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04-21-1998 Council Minutes Adj RegularCITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING ORANGE, CALIFORNIA April 21, 1998 The City Council of the City of Orange, California, convened on April 21, 1998 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, Mayor Coontz, Spurgeon, Alvarez ABSENT - Slater 2. CONSENT CALENDAR 2.1 Declaration of City Clerk, Cassandra J. Cathcart, declaring posting of City Council agenda of an Adjourned Regular Meeting of April 21, 1998 at Orange Civic Center, Taft Branch Library at 740 E. Taft Avenue, 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 of the City Clerk.MOTION - Mayor Coontz SECOND - Alvarez AYES - Murphy, Mayor Coontz, Spurgeon, Alvarez ABSENT - Slater Item 2.1 was approved as recommended.END OF CONSENT CALENDAR 3. REPORTS FROM MAYOR COONTZ - None 4. REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS - None 5. REPORTS FROM BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS - None PAGE 1 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES April 21, 1998 6. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER 6.1 Report on the proposed Fiscal Year 1998/99 Budget including a summary of projected revenues and recommended expenditures. The Finance Director presented an overview of the highlights of the proposed budget, budget policies, transfers and reserves; summarized the General Fund revenues and expenditures; and departmental budget summaries. The Assistant to the City Manager presented the following recommended staffing changes: Additions: Assistant to City Manager, 3 Police Officers, Planning Aide, Temp. Senior Project Planner-19 hour, and Part-time Administrative Intern in Personnel. Eliminations: Chemical Sprayer (retirement), Park Security Guard (vacant), and Senior Project Planner (retirement)Reclassifications:: Downgrade Personnel Mgr. to Sr. Personnel Analyst, Upgrade Part-time property Cadet to Full Time Property Officer, Upgrade Associate Planner to Senior Planner,Upgrade Housing Specialist to Community & Marketing Specialist This proposed budget includes a recommendation for 620 employees.The City Manager stated the proposed budget will be balanced at $53.6 million General Fund with no tax increases, no layoffs or reductions in any City services. It is proposed to improve city services while reducing operating costs. A 4.9% increase in sales tax revenue is predicted for next year (does not include City Mills which will come in next year). This is the first full year the City will be off the furlough. The three new police officers will be added in response to the increase level of services generated by an 800,000 sq. ft. retail entertainment facility generating 10-12,000,000 visitors per year. The City is continuing to emphasize technology in all departments. The new Community and Marketing specialist position will coordinate cable and media relations in conjunction with the City Manager's Office, coordinate special events and film projects; work on marketing Orange to businesses and residents with input from Economic Development Partnership and each of the departments that provide services to the community.The City Manager gave the following responses to Council questions:Mayor Coontz asked will the goals and objectives be met? The City Manager indicated between the CIP and the operating budget the City can successfully meet them. Mayor Coontz further commented on Public Works continuing to rehabilitate sewers, streets, etc. and the emphasis on Community Services activities for youth.Councilman Alvarez asked if there was a cap on the vehicle maintenance reserve? The Finance Director responded the Vehicle Replacement fund is usually kept at $5,000,000.Councilman Alvarez asked where the Marketing Specialist would be funded. The City Manager indicated the position is under the Economic Development Department. Also, regarding trends CITY COUNCIL MINUTES April 21, 1998 6. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER (Continued) toward contracting out, the City Manager responded there have been times where the City could get more by contracting and other times where it would be more effective to rely on the position at City Hall. Councilman Alvarez asked if Sister Cities would be a service the Council would want to keep. Mayor Coontz commented there are no City funds expended, rather each Councilmember personally contributes. Councilman Murphy asked if there were areas other than the vehicle reserves where there is a different inflation factor? The City Manager indicated the technology area is under study. Mayor Coontz asked about the vehicle budget, other than Police and Fire, in 1993 the City cut back dramatically on the use of City vehicles. Did that have anything to do with the reduction in the budget this time or was it addressed previously? The City Manager indicated last year the vehicles were reviewed and some removed. Mayor Coontz asked about the quarterly reviews and if there would be a mid-year report on attaining the goals and objectives? The City Manager commented the budget document is an accountability document holding the department heads to accomplishing their goals and objectives. Work plans can have dollars attached to them. Mayor Coontz felt this would be beneficial for the future.Councilman Spurgeon asked about plan check services - what percentage is envisioned being sent out compared with today's vs in-house services? The Director of Community Development commented this year outside contracts were used for large projects such as The Mills and Century Theaters. However, next year there will not be projects ofthat scale and it was estimated there will be minimal amounts of contractual services next year.Councilman Alvarez asked about the rising cost of health benefits. The City Manager indicated this is a negotiated item with the bargaining units. Health packages have been reviewed and comparisons made.Public Comments:Barbara DeNiro, address on file, asked with the Highland Improvements project, are there fewer problems now than before? The Interim Police Chief indicated there is less need for patrol and crime is down in the area.Ms. DeNiro noticed the horse crossing signal south of the north entrance to the Holy Sepulcher cemetery and asked how it was funded? The Director of Public Works commented it was developer funded and the location selected was based upon the Master Recreation Plan.PAGE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES April 21, 1998 6. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER (Continued) Carole Walters, address on file, asked for information on the Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan. The Director of Public Works responded the plan was adopted by Council several months ago. To date none of the strategies have been implemented. Implementation depends upon requests initiated by the neighborhoods. 7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - None 8. LEGAL AFFAIRS - None 9. ORAL PRESENTATIONS Carole Walters, address on file, commented Police Officers should not intimidate citizens at council meetings; they should sit down. Mrs. Walters indicated she is sending a letter next week regarding an incident with a City employee, not a Police Officer.The City Manager commented if there was a complaint about any issue, to please call and it will be investigated. Councilman Alvarez asked that when preparing for Council meetings, the Department Heads could make sure all their employees are seated and ready to begin the meeting.Mayor Coontz responded it would depend on whether they are working or attending Council meetings as citizens. Also, the Police Department has a specific complaint form which is to be used for investigative purposes because there are State laws involved regarding any accusations against Police Officers.10. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned at 6:00 p.m.MOTION - Mayor Coontz SECOND - Spurgeon AYES - Murphy, Mayor Coontz, Spurgeon, Alvarez ABSENT - Slater C~~er~Aa4 CASSANDRA . CATHCART, CMC CITY CLERK PAGE 4 T