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
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