HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - unsigned - 1992-03-02 - Adjourned Regular Meeting
City Council, Adjourned Regular Meeting
City Hall Conference Room
Redding, California
March 2, 1992 5:20 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Vice Mayor Moss with the following Council
Members present: Arness, Carter, Fulton, and Moss. Mayor Dahl was absent.
Also present were City Manager Christofferson, Fire Chief Bailey, Police Chief
Blankenship, Battalion Chief Tomicich, Battalion Chief Eckard, Fire Captain
Keown, Fire Engineer Beatty and Assistant City Clerk Moscatello.
Fire Task Force members present were Don Spellman, Jim Salini, Dottie
Holloway, Conrad Anderson, Fire Captain Warner and Chair Don Rehn.
Police Task Force members present were Wilson Curle, Mark Young, Louis Brown,
and Chair Judy Smith.
REPORT OF POLICE TASK FORCE
(B-080-600-425)
Noting that City Council is already in receipt of the Report of the Police
Task Force, Chair Judy Smith asked if Council had any questions or input on
the Report. Chair Smith noted that the report is general in nature because
the committee believed that current budget constraints created too many
unknowns. She conveyed that the committee's main concern is that with
whatever limited funds are available, personnel that was removed from last
year's budget be replaced as soon as possible. She noted that the community
will receive whatever level of service they are willing to pay for.
Chair Smith stated that the Report does recommend some small budget cuts;
however, the committee did not prioritize those cuts. She recommended that
Council discuss budget cuts with Chief Blankenship. Chair Smith stated that
the Police Department is making good use of its available space and manpower.
She expressed hope that the Department can maintain its manpower because that
is the key to law enforcement.
REPORT OF FIRE TASK FORCE
(B-080-600-200)
Fire Task Force Chair Don Rehn summarized the 1991 Fire Task Force Report.
Noting that the Task Force Report's recommendations require additional funds
to implement, Council Member Arness stated that Council is looking for funds
to support public safety services.
Vice Mayor Moss agreed. He conveyed that developers seeking annexation to the
City were stymied by the stalemate between the City of Redding and Shasta
County regarding the property tax exchange agreement. These developers
suggested that the City establish an annexation fee for public safety
services.
Vice Mayor Moss recalled that the property tax exchange agreement between the
City and County required the City to give up $.10 out of every $.17 that the
City received from property taxes. He stated that the money should be
replaced by an annexation fee to be paid by the developers annexing to the
City.
Vice Mayor Moss explained that the annexation fee would be invested according
to City standards and the interest earned from the account would replace the
funds lost because of the new property tax exchange agreement. It will be
necessary, however, to create a mechanism whereby future City Council's could
not use those funds for other than their intended purpose--public safety.
Council Member Carter asked about the feasibility of establishing an
assessment district for public safety services. He pointed out that an up-
front annexation fee is expensive.
City Manager Christofferson explained that establishing an assessment district
would be a one-shot deal. He said there are vehicles under Mello Roos where
it can be done, but he opined that an annexation fee is a better idea.
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Vice Mayor Moss explained that it could be structured so that the
developer/builder could pay the fee when they were financing their structural
loan. An annexation fee would be more affordable at that time, rather than
when the property was purchased or being annexed.
Council Member Carter asked if the payment could be spread out over a period
of time. He noted that the fee may discourage new home builders.
Vice Mayor Moss stressed that annexation is a voluntary decision made by a
developer.
Council Member Arness pointed out that this concept works for a developer who
owns 100 percent of the land and wishes to annex; however, the City receives
annexation requests from areas that are already inhabited and some landowners
may be opposed to annexation.
Vice Mayor Moss conveyed that developers suggested this idea. He pointed out
that establishing an annexation fee will encourage developers to develop
property within the City limits.
Chair Rehn conveyed that the Task Force recommended that fire inspection fees
and fines for noncompliance be established.
Vice Mayor Moss asked about the private sector paying a more realistic share
of dispatch costs. Police Chief Blankenship conveyed that staff will report
back to City Council on that issue as soon as more information is known.
Chair Rehn noted that the Fire Department is understaffed, and if there were
ever a catastrophe such as two major fires, the public would also realize the
department is understaffed.
Council Member Fulton recalled that the last Task Force Report also
recommended three firemen on a truck and additional fire apparatus. He
pointed out that these goals were not met.
Council Member Carter noted that California is suffering from a bad business
climate, and Redding must maintain a good reputation for police and fire
services to attract business.
Vice Mayor Moss opined that an annexation fee is not a development fee. He
pointed out that property is worth more after annexation to the City, and if
the developer can afford it, that is their decision to make. The fee is not
punitive or too restrictive on growth.
Vice Mayor Moss noted that he would like to see three firemen on a truck. He
explained that if it cannot be done this year, maybe next year it can, even if
it is accomplished one station at a time.
Council Member Arness stated that in light of the budget concerns, he is not
willing to promise the Task Force anything.
On behalf of the City Council, Vice Mayor Moss thanked the Public Safety Task
Force for their time and fine effort.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, at the hour of 6:10 p.m., Vice Mayor Moss
declared the meeting adjourned to 6:15 p.m., March 3, 1992, at the City
Council Chambers, 1313 California Street, Redding, California.
APPROVED:
________________________________
Vice Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Assistant City Clerk
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