HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - unsigned - 1988-07-26 City Council, Adjourned Regular Meeting Council Chambers Redding, California July 26, 1988 The adjourned regular meeting of the City Council was called to
order at 5:20 p.m. by Mayor Johannessen with the following Council members present: Buffum, Dahl, and Fulton. Council Member Carter was absent.
Also present were City Manager Christofferson, Assistant City
Manager McMurry, City Attorney Hays, Director of Public Works
Galusha, Chief of Police Blankenship, Assistant City Attorney
McNeill, Director of Information Systems Kelley, Director of
Utilities/Customer Service Vokal, Assistant Finance Director
Sundin-Gruber, City Clerk Nichols, and Secretary to the City
Council Moscatello.
RESOLUTIONS - Establishing and Adopting a Policy Statement of
the City Council on the Implementation of Measure L and
Establishing and Adopting a Policy Statement of the City Council
in Setting the Library Budget
* (L-050 & E-070-100)
City Manager Christofferson stated that the intent of this
meeting is to enunciate and adopt Policy Statements for
implementing Measure L and setting the Library budget. Mr.
Christofferson also submitted for Council's consideration an
ordinance creating a Utility Users Tax to be enacted pending the
successful passage of Measure L at the election September 13. He
explained that the ordinance is based on a model ordinance in use
by 80 cities and has been tailored to meet the City's needs.
Mr. Christofferson conveyed that senior citizens and low income
residents may qualify for an exemption providing a 50% discount
on electric and water tax. Mr. Christofferson recommended that
Council make a two-year commitment to maintain the utility user
tax at 1.85%. Noting that budgets are usually adopted on a
yearly basis, he pointed out that this Council will be active for
the next two years and such an act would show good faith.
Mr. Christofferson reiterated that the tax is dedicated solely
for the use of the Library. He conveyed that the 3% maximum tax
could fund a library building as well as operating expenses, but
the Library Committee is very optimistic that money can be raised
from other sources for a building. Shasta County has assured the
City that the library building may be used for two years with the
possibility of extending that time frame, if necessary.
Mr. Christofferson explained that 1.85% is a conservative tax and
will raise about $900,000 per year for the library. He noted
that it is the intention of the City to provide library service
to areas outside the City to the extent that such service is paid
for. That amount is undetermined as yet and will be based
initially on the appraisal of books and other assets and then a
cash contribution would be required by the agency or individuals.
Mr. Christofferson stated that it shall be City policy to use the
average of per capita expenditures for other city libraries in
the State of California, as reported by the State Librarian, as a
basis for determining the library budget.
Council Member Fulton expressed concerned that there is not a cap
on the amount of tax that can be paid. Mr. Christofferson stated
that staff conducted computer runs on various tax amounts and
caps and determined that a cap would be relatively costly. If a
cap were in place, a higher rate of tax would be necessary.
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Bob Edkin, Chairman of "People Who Care," stated that the policy
declaration setting the tax rate at 1.85% represents a cap. Mr. Edkin pointed out that the tax rate will probably go down because the cost of utilities is increasing at a faster rate than the present per capita rate of expenditures for other city libraries.
He explained that the Committee has been talking with the business community, and it was determined that if the revenue base is restricted, the rate will be forced up. Mr. Edkin stated
that if Council feels the need to offer some type of relief, the
tax on natural gas could be eliminated. He added that although
this is an alternative, the committee does not recommend it.
Council Member Buffum asked how the large industries in the
Industrial Lakes Park feel about the tax. Mr. Edkin explained
that they are not happy about the tax, but they are supportive.
Mr. Christofferson noted that libraries have traditionally been
budgeted through the property tax. He explained that business
has always paid the greater share because if business owned a lot
of property, they paid a lot of tax.
Fred Hurst, "People Who Care," explained that it is the smaller
businesses that are at issue with the tax. He has been assisting
small businesses figure their tax, and they have found that most
will be paying less than $10 per month.
Mr. Edkin stated that he is very positive about the ordinance and
emphasized that the proposed budget will provide for basic
library services. He noted that the average utility user tax
statewide is 6%, the City is asking for half that amount at the
maximum, and Redding is the only City dedicating its tax to the
library. Mr. Edkin pointed out that there are new libraries
opening throughout the State, and we need to talk about pride and
getting our library open.
Council concurred that the Committee's recommendations are as
equitable as possible and the ordinance, as submitted, should
stand.
MOTION: Made by Council Member Dahl, seconded by Council Member
Buffum, that Resolution No. 88-255 be adopted, a resolution of
the City Council of the City of Redding establishing and adopting
a Policy Statement of the City Council on the implementation of
Measure L.
Voting was as follows:
Ayes: Council Members - Buffum, Dahl, Fulton, and Johannessen
Noes: Council Members - None
Absent: Council Members - Carter
Resolution No. 88-255 is on file in the office of the City Clerk.
MOTION: Made by Council Member Dahl, seconded by Council Member
Buffum, that Resolution No. 88-256 be adopted, a resolution of
the City Council of the City of Redding establishing and adopting
a Policy Statement of the City Council in setting the Library
budget.
Voting was as follows:
Ayes: Council Members - Buffum, Dahl, Fulton, and Johannessen
Noes: Council Members - None
Absent: Council Members - Carter
Resolution No. 88-256 is on file in the office of the City Clerk.
RESOLUTION - Encroachment Permit between Anderson-Cottonwood
Irrigation District and City of Redding, Bid Schedule No. 2061,
South Bonnyview/Rancho Road Water Transmission Line
(A-070-045 & B-050-020 & W-030-725)
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Public Works Director Galusha recommended that the encroachment permit agreement between the Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation
District (ACID) and the City of Redding for crossing the existing
ACID irrigation lines with the new South Bonnyview/Rancho Road water transmission line be approved. MOTION: Made by Council Member Dahl, seconded by Council Member Fulton, that Resolution No. 88-257 be adopted, a resolution of
the City Council of the City of Redding approving the
Encroachment Agreement between the City of Redding and the
Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District dated July 21, 1988, and
authorizing the Mayor to sign same.
Voting was as follows:
Ayes: Council Members - Buffum, Dahl, Fulton, and Johannessen
Noes: Council Members - None
Absent: Council Members - Carter
Resolution No. 88-257 is on file in the office of the City Clerk.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, at the hour of 6:00 p.m., Mayor
Johannessen declared the meeting adjourned.
APPROVED:
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Mayor
ATTEST:
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City Clerk
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