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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1977.07.25 BURLINGAME CITY' COUNCIL Budget Study Meeting f. July 25, 1977 j 1 PRESENT: MAYOR HARRISON; COUNCILMEN AMSTRUP, MANGINI and MARTIN (Councilman Crosby absent) E MR. SCWALM, MR. KIRKUP, MR. MILLICAN, CHIEF PALMER, CHIEF FRICKE Councilman Amstrup called the meeting or order at 7:35 p.m. , and thanked Mr. i Schwalm and Mr. Millican for the excellent work in preparation of the budget. 1 . PUBLIC WORKS Engineering i = Councilman Amstrup questioned overtime, but after discussion with Mr. Kirkup there was no change on that item or that page (p. 55) . j Special and professional services (p. 56, item 21 ) was explained by Mr. Kirkup as the cost for computerized traffic data, a gas tax item, used by street studies, Police accident studies, information for National Safety Council reports, and so forth. Councilman Amstrup recommends dropping Training and Safety (p. 56, item 26) t $150, down to $760. is Page 57, request for lettering machine at $560/expected to save $250 a year in City expenses. Typewriter is transfer from another department to replace one sent to Corporation Yard. i Street Maintenance Item 21 , page 60 is sidewalk repair and replacement program which is being reviewed. It is a gas tax item. Item 22 is basically for resurfacing and item 22.2 is for traffic control . Mr. Kirkup believes it can be dropped $2,000 to $15,000. Page 61 , capital outlay item for power driven post hole digger was requested because presently digging is done by hand and Mr. Kirkup believes power driven machine will save time and chances of back injuries. Air fed helmet and air Il purifier is requested to meet OSHA requirements. Mr. Kirkup explained that old paint machine was inefficient for California use (built in Midwest) and did not meet State standards regarding spaces and length of lines. He believed about $1 ,000 would be realized on old machine, although that type is not in use in this area. Street Cleaning No changes recommended on pages 62, 63 or 64. Street sweeper (p. 65) will come out of Public Works Sinking Fund. Mr. Kirkup explained current machine is 10 years old (normal life is 7 years) , and in past year maintenance costs have increased and the tank and running gear show signs of extreme wear. Cost of proposed machine is $50,000; cost to replace model currently used is $35,000, but relative values of proposed machine were pointed out. An estimate on trade in of old machine has not yet been obtained, and the $10,000 saving represents saving in expected maintenance cost of old machine, } �- an operating cost savings. Councilman Martin suggested consideration of 1 vacuum sweepers which are recommended to purify waste water by eliminating dust, -1- i especially since they may be mandated in the future . Mr . Kirkup said there had been some problems when they were used several years ago . Councilman Amstrup recommended the proposed $50 , 000 capital outlay . Councilman Mangini concurred . F Electric Shop : No changes , and capital outlay explained as cost of switching j to lights using less energy as approved at a prior meeting . i Parking Facilities : No recommended changes j Refuse Street Pickup No proposed changes in budget . There was discussion of situation when dump will be closed . Councilman Amstrup suggested investigation by Mr . Kirkup of f 1 whether pick-up at that time could be limited to one garden cutting pickup per ! month , and the other pickup for refuse , the ' size of refuse to be limited . Equipment Maintenance _ At Councilman Amstrup ' s request Mr . Kirkup explained that the shop has been maintaining Public Works and Police equipment , and this month Park Department 1 equipment will be added . Each department budget has amounts allocated for maintaining the equipment that comes to the shop . Labor and equipment is charged back to the department ; therefore 75% of salaries are charged to other departments , and equipment ( parts ) charges go directly to the department . Councilman Martin pointed out the urgency of Police equipment receiving priority in servicing . It was recommended that the budget be accepted as presented . Storm Drains - It was pointed out that the budget for the department was lower because of a � - reassignment of personnel time within Public Works . Mr . Kirkup was questioned about an request for walkways over brush bars ( p . 96 ) . He explained the necessity _ for safe place to stand when removing brush from debris basins in channels . There was no objection to the capital outlay item . Water Operations Mr. Kirkup explained change in personnel costs due to reassignment within the Public Works department . Councilman Amstrup recommended budget as submitted . Water Maintenance Increased overtime budgeted was explained as due to additional calls as a result of water conservation emergency . Councilman Amstrup recommended budget. Water Sinking : Tt was noted that this amount was down $1 ,000 from last year. 1 Sewer Maintenance ? The higher clothing and uniform item , up $2000 ( p . 116 ) was questioned and Mr. Kirkup commented it was somewhat due the CETA employees u used in smoke detection � P and lateral repair work , and also to re-assignment of personnel . Previously uniform costs was split four ways which was not accurate , though easier for accounting purposes . Councilman Amstrup requested an explanation of Special j Departmental requests ( item 12 ) . Mr.. Kirkup said it is for rock , asphalt and pipe for repair program . Most of the work is being done by CETA employees . Sewer system is quite old and has a lot of problems and many leaks have been found through smoke detection . Councilman Amstrup called attention to the capital outlay item on page 117 for a high velocity sewer cleaner . He recommended the capital outlay expense because the old sewer cleaner is old and without pressure . There was no objection to the budget . Sewer Rental Treatment Plant j It was pointed out the sewer treatment plant is under contract , and the principal c -2- 4 capital outlay item is for a paint digester to keep up the plant appearance. Councilman Martin emphasized the need for work to make the appearance better. Councilman Amstrup reminded Council of the suggestion that the lagoon be j dammed to store water from the plant and catch rainwater in the winter. He said he had asked Mr. Kirkup to investigate the cost of a tank truck so water could be moved. Mr. Kirkup reported that the result of his study indicated at 2,500 or 3,000 gallon truck would be best for Park and Street Department use. That would be a 10-wheel truck and would cost in the range of $35,000, or a used one can be down as low as $12,000 to $15,000. Councilman Amstrup requested that the item be placed in the budget as a contingency. Mr. f Kirkup added that the City has a 300 gallon sprayer. Water could be taken right out of the treatment plant and, would be available for washing streets, Park Department trees and plantings and for fires in the canyon. Mr. Kirkup pointed out that Council asked staff to investigate converting park irrigation to reclaimed water but it has been delayed because of an application for a grant from the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and, if granted, the money could be used for the conversion. Councilman Amstrup added that it should be included in a five-year capital improvement plan. Mr. Millican suggested the advisability of getting such a plan under way later in the year. FIRE DEPARTMENT Councilman Mangini said he recommends the budget as adjusted by the City Manager and Chief, who had reduced the original budget requests by $50,000. Councilman Mangini reported that Chief Fricke suggests that the cadet program - is not needed. Mayor Harrison pointed out the City has an affirmative action program on training, but Burlingame trains cadets and they go to other cities, II and every junior college has a training program. Chief Fricke agreed and commented f that the auxilliary program, in which many cadets remain, will continue. He pointed , out the abundance of applicants who are qualified for any position. Mayor Harrison questioned what happens when there is a large fire, and Chief Fricke discussed the cooperative program within the County whereby there is agreement for mutual assistance. People who are on duty in neighboring cities come to assist and are replaced from within the respective cities thereby avoiding the usual delay. Councilman Mangini had recommendations with respect to Civil Defense. Instead � I of advertising to replace the former worker, he suggested using the County for a professional worker for one day a week at $6 an hour, who could take care of all of the City's needs. The program is federally funded so the only personnel cost to Burlingame would be the $6 per hour. He suggests one day a week for three months and then review the program asking for County recommendations. ' In answer to Councilman Amstrup's question about the reduction in the department j budget he explained that other items in the budget would remain the same except 9 that Item 24 in the amount of $52 and Item 25 (page 99) could be deleted, and employee services on page 98 would be reduced to $2,500 ($6 per hour for 52 weeks) . Councilman Martin suggested that the amount in the budget be changed to $3,500 to permit for an increase in the number of hours per week after the three-month trial period. Chief Fricke explained the need for the capital item for a portable generator if one becomes available. POLICE DEPARTMENT Councilman Martin said in connection with budgets, he feels Council should be y informed of the reasons for changes in department budget requests. He had no recommendations with regard to the budgets presented by the department and the City Manager with respect to the Police Department and Parking. Chief Palmer pointed out that the figure for three typewriters listed under capital outlay jl should be $1 ,170, $100 more than shown, making the total capital outlay $27,994. { Councilman Martin said that $7,000 or $8,000 had been deleted from the budget, but that Chief Palmer had agreed to the cuts. "y _3_ ' I i i- I- t Councilman Martin said he would like to recommend a program for the acquisition of two dogs which may reduce police overtime, and would increase the safety to personnel in operations such as entering warehouses at night. He feels it should have an advantageous effect upon insurance costs and will have a good public relations effect. The cost in the first year would be $1 ,600 for the acquisition of each dog, $300 for equipment and $300 for veterinary bills, or a cost of $3,800 for two dogs. Chief Palmer suggested paying officers a 5% premium for maintenance of the dogs, but Councilman Martin proposes that officers be paid $75 a month for dog maintenance so that the city would not have to pay fringe benefits and the officers could take an income tax advantage. That would add $1 ,800 to the cost for a total of $5,600 in the first year. The dogs will live with the officers and are required to be kept trained and the officers will be expected to give demonstrations. Councilman Mangini t said he felt the recommendation is good and Councilman Amstrup said if there J is no objection it will be put into the budget. ) Councilman Martin called attention to discussions concerning the proposed police station in which it was decided that communications should not be included in the cost of the police station. The change from VHF to UHF was to be included [7 in the amount of $25,000 in last year's budget and $25,000 in this year's budget. It didn't get into the budget last year and was included in the police station building fund. The change from VHF to UHF is expected to go into operation in April or May, but the cost has gone from $50,000 to $80,000. The item is not in the present budget and it was intended to present it with other equipment to go into the five-year capital improvement plan. The $80,000 will have to be paid for in this year's budget. Councilman Amstrup said he thought there was $25,000, and Mr. Millican said he had tried to ascertain if it was part of the $500,000. Councilman Martin said it was separate. It was .established that the if the $25,000 was in last year's budget $55,000 more would be required. Mayor Harrison questioned the car radios. Chief Palmer said he would like to include extra portable radios at this time which go from $1 ,400 to $1 ,800, but at this time they are $950 each. The old portables can be transferred to the Fire Department or Public Works. Councilman Martin indicated that the ten units are not needed now but the specifications for the console should be prepared. Chief Palmer indicated he would like to put everything out to bid at the same time. Councilman Martin stated -that it was important for Council to get the $80,000 into the budget now and the rest if, approved as a capital improvement, can be put out at the same time. Councilman Amstrup pointed out that there is $500,000 in revenue sharing which he felt could be used at this time. Councilman Mangini said that communications was always thought of as something else the City had to do. Councilman Mangini said he had received material with regard to the YMCA project FOCUS asking the City to join with a contribution of $578. The project has taken referrals from the High School and the Police Department, and he suggests that since it is being used $578 or $600 should be added to the Police budget. i +l Councilman Martin said it was cut out because referrals could be made to the County juvenile authorities. Councilman Mangini said they do good work with � I the children. Chief Palmer said FOCUS spends considerably more time with the children than the juvenile program and AB-3121 virtually forbids the probation department from working with status offenders; this gives us an alternate means of dealing with this type of offender. Mayor Harrison said that based on Councilman Mangini 's report he had no objection, and Councilman Amstrup agreed, but hoped it is not a duplication of service. Councilman Mangini said it is not. TAX RATE Councilman Amstrup stated that, having come through most of the budget review, it appeared that since the assessed value has gone up, with the Library adjust- ments there is approximately $20,000 excess, and approximately $20,000 from sales tax, and surplus in the Recreation Department. Therefore, based on the S. I „ tax roll (it is estimated about $20,000 ($19,980) to equal one cent) it appears ! t the tax rate could be reduced 5 cents which would bring it down to 87 cents. There was discussion of the recent ruling which will require that approximately : I $28,000 of the projected $2,800,000 sales tax will have to be refunded to national banks. Mayor Harrison expressed concern about a law presently before -4_ ti the legislature which would tie the City ' s hands on tax rates and income and the effect of lowering the tax rate at this time . Mr . Millican stated that the proposed legislation would limit the increase in property tax to 8% and the 1977 base is selected to compute the limits . Under those limits for 1978 and 1979 the City could collect $2 ,090 ,000 in property taxes , and this proposed budget is asking for only $2 ,060 ,000 : The only possible increase , therefore , would be $30 ,000 which stops growth in that area of revenue . An out is other levies - or tax on utility service . He suggested Council ad- vise legislators that cities can ' t live with the legislation . Last year ' s budget exceeded property taxes by $800 ,000 , so, if a limit is set in a year when the property tax is not fixed in the amount needed to balance the budget , there will be future difficulties . In answer to Councilman Martin ' s question about the time our limit was set , Mr. Millican said 1977 ; but the 5 cents in the tax rate could be used to mitigate problems next year . Mayor Harrison asked the effect on the average homeowner of a 1 cent decrease . Mr . Millican responded that the average assessed value is between $13 , 000 and $15 ,000 , so it would be between $1 . 30 and $1 . 50 . Mayor Harrison directed staff to obtain a , a copy of the bill and get a letter off to our legislators , and Councilman Mangini added that it should be done before a commitment is made to the tax rate. At Councilman Amstrup ' s request that a statement of Council ' s feeling about the tax rate should be made , Mayor Harrison asked that Mr . Millican give Council more precise figures on the budget with its revisions and what tax rate 1 changes should be made . POLICE STATION FUNDS Councilman Amstrup asked Council consideration and instruction about funds allocated to the Police Station , some of which are to come out of the Overpass fund and some from the Bayside Park fund , bearing in mind there is also $500 ,000 from Revenue Sharing . Councilman Mangini commented that transfers had not been made , but it was understood that the allocations would be available , and he suggested leaving the funds as they are with the understanding that the money is available for a police facility . Councilman Amstrup pointed out that it if the convention center isn ' t acted upon Council is committed for the golf ! course . Mayor Harrison suggested that the funds be left as they are and a 1 decision be made if the situation develops . Councilman Amstrup questioned jl whether the Federal Revenue Sharing funds could remain unused . Mr. Millican j said that if not they would revert to the trust fund and the City would have to come up with another project within 24 months . Councilman Martin pointed : out that the budget shows transfer of funds from the Overpass and Bayside Park 9 ; funds ( page 24 ) and suggested that the transfers be stopped . Mr. Millican pointed out that the transfers have not yet been approved . Councilmen Amstrup , Mangini t and Martin expressed the decision to leave the police station appropriations as ' they were shown last year and defer any transfers at this time . i " 1 GENERAL BUDGET POLICIES i Councilman Amstrup reported that he and Mr. Millican had discussed the advis- ability in future budgets of showing one tax instead of taxes for each depart- ment . Councilman Mangini questioned whether there were not imposed restraints . Mr. Millican said that a tax rate limit was set for certain things , but his feeling that it would be easier to judge departments with one financial state- ment so far as financial reporting is concerned . If everything is consolidated in a master fund there would be general fund balances rather than restricted funds , and it would be easier to manage capital and cash flow . Councilman Amstrup pointed out this was something for future Council consideration . MISCELLANEOUS i There was discussion about the Post Office property and the possibility of leasing part or all of the parking space , or purchasing the whole of the ` property . Staff was directed to advise the Real Estate Department of the Post Office of the City ' s interest in leasing the property immediately and the City ' s interest in purchasing the property with the thought that those portions which could not be used would be resold . -5- Councilman Amstrup called attention to the Librarian ' s memorandum concerning a pregnancy leave request . Councilman Martin observed there should be enough float in the budget to take care of the situation , and the City Manager was directed to take care of the matter . Chief Palmer reported there is a strike at the hotels and he was asking for Council authorization to use City equipment . Officers are being paid overtime and the cost is being billed to the hotels at their suggestion ; however if they hotels attempt to assume too much control he will have to change the policy . In response to Councilman Martin ' s question Chief Palmer said the officers were at the strike site both because it was considered necessary and because the hotels have asked for them , but the officers are being paid through the Police Department . The meeting adjourned at 10 : 05 p .m. i k Notes : j A. Keating j i i a t j -6- I j i