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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/09/1979M I N U T E S ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNCIL HEARING ROOM, CITY HALL, 990 PALM STREET TUESDAY, JANUARY -9, 1979 - 7:30 P.M. SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA STUDY SESSION Roll Call Councilmen PRESENT: Ron Dunin, Jeff Jorgensee, Steve Petterson, Allen Settle and Mayor Kenneth E. Schwartz ABSENT: None City Staff PRESENT: Leland Walton; City.Administrative Officer; J.H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk; George Thacher, City'Attorney; Henry Engen, Community Development Director; Wayne Peterson, City Engineer; Rudy Muravez, Director of Finance; Richard Minor, Fire Chief; Roger Neuman, Police Chief; Dave Romero, Director of Public Services. ----------------------------------------------------=---------------- - - - - -- 1. Individual members of standing council subcommittees reported on activities of each committee. A. Area Council of Governments Councilman Settle B. C.C.C.J.C. Councilman Petterson C. City /County /Cal Poly Advisory Committee Councilman Jorgensen D. County Water Advisory Committee Mayor Schwartz E. Whale Rock Commission_ Mayor.Schwartz F. Zone 9 Advisory Committee Councilman Dunin 2. City Council then- discussed ,with staff'the status of the 1978 -1979 City Budget, C.I.P. and Street Deficiency Projects... R. Muravez, Director of Finance, presented a report on current revenues and C.I.P. Projects with exhibits as follows: A. Summary of Available Funds (Est. as of 12/31/78) B. Adjustments to Budgeted Revenues (Est. as of 12/31/78) C. Status Summary of C.I.P. (Est. as of 12/31/78) Summary of Available Funds The summary presents the estimated fund balances for-the major operating and capital funds of the City, after adjustment. The adjustments include increases and decreases in estimated revenue, unanticipated revenues and estimates of capital project savings or cost overruns. Also included on the summary, for information purposes, are the restricted reserves being accumulated by the City. Adjustments to Budgeted Revenue An extensive analysis was made of the major revenue sources for the City and the estimates were revised accordingly. City Council Minutes January 9, 1979 Page 2 1. Sales and Use Tax. Based on receipts thru December 31, 1978, there appears to be a downward trend in-the seasonally adjusted revenue. The original-projections for 78/79 were made as of April 30, 1978, and reconfirmed thru June 30, 1978. At that time, a significant economic downturn was not on the annual horizon. Current economic forcasts however, do indicate quarter-of-this fiscal year. it may have a greater impact o Since this is the City's major be watching it closely for the he has adjusted his estimated a significant downturn in the last Depending on how early this occurs, n the budget than currently estimated. revenue source, Rudy Muravez will be remainder of the year. For the present, revenue downward by $100,000. 2. Bed Tax. This source of income is greater than anticipated mainly due to a successful tourist season and the opening of the Discovery Inn. This combination should produce an additional $25,000 in revenue. 3. Utility Tax. This source of revenue resists a high degree of accuracy in its forcasting. It is subject to the variables of rate adjustment and utility consumption. At the present time he is forcasting a decrease in anticipated revenue of approximately $32,000.. 4. Investment..Earnings. The City is now earning 10k to 11 percent on current investments. Overall this revenue source will safely produce an additional $126,000 to be distributed among the City's operating and capital funds. An additional $25,000 will be distributed among the City's trust and agency funds. 5. Motor.Vehicle in Lieu Tax. THe seasonally adjusted trend for this source projects an additional $18,000 in revenue: Therefore, he felt that at this time the increases and decreases of general fund revenue appeal to be closely equalizing out. ' Capital Improvement.Budget - Status Summary He'stated this exhibit lists.all..capital improvement projects by catagory and then by CIP number. Included on the summary are the original budget amount, all adjustments to the original amount, the current charges against the budget in encumbrances and the balance of the budget remaining. After discuss- ing each project with the appropriate personnel, an estimated commitment for the year was determined and a savings or overcost figure projected. Overall, the City has committed 30% of the appropriated funds for this fiscal year. A substantial number of projects are in process with contract award expected prior to the end of the year. At.the present time, there does not. appear to be substantial savings in the public facilities and equipment cata- gory or the water and sewer-utilities. However, the street projects do exhibit approximately $90,000 for reallocation. ADJUSTMENTS TO BUDGETED REVENUE 1978 -1979 Original Revised Budget Percent Revenue Source Budget Estimate Adjustment Adjustment General Fund Sales & Use Tax 2,550,000 2,450,000 - 100,000 - 3.9% Bed Tax 395,000 420,000 + 25,000 + 6.3% Business License Tax 1 203,000 210,000 + 7,000 + 3.4% Utility Tax 856,800 824,500 - 32,300 3.8% Investment Earnings 131,000 200,000 + 69,000 + 52.6% DMV In -Lieu Tax 457,000 457,000 + 182000 + 3.9% - 13,300 Street Funds Gas Tax 2107 (Interest Earnings) 149000 25,000 + 119000 + 78.6% SB -325 (Interest Earnings) 20,000 27,500 + 7,500 + 37.5% + 18,500 City Council Minutes January 9, 1979 Page 3 Utilities Water (Interest Earnings) 25,000 30,000 +. 5,000 + 20.0% Sewer (Interest Earnings) 25,000 40,000 ± 15,000 + 60.0% & Recommendations + 20,000 Capital Improvements Fin. Account.Clerk I $11,000 $1,650 Effective_ Revenue Sharing (Interest.Earnings) 24,300 45,000 + 20,700 + 85.2% Capital Improvements Fund (Interest) 5,900 15,000 + 9,100 +154.2% - Defer to CETA + 29,800 ' Wayne Peterson, City Engineer, then reviewed with the City Council the status of the street deficiency priority list, approved by the City Council on May 1, 1978 for the 1978/1979 fiscal year. He went through each project .showing those completed, out to bid, contracted for, and those under design. He also reviewed with the Council those street priority items on which nothing has been submitted and the reasons why. Leland Walton, City Administrative.Officer, submitted for the:Council's consid- eration a. request for additional full time City personnel. He requested the Council approve authorization for eight (8) new positions at a cost of approx- imately $54,850, including salary, fringes and start up equipment, with starting dates as shown. Total Recommended $134,000 $2,850 $52,000 L. Walton continued that according to the finance.officer, the City can expect sufficient unappropriated funds in the current.operating budget (accumulated from.salary savings and other economies) to underwrite these positions ($54,850) during the remainder of the current fiscal Year without drawing from the general fund reserve. The fiscal impact on our 1979 -80 fiscal year budget would include an increase of approximately 1.3% ($134,000) in the overating budget and a corresponding 3.7% decrease in the capital budget (based on 1978 - 79 level of expenditures). He continued the City -was fortunate.that.subsequent to-his original proposal for additional personnel in parks and sewer.maintenance,.CETA funds have been granted for this purpose. Thus, for a- period of at least one year three of the requested positions will be financed.with these federal funds. However, he assured the Council that he.would not use temporary CETA positions as leverage to establish new permanent positions until and unless they can be completely justified on their own.merits. This is to say that except for the three maintenance positions, he considered these CETA jobs to be of a temporary and training nature. On the other side of the equation, the City was informed by the county that our two existing CETA firemen are no longer eligible for federal funding because their salary exceeds the new maximum. This means that.the City must pick up the cost for these two positions from general funds. There is still some possibility of a reprieve on this decision but Mr. Walton stated that he is allowing for this modification in his recommendation. 1 Annual Cost Start Up Department Position W /Benefits Equipment Comments & Recommendations Fin. Account.Clerk I $11,000 $1,650 Effective_ Feb. 15 ($4,500) P.S. Park Maint. Wk. 14,000 .(6,500) Defer to Ceta P.S. Park Maint. Wk. 14,000 - Defer to CETA P.S. Util. "Mant. Wk. 15000_ - Defer to CETA P.S. Util. Eng. Asst. 19,000 (100) Defer to budget 1979 -80 P.S. Clerk Typist 12,000 - Effective Jan 15 ($6,000) CAO Budget Analyst 18,000 100 Effective Mar. 1 ($6,000) C.D. Eng. Tech. 15,000 100 Effective Feb. 1 ($6,500) C.D. Eng. Tech. 15,000 100 Effective. May 1 ($2,000) C.D. Eng. Assoc. 21,000 500 Effective Apr. 1 ($5,000) Fire Firefighter 21,000 200 Effective Feb. 1 ($11,000) Fire Firefighter 21,000 200 Effective Feb. 1 ($11,000) Total Requested $196,000 $9,450 Total Recommended $134,000 $2,850 $52,000 L. Walton continued that according to the finance.officer, the City can expect sufficient unappropriated funds in the current.operating budget (accumulated from.salary savings and other economies) to underwrite these positions ($54,850) during the remainder of the current fiscal Year without drawing from the general fund reserve. The fiscal impact on our 1979 -80 fiscal year budget would include an increase of approximately 1.3% ($134,000) in the overating budget and a corresponding 3.7% decrease in the capital budget (based on 1978 - 79 level of expenditures). He continued the City -was fortunate.that.subsequent to-his original proposal for additional personnel in parks and sewer.maintenance,.CETA funds have been granted for this purpose. Thus, for a- period of at least one year three of the requested positions will be financed.with these federal funds. However, he assured the Council that he.would not use temporary CETA positions as leverage to establish new permanent positions until and unless they can be completely justified on their own.merits. This is to say that except for the three maintenance positions, he considered these CETA jobs to be of a temporary and training nature. On the other side of the equation, the City was informed by the county that our two existing CETA firemen are no longer eligible for federal funding because their salary exceeds the new maximum. This means that.the City must pick up the cost for these two positions from general funds. There is still some possibility of a reprieve on this decision but Mr. Walton stated that he is allowing for this modification in his recommendation. 1 City Council Minutes January 9, 1979 Page 4 Finally, L. Walton stated that he.and.the staff are still looking into the Council's suggestion that-the City retain.a licensed architect and a licensed landscape architect.to.help the staff with small projects and for.consultation purposes. 9:10 p.m., Mayor Schwartz declared a recess. 9:30 p.m., Council.reconvened, all Councilmen present. The City Council.then reviewed the - information presented by the staff on status of the City's revenues, C.I.P. and street deficiency project list. By common consent of the City Council, the City Administrative Officer was authorized to continue to try and..retain.by..contract a licensed architect and a licensed landscape architect to help staff; and C.A.O..was further authorized to retain a licensed engineer to help with city design projects and for plan checks on project developments. Mayor Schwartz.stated:.that as.he.- understood .- the.staff's.report,.the_City Council had unappropriated unrestricted.funds.in the general fund of $521,821 (including $250,000 general..reserve) in restricted funds $89,066 (facilities reserve) and $151,036 in C.I.P..fund. Gordon Johnson, Personnel Director,.upon..question by the City Council, stated that as.of July 1, 1978, 12 additional full time positions had been added to the staff. Councilman Jorgensen stated that-the C.A.O. proposal for eight new positions would.mean.that the.City Council.had approved 20 new full time positions in one year,.not.including part time..help.and CETA employees, in spite of the mandate of proposition 13 and the.fact that,the City employees did.not..receive their negotiated salary increases due to the conditions of the state bail out money: Leland Walton, C.A.O.; was asked to prioritize-.the eight additional positions he was requesting. 1.'- Firefighter 5.- Engineering.Technician 2..- Firefighter 6 - .Budget Analyst (C.A.O.) 3 - Account Clerk.(fin.) .. ...7 - Engineering Technician 4 - Clerk Typist (P.S.) 8 - Engineering Associate Councilman Petterson stated he_supported. the request of the C.A.O. to add eight full time positions,-he also_felt.that_the.Council should support the C.A.O. in his attempt to carry out Council direction to operate the City efficiently Councilman.Dunin, stated that-he would- support the recommendation for additional personnel in the- utility:.division_as_he felt, after investigation, that they are-overloaded-with'-work, they are.way understaffed, and he did not feel.that needed work was getting done. He,also felt the additional personnel were needed for safety considerations. He would also support, with lesser priority, 1) Account Clerk, 2) Budget Analyst, 3) Park Maintenance Worker, and 4) Firefighter. He-questioned-the need for..the.additional.personnel in the engineering.division, as he did not.feel more help.would solve.the problem, as he did not feel that the 1975 reorganization including the engineering for the city has worked, and just adding more people will not help. ' Councilman.Settle..stated that..he...would.reluctantly. support the C.A.O. recommen- dation..for more.help because -under normal.-consideration he was - opposed to adding personnel..during the.budget .year. He would support the hiring of 1) Firefighters, 2).Account Clerk, 3).Park.Worker, 4) Utility Worker, and 5) Engineering Technician,--.but-he would.rather..defer 1) Utility Engineering Assis- tant, 2) Budget Analyst, and 3) Engineering Associate. Councilman Jorgensen stated that.he...was.opposed in.principle.to adding personnel in mid year, but he would reluctantly support the.priorities outlined by Councilman Settle. City; Council. Minutes January 9, 1979 Page 5 Mayor Schwartz.felt_that' -lie would support :all. :the.recommendations of the C.A.O. and would authorize- filling . - all.- .positions.as..scheduled by:Mr..Walton. He felt that this-proposal-was timely and needed. On. motion of- Councilman Petterson.. seconded.- by._Councilman Dunin, that City Council support the recommendations...of the.C.A.0. and authorize recruiting for eight (8) full-time positions under the time schedule proposed. Councilman- .Jorgensen.stated that while -he supported the C.A.O.,.he would vote against the motion-,: -due -to: inclusion- of 1) Budget. Analyst, and 2) .Engineering Associate. Councilman,Settle stated that he too would support the C.A.O. but he would vote:no on the motion:as:he did'hot.:feel'.a. need for 1) Budget Analyst, 2) Engineering Associate, and,3) Utility Engineering Assistant. Councilman Dunin stated that in order to...get-a Utility Worker in the field, he would-reluctantly vote for.the.motion, but he questioned the..benefit to the City of,the additional engineering:personnel. I. . . Motion carried on:the following roll.:call vote: AYES: Councilmen Petterson, Dunin and Mayor Schwartz NOES:' Councilmen Jorgensen and Settle ABSENT: None Councilman. Jorgensen ::suggested.: that-. any. and all unallocated funds and unallo- cated increases in revenue should'-be assigned to solving.pirking problems. Mayor Schwartz felt that the.city staff should.be-asked to allocate any surplus, unallocated funds and unanticipated revenues to.the already approved council C.I.P. priority list; which were not funded due.- to.Proposition No. 13. He .reminded -the City Council.that dde to.the provisions of the 1978 bail- out funds.as.allocated by the state legislature, the city lost over $46,000 due to large revenue accounts. 10:25 p.m., City Council adjourned to:.Executive Session 11:10 p.m., City Council reconvened in Regular Session, all councilmen present. 11:10 p.m:.;:Mayor:Schwartz.adjourned the meeting -to 12:10 p.m., Monday, January 15, 1979. APPROVED: February 6, 1979 •'Fitzpatrick, City Clerk. �J