HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1993.01.16492
CITY OF BURLINGAME
CITY COUNCIL STUDY MEETING
Saturday, January 16, 1993,9:00 a.m.
City Hall Conference Room A
Mayor Bud Harrison convened the annual work program and goal session of the Burlingame
City Council and department heads on the above date in the City Hall Conference Room A at
9:00 a.m.
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS HARRISON, KNIGHT, LEMBI, O,MAHONY, PAGLIARO
STAFF PRESENT:ARGYRES, BECKER, COLEMAN, ESCOFFIER, KIRKUP,
MONROE, PALMER, QUADRI, TOWNS, WAGNER (late)
OTHERS PRESENT: CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPRESENTATIVES
City Manager briefly reviewed 1992 and presented a forecast for 1993. He then reviewed a
list of problems, issues, and projects which we anticipate the city needing to act on in the
upcoming year. These include regional issues, local issues, budget administration, and major
capital projects. As the council members worked through the outline, they began their
discussion of various items.
City Manager noted that the state budget problem places the city significantly at risk and that
we need to prepare for additional reductions. I-ast year, the city lost $400,000 or 2 percent
of the general fund. It appears the state will cut two to three times that amount this year and
this will affect service levels.
Frank Pagliaro commented that a number of cities may be forced to disincorporate. It would
be difficult for Burlingame to suggest an additional tax similar to what the school district is
considering. Councilwoman O'Mahony had received calls from constituents who were
concerned about receiving a reduced quality of service if there were consolidation of fire
service. In discussing the need for new capital improvement funding for projects such as the
library seismic/expansion, council asked that staff prepare a report for the March study
session addressing various council options for funding this project. Some possible methods
suggested are transfer taxes, business licenses on rental units, or assessment districts such as
Mello-Roos for improvements.
In discussing improvement of our permit processing, Councilwoman O'Mahony noted she
felt we are being too lenient on some permit extensions, particularly where the sites are
unattractive and not maintained. We should require property owners to clean up and
maintain sites as part of an extension. Councilman Irmbi was reluctant to eliminate
extensions but agreed property owners needed to maintain their property. It was noted often
these days permits need to be extended because there is no project financing.
Under budget outlook, the city manager outlined his proposal that we should continue current
service levels with present reduced staffing until we know the impact of the state revenue
reductions. He also felt there was a need for contingency plans for up to a 5 percent
reduction in our current budget. Councilman Lembi agreed that we needed to be cautious in
the year ahead and that we need to look at ways of reducing expenditures, particularly in the
area of overruns for capital improvements. We also need to look at maintaining our
revenues by protecting sales and property taxes from businesses. He thought the current
unbudgeted 2 percent hotel tax should be maintained, but if needed to offset service level
cuts that he was willing to have the council review this option.
Mayor Harrison noted that one of our important constituencies is the business community.
We need to try and foster the development of business to bring more sales tax and other
revenues to the city. Councilwoman Knight felt that we needed to be sensitive to the
character of Burlingame and that we needed to educate the public on the value of the hotels
and businesses to our local tax base. Councilman Pagliaro remarked that he would like to
have staff review our permit procedures for restaurants so that they might be able to put
tables on the sidewalk. He thought the outdoor seating may help sales tax and pedestrian
traffic in our downtown. Council agreed and suggested this be placed on the March study
session agenda.
Next, the council asked questions and made comments conceming the year's goals submitted
by the department heads. In reviewing the police goals, council expressed its appreciation
for the additional use of foot patrol in the downtown areas and the increasing emphasis on
the presence of police officers at schools. The police chief was also complimented on his
creative financing for the police emergency services van and his emphasis on trying to collect
for booking fees.
In reviewing the fire goals, Mayor Harrison stated he would like to change the word
"finalize" to "terminate" conceming discussions with possible fire merger with Millbrae.
Councilwoman O'Mahony agreed. Councilman Pagliaro noted that we cannot be an island,
but we must be very careful at how we proceed. Councilwoman Knight agreed that we
needed to go slowly; she also indicated she would discuss with the fire chief possible
purchase of equipment to be used during disasters. The equipment would be available at
each city-owned site.
In reviewing the public works goals, Councilman Pagliaro noted that we continue to have a
sewer overflow problems at Hillside and El Camino. He wished this considered as a priority
for next year.
In reviewing the park department goals, Councilwoman O'Mahony felt that our trees have
been severely stressed by the drought. We should try to educate the public on the need to
water and protect the trees more than other landscaping. Councilwoman Knight compli-
mented the park department on its safety record.
In reviewing the recreation goals, Councilwoman O'Mahony felt we needed to be very
careful concerning the use of the Bombay Bicycle Club fumishings at the new bus station to
be sure that we are not creating a situation where they feel they have special privileges.
Councilman Pagliaro added that we needed to be very careful to remain neutral in the Little
League/youth baseball controversy. The recreation director noted that as the city leamed
with the formation of Bobby Sox and AYSO, it is important to be involved at the beginning
of a new league; but he agreed that they will continue to assist Little l,eague as they have the
other on-going groups. Don Irmbi noted it was important to continue to support the
Burlingame residents in their attempt to organize the new baseball league. Bud Harrison
commented that he would like to review the proposed rental policy for the bus depot. He
commented that it might be desirable to create some type of arts council.
In reviewing the library resolutions, Mayor Harrison felt the assistant city librarian position
was eliminated with the appointment of the new city librarian. City Librarian stated that it
was his understanding the position was frozen for at least 18 months. City Manager
indicated that while the position had not technically been eliminated as part of the 1992-93
budget, that it and five other positions will not be filled for the foreseeable future. The type
of library staffing will depend on how we proceed wilh the library project; but at this time,
the position would not be refilled. Councilwoman O'Mahony stated her preference that the
position should be eliminated and that we needed to redistribute the assignments permanently
as soon as possible. Councilman Pagliaro questioned the librarian on the level of activity at
the branch. City Librarian noted that they are just making permanent the library's plan of
service for the branch.
In reviewing the planning goals, Mayor Harrison asked that we continue to be user friendly
to our business community. Councilwoman O'Mahony thought that when it comes to zoning
implementation, the city should take a broad versus a narrow interpretation. City Planner
noted that our curent code was adopted in l94l and that we need to review the permitted
uses using cuffent standards. This will commence shortly with our review of the M-l zone.
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Under hnance, finance director was complimented on the format of his goals and on the
results of the audits of the utility bills and phone system. There were no other comments
concerning city departments.
FROM THE FLOOR _ PUBLIC COMMENTS
Dan McHale, president of the Chamber of Commerce, expressed his appreciation to police
and fre for their participation in last summer's community picnic. He urged that we
continue to work together with the business community. He stated that the hotels are
currently having difficult times meeting their debt service and that we need to use the current
2 percent hotel tax to build future revenues.
Kris Cannon, speaking as a resident, indicated she was glad the council will be looking into
funding of the library project at an upcoming study session.
Karen Key of the Chamber of Commerce suggested that council may want to look at some of
the vacancies in the downtown commercial area for temporary relocation of the library; she
felt that this may be beneficial to the business community as well as the city.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjoumed at 1l:40 a.m.
Iudith A. Malfatti
City Clerk
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