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03-16-1999 Council Minutes Adj Regular APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON APRIL 13, 1999 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ORANGE, CALIFORNIA ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING MARCH 16, 1999 The City Council ofthe City of Orange, California, convened on March 16, 1999 at 5:00 p.m. in an Adjourned Regular Meeting in the Weimer Room, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California. 5:00 P.M. SESSION 1. OPENING 1.1 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG 1.2 ROLL CALL PRESENT - Murphy, Slater, Mayor Coontz, Spurgeon, Alvarez ABSENT - None 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None 3. CONSENT CALENDAR 3.1 Declaration of City Clerk, Cassandra 1. Cathcart, declaring posting of City Council agenda of a Adjourned Regular Meeting of March 17, 1998 at Orange Civic Center, the Main Library at 101 N. Center Street, the Police facility at 1107 North Batavia, the Eisenhower Park Bulletin Board, and summarized on Time Warner Communications, 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 Adjourned Regular Meeting. ACTION: Accepted Declaration of Agenda Posting and authorized its retention as a public record in the Office ofthe City Clerk. MOTION - Murphy SECOND - Mayor Coontz AYES - Murphy, Slater, Mayor Coontz, Spurgeon, Alvarez Item 3.1 was approved as recommended. END OF CONSENT CALENDAR ****** 4. REPORTS FROM MAYOR COONTZ - None 5. REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS - None 6. REPORTS FROM BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS - None 7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - None PAGE 1 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 16, 1999 8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER 8.1 Proposed Missions, Goals, Service Objectives and Work Plans by City Departments for Fiscal Year 1998/99. The Department Heads presented their work plans. City Manager Department Mayor Coontz requested the following: 1) Under Management City Operations, No.5 - Service Objectives, add the press to the communications process and policy. This will designate one person who will handle the press. This is an issue Council has discussed numerous times. 2) Department Goals Number 4 - This would increase the City's visibility and presence in changing regional local government issues and should also be included under the City Council's Goals, as the Council is represented on several regional bodies. Communication with these agencies and tracking of issues, especially waste management, needs to be looked at. Mayor pro tern Spurgeon concurred with Mayor Coontz that the communications process and policy needs to be done in a professional capacity. This was previously requested one year ago. City Attorney Department Mayor Coontz asked when a telecommunications ordinance can be expected? The City Attorney responded a comprehensive ordinance has been drafted and it anticipated to be completed by mid-summer. Mayor Coontz suggested the Department Goals be updated regarding changes in federal, state and county legislature. City Clerk Department Mayor Coontz commented on the need to begin a tracking process of Council adopted resolutions. This was previously requested one year ago. Finance Department Councilman Murphy commented he would not delay implementation of technology based on the Y2K compliance issue. The Finance Director explained the consultant advised the Request for Proposals (RFP) process for the information system be delayed due to the competition of other customers attempting to make their systems Y2K compliant. Councilman Slater expressed his commendations on the goal of payment of water service electronically by next spring. Councilman Murphy commented the e-commerce will be great, noting that so much can be done in that direction. PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 16, 1999 8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER (Continued) Personnel Department In response to Mayor Coontz, the Personnel Director indicated the academy training program will be required for all manager's that are promoted. Fire Department Mayor Coontz commented the Fire Department is doing a good job checking on the community care homes, but this should be coordinated between Community Development, Fire and Police Departments. Councilman Alvarez asked what the life span of the ambulances will be? The Fire Chief responded they are looking at the possibility of modifying the depreciation on the vehicles. It is hoped there will be funding for additional vehicles and replacing some extra reserves. Police Department Mayor Coontz commented the Gang Task Force has never been an official City committee. The mission and membership of the committee is unknown. A system needs to be worked out so that alternate Councilmembers can attend the meetings. There needs to be a better understanding of the Gang Task Force. The Police Chief responded the Gang Task Force needs to be reworked and goals and objectives established. Minutes will be kept of future meetings. Further, Mayor Coontz indicated there are approximately 250-300 day workers at major sites in East Orange. This is an important issue that needs to be addressed. Individuals could be directed to the City's Resource Center. The Police Chief indicated a handout will be provided to day workers to make sure they go to the Resource Center, if they are qualified to be there. Mayor pro tern Spurgeon expressed concern that with the population increase and the new Block, it is time to look at the number of sworn officers per thousand. He referred to an article in the Times of sworn officers per thousand in Orange County cities, indicating the City of Orange is down. He would like to see a proposal come back on how the staffing level of sworn officers will be increased to protect the entire City. Mayor Coontz commented the City needs to be proactive in the security training programs for businesses at The Block. Councilman Murphy concurred with the concerns raised, noting that an increased staffing level of sworn police officers is a top priority. Service levels need to meet the demands from a personnel as well as from a public safety perspective. PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 16, 1999 8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER (Continued) The Police Chief indicated the City Manager has directed a mid-year budget adjustment report be brought forward for staffing at The Block. Councilman Slater asked about criteria for new alcoholic beverage control (ABC) licenses. The Police Chief responded he is working on the criteria to be brought to Council. Additionally, Councilman Slater asked for statistics which show the crime rate from previous years and what can be done to lower crime rates, to show the community that crime is dropping. How much of the increase in property crimes are attributed to The Block? The Police Chief indicated that crimes at The Block were responsible for the 2.8% increase over last year. Statistics show that 68% ofthe 2.8% increase came from The Block. Most of the property crimes came from The Block. Therefore, future statistics could indicate a rise in crime. A computerized security alert system was installed at The Block last week. The Police Department is working close with The Block to address security concerns. Approximately 17-20 thefts per week can be attributed to The Block. Mayor Coontz expressed concern with crime rate comparisons. She would rather pursue the goals suggested by the Police Chief in keeping track of crime. Councilman Murphy commented on the need to ensure the baseline is correct for existing crime rates and a measurement be made from that baseline on differences in reporting practices from past years. Mayor pro tern Spurgeon commented the increase in the daily and nightly population in the City needs to be factored into the statistics. Councilman Slater agreed with the concerns expressed by Council in terms of analyzing the crime rates on a level playing field, stating that what is important is where are we, where have we come, and where are we going. Public Works Department Mayor Coontz expressed concern with street safety due to increased traffic. Can the Master Street Lighting Plan first focus on safety and criminal protection issues? How long will the Master Street Lighting Plan take? The Director of Public Works explained the development of the plan will take approximately one year. Traffic safety and security will be the number one priority. It is contemplated the arterial street systems will be dealt with first. Further, Mayor Coontz commented on the pavement rehabilitation program and the poor condition of many of the City streets. The Director of Public Works explained it takes approximately $2.5 million to $3 million a year just to stay even on street rehabilitation. The City currently spends approximately $2.5 million per year. There is a backlog due to the fact that $3 million to $4 million was spent in the 1980's. The City received grant funding from the Arterial Hwy. Rehabilitation Program. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is proposing a continuing program countywide of approximately $3.5 million to $4 million a year with a 50% match with a cap of $400,000 per project. In order to successfully compete, the matching amount has to be much higher. A local commitment would have to be made to qualify for those funds. Infrastructure is high on the State's priority list, particularly in the transportation area. Senate Bills have been introduced and PAGE 4 l~_ CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 16, 1999 8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER (Continued) several bills sponsored by the League of California would generate approximately $300 million statewide annually. Orange County is trying to organize a lobby group involving some Public Works Director's to provide expert testimony on these activities as the bills move through the committees and the legislature. Mayor Coontz asked that the Director of Public Works provide a full report once it is underway. Councilman Slater expressed concern that street repaving not fall too far behind. The Director of Public Works explained a routine maintenance program with an approximate ten year cycle for slurry sealing and minor overlays is the most effective way in preventing more expensive problems later on. Further, Councilman Slater expressed the need to be more proactive in the removal of temporary signs on a regular basis. It was suggested volunteers be recruited to remove the litter and debris on sidewalks with adjacent walls in residential areas. Mayor Coontz noted that sidewalk litter and debris has been a long-term problem on residential developments with an outside wall. Community Development Department - No questions from Council. Community Services Department Mayor Coontz commented on the need to follow through on the vision for a new library, to include facility planning, conceptual design and funding. The newly renovated Main Library barely meets the needs of the community today. Last year the Library Foundation achieved 5013C status from the State, and at this time $500 is needed for the federal application. One reason for not pursuing money for a new library was that the existing library renovation needed to be completed. Councilman Slater asked when a Master Plan of Parks can be anticipated? The Director of Community and Library Services responded it will be brought to Council prior to the end ofthis fiscal year. Economic Development Department - No questions from Council. City Council The City Manager asked Council to provide staffwith feedback on the work plan issues staff identified based upon direction and indications from Council. Mayor Coontz suggested as Council's goals are prioritized, they have the ability to add to the budget during the quarterly and mid-year review, ifthe funds are available. The City Manager commented it will be difficult to have a balanced budget without using reserves to help finance the City into next year or even having addressed significant issues of public safety. There have been several tentative settlements in the bankruptcy and potential liability issues that are unknown at this time. He will identify major projects Council may wish PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 16, 1999 8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER (Continued) to consider. When settlement monies from the bankruptcy come in, Council can revisit and prioritize projects mid-year. MOTION - Murphy SECOND - Slater AYES - Murphy, Slater, Mayor Coontz, Spurgeon, Alvarez Moved to receive and file the report. 9. LEGAL AFFAIRS - None URGENT CLOSED SESSION ITEM The City Attorney reported he received "an order" from the court mediator after the posting of the agenda. It was requested the following item be added to the agenda: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 - existing litigation: Vista Royale HOA v. City of Orange, et aI., Orange County Superior Case No. 78 02 84. MOTION - Murphy SECOND - Mayor Coontz AYES - Murphy, Slater, Mayor Coontz, Spurgeon, Alvarez Moved to find that the matter arose subsequent to the agenda being posted and that there is a need to take immediate action. THE CITY COUNCIL RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION AT 7:00 P.M. AND RECONVENED AT 7:30 P.M. The City Attorney announced that the City Council voted unanimously at the March 9, 1999 meeting to authorize the City to appeal the order of Judge Woolley granting petitioner's request to vacate his prior order dismissing the action in Citizens of Orange Park Acres Coalition v. City of Orange, et. al. 10. ADJOURNMENT MOTION - Murphy SECOND - Mayor Coontz AYES - Murphy, Slater, Mayor Coontz, Spurgeon, Alvarez The City Council adjourned at 7:30 p.m. PAGE 6