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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 2007-02-15 - Special Meeting 28 City Council, Special Meeting Council Chambers 777 Cypress Avenue Redding, California February 15, 2007, 1 :30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Dickerson with the following Council Members present: Bosetti, Jones, Murray and Stegall. Also present were City Manager Starman, Assistant City Manager Bachman, City Attorney Duvernay, Finance Officer Strong, City Clerk Strohmayer and Assistant City Clerk Sherman. I APPOINTMENT OF CITY TREASURER (A-050-100 & P-100-060) City Manager Starman explained that a selection committee comprised of Council Member Murray, Vice Mayor Stegall and he, interviewed candidates vying for the position of City Treasurer. He indicated that the committee was very impressed with the number of highly- qualified individuals but ultimately selected Ms. Leslie C. Detwiler to fill the position based on her experience, personality and "fit" within the organization. He said she will serve on a part time basis for sixty days in order to provide her with an opportunity to finalize private practice obligations and then assume full time status. Mr. Starman introduced Ms. Detwiler. Council Member Stegall recommended the appointment of Ms. Detwiler commenting that she will be an asset to the management team. Council Member Bosetti related that he was approached by a representative from Assemblyman LaMalfa's office on behalf of one of the candidates who had questioned the selection of Ms. Detwiler for the City Treasurer position. Mr. Bosetti said that after reviewing the application materials for the top two candidates, and with all due respect to Ms. Detwiler, the number two candidate not selected was, in his opinion, better qualified, possessed superior credentials and submitted a far more impressive resume. Mr. Starman responded that the successful candidate was not selected solely on the basis of an impressive resume, but on a number of other attributes of equal value. He explained that after background checks were conducted on the top two candidates, it was determined that Ms. Detwiler was the superior candidate and would better compliment the management team. I Council Member Bosetti questioned the lack of financial and investment experience in Ms. Detwiler's background and was concerned that it could impact her ability to efficiently manage the City's extensive investment portfolio. He also expressed concern relative to a long learning curve for Ms. Detwiler. In response to Council Member Jones, Council Members Stegall and Murray concurred that Ms. Detwiler was, overall, the most qualified candidate in their opinion and because she is bright and well-educated, they believed that the learning curve would be short and insignificant. MOTION: Made by Council Member Stegall, seconded by Council Member Murray, appointing Leslie C. Detwiler to the position of City Treasurer effective February 16, 2007, to serve an unexpired term ending December 5,2008. The Vote: AYES: Council Members: Jones, Murray, Stegall and Dickerson NOES: Council Members: Bosetti ABSTAIN: Council Members: None ABSENT: Council Members: None I City Clerk Strohmayer administered the Oath of Appointment to Ms. Detwiler. MID-YEAR BUDGET UPDATE AND BUDGET RESOLUTION (B-130-070) Assistant City Manager Bachman recalled that each year, staff provides a mid-year budget update/review to the City Council focusing on the City's Genera.! Fund and the General Fund 10-Year Financial Plan (Plan); information regarding the City's Enterprise Funds is also provided. 02/1512007 29 Mr. Bachman reviewed the Report to City Council dated February 5, 2007, incorporated herein by reference, stating that overall, revenues are trending as expected in most funds, with General Fund revenues running slightly higher than original estimates totaling $23,286,004 to date, which is $135,463 or 0.5% above staffs cash flow projection. I Mr. Bachman recommended the following changes to the City's General Fund 10- Y ear Plan: 1. Increase revenues by $2.097 million in FYE 2007, and increase revenue and transfers by $745,000 million in FYE 2008 and on an on-going basis. 2. Increase sales tax revenue projected growth from 4.25% to 4.5% throughout the 10- Year Plan. 3. Increase property tax growth from 4.5% to 5.5% growth rate for the next five years and then reduce the growth rate to 5% thereafter. 4. Increase expenditures by $448,000 in FYE 2007. For FYE 2008 and FYE 2009, expenditures have been adjusted to represent projected spending based on current service levels as adjusted for inflation. 5. Personnel costs are assumed to increase by 3.5% based on a 3% increase in all personnel-related costs with the exception of group insurance which is assumed to increase by 8% over the ten-year period. 6. All costs, other than personnel and other known costs are assumed to increase 2.5%. . He commented that although there is a significant slowing in the economy, staff anticipates that the General Fund will end fiscal year 2006-07 with a 12.3% reserve and is not projected to fall below 5% during the ten-year forecast. Assistant City Manager Bachman recommended that the City Council accept the Mid-Year Budget Report and adopt the associated budget resolution. I MOTION: Made by Council Member Stegall, seconded by Council Member Jones accepting the Mid-Year Budget Report and adopting Resolution No. 2007-19, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Redding approving and adopting the 65th amendment to City Budget Resolution No. 2005-77 appropriating $664,820 and increasing revenue estimates by $2,311,450 for Fiscal Year 2006-07. The Vote: A YES: Council Members - Bosetti, Jones, Murray, Stegall, and Dickerson NOES: Council Members - None ABSTAIN: Council Members - None ABSENT: Council Members - None Resolution No. 2007-19 is on file in the Office of the City Clerk. I REVIEW OF GENERAL FUND 10- YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN FUNDING CAPACITY (B-130-070) Assistant City Manager Bachman provided an overview ofthe Report to City Council dated February 6, 2007, incorporated herein by reference, regarding the City's 10- Y ear Financial Plan (Plan) funding capacity. He presented an overhead of the Ending Cash Expenditure Chart covering the years 2006 through 2015 explaining that the City's General fund reserve, as stated earlier, will be approximately 12.3% of expenditures at the end of the current fiscal year. Based on current service levels, existing labor contracts, and anticipated inflationary pressures, he said the reserve will decline to a low of5.0% in fiscal year 2010-2011 because current spending is expected to exceed revenues for the next four fiscal years before reversing course in 2011-2012 when reserve levels will begin to increase to approximately 9.3% in fiscal year 2014-2015. Mr. Bachman explained that the primary reason for the reversal is that revenues are expected to increase at a slightly faster rate than expenditures during the planning period based on the following notable assumptions: 1. Service demands will not change dramatically over the next ten years. 2. Personnel costs are assumed to increase at a rate of3.5% annually which includes a 3% anticipated wage growth and approximately an 8% average increase in group health insurance. 3. Other expenditures will grow at approximately the rate of inflation 4. Sales tax growth of 4.5% is expected throughout the ten-year period. 5. Property tax growth of 5.5% is expected during the first five years and growth of 5.0% is expected for the remainder of the ten-year period. Mr. Bachman then highlighted an overhead of Significant General Fund Additions recalling that during the special meeting workshop held February 13, 2006, the City Council added a number of ongoing General Fund financial commitments which included the Stillwater 2/15/2007 30 Business Park ($667,000), the New Police Beat ($360,000), Library Operations ($170,000), the New Police Contract ($290,000), and the Redding Soccer Park ($285,000). These new projects/programs total $1,772,000. He said that based on the projections and assumptions contained in the General Fund 10- Year Financial Plan and the 2006-07 General Fund budget, there is little additional funding capacity to engage in significant additional capital projects or operating program enhancements without a new revenue source or reductions in other areas of General Fund expenditures. He added, however, on a more positive note, that the financial outlook for upcoming 2008-09 Biennial Budget is good and it appears that resources are sufficient to continue the City's current service levels and that reductions in existing operations will not be necessary. He also said that the financial plan is based on a conservative outlook and it is likely, although not guaranteed, that additional resources may become available should the economy outperform projections. I He recommended that the City Council direct staff to utilize Council's priority preference projects and programs as a guideline when preparing the City's upcoming biennial budget, and allocate additional resources toward those projects/programs. MOTION: Made by Council Member Stegall, seconded by Council Member J ones directing staff to utilize City Council priority projects and programs as a guideline during budget preparation as to the allocation of any additional resources that become available. The Vote: Unanimous Ayes FUNDING PRIORITIES FOR 2007-08/2008-09 BIENNIAL BUDGET (B-130-070 & A-050-060) Vice Mayor Stegall recalled that the City Council adopted a new City Mission Statement and Vision Statement in 2005 and suggested that both be reviewed from time-to-time to remind the City Council and the community of established goals and objectives. She suggested that, when necessary, these Statements be fine tuned so that they accurately reflect a current and accurate status of the City and community. Ms. Stegall read the Mission and Vision Statements and suggested that they be kept in mind during today's discussion. City Manager Starman explained that, periodically, the City Council reviews current and future City projects and services, determines or rearranges priority status, makes modifications as necessary and provides direction to staff. He said the focus of today's meeting is to receive direction from the City Council on the major or capital projects and programs that the Council would like staff to aggressively pursue and he also asked that Council Members rank them in priority preference order. Mr. Starman added that Council's direction today will serve as a basis for staff as it begins preparation of the upcoming the biennial budget. He added that it is also an opportunity to discuss potential projects and because it is often difficult to compare projects against one another, they have been divided into categories. Category 1 - Potential Capital Projects. Category 2 - Operational Issues, Category 3 - Ongoing Projects, and Category 4 - Public Policy and Planning Issues. Mr. Starman provided a brief overview of the List of Potential Projects and Programs and asked Council members to rate the projects in priority preference using the following scoring scale: I Priority 1 - Very High Priority. Add this topic to the City's current list of priorities. The City should use any discretionary resources to fund this project, program, or initiative as soon as feasible. Direct staff to work on this issue and report back to the City Council before the City adopts its next Biennial Budget. Priority 2 - High Priority. Add this topic to the City's current list of priorities, but only if additional resources are available. The City Council will discuss this topic again before the City adopts its next Biennial Budget. I Priority 3 - Medium Priority. The City Council may add this topic to the City's list of priorities at a later date, but only after the City has completed some of its other priority projects. Priority 4 - Low Priority. The City does not intend to work on this topic at this time. 02/15/2007 I I I 31 PROJECTS & PROGRAMS FOR CONSIDERATION Affordable Housing Committee (L-O 10-005) City Manager Starman explained that the Shasta Association of Realtors (Association) requested that the City create an ad-hoc committee to work on affordable housing issues such as improving the environmental review process, ensuring the availability of developable land, reviewing Community Development Block Grants, single-family affordable housing tax credits and various programs to support low-income home ownership. He pointed out, however, that the City Council did create an ad hoc committee in 2005 to examine barriers and opportunities relative to creating more affordable housing and, more recently, created a committee to evaluate and update certain aspects ofthe City's General Plan including the City's Housing Element which will encompass various programs and policies relative to affordable housing. Council Member Stegall observed that this is an important issue, but believed that the City has demonstrated a commitment to affordable housing through the aforementioned ad hoc committees. She pointed out that empaneling another committee before the current committee can complete its work would be counterproductive. Council Member Jones concurred. Council Member Murray said that if the Association would like to form a committee, they are free to do so. However, he was not in favor of spending any of the limited staff or financial resources at this time. Mayor Dickerson concurred and encouraged the Association "to form a committee and develop solutions. He also suggested that because this request had been presented to Council in the form of a letter, that a letter of response be sent to the Association. City Manager Starman said that staffwould compose a letter of response. PRIORITY RANKING Bosetti Dickerson Jones Murray Stegall Ranking Average 2 4 3 4 3 3.2 Banner Program (A-050-080) Turtle Bay Exploration Park (Turtle Bay) has requested permission to place banners on street light poles along North Market Street, Cypress Avenue and Hilltop Drive and, because the City has no policy or program that would allow for consideration of their request, they asked that the City develop a banner policy to allow individual groups and organizations to hang banners. Council Member Stegall expressed concern regarding impacts to Electric Utility Customer Service personnel and field crews since it currently administers the Pine Street Banner Program. Streets Division Field Foreman Landis advised that if individual groups are performing the work associated with hanging the banners, there would be no cost to the City. However, if there is no entity administering the program, the potential for inappropriate or offensive banners could be an issue. Mayor Dickerson and Council Members Murray and Stegall concurred that a banner program is a nice community service but believed that Turtle Bay's suggestion should be sent to the Planning Commission (PC) for review and recommendation. PRIORITY RANKING Bosetti Dickerson Jones Murray Stegall Ranking Average PC PC PC PC PC Refer to Planning Commission 2/15/2007 32 Convention Center Area Master Plan (C-050-050 & C-050-060) The Convention Center Area Master Plan would provide a vision and guide for future development of the Convention Center Area and the City-owned land surrounding the facility, including the Redding Rodeo Grounds, as this area builds out over the next twenty years. Mayor Dickerson observed that this project was a priority two years ago when the City was actively pursuing a new location for the Redding Rodeo Grounds in conjunction with the proposed California Horse Park. However, the Horse Park project failed to materialize for a number of reasons and other priority projects now require attention. Council Member Jones praised Convention Center staff for a well-run facility, but observed that the price tag for a master plan was not available in the budget. I Bosetti Dickerson Jones Murray Stegall Ranking Average 4 3 3 4 3 3.4 PRIORITY RANKING Cooperative Planning & Tax Sharing Agreement (T-010-600 & T-010-700) . The City of Redding and the County of Shasta negotiated a Cooperative Planning and Tax- Sharing Agreement in 2005. While the City Council approved the Agreement in concept, the Board of Supervisor did not. Most agree that resuming negotiations between the City and County should be a priority because an agreement, acceptable to both parties, could provide significant benefits to both agencies by codifying issues such as revenue sharing, commercial development in the Chum Creek Bottom area, annexations, and implementation of uniform development standards within the City's Sphere ofInfluence. John Mathena, Redding resident and former City Council Member/Mayor Emeritus recalled that as part ofhis representation as Council liaison to the Municipal Utilities Department, he attended the California Association of Council of Governments (CALCOG) meetings. He explained that CALCOG is a statewide association of regional planning agencies most of which were formed as councils of governments, meaning that they represent joint powers agreements of cities and counties, while others were created as transportation commissions by the State Legislature. He said that all have mandated state planning responsibilities and are responsible for identifying the share of the region's housing needs and for transportation planning under both state and federal law. Mr. Mathena urged Council to work toward the development of a "blue print" or regional plan for Shasta County, and the cities of Shasta Lake, Anderson and Redding through the Regional Transportation Planning Agency (R TP A), noting that cities and counties with a plan receive state funding preference and receive funding faster than those without. He said that the opportunity is here and grant funds are available. I Rod Evans, Redding resident, concurred with Mr. Mathena, and urged Council to expedite cooperative discussions with Shasta County which will benefit the entire community. Jim Koenigsaecker, Habitat for Humanity, thanked Council for its efforts to p~an for affordable housing projects in Redding and he urged Council to reaffirm its commitment to the projects in Downtown Redding and the Parkview Neighborhood. He also spoke in support of "Smart Growth" projects, development of parallel zoning codes and he commended Council in its efforts to continue tax-sharing talks with the County. I Council Members Murray and Stegall voiced support for John Mathena's comments noting that formation of COGs can be of significant benefit to the City and that continued regional cooperation is paramount. Council Member Stegall expressed a willingness to bring this idea to the RTP A. Council Members Jones and Bosetti concurred. 02/15/2007 33 Bosetti Dickerson Jones Murray Stegall Ranking Average 1 1 1 1 1 1 PRIORITY RANKING I Downtown Mall Roof Removal (M-010-200) In 2006, the City removed the roof over the northern one-third of the Downtown Mall and constructed pedestrian plaza improvements in the common area to accommodate the Shasta College Health Sciences and University Center. The cost of these improvements was approximately $1.8 million. Removing the remainder of the Mall roof and constructing similar pedestrian and building facade improvements would cost approximately $3 million. Keli Anthis of Viva Downtown and Kathy Jenkins urged the City Council to keep the Downtown Mall and the Downtown area a high priority by removing the Mall roof and re- opening the City streets within the Mall. They suggested that the City partner with other agencies and groups. Mary Forbes, Riverfront Playhouse, urged Council to reaffirm its 2005 Priority # 1 status for a Theatre District in the Downtown Area. Council Member Jones observed that while this project should be a priority, adequate funding does not exist. Mayor Dickerson and Council Members Stegall and Murray observed that the sub-standard condition of the Downtown Mall roof must be addressed, and they pointed out that the enclosed design ofthe Mall impacts traffic and parking in the area and impedes revitalization efforts. I Mayor Dickerson and Council Member Murray agreed that Mall property owners must be willing to be part of the solution and assist in funding this project. Bosetti Dickerson Jones Murray Stegall Ranking Average 2 3 2 ' 4 1 2.4 PRIORITY RANKING Downtown Mural Program (A-050-110) A group of Downtown stakeholders would like the City or the Redding Redevelopment Agency to. consider establishing a Downtown Mural Program to promote the Downtown area. A mural program would be a tourist attraction, provide public art in Downtown Redding, eliminate a number of blank store walls and establish a consistent theme in the area. The Cost could range between $25,000 and $100,000 for a single mural depending on size and approximately 100 hours of staff time. City Duvernay cautioned that it may require an amendment to the City's sign ordinance. It was the consensus of the City Council that this program fell under the "Art in Public Places" program and that it be referred to the Planning Commission (PC) for review. I Bosetti Dickerson Jones Murray Stegall Ranking Average PC PC PC PC PC Refer to Planning Commission PRIORITY RANKING Fire Department - Additional Three-Person Engine Companies (P-150-070 & A-050-140) Since 1984, the City has experienced significant population growth, increasing approximately 88%, with land area increasing about 28%. However, In 1985, the daily on- duty staffing totaled 19 individuals, and today it.is only 23. The National Fire Protection Association (NFP A) regulations recommend that a minimum of 15 firefighters be assigned 2/1512007 34 to fight a structure fire. In order to achieve minimum staffing standards of three-persons for each City fire engine, it would be necessary to hire an additional 15 firefighters at an estimated cost of approximately $1.65 million per year. Council concurred that three-person engines must be a priority and that the City must find a way to fund this with current resources. Bosetti Dickerson Jones Murray Stegall Ranking Average 1 1 1 1 1 1 PRIORITY RANKING I Firearms Range - Regional Facility (P-150-150) The proposed police facility project includes a 7,500 square-foot indoor firing range at an estimated cost of$3,384,000 which could be reduced ifthe firing range is built concurrently with the new facility. An outdoor regional firearms range is an alternative to the indoor range and would provide an opportunity to co-locate shooting facilities for area law enforcement and the general public. Council Member Jones expressed strong support for a new firearms range pointing out that the current facility is 14 acres and surrounded by residential development which poses a significant safety concern. He believed that a new facility should be a high priority for the City. Council Members Murray and Bosetti believed it appropriate to engage other law enforcement agencies in site selection and evaluation discussions and then return to Council. Council Member Stegall preferred continuing to work on the indoor range while preliminarily exploring a future regional outdoor firing range to be built at a later time. Mayor Dickerson concurred that a new firearms facility is important, but when weighed against other projects, he could not give it precedence. I Bosetti Dickerson Jones Murray Stegall Ranking Average 2 3 1 2.5 2.5 2.2 PRIORITY RANKING Mosaiculture Exhibit from Shaghai. China (P-050-435) In cooperation with the Turtle Bay Exploration Park, the McConnell Foundation and the Redding Bank of Commerce, the City partnered on an exhibit for the Shanghai International Mosaiculture Exposition in 2006. Now that the Exposition is over, with the City's entry, Rodeo being awarded second place out of 87 international entries, the Council may want to display the exhibit as part of the Sculpture Park at City Hall. The estimated cost of installation and maintenance for two years is approximately $160,000. Council concurred that while the sculpture would be a nice amenity, maintenance costs are significant and there is no money in the budget to cover costs. Mayor Dickerson suggested that there may be a local organization that would like to raise funds to support the sculpture. I Bosetti Dickerson Jones Murray Stegall Ranking Average 4 4 4 4 3 3.8 PRIORITY RANKING Oasis Road Area Infrastructure Financing (G-030-110) The Oasis Road Specific Plan Area encompasses approximately 700 acres immediately adjacent to Interstate 5 (1-5) at the Oasis Road and 1-5 interchange. The topic for Council 02/15/2007 I I I 35 consideration is a financing program to facilitate development in the area, particularly reconstruction ofthe existing freeway interchange and other infrastructure - major obstacles to planned growth in the northern portion of the City. To fund the first phase of . transportation infrastructure at the levels indicated by Council will require an investment of approximately $64,000,000, while cost estimates for other, less-critical infrastructure improvements include a sewer system for $7.9 million, a water system for $16.3 million, and storm drainage at $4.4 million. City Manager Starman advised that staff will meet with stakeholders in the Oasis Road Specific Plan Area in March 2007 to discuss a financing program and return to the City Council within the next 60 to 90 days for review and consideration. Council Members Murray and Stegall said they would rank the project priority low until staffs recommendation is received and considered within the next 60 to 90 days. At that time, the financing dimensions will be better understood. Council Members Bosetti and Jones pointed out that if this project receives a low priority ranking, it will be difficult to move forward. They believed staff should negotiate the financing program with the developers, but believed this project should receive a high priority ranking because of its potential to generate significant revenue for the City. Mayor Dickerson observed that ifit is Council's intent to move forward on the project, then it should be given a high priority ranking. PRIORITY RANKING Bosetti Dickerson Jones Murray Stegall Ranking Average 1 1 1 4 4 2.2 Parallel Zoning Code - Smart Growth (L-OIO-500) Creation of a "parallel zoning code" could facilitate the use of "smart growth" or "traditional neighborhood development" principles as an addition to the City's existing development standards and would provide an opportunity for builders to use development standards that emphasize the features of smart growth as alternatives to the traditional zoning standards currently in use. Lynda Scheben of Healthy Shasta Partnerships urged support for healthy living communities by promoting more trails and other amenities which encourage good health habits. She believed that a "smart growth" code would help individuals live better. In response to Vice Mayor Stegall, City Manager Starman said that, if performed in-house, the cost would be between $25,000 and $50,000. Council Member Murray expressed support for fewer regulations believing that codifying development standards and rules stymies the creativity of the development community. Mayor Dickerson disagreed stating that he had received information from developers that they are hindered by not having a parallel code. He believed it critical to the future of the community to make this tool available. Council Member Bosetti believed the issue to be interpretation of current codes. He said that staff and the City are performing well in this area and believed another set of rules unnecessary. Council Member Jones pointed to the significant commitment of staff time and a minimal budget. PRIORITY RANKING Bosetti Dickerson Jones Murray Stegall Ranking Average 3 1 3 2.5 1.5 2.2 2/15/2007 36 Permit IProiect Tracking Svstem (A-050-122) City Manager Starman explained that because many City departments and the private sector need access to information regarding project development, permitting and inspection activity, a user-friendly Internet system where development activity information can be shared and accessed by all is necessary to meet the needs of a growing city. The system would allow the public to check application status, apply and receive permits and schedule inspections on- line. The cost of this project could range between $700,000 to $800,600 for software and implementation costs, $90,000 per year for a System Administrator and maintenance costs of $25,000 per year. Council Member Murray commented that the City's current tracking system in ineffective because it takes time and costs the City and applicants money. . I Council Member Jones expressed concern regarding the high cost of the system. Council Member Bosetti supported the project for its return on investment potential. He asserted that the City must be integrated and believed the system would pay for itselfin terms of efficiency and time savings in less than five years. Bosetti Dickerson Jones Murra~ Stegall Ranking Average 1 2 2 1 2 1.6 PRIORITY RANKING Police Department - Additional Staffing (P-150-150 & A-050-270) City Manager Starman reported that the Police Department has developed a Fifteen-Year Staffing Plan (Plan) that will allow the department to project personnel needs into the future, provide sufficient time to plan for the funding sources to pay for those positions and determine the overall impact on the General Fund 10- Year Financial Plan. This Plan would allow the Department and the City to be proactive instead of reactive in terms of addressing short-falls in personnel before they occur. The proposal will roughly keep the ratio of officers to population at current levels with the expected 2% annual growth. The additional annual cost for the increase is $208,000 in the first year, $2,767,900 in year eight, and $6,678,300 in the last or fifteenth year of the Plan. I Council Member Stegall noted that an alternative funding source must be identified to fund these very important issues which are, at this point, beyond what the budget can address. She suggested revisiting a tax increase. Council Members Bosetti and Jones said that financial constraints are impacting Council's ability to move priority projects/programs forward. Mayor Dickerson said this should be a Priority #1 and the City must find the means in the budget to begin implementing a program that will increase the number of police officers in this community. Bosetti Dickerson Jones Murray Stegall Ranking Average 2 1 2 2 1 1.6 PRIORITY RANKING Police facility - Design & Construction (C-050-550) The Project includes design and construction of a new police facility at an estimated cost of $38 million with a projected 6% construction cost escalation per year. I Mayor Dickerson said that although a new facility is sorely needed, the City can only explore this project at this time until funding alternatives can be identified and implemented. Council Member Murray concurred with Ms. Stegall's earlier comments regarding the importance of projects being considered and the lack of available funding to move those 02/15/2007 37 projects forward. He pointed out that without public support, the City has no means to pay for a new facility or other critical projects/programs. Council Member Jones expressed concern that the City is considering conceptual designs for a building that it cannot fund instead of concentrating on developing ways to fund the facility. Council Member Bosetti said he could not support a tax increase at this time as a means of raising additional revenue. I Bosetti Dickerson Jones Murray Stegall Ranking Average 2 1 2 1 1 1.4 PRIORITY RANKING Street Maintenance - Augment Existing Budget (S-070-200) The growing backlog of street maintenance has been an ongoing problems for a number of years and must be addressed. The Transportation and Engineering Department recommended several changes to the City's pavement management standards, but it is clear that a significant financial investment in pavement maintenance is necessary to bring the street system into an acceptable state of repair. Council Member Murray said that the City must address the backlog and funding must be identified to address this need. Council Member Bosetti suggested using Transportation Impact Fee (TIF) funding for street maintenance. I . Bosetti Dickerson . Jones Murray Stegall Ranking . Average 1 2 1 1 1 1.2 PRIORITY RANKING Youth Action Council- Continuation (B-080-600-300) The City's Youth Action Council (Y AC) provides Redding high school students the opportunity to interact with community leaders, provide a youth-oriented perspective on City projects and activities, and take the lead in promoting positive youth involvement in various civic activities. The cost ofthe program was a one-time appropriation of$50,000. However, to continue the work of the Y AC for the next two years, annual budget appropriations of $50,000 are needed. Council Member Stegall said she would like to see Y AC continue, but would like more information; specifically, on how the $50,000 was spent. I Calle Froese and Gina Misslin of the Youth Action Council reported on the progress made by the Y AC group through the "power of peers." They said that approximately 14 high school youths are involved in Y AC with a common goal to become good civic leaders and contribute to the community through meaningful improvements. They reported on the accomplishments and current projects of the Y AC: A presentation on "bullying" in cooperation with the Redding Police Department, revitalization of Foxtail Park in the Enterprise area, cleaning and painting equipment, and a media campaign regarding alcohol abuse. Ms. Misslin said that some Y AC members served on the General Plan Committee and also worked for Riverfront Playhouse. Ms. Froese and Ms. Misslin thanked the City and Council for supporting Y AC and urged continued support. Council Member Murray reported that the Y AC members have worked hard, but he commented that part ofthe work effort should be on committing to a program to raise money to continue the work ofY AC as a self-sufficient group. Council Member Jones supported the program but observed that $50,000 could be diverted to street maintenance or public safety personnel. 2/1512007 38 Mayor Dickerson noted that Y AC is a great program but should become self sustaining. Doing this will help them grow. PRIORITY RANKING Bosetti Dickerson Jones Murray Stegall Ranking Average 3 1 3 1 1 1.8 GASB 45 (P-I00-150) Council Member Murray questioned why the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 45 issue was not on the list of priority projects and programs. He said that staff should be given direction regarding this and Council should receive information on how this new disclosure requirement will impact the City's budget. I City Manager Starman explained that the GASB adopted Statement 45 in 2004, which requires government agencies to calculate and disclose the costs associated with certain retiree benefits such as health care benefits. However, the City is not required to comply with GASB 45 until fiscal year 2007 -08. He said that information regarding the implications of GASB 45 will be coming to Council within the next 45 to 60 days. There being no further business, at the hour of 5:07 p.m., Mayor Dickerson declared the meeting adjourned. APPROVED ~r~ Mayor I ATTEST ~~ City Clerk I 02/15/2007