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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1978.08.29 CITY OF BURLINGAME STUDY MEETING August 29,1978 PRESENT: Councilmembers: Amstrup,Barton,Crosby,Mangini,Martin Staff: Schwalm,Argyres,Coleman,Kirkup,Fricke,Molder, Lt.Chase,Sommers The meeting was convened by Mayor Crosby at 5:30 P.M. in Conference Room B. Mayor Crosby then turned the meeting over to Budget Chairman Amstrup. Councilman Amstrup reviewed with the Council a letter received from the State Controller concerning the State surplus money to the City. It is estimated that Burlingame will receive $357,740 from the State surplus in 1978-79, less an amount for City reserves, which the Finance Director estimates to be $63,227, for a net revenue of $254,512. City Council concurred with a suggestion from Councilman Amstrup that the State money be "returned to the people" by using it for sewer improvements which would have required sewer rate increases to finance if the City had not received State surplus funds. The next item the Council considered was City support of Chamber of Commerce. Ray Kliewer, the executive vice-president, and John Hughes, president of the Chamber, outlined the Chamber's program and their proposal to tie the Chamber agreement to a percentage of the City's sales tax revenue increase. Councilman Mangini supported some form of inflationary increase for the Chamber, while Councilman Martin favored a reduced amount over three years so that the Chamber must become self-supporting from memberships. Mayor Crosby and Councilwoman Barton favored the same $17,000 annual contribution to the Chamber for 1978-79, with the understanding that the Chamber work toward becoming self-sufficient, since the City may not have the resources to continue its past level of support. It was the consensus of the Council that funding for the Chamber continue at the $17,000 amount for 1978-79. The next item the Council discussed was the City's agreement with the San Mateo County Tourist and Convention Bureau. Councilman Amstrup outlined the status of other cities' contribution to the Convention Bureau, and the importance of Burlingame's position. The Council discussed a letter from Mayor Condon of San Mateo calling for a uniform 12% of the 8% tax collection contribution from all cities to the Bureau. Councilman Martin proposed a flat amount rather than a percentage. After considerable discussion, the Council agreed upon 128 of the gross receipts of the City's 88 tax, not to exceed $87,500,for 1978-79. The City Attorney was directed to contact the Bureau concerning an amended contract. Study minutes August 29, 1978 - 2 - The Council next reviewed the personnel reductions proposed in the budget review. It reaffirmed its previous reduction of eight positions which are currently vacant or soon to be vacant. These positions are: 1 Maintenance Worker - Street Sweeping 1 Assistant Electrician - Street Lighting 1 Traffic Enforcement Officer 1 Public Works Inspector 1 City Planner 2 Firemen 1 Custodian - Recreation One position of Police Clerk was also targeted for elimination by attrition. Concerning the reduction of Communications Dispatcher by attrition, the Council had a lengthy discussion about the feasibility of combining the Police and Fire Communications . The Fire Chief stated that if Police and Fire Communications staffs were combined, he would need two clerical positions to replace clerical work now done by his four dispatchers. The Council thought that two positions was excessive and requested that a staff review be made of the Fire records-keeping practice so that one position would be ample. It was the decision of the Council that the Police and Fire Communications Centers should be combined into one division separate from the Police and Fire Departments, and that nine communications dispatchers be approved and one clerical position be approved for the Fire Department. It is the opinion of the Council that, although this consolidation would not reduce the total number of positions nor save any money immediately, in the long run, especially with the advent of 911, the efficiency of the communications operation would be approved and savings would occur from operating only one facility rather than two. In reviewing the positions which are currently vacant and frozen, Council decided the following: 1 Tree Trimmer for Parks - Position is continued frozen pending justification from Park Superintendent on cost versus contracting out for the service and the use of the supervisor for safety assistance for the one tree trimmer position which the City currently has filled. 1 Park Grounds Equipment Repair Worker - unfreeze and fill. 2 Park Maintenance Worker I - eliminate both positions from the budget. 1 Traffic Enforcement Officer (second of three total) - unfreeze and fill as necessary for effective traffic enforcement, since one position has already been eliminated. Study minutes August 29 , 1978 - 3 - 1 Park Maintenance Man II - unfreeze and fill . 1 Police Officer - unfreeze and fill to continue current Police staffing level . 2 Street Maintenance Workers - unfreeze and fill one position , and eliminate the second vacant position from the budget . The reduction of the three vacant positions outlined above would reduce an additional $50 , 078 from the budget , for a total of $1 , 068 , 278 in cuts for 1978-79 , and $ 720 , 475 in long term cuts . This compares with an estimated $ 834 , 262 in property tax loss in 1978- 79 . Concerning additional personnel reductions , the Council consensus was that no additional position reductions would be necessary this year; but that each vacancy that occurs would be reviewed before being refilled. Councilman Martin stated his opinion that all but one of the position cuts have been at the lower classification and that some additional higher level jobs should be reduced. He discussed his opinion that one Police Lieutenant position should be reduced sometime in the future when a vacancy occurs . He also discussed whether there is a need for three secretaries in the Park-Planning-Attorney offices . Council concurred with the City Manager ' s report that because of the changes in the Planning division that the three positions were necessary at this time . The Council directed that a status report should be presented to the Council on this matter by February 1 , 1979 . Councilman Martin also requested a report concerning the justification for the number of engineers in the Public Works Department by February 1 , 1979 . Public Works Director agreed to submit a report on that date . Joy Molder of the Library brought up the question of the hiring freeze as it applies to Library pages . The Council agreed that the hiring freeze could be lifted for Library pages and student assistants . The question of transferring Water and Sewer Enterprise fringe benefit expense from the General Fund to the enterprises was next discussed by the Council . It was agreed that in the long run the City must move in this direction , since the General Fund can no longer afford the cost . In order to phase into this program, $ 62 , 417 in Water fringe benefit expenses will be budgeted in the Water fund for 1978- 79 . The Public Works Director assured the Council that this could be accomplished without a water rate increase for this year . In 1979- 80 the sewer fringe benfits , estimated to be approximately $ 50 , 000 , will be added to the Sewer fund ; and in the next year the Council will determine which indirect cost , i . e . insurance and administration , will be added to the enterprise funds so that they become truly Study minutes August 29 , 1978 - 4 - self- supporting enterprises . The next item the Council reviewed was the possibility of leasing the Carolan Avenue police site . Councilman Martin stated that he thought the City Manager ' s estimated value of the property was low , and suggested that the rental fee proposed was also low . The Council agreed that the Manager should review the matter and report back to the Council . In a related matter , the rental of property for sludge disposal was reviewed with the Public Works Director , and it was agreed that this matter would be on the September 5th agenda in addition to another item authorizing the State purchase of a budgeted police motorcycle prior to budget adoption . Council next discussed a recommendation of the Public Works Director and City Manager that a temporary 5 % salary adjustment for the Street- Sewer and Water Superintendent be made permanent because of additional responsibility in the position due to the elimination of the Assistant City Electrician position and the lowering of salary for the City Electrician classification . This matter was approved by the Council . The next meeting concerning the budget was announced as a public hearing on Wednesday , September 13 , 1978 . This date has now been changed to Monday , September 11 , 1978 . The meeting was adjourned at 8 : 25 P . M . Notes : D . Argyres .