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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 2008/04/03 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA April 3, 2008 6:00 p.m. An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Chula Vista was called to order at 6:07 p.m. in the Chula Vista Council Chambers, located at 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmembers Castaneda, McCann, Ramirez, Rindone, and Mayor Cox ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Garcia, City Attorney Moore, and Interim City Clerk Norris PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND MOMENT OF SILENCE PUBLIC COMMENTS Steve Miller, representing the Chula Vista Firefighters, asked the Council to work together and get though the budget reductions in the next 30 days. BUDGET WORKSHOP I. Report on the City Manager's Proposed Budget Reductions. (City Manager) City Manager Garcia discussed the financial condition of the City, and the need for reductions for the 2008/2009 budget. He presented his recommendations for a balanced 2008/2009 budget, as well as a financial forecast through 20] 3. Finance Director Kachadoorian discussed Chula Vista's Transient Occupancy Tax rates, and compared them to the rates of other cities within San Diego County. She also provided information on self-assessment districts, similar to the City of San Diego's Tourism Marketing District. Deputy Mayor Rindone requested clarification on Proposition 218 requirements for self-assessment districts, and Ms. Kachadoorian responded that Proposition 218 would apply, but voting would be by the affected hotels and motels only. Ms. Kachadoorian added that an increase to the Transient Occupancy Tax rate would require a vote of the public. Budget and Analysis Director Van Eenoo presented the proposed reductions for a balanced 2008/2009 budget. Page I - Council Minutes http://www.chulavlstaca.!!ov April 3, 2008 Councilmember Castaneda suggested that the proposed budget reduction regarding take home cars in the Police Department be expanded to all departments, and should be limited to those employees on 24-hour-call. It was the consensus of the Council to remove the Mobilehome Inspection Program from the proposed reduction list (Proposed Budget Reduction No. 56). ACTION: Councilmember Castaneda moved to remove the conversion of Fire Engine Company 57 to a reserve company and the elimination of Battalion 52 (Proposed Budget Reduction Nos. 87 and 88) from the proposed reduction list. Councilmember McCann seconded the motion, and it carried 5-0. Mayor Cox asked that the firefighters work with the City Manager to find alternative ways to save 1.3 million dollars. The following individuals spoke in opposition to the proposed reductions in the Fire Department budget: · Sean Lowery, Chula Vista resident and Chula Vista Fire Department employee . Mike Nash, Chula Vista resident, representing Local 2180 and the Chula Vista Fire Department . Kurt Baca, Chula Vista resident, representing the Chula Vista Fire Department . Trevor Flores, Chula Vista resident . David Margetts, Chula Vista resident Stephen Nelson, Chula Vista resident, spoke in opposition to the budget reduction process and the lack of data supporting the City's budget and the proposed cuts. Mayor Cox asked Mr. Nelson to provide his contact information in order for staff to provide him with the requested data. City Manager Garcia added that the information was available on the City's website. Gerald Scott, Chula Vista resident, spoke regarding the operating budget for jail operations. He recommended closing the jail, and placing the prisoners in the County jail. Theresa Acerro, Chula Vista resident, stated that the budget for the Mayor's office was excessive. She also spoke in favor of eliminating auto allowances for all employees as well as the budget for the Chamber of Commerce. Lisa Cohen, CEO, Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce, clarified that the Chamber of Commerce received funds from the City to run its Convention and Visitors Bureau, and spoke of the importance of the services provided by the Bureau to promote the City. She also spoke in favor of a self-assessment district for hotels and motels. ACTION: Deputy Mayor Rindone moved to direct the City Manager to hold a future workshop on self-assessment districts. Councilmember Ramirez seconded the motion and it carried 4-1, with Councilmember McCann voting no. Page 2 - Council Minutes httn://www.chulavistaca.gov April 3, 2008 Michael Mace, Chula Vista resident and Downtown Chula Vista business owner, spoke in favor of eliminating the PBID (Property-based Business Improvement District), and voluntary funding of the PBID, stating that the formation of the district was in violation of the laws regulating PBlD formation. He also recommended the PBID petition process be started over, allowing property owners to decide how the funds should be spent, without the involvement of the City, County, and school districts. Deputy Mayor Rindone and Councilmember Castaneda recused themselves from discussion of PBID out of an abundance of caution due to the proximity of their residences to the PBID area. They left the dais at 8:24 p.m. Greg Mattson, President of Third Avenue Village Association, representing the Board of Directors, spoke in opposition to the proposed elimination of PBlD (Proposed Budget Reduction No.8), and described benefits the City received as a result of PBID. Mr. Mattson also noted a correction to the staffreport, stating that the association receives $25,000 from business licenses, not $162,000. Deputy Mayor Rindone and Council member Castaneda returned to the dais at 8:30 p.m. Marvin Winters, Chula Vista resident, spoke in opposition to decreases in the Police Department's budget, and expressed concern over the resulting effects on needed training. Mr. Winters requested a private discussion regarding recent police incidents, and Mayor Cox referred the matter to the Police Chief. Bob Thomas, representing CAST (Chula Vista Citizens Adversity Support Team), spoke III opposition to reductions to the Fire Department's budget. Mayor Cox called a recess at 8:35 p.m. The City Council reconvened at 8:54 p.m., with all members present. Steve Palma, Chula Vista resident and City volunteer, spoke in opposition to Councilmember Castaneda's recommended staff reductions in the Mayor's office. Mayor Cox advised Mr. Palma that this item was on the April 3,2008 Special Meeting agenda. Discussion regarding Item 1, the City Manager's proposed budget reductions, continued after consideration of Item 3. 2. Report on the Early Retirement Program. (Human Resources Director) Human Resources Director Raskin presented the proposed early retirement program, and provided details of the program, including employee eligibility and potential cost savings for the City. Ms. Raskin added that the matter would be brought back on April 22, 2008 for Council action. ACTION: Deputy Mayor Rindone moved to direct staff to return to the Council at its meeting of April 22, 2008 with additional information and a resolution for Council action. Councilmember Ramirez seconded the motion, and it carried 5-0. Page 3 - Council Minutes httn://ww~". chulavistaca. flOV April 3, 2008 3. Consideration of Elimination of Scheduled COLA Salary Increases for Management and Hourly Employees. Executive, Senior, and Middle managers are scheduled to receive a four-percent salary increase in January 2009. Unclassified hourly employees are scheduled to receive a four- percent salary increase in July 2008, which was delayed from January 2008, and a four- percent salary increase in January 2009. Due to the financial constraints the City is experiencing, it is recommended that these scheduled salary adjustments for all management and unclassified hourly employees be eliminated. (City Manager) Staff recommendation: Council adopt the following resolution: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ELIMINATING THE SCHEDULED FISCAL YEAR 2009 COST OF LIVING SALARY INCREASES FOR MANAGEMENT AND UNCLASSIFIED HOURLY EMPLOYEES ACTION: Mayor Cox moved to approve staffs recommendation. Deputy Mayor Rindone seconded the motion. ACTION: Councilmember Castaneda offered a substitute motion to continue the item for 30 days in order to have a better picture of the final proposed budget. Councilmember McCann seconded the motion. Councilmember McCann called for the vote on the substitute motion, and it carried 3-2, with Deputy Mayor Rindone and Councilmember Ramirez opposed. Discussion regarding Item 1 continued at this time. Councilmember Ramirez suggested the department-recommended budget amendments that were not included with the City Manager's recommendations, and other suggestions for reductions, such as the operating costs of the jail, be brought back in the next 30 days. Councilmember Castaneda recused himself from discussion of the operating costs of the jail, due to the proximity of his residence to the jail. He left the dais at 9:39 p.m. Police Chief Emerson addressed the issues relating to the operating costs of the jail, and stated that he would return to the Council with a full summary of the operating costs of the jail. Mayor Cox suggested including the in-custody report that was previously provided to the Council. Councilmember Castaneda returned to the dais at 10:08 p.m. It was the consensus of the Council to reserve the regular City Council meeting of April 15, 2008 for further budget reduction discussions, as well as the workshop scheduled for May 1, 2008, if needed. ACTION: Councilmember McCann moved to direct staff to return to the Council with an inventory of non-core, non-performing City-owned properties, excluding those currently under an exclusive negotiating agreement, and their estimated values, in order to look at the potential of selling properties to create a source of revenue. Councilmember Castaneda seconded the motion, and it carried 5-0. Page 4 - Council Minutes htto ://www,chulavistaca.2:0Y April 3, 2008 Councilmember McCann suggested using solar panels for recreation centers and other City facilities. City Manager Garcia responded that this would be included with the Climate Change Working Group's recommendations. Councilmember McCann also suggested exploring funding sources to purchase solar panels for at least one recreation center. Councilmember Castaneda requested that staff return with an inventory of all entities that owe the City money. Council member McCann requested that the recommended reduced position and potential layoff in the Information Technology department (Proposed Budget Reduction No. 13) have priority for reinstatement if savings are realized from the early retirement program. Regarding the Mobilehome Inspection Program (Proposed Budget Reduction No. 56), after receiving additional information from staff, the Council confirmed its consensus to remove this item from the proposed reductions. Regarding the elimination of Fire Department reductions, Mayor Cox requested that Steve Miller, representative for the Chula Vista Firefighters, work with the City Manager to find ways to reduce overtime costs. Councilmember Castaneda requested that any reductions not impact pu51ic safety. ACTION: Councilmember McCann moved to eliminate the proposal to turn off 1,058 street lights on non-residential streets from the proposed reductions (Proposed Budget Reduction No. 90). Deputy Mayor Rindone seconded the motion, and it carried 3-2 with Mayor Cox and Councilmember Ramirez voting no. ACTION: Councilmember Castaneda moved to direct staff to return with all proposed budget reductions that were not taken at the previous budget workshop. Councilmember McCann seconded the motion, and it carried 5-0. ACTION: Councilmember Castaneda moved to direct staff to return with an inventory of car allowances provided to all employees, and the duties the respective positions have, including those of the Mayor and Council. Councilmember McCann seconded the motion, and it carried 5-0. OTHER BUSINESS 4. CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS City Manager Garcia announced that former Assistant City Manager, David Palmer, was in the hospital with bacterial meningitis. Mayor Cox requested that an address for Mr. Palmer be provided to Council to send well wishes. 5. MA YOR'S REPORTS There were none. 6. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember McCann stated that his thoughts and prayers were with Mr. Palmer and his family. Page 5 - Council Minutes httn://www.chuJavlstaca.llOV April 3, 2008 Deputy Mayor Rindone: CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATION TO FULLY IMPLEMENT MAYOR AND COUNCIL BUDGET REDUCTIONS The City Council has twice voted to reduce the Fiscal Year 2007/2008 budgets of the Mayor and each Council Seat by at least 10%. Per memorandum sent by the City's Finance Director dated March II, 2008, to date, the Mayor and Administration budgets have been reduced by 10.5%, exceeding the goal. Council Seats 2 and 3 have also met or exceeded the 10% goal with budget reductions of 10.0% and 10.3% respectively. Council Seats I and 4 have each reduced their budgets by 5%. (Deputy Mayor Rindone) Councilmember's recommendation: City Council adopt the following resolution: RESOLUTION NO. 2008-090, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENACT THE CITY COUNCIL BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS ACTION: Deputy Mayor Rindone moved to approve staffs recommendation and adopt Resolution No. 2008-090, heading read, text waived. Mayor Cox seconded the motion, and it carried 4-1, with Council member Ramirez voting no. ACTION: Mayor Cox moved to continue the items of the Special Meeting of April 3, 2008 to the Council Meeting of April 15, 2008. Councilmember McCann seconded the motion. Discussion ensued among the Council regarding the continuance ofthese items. ACTION: Mayor Cox called for the vote, and the motion carried 3-2 with Councilmembers Castaneda and Ramirez voting no. Councilmember Castaneda requested that the City Clerk place the items from the Special Meeting agenda on the next budget agenda. ADJOURNMENT At 11 :57 p.m., Mayor Cox adjourned the meeting to the Regular Meeting of April 8, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. jftlJuA & I ~JJuAJ Donna R. Norris, CMC, Interim City Clerk Page 6 - Council Minutes htto://www.chulavistaca.flov April 3, 2008