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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJUNE 10,1978 CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK I ROLL CALL DANCE PERMIT BUDGET HEARING <:~ll \ \J I 23:9536 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JUNE 10, 1978 The City Council of the City of Arcadia, California, met in an adjourned regular session on June 10, 1978 at 8 a.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. PRESENT : ABSENT: Councilmen Gilb, Margett, Pellegrino, Saelid, Parry None On MOTION by Councilman Gilb, seconded by Councilman Margett and carried on roll call vote as follows a dance permit was approved for the Embers Restaurant at 650 W. Duarte Rd. subject to all conditions imposed on such permits. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Gilb, Margett, Pellegrino, Saelid, Parry None None CONTINUED ---- Prior to hearing from the public on the proposed 1978-79 Budget Councilman Saelid commented in part that he would like to receive input from those in the audience as to their observations concerning City functions such as the Dial-a-ride program, contribution to HOY (Help our Youth) and the Juvenile Diversion Program, Chamber of Commerce contribution, the Diamond Jubilee contribution. These types of things are discretionary on the part of the City Council and he would like to hear from the public. Councilman Gilb added the possibility that the City Council will be considering hour restrictions for the Library. Mayor Parry stated in part that the City will lose somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,200,000 and perhaps close to $1,900,000; that a lot depends on what happens to the $700,000 which is the City's pro rata share of the 1% of the property tax "post Jarvis".. that as of now it is unknown if the Governmental Agencies will return part, all or none.. that the City Council is now considering ways and means of reducing the budget and/or increasing some revenues. The public hearing remains open and the following statements relating to the budget are summarized. ALL OF THESE PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK. William J. Peters, 245 W. Wistaria Avenue, submitted written recom- mendations for reducing the budget (on file in the office of the City Clerk). His figure amounted to $903,000 and covered reductions in most of the departments. In response to questions Mr. Peters said in part that the Diamond Jubilee should be self-supporting, that any decisions concerning contributions to the Chamber of Commerce should be left open at this time; put the Library activities more on a self- paying basis. He also felt the traffic signals are too costly and asked if there is a real need for the proposed multi-purpose playfield. He also felt the subscriptions to periodicals could be reduced and copies shared among the departments - also cut back in printing and perhaps put out the Newsletter only occasionally. Herb Fletcher, 175 W. Lemon Avenue, stated in part that he objects to the sources of income to the City being placed in categories... that it doesn't matter from what source.. that it all belongs to the people anyway. He reiterated his former position that State Gas Tax funds should be used at the discretion of the City - however it was brought 6-10-78 - 1 - ,~ ~COmnrnE \? 23:9537 to his attention by Councilman Saelid that such a change requires a vote of the electorate. Mr. Fletcher also made reference to the money to be saved by the Utility Companies as a result of Proposition 13 " and felt it should be saved until such time as the Public Utilities Commission makes a determination as to its use. He felt the money the City is going to spend on the proposed multi-purpose playfield could be better used in other areas. He did favor the. Dial-a-Ride program and suggested a lesser amount of money be spent on median maintenance. Rene Topalian, 110 W. LeRoy Avenue, submitted a written recommendation and alternative revenue sources (on file in the office of the City Clerk). Not covered in this written recommendation were suggestions that the fee for overnight parking be doubled; the utility tax could be increased but to exclude those over 64... double the fees for I recreational activities. He did not favor a property transfer tax... and as to support for the Juvenile Diversion activity he did not know what will happen to that at this time. RECESS Richard Young, 1279 Oakglen Avenue, submitted what another City is doing in endeavoring to reduce its budget and suggested in part that City founctions should be reevaluated and go from there... he felt the fewer the employees the easier it would be to control those on the job... there should be a fluidity in the use of employees.. interchange of administerial and clerical personnel. He also submitted that he did not feel the people have received full value for what they have been paying in property taxes. Mrs. Cay Mortenson, 805 Balboa Drive, opposed charging a fee for the use of the Library. She read a Resolution adopted by the Council of the California Library Association urging opposition to any initiation of user fees for basic Library services which would discourage the use of the libraries particularly by the under served and the under- privileged. Mrs. Mortenson also read a statement from the State Librarian concerning policy on fees which set forth that public libraries may not charge for basic library services to those who are taxpayers. A legal opinion has been requested from the Attorney General by the State Librarian. Mrs. Mortenson asked consideration of these statements and submitted that the local library may have increased usage due to the fact that the Temple City Library is closing and that Monrovia will have shorter hours. If indeed the library hours must be reduced in Arcadia shefult the morning hours would be best with perhaps a couple of the evenings. Bill Speck, 300 E. Norman Avenue, felt the reduced hours would place a hardship on the high school students who can only use the facility during the evenings. Dave Powell, 911 Victoria, stated in part that the Council members have been elected; that they face a most unpleasant task and wished the Council good luck in its endeavor. I John Selmer, 55 E. Arthur Avenue, said at least 65 percent of the residents have library cards... the national average is 10 percent. Allan Huber, 210 N. Altura Rd., said in part that it would be worthwhile for the City to look into the operations of the Cities within the County which do not have a property tax. He also felt an increase in recreation fees would be reasonable and legitimate. Mary Pounds, 43 El Dorado, hoped any cuts would not fall on the library services and she had confidence in the City Council. Joseph Sargis, 1611 Highland Oaks Drive, said in part that he feels the mandate of Proposition 13 falls more on the Federal, State and County agencies rather than on the services of the City.. that if an 6-10-78 - 2 - .. I )~ ADJOURNED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION RECONVENE HIRING . ) FREEZE r ~,) BUDGET I REDUCTIONS APPROVED I~ 23:9538 informal poll were taken of the local residents he feels they would not be looking for a reduced level of services but would probably expect a grea~ level of services than they have now and that if there were some way to increase the fees for some services they would be more than willing to bear the additional expense to maintain the quality of living here. Councilman Pellegrino read an urgency legislative request from State Senator H. L. Richardson concerning restructuring the way in which the property taxes are collected and disbursed so that a community may collect all property taxes from within its own jurisdiction and then pass on to the County for instance an amount equal to the property related services furnished by the County to a community. This was discussed in part. No one else desiring to be heard at this time the public hearing was CONTINUED TO JUNE 13 at 7 p.m. The City Manager then presented his recommended reductions in the proposed budget for 1978-79. He said these may be reconstructed in any way the City Council may see fit. He submitted ways in which revenue could be increased, i. e., building permit fees could be increased so the charges would equal the service rendered.... and others..... in order to meet the anticipated deficit of $1,200,000. During these considerations discussion was held on some of the recommended reductions which the City Council will continue to review. The Departmental recommendation for reductions are as follows (report on file in the office of the City Clerk). City Council $ 2,700 Po lice 111,156 City Manager 16,476 Fire 82,938 Economic Development 675 Public Works 34,850 City Attorney 844 Recreation 15,100 Finance 11,988 Library 120,000 Planning & Building 22,862 Redevelopment 11 , 800 Personnel 4,130 Revenue Sharing 79,650 General City 132,685 Capital Projects 259,450 (Executive session and luncheon) The City Council reconvened at 1:15 p.m. On MOTION by Councilman Margett, seconded by Councilman Saelid and carried o~ roll call vote as follows a hiring freeze was imposed. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Gilb, Margett, Pellegrino. Saelid, Parry None None The City Council then considered the staff recommendations for reductions by departments and took action as follows: CITY COUNCIL CITY MANAGER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REDUCTIONS $2,700 16,476 675 On MOTION by Councilman Gilb, seconded by Councilman Margett and carried unanimously the above were APPROVED. At this point it was Councilman Saelid's observation that at budget time next year it is his hope that the budget is laid out in terms of meaningful program budgets. CITY ATTORNEY' $ 844 This reduction was APPROVED on MOTION by Councilman Margett, seconded by Councilman Pellegrino and carried unanimously. 6-10'-78 - 3 - 1~ 23:9539 FINANCE DEPARTMENT $11,988 This was APPROVED on MOTION by Councilman Margett, seconded by Councilman Gilb and carried unanimously. At this point Councilman Gilb submitted in part that it is possible the cost of Data Processing will be reduced due to more cities in the program and improved computer operations. PLANNING & BUILDING $22,862 This was APPROVED on MOTION by Councilman Gilb, seconded by Councilman Margett and carried unanimously. PERSONNEL $ 4,130 I On MOTION by Councilman Margett, seconded by Councilman Pellegrino and carried unanimously this reduction was APPROVED. GENERAL CITY $110,185 This was APPROVED on MOTION by Councilman Pellegrino, seconded by Councilman Margett and carried unanimously. POLICE $111,156 On MOTION by Councilman Saelid, seconded by Councilman Margett and carried unanimously this reduction was APPROVED. FIRE $ 82,938 This was APPROVED on MOTION by Councilman Saelid, seconded by Councilman Margett and carried unanimously. PUBLIC WORKS $ 34,850 On MOTION by Councilman Margett, seconded by Councilman Pellegrino and carried unanimously the Public Works proposed reduction was APPROVED. RECREATION $ 15,800 This was APPROVED on MOTION by Councilman Gilb, seconded by Councilman Pellegrino and carried unanimously. LIBRARY $120,000 Vera Wykidal, 1718 S. Second Avenue, spoke in opposition to charge for library services - that it would cost more for its administration - she did feel reducing the hours the Library is open is reasonable; that the City Council should assume a wait-and-see attitude as to future demands of the library services. Leo Briceno, 526 W. Huntington Drive, Library employee, suggested a fee be imposed for the use of the Lecture Room. I This reduction in the Library proposed budget was APPROVED on MOTION by Councilman Gilb, seconded by Councilman Pellegrino and carried unanimously. REDEVELOPMENT $ 12,415 APPROVED on MOTION by Councilman Gilb, seconded by Councilman Pellegrino and carried unanimously. REVENUE SHARING $ 58,542 (This category includes the contribution to Juvenile Diversion and 6-10-78 - 4-- ADDITIONAL REVENUE I ~:""O.; ?J ADJOURNMENT TO DATE CERTAIN I 23:9540 Councilman Saelid will check into the expenses and report back.) Dial-a-ride was also discussed and it will also be considered later. It was MOVED by Councilman Gilb, seconded by Councilman Margett and carried unanimously that this particular item be APPROVED. CAPITAL PROJECTS $259,450 APPROVED on MOTION by Councilman Gilb, seconded by Councilman Margett and carried unanimously. The City Council reviewed the recommendation of the City Manager on proposed additional revenue sources. Some discussion held on increasing the admissions tax and also perhaps a parking tax. During this consideration R.McKinley of Santa Anita Race Track said in part that they would also like to share in the benefit of the property tax reduction, but would be willing to do more than its share in the City's defense. He asked the City Council to present him with a minimum and maximum figure and they would work with those figures. The City Council responded with $171,000 as a minimum figure and $250,000 maximum. Mr. McKinley expressed concern that the City might be reluctant to back off from the increased tax should it receive revenues from sources it is not now aware of .. although there would be sufficient funds to meet the budget.. especially since it would take a 2/3 vote of the people to increase taxes however the track would still have the increased tax to pay although the City would not need it. The meeting adjourned at 5 p.m. to June 13, 1978 at 7 p.m. in the Conference Room when further consideration will be given to budget reductions and/or additional revenue sourCGQ_ ~P7 ATTEST: ~7i City Clerk 6-10- 78 - _5 -