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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4_25_2001 - Council Minutes - Adjourned Regular MeetingAPPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ON MAY 8, 2001 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ORANGE, CALIFORNIA OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING April 25, 2001 The City Council ofthe City of Orange, California convened on April 25, 2001 at 5:00 p.m. in an Adjourned Regular Meeting in the Council Chambers, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California. 5:00 P.M. SESSION 1. OPENING 1.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Led by Mayor Murphy 1.3 ROLL CALL PRESENT - Slater, Mayor Murphy, Coontz ABSENT - Alvarez 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None 3. CONSENT CALENDAR All items on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and are enacted by one motion approving the recommended action listed on the Agenda. Any member of the City Council, staff or the public may request an item be removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion or separate action. Unless otherwise specified in the request to remove an item from the Consent Calendar, all items removed shall be considered immediately following action on the remaining items on the Consent Calendar.3.1 Declaration of City Clerk, Cassandra J. Cathcart, declaring posting of City Council agenda of an Adjourned Regular Meeting of April 25, 2001 at Orange Civic Center,Main Library at 101 N. Center Street, 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 - Coontz SECOND - Slater AYES - Slater, Mayor Murphy, Coontz ABSENT - Alvarez Item 3.1 was approvedas recommended.END OF CONSENT CALENDAR PAGE 1 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES April 25, 2001 4. REPORTS FROM MAYOR MURPHY - None 5. REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS - None 6. REPORTS FROM BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS - None 7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - None 8. REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER 8.1 Report on the proposed Fiscal Year 2001/2002 Budget including a summary of projected revenues and recommended expenditures. (Copy of Staff Report on file in the City Clerk's Office.) The City Manager reported on the following highlights of the proposed budget indicating how the City is responding to the changing economy as well as highlights of those projects and programs that will be focused on during the upcoming fiscal year:Balanced Budget Flat Revenue Projection Rising Expenses Deferral of Filling Vacant Positions Deferral of Several Large Expenditures Holding the Line on New Positions Use of General Fund Reserve Establishment ofthe Accrued Liability Fund Allocation Police department Enhances its Dispatch Operation Completion of Key Park Infrastructure Projects Long-term Planning for Library Facilities and Services Amending the Redevelopment Project Areas Santiago Hills II and Beyond Updating the General Plan Continuing Emphasis on the Capital Improvement Program The Finance Director reviewed the General Fund Revenues, increases and changes, by funding source; a sales and property tax history; budget policies and transfers; and Fund Balances of the General Fund.Councilmember Coontz questioned the Vehicle Maintenance Allocation. The City Manager indicated in some cases the City has been aggressive about vehicle replacement but could hold off on some replacements while looking closely at usages. Councilmember Coontz felt this was a problem before, but agreed with the City Manager's assessment.The City Manager reviewed the General Fund Expenditures which will increase 6.9% over FY 2000-01 to $ 66.6 million; recommended staffing changes; history of full-time employees and department summaries.PAGE 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES April 25, 2001 8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER (Continued) Council discussion: The City Manager reported with contingency planning the City is preparing for a possible down turn in the economy. This budget reflects those recommendations. The actions over the last several months, relating to holding positions open with careful evaluations, will also be continued. With the Reserve Policy the Council has in place, the 25% will provide a cushion to absorb some downturns along with attrition. The City will be able to avoid layoffs and retool the organization, while being cautious about the expenditures and cutting back as needed. Councilmember Coontz commented she remembers 1991/92 when there was a large number of layoffs that were devastating to everyone. The City Manager has successfully addressed all areas of concern as well as the changes for the future. The Quarterly Review of the Budget is extremely important. Councilmember Slater asked how many Police Officers are now at The Block? The City Manager commented he will provide a staffing sununary memo on exactly what the staffing level is at The Block. Overtime has been reduced by shifting staffing and having a Sergeant stationed at The Block which helps in managing overtime. Councilmember Slater commented he thought it was 5 or 6 Police at The Block, but it has bothered him that the City has to pay the bill. In the future, perhaps when they come back to the City for future development proposals, that would be the time to discuss these costs. The City Manager reported what the City is doing is not inconsistent with what the City of Irvine is doing at the Spectrum. Mayor Murphy commented he had heard they had 10 police officers there and crime was higher with less visitors. Councilmember Coontz felt the interface between City departments, such as the interface with Anaheim and the City fire department, is important. The City Manager indicated he had asked for weekly reports on The Block's visitation and crime statistics in order to monitor the situation. It has recently been reported visitation is continually on the rise. Councilmember Coontz asked with increased commercial activity at the Orange Mall, how is the security situation as it relates to the Police Sub-station and the Mall Security? The City Manager indicated the Police Chiefwill give Council an update.Councilmember Slater commended Public Works on their aggressive pursuit of funds for the public works projects and street rehabilitations. But, there is pressure from the community concerning streets that are deteriorated. In Old Towne there are numerous potholes.Councilmember Slater wanted to keep this issue at the top of the list.Bob Bennyhoff, address on file, asked how often General Plans have to be updated? The City Manager reported it is recommended every ten years.PAGE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES April 25, 2001 8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER (Continued) Mr. Bennyhoff commented on where the General Plan would have to be adjusted relative to new development in East Orange. He is concerned about the East Orange General Plan and the affects ofthe proposed airport. The City of Villa Park last night pulled out of the Orange County Regional Airport Authority. Councilmember Coontz commented circulation is a strong part of the General Plan as well as the Housing Element and the State's demands on affordable housing. The General Plan has to be reviewed to see what has occurred over a period of time and then re-address the issues. The corridor and Jamboree were part of the traffic solution.The City Manager responded traffic issues were being considered which is why the General Plan needs to go forward. The first element is the Circulation Element which will play an important role. Regarding Irvine development, there is nothing the City can do until planning begins on the other side of the toll way. The City has to wait for The Irvine Company to come forward. If they hold to their timeline, conceptual plans could be reviewed this year. If it is high density,there will be a higher level of significant areas in the way of transportation, other city services and a bigger focus on retail commercial that will keep the people out there so they don't have to drive down Chapman Avenue for services.Mr. Bennyhoff further commented about how to keep water in the Irvine Lake. The City Manager commented it was an issue The Irvine Company and the water districts will have to resolve.9. LEGAL AFFAIRS - None 10. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION The City Council did not recess to a Closed Session. 11. ADJOURNMENT - The City Council adjourned at 6:20 p.m.C. lb'-<<4frj/;'fA hd CASSANDRA . ATHCART, CMC CITY CLERK PAGE 4