HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 2009/04/02MINUTES OF A WORKSHOP OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA
Apri12, 2009
4:00 P.M.
A workshop of the City Council of the City of Chula Vista was called to order at 4:01 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, located in City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Councilmembers Bensoussan (arrived at 4:02 p.m.), Castaneda, McCann,
Ramirez, and Mayor Cox
ABSENT: None
ALSO
PRESENT: City Manager Sandoval, City Attorney Miesfeld, City Clerk Norris, and
Deputy City Clerk Bennett
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND MOMENT OF SILENCE
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Steve Molski, Chula Vista resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed Proposition A ballot
measure, but stated he could support a one half of one percent sales tax increase for atwo-year
period.
WORKSHOP
1. REVIEW OF CITY OF CHULA VISTA FISCAL HEALTH PLAN
City Manager Sandoval introduced the item. Finance Director Kachadoorian then gave an
update on the current fiscal year deficit of $3.5 million, stating that staff would be coming back
to the Council with a third quarter report and suggestions on ways to mitigate the deficit. She
presented an update on the status of the fiscal yeaz 2009/2010 budget, with an anticipated $2
million deficit.
City Manager Sandoval gave an overview of the Fiscal Health Plan that included expenditure
reductions, revenues, economic development, and budget/fiscal reforms.
Police Chief Emerson, Fire Chief Hanneman, and Library Director Browder then presented the
impacts of the proposed budgetary cuts on services and public safety for police, fire and libraries.
Development Services Director Halbert talked about staff reductions in Public Works that
included street sweeping, park maintenance, and the Urban Forestry Program. Additionally, staff
levels would also be reduced in the Advanced Planning division of the Development Services
Department.
Page 1 -Council Meeting April 2, 2009
WORKSHOP (Continued)
City Manager Sandoval stated that staff would be undertaking a review of all City departments to
look at staffing efficiencies and effectiveness. To that end, Finance Director Kachadoorian
stated that staff would be issuing a request for proposal in June for an operational review
process. She then provided an overview of potential revenue, including fees for recreation
programs, development processing, library services, public safety, local taxes and franchise fees,
and City leases and contracts.
Planning and Building Director Halbert presented the four major project azeas where staff would
be focusing its efforts, namely, Western Chula Vista Revitalization, Chula Vista Bayfront,
University Villages, and the Eastern Urban Center.
City Manager Sandoval gave an update on the proposed budget/fiscal reform plan for the City
that included citywide budget analysts, zero-based budget process, long-term financial strategy,
fiscal impact analysis on items considered by the Council, reserve levels, and fiscal policies.
Councilmember Castaneda commented that for the City to live within its means, City services
would be taken away, and stated that there is a need to keep the public informed, and to ensure
that public safety was a priority.
Deputy Mayor McCann suggested an analysis by staff of the City's fee structure to assist with
moving forwazd with development. He stated that there is a need for collaborative efforts and
constant staff contact between the City and Port on all matters concerning the bayfront. He also
spoke of the importance of the reseazch and development components for University project-
related matters.
Deputy Mayor McCann requested that staff return to Council with an item to mitigate the $3.5
million budget deficit.
Mayor Cox asked staff to provide an overview of the impacts of projected enterprise zone
designations on the budget, and a brief overview of proposed budget cuts necessary to achieve a
balanced budget. City Manager Sandoval responded that enterprise zones provided financial
benefits to businesses, attracted businesses to locate to the City, thereby generating local income
and sales tax. With respect to the budget deficit, he stated that a hazd freeze was in place on any
expenditures other than basic operations. Finance Director Kachadoorian added that in order to
realize a balanced budget, staff would be looking at Redevelopment Agency loan repayments in
the current fiscal year, an administrative freeze across all departments, Capital Improvement
Project expenditures in the General Fund that could be held over to generate savings for the
current yeaz, approximately $1.9 million in the Equipment Replacement Fund budgeted for next
year that could be borrowed to mitigate the current year budget shortfall, and potential worker's
compensation savings.
Councilmember Ramirez spoke of the need to move forwazd and to address sustainability issues.
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ADJOURNMENT
At 5:16 p.m., Mayor Cox adjourned the meeting to the Regular Meeting of April 7, 2009 at 4:00
p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Lorraine Bennett, CMC, Deputy City Clerk
Page 3 -Council Meeting April 2, 2009