Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 2016-05-03 - Special Meeting55 Redding City Council, Special Meeting Civic Center Council Chambers 777 Cypress Avenue Redding, CA 96001 May 3, 2016, 2:00 PM The meeting was called to order by Mayor Missy McArthur with the following Council Members present: Gary Cadd, Kristen Schreder, Francie Sullivan, and Brent Weaver. Also present were: City Manager Kurt Starman, City Attorney Barry E. DeWalt, Assistant City Attorney Lynette Frediani, Assistant City Manager/Electric Utility Director Barry Tippin, Deputy City Manager Greg Clark, City Clerk Pamela Mize, and Assistant City Clerk Teresa Rudolph. Also in attendance were Fire Chief Gerry Gray, and Police Chief Robert Paoletti. 2. Presentation Re ag rding Public Safety Blueprint Study Tier 1 — Tier 5 Recommendations [P-150] City Manager Starman provided an overview of the Report to City Council (staff report), incorporated herein by reference, outlining the Implementation Team's (Team) proposed Action Plan relative to Tier 1 through Tier 5 recommendations contained in the Public Safety Blueprint Study (Blueprint). He explained that the Tier 1 through Tier 5 recommendations contained in the Blueprint would require approximately $20 million in additional revenue to implement. Members of the Team provided the following PowerPoint presentations, incorporated herein by reference, regarding recommendations contained in the proposed Action Plan: Larry Lees, Shasta County Executive Officer — Social Support Services: Allocate $375,000 as one-time "seed money" for a sobering center to free -up police officer time for higher priority calls for service. [one-time expense] y Allocate approximately $1 million per year for a mental health crisis stabilization unit to be matched by an additional $1 million in existing mental health funding from the County of Shasta. [annual expense] Tom Bosenko, Shasta County Sheriff — Shasta County's Jail Space: v Allocate an additional $200,000 per year through 2019 for additional out -of - county jail space. These funds would be redirected toward new jail space in Shasta County beginning in 2020. [annual expense] y Allocate approximately $3 million to add 64 beds to the basement of the existing jail once the new adult rehabilitation center is completed. [one-time expense] Allocate approximately $1.07 million for ongoing operations once the retrofit of the jail basement space is completed in 2020. [$1.07 million annual expense] y Allocate approximately $2.5 million to add 64 additional beds to Courtroom 1 once the new courthouse is completed and the Shasta County Superior Court vacates the existing Justice Center. [one-time expense] Allocate approximately $1.07 million for ongoing operations once the retrofit of the Justice Center is completed in 2022. ($1.07 million annual expense] Reserve the space in Courtroom 2 (i.e., the remainder of the Justice Center) for future jail space, if needed, or for other jail -related programs. Shasta County Supervisor Leonard Moty conveyed that the Shasta County Board of Supervisors had unanimously voted to support the Team's Tier 1 through Tier 5 recommendations. 05/03/16 56 Gerry Gray, City of Redding Fire Chief — Redding Fire Department: ➢ Allocate approximately $865,000 to retain six apprentice firefighter positions and three firefighter positions once funding expires in 2017. [annual expense] ➢ Allocate approximately $865,000 to add six new apprentice firefighter positions and three new firefighter positions to convert all of the remaining City of Redding fire stations from two -person engine companies to three- person engine companies. [annual expense] ➢ Allocate approximately $149,000 for a new Fire Inspector position to focus on fire prevention activities. [annual expense] Robert Paoletti, City of Redding Police Chief — Redding Police Department: ➢ Allocate approximately $620,000 to retain four police officer positions once funding expires in 2017 to maintain the Neighborhood Police Unit. [annual expense] ➢ Allocate approximately $4.2 million to add 16 new police officer positions and 13 new community service officer positions to protect our community in areas which include: - Creation of a vice unit to address illegal drugs, human trafficking, prostitution, and related crimes; - Expand and reinvigorate the Neighborhood Watch Program; - Retain and enhance Code Enforcement Program, with emphasis on resolving community issues, such as problem motels; - Provide homeless outreach and coordination with the Continuum of Care Council; - Augment the patrol division, with a goal of reducing the response time for priority -one calls by 25 percent; - Augment the investigation division; - Augment the traffic enforcement unit; and - Allocate approximately $170,000 for two Police Records Technicians to support the new police officers referenced above. [annual expense] ➢ Allocate approximately $50,000 to convert a part-time Crime Analyst position to a full-time position. [annual expense] It was noted that the aforementioned project costs are expressed in 2016 dollars. City Manager Kurt Starman summarized that the Team's recommendation is to place a measure on the November 8, 2016, ballot to enable the City's residents to vote on a 0.5 percent Transactions and Use Tax (sales tax) to fund the Action Plan and improve public safety. Pam Hughes expressed concern that the proposed Action Plan did not take into account the Blueprint's recommendations relative to the community's homeless population. A discussion amongst the City Council ensued. A MOTION WAS MADE by Council Member Weaver, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, to: (1) receive the presentation from the Implementation Team relative to the Tier 1 through Tier 5 recommendations contained within the Public Safety Blueprint Study; and (2) approve the Implementation Team's proposed Action Plan as presented for use as the foundation for a discussion concerning the placement of a one-half of one percent Transactions and Use Tax measure on the November 8, 2016, ballot. The Vote: Unanimous Ayes 3. Proposed Transactions and Use Tax Measure [T-010-700] Assistant City Attorney Frediani highlighted the Report to City Council (staff report), incorporated herein by reference, outlining the steps necessary to place an ordinance proposing a one-half of one percent sales tax (Transactions and Use Tax) measure, as well as an advisory measure, on the November 8, 2016, ballot. Ms. Frediani explained that it would require four affirmative votes of the City Council to adopt a resolution approving the proposed ordinance and its submission to the voters of the City at the November 8, 2016, election as required by Revenue and Taxation Code Section 7285.9. She noted that the ordinance would not be operative 05/03/2016 1 1 56a unless approved by a majority of the voters. She related that the measure would not require a two-thirds vote of the electorate as it is a "general tax" as opposed to a "special tax." In addition, as proposed, the authority to levy the retail transactions and use tax would expire 10 years from the operative date of the ordinance, unless extended by the voters of the City of Redding in the manner provided by law. Ms. Frediani stated that the accompanying advisory measure would request the voters' opinion on where the funds, approximately $11 million annually, should be used to augment police protection, jail space, mental health services, fire protection, and related public safety services. As provided for in California Elections Code Section 9603(c), an advisory vote provides an indication of general voter opinion, but is not controlling on the sponsoring legislative body. Walter P. McNeill submitted a letter dated May 3, 2016, incorporated herein by reference, concerning the possible use of the proposed tax for the incarceration of inmates. He opined that this function is the exclusive responsibility of the County and the State. The following individuals spoke in support of the proposed Transactions and Use Tax measure: Donald Kirk, Steve Davidson, Mike Thomas, Matt Morgan, Rocky Slaughter representing REVIVE Redding, Ron Largent, Ed Rullman, Jason Schroeder, Dale Ball, Jessaca Lugo, and Rich Bates. Peter Scales spoke in opposition to the proposed Transactions and Use Tax measure. Terry Rapoza cited the California Public Employee Retirement System's (Ca1PERS) recent action with regard to the City of Loyalton and its unfunded debt obligations. He questioned how long it would be before the City of Redding is in a similar situation. Jerome Venus favored utilizing an approach which focused on education and treatment rather than police protection. Patrick Hensleigh and Tom Hildebrand supported proposing a special tax versus a general tax. A discussion amongst the City Council ensued. A MOTION WAS MADE by Council Member Weaver, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, to adopt Resolution No. 2016-045, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Redding, calling for the placement of a general tax measure and advisory measure on the ballot of the November 8, 2016, election to adopt a one-half of one percent sales tax (Transactions and Use Tax) for a 10 -year period; establishing policies and procedures in connection with such an election; and requesting the services of the Registrar of Voters in conducting said election; and should the voters approve the general tax and advisory measures, direct staff to: (1) establish a separate account for the proceeds associated with the one-half of one percent sales tax for auditing purposes; (2) provide the City Council with a funding/expenditure report, on at least an annual basis, to ensure proper oversight of the funding; (3) enter into a contractual agreement with the County of Shasta regarding the receipt of proceeds and establishing performance measures; (4) during priority -setting or budget meetings, provide the City Council with a reminder as to status of the 10 -year sunset provision of said tax; and (5) designate City Manager Starman, Police Chief Paoletti, and Vice Mayor Weaver to serve as the City's new Implementation Team. The Vote: AYES: Council Members — Cadd, Schreder, Sullivan, Weaver, and McArthur NOES: Council Members — None ABSTAIN: Council Members — None ABSENT: Council Members — None Resolution No. 2016-045 is on file in the Office of the City Clerk. 05/03/2016 fo 4. Appointment of Representatives to Write Arguments and Rebuttals for the Ballot Measure [E-070-050] City Manager Starman provided an overview of the Report to City Council (staff report), incorporated herein by reference, outlining the City Council's option relative to appointing specific Council Members to write arguments and rebuttals for the one- half of one percent sales tax measure to be considered on the November 8, 2016, election ballot. A discussion amongst the City Council ensued A MOTION WAS MADE by Council Member Sullivan, seconded by Council Member McArthur, to appoint a Council sub -committee consisting of Mayor McArthur and Vice Mayor Weaver to prepare an argument in support of the one-half of one percent sales tax ballot measure and the subsequent rebuttal argument. Both arguments will be considered at a future Council meeting. At that time, a determination will be made as to which Council Members will be authorized to sign the argument in support of the ballot measure. The Vote: AYES: Council Members — Cadd, Schreder, Sullivan, Weaver, and McArthur NOES: Council Members — None ABSTAIN: Council Members — None ABSENT: Council Members — None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor McArthur declared the meeting adjourned at the hour of 5:28 p.m. APPROVED: Missy Mc r ur, Mayor ATTEST: t 4T,144, Pamela Mize, City Cler 05/03/2016 1