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Home My WebLink About03-10-2009 Council Minutes - Adjourned MeetingAPPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON MARCH 24, 2009 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ORANGE, CALIFORNIA OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING March 10, 2009 The City Council of the City of Orange, California, convened an Adjourned Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. on March 10, 2009 in the Weimer Room, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California. E):OO P.M. STUDY SESSION 1. OPENING 1.3 ROLL CALL PRESENT - Smith, Murphy, Cavecche, Dumitru, Bilodeau ABSENT - None 1. 4PRESENTATIONS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS/ INTRODUCTIONS -None.2. PUBLIC COMMENTS Karen Finn -asked that there be no budget cuts to the Police and Fire Departments.Vickie Short - asked tokeep the patriotic music part of the 3rd of July event.Marilyn Moore - asked about corporate sponsors and ticket sales for the 3rd of July event.3. CONSENT CALENDAR - None.4. REPORTS FROM MAYOR CAVECCHE -None.5. REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS -None.6. REPORTS FROM BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS -None.7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - None. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 10, 2009 8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER 8.1 Proposed 2009-10 Budget. (C2500.J.1. 1)City Manager John Sibley reviewed the projected revenues and expenditures, indicating a projected $10.9 million gap; and clarified a recent newspaper article indicating that sales tax revenue is down in the city.Deputy City Manager Rick Otto reviewed the current budget cuts of approximately $2 million;and reviewed 14 areas for possible budget cuts which require Council policy decisions.Eliminate Professional Consulting Townsend Public Affairs $60, 000 Councilmember Dumitru suggested a lobbying voice is needed at both the state and federal level,and that eliminating this contract could result in the loss of grant opportunities. He suggested withdrawing from the League of California Cities and using those funds for this lobbyist.Council agreed this was a valuable service, but suggested cutting some of the costs or reviewing the contract mid year.City Manager John Sibley reported staff will bring back an analysis of the League dues and will contact Townsend for a possible reduction in fees.Police Department -Eliminate Contribution to Orange County Human Relations Council $5, 000 Council agreed to this budget reduction.Police Department -Maintain Four Police Officer Vacancies $440, 000 Police Chief Gustafson reported the Department would be able to absorb these current vacancies and will be able to move people around within the Department.Council clarified with staff that there has been increased police service to the community in the last few years.Personnel Department -Eliminate Employee Service Awards $21, 000 Personnel Director Steven Pham reported these funds are used for a gift program for employees who have achieved service year milestones of 15 years and longer.Council agreed to eliminate the current gift program, but wanted to ensure that employees were recognized in some way. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 10, 2009 Library -Reduce Book Budget $130,917 Council agreed to this budget reduction. Library -Close Main Library on Fridays $67,666 Yolanda Moreno, Interim Library Director, reported that Fridays are the slowest days at the Main Library; and Thursdays are the slowest days at the Branch Libraries. Council was hesitant to close the Main Library and asked for information on how many residents use library facilities at Chapman University or Santiago Canyon College and the number of patrons using the branch libraries. Council also suggested other alternatives to reduce the budget, including further reductions in the book budget, partnering more with the Friends of the Library and staying open but reducing hours. City Manager John Sibley reported staff will develop alternatives and bring back a report to Council. Community Development -Reduce Professional Consulting Old Towne Design Standards $25,000 Community Development Director Alice Angus reported there is some ability to move forward with this project, utilizing current funds carried over to next fiscal year. Councilmember Smith commented that the Standards do need to be updated, suggesting using graphics from other sources, utilizing volunteers in the community and doing the work in- house.Community Development -Reduce Professional Consulting Outside Plan Check $35, 000 Community Development Director Alice Angus reported staff is able to keep up with the work load in the current economy and will also carry over current funds to next fiscal year.Mayor Cavecche wanted to ensure that staff could accommodate plan checks in a timely manner,especially given the current economy. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 10, 2009 Community Services -Eliminate Treats in the Streets $12,960 /Reduce Number of Summer Concerts from 8 to 4 $4,263 /Reduce Scope of 3rd of July Event $55,377 Community Services Director Marie Knight reported $40,000was raised the last two years from corporate sponsors, and these funds are spread out for all special events.Community Services Director Marie Knight reported last year's ticket sales for the 3rd of July event netted approximately $24,000; tickets cost $5 and non-profit organizations keep half of the money from the tickets they sell. She reported the fireworks display costs approximately 14,000 for a current 13 minute show. There were approximately 10,000 to 11,000 in attendance at last year's event. Councilmember Dumitru stated he was not willing to see changes in the 3rd of July event, noting the event was started after the ban on fireworks was initiated in the city. Mayor Cavecche stated she was not in favor of reducing the number of summer concerts. Council noted these special events are hallmark events for the community; that they affect a positive change for families and the community; and suggested not eliminating any of the events, but asked staff to streamline the events where possible. It was also suggested to publicize and encourage private donations for events. Community Services -Eliminate One Summer Drop in Recreation Program $10,126 Council agreed to initiate afee-for- service program.Community Services -Reduce Level of Park Maintenance $ 154,692 Community Services Director Marie Knight reported the proposed cuts include a reduction in sports field maintenance, deferral of aesthetic maintenance at parks, reduction in landscape frequencies and reduction of supplies, materials and contract services for parks; and that the proposed service reductions are in areas that will not result in additional costs in the long run.Council discussed the problems with the restored historic fountain currently at the Main Library;the need to keep water in the fountains to prevent vandalism; and the need to re- look at the original restoration design.Councilmember Smith asked staff to bring a report back to the Council and the 585 Committee on the disrepair of the CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 10, 2009 Community Services -Reduce Senior Center Allocation by 10% $24,900 Councilmember Smith asked staff to look at ways to generate revenue with the use of the Senior Center for outside events; and suggested the Center may want to consider reducing hours. Other Mayor Cavecche asked staff to again pursue Councilmember Dumitru's idea of a tow yard at the City's Corporation Yard. 9. LEGAL AFFAIRS -None. 10. ADJOURNMENT -The City Council adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Declaration of City Clerk, Mary E. Murphy, declaring posting of the City Council Agenda of an Adjourned Regular Meeting of March 10, 2009 at Orange Civic Center kiosk, Police Facility at 1107 North Batavia, and Orange Public Library at 407 E. Chapman Avenue; 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. M '. MURPHY CITY CLERK