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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJUNE 30,1978 I I PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL C !VIC CENTER LIGHTING (JUL Y 18) SENIOR CITIZENS PROGRAM GRANT ACCEPTED ~v / {!;\ ' . _'1,,/ ORDINANCE NO. 1633 Utility 'Users Tax NOT ADOPTED! ORDINANCE NO. 1645 Utility Users Tax ADOPTED l?: if / 23:9577 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JUNE 30, 1978 The City Council met in an adjourned regular session on June 30, 1978 at'6 p.m. in the Arcadia City Hall Council Chamber. Director of Public Works, Chester Howard PRESENT: ABSENT: Councilmen Gi1b, Margett, Pellegrino, SaeIid, Parry None This item will be on the July 18 agenda. The City Council was advised on the proposed contract between the City and the County Area on Aging to implement the proposed Title III Program administered through the Federal Administration on Aging of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW). Funds have been made available to the City and the Grant is now before Council for consideration - $31,750 per year would be available to the City and it would be used for information and referral and case management services to senior citizens. The proposed program was detailed for Council in a report dated June 23, 1978 and has been reviewed and approved by the Senior Citizens Commission with some modification. It was MOVED by Councilman Margett, seconded by Councilman SaeIid and carried on roll call vote as follows that the Grant be accepted as modified and that the Mayor be and he is hereby AUTHORIZED to execute' the Agreement in form approved by the City Attorney. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Gilb, Margett, Pellegrino, Sae1id, Parry None None The City Attorney presented for the second time, explained the content and read the title of Ordinance No. 1633 entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AR.CADIA AMENDING SECTIONS 2671, 2671.1, 2671.2 AND 2671.3 LEVYING A UTILITY USERS TAX ON THE USAGE OF TELEPHONES, ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER FOR USUAL CURRENT EXPENSES OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA." (It was noted that this ordinance proposes to increase the tax by 1% - making the tax 6%. It is currently 5%) The City Attorney then presented for the second time, explained the content and read the title of Ordinance No. 1645 entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA AMENDING SECTIONS 2671, 2671.1, 2671.2 AND 2671.3 LEVYING A UTILITY USERS TAX ON THE USAGE OF TELEPHONES, ELECTRIC ITY, GAS AND WATER FOR USUAL CURRENT EXPENSES OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA." (It was noted that this proposed ordinance would increase the tax by 2% making the tax 7%. It is currently 5%.) Councilman SaeIid stated in part that he is concerned about financing in years to come. He referred to a breakdown of city revenues during the past fiscal year and felt it is the duty of the City Council to 6-30-78 -, - 1 - .' tlo \ 23:9578 do everything it can to provide for the fiscal soundness of the city in the future. He noted the projected:cost of living increase and submitted statistics which indicate that at the end of one year the City would have revenues of 103.54% of what it had this year.. that if the utility users tax were increased 2% over the present 5% it would bring that figure to 104.17% or 4.17% increase against a cost of living increase of as much as 7%. That even with the 7% the City would not be balancing its books in terms of being able to pay for the services that it will be providing or that it is now providing with a balanced budget this year. It was also noted by Counc.lman Saelid that the San Gabriel Valley Association of Cities, as well as the League of California Cities and the various cities will be working at the State level to bring about some tax reform to see that this type of thing doesn't happen again... I He submitted that the ordinance could be rescinded by a majority vote of the Council but it would be good sense to provide for the City's future and if funding is forthcoming from State so much the better. He would support the ordinance calling for 7%. In response to an inquiry from the audiance he said in part that this is the first time the capital improvement projects funds have gone into the operating budget.. that the city has remained free from bonded indebtedness in terms of capital improvements by using admissions tax.. he would like to see revenues come into the City so that once again monies could go into necessary capital projects. Councilman Pellegrino made a public apology to Councilman GiIb for not being able to follow through on his oral commitment to vote Aye on the increase on behalf of Mr.,GiIb; that due to the many telephone calls, conversations with others a nd his own conscience he could not vote for an increase in this tax. As a result Mr. Gilb had to make last minute arrangements to attend this meeting. He would like to see any form of taxation be placed on the ballot and let the people vote. Councilman Margett said in part that he has felt the utility users tax was fair and equitable... that a reserve should be in the budget in order to provide for the service the people are expecting and are entitled to. He would support the increase to 7% (Ordinance 1645). Councilman GiIb commented in part that he left Bakersfield at 5:15 p.m. and was able to reach here at 6 p.m. He referred to what other cities are charging - Pasadena 7%, Carson 14%. He also noted that the City Council adopted an exemption ordinance whereby single persons with an income of less than $5000 and married couples with incomes of less than $7500 were and are exempted from this tax. He felt any funds emanating from the State will have so many strings attached that the City will not be operating itself. Mayor Parry questioned why the utility users tax should be increased in order to maintain financial solvency.. he felt that something is going to happen to bring about order in the apparent present situation on a State level... he has confidence that the cities are not going to die. That perhaps after the November election some additional funds may be forthcoming from the State.. especially with pressure from the League of California Cities, all other agencies and juris- dictions.. He could not support the increase. I It was then MOVED by Councilman Gilb, seconded by Councilman Margett and carried on roll call vote as follows that the full reading of the text of Ordinance No. 1645 be waived. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Gilb, Margett, Pellegrino, Saelid, Parry None None It was further MOVED by Councilman Gilb, seconded by Councilman 6-30-78 - 2 - I~ ADJOURNMENT 1 1 ,-.':- ,'. 23:9579 Margett and carried on roll call vote as follows that Ordinance No. 1645 be and it is hereby ADOPTED. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen GiIb, Margett, SaeIid Councilmen Pellegrino, Parry None (Councilman GiIb commented - in answer to an inquiry from the audience during these deliberations - that if he retired after 5 years on the Council he would receive $13 per month as a pension.) The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. to Wednesday July 5, 1978 at 7 p.m. in the Confernce Room. ~~P-~ Mayor , ATTEST: ~Ji,.,~~ ~ 6-30-78 - 3 -