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 .