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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1983/05/31 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA BUDGET SESSION Tuesday, May 31, 1983 Council Conference Room 5:00 p.m. City Hall Councilmembers present: Mayor Cox, Councilmembers McCandliss, Scott, Moore, Malcolm Councilmembers absent: None Staff present: City Manager Goss, Assistant City Manager Asmus Mayor pro Tempore Scott opened the meeting stating that the Mayor is on a long distance telephone call and will be in shortly. City Manager Goss introduced the Public Information Specialist, Mark Cox. Mayor Cox arrived at this time. City Manager Goss stated that the remainder of the budget will be delivered to the Council this Friday. He briefly discussed the proposed revenues. The Council concurred that they would consider the revenues during the budget session as it concerns the various departments. In answer to Councilwoman McCandliss' question, City Manager Goss stated that he has not prejudged what the negotiations for employees' salaries will bring. Part of that fund will come out of the $250,000 reserve. PLANNING AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTS City Manager Goss discussed the work projects concerning both departments. In the Planning Department, he noted the major work programs as Sphere of Influence study, General Plan update, Annexations, large scale developments, updating the Zoning Ordinances, updating Council policies, and prioritizing referrals by the City Council. He stated that the current staff in the Planning Department cannot handle these projects. He is looking at supplementary staffing in the department such as hiring outside consultants to handle large scale projects as Eastlake and Gersten. A Planning Technician II position is needed in the department. Mr. Goss stated he is not recommending the position at this time; however, if the funds were available he would recommend it. The Engineering Department will have a minor reorganization. $40,000 has been allocated for a Traffic Study; however, 50% to 60% of that money will be reimbursed by the developers - this Traffic Study will be for the eastern sector of the community. There is a need for an Engineering Technician I. He did not recommend this at first; however, the revenues from the Capital Improvement Programs that would come in to the General Fund for Administration Engineering would be decreased by the equivalent amount of this Traffic Engineering position; therefore, the City can have this position without any direct impact on the General Fund. Mr. Goss stated that he is now recommending filling this position. City Council Meeting - 2 May 31, 1983 Planning Director Bud Gray presented a historical background of the Planning Department level of staffing. Since the peak year of 1975-76 at which time the department had 17 regular positions along with CETA positions, the staffing is now down to 13 regular positions plus one Contract Planner position. Mr. Gray expressed the need for the additional Planner Technician position noting the projects that need to be completed, listing the "ideal" and "possible" sequence of dates for completion. In answer to Councilwoman McCandliss' query, Mr. Gray stated that it was his suggestion the City move ahead with the City's Sphere of Influence study. Councilman Malcolm asked if the City could enter into an agreement with LAFCO in order to get a larger percentage of the property tax revenues until it has repaid those funds. Mr. Goss stated that part of the $40,000 that has been set aside for the General Plan study can be used for consultant work for the Sphere of Influence study. MSUC (Scott/Malcolm) to add a contract employee or one of a limited duration employee - a Planner Technician II at a salary of $20,454. Planning Director Gray commented that he is meeting with Bill Davis of LAFCO on the Sphere of Influence study. He will report back to the Council at a future meeting. MSUC (Cox/McCandliss) to approve the Planning Department budget as amended. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT City Manager Goss discussed the need of hiring an additional Engineering Technician I position. City Engineer Lippitt gave an outline of the Engineering staffing since the fiscal year 1977-78 at which time the department had 40 positions. They have now experienced a 33-1/3% reduction and have 30 positions. Mr. Lippitt discussed the Traffic Engineering studies stating that he and his staff have been talking to SANDAG and they have given a proposal on how they could do the study for the City. He discussed what the proposal would be and what would be involved, resulting in a study which would be a model the City could use for future studies. Mr. Lippitt said that he is recommending the City purchase the software so that the department can run similar traffic analyses for Chula Vista. These particular studies can be charged to the developers and can be completed within 60 to 90 days. The City Council discussed with Mr. Lippitt the work programs in the department, the study of Route 125 and the need for similar computers throughout the City that can be interchangable. MSUC(Scott/Cox) to add the position of Engineering Technician I. MSUC (Scott/Cox to approve the Engineering Department budget as amended. City Council Meeting - 3 May 31, 1983 The Council recessed for dinner at 6:40 p.m. and the meeting reconvened at 7:08 p.m. TRANSIT DEPARTMENT City Manager Goss presented the Transit Operating Budget stating that he is recommending the budget for approval. It does not include the purchase of buses - this will come at a later date. MSUC (Scott/Malcolm) to approve the Transit Operating Budget. Councilman Moore reported that the "E" Street Trolley Station will take from August to October for the consultant to finish his task. Sedway-Cooke was asked to compress that construction date. Actual construction of the trolleys will begin after the first of the year. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT City Manager Goss discussed several issues involved in this particular department. The staffing is at the same level as last year. There is a need for a Public Information Program. Councilman Scott questioned the rationale of having a Public Information Specialist and a Consultant. Community Development Director Desrochers stated that the Business and Industry Development Committee (BIDC) is looking into hiring a public relations person for six months to end in December this year. Councilman Scott noted that the firm of Nuffer/Smith's contract was extended in order to take care of any training of City personnel needed. The Public Information Specialist that was hired was to be part-time and now is full-time. City Manager Goss discussed the money allocated for lobbying projects; the funds budgeted for the BIDC program and his recommendation for the Secretary II position to be reclassified to Administrative Secretary. MSUC (Cox/Malcolm) to approve the Community Development budget as recommended by the City Manager. MS (Scott/McCandliss) to delete the funds budgeted for the public relations consultant. Council discussion followed regarding the need for this particular position; the RFP's that have gone out and the merit of having the new person on board being able to contact the consultant. Councilman Scott withdrew his motion. Councilwoman McCandliss withdrew the second. BUILDING AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT BUDGET City Manager Goss presented the budget stating that there are a few specific items which need to be pursued, one of which is the rotary camera. He recommended the budget be approved as presented. City Council Meeting - 4 May 31, 1983 MSUC (Scott/Moore) to approve the budget of the Building and Housing Department as recommended by the City Manager. Council discussion followed regarding the Building and Housing staff's involvment in the Community Appearance Program and the availability of the office set aside for Supervisor Hamilton in the Legislative Building. Assistant City Manager Asmus suggested that Jobs for Youth be held there. Councilwoman McCandliss indicated that the Shared Housing Program staff would be appropriate. MSUC (Cox/Scott) for staff to investigate whatever function should be recommendced for that space. PUBLIC WORKS OPERATIONS City Manager Goss explained the increase in the gas tax funds, and the Street Sweeping Program. Councilman Malcolm questioned negotiating with the water company in order to have all billings on one invoice such as trash, the water billing and City sewer billings. Councilman Malcolm stated it would save the City approximately $60,000 a year. City Manager Goss stated he would check into this. Mr. Goss discussed the revenues generated in the Public Works Department and the computer system for Mainstem. After investigation staff concluded that the Mainstem program should be phased out and the City could develop its own system at a cost savings. City Manager Goss suggested the establishment of a tree farm nursery which could be housed on the vacant property on "H" Street ~n 805 or near Rohr Park (at vacant property). City Manager Goss suggested the establishment of an equipment replacement fund, noting the advantages and cost savings it would bring the City over a period of years. Councilman Scott indicated it would be inflating the present budget which is a realistic one and suggested instead an equipment schedule. Mayor Cox commented by setting up the equipment replacement fund the City is creating a restricted fund. MSUC (Moore/McCandliss) to direct the City Manager to set up an equipment replacement program for major equipment and to bring this back to the City Council for approval or disapproval. MSUC (McCandliss/Cox) to approve the Public Works Operations budget as recommended by the City Manager. MAYOR'S COMMENTS a. Mayor Cox asked that the following two items be returned to the Council with a staff recommendation for the meeting scheduled forjune 14. City Council Meeting - 5 May 31, 1983 1. He noted when visitors come into the City from ~ ster Cities the gifts the Council gives them are very small, such as ball-point pens, etc. He --, would like staff to come up with something more elaborate and suggested the Council consider developing an artistic talent contest in the community and that design can be put on a lithograph plate. 2. The second item is a need for City post cards. Mayor Cox remarked that the Marina RV park has purchased some Chula Vista T-shirts, but nowhere in the City are there Chula Vista post cards. He suggested developing a program for photographs that can be used on post cards. MSUC (Cox/Malcolm) to refer these two items to staff for a report back. b. Mayor Cox noted the City has recently remodeled the median islands east of I-5 at the entrances of "E","J" and "H" Streets. These median islands are in need of better landscaping. MSUC (Cox/McCandliss) for staff to look at this and come back with a recommendation to the City Council in connection with the CIP Budget. COUNCIL COMMENTS a. Councilman Scott commented that when he had visited the "J" Street Marina he noticed the wind factor down there which is ideal for kite flying. He suggested having a community kite flying contest, (together with the Chamber of Commerce) which may bring some interest to the Bayfront. MSUC (Scott/McCandliss) for staff to look into the possibility of a kite flying contest. b. Councilman Malcolm discussed the RV Park and "J" Street Marina and the need for some type of landscaping to screen San Diego Gas and Electric and Rohr Plant. Council discussion followed regarding staff's talk with Rohr representatives in which they are agreeing on some type of landscaping. MSUC (Malcolm/Moore) to approach Rohr representatives to ask them for cooperation in landscaping their western boundary line. c. Councilman Malcolm discussed the "Granny Flats" legislation bill which has a deadline of June 30. He asked staff to check on the 120-day requirement in the bill which states that it is either the June 30 deadline or 120 days after the first application. ..~ d. Councilman Moore reported the "E" Street Trolley Consultant will be selected on June 7 by the Board of Supervisors. He added that there will be a meeting of the "Project Oversee" on Friday June 24 at 2 p.m. City Council Meeting - 6 May 31, 1983 e. Councilman Moore asked the City Manager if proposals were coming in on the property west of the Golf Course on Bonita Road. Mr. Goss said the item was referred to the Planning Department and they are in the process of evaluating it. Assistant City Manager Asmus remarked there would have to be a rezoning of the property before any RFP's can go out. ADJOURNMENT AT 8:35 p.m.to the meeting of June 7, 1983 at 7 p.m. PAG