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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 2007/06/07 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA June 7, 2007 6:00 P.M. An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Chula Vista was called to order at 6:14 p.m. in the John Lippitt Public Works Center, 1800 Maxwell Road, Chula Vista, California. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmembers: Castaneda, McCann, Ramirez, Rindone (arrived at 6:54 p.m.), and Mayor Cox ABSENT: Councilmembers: None ALSO PRESENT: Interim City Manager Thomson, City Attorney Moore, Assistant City Clerk Norris, and Deputy City Clerk Bennett PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND MOMENT OF SILENCE PUBLIC COMMENTS There were none. 1. THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL STATUS REPORT QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATUS REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2007 Presented for Council consideration was the financial status report for the third quarter of fiscal year 2006-2007. The detailed report for the quarter ending March 31, 2007, projected that the City would continue to maintain an 8% general fund reserve level, as required by Council policy. (Finance Director) Interim City Manager Thomson presented the workshop agenda. Finance Director Kachadoorian gave an update on the City's general fund reserves. ACTION: Councilmember Castaneda moved to accept the third quarter report. Councilmember Castaneda seconded the motion, and it carried 4-0, with Deputy Mayor Rindone absent. 2. FISCAL YEAR 2007/2008 PROPOSED BUDGET PRESENTATION . Introduction . General Fund Five-Rear Revenue and Expenditure Forecast Finance Director Kachadoorian provided an overview of the five-year forecast for the general fund. Page 1 - Council Minutes htto:/ Iwww.chulavistaca.2:0V June 7, 2007 BUDGET PRESENTATION (Continued) Councilmember Ramirez asked what was being done to ensure a balanced budget for fiscal year 2008/2009. Finance Director Kachadoorian replied that staff would be focusing on a long-term financial plan to identifY core services and possible options. Interim City Manager Thomson explained that the 2008/2009 projections were based on assumptions, and taking drastic measures now would disrupt services to the public. Mayor Cox stated that drastic cuts could not be made until they became necessary. Councilmember McCann stated that City-owned properties were being under-utilized and thought it would be a good long-term strategy to generate revenue by taking advantage of those properties. Councilmember Castaneda expressed the need to immediately begin looking at budget restraints for next year, and to be more conservative with projections and planning for the future. . Fiscal Year 2007/2008 Proposed Capital Improvement Program General Services Director Griffin presented the proposed 2007/2008 capital improvement program. Discussion ensued regarding various projects, including the need for improved drainage. Acting Assistant City Manager Tulloch expressed the need to support state legislation to equate storm drain fees with sewer fees, in that storm drain fees should not fall under Proposition 218. Mayor Cox stated that storm drain issues should be discussed at a future workshop. . Fiscal Year 2007/2008 Proposed Budget Director of Budget and Analysis Van Eenoo presented the operating budget, including a summary of the independent financial review and budget reduction plan. Councilmember Castaneda requested a report of staff growth for each department compared to population growth from fiscal years 2003/2004 through 2007/2008. Deputy Mayor Rindone requested a breakdown of the 18 cities in San Diego County, as well as others in the state, that have exceeded a 15 percent budget reserve level. . City Council Budget Director of Budget and Analysis Van Eenoo presented the fiscal year 2007/2008 proposed Council budget. Councilmember Ramirez requested budget and legislative equity between the Mayor's and Council offices and felt it would be more appropriate to move the Constituent Services Manager position and funding to the City Manager's office in order for Councilmembers to claim a portion of the services from this position. Mayor Cox responded that the Mayor's Office had received compliments from departments indicating that the services provided by the current Constituent Services Manager had reduced their load in trying to answer a multiplicity of questions; and all constituent calls and e-mails are directed to the Constituent Services Manager. Page 2 - Council Minutes htto:/ /www.chulavistaca.!lOV June 7, 2007 CITY COUNCIL BUDGET (Continued) Councilmember McCann stated that the focus needed to be on balancing the budget and seeking revenue-generating projects that would offer the possibility of additional staff in the future. He added that having one point of contact, the Constituent Services Manager, avoided redundancy on constituent issues. Mayor Cox asked the Council to support the Coastal and Environmental Policy Consultant position. Councilmember Castaneda responded that since no one on the Council currently serves on the Coastal Commission, he opposed making the position permanent. Further, he stated that the Council has asked staff to do more with less, and the Council needed to lead by example. Kevin O'Neill, a Chula Vista resident, expressed concern over deferred maintenance citywide that could be addressed with an increased tax base and revenues that would occur as a result of new development. He recommended that the Council avoid cuts in long-range planning and be ready to move forward once the economic cycle improves. He stated that building services were primarily paid by developer fees, and whatever the cost, projects must move ahead. He stated that the bottleneck in permit processing was the lack of adequate fire prevention staffing, and he spoke in support ofthe proposed Fire Prevention Engineer position. He suggested that there be a more streamlined process by the City for developer permit processing and job closeout. No formal action was taken by Council on this item. ADJOURNMENT At 9:07 p.m., Mayor Cox adjourned the meeting to the Regular Meeting on June 12,2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. ---- Lorraine Bennett, CMC, Deputy City Clerk Page 3 - Council Minutes http://www.chulavistaca.gov June 7, 2007