RULES, RELATING TO VACATION AND SICK LEAVE." ADOPTED BUDGET MOTION TO REDUCE TAXES TABLED RESOLUTION NO. ~ '/IJI.,- AS AMENDED ADOPTED It was MOVED by Councilman Ar'th, seconded by,Councilman Considine and carried on roll call vote as follows, that the reading of the full body of Resolution No. 5044 be WAIVED and that same be ADOPTED. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Arth, Considine, Hage, Helms, Butterworth None None 1 Prior to taking action on the proposed budget for 1970-71 Mayor Butterworth stated in part that with the permission of Councilmen Hage and Helms, he would like to restate their position in voting for the utility users tax; that no one likes to be part of a body which puts in a new tax even with a 3-2 vote. He referred to the difference in the revenue gap ($209,919) which has to be met by some additional taxation...that there is no choice in the matter; that in view of the 94~ levied by the County and the enormous property tax levied by the School District a utility tax seems more likely to him than increasing the property tax, along with the fact that there is reason to believe if it were not adopted at this time the City could be preempted by the State from ever levying a utility tax. That there would be some dereLiction of duty on the part of Council if it did not adopt the tax inasmuch as this is a Charter City. Councilman Considine stated in part that the revenue gap could have been closed by placing 15~ on the property tax - that instead a 5% utility users tax has been levied which will raise the equivalent of 33~ on the property tax...that in his opinion Council should have, in the same action, moved for a reduction of property tax to correspond to the difference rather than have what is going to be the equivalent of 19 or 20 additional funds which will simply go into capital projects or increase the city coffers at the expense of taxpayers solely for the purpose of preventing the State from preempting the City. He then MOVED that the property tax be REDUCED 15~ to compensate for the increase to taxpayers due to the utility tax. Councilman Arth SECONDED the MOTION. Following discussion and to provide time for staff to prepare tabulations the matter will be.ta01ed....... until the next regular council meeting. The City Manager recited all adjustments and revLsLons, after which Councilman Hage MOVED to AMEND the preliminary budget for 1970-71 to reflect all additions and changes as set forth by the City Manager. Motion seconded by Councilman Helms and carried on roll call vote as follows: 1 AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Arth, Considine, Rage, Helms, Butterworth None None Whereupon the City Attorney presented, explained the content and read the title of Resolution No. 5045, as AMENDED, entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1970-71". It was MOVED by Councilman Arth, seconded by Councilman Hage and carried on roll call vote as follows, that the reading of the full body of Resolution No. 5045 as amended be WAIVED and that same be ADOPTED. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Arth, Considine, Rage, Helms, Butterworth None None 6-30-70 - 4 - 1 1 APPOINTMENTS ADJOURNMENT 18:7664 Councilman Hage placed in nomination the name of as a member of the Arcadia Beautiful Commission. appointment to the Library Board is expiring. Mrs. Ernest Mortenson Mrs. Mortenson's Councilman Hage placed in nomination the name of Robert A. Huddy as a member of the Planning Commission. Both nominations were seconded by Councilman Arth. The nomination motion was carried unanimously with the exception of Councilman Helms who abstained from voting on the Planning Commissioner due to his professional relationment with the appointee. Councilman Considine then placed in nomination the name of Leonard McKenzie for reappointment to the Recreation Commission. Nomination seconded by Councilman Arth and carried unanimously. ),1('1 At 9:30 P.M. the. meeting adjourned sine die. fL4f I W~ Mayor City Clerk " 6-30-70 - 5 -