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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 2008/12/04MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA December 4, 2008 6:00 P.M. An Adjourned Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Chula Vista was called to order at 6:09 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located in City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmembers Bensoussan, Castaneda (arrived at 6:20 p.m.), McCann, Ramirez, and Mayor Cox ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Interim City Manager Tulloch, Interim City Attorney Miesfeld, Deputy City Clerk Bennett, and Records Manager Pharis PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND MOMENT OF SILENCE PUBLIC COMMENTS Patricia Aguilar, Chula Vista resident, representing Crossroads II, suggested establishing a Citizens Planning Group for the City's upcoming centennial celebration, and for future special events. Mayor Cox responded that she would be working with Councilmember Bensoussan on establishing a committee of 100 after the first of the year. BUDGET WORKSHOP 1. Report on the Interim City Manager's Proposed Budget Reductions (Interim City Manager) Interim City Manager Tulloch provided an overview of the workshop, and stated that details would be provided regazding the Citys 20 million dollar deficit for next fiscal yeaz and the proposed reductions. He stated that the proposal before the Council was the City Manager's proposal, with the exception of the City Attorney's Office and City Clerk's Office, which were under the purview of the City Council. He stated that the agenda for the workshop would include 1) Recap of the fiscal situation, 2) Overview of the City Manager's Budget Reduction Plan, 3) Department Presentation on Proposed Budget Cuts, 4) City Manager Recommendations, 5) Public Comment, and 6) Council Deliberations. Director of Budget and Analysis Van Eenoo, presented the City Manager's proposed Budget Reduction Plan, which included the City's Early Retirement Incentive (Golden Handshake) as part of the Budget Ba]ancing Options. Department Directors then presented the respective department's proposed budget reductions and impacts on the department as follows: 1. Director of Budget and Analysis Van Eenoo presented the City Clerk's Office Budget Reductions on behalf of City Clerk Norris, who was not present at the meeting. 2. City Attorney's Office -Interim City Attorney Miesfeld 3. Technology and Information Services - Director Vignapiano 4. Human Resources -Director Raskin 5. Finance Department -Director Kachadoorian 6. City Manager's Office -Interim City Manager Tulloch 7. Economic Development -Manager Stone 8. Budget and Analysis -Director Van Eenoo 9. Office of Communications -Director Pursell ] 0. Engineering Department -City Engineer Hopkins 11. Public Works Department -Director Griffin 12. Planning and Building -Director Halbert With respect to fees for pazk facility rentals, Councilmember Castaneda suggested that the fees paid by users, be placed in an enterprise fund to be used for ongoing pazk resources and services, rather than the current practice of placing the fees in the General Fund. 13. Chula Vista Redevelopment Agency and Housing Authority - Assistant Director Crockett. 14. Recreation Department and Nature Center -Director Martin. 15. Librazy Department -Director Browder. 16. Fire Department -Chief Hanneman. 17. Police Department -Chief Emerson. Council Minutes -Page 2 December 4, 2008 Interim City Manager Tulloch presented the Citys proposed organizational structure, and spoke about proposed reductions that included 1) energy cost reductions, including 50 percent reduction of street lights along arterial streets and alternating lights on double mast arms, 2) elimination of the scheduled January 2010 salary increases for all management staff, and 3) department consolidations. The following members of the public spoke in support of retaining operation of the Chula Vista Nature Center: Dr. Brian Joseph, Escondido resident Marianne Meivers, Bonita resident Mazgie Stinson, San Diego resident Susan Fuller, Imperial Beach resident Jay Vavra, San Diego resident Deborah Lechner. Chula Vista resident The following members of the public spoke in support of retaining operation of the Eastlake Library, Library Services, and STRETCH and DASH after school programs: Mazgarita Andrade, Chula Vista resident Pat Holman, Chula Vista resident Michael Bruder, Chula Vista resident Lavar Watkins, Chula Vista resident Alexandra Sarkis, Chula Vista resident Keith Quigley, Chula Vista resident Sara Way, Chula Vista resident Isabelle Espino, Eastlake resident Carolyn Woodbury, Chula Vista resident Itzel Nuno, Chula Vista resident Ramiro Gonzales, Chula Vista resident, Principal Librarian, South Chula Vista Library Deborah Lechner, Chula Vista resident Martin Calvo, Chula Vista resident Scott Love, Chula Vista resident, spoke against the proposed elimination of his position, and spoke in support of maintaining library services. The following members of the public spoke in support of retaining operation of the Pazks and Recreation Therapeutics Program: Michelle Greer, Chula Vista resident Maria Knox, National City resident Francene Jenkins, Bonita resident Ampazo Espinosa, San Ysidro resident The following members of the public spoke in support of retaining operation of Parkway Pool: Philip Disney, Chula Vista resident Deborah Lechner, Chula Vista resident John Vogel, Chula Vista resident John Salts, Chula Vista resident Martin Calvo, Chula Vista resident Dr. Chris Seazles, Chula Vista resident Council Minutes -Page 3 December 4, 2008 Martin Calvo, Chula Vista resident, also spoke in support of retaining Police and Fire Services. Teri Rodriguez, Chula Vista resident and City employee, spoke in support of retaining passport services in the City Clerk's office, and spoke in opposition to the proposed elimination of her position. Elizabeth Chopp, San Diego resident, and Chula Vista employee, representing the Western Council of Engineers, spoke in opposition to Engineering staff layoffs. Joaquin Zuniga, Chula Vista resident and City employee, spoke in support of retaining the Eastlake Library, Parkway Pool, and Nature Center services. He spoke in support of relinquishing employee COLA's or pay cuts to save City jobs. Jose Gomez, Chula Vista resident and City employee representing the Western Council of Engineers, spoke in opposition to Engineering staff layoffs. Holger Sommerfeld, San Diego resident, and Chula Vista employee, spoke in support of retaining the second webmaster position in the Information and Technology Department, slated to be cut from the budget. He also asked for Council consideration to retain all positions slated to be cut in the Office of Communications. Mayor Cox talked about the many local organizations that accepted voluntary contributions. She also encouraged the community to shop, dine and invest in Chula Vista. At 10:30 p.m., Mayor Cox announced a recess of the City Council Meeting. The meeting reconvened at 10:51 p.m., with all Councilmembers present. Ernesto Rodriguez, Chula Vista resident, spoke in support of the Library's DASH program. Jo Anne Springer, Chula Vista resident, suggested that City staff pay their share of retirement costs to save City programs. She also suggested reducing library hours of service and to alternate the hours of operation between South Chula Vista Library and Eastlake Library, in order to keep both facilities open to the public. The following members of the public spoke in support of retaining operation of the Nature Center: Daniel Sedivec. Chula Vista resident Judy Cave, Chula Vista resident Sunny Shy, Chula Vista resident Jeri Nolan, San Diego resident Al Hooper, Chula Vista resident Cynthia Donaldson, Chula Vista resident Betsy Cory, Chula Vista resident Holly Border, Santee resident Chazles Gailband, Bonita resident Manami Watanabe, International Exchange student, Grossmont College David DiDonato, Chula Vista resident Willard Howazd, Chula Vista resident Council Minutes -Page 4 December 4, 2008 Mayor Cox read a portion of an e-mail received by staff regarding prospects for philanthropic support for the Nature Center. The following members of the public spoke in support of retaining operation of the Eastlake Library and the STRETCH and DASH programs: Michelle McCann, Chula Vista resident Vincent Calderon Joyel Love, Chula Vista resident Joyce Bray-Fessler, San Diego resident Baba Olaogun, Chula Vista resident Hector Malvido, Chula Vista resident Rene Marmolejo, Chula Vista resident, spoke of the need to retain kids' programs to keep them busy and in good health. She asked the Council to work hazd for the community and to retain city jobs. Chuck Shrader, Chula Vista resident, asked the Council to hold off on taking any drastic measures until President Elect Obama assumed office, and to wait for the stimulus package. He also suggested a local half-cent sales tax increase. Theresa Acerro, Chula Vista resident, spoke of the need for cooperation between the residents, Council, and City employees in order to achieve a balanced budget. She then gave cost saving suggestions to balance the budget. In addition to support of the Nature Center, and Library services and programs, the following members of the public added the following suggestions: Willazd Howard, Chula Vista resident, suggested outsourcing for Fire and Police as a cost saving measure. Joyel Love, Chula Vista resident, spoke of the need to keep employees in their jobs and to consider demotions, no pay raises, and no over-time pay for firefighters. Baba Olaogun, Chula Vista resident; suggested placing advertisements on City vehicles for revenue generation, and he suggested raffling foreclosed homes. The following members of the public did not speak, but submitted speaker slips indicating support of retaining operation of the following City services: CHULA VISTA NATURE CENTER Brian Mayor Manami Watanabe Gail Beazdsley, Coronado resident Bill Beazdsley, Coronado resident Kaza Medrano, Chula Vista resident Mazia Melendez O'Neill, Chula Vista resident Council Minutes -Page 5 December 4, 2008 CHULA VISTA NATURE CENTER (Continued) Ken Weimer, Chula Vista resident Diana Gailband, Bonita resident Pat Laughlin Bill Canedo Gretchen Dever, San Diego resident Sharon Harmon, Chula Vista resident Nancy Stinebuck, Chula Vista resident Susan K. Laurel, Chula Vista/Bonita resident Zandra Albiez, La Mesa resident Richazd Sardena, San Diego resident Laune Conrad, Alpine resident Amanda Newman, Coronado resident Shilo Felton, San Diego resident Audrey Kolsky, San Diego resident Sandra Lawrence, San Diego resident Fred Steazley, Chula Vista resident Kathy Stearley, Chula Vista resident Albert and David Sailors, San Diego residents Yaza Williams, San Diego resident Frank Roseman, Chula Vista resident Cesar Quiros, San Diego resident Karen Quiros, San Diego resident Roxie L. Bauer, Chula Vista resident Samantha Donaldson, Chula Vista resident Cazlos Ramirez, Chula Vista resident Cherry Sweig, Poway resident Kerr King, Murrieta resident Wendy Hooper, Chula Vista resident Wendy Shephazd, Chula Vista resident Melanie Brown, Chula Vista resident Jennifer Graham, Chula Vista/El Cajon resident Ernesto V. Rodriguez, Chula Vista resident Adrianne Mock, San Diego resident Lillie Hebert, Chula Vista resident Arely Sanchez, San Diego resident Kanoa Esparza, San Diego resident Gerazdo Palacios, Chula Vista resident Cazol Wazschane, San Diego resident Jeannel King, San Diego resident Mira Thomas Kinla Apack Kisi Apack Naja Thomas Mykelle Apack Council Minutes -Page 6 December 4, 2008 CHULA VISTA NATURE CENTER (Continued) Makala Kama Dean, San Diego resident Jasmine Star Frances Kinney, San Diego resident Peter and Carolyn Woodbury Chuck Donaldson, Chula Vista resident Patricia Huffman, Chula Vista resident Mitch Hall, San Diego resident Ron Vavra, El Cajon resident Joan R. Mitchell, San Diego resident Fernando Ramirez, Chula Vista resident Jodie Medrano, Chula Vista resident Maryellen Deason, San Diego resident Steve Rodecker, Chula Vista resident Pat Wagner, Imperial Beach resident Thomas Velarde, Chula Vista resident John Lopez, Chula Vista resident Angela Wirsching, Chula Vista resident Daniel Pagano, Chula Vista resident RECREATION AND AQUATICS Irene Ramos, San Ysidro resident Armando Ramos, San Ysidro resident Sophia Munoz, Chula Vista resident RECREATION THERAPEUTICS PROGRAM Joseph Balos, El Cajon resident Jacqueline Crump-Pace, Chula Vista resident Patrick Nardulli, Chula Vista resident Juan D. Macias, Chula Vista resident LIBRARY SERVICES Marcelo Floresta, Chula Vista resident Angelina Braming, Chula Vista resident Elizabeth Goodman, Chula Vista resident Angela Brown, Chula Vista resident LIBRARY STRETCH/DASH PROGRAMS Angelina Garcia, Chula Vista resident Yolanda Loya, Chula Vista resident Lucy Berry, Chula Vista resident Ezequiel Murillo, Chula Vista resident Isabella Robles, Chula Vista resident Lorena Charles, Chula Vista resident Counoi] Minutes-Page 7 December 4, 2008 LIBRARY STRETCH/DASH PROGRAMS (Continued) Sandra Perez, Chula Vista resident Lidya J. Depietri, Chula Vista resident Tia Wallace, Chula Vista resident Ikuko Hayashi Harumi Tateishi Roxana Miramontes, Chula Vista resident Jennifer Dawson, Chula Vista resident Corina Strassman, Chula Vista resident Elsa Sanchez, Chula Vista resident Brenda Sanches, Chula Vista resident Allan Villalba, Chula Vista resident Genero Guerra, Chula Vista resident Christine Evans, Chula Vista resident Mazia C. Perdomo; Chula Vista resident Dayanaza Marin, Chula Vista resident Nydia Figueroa, Chula Vista resident Escalante Family, Chula Vista residents Isaac Gazcia, Chula Vista resident Airt Cepeda Ronda Rodriguez, Chula Vista resident George W. Jackson III, Chula Vista resident The following members of the public submitted speaker slips, but did indicate their support or opposition to a specific City service or program: Patricia Aguilaz, Chula Vista resident Walter Shephazd, Chula Vista resident Cazlos F. Lopez, Chula Vista resident Dolores Dempsey Magda Maldonado, Chula Vista resident Antoine Dwight, San Diego resident Heather Jones, Chula Vista resident not speak, and did not The following members of the public submitted speaker slips, but did not speak: Elroy Kehano, Chula Vista resident, supporting retention of Public Safety services Jodi Wright, San Diego resident, representing SDASF Futures Team Peter Watry, Chula Vista resident, supporting the Museum and UCSR Interim City Manager Tulloch responded to a comment by one of the speakers regarding Pazks and Recreation, and clarified that the Parkway Recreation Center was not on the proposed budget cut list. Mayor Cox stated that it was not Advisor position for fiscal yeaz eliminated, rather than frozen. Environmental Advisor position. the intent of the Mayor's office to fund the Environmental 2009/2010, and further recommended that the position be It was the consensus of the Council to eliminate the Council Minutes -Page 8 December 4, 2008 Councilmember Ramirez suggested consideration by the Council of a proposed sales tax increase. Discussion ensued with staff regarding sales tax, and the State's consideration of a sales tax increase. Councilmember Ramirez requested staff to find out whether or not the League of California Cities was taking any position on the matter. He spoke regazding passport services, and requested staff to come back with more specific numbers on revenue generated by the service. He requested that staff come back with a report on which proposed budget cuts would be associated with revenue for the City, and whether or not proposed cuts within a particulaz department would create greater costs for the department or elsewhere in the organization. He also suggested for the future, to look at volunteer outreach and training efforts. Councilmember Bensoussan suggested exploring the idea of naming rights for the Nature Center. She spoke in support of a full one-cent sales tax measure, and suggested a mail ballot Special Election be conducted prior to June 3, 2009. She suggested that a Council Workshop be scheduled to discuss ideas for generating revenue. Mayor Cox responded, directing Interim City Manager Tulloch to include revenue-generating ideas on the Council Agenda for December 16, 2009. Councilmember Bensoussan stated she could not support the proposed elimination of the Mobilehome Park Inspector position in the Planning and Building Department. She stated that she could support retaining the Seazch and Rescue vehicle in the Fire Department, with shared crew and cross training to save overtime costs. Councilmember Castaneda spoke with respect to proposed cuts in the Information Technology Department, and suggested Council reconsideration of any proposed cuts in any support department that provided services directly related to public safety. He supported maintaining Risk Management service levels in the Human Resources Department. With respect to proposed staffing cuts in the Engineering Department, he talked about the predicted stimulus package and funding aid to cities by the government, stating that if the department was debilitated, the City would be ill-prepazed to plan and design future projects, and he cautioned against any cuts, particularly within infrastructure. He spoke of the need to maintain inspection services for mobilehome parks. He stated that he would support continued services for City pools and suggested alternating hours of operation between the pool facilities. He spoke about the need to find ways to keep the Eastlake Library open, to avoid layoffs in the Police Department, and to prioritize retaining operation of the Nature Center. He requested the City Manager to provide the Council with the list of proposed cuts recommended by the SEIU, and to provide an analysis on the financial effects of the reductions. Councilmember McCann spoke about the Nature Center, suggesting a sponsorship to name the Center, to follow-up with Sea World to seek assistance with maintaining the facility, to look at re-visiting contact with the San Diego Zoo for assistance, to seek additional funding contributions from the Port District, and to look at the County for funding assistance. He stated that the Eastlake Library must remain open. He suggested cost-saving solutions for more green building standards at City Hall, and the installation of solar panels. He spoke of the need to move forward with E-Government services for online bill payments to the City. He suggested looking at the sale of City real estate assets not being utilized by the City, or alternatively, to look at leasing or leveraging it to bring revenue to the City, citing pazking lots as an example to generate revenue without costs to taxpayers. He recommended retaining grant-writing positions, stating that they would pay for themselves and increase revenue. He suggested looking at ways tp refinance the City's debt structure. Regazding the Redevelopment Agency, he suggested looking at the debt owed to the General Fund and what opportunities existed for repayment of the funds back to the General Fund. He also suggested looking at the City's early retirement program in a strategic manner; the viability for advertising on City trucks and on City's transit system; and being business-friendly by encouraging and attracting new businesses to the City. Council Minutes -Page 9 December 4, 2008 Mayor Cox spoke regarding the STRETCH and DASH programs, and asked staff about the viability of shifring the programs to outside agencies, such as the YMCA. Assistant City Manager Browder responded that staff was facilitating discussions with the School District on the matter. Mayor Cox spoke with respect to costs associated with conducting a Special Election, and questioned whether or not the City's opportunity to look at a sales tax increase would be hindered, should Governor Schwazzenegger call for a sales tax increase. Government Relations Liaison Carnevale responded that she believed the City would have an opportunity to "piggy back" with the state at a reduced cost to the City, and as long as the combined state and local proposed tax increase would not exceed the existing limit of 9.25 percent. Further discussion ensued about the election process and associated costs. Mayor Cox spoke about economic investment and the service impacts of reducing an economic department, which would be sacrificing the opportunity to make money, that this was not the time to lose opportunities to make money. She spoke of her commitment to retaining the Nature Center with continued outreach to philanthropic organizations and encouraging matching donations. She was hopeful that the City's bazgaining groups would ]ook at a reduction in COLA's to reduce the number of proposed employee layoffs. Councilmember McCann suggested that the recent $30,000 donation to the City for Endow Chula Vista, be used towards funding to retain operation of the Chula Vista Nature Center. Furthermore, he offered a personal donation of $1,000 towards funding for the Nature Center, should he receive a match from his Council colleagues. Mayor Cox recessed the meeting to Closed Session at 1035 P.M. CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957: Title: City Attorney No reportable action was taken on this item. 3. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE 54957.6 • Agency designated representatives: Scott Tulloch, Mazcia Raskin, Bart Miesfeld, Rod Betts, Maria Kachadoorian, Edwazd Van Eenoo, Leah Browder Employee organizations: CVEA, IAFF, POA, WCE, and Unrepresented Groups No reportable action was taken on this item. ADJOURNMENT At 12:45 a.m., Mayor Cox adjourned the meeting to the Regular Meeting of December 9, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Lorraine Bennett, CMC, Deputy City Clerk Council Minutes -Page 10 December 4, 2008