Council Study Session 03/08/11APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON MARCH 22, 2011
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ORANGE, CALIFORNIA
STUDY SESSION March 8, 2011
The City Council of the City of Orange, California, convened a Study Session at 3:00 p.m. on
March 8, 2011 in the Weimer Room, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California.
1. OPENING
1.2 ROLL CALL
PRESENT - Whitaker, Smith, Cavecche
ABSENT - Dumitru, Bilodeau
1.3 PRESENTATIONS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS/ INTRODUCTIONS
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS — None
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
4. REPORTS FROM MAYOR CAVECCHE - None
5. REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS — None
6. REPORTS FROM BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS - None
7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - None
8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER
8.1 Proposed FY 2011 -12 Budget. (C2500.E.4)
The Police Chief and Public Works Director gave reports on the impacts of the budget
reductions.
Mayor Cavecche questioned where the current five Officer vacancies exist, in addition to the
vacant Captain, Sergeant and Lieutenant positions.
Rick Otto, Acting Assistant City Manager, provided a power point presentation on current and
projected revenues and expenditures.
City Manager John Sibley reported staff is considering an organizational assessment, utilizing an
outside consultant, noting that a study of this type may take approximately nine months to
complete and cost approximately $150,000.
Councilmember Whitaker asked about the use of the unreserved fund balance, also noting there
were no reserves in the Water Fund.
It was explained the fund balance is maintained as a "bank account" to be available for the next
year; that it was used previously to help close the budget gap.
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINUTES March 8, 2011
8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER (Continued)
Mayor pro tem Smith clarified with staff that any plan to reduce costs would come back to
Council for final approval; and stated she personally did not want to have to lay off any staff
which would add to the unemployment rolls. She expressed concern about the use of an outside
consultant for an organizational assessment, and asked for additional information on this. She
noted that two Councilmembers were absent from the Study Session and wanted to ensure they
were involved in this discussion. She suggested looking at the basic needs of the City and what
contributes to the greatest safety and welfare.
Mayor Cavecche suggested a continuation of this discussion for the second meeting in March,
with briefings offered to the absent Councilmembers; as well as a discussion on the use of an
outside consultant, which may not be necessary for all departments. She asked for information
on where the new 20 frozen positions are. She stated the need to be more aggressive, looking at
how services are provided, looking at core functions, and implement changes as soon as
possible; and suggested looking at Community Services programs and staffing as soon as
possible, as many of their programs are getting ready for summer.
Speakers
Reggie Mundekis — expressed concern on spending additional money on outside consultants,
suggesting the work be done in- house.
Greg Lewin, speaking as a member of the public, noted the importance of preserving programs
which make Orange special, even utilizing catastrophic reserves if necessary.
9. LEGAL AFFAIRS - None
10. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 4:40 p.m. to a Regular Meeting of Tuesday, March 8,
2011, at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Declaration of City Clerk, Mary E. Murphy, declaring posting of the City Council Agenda of a
Study Session on March 8, 2011 at Orange Civic Center kiosk, Police Facility at 1107 North
Batavia, and Orange Public Library at 407 N. Chapman; all of said locations being in the City of
Orange and freely accessible to members of the public at least 72 hours before commencement of
said Study Session.
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