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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4_19_2005 - Council Minutes - Adjourned Regular MeetingI I APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON APRIL 26, 2005 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ORANGE, CALIFORNIA OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING April 19, 2005 The City Council of the City of Orange, California convened an Adjourned Regular Meeting on April 19, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. in the Weimer Room, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California. 5:00 P.M. STUDY SESSION 1.OPENING 1.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Led by Mayor pro tern Cavecche 1.3 ROLL CALL PRESENT - Smith, Ambriz, Cavecche, Dumitru ABSENT - Murphy (Mayor Murphy arrived at 5: 15 p.m.)1.4 PRESENTATIONS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS/ INTRODUCTIONS - None.2. PUBLIC COMMENTS Fred Whitaker Sf., announced that April 19th was the 230th Anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord and asked the Council to recognize this as Patriot's Day.3. CONSENT CALENDAR - None.4. REPORTS FROM MAYOR MURPHY - None.5.REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS - None. 6,REPORTS FROM BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS - None.7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - None.PAGE 1 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Adjourned Regular Meeting April 19, 2005 8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER 8.1 Report on the proposed Fiscal Year 2005-06 Budget including a summary of projected revenues and recommended expenditures.Mr. John Sibley, Assistant City Manager, introduced the Study Session.Barbara Messick, Sr. Assistant to the City Manager, reviewed the budget process and budget balancing strategies. General Fund expenditures for FY 05-06 total $79.1 million, which is an increase of 5.23% over 04-05. She also reviewed recommended staffing changes.Rich Jacobs, Finance Director, reviewed General Fund Revenues which total approximately $75 million, also an increase over 04-05.Mr. Sibley indicated that because of the improving revenue picture and continued control of expenditures, the recommended budget will not require expending any funds from the catastrophic reserve, which for FY 05-06, will remain at $ 16.8 million.Council Ouestions Councilmember Smith encouraged the continued direction to seek grant funding for projects;stated that she hoped positions which generate revenue were not remaining vacant and that the City was actively pursuing business license renewals. She expressed concern about the amount of consultant fees; and asked about the $130,000 designated for the Street Fair.Mr. Sibley reported that consultants are typically used for staff support, which is a very economical way to conduct city business during peak work levels. He also stated the Street Fair expenditure is fully reimbursed by the Street Fair Committee.Councilmember Ambriz questioned Fees for Services; and the need to explore the contracting out of services. He questioned the effectiveness of the League of California Cities membership -as money for things like that could be used towards a professional grant writer. He expressed concern about events that are being cut, such as the COPS Expo and the Police Department Open House. He also asked for more information on Contractual Services and possible duplication of community programs. He also asked for a breakdown of Special Events and the amount of revenue generated to offset costs.The City Manager indicated more detail will be provided to the Council on these issues.Mayor Murphy stated the Council needs to review policy decisions regarding special events -what revenue generating opportunities does the City givc to non profit organizations and what opportunities stay within the I I CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Adjourned Regular Meeting April 19,2005 Mayor pro tern Cavecche suggested a budget discussion be agendized for a meeting in May, prior to the public hearing in June. This would give thc Council an opportunity to provide more specific ideas and directives; and time for the Councilmembers to talk with departments. The City Manager suggested the Council provide policy directives and put specific requests or ideas in writing. He would meet with each of them and then make the information available to each Councilmember. One of the challcnges in reviewing each line item in the budget is that it requires background information on each department. Mayor pro tern Cavecche spoke on the need for a grant writer. She suggested that instead of hiring a staff member, the City should research companies that perform this function, which would be a way to start the process. Either way, it is important to get someone out in the community. Mayor pro tern Cavecche asked about the number of vacant Police Officer positions; and suggested that money be cut in other places if it means that all sworn Police Officer positions are filled. Councilmember Dumitru asked about Payments to Other Agencies in the Non- Departmental Budget; and suggested that alternative work shifts could be explored in the future for full coverage in the Police Department.The City Manager reported Payments to Other Agencies includes payments to Ford of Orange and for the parking lot lease at The Block, and that he would provide more detailed information on that to the Council.Mayor Murphy suggested that items which are accounted for by a revenue offset be highlighted;and reiterated the importance for the Council to stay at a policy level instead of reviewing each line item of the budget. He agreed that all safety positions need to be filled and remain filled;and would agree with cutting certain budget items in order to meet that goal. He agreed with the idea of each Councilmember putting suggestions and ideas in writing and maybe another study session could be held before the public hearing in June.Councilmember Ambriz pointed out that Councilmembers have the right and the duty to question every aspect of the budget, and noted that Councilmembers each have expertise in specific and di fferent areas which can be helpful in the budget process.Councilmember Smith suggested that senior staff members could be educated in how to pursue grants, which could be a minimal amount of time investcd in order to produce results.The City Manager reiterated that staff will work with each Councilmember and will share all information with all members of the Council.PAGE ClTY COUNCIL MINUTES Adjourned Regular Meeting April 19,2005 9. LEGAL AFFAIRS - None.10. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION MOTION - Murphy SECOND - Ambriz AYES - Smith, Ambriz, Murphy, Cavecche, Dumitru Moved that there is a need to take immediate action on the following item and the item came to the attention of the City after posting of the Agenda; and add this as a closed session item to the agenda:Conference with Labor Negotiator, Personnel Director Steven Pham,to discuss the status oflabor contract negotiations with the Orange City Firefighters Association.The City Council recessed at 6: 15 p.m. to a Closed Session.11. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned at 6:25 p.m.DECLARATION OF POSTING: Declaration of City Clerk, Mary E. Murphy, declaring posting of the City Council Agenda of an Adjourned Regular Meettng of April 19, 2005 at Orange Civic Center in the north facing kiosk, Police Facillty at 1107 North Batavia, and Shaffer Park; 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; and also available at the City Clerk's Office and Main Library at 101 N. Center Street.MAR. HY CITY CLERK PAGE 4