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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMAY 21,1991 I I o/lb- ~ 0<;;,:)1 '11 33:0122 CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE O~FICE OF THE CITY CLERK P.D.PROMOTION (Lt. Rudy Blum) BUDGET REVIEW 03J(.'.,:;n l~ql-'1d. OVERALL PROPOSED BUDGET M I NUT E S CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA and the ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING (BUDGET REVIEW) MAY 21, 1991 The City Council and the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency met in an Adjourned Regular session at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 21, 1991, in the City Hall Council Chambers. The primary purpose of this meeting was to Feview the proposed Operating Budget for FY 1991-92. The City Council convened with all members in attendance' as follows: " " . . PRESENT: Councilmembers Ciraulo, Fasching, Harbicht, Young and Gilb ABSENT: None Chief of Police Neal Johnson announced that Sergeant Rudy Blum has been promoted to Lieutenant, and then introduced Lt. Blum with the applause of the Council and audience. On May 2, 1991 the proposed Operating Budget was submitted to the City Council for study. As proposed, the FY 1991-92 budget totals $46,778,178 as compared to the 1990-91 adopted budget of $43,164,338. The increase of nearly $3,613,800 represents an increase in Capital Improvement Programs, ~he' ) Ci ty' s insurance funds, and an approximate 5% increase', in proposed expenditures in the General Fund. Mayor Gilb called the Budget Review session to order. Council proceeded through the proposed budgets and directed comments and questions to staff. A summary of the discussion follows: In reference to the FY 1991-92 proposed budget, Councilmember Harbicht noted that the $22,092,000 in proposed expenditures represents an increase of 5% over last year's actual adopted budget which included the salary increases. The City Manager commented that the only salaries included in the budget under consideration are the Public Works ASHE two-year contract salaries. Also not included are the estimated costs for increased medical and dental insurance. Further, on" .the revenue side, the increased fees and charges for Planning, Building and Public Works are not in the FY 1991-92 budget figures either. In response to Councilmember Harbicht's question, the City Manager replied that if a 5% across-the- board salary increase was approved, this would represent approximately $687,000. Moreover, if the City were to pick up 100% of the projected increase in medical/dental costs, that figure would amount to $337,000 for a total increase in the budget of $1,000,000 plus. This, Councilmember Harbicht noted is a 10% rather than a 5% increase. over last year's budget. The City Manager stated, in part, that when the salary increases are added to this budget and the additional potential revenue sources, the shortfall in the General Fund 1 5/21/91 / 33:0123 could be reduced to a range of $177,000 to $620,000 depending on the amount Council allows for salary increases and health benefits. Further, this amount can comfortably be handled by the General Fund reserve funds. The reserve account balance is approximately $4 - 4 1/2 million, which has accumulated over the years due to monies that are budgeted but not expended, and unanticipated revenues. In the discussion Councilmember Harbicht expressed concern that many cities are having financial problems ... we are in a recession, yet this Council is looking at a budget that is approximately 10% over last year's operating budget. Further, shouldn't Council set the amount to be spent and then allocate the funds rather than going through the proposed budget piece- by-piece and then totalling it up, which produced a shortfall. I Also, referring to the Equipment Replacement Fund, Councilmember Harbicht agrees that the plan to fund this account for future equipment replacement expenditures is an excellent idea, but the fact that this fund will be tapped this year is what will keep the revenue shortfall lower ... or in the $340,000 to $780,060 range. Councilmember Fasching stated, in part, that some of the shortfall could be taken out of the General Fund Reserve account. The nearly,$246,000 operating budget for the Senior Citizen Center is new and reflects an increase in the Recreation Department budget. Further, based on what the City Manager stated, the' funds budgeted are usually not fully expended ... Councilmemer Young commented that she would like to have a conservative budget that would not require using reserve funds. Further, the County and State have increased the fees they charge the cities and the City has to be prepared to pay these charges... More discussion ensued related to the possible 10% increase in the operating budget which appears that the City is overspending. Mayor Gilb noted that 80-85% of the budget is in salaries and medical/dental benefits. Councilmember Harbicht asked his colleagues if they "wanted to look at a 10% increase in spending?" Councilmember Young said she did not. Councilmember Fasching stated he would rather get through the whole budget review and then take up that subject. Mayor Gilb stated, in part, that although some cities are cutting back, Arcadia has some revenues that other cities do not have; Arcadia is not in debt; he does not want to cut back on services because the funds are available to pay the type of people that are employed by the City; Arcadia does not need to cut back on the development of the City just because other cities are doing so. The City should continue to be run in a first-class fashion... Councilmember Ciraulo commented that he would like to go through the budget review, then look at the overall picture again at that point. In response to Councilmember Ciraulo's concern of the potential reduction in revenue from Santa Anita Race Track, the City Manager replied that revenues generated from the track are almost never used for the City's operating budget. If the downturn in the economy continues, less equipment will be purchased but the operating budget of the City would not be directly affected. In reference to the race track, it was noted that Mr. King of Santa Anita said, in a worse case scenario, the revenues could be down $100,000 to $200,000. Councilmember Fasching commented that Santa Anita is considering other uses for the race track during the year when there is no racing to better utilize the facility and supplement any loss of income. This would also bring additional revenue to the City, he added. Council then began going through the budget sections. I 2 5/21/91 CITY ATTORNEY I ELECTION NEWSLETTER NUISANCE ABATEMENT WE TIP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I FINANCE DEPT. COLLECTION SERVICES PRINT SHOP DATA PROCESSING 33:0124 The City Attorney's budget for legal support services has increased by 400%. The City Attorney explained this increase is necessary to create a fund that will be readily available on an as-needed basis. The support services haven't increased all that much, but there is an increasing difficulty to cover the volume of work, meet the court appearances and employ on a case-by-case basis experts that may be needed quickly. The expenditures for this service came in under this current year's budgeted amount because in one situation the costs for advice from the support attorney on hazardous waste was charged directly to the Kiewit Company. In other situations, the City Attorney has come to the Council and requested additional funds. In 1990 the Municipal Election costs amounted to approximately $35..000. The FY 1991-92 budget for the April 1992 Election is $37,000. The budget to produce the City Newsletter has increased by $11,000 over FY 1990-91. Staff explained three things have affected this increase; recycled paper will be used which is more expensive than regular paper; postage has increased; and the Police Department insert will be added to the cost directly as opposed to billing the Police Department. This is a reserve account to be used when a property maintenance problem arises and the City does the work on the property. The funds will eventually be returned to the City, possibly through the tax bill with a lien on the property. Councilmember Young said she is in favor of this program but before any funds are given to WE TIP, an official audit should be required. The City will request a financial statement. Councilmember Harbicht requested that the funding not be contingent upon an audit. The Chamber is requesting an allocation of $50,000, which is an increase of $10,000 over FY 1990-91. Staff reported that the Chamber has not had an increase for a number of years. The Chamber costs have grown, but the revenues have not. As part of their allocation for FY 1990-91, the City reroofed the Chamber building at a cost of about $19,000. Councilmember Fasching suggested that possibly the Chamber could relocate to the new Senior Center facility. The Chamber building could then be sold. Mayor Gilb and Councilmember Young each said they would not be in favor of this. Councilmember Fasching commented that the new building will have to function in many other ways other than a senior activity center to warrant the cost of the facility. The Chamber building, it was noted, is an entrae to the City. Councilmember Fasching commented that the naw Sanior Center has become the entree into the City now. The Assistant Director of Finance recommends using Transworld, Systems for collection services. Based on a 30% rate of' collections, tha Genaral Fund stands to save approximately $13,000. In July the Finance Department will conduct a full study to determine whethar or not it is cost effectiva to use tha City's print shop for City printing projects or to contract out for this service. In the past the City has contracted with Progressive Solutions for programming services. A survey of other cities was conducted. Knowles-McNiff is known to do an excellent job and they are lass expensiva. The Finance Department recommends the contract for software programming services be 3 5/21/91 COMPUTER HARDWARE MAINTENANCE POLICE DEPT. RACE TRACK TRF.CONTROL CANINE BAND REVIEW P.D.SERVICES FIRE DEPT, PARAMEDIC PROGRAM AMBULANCE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AMBULANCE RATE INCREASE 33:0125 awarded to Knowles-McNiff. Knowles-McNiff provided the City. The Finance Director added that new water billing system for the The Finance Department recommends letting the contract for the Hewlett Packard hardware maintenance to Advant Company for a cost savings of approximately $10,000 a year. Advant is known to do a good job according to other cities who use their services. Further, Advant technicians are trained at Hewlett Packard schools, staff added. Chief Johnson reported the race track traffic control budgeted cost of approximately $540,000 includes a 5% increase in salaries. This cost would reduce if there is a significant reduction in attendance at the track. Further, if attendance is only around 10-15,000 on a daily basis, there is no need for traffic control. The exception to this would be weekends if attendance is 15-20,000, then officers would be provided. The budget figure reflects no reduction in traffic control at this time. I The Police Department now has two trained police dogs. The training program, food, equipment, and veterinarian care increased this account from $3,700 for one dog to $7,390 for two dogs. . The estimated cost of $7,310 to provide police services for, the annual Arcadia Band Review and Field Competition is a newly budgeted item. To". The cost has become significant, according to staff and, ,therefore, was added to the budget. ,. The Music Club charges entrance fees for the bands and other miscellaneous charges, however, expenses are high. Chief Johnson related that if the Music Club had to pay for Police services they said they would have to discontinue the Band Review. The Fire Department has 15 active, certified paramedics in the program. Also, two fire engineers are still certified who had previously been in the paramedic program. The Los Angeles County Health Services Department establishes ambulance rates throughout the County once a year. The increase in City revenues includes a 13\ increase in ambulance service charges based upon increased County rates. The City has two ambulances based at Fire Department headquarters on Santa Anita. Two other ambulances are at the Baldwin Avenue station, one of which is a surplus unit and will be sold. In the current rate schedule for ambulance service there are two rates; a reduced rate for Arcadia residents, business owners and their employees; and the standard Los Angeles County rate for non-residents. The Fire Department proposes that the rate structure be standardized this year and the two- tier system be omitted. The new rate would then be adjusted periodically. This proposal is not reflected in the Fire Department FY 1991-92 budget. The estimated cost for the 1991-92 paramedic program is approximately $448,000. Under' the existing rate structure the revenues ,are projected at $260,000. The City Manager noted that the City is really subsidizing insurance companies with this reduced rate. The standard rate the City would apply is the County rate for non- residents of $271.25. The additional revenue received under the new rate schedule would be approximately $33,600. In response to Mayor Gilb's question, staff replied the Fire Department transports the patient to the hospital then processes a bill through the Finance Department. The City guarantees the account for the back-up ambulance; if the bill is not collected it is written off. Council was in agreement with the Fire Department's recommendation to standardize the rate structure at the increased rate. I 4 5/21/91 FIRE DEPT. PLAN CHECK & PERMIT FEES I I 33:0126 The second Fire Department recommendation concerns services provided by the Department's Fire Prevention Bureau. The Fire Department is required to make plan checks of all fire protection systems in new buildings, with the exception of single family structures. This is in addition to the Building Department's plan check and Public Works. In the past, the Fire Department has not recovered any of the costs for their plan check services. Approximately 350-400 plans are reviewed annually. Each plan check requires approximately one hour of office time as well as follow-up field inspections. The Fire Department estimates the average plan check will cost approximately $100 ($50 x 2 hours) to the applicant. Referring to Permit Fees, the City Fire Code identifies certain occupancies that pose an above average hazard or threat to the community, and require that control measures be implemented to mitigate the respective hazard, i. e. lumber yards, propane tanks, flammable liquid handling and storage, etc. The Fire Prevention Bureau currently provides the fire safety inspections, however, the Department is absorbing the cost of this service. The fire code also provides that a fire permit system may be used as a control and enforcement tool to insure hazardous occupancies maintain fire safety standards. The Fire Department proposed that a fire permit fee be established to off-set the actual cost of performing the inspections and issuing a permit. The permit would be renewed annually based upon an inspection. Fire Chief Gardner stated in part, that these inspections are complex, high-hazard inspections that are conducted by the Deputy Fire Marshal or the Inspector in the Fire Prevention Bureau. The fee would be based on the complexity of the inspection and staff time involved. The Department estimates the average fire permit will cost approximately $100, according to Chief Gardner. Further there are only 200 occupancies in Arcadia that are considered above normal in hazard who will require these inspections and a fire permit. The annual revenue projections are estimated at $15,000. Councilmember Harbicht commented in part, that he is not sure that he is in agreement with this fee recommendation because this is a public safety issue. The inspections are done for the benefit of the public at large not just for the benefit of the businesses. In terms of who should pay for it, should it be the taxpayers in general or should it be the specific business? Chief Gardner stated in part, that these inspections are over and above the norm. The Fire Department would like to recommend that these additional costs be recovered from the businesses involved. Councilmember Young asked Fire Chief Gardner if this type of business would get at least one inspection free like everyone else? To which the Fire Chief answered, yes. Further, in answer to another question, gasoline stations are inspected twice a year, other hazard occupancies more often. Councilmember Fasching commented that he is in favor of the fee charges except the annual charge to businesses. Referring back to the plan check recommendation, Councilmember Harbicht commented that as he understands it the Planning Department and Public Works each charge a fee for plan checks .., he would like to know what are these fees currently? And what the Fire Department expects their plan check fee to be? Using the Olive Garden Restaurant as an example at 9200 square feet, the Planning Director stated if that building were valued at a $400,000 cost to build, the Fire Department plan check fee would be about $2,000. The figures for the plan check services for Building and Public Works were' not immediately available for this same project. 5 5/21/91 FIRE SERVICES EMERGENCY CONNECTION PUBLIC WORKS TRF. SIGNAL 1ST/SANTA CLARA BLDG./PLANNING PLAN CHECK FEES PLANNING/BLDG INSURANCE RECREATION - COM. CTR./ SR.CITZ.CTR. DIAL-A-RIDE PROGRAM 33:0127 Councilmember Fasching then MOVED that the Fire plan check fee matter be placed on a future agenda. and other Councilmembers agreed. Department The Mayor The Planning Director later amended the $2,000 fee to $200. In the event of a major disaster within the City, the Arcadia County Park as been designated as a casualty collection point for medical aid to the injured. The ballpark area at the park was chosen because it is a secured, fenced area with flood lights; close to the hospital and Fire Station No.1; close to City Hall; and centrally located within the City. The $2 ;000 proposed expenditure in the budget for the Fire - Emergency Services will be used to install an electrical connection on the ,ballpark flood lights at County Park to operate the lights with a generator in the event of a power failure. I Council briefly discussed the proposed signalization of Santa Clara and First Avenue which is included in the Capital Improvement Program. There was general agreement that the signal was needed at Santa Clara and First Avenue rather than Wheeler and First. The traffic signal is currently installed at Wheeler which is too close to the proposed Santa Clara location. Staff advised that a report will be produced for Council that discusses this issue. The report will be brought back to Council when the project is scheduled for consideration on an agenda. Building and Planning plan check fees for FY 1991.92 are estimated to be $450,000. Last year the budgeted amount for these revenues was $250,000. Councilmember Ciraulo questioned why Planning expected this large increase in fees since the economy has slowed down and the amount of field inspections are less in the 1991-92 budget. Staff responded that the 1990- 91 fee estimates were too low. Further, the fee revenues are already at $400,000 for this year. Council noted the increase in insurance costs for the Planning Department went from $3,904 in 1990.91 to $17,268 in FY 1991- 92. The Finance Director explained these costs had been allocated differently than before -- the costs are now based on the number of employees and not particularly on past experience. For some departments, this cost has been reduced while Planning's cost has gone up significantly. This particular insurance cost for each department covers worker's compensation and liability... not health insurance. The total budget for the Recreation Department increased approximately by $252,000 (this includes the Sr. Citizen Division also). A portion of that figure, $192,000, is newly budgeted for the Senior Citizen Maintenance/Operations and will be an ongoing expense, adjusted yearly. The department has hired a Recreation Coordinator and has shifted certain responsibilities to this person to allow other current staff to oversee maintenance of the Senior Center and coordinate the use of the building. These two staff persons will also retain some of their current responsibilities. I Staff explained the $217,000 Proposition A Discretionary Grant revenue is larger this year than last year and Arcadia will receive an approximate increase of $20,000 for the Dial-A-Ride program. The funds are disbursed between 12 municipal operators in Los Angeles County. Staff related the background of the beginning of the Arcadia Dial.A-Ride in 1975. It was very difficult to get any funds from the State or Federal governments. After considerable hard work Arcadia was included in the 12 municipal operators to receive funding. 6 5/21/91 RACE TRACK REVENUES I MEDICAL/ DENTAL INS. EMPLOYEE LIFE INS. I LIABILITY SELF-INS. FUND 33:0128 Originally the revenue Arcadia received from the Race Track was derived from an admissions tax. Before the admission tax revenue was changed to a new formula, Arcadia received approximately $1,000,000 a year from this tax. Traffic control costs were deduced and the balance went into various City programs. In November of 1982 the City Council adopted an ordinance electing to receive 1/3 of 1% of the pari-mutuel wagers instead of the tax on admissions. In response to a question from Council, Chief Johnson reported that the Police officers are paid straight time for a minimum of four hours when directing race track traffic. Considerable discussion held on the increasing cost of the City's employee medical/dental program. The possibility of increasing the employee deductible was set forth, and also increasing the employees' share for prescription costs. The current deductible for the Pacific Mutual Plan for medical/dental is $150 per person or $300 for a family. Staff explained there is also a co-payment of $50 required for dental costs for general dental maintenance for those employees who have Pacific Mutual dental only. Other co- payments are required for certain other dental treatment. It was noted that the medical/dental program that Pacific Mutual administers is a self-insured program. By leaving the $150 deductible to be unchanged for so many years, this in effect increased the costs of medical/dental care to the City. Councilmember Harbicht commented that the medical expenses are nearly $1,750,000 in the FY 1991-92 budget. Council needs to take a good, hard look at this and maybe consider cutting back on this expense in some way. Mayor Gilb and Councllmembers Fasching and Harbicht agreed that the City should basically provide catastrophic coverage and not cover the smaller medical expenses. Councilmember Harbicht suggested that staff provide Council with some sort of an analysis of what the City's expenses would be if the deductible were increased. Councilmember Fasching suggested also that some sort of a scale from a deductible of $750 to $1,000 be provided. The subject of prescription costs under the self-insured plan was mentioned also; the employee pays a $2 co-payment and the City picks up the balance under the self-insured program. Staff noted this was a very big benefit to the employee. The City Manager informed Council that this week Council will each receive a full report of the medical/dental insurance matter. This to contain the City's past experience, the current situation and information that may help mitigate the costs. In reference to the basic $7,500 life insurance coverage provided for all employees, staff noted that the premium for this policy is going to be $15,700 for FY 1991-92. In the last 15 years or so only five employees have passed away. Based on this experience and the cost of the policy, staff suggests that it would be prudent to be in a self-insured program for the employee life insurance. To accomplish this, the $15,700 could be placed into a reserve fund this year instead of paying the premium, then to avoid the annual' $15,000 cost in the future. Council concurred. Councilmember Harbicht noted that the liability self-insurance funds estimated balance will drop $100,000 for FY 1991-92. The City is self-insured for the first $300,000 of a claim, therefore there are not enough funds in this account to cover two claims at the $300,000 limit for each if they are successful. He commented that it may be prudent to keep the balance of this fund up. Staff responded that funds are available in the General Fund reserves to make a transfer if needed. 7 5/21/91 ST. GAS TAX FUND CABLEVISION USERS TAX BUS. LIC. TAX 33:0129 This fund will be approximately $1,000,000 lower a year from now due to the increase in expenditures and the movement of expenditures from Capital Outlay to the Gas Tax Fund. The reconstruction of Orange Grove Avenue will be a major expenditure at an estimated cost of $632,000 to Arcadia. Sierra Madre will put up a similar amount for their side of Orange Grove. Staff informed Council that Sierra Madre plans to use either FAU'funds or other funds that are tied to FAU. Arcadia will use regular Gas Tax Funds for reconstruction of Orange Grove. The City Manager announced that the plans for this project are available for Council to review in the Manager's office. Arcadia's plan has been combined with Sierra Madre's final plan and is ready for Council's consideration. A joint town meeting in Sierra Madre to answer questions from residents on Orange Grove is scheduled. After which each City Council will hold public hearings and decide whether to approve or not approve the proposed plan. Further, the City Manager said removal of trees along Orange Grove has been drastically reduced in the current plans. Also on Arcadia's side of Orange Grove there will be full curbs. I Staff provided a report proposing a 2% Utility Users Tax on cablevision which would generate $75,000 to the General Fund. This 2% would be in addition to the 5% Franchise fee currently in place for cablev1sion. After discussion, Councilmember Fasching declared he would reject this inclusion of a 2% user tax. Mayor Gilb and Councilmembers Ciraulo, Harbicht and Young stated they would give this matter some thought before making their decision. Staff reported that up until a recent State Appeals Court decis ion certain ins ti tutions such as banks, savings and loans, thrifts and insurance agents had been exempt from the local business license tax. This has changed, and the City now has the opportunity to charge these businesses for business licenses as all other businesses in town are charged. Staff estimated the revenue to the General Fund at possibly $3,000 a year. Councilmember Harbicht commented that if these particular businesses are not paying some other compensating fee or special levy then he believes they should be on the same footing with every other business in the City. There was a consensus of Council on this matter. The final discussion followed: Councilmember Harbicht "Well, I guess I'd like to reiterate what I said at the start. Looking at the total budget, I'm not happy with the increase in our expenditures. And I think part of the increase is masked, as we went through this on virtually every department it said, under decreases and expenditures, it said 'contribution to Equipment Replacement Fund'. In every case that was anywhere from $2,000 to $25,000 or $30,000 per department, because that was money that was being charged I against those departments in the past to go into the Equipment Replacement Fund. This year it wasn't charged against the departments, but in fact, their budgets still increased. So they not only used up that $2,000 to $25,000, but also had on an average a 5% increase. And so, we're' talking about an increase of not just 5%, but over 5% in total for the City. The reduction in the contribution by all the departments combined to the Equipment Replacement Fund was nearly $600,000 in savings to those departments. Yet, the total expenditures increased. So it increased by that almost $600,000 plus whatever the real increase we see here is, which was about 5%, or about a million dollars. On top of that we don't have' any of the salary increases in here, and with the salary increases and insurance increases we may be talking about another million. I think that's a really large increase for a time when I think belt tightening is more in order. It's not that 8 5/21/91 I I 33:0130 we can't afford it; we have the reserves to come up with the money if we want to and if we need to, but I don't know if this is the time when we should be having that kind of an increase." Councilmember Youn~ "I agree, Bob. And I was disappointed that the departments didn't more or less hold the line with just absolutely necessary increases, which wouldn't be that much, that's for sure. And I think when we can't tell what the negotiations will come up with, I don't see how we can approve this." Councilmember Harbicht "Well, of course, I guess we're not being asked to approve it yet, but, I mean, in general terms we're being asked to give our blessing to this. And I don't know how the rest of the Council feels, but it just kind of, as a policy maker, it just kind of goes against my grain to be looking at hard times and at the same time having, you know, significantly more than a cost-of-living increase in our expenditures for the year." Councilmember Faschin~ stated in part, that Council has now reviewed the budget and has not really made any significant cuts. Perhaps at the next budget session Council can come back and recommend some items to take out. Mayor Gilb stated in part, that the budget is heavy with salaries and compensation. Many other items could be cut out of the budget that would not amount to much in comparison. The Mayor agreed with Councilmember Harbicht's view on the hospitalization and dental plans ... they are getting way out of line and could be cut back. He also agreed with Councilmember Harbicht' s views in regard to funds in the Equipment Replacement Fund. Councilmember Harbicht "You know, we're looking at a significant part of our budget being salaries. In addition, we're adding some people. That's an increase. And I don't know where it should be cut, and that's why I'm talking about I mean, one of the alternatives is not for us to go through here and nickel and dime this stuff, because, frankly, I don't understand whether we need a new computer program in the Water Department to track where the water is flowing ... I mean, we've got experts to determine that kind of thing. But we do have the overall responsibility to have a fiscally sound policy here, and one of the alternatives is to say we want 'X' number of dollars taken out of this budget, and leave it to George and the department heads and the people who know, it best to figure out how to do it. And sure, it's a tough thing to do." Councilmember Faschin~ stated in part, that while he is in agreement with Councilmember Harbicht' s comments, he suggested that if Council approved this budget as it stands, Council could then give the department heads and staff the responsibility of seeing what savings they can affect during the next nine or twelve months. Councilmember Ciraulo felt that Councilmember Harbicht's suggestion was good to let the department heads go over the budget and make the cuts. Councilmember Young agreed. The discussion continued briefly. Councilmember Harbicht then MOVED to DIRECT staff to bring back a total of $500,000 in possible budget cuts from the document that is before Council for consideration, this SECONDED by Councilmember Young and CARRIED on roll call vote as follows: 9 5/21/91 ~ COMMENDATION (Fire Fighter Don Shawver) SOUNDWALLS (210 Fwy) HEARINGS SCHEDULED AEROSOL SPRAY PAINT ORDINANCE C '-.;:{ 0 - .5 0 G-t< f) f flTt AYES: 33:0l30(a) Councilmembers Ciraulo, Fasching, Harbicht, Young and Gilb None None NOES: ABSENT: The City Manager replied that he would get a report back to Council. ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL PRE-MEETING MAY 21, 1991 I Mayor Gilb announced that Engineer Don Shawver will be presented with a Certificate of Commendation signed by the entire Council at the June 4, 1991 City Council meeting. On May 23, 1991 the California Transportation Commission will vote on whether or not to fund the High Occupancy Vehicle lane on the 210 Freeway, as well as the soundwalls. Hearings were scheduled for June 4 on the following two items: 1. Zone Change Z-9l-00l, a zone change from R-l 7,500 to R-l 15,000 for certain lots located in the southwest portion of the City. 2. Public Works Text Amendment No. 91-001 to amend fees, deposits and liability insurance for public works. Council DIRECTED the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance regarding aerosol spray paint. A brief discussion ensued of the merits of the aerosol spray paint ordinance; whether this would create an undue hardship on business people having to keep this material locked up or inaccessible to the public. It was noted that these items are being shoplifted and the large "Marks-a-Lot" pens are also. Kel Mason, Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, came forward to state, in part, that if there is anything Council could do to help alleviate the graffiti problem the Chamber would appreciate it. He sees no problem with the business people if an ordinance were enacted ... if some disagree, they should be made to comply. The City Manager advised that a public hearing is not required for this item. FALSE ALARMS Council received a report from Police Chief Johnson regarding the repeated false alarms in the City. Last year 2,743 false 0,+70-0;). alarms were received for burglary; 93 for robbery; 225 fire IlLI)t~I'1 ",ysfF./'J'}{ false alarms; and 10 panic medical false alarms to which I police and fire responded. In response to Mayor Gilb, the City Manager said that staff was not prepared to discuss this matter this evening. Further, an ordinance is still in the development stage and will be ready for the June 18 Council meeting. Councilmember Harbicht added that he believes some sort of penalty should be included in the ordinance. Police Chief Johnson reported that there are several businesses in the City where the cleaning people set the alarms off two or three times a week. Some cities have adopted a policy of nonresponse after the first six responses until the alarms are fixed. A letter is sent to the owners to this effect. CLOSED SESSION WATER REPORT (April 1991) .:; 5' '?,j ~,'1) The City Manager requested a Closed Session after the regular meeting this evening. The April Water Division report indicates a 15 1/2% reduction in total water pumped. Councilmember Harbicht commented in 10 5/21/91 ADJOURNMENT I ATTEST: J I 33:0130(b) part, that this translates into the average water savings during April. He noted that in April 1990 Arcadia had a little over an inch of rainfall, but in April 1991 thre was virtually no rainfall and still the City had a 15 1/2% decrease ... this is then saying that the 10% mandatory water reduction is working. The citizens are getting behind this. He believes also that this says that it really is not that much of a hardship for residents to cut back the 10%; people are achieving this without too much of a problem. The pre-meeting ADJOURNED sine die at 7:30 p. m. J Alford, \ 11 5/21/91