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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1978.06.07 1 A G E N D A STUDY 1,TETING June 7 , 1978 8 : 00 p . m . 1 . Review of Election and Discussion of Courses of Action . a . Course of Summer Recreation Program b . Replacement of Tree Trimmer Replacement of Parking Enforcement Officer Sumner Help 2 . Request of Sister City Committee on Convention Program 3 . Proposed New Mates for Permit Fees 4 . Burlingame Parking Study 5 . Revision to Transient Occupany Tax Ordinance 6 . Traffic Ordinance 7 . Other BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL Study Meeting June 7, 1978 PRESENT: COUNCILMEN: AMSTRUP, BARTON, CROSBY, MANGINI, MARTIN CITY CLERK HILL STAFF: SCHWALM, KIRKUP, ARGYRES, SWAN, HOFFMAN, WAGNER, FRICKE, LT. CHASE, BERGSING Mayor Crosby convened the meeting at 8:07 p.m. in Conference Room B of the City Hall. He announced that Council decided at the last regular meeting that discussion at this meeting would be confined to the budget, with the exception of a presentation by the Sister City Association Chairman. Albert J. Leyva, Chairman of the Burlingame Sister City Association, explained that the Sister City Program was started by President Eisenhower in the fifties to promote better relationships with foreign cities as a means of promoting better understanding. His organization has sent things like an ambulance and therapeutic toys to Burlingame's sister city, Cuernavaca. There are plans for future student exchanges and Cuernavaca's firemen are coming up to our city. At the Tucson con- vention Cuernavaca bid for and won the 1978 international conference, and they have asked Burlingame to bid for the 1979 conference. His organization will do so at the August convention. They have been working with John Steen of the Con- vention Bureau and with the Hyatt House and Airport Marina on plans, but they need the cooperation of the City and its citizens. In answer to Councilman Mangini's question about the amount of financial support required he said he did not know. He said the Association is in the process of seeking non-profit status to facilitate approaching businesses and the public for support. He felt the President of Mexico might come but that would be taken care of by the State Department. The Mayor of Cuernavaca and the Governor of Morelos will probably come. In addition to the Hyatt motel rooms he hopes there will be outside help for cocktail parties. He said he would come back with more details in September. Mayor Crosby asked Councilman Amstrup, budget chairman, to preside over the budget discussions. Councilman Amstrup commented that all the council was aware that whether or not Proposition 13 was affirmed the mandate is for cut- backs and less government spending. He referred to memoranda prepared by Mr. Schwalm and Mr. Argyres. He pointed out that the proposed budget is 4.5% less in property tax appropriations than last year, or $90,000 less. If there are no revenues from property tax there will be 21% less than the amount called for by the proposed budget, and if 40% of normal property tax revenue is received it will be approximately 13% less than is needed for the budget, excluding utilites and park department services. One major item for consideration is sewer and water rates which are not now self-sustaining. For instance, fringe benefits are not paid by revenues. Other matters for consideration are the mini-computer for the Police Department, the Police Station and Bayside Park. 1 Councilman Mangini questioned policy, guidelines and whether taxes would be received at the old or new rate pending determination of court tests of the initiative . Mr. Schwalm said that we do not know what the State formula is going to be so the City should proceed on the assumption that we are going to receive no property taxes . He referred to Mr. Argyres ' memorandum suggesting a reduction of expenditures from the property tax by at least 60%. Mr. Argyres pointed out that the proposed budget is a good starting point. Property taxes , excluding debt service , were $1 .7 million which is about 21% of the operating budget. Therefore if the City loses 60%, tax revenue would be down $1 million , or approxi - mately 13% of the operating budget. With respect to the State determination of the distribution of the 1% tax between agencies , one assumption is that we will be cut 100% or $1 .7 million. If the legislators prorate the 1% among all agencies , it would result in a 60% reduction or $1 million . Another assumption is that the State will bail the cities out, but the mood seems to be that that won 't be done. Burlingame has healthy reserves , $3 million estimated in the general fund . However, to be prudent, 10% of the operating budget should be held in reserve for cash flow. He pointed out that there is $800,000 in the Federal Revenue Sharing account earmarked for a new police station , and capital project funds for the Broadway Overpass ($300,000) and Bayside Park ($500,000) . However, the first phase of the sewer capital improvement project will probably be $1 .3 million and the police station improvements will be between $200,000 and $1 million . Council - man Martin asked whether action is necessary with regard to obligating revenue sharing funds. Mr. Argyres replied that if we do not want to have a police station there should be a hearing and a request to reappropriate $185 ,000; however, there is justification in the present initiative for requesting an extension of time. Mr. Schwalm asked for consideration of several items : 1 . The new uniform contract was executed with a condition that if Jarvis-Gann passed it could be cancelled. The present contract expires at the end of June. He recommends that uniforms not be furnished for park and street employees . Councilman Martin questioned the validity of changing a meet-and-confer item and suggested Mr. Schwalm explore the possibility of a month-to-month basis . 2 . The Police Department reported that a parking enforcement officer is resigning on June 15th and asked permission to fill the vacancy because another is under suspension , so there will be only one parking enforcement officer in the field. A metermaid brings in 50% of her cost. The second metermaid is actually a dis- charge but cannot be considered so unless the Civil Service Commission upholds the discharge at a July 18th hearing . Lieutenant Chase pointed out that a meter- maid frees officers and one is hardly enough for a city of this size . Mr. Schwalm explained that if the discharge is not sustained there will be three metermaids should this vacancy be filled. Councilman Martin suggested that the City have only one metermaid until after July 18th, and the matter can then be considered again. 3. The Park Department would like to fill a tree trimmer vacancy. There is a question as to whether hazard is not created by not keeping up with the trees . Some of the situations become dangerous . Councilman Mangini questioned the practicality of using outside agencies , and Mr. Hoffman responded that it would be expensive. He continued that notonly is there this high-climber vacancy, but the other tree trimmer has been injured . There are daily complaints about branches and limbs. The position has been that the trees belong to the City and we maintain them. Councilman Martin said he felt there should be no 2 exception to the policy of freezing the hiring of personnel . Councilman Mangini said he considered high climbing as a specialty and he would like to consult the City Attorney. Mr. Schwalm reported that he had discussed it with Mr. Coleman and he had not been able to give an answer. Councilman Amstrup said that though there may be times when special situations will arise he feels that for the present we should have a policy that we are not going to hire anyone at this time. Councilmen Mangini and Crosby agreed . 4. The final question related to summer help which involves about $15,200 in the Park Department, $8,000 for Streets and Sewer, and $5 ,000 for the Water Department. Councilman Martin said he would like not only to eliminate the summer school employees but the summer interns as well . Mr. Kirkup said that if the program is eliminated now it in effect is eliminated for the whole summer for his department. The State Water department comes through so his department will have to schedule the regular crew to do the work. Councilman Crosby said he feels summer employment of students is one of the city' s best programs . Councilmen Martin and Amstrup were in agreement that regular employees should not be eliminated to use summer student help. 5 . Mr. Schwalm referred to Mr. Wagner ' s memorandum regarding the summer recreation program budget. Mr. Wagner stated that the adult program is completely self-sustaining with the exception of adult education , and that phase of the program has been cancelled by the school district. He plans that the program will be picked up by his department, but the fees will be doubled. The recreation program is funded through June , and there will be a carry-over of $5 ,000 in the leadership account , which he would like to retain for the future program. Future children ' s programs will be self-sustaining , in fact their arts and crafts already are. His recommendation is that his second suggestion be implemented , that is, that the department cut its expenses marginally. He stated that Burlingame High School will not open its pool or gym so the swimming and basketball programs will not be conducted , and that he plans to drop the drama program for the summer. If fees are not raised he will required $7,042 for the modified summer program. Should Council ask him to proceed under his third listed choice it will be necessary for his staff to telephone about 1 ,000 people to advise that fees will be raised for the classes for which they have already registered . Fees would be doubled. Councilman Barton questioned the expenses for baseball and questioned the need for baseball hats . Councilman Crosby stated that he preferred the retention of the baseball program, even with doubling of fees . Councilman Mangini asked whether doubling baseball fees would eliminate the $2 ,905 item. Mr. Wagner said he would like to retain a $905 buffer. Mrs . Barton questioned the $375 item for movies . Mr. Wagner said that would be eliminated by raising the charge after the first movie . Councilman Amstrup questioned whether there is parent participation in the children ' s programs . Mr. Wagner said the programs are more successful without such participation , and he felt that he would be able to make the children 's program self-sustaining in the future , but this year it would be more difficult because it had not been so advertised , althoughthere had been reference to possible increased fees due to Jarvis-Gann in the spring brochure. Councilman Barton said she felt there would be criticism if baseball fees were doubled but there is no cut back in staff. Councilmen Mangini and Martin voiced preference to not jeopardize a worker's livelihood. 3 Mr. Wagner said he would like to have the $5 ,000 carryover to use as the Department determines best for the summer program. Mr. Argyres stated that the $5 ,000 is part of the $1 million fund balance. Mr. Amstrup explained that any balance in budgeted sums reverted to the taxpayer and could not be carried over. Councilman Martin pointed out that because programs will be dropped there will be $882 not used this fiscal year, and he suggested Mr. Wagner use those funds to structure the summer program so that it will be self-sustaining for the fiscal year 78/79 . Councilman Mangini agreed. Councilman Amstrup voiced concern about depriving young people. Councilman Barton objected to raising fees and felt there were other areas where cuts could be made. Councilman Crosby agreed that programs could be dropped and the rest scheduled with the $2 ,050 remaining in the 1977-78 budget. The meeting recessed at 9:30 and reconvened at 9:40. Councilman Amstrup directed attention to the Finance Director' s memorandum of May 31st containing proposed items for consideration which would effect a $1 million estimated cut. He said he and Councilman Martin had discussed several ideas. Councilman Martin pointed out that a 25% cut could not be made uniformly in every department. The first determination to be made is a policy regarding personnel . He said he was opposed to firing a city employee through a cut in government that isn ' t his fault. If a job isn ' t necessary it should be taken care of by attrition or transfer if possible. He preferred a policy of retaining all employees with a firm hiring freeze. But he would like to see a $1 .7 million budget cut, by working With zero based budgetting through each department. He called attention that there may be no help from the State, and there may be reapportionment of other funds from the State such as apportionment of sales tax by population , which would result in a loss to the City. His recommendation is a policy of retention of all employees , if possible, with the provision that there would be no salary in- creases this year and no step raises . It is possible that it will be necessary to decrease some fringebenefits such as education and longevity pay and the accumulation of excess vacation because of longevity. He anticipates there may be objection to the latter by the senior employees , but he feels such steps are necessary if all employees are retained. Councilman Martin continued that it was Councilman Amstrup ' s suggestion that the list of budget items be prepared and shown to the taxpayers . If they don ' t like the proposed budget , they can advise where cuts should be made. Councilman Amstrup added that hopefully the newspapers would assist and there could be citizen input at a public meeting. He added that he felt the taxpayers had indicated that they want to see what is being done. Councilmen Mangini and Crosby approved the suggestion that every effort be made to retain personnel . Councilman Barton questioned a policy of not cutting staff but cutting services to the public. She said she felt there are areas to cut where staff is not needed, and she does not think it is fair to give no raises and to keep on a man who isn ' t needed. Councilman Martin replied that he felt the message wasn ' t to cut personnel but to cut taxes . Mr. Argyres stated that the rule of thumbis 5% attrition so that in the normal course staff would be cut 15% in three years by attrition. 4 `.. 1�1.e `.. Councilman Amstrup recommended that Council work toward a $1 .7 million budget but, with the understanding that changes could be made if state action warrants . He called attention to Item 12 in Mr. Argyes ' memo relating to the Library. Mrs . Bergsing referred to the fact that proposed savings by reducing library hours would be offset by loss of revenue from the Hillsborough contract because of Jarvis-Gann. Mr. Davidson indicated that Hillsborough would probably set up its own library in one of its schools . Another item for Council consideration is the reduction of garden pickups . Mr. Kirkup ' s investigation of Councilman Amstrup ' s suggestion of the feasibility of a once-a-month pick-up coordinated with San Mateo revealed that San Mateo is abandoning its garden pick-up service and that the truck must be fully utilized to make the service worth-while to the scavenger company. Councilman Martin suggested that every councilman review the budget of the department assigned to him or her and return with recommendations for cuts as rapidly as possible. Councilman Amstrup suggested that council meetings be scheduled each week looking toward completion of the budget before two of the councilmen left for vacation at the end of June. The next meeting for this purpose was set for Wednesday, June 14th , at 7 :30 p.m. Counilman Crosby urged investigation of cooperation of the parent-teacher groups for possible elimination of all crossing guards through utilization of parents , thereby eliminating $22 ,000 from the budget. Mrs . Bergsing asked Council direction concerning the Hillsborough contract which expires the end of this month . Her question concerned service to the people who had been using the Burlingame library. She pointed out that pre- vious to the Hillsborough contract the fee to those residents was $50 per family card , but that was a year ago. She understood San Mateo was considering a fee of between $75 and $100, but she felt that too high a charge would be a deterent to potential users. In addition in the past two types of courtesy cards had been issued to persons who were not members of another library system: to those who owned real property in Burlingame but lived elsewhere , and to those who worked in Burlingame and lived elsewhere. She asked if Council wished to leave determination of the fee to the members of the Library Board . In answer to the inquiry as to the cost to Burlingame taxpayers for the library system it was estimated to be approximately $27 . Council agreed that the charge for a family card should be at least the amount of the previous charge, but that the Library Board should make a recommendation. They directed that courtesy cards be eliminated. With respect to sewer and water fees , Mr. Argyres was directed to prepare figures showing the full costs for those services and the necessary rates to cover the costs . Councilman Martin asked for detail as to the items covered when the information is submitted , and he asked specifically that fringe benefits be included in the computation. Councilman Amstrup referred to Mr. Schwalm ' s memorandum regarding the sale of the gas station property adjoins the police station. Councilman Martin stated that there will be time before the City must act. He felt that at most a sale at this time would establish an eminent domain valuation, and that there would be a period of time while plans for development were formulated , so the only additional cost to the City if it wished to acquire the property would be the cost of those plans . 5 Councilman Amstrup suggested consideration be given to the possible sale of the Carolan Avenue property. . He suggested further consideration also be given to the capital improvement project for the sewer system and possible methods of financing the improvements . If City funds are used it will affect the amount available in the reserves for the present budget discussions . Mr. Argyres said that bonding is not feasible at the present without payment of a premium. because of the impact of the Jarvis-Gann situation upon cities ' credit. Councilman Martin asked for the preparation of figures on the complete improvement, but, in the meantime , he favored progress on the pipe under the Freeway. Mr. Kirkup stated that one- third of this year ' s revenue had been cut off because everyone was saving water. He said he expected the first phase would be ready for design this summer. Mr. Martin called attention to the unemployment insurance constraints which begin about the middle of June. Councilman Amstrup referred to a letter from the City of San Francisco advising of the need to issue a land use permit for parking to its right-of-way and that a fee will be charged for all permits . Mr. Kirkup explained that the current agreement requires San Francisco to pay about $8,000 property tax . The meeting adjourned at 10:50 p.m. Notes ; A. Keating