HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - unsigned - 1992-06-09 - Adjourned Regular Meeting1
6/9/92
City Council, Adjourned Regular Meeting
City Council Chambers, 1313 California St.
Redding, California
June 9, 1992 5:15 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Moss with the following Council
Members present: Anderson, Arness, and Moss. Council Member Dahl was absent
and Council Member Kehoe arrived at 6:25 p.m.
Also present were City Manager Christofferson, City Attorney Hays, Director of
Public Works Galusha, Director of Planning and Community Development Perry,
Chief of Police Blankenship, Electric Utility Operations Manager Ryan,
Electric Utility Engineering Manager Russell, Electric Utility Resources
Manager Coleman, Fire Chief Bailey, Director of Finance Downing, Director of
Community Services Gorman, Assistant City Engineer Aasen, Police Captain
McKinnie, Principal Planner Keaney, Director of General Services Masingale,
Director of Recreation and Parks Riley, Electric Utility Field Foreman Smith,
Superintendent of Wastewater Craig, Director of Information Systems Kelley,
Building Official Voges, Housing Manager Maurer, Senior Planner King, Airports
Director Ruff, Director of Utilities/Customer Service Vokal, Assistant
Director of General Services Kohn, Recreation Superintendent Sherer, Risk
Manager Mlinarcik, Transportation Coordinator Duryee, Streets Foreman Druse,
Wastewater Foreman Tasello, Budget Services Officer Starman, Lead Systems
Analyst Erwin, Chief Engineering Technician Coats, Senior Accountant Strong,
Public Information Officer Bachman, Management Analyst Anderson, Management
Analyst Frost, Community Access Supervisor Clements, Office Services
Supervisor Dent, Office Services Supervisor Rupp, City Clerk Strohmayer, and
Assistant City Clerk Moscatello.
BUDGET STUDY SESSION
(B-130-070 & L-050)
City Manager Christofferson recalled that Council took action at its budget
study session of June 8, 1992, which reshaped portions of the General Fund
budget, and it is staff's desire to clarify what Council's positions are. Mr.
Christofferson reviewed the memorandum to Council dated June 9, 1992, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
In response to the issue regarding the furlough program, Mayor Moss said he
would prefer to begin the furlough program at the beginning of the new fiscal
year rather than wait until January. He explained that it would not be as
great of an impact on the employees if the furlough program was spread
throughout the year.
Mr. Christofferson explained that staff recommended deferral of the furlough
program based on the hope that the economy would improve, and it may not be
necessary to implement the program or implement it to that degree. He
cautioned that once the program has begun, there is no way to go back and make
up the cuts.
Mayor Moss noted that if at any time, staff felt confident that the program
was no longer necessary, it could be terminated.
In response to the issue of furloughs versus layoffs, Mayor Moss expressed a
preference for the furlough program rather than laying off employees. He
explained that the furlough program would not impact employees or services to
the public as much.
Council Member Kehoe arrived at 6:25 p.m.
Council Member Anderson suggested that a combination of the furlough program
and layoffs be implemented. He said he is not in favor of massive layoffs
unless necessary; and, in addition, he suggested that the City hold the line
on hiring any more people. He concurred that the furlough program should
begin at the beginning of the fiscal year.
Council Member Arness agreed with Mayor Moss and Council Member Anderson.
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6/9/92
Council Member Kehoe stated that the furlough program should be phased in over
the course of the year, and Council should put a clamp on hiring new
employees. He added that the citizens in the community have indicated what
types of service are important to them--high quality public services such as
police and fire protection and good planning.
Council Member Arness conveyed that he is not opposed to all forms of revenue
enhancement and he would consider programs such as a storm drain utility or
street utility.
Mr. Christofferson indicated that staff will make one more sweep through each
department to cut programs and costs, create a furlough program, and report
back to Council.
Mayor Moss asked if staff will have to meet and confer with the bargaining
units. Mr. Christofferson replied yes, the Memorandums of Understanding
provide a method for layoffs, but not for a furlough program.
Council Member Kehoe expressed hope that staff would develop a work-force
management plan and a skills bank inventory. He suggested that surplus
positions be identified, and vacancies in the enterprise funds be identified
and general fund employees be moved to those positions.
Mr. Christofferson conveyed that while it is desirable to have these
management devices, he cannot make any promises when they can be prepared
because staff is so busy.
Council Member Anderson pointed out that the Fire Department has not added any
new employees in a long time. He opined that there will not be a major layoff
if the furlough program is implemented.
Council Member Arness made a motion to implement the furlough program aimed at
recapturing about $1.2 million as close to the new fiscal year as possible,
include funding for the library in the budget, and approve the budget
amendments as proposed in the June 8, 1992, memorandum to City Council. This
motion died for lack of a second.
Mr. Christofferson said he would appreciate the opportunity to bring back a
specific plan.
Mayor Moss hoped that Council would agree to leave the question of layoffs
versus a furlough program up to the discretion of the department directors and
City Manager.
Council Member Arness asked if Council has intentions to support the library's
request for funding in the amount of $150,000.
Mayor Moss said he would prefer to wait and review the library's request after
the budget is fully reviewed, and then consider contributing $150,000.
Council Member Arness questioned the wisdom of not budgeting for the library
and then taking money out of the reserves.
Council Member Anderson expressed support for library funding in the amount of
$150,000. However, he stated that if the City has to lay people off, he does
not want to increase the City's contribution to make up for the County's
reduction in funding. He added that he does not want to commit to the library
until all the pieces are in place.
Council Member Kehoe said he is inclined to support the library at the
existing level however; however, he does not want to exceed that level if city
services and personnel are jeopardized by that action.
ENTERPRISE FUNDS
(B-130-070)
Budget Services Officer noted that there are several budget amendments for the
enterprise funds as outlined in the Interdepartment Communication from the
City Manager dated June 8, 1992, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Mr. Starman reviewed the budget amendments during each individual enterprise
department fund budget review.
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6/9/92
Community Services Director Gorman reviewed the Convention Center/Visitor's
Bureau budget. Mr. Gorman indicated that this enterprise fund does not
require a subsidy from the general fund in this fiscal year. In addition,
this enterprise has assumed funding support for the regional promotion
activities of the Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association and the Shasta County
Arts Council. Further, it is proposed that this division provide funding for
the Redding Community Access Corporation and the maintenance of the common
grounds at Turtle Bay.
Director of Public Works Galusha reviewed the budget for the Water Utility and
the budget for the Wastewater Utility. Noting that the reserves for the
wastewater utility will be depleted by the end of the 1993-94 fiscal year, Mr.
Galusha indicated that staff will be looking at long-range financial planning
for both utilities in order to sustain acceptable levels of service.
Electric Utility Operations Manager Ryan presented the Electric Utility
budget. Discussion was held regarding operation costs, rate increases,
requests for additional personnel, and department overtime.
Council Member Kehoe asked staff for a copy of the overtime budget reports for
each department.
Airports Director Ruff reviewed the budget for the Municipal Airport and the
Benton Airport. Mr. Ruff conveyed that the department is continuing to
exercise control over the operating budget and trying to reduce costs. He
noted that staff has been very aggressive in securing State and Federal grant
funding and trying to increase revenue.
Director of General Services Masingale presented the budget for Solid Waste
Collection. Mr. Masingale noted that staff is proposing that temporary part-
time positions be established to help eliminate overtime pay. Discussion was
held regarding the cost of closing the Benton Landfill, financing options to
close the landfill and the impact on the ratepayer.
SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS
Director of Planning and Community Development Perry presented the budget for
the Housing and Community Development Division.
Council Member Anderson asked if the city was proceeding with any annexations.
Mr. Perry conveyed that staff is only spending time explaining Council's
action relating to annexations and working on a fee schedule for the Mello
Roos district. Once a fee is established, staff will convey that information
to the property owners and ask if they want to annex and sign a petition to
set up a Mello Roos district.
Noting that until Council knows if the Mello Roos district will work, Council
Member Anderson suggested that the City not spend any more money in this area.
Mr. Perry acknowledged that was staff's understanding.
Council Member Anderson said he would like to see a Mello Roos district in
place and working before any more annexations are processed through LAFCO.
Mr. Perry stated that an annexation must be processed to determine if the
district will work. He clarified that Council Member Anderson's is saying not
to process any more annexations until a Mello Roos district is established on
property already within the City.
Council Member Arness opined that Council Member Anderson is talking about an
annexation that has passed through LAFCO such as Texas Springs.
Mr. Perry stated that staff will bring this back for Council's consideration
as part of a policy.
Development Funds
Director of Public Works Galusha presented the proposed projects and budgets
for the following capital projects' fund: Storm Drain Capital Improvements,
Construction Capital Improvements, Traffic Impact Capital Improvements, Dana
Drive Traffic Impact Capital Improvements, and General City Projects.
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Director of Recreation and Parks Riley presented the proposed projects and
budgets for the Park Development Tax Capital Projects, Park In-Lieu Tax
Capital Projects funds.
Director of Finance Downing presented the budget for the Parking Enforcement
and Parking Operations funds.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, at the hour of 8:28 p.m., Mayor Moss
adjourned the meeting to 5:15 p.m., Wednesday, June 10, 1992, to continue
budget study sessions.
APPROVED:
________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________
City Clerk