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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1993.06.09s66 CITY OF BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL STUDY MEETING Wednesday, June 9, 1993,7:30 p.m. City Hall Conference Room A Mayor Bud Harrison convened the study session of the Burlingame City Council on the above date in Conference Room A at 7:30 p.m. Pnrsnnr: CotxcnuEMBERs HmntsoN, Kt.ttctrr, LrNmI, O'MeHouv, Plctllno Srerr PnBsBNt: Ancynrs, BEctcER, CoturleN, Escorrrgn, HARVEy, KRKUI, Metrettt, MoNRoE, Peturn, QuRoru, TowNs, WAGNER (LA,E) 1. REVIEW PROPOSED 1993-94 BUDGET AND CAPITAL PROGRAM The city manager gave a brief overview of the 1993-94 budget. City manager is recom- mending that a tentative budget be adopted prior to July 1 and then revised based on state budget cuts. The proposed general fund budget of $19.8 million is a 1.6 percent increase over the 1992-93 budget. This is the smallest increase in 14 years. The 1993-94 budget includes five fewer positions than the prior year. The water and sewer budget is $7.4 million, up 6 percent. The increase is the result of the end of rationing and the increased requirement for debt service at the wastewater treatment plant. The capital improvement program budget is $3.4 million which is a 76.2 percent reduction from the prior year. This is the smallest allocation for capital improvements in 15 years. The total budget is $30.6 million or * .2 percent. The city manager reviewed the revenue estimates for sales tax, hotel tax, and property tax. He indicated that these revenue estimates will need revision based on the state reductions and reassessments for property tax. Sales tax estimates may also need revision since we are -1.4 percent year-to-date for 1992-93. The hotel tax is the only growing revenue at this time. These three revenues-sales, hotel, and property taxes-represent 73 percent of the total general fund revenue. The budget includes a state budget contingency plan which outlines up to $1 million in budget adjustments. He recom- mended that council review this contingency plan when the amount of the state cut is known. The capital improvement program totals $3.4 million of which $1.8 million is from the general fund. Of the eight general fund recommended projects, three may be subject to state budget cuts. Councilwoman O'Mahony asked about a portion of the debt service for the sewer treatment plant and about where the additional $100,000 in the capital improvement program for the dump closure. City manager indicated that the debt service was readjusted after we called the 1983 Certificates of Participation, the additional $100,000 for dump closure comes from bayfront development fees which we currently have received in cash. Councilman Pagliaro questioned the $75,000 amount in the capital project for Airport Boulevard bridge widening. Staff indicated this is for engineering drawings necessary to keep our BCDC permit alive. The amount for Rollins Road is a shared project with the state where we provide materials and the state is providing labor. Councilman Pagliaro made a general comment concerning community funding that he wished council would keep some flexibility in the amounts allocated given that these programs are experiencing reductions from other sources. Council then began their department review. The police department was reviewed by Councilman Lembi. He indicated that the capital outlay includes replacing only four cars and one motorcycle this year. We are keeping cars longer to reduce costs. He supported the proposed budget. Councilwoman Knight questioned the police chief about the idea of community policing and how it might apply in Burlingame. The police chief indicated that we will soon be undertaking a bicycle patrol and the department is supportive of the concept. However, it needs to be tailored to Burlingame. Councilwoman O'Mahony questioned the reduction in the K-9 force indicated on the contingency plan. Police chief indicated that this is a very training-intensive program requiring a lot of overtime for handlers; and if it is necessary to cut somewhere, this is one logical option. Councilman Pagliaro stated that he feels the citizens would support more officers walking patrol in the neighborhoods. The chief indicated that we are currently doing this in the business district and all agreed this would be good public relations for the city. There were no adjustments recommended to the police budget. 567 Councilwoman O'Mahony reviewed the fire budget. This budget is 94 percent salaries and benefits. With the fre*ze of constant manning dollars at $400,000, it is hoped that we may maintain an average staffing of 14.5 fire fighters; and under the proposed contingency plan, this may need to be reduced to 14 based on state cuts. It was indicated that the 6 percent increase is somewhat deceptive in that it is based on salary and budget cycle increases. She also reviewed the disaster preparedness budget and indicated that we may need to revise the contractual fees paid to the county based on recent estimates. Councilwoman Knight thanked staff for including the funds for the three disaster cabinets. Council next moved to the park and recreation departments which was reviewed by Council- man Pagliaro. It was indicated that the increase in the recreation budget was largely offset by increased revenues. It was noted that the recreation director position would be reduced by 20 percent in time. The recreation director felt that the revenue estimate was conserva- tive. On the park budget, it was noted that the budget has decreased from the prior year but that we need to look ahead to making our playgrounds accessible and improving the quality. After discussion, the council requested the park director report back in the next two months on the playground needs of the city. Councilman Lembi noted that we may be receiving a request for a restroom at Pershing Park. The park director's position would also be reduced 20 percent in time and relocated to the recreation department. The library budget was reviewed by Mayor Harrison. The library has a zero dollar increase from the prior year primarily the result of not filling the assistant city librarian position. Mayor Harrison suggested officially deleting this position from the budget and finalizing the redistribution of duties to two or three positions and to see how duties of the former assistant librarian were distributed. The budget recommended reclassification of two positions. It was noted that the book budget has lost approximately 15 percent in purchasing power which would need to be reviewed at a later date. Given the proposed building plans, this was not a time to address the book budget. Councilwoman Knight then reviewed the city hall and public works budgets. Concerning the commissioners' dinner, council recommended it remain as currently budgeted. Council also discussed the need for refurbishing the city council chambers. Council discussed various items including retiree and employee health costs, the improvement in the building inspection division, the need for alley weed clean up, the method of payment for the sewer treatment plant contract, and the availability of the end-of-the-month additional garbage pick up. City manager next reviewed the proposed capital improvement program for 1993-94 which listed 13 projects totaling $3.4 million. It was noted that the projects scheduled for future years which were deemed necessary and desirable total $42 million. It is anticipated that given current revenue stream, less than one-fourth of these projects may be built. Mayor Harrison thanked the department heads and manager for their efforts in preparing the budget. He directed that there be a 1O-minute break. After the break, the council discussed funding for community groups. Councilman Pagliaro indicated that we have a $6,000 carry-over from this year from homeless programs. He would like to consider a portion of this unexpended amount be added to the amounts given community groups this year. He proposed that we approve the same funding as last year for the various groups with the addition of $3,000 for the Shelter Network. Councilwoman O'Mahony indicated that other cities have redevelopment and federal funds which can be used to assist community groups Burlingame does not. She felt there was some duplication in the efforts of some of the groups. Councilman Lembi stated that his feeling is that the various groups tend to address different needs of groups of people. Councilwoman Knight noted that we are funding these community groups from the general fund and we need to be very selective. She favored additional money for the Human Investment Project because of the potential role of this agency in accomplishing the city's housing goals. After additional discussion, council agreed on the following funding for groups serving the community: Group Peninsula ReCare (Easter Seals) L993-94 Approved . $ 2,460 2,000 1,500 3,000 Arthritis Foundation Project REACH/PARCA . . . Samaritan House 568 Call-Primrose Crisis Center (SuicidePrevention) . . . . . Shelter Network Human Investment Project Mission Hospice Friends for Youth Project FOCYS Center for Independence of Disabled San Mateo Women's Shelter Winter Shelter . 1,750 1,500 3,000 1,500 1,000. 750 3,500 1,500 1,000 7.000 oaaaaaa . $31,460 This concluded the council's review of the budget. It was directed that the matter be placed for public hearing at our meeting of June 21. 2. SHARED FIRE SERVICES City manager briefly reviewed the discussions we have had to date with representatives of Millbrae and Hillsborough concerning shared fire services. He indicated that there appears to be an opportunity for increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved services in some areas. He recommended that the city implement with Millbrae as soon as possible an automatic aid agreement (a joint emergency response regardless of political boundary) but that this automatic aid agreement would be between two separate departments. Other areas of sharing with Millbrae would be an increased coordination for training and possible vehicle maintenance. With Hillsborough, we should initiate additional discussion on possible shared fire services that may include contract service for management or a joint powers agreement for a combined operation of the two departments. Because of the inter-relationships between the two departments, the location of existing stations, and the pending retirements in Hillsborough fire management, a higher level of shared service with Hillsborough may be possible. Mayor Harrison reviewed an April 28 meeting that included one councilmember from Hillsborough and two from Millbrae and staff. He felt we needed to review the options available concerning Hillsborough and supported the approach outlined by the manager. Councilman Irmbi questioned the possible liability exposure should we start doing vehicle maintenance for other entities. Councilwoman Knight stated she would like to see us move very slowly in this area and look for mutual gains and win-win situations for both Burlingame and the other cities. After additional discussion, it was the consensus of the council that we move forth on the two items as outlined by the city manager. 3. COUNCIL COMMENTS There were no additional comments from the council. 4. FROM THE FLOOR There were no public comments. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Judith A. Malfatti City Clerk v