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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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`.. 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 .
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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