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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1983/05/02 JOINT CITY COUNCIL/SCHOOL DISTRICTS MEETING Monday, May 2, 1983 CONFERENCE ROOMS 2 AND 3 PUBLIC SERVICES BUILDING 4:00 p.m. 276 FOURTH AVENUE CHULA VISTA 1. CALL TO ORDER MAYOR GREG COX Mayor Cox called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Cox, Councilmembers Moore, Malcolm, Scott, McCandliss Chula Vista Superintendent Leonard Servetter City School District: Members: Bauer, Allen, Fuller, Cummings Sweetwater Union Superintendent William Padelford High School District: Members: Bauer, Morris, Southwestern Community President Julie Stindt College District: Members: Griffith, Brummett and Frazee 2. INTRODUCTION OF CITY COUNCIL/SCHOOL DISTRICT MEMBERS Mayor Cox introduced the members of the Chula Vista staff who were present and also noted the presence of Garry Butterfield, General Manager of Sweetwater Authority. 3. PROJECT INDEPENDENCE - CITY COUNCIL City Manager Goss gave a brief overview of the Constitutional amendment called "Project Independence". He stated this was started one year ago and involved the County Board of Supervisors, California League of Cities and California School Board Associations to develop a joint plan in order to put local governments in a situation where they would have a more stable revenue base, more local control and an opportunity to enact some types of reform. This came about as a reaction to Proposition 13 and Assembly Bill 8. The amendment is designed to guarantee that those shared revenues collected by the State are given to local governments and will continue as it was enacted on January 1, 1980. It is also designed to give the counties, school districts and cities ' Joint City Council/ - 2 - May 2, 1983 School Districts Meeting some ability to levy taxes and fees, and in some cases to do this where there is an overriding vote. Mr. Goss further explained that the schools could override a property tax rate of 2/10 of 1% or 10% of the district average daily attendance payment subject to a vote of the electorate for a period of four years. It also makes the State mandates permissive if adopted without requisite funding - making it legal to ignore the mandates the government bodies cannot afford. It also authorizes property tax overrides if approved by 2/3 of the voters for general obligation bonds as needed for public improvements. The purpose of discussing "Project Independence" is to get support from all entities in order that this would lead to a Constitutional amendment in the election of June 1984. Dr. Servetter commented that his School Board has discussed from time to time inviting both State and Federal legislators to meetings of the kind so the legislators can tell the members "where they are coming from" and the members can in return relate to the legislators their feelings on such projects as "Project Independence". Dr. Servetter suggested the legislators be invited to the next meeting. General discussion followed concerning: 1) the probable passage of the amendment; 2) getting support from the School Districts; 3) a definition of "time on task" as it applies to school districts; 4) the City Clerk to distribute copies of the information on "Project Independence" to the School Districts; 5) an attempt to get more extensive involvement going beyond the State California School Associations; 6) Southwestern College's concern over the economic development of the community and its financial impact stating that the college receives $333 less per student than the State average; 7) urging the City Council to contact the legislators to relate the financial status of not only Southwestern College but the other School Districts as well. 4. UPDATE ON TELEGRAPH CANYON ROAD IMPROVEMENTS - CITY COUNCIL City Engineer Lippitt reported the City has been working with Sweetwater Union High School District since 1976 on this project. It involves sidewalks on the north side of Telegraph Canyon Road between Hilltop and the existing subdivision and a bike-lane on that street between Hilltop and Nacion. On April 26, 1983 Council awarded a contract in the amount of $126,000. Work will begin in May and be completed in August. Councilman Moore remarked that he was happy to see this come about noting his daughter having had a bad accident on the Telegraph Canyon Road area when she was riding her bike and was struck by a Volkswagon. '~ 5. UPDATE ON SHARED SERVICES - CITY COUNCIL Director of Management Services Thomson submitted a fact sheet stating that there are three areas involved: 1) printing and publication services; 2) -, equipment sharing and 3) purchasing services. Mr. Thomson stated the printing and publication services was to be a pilot project and the recommendation is that a temporary additional staff consultant be hired to conduct a ~ Joint City Council/ - 3 - May 2, 1983 School Districts Meeting comprehensive review of the print shop consolidation. The cost was to be --~ distributed equally among the districts $5,000 per agency; however, Sweetwater Union High School District Board delayed authorizing the funds due to their budget negotiations. Regarding major equipment sharing Mr. Thomson commented each agency approved this joint process and it is now in place. Purchasing services have been approved by each agency; the purchasing agents are meeting regularly and the process for joint bidding is going very well. Mr. Thomson added it might be helpful for all the agencies to look at these shared services in terms of those activities that are coordinating each other vs. those that are major changes such as consolidation of services. The City is recommending taking a hard look at consolidation services in the printing and publication services. This involves a great deal of staff work and requires a major study. Member Penny Allen stated there are other services that could be pursued under a uniform charge-back system or making sure that the entities are not duplicating purchasing new major printing equipment. Further discussion involved: 1) the amount of outside printing being done; 2) the delay of Sweetwater High School District for funding and the approval of the other three entities; 3) the issue of subcontracting which is not permissible under a labor contract; 4) concern as to employee negotiations and how the employees in the print shops feel about consolidation and 5) the cost of the feasibility study. MSUC (Allen/Fuller) to direct staff (of the Chula Vista City School District) to pursue some sharing of services in the printing and publication departments. Member Morris (Sweetwater Union High School) expressed her concurrence with the motion stating that the Sweetwater Union High School District will make the same commitment. MSUC(Scott/McCandliss) for Chula Vista to proceed. MSUC (Brummet/Frazee) for Southwestern Community College to participate in every possible way. Mr. Butterfield, Sweetwater Authority, stated his firm has expensive laboratory equipment which could be made available to the agencies. a. SHARED SERVICES: TRANSPORTATION - SWEETWATER UNION HIGH SCHOOL Superintendent padelford remarked that Sweetwater Union High School District has begun tentative steps to economize on the number of bus runs stating that other Districts might find it more efficient to use Sweetwater Union High buses which are going the same route as their buses and perhaps being made - available by having one-half bus load of students. Mr. Padelford added that there will be a transportation workshop held at the District Office on May 15. Joint City Council/ ~ 4 - May 2, 1983 School Districts Meeting Dr. Perry, Sweetwater Union High School, discussed the scheduled workshop stating that it will cover contract bussing. A Joint Powers Agreement will require negotiations; however, computerized scheduling can be done without the bargaining process. President Bauer questioned the possibility of having a joint maintenance facility. Mayor Cox indicated that the City is trying to get National City to participate and he has talked to CalTrans to see if there is some excess freeway right-of-way along 1-54 for this facility. Councilman Moore suggested contacting SANDAG for this study which the City can get at a reduced cost since they are a member of that organization. 6. CABLE TV - CITY COUNCIL Mayor Cox explained that the City is now considering whether or not to renegotiate the contract with Cox Cable TV. The Council felt the School Districts may want to take advantage of the free government and public information cable. Right now, the City is using this in a very small part, such as during elections; however, it could be used to put on programs such as neighborhood watch, library and school classroom programs. City Manager Goss explained that there are three channels available. The availability of the channels is no problem - the problem is training and resources, personnel and equipment that can collectively be brought together to put on a program. General discussion followed regarding 1) sharing the talent and equipment of public relations personnel; 2) a need to educate the public to watch the public channels; 3) Southwestern College has several programs right now and will contact the City Manager about this; 4) Dr, Servetter noted that a number of schools need to have cable laid directly to the schools and asked if Cox Cable could finish the job and whether or not this could be put into the contract. Mayor Cox asked Dr. Servetter to provide the City Manager with a list of those schools. 7. USE OF CITY BLOCK GRANT FUNDS - CITY COUNCIL Director of Community Development Desrochers reported the City Council has allocated funds for City parks next to schools at Miller, Feaster and Vista Square. It has just recently approved an allocation of $120,000 for the Harborside School. Mr. Desrochers explained the HUD regulations whereby the money can only be used in neighborhoods of low or moderate income. He noted that Rice School is another eligible school and those areas west of Third Avenue. In answer to the Council's query, Mr. Desrochers stated that the Council will be holding a public hearing on the Block Grant Funds for next fiscal year on May 24. The School Districts asked to be notified of this meeting. Joint City Council/ - 5 - May 2, 1983 School Districts Meeting 8. FOCUS - CHULA VISTA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT President Bauer stated that Focus met twice in the last two weeks to discuss summer school activities; the sponsoring agent being the Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Department. She said the concerns relate to the number of programs that are coming in that have a higher fee than those proposed for the summer school program. Other areas of concern were that the schools need to begin planning much sooner for the summer school activities. They plan to send out a survey in September for the next summer program and will meet in October to look over those needs. Another great concern is the availability of scholarships and the inability of a number of parents to even come up with the ~35 for the summer school program. She suggested each of the entities seek support from the community and that letters be written by them and the Council to the business community seeking funds for the scholarship. Mayor Cox noted that stores, such as the new Target store, give 5% of their proceeds toward funding of this sort. The Mayor, City Manager and Councilman Malcolm recently attended a meeting whereby the "2% Club" was discussed - businesses giving 2% of their profits to activities of this sort. Member Fuller asked for a copy of the report from the Parks and Recreation Department as to what they are doing. Director of Parks and Recreation Pfister indicated he will be submitting his report to the Council in two weeks and will send the School Districts a copy. 9. ITEMS FOR GENERAL DISCUSSION a. SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE President Jerry Griffith reiterated the declining financial aspect of Southwestern Community College and asked for support of AB 851. MSUC(Cox/Scott) to refer AB 851 to the Legislative Committee. Chairman of the Legislative Committee, Councilman Malcolm, stated he will give a report to the Council at their meeting on Tuesday, May 3. President Griffith declared that the College is having some concerns regarding the use of their athletic fields on weekends. They may have to either increase the fees for the playing fields or restrict the fields due to the cost of maintaining the grounds. If they do this, it will have a direct bearing on the City's ball fields. Councilman Moore asked President Griffith for a written report for the college's funding. b. SWEETWATER UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT President Bauer commented one of the schools in the District has been adopted by the Padres. They are trying to get the Chicken to come to the adoption ceremony this Friday morning. Superintendent Padelford remarked that there are a number of Bills which concern the schools and they may be asking for Council's support in contacting the legislators and the Governor. Joint City Council/ _ 6 _ May 2, 1983 School Districts Meeting c. CHULA VISTA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Member Allen referred to a report given to the Districts last year on the number of developments proposed and "in the works" and asked if an updated copy could be given to them. MSUC(Cox/Scott) for staff to prepare a report on projects that have been approved and what their current status is. Superintentent Servetter said he met, on several occasions, with the new City Manager, John Goss, and commended the Council on this selection. d. CITY COUNCIL a. Mayor Cox referred to the completion of the "H" Street project. City Engineer Lippitt stated that the water line is being put in now and the grading will be completed by the end of next month. b. Mayor Cox informed the Districts that the Council recently took action to complete those parcels of areas that have incomplete improvements (curbs, gutters, sidewalks and paving). One of the areas is across from Rice Elementary School and another is along Castle Park Junior High School. City Engineer Lippitt commented there are six or seven parcels that are on school grounds. The Council approved going ahead with the initial proceedings. If the property owners do not come up with the initial funding the City will enact a 1911 Block Act to complete the improvements. Mayor Cox asked the members of the School Districts if they know of any other areas to notify the Council. c. Mayor Cox discussed AB 778 (Compulsory and Binding Arbitration), He stated that the Council has consistently opposed this due to the fact that since the City must pay the bill, it was not right for another person to designate how the money is to be spent. He added that a recent amendment to the bill allows strikes by police and fire employees for "non-economic issues". Councilman Malcolm stated he testified today before the Senate Finance Committee. He contacted Congressman Peace and Senator Deddeh and both told him that the Bill would go through and the vote would not even be close. The Governor in his election platform pledged full support of this Bill and will sign it. Councilwoman McCandliss said the County is fighting this Bill and she hoped that all the cities would do the same. Councilman Scott asked that all of the School Districts write or contact their legislators and the Governor to oppose the Bill and to submit copies of their letters to the City Council. , Joint City Council/ - 7 - May 2, 1983 School Districts Meeting lO. TIME, PLACE AND HOST FOR NEXT JOINT MEETING President Bauer stated Sweetwater Union High School would host the next meeting, and it would be sometime after the October period when they are to consider the survey on the summer school project. ADJOURNMENT AT 5:50 p.m. FULASZ CMC ' ~ WPG:292C PAG