HomeMy WebLinkAboutJANUARY 26,1993
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CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY
CLERK
ROLL CALL
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CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS
FINANCING
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MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING (~ORK SESSION)
JANUARY 26, 1993
The City Council met in an Adjourned Regular Meeting (Work
Session) on Tuesday, January 26, 1993 at 5:38 p. m. in the City
Hall Council Chambers, Conference Room.
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Ciraulo, Lojesk'. Margett and Fasching
Councilman Harbicht (arrived at 5:40 p. m.)
On MOTION by Mayor Fasching, seconded by Councilman Margett and
CARRIEO, Councilman Harbicht's absence was excused.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
S. H. ~en, 2176 Highland Vista Drive. Mr. ~en, President of the
Arcadia Chinese Association spoke on behalf of the association
to request Council's permission to allow the Chinese Association
free use of the Community Center for two of their functions each
year; the Intercultural Night, and the Chinese New Year's Eve
luncheon for City employees. As background information, Mr. Wen
related the Chinese Association was founded eleven (11) years
ago. Since that time they have quietly worked for the benefit
of the community in an effort to bridge the gap between the two
cultures. Each year for the last five years they have paid to
send two caucasians to Taiwan and occasionally on to Hong Kong
to study their cultural and educational systems. They have
donated books to the City Library; each year a full scholarship
is offered to an Arcadia High School student; a $3,000 donation
was given to the Arcadia Bond Committee to support the school
bond issue. The Chinese Association, Mr. ~en noted, works very
closely with the Arcadia Police Department on Chinese family
problems. Other activities were mentioned also. Mr. ~en stated
in part, they are not looking for any type of reward for their
activities on behalf of the City and School District, they need,
he said, encouragement and recognition from the City and
therefore request use of the Community Center without charge for
the Intercultural Dinner and City employee luncheon.
Mr. Bill Reynolds and Ms. Robin Rappaport, representing
Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette Securities Corporation, were in
attendance to present a capital improvement financing program as
an additive to the presentation of Mr. Rod Gunn on November 24,
1992. The City Manager noted that, if Council should determine
to undertake a financing plan for the Library expansion, Fire
Station construction and the mall parking lot he would like to
put together a team that would consist of Rod Gunn and Donaldson,
Lufkin and Jenrette as the City's underwriters and financial
advisors.
Ms. Rappaport began ,the alternative financing presentation and
stated in part that they had put together a structure to explain
why this type of financing is in the best interests of the City
versus a pay-as-you-go plan using City reserve funds. They will
also show the Council, through their financial analysis, the end
result of the savings the City could achieve through the issuance
of bonds rather than using City reserves. The financing plan
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2.
COMPUTER
AIDED
DISPATCH
SYSTEM
(Police &
Fire Dpt's)
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3.
MID-YEAR
BUDGET
REVIEW
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4.
TRANSIENT
OCCUPANCY
TAX INCREASE
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will work only if the projects are financed at a time when tax.
exempt interest races are low and City reserve funds are earning
an income greater than the interest on the bonds. Mr. Donaldson
and ~s. Rappaport proceeded through their report in detail, as
outlined in their booklet previously distributed to the Council.
Questions and discussion followed to enhance the presented
information, centered on the question of whether or not to
finance the three projects or expend reserve funds. No Council
action was taken.
The staff report was presented by Fire Chief Gardner and Police
Chief Johnson. Implementation of the Police and Fire Computer
Aided Dispatch and Management Information System will result in
a c .~ificant cost savings of funds previously programmed in the
Cae ;1 Improvement Budget for the two departments. The proposed
sys _..J is essential in providing and maintaining existing public
safety service levels. Staff noted that the proposed system is
one of the very limited uses allowed for which asset seizure
funds may be spent under federal law. The Police Department has
identified a cost savings of approximately $99,500 in future
expenditures that will be eliminated from the Capital Improvement
Program for fiscal years 1993 through 1996 if the Computer Aided
Dispatch (CAD) System is implemented. The Fire Department
originally allocated $347,250 in the Capital Improvement Program
(CIP) for FY 1994-95 for the purchase of a stand alone computer
aided dispatch system for the 9-1-1 Center. The proposed CAD
system is a more cost effective joint police/fire computer system
that will satisfy all computer requirements for police and fire, .
and the communications center. The Fire Department's share of
the cost for the proposed CAD system is $262,500. ,he balance
will be funded with asset seizure funds.
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Once the CAD system is implemented the City will be ,.. a position
to aggressively pursue the feasibility of contracting dispatch
services to surrounding jurisdictions. Discussions are currently
underway with an adjacent city, and a second city has indicated
interest in paying Arcadia to provide dispatch service. This
could result in annual revenues of $50,000, if implemented,
according to staff. The police department is also exploring the
potential for a regional information network. Additional savings
in staff time with the proposed system are anticipated. The
implementation of a public safety CAD system is significant and
will improve service to all Arcadia residents and businesses.
In support of the purchase and installation of the CAD system,
Council directed staff to place the item on the February 2, 1993
regular City Council meeting for action at that time.
The Director of Finance provided Council with a City Financial
Report for the mid-year FY 1992-93 budget review and ~rought the
Council up-to-date on the current fiscal year budget and a
projection of next year's budget. Also an up-date of revenue cuts
to the City by the State of $470,000, which was less than
anticipated, and another cut related to SB 90 of $60,000 The
City was able to make up these cuts through increased revenues
and decreased expenditures. :ncreased cuts to cities are
anticipated for FY 1993-94, according to staff.
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In the discussion of an increase of the City's Transient
Occupancy Tax from a% to 10%, the Director of Finance reported
that a recent staff survey supports the contention that a 10%
hotel-motel transient occupancy tax is competitive with cities
of similar makeup in this area. Arcadia's present 8% tax rate
was implemented in 1986 and an increase to 10% is a realistic
rate, according to staff. The City Manager noted that he will
attend the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting on
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SCHOOL
DISTRICT
RENOVATION/
CITY
UTILITY
TAX
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5.
COMMUNITY
CENTER
USE POLICY
REVISIONS
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6.
LOJESKI
(Wilderness
Park Bridge
Rail)
FASCHING
(City's 90th
B'day
Celebration)
C/ "\, ..,:
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CLOSED
SESSION
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,
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
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January 28 and present this issue for their information and
comments. The increase of the Transient Occupancy Tax to 10%
will be placed on the City Council agenda for formal approval in
30 days, according to staff.
Staff reported a communication had been received from James
Bryant, President of the Arcadia School District Board of
Education. The School Board requests a meeting with the City
Council to discuss the possibility of the District sharing in the
City's utility tax revenues in order to address their facilities
renovation needs. Council suggested a letter be drafted to the
School Board explaining the City is facing certain revenue
decreases, and also point out the many ways in which the City
currently assists the District. The City Attorney advised the
letter should also point out that there are some very serious
jurisdictional legal questions of whether the City would be
crossing over into the decision process of a completely separate
entity. Further, there could be possible violations of what is
known as the Serrano cases, which restructured school financing.
The City Attorney noted that he has informed Mr. Bryant of these
issues, however, it may be good to reiterate this in a response
to the School District board.
The Community Center opened in July 1991 and an interim set of
policy guidelines for City and Community use were instituted.
On January 21, 1992 the City Council adopted the existing
"Arcadia Community Center Use Policy and Fee Schedule". Based
on eighteen months of actual center usage, with fee reservations
having been booked for one year, staff has recommended changes
to the policy and fee structure which clarify policies and will
allow for greater use by qualifying organizations without
creating unfair competition with local businesses.
The City Council considered the proposed revisions to the
Community Center policies and fees and considerable discussion
ensued. The former policy listed as a Priority III usage, a use
charge for groups using the Center for fund raising events. This
in addition to charges for setup, supervision and clean-up. It
was the consensus of the Council that the $200 use fee for fund
raising activities be left in the usage policy and fee schedule.
Also the usage policy will include City retirement dinners for
employees.
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
Staff informed Councilman Lojeski that County Flood Control
repaired the railing of the bridge at Wilderness Park.
The Methodist Hospital Foundation is planning a 90th Year City
Anniversary celebration and inquired if the City has any plans
to celebrate this same event? Mayor Fasching commented that
Council might give this some thought. He will bring the matter
up at the next Council meeting on February 2.
The City Attorney announced that, "we will have a closed session
under Government Code Section 54956.8 to discuss the potential
acquisition of property at 301-311 East Santa Clara, concerning
our negotiations on that property, with David Serros of Western
Security Bank. We'r.e facing a deadline so we have to have a
closed session tonight".
At 8:43 p.m. the City Council ADJOURNED to a CLOSED SESSION,
RECONVENED AND ADJOURNED at 9:07 p.m. to Tuesday, February 2,
1993 at 7:00 p. m. in the Conference Room of the City Hall
Council Chambers.
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