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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_1983-06-13 Adjourned Budget Session MinutesA G L. MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL pat ADJOURNED MEETING - BUDGET SESSION JUNE 13, 1983 - 4:00 P.M. RECREATION HALL /c Mayor Shelton called the meeting to order with all members present. Staff members present included: Paul Baxter, City Administrator; Murrel Crump, Community Development Director; Nick N ichols, Public Works Director; Dave Howell, Police Chief; Gary N apper, Assistant to City Administrator; Gere Sibbach, Finance Director; Steve Wolter, Recreation Director; Bernie Zerr, Fire Chief, and Peggy Buchanan, Deputy City Clerk. Mr. Baxter stated that the Dial -A -Ride Committee had a report to present to Council. Councilmember Risley stated that the Committee had met several t imes to prepare an alternative to that proposed in the budget document, and to avoid any cut in services if possible. Councilmember Risley introduced those members present and thanked t hern for their efforts. Councilmember Risley stated that the Committee had unanimously adopted a series of proposals, with minimum cuts in services, an increase in fares, decreased contingency allowance, and an increase in publicity for Dial -A - Ride. The Committee felt that with these proposals, the Dial -A - Ride service would be maintained without significant modification. Mayor Shelton asked if the Committee had considered advertisements being placed on the buses, for additional funds. Councilmember Risley stated that this alternative had been considered but was not felt to be the best solution as it would not generate much revenue. Mary Phillips spoke in favor of placing advertising on the buses. Councilmember Risley reported on the proposed schedule of hours for the Dial -A -Ride, as well as the increases in fees. Mary Philips objected to any cut in Dial -A -Ride services, and suggested that Council increase the Dial -a -Ride hours to include Sundays and evenings. Councilmember Anderson stated that he was not aware of any small transportation system that actually made a profit, however, the amount being subsidized by the General Fund was justtoo great. Councilmember Anderson related that at the North Coast Transit meeting he had been able to hold the City's participation to a maximum of $16,500, rather than the $19,820 proposed. Councilmember Anderson felt that the City should place maximum limits on spending for transportation, and a maximum spending from the General Fund for transportation. 1 MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL Adjourned - Budget Meeting P age Two Mr. DeSomer stated that an increase in the hours of operation w ould not raise additional revenues. Councilmember Zeuschner asked if figures were available regarding t he demands made at certain hours of operation, and the highest u seage hours. Councilmember Risley stated that these figures were examined, and t he proposals were based on this type of information. Council discussed the Committee's proposals further, and received information regarding anticipated revenues, farebox revenues, projected ridership, and funding availability. Councilmember Anderson suggested that the Council set a limit for General Fund subsidy for fiscal year 1984-85. Councilmember Lemons stated that he would have a proposal ✓ egarding increasing revenues to present to Council later. Councilmember Risley stated that the proposal would allow the City to state current feelings regarding the future of Dial -A - Ride, and suggested that the report was not intended as a long- t erm proposal, but specifically for this fiscal year. MOTION: Councilmember Risley moved that Council accept and adopt the Resolution and report as presented by the Dial -A -Ride Committee. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Anderson. Councilmember Lemons asked if the figures mentioned in the report w ere to be adopted at this time. Councilmember Risley felt that it was essential to act now so t hat any increase in rates can become effective as soon as possible. Councilmember Zeuschner was concerned regarding the reserve or contingency funds, and felt that income should be put aside for future years. Councilmember Lemons stated that he was not critical of the ✓ eport, but felt that more information should be received before adoption. Mayor Shelton suggested that the Council accept the report but any approval of budget figures pending further budget considerations. 2 MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL Adjourned - Budget Meeting P age Three Councilmember Risley agreed to amend his motion: AMENDED MOTION: Councilmember Risley moved that Council accept t he report from the Dial -A -Ride Committee and t o hold adoption of the budget figures pending further budget considerations. The motion as amended was seconded by Councilmember Anderson and carried unanimously. (5-0) Mr. Baxter stated that staff had prepared certain information as ✓ equested by Council at the previous budget meeting. Mr. Baxter n oted that the General Fund had shown a rapid decrease since the passage of Proposition 13 and that a decrease in services would be necessary unless revenues could be increased. Mr. Baxter then reviewed charts and information as prepared by t he Finance Director regarding water and sewer availability charges. Council discussed the current policy and the effects upon City ✓ evenues. Council also discussed water equivalencies and their current availability. Mr. Baxter stated that several members of the Public Works Department were present and wished to make a brief statement to Council. Mr. Steve Economan, representative of the Morro Bay City Employees Association, and employee of the Public Works Department, stated that a method for retaining 3 employees had been developed, by postponing or deleting certain equipment items from the budget request. Mr. Economan stated that the items as listed total approximately $63,000, while the cost of retaining t he employees was about $65,000. Mayor Shelton asked if any of the items deleted or "postponed" would be vital to the continued operation of the Department. Mr. Economan stated that while most of the items were needed, t hey could possibly be delayed and operations could continue during this time. Councilmember Risley questioned if the street overlay program could continue without the equipment as requested. Mr. Economan stated that the proposal would save the employee's positions, and without the employees the street program would not be able to continue. 3 MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL Adjourned - Budget Meeting t age Four Council discussed alternatives to the proposed lay-offs, and questioned the effects of equipment purchase delays. Mr. Baxter noted that even if the lay-offs were postponed, next year's budget crises would be even more severe, unless additional revenues were found. Councilmember Lemons felt that the employees were valuable to the City, and noted that not all that much equipment was proposed to be cut. Councilmember Lemons felt that the Council should find some way to retain these employees. Mayor Shelton stated that it seemed that the Council was in basic agreement that if possible, the employees should be retained, and t he street maintenance program should continue. Mayor Shelton stated that this proposal as presented would be reviewed and refined further during future budget sessions. Mayor Shelton thanked the Public Works employees for their participation in the budget process. Mr. Baxter reviewed information regarding administrative costs, and comparisons with other cities. Mr. Baxter noted that according to a survey Morro Bay is a little below average in t heir administrative spending. Mayor Shelton asked what other cities the survey had included in t his comparison. Mr. Baxter stated that it was a survey of all California cities. Mr. Baxter noted that in attempting to survey only San Luis Obispo County cities, it had been difficult to compare because of t he different methods and composition of the cities. Mr. Sibbach stated that by using all cities, the large and small cities tend to balance out. Mayor Shelton stated that the meeting would adjourned at 6:00 p.m., and asked if there were any members of the audience who w ished to speak who could not attend the regular meeting at 7:30. Mr. Cliff Smith stated that this year's request by the Harbor Department for radio equipment had not been recommended, and he n oted that it was his impression that during last years budget n egotiations it was agreed that this equipment would be purchased t his year. 4 MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL Adjourned - Budget Meeting P age Five P olice Chief Howell stated that the Harbor Patrol can currently t alk directly to the Fire Department at night over the VHF channel, and can have contact with the Police Department over the Fire frequencies. There were no further public comments. MOTION: Councilmember Lemons moved that the meeting to adjourned to the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Risley and carried unanimously. (5-0) The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, P EGGY V f4NAN C DEPUTY "T CLERK 5