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Home My WebLink Aboutcc min 2006/06/08 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA June 8, 2006 5:00 P.M. An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Chula Vista was called to order at 5:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located in City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmembers: Castaneda, Chavez, McCarm, Rindone, and Mayor Padilla ABSENT: Councilmembers: None ALSO PRESENT: Assistant City Manager Thomson, Senior Assistant City Attorney Marshall, and Deputy City Clerk Bennett PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND MOMENT OF SILENCE I. BUDGET WORKSHOP · Introduction and Overview of Two- Y ear Budget Process Assistant City Manager Thomson gave an overview of the two-year budget process. He stated that adoption of the budget is scheduled for June 20, 2006. Director of Budget and Analysis Vaneenoo presented an overview of the two-year budget, including budget development, capital improvement program, general fund (five-year forecast, revenue projections, general fund budget, staffing changes, and potential program enhancements), and redevelopment agency budget.. Also included was the fiscal year 2007 budget update. · Capital Improvement Program General Services Director Griffin presented the Capital Improvement Program that included a summary of changes; fiscal year 2007 street drainage and traffic projects, and anticipated mid- year major project appropriations. Councilmember Rindone requested that staff provide a report on the percentage of dollars that were expended for rehabilitation in western Chula Vista and Montgomery in the last two-year budget cycle. · General Fund: a. Five- Y ear Forecast b. Revenue Projections Finance Director Kachadoorian presented the General Fund five-year forecast that included an assessment of general funds to 1) meet existing obligations, such as Memorandum of Understanding agreements and debt commitments; and 2) fund new initiatives, such as Phase III of the Civic Center expansion and the opening of the Rancho del Rey Library. Deputy Mayor McCann spoke regarding the general fund reserves, proposing that some of the funds be transferred from the restricted reserves to the unrestricted reserves to meet the Council Policy; and he requested that staff explain any ramifications of this suggestion. He said it was important to err on the side of caution to ensure that the City is fully funded. Director Kachadoorian responded that the level of reserves is set by Council Policy, and she explained that the purpose of the equipment replacement fund was to have funds set aside in order to meet the needs for vehicle replacement. She added that staff has embarked on a review of the equipment replacement fund to make sure that staff knows what the adequate reserve levels should be. She suggested that staff come back with a plan in the next budget cycle to ensure that liabilities are not being created elsewhere. Deputy Mayor McCann spoke of the need to fully fund the reserves and to enter into the next budget cycle with a full analysis of restricted funds. Councilmember Castaneda suggested that staff come back during the budget clean-up process with a policy that would give the Council an opportunity to consider shifting funds from restricted to unrestricted, and a standard for determining that equipment really needs to be replaced. Councilmember Rindone asked staff to provide a memorandum to the Council prior to the June 20, 2006 meeting containing the percentage of funds appropriated during the past four to five budget cycles that were unspent and transferred to the reserves. He also suggested an addendum to the policy of maintaining an 8% reserve, and asked staff to come back within 90 days of the new budget cycle with a review of the reserve amount and of establishing the 8% balance as of October I st each year to allow an assessment of the restricted and unrestricted reserves. Director Kachadoorian proposed that the suggested transfer of restricted funds to un-restricted funds and a policy for a standard for determining equipment replacement be included in the staff report for the budget clean-up that will be brought forward to the Council in July. Mayor Padilla suggested that there be an actuarial analysis by department, that department needs be reflected in the department base budget, and that all un-encumbered general fund reserves be counted in total to reflect accurately what is left over. He concurred with the comments by Deputy Mayor McCann and Councilmember Castaneda. Mayor Padilla left the dais at 6: 15 p.m. c. General Fund Budget d. Staffing Changes Director of Budget and Analysis VanEenoo explained the Operating Budget that included a five- year forecast of expenditure projections and changes, as well as staffing changes. Mayor Padilla returned to the dais at 6:34 p.m. Page 2 - Council Minutes June 8, 2006 , L-___~ --_. .~ -,.- ~ ..~ --~--~._. Councilmember Rindone spoke regarding the proposed position of Chief Executive Officer for the Chula Vista Redevelopment Corporation (CVRC) and asked staff to evaluate the need for additional support staff for the CVRC prior to the meeting of June 20th. Director Vaneenoo responded that staff would address the Redevelopment Agency later in the presentation. e. Potential Program Enhancements Not Included in Proposed Budget Director Vaneenoo introduced the proposed program enhancements, including police staffing and graffiti abatement. Police Chief Emerson presented the proposed police staffing. Mayor Padilla asked about the impacts on the City when police personnel are re-assigned to a regional task force. Chief Emerson replied that an internal mechanism exists whereby personnel would not be pulled from patrol to fund or fill these positions. He added that the Jurisdictions United against Drug and Gang Enforcement (JUDGE) Program is primarily South Bay-driven. Mayor Padilla expressed concern about the ratio of officers per capita and the impacts of overtime and spoke of the need to continue to seek ways to increase police staffing in the City. Councilmember Rindone asked about the allocation of School Resource Officers to the new high school that will open in July. Chief Emerson responded that there are no additional School Resource Officers proposed, and he added that the school districts are having difficulty funding their portion for the services. Councilmember Rindone requested that staff continue to monitor the services and ensure that they are maintained at the current levels. Councilmember McCann expressed the need to anticipate additional staffing for new shopping centers. Chief Emerson replied that police staff had met with the shopping center security personnel to assist them with crime prevention methods. · Redevelopment Agency Finance Director Kachadoorian gave a brief overview of the Redevelopment Agency budget. In response to the concerns expressed by Councilmember Rindone regarding support staff for the CVRC, she suggested that when the Executive Director is hired, he or she bring forward a recommended budget to the Council so that funds could be reallocated or appropriated. · Other Funds Director of Budget and Analysis Vaneenoo presented an overview of the All Funds budget. Deputy Mayor McCann recommended the following: (I) fully fund reserves at 8%; (2) eliminate the CVRC stipend; (3) meet with staff for a clearer understanding of the City's organizational chart; (4) implementation of a cell phone policy; (5) look at tighter travel expenditures; and (6) create a goverrunent hotline where constituents can report anonymously to the City on waste in goverrunent. Councilmember Castaneda recommended that a rewards/incentives policy be implemented for individual departments who come under budget and seek methods to save money. He also spoke of the need for a budget that takes into consideration the City's infrastructure needs. Page 3 - Council Minutes June 8, 2006 Mayor Padilla asked staff to explain whether or not an internal policy exists for departmental budget savings incentives. Director Kachadoorian stated that such a policy does not exist in the City but she would obtain further information about the County's policy. She added that as part of the Finance Department's strategic plan, staff is in the process of compiling a report of existing policies, and proposed policies would be brought forward to the Council for review. The Council recognized and thanked City Manager Rowlands for his service to the City. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were none. OTHER BUSINESS 2. CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS There were none. 3. MAYOR'S REPORTS There were none. 4. COUNCIL COMMENTS There were none. ADJOURNMENT At 8:30 p.m., Mayor Padilla adjourned the meeting to the Regular Meeting on June 13, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. .----- J Lorraine Bennett, Deputy City Clerk Page 4 - Council Minutes June 8, 2006 ----- - ~~ ..~..~------