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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 2008/07/29 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA July 29, 2008 6:QO P.M. A Special meeting of the City Council of the City ofChula Vista was called to order at 6:04 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located in City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmembers Castaneda, McCann, Ramirez, Rindone, and Mayor Cox ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Garcia, Interim City Attorney Miesfeld, Interim City Clerk Norris, and Deputy City Clerk Bennett PUBLIC COMMENTS There were none. ACTION ITEM I. CONSIDERATION OF PLACING A MEASURE RELATING TO THE CITY'S TELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITY USERS' TAX ON THE BALLOT FOR THE SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008 Based on the existing and imminent threats to the telecommunications portion of the City's Utility Users' Tax (UUT) ordinance, staff recommended Council approve submittal of a new ordinance to the voters at the November 2008 election as a general tax. If the Council does not approve it as a general tax measure, staff recommends that it be placed on the ballot as a special tax, designated for the following purposes: public safety, parks and libraries. The' resolutions presented for the Council's consideration would (i) approve an ordinance to be submitted to the voters for this purpose; and (ii) appropriate the funds necessary to cover the related costs. (Finance Director) Director of Conservation and Environmental Services Meacham spoke about staffs attempts to address the Utility Users' Tax issue over the past decade, and the City's resulting non- conformance with current standards. He then presented the proposed Utility Users' Tax Measure. Discussion ensued between the Council and staff regarding fiscal consequences for the City, should the proposed items fail. Steve Miller, representing the Chula Vista Firefighters, spoke in support of allowing the voters to decide on the measure. Page 1 - Council Minutes - Special UUT July 29, 2008 ACTION ITEM (Continued) David Krogh, Chula Vista resident, spoke in support of placing the measure on the ballot as a general tax, requiring a majority vote of the people rather than a two-thirds vote. Larry Breitfelder, Chula Vista resident, representing the Chula Vista Taxpayers Association, stated that continued disintegration of the existing ordinance would cost the public in terms of diminished service. He stated that the proposed ballot language remained deceptive, but understood the importance of the measure. Mayor Cox urged the Council to take unanimous action to place the general tax measure on the ballot in order to secure existing funding. Councilmember Castaneda suggested that staff work with corporations and disseminate information to the community about those corporations that were currently paying the tax and those that were not. He suggested that this item be referred back to staff for a proposal on how to facilitate community trust. ACTION: Councilmember Ramirez moved to adopt the following Resolution AI, heading read, text waived: Discussion continued among the Councilmembers, with each providing their perspective on this measure. Councilmember Castaneda suggested continuing the item, and spoke of the need for the Council to ensure clarity with the proposed ballot language and ordinance language. AI. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ORDERING THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF A MEASURE RELATING TO THE CITY'S TELECOMMUNICATIONS USERS' TAX AT THE SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008; DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF AN EMERGENCY NECESSITATING SUCH ACTION; AND DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF THE MEASURE (UNANIMOUS VOTE REQUIRED) Deputy Mayor Rindone seconded the motion. The motion failed 3-2, with Councilmembers Castaneda and McCann opposed. ACTION: Mayor Cox moved to adopt the following Resolution A.2, heading read, text waived: A2. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ORDERING THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF A MEASURE RELATING TO THE CITY'S SAFETY AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS USERS' TAX AT THE SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008; AND DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREP ARE AN IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF THE MEASURE (3/5THS VOTES REQUIRED) Page 2 - Council Minutes - Special - UUT July 29, 2008 ACTION ITEM (Continued) Deputy Mayor Rindone seconded the motion. The motion failed 2-3, with Councilmembers Castaneda, McCann and Ramirez opposed. The following resolutions were not considered: B. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROPRIATING $35,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO COVER THE ANTICIPATED COSTS AND EXPENSES RELATED TO PLACING THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS USERS' TAX ORDINANCE ON THE NOVEMBER 2008 BALLOT (4/5THS VOTES REQUIRED) C. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROPRIATING $70,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO COVER ANTICIPATED COSTS AND EXPENSES RELATED TO PRINTING AND MAILING INFORMATION RELATED TO THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS USERS' TAX BALLOT MEASURE (4/5THS VOTE REQUIRED) ADJOURNMENT At 7:37 p.m., Mayor Cox adjourned the meeting to tbe next Regular Meeting of August 5, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. ~ett, CMC, :puty:y Clerk Page 3 - Council Minutes - Special- UUT July 29, 2008 __~<._~_J