HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1978.07.15 4
CITY OF BURLINGAME STUDY MEETING
July 15 , 1978
PRESENT :
Councilmembers : Amstrup , Barton , Crosby , Martin ( Councilman Mangini
absent - vacation)
Staff : Schwalm, Argyres , Hill , Kirkup , Bergsing ,
Hoffman , Fricke , Palmer , Wagner
The study meeting was convened by Mayor Crosby at 10 : 05 A. M.
in Conference Room B . Mayor Crosby then turned meeting over to
Budget Chairman Amstrup .
Councilman Amstrup announced that due to the City ' s budgetary
problems a change will be effected in the Planning Department .
The position of City Planner will be eliminated , and planning
staff will report to the Director of Public Works . This change
will take effect in three months , at a contemplated savings to
the City of $ 32 , 000 in 8 . 5 months ' salary , fringes , and operating
expenses . He noted , however , that $ 10 , 000 " Other contractual
services " included in reductions is questionable . Finance
Director confirmed that this amount for community block grant
housing rehabilitation expenses is canceled out because the City
apparently is not eligible for the grant this year .
Councilman Amstrup reviewed the City ' s position as of this date
in budget reductions - $ 561 , 000 long term cuts , $436 , 000 short
term cuts , for a total of approximately $997 , 000 . This does not
include the reduction for the Planning Department or for positions
currently vacant . Councilman Amstrup questioned if Council wished
to accept State money with its " strings . " He suggested the
possibility of taking it and returning it to the citizens in some
form of rebate . In Council consideration of this suggestion
questions of legality and method of distribution were raised .
It was noted there was not time to research citizen opinion on
this because the first distribution from the State is due
August 31 and City filing will not be until after that date .
Council concluded there was no way to avoid taking the money .
Councilman Martin reviewed the problem of metermaids in the
Police Department . One metermaid was eliminated , one quit , and
the Department is down to one metermaid . Police Chief proposed
hiring of a temporary metermaid on a per diem basis , with a
succeeding program of using Police cadets for enforcement at
a lesser rate of pay . It will take some time to find cadets .
Council approved this approach , instructing Police Chief to hire
temporary help and come back with package on cadets , including
job descriptions .
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July 15 , 1978 - 2 -
LIBRARY
Councilman Amstrup broached the subject of the. Branch. library
and whether or not to close it . Operational figures at Branch
were reviewed by Council and City Librarian . A net figure of
approximately $ 50 , 000 per year was projected as savings if Branch
were closed . City Librarian questioned disposition of this $ 50 , 000
proposed savings .
Councilman Martin stated his opposition to reduction in book funds
since prices will be subject to inflation .. He proposed some of
this money be put back into book funds for the benefit of the
main library , and further proposed that the City close the Branch ,
sell the property , and endeavor to keep the main library in good
shape and responsive to community needs .
Councilman Amstrup noted the sale value of the property would be
from $ 125 , 000 to $ 150 , 000 . He agreed with Councilman Martin ' s
proposition , although he noted the difficulty of this decision .
City Librarian reviewed services performed by Branch to people
in the area , particularly children and senior citizens , and suggested
several alternatives : rental of the library by a private non-
profit organization such as Arts Council ; making a combination
�- library and community facility ; maintenance of a small circulating
book collection . She wanted to phase out the Branch library , if
necessary , over a three year period . By this method the City
would get the benefit of a $ 50 , 000 investment in major improvements
at the Branch ; Branch subscriptions could run their course ; and
book stock could be phased back into the main library .
After some discussion , Councilman Martin questioned City Librarian
if Branch could be phased out by July 1 , 1979 . She considered
it could be , but urged that investment in Branch book stock be
protected .
Councilman Barton questioned if Hillsborough could buy this collec-
tion . City Librarian considered their financial situation would
not allow them to purchase .
Mayor Crosby stated his reluctance to close the Branch , noting
that once it is closed and the building sold , the City will
never have another Branch Library .
Councilman Barton , noting the excellence of the main library ,
stated she could not justify keeping the Branch open ,
Barbara Rowe , Branch librarian , addressed Council , giving reasons
why Branch should be kept operating .
There was considerable further discussion , with the Council
deciding that the Branch library would be closed for circulation
on January 1 , 1979 . The next six months to July 1 , 1979 would
Study meeting
July 15, 1978 - 3 -
be spent in assimilating book stock into the main library or dis-
posing of it, and disposing of furnishings. Bids on the building
would be taken July 1, 1979.
Remainder of discussion on this subject centered around the
reduction of hours at both main and Branch. It was decided
that the City Librarian should at her discretion experiment with
the most effective hourly arrangements, with a report to Council
on finalization of a schedule.
PRELIMINARY REDUCTIONS
Council reviewed Finance Director' s list of "Preliminary City
Council Jarvis Reductions" dated 7/14/78. Reduction items 1
through 13 were confirmed.
Item 14 - City Clerk, eliminate replacement of typewriter - $645 .
This was considered uncertain, since there is an actual need for
this typewriter.
Items 15 through 17 confirmed.
Item 18 - Library - $26,863. Must be recalculated because of
decision to close Branch.
L
Item 19 - Police, and Item 20 - Fire, to be considered later in
meeting.
Item 21 - confirmed.
Item 22 - Park - $40, 000. Discussion confirmed that aerial truck
to be eliminated by Park Department is heavy duty. Therefore
Park could not share lighter equipment of Public Works and Fire.
Conclusion was that Park Department would operate their present
aerial for one more year with replacement then, and Public
Works and Fire would share their aerial. Price of new equipment
to be researched.
Items 22 through 27 - confirmed.
Item 19 - Police reductions :
Priority 1 - Elimination of 1/3 of crossing guards - figure
changed from $9, 152 to $10 ,452.
Priority 5 - Eliminate replacement motorcycle - $3,100. Decision
not to eliminate this motorcycle because of high cost of repairs.
Priority 18 - Eliminate traffic sergeant hazard pay - $1, 390. This
`. is to be dropped since we have not reduced hazard pay for all
morotcycle officers.
Priority 19 - Eliminate replacement of 3 police vehicles -
$16,600. After considerable discussion on this item, Council
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July 15 , 1978 - 4 -
concluded that the four vehicles now authorized for replacement
should be purchased immediately , but not used until the old
vehicles have reached 75 , 000 miles . Figure of $16 , 600 reduction
for three other replacements would stand for the present , with Police
Chief to report to Council on a three-year plan for car purchases .
There was lengthy Council discussion of the proposal to eliminate
classification of Police Lieutenant for one position . Police
Chief pointed out disadvantages such as lack of incentive for
personnel since there are no captains on the force . Council
deferred decision pending further consideration .
Item 20 - Fire Reductions :
The Fire Department budget was reviewed . Councilman Amstrup
stated that the possibility of furnishing fire protection for
Burlingame Hills may generate some income and avoid reduction in
fire forces . This will be investigated .
Chief Fricke recommended vacating one fire inspector position ,
not filling the present vacancy , or not replacing the man scheduled
for retirement shortly . In the long range , the Chief suggested
a reduction of two positions .
Combination of police and fire communications system was discussed .
The two chiefs will investigate this as a possibility for the
future . Permit charges for services and privileges now rendered
such as a charge for fire department services in lockouts ,
roof coverings , banner installation will be evaluated .
It was pointed out that the long- range goal is a reduction of
the budget by approximately $ 1 million dollars . The attrition
method for elimination of personnel will be followed in the main
until July 1 , 1979 . Permanent cuts by attrition and other means
must be firmly established by this date , but it was stated that
with the heavy cuts already achieved , the goal may be reached
without major disturbance .
Next budget study meeting was announced as Wednesday , July 19 ,
7 : 30 P . M .
ADJOURNMENT - Meeting adjourned at 1 : 00 P . M .
Notes : B . Geralds