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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1995.06.14336 CITY OF BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL STUDY MEETING Wednesday, June 14, t995 City Hall Conference Room A Mayor Marti Ihight convened the study session of the Burlingame City Council on the above date in Conference Room A at 7:30 p.m. CouNcr. PREsEI.tr: HnRRIsoN, KMGril, O'MeHouY, PAGLIAno, SnnteLtt Srerr PRrsrvr: AncvRrs, BECKER, EscorrmR, KTRKUP, MeLrnru, PALMER, Qunoru, Reu.tY, ScnwnRrz, TowNs, Wntreus OrHrRs Geoncrttr NevroR, CHauneR or Covttr,tgRcr MARK Cgapnslentr, CouvrNTIoN BuReeu Drusr DEVTLLT, SAMCEDA 1. REVTEw PRoposrn 1995-96 Buocsr eNo Ceprrel PRocRavt The city manager gave a brief overview of the proposed 1995-96 budget. The general fund budget is proposed to increase 3.6% over the prior year; water, sewer and waste enterprises are down 2%; and capital improvements increase 66Vo. The total budget is up 18.5% from last year's as a result of the large increase in capital improvements because of the library reconstruction. Budget chairman Pagliaro stated that this was basically a status quo budget with the exception of the capital improvements. He wished that we could save the $12,000 currently budgeted in the election budget. He also felt that the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center request should be considered separately rather than with community groups. He noted that on page 106 of the capital improvement program, there was a list of future capital projects that need funding. He believes this witl be the major challenge for the next five years. Council- woman O'Mahony agreed that the city has many infrastructure needs. Mayor Knight asked that Councilwoman O'Mahony review the fire department's budget. She noted that this was a lean budget and that the capital outlay of $79,000 was detailed in the budget. Councilman Pagliaro questioned the fire chief about the funding available for weed control in Mills Canyon. The fire chief indicated that he felt the funding was adequate but we needed cooperation from the residents. Councilwoman O'Mahony noted there is a proposed reduction in the disaster preparedness budget as a result of a reduction in staff. The city manager noted that the county emergency services organization is proposing an additional assessment of approximately $5,500 for the hazardous material program. He would propose that the allocation for the county emergency services organization be increased by that amount if the board approves the item on Thursday. Mayor Knight noted that she wished to continue all of the community education programs; the fire chief assured her that the BEST and other programs would be continued. Mayor Knight then reviewed the city hall, park, and recreation budgets. She noted there was $75,000 budgeted in the capital improvement program for replacement of carpeting and drapes in the council chambers. No increase is proposed in water and sewer rates this year and some reduction in commercial rates might be possible. She complimented the equipment 337 maintenance budget and stated that we need to continue with the summer weed crews in the alleys. Although she had no specific questions on the park and recreation department budgets, she knows the recreation department is looking into improving services for seniors and youth. They are also considering a master plan for remodeling and updating the recreation center. Councilman Pagliaro asked about the status of the seismic reports on the recreation center and city ha1l. The manager replied that we had engineering reports on both and we need to address these issues in future years. Councilman Pagliaro also indicated that he wished we could accelerate the sidewalk repair cycle. He inquired about the risk management budget. Mayor Knight noted that the finance budget includes a reclassification of one account clerk to senior account clerk which was not noted in the summary, and the engineering budget includes two mid-year reclassifi cations. Councilman Harrison next reviewed the police budget. He noted that the manager had moved $40,000 for laptop computers from the police budget to the capital improvement budget. He also noted that Proposition 172 funds would be used for a new telephone system and computers. The communication budget included a new recorder for their use. Mayor Knight questioned whether we need to add more parking enforcement officers. The police chief reviewed that we have a balancing act, and we issue approximately 30,000 tickets annually. Council noted they had received complaints about Saturday parking enforcement, and there may be an ability to fund additional enforcement and/or parking from increased meter rates. Council asked that the Chamber of Commerce retum with a position concerning increased enforcement on Saturdays. Councilman Spinelli reviewed the library budget. He had questions concerning utilities and maintenance budgets and supports the proposed budget. Finance director Rahn Becker mentioned the shuttle bus grant is being questioned by the Transportation Authority, and this would not be decided until their July 6 meeting. The public works director noted the need for the shuttle bus is supported by the change at Millbrae Avenue. Council next reviewed the community promotion budget. The city manager gave an overview, noting that the budget is up 4.5%. Councilman Harrison supported the city manager's recommendations conceming SAMCEDA, the convention burean, and a 3Vo increase in Chamber of Commerce budget. Councilwoman O'Mahony thanked the convention bureau for its new economic model on visitor impact. Councilman Pagliaro requested that future budgets reflect the contributions of other cities. Mark Chapdelaine answered council's questions, noting that 65% of the room nights attmcted by the convention bureau benefit Burlingame. Mayor Knight agreed with the 3% increase in the Chamber budget, but she would like to see more public relations material and handouts prepared for use at the hotels. Councilman Spinelli noted there is now a site on the world-wide web to promote the city. Council then reviewed the community groups requests. Councilwoman O'Mahony said she had received a call from the executive director of ReCare who had recently been discharged. Councilman Harrison noted that the requests we received from these agencies are double that of last year, and he was concerned about this trend. He supported Councilman Pagliaro's position regarding consideration of the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center program separately from community groups. Councilman Harrison also discussed with council the reason why he quit the ReCare board of directors, but he could support the $3,000 prior year allocation to this group. Councilman Pagliaro felt we should start by continuing funding to the same groups as last year, but it should be increased by approximately llVo . 338 Councilwoman O'Mahony supported the same funding as the prior years, but she would consider withholding funding from ReCare and consider the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center sepamtely. Mayor Knight noted that the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center has various options of service; the one proposed was 409 per resident. She noted it may be possible to have a lower level of service for 20Q per resident. Councilman Spinelli agreed with Councilman Harrison to fund at the same level as last year. Mayor Knight concurred; but she would like to see additional funding for CALL-Primrose and Project Read even it means reducing the contribution to health care agencies which primarily deal with specific diseases. Councilman Harrison and Councilwoman O'Mahony supported the same allocation as 1994195. Councilman Pagliaro stated that many of these groups are doing the work for govemment and costs have increased and, therefore, their budget increased. He continued that, if necessary, he would support continuing the same funding as last year' It was the consensus of the council to fund the following groups at the same level as last year: Peninsula ReCare $ 3,000 Arthritis Foundation 2,000 1,500 3,000 2,000 1,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 750 3,s00 1,500 5,000 3,000 Project Reach Crisis Center Shelter Network of San Mateo County Battered Women's Services 2.000 $33,250 Council also asked that the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center be asked to attend a future study session to review their proposal. Mayor Knight called a brief recess at 9:02 pm; the meeting was reconvened at 9:12 pm. 2.R EVIEW BRO WAY/BURLTNGAME A STREETSCAPE PRo AND SELECT Samaritan House CALL-Primrose Human Investment Project Mission Hospice Friends for Youth ProjectFOCYS.... Center for Independence of Disabled Winter Shelter Project Read ... TOTAL ..... FINALISTS Councilman Pagliaro noted that his law firm had represented Callander Associates and Brian Kangas Foulk in the past, but he believed there was no present conflict of interest. Councilman Harrison commented that if we spend approximately $50,000 for this study, what would be the total amount of funding needed for the suggested improvements and how would this f1t into the unfunded portion of our capital improvement program. Councilman Pagliaro agreed that these were valid questions, and funding for whatever projects come from this study must come from other sources and notjust the city. Councilman Harrison thought we would also have problems with the study raising the public expectations for improvements. Councilman Spinelli stated it was important that we proceed with the study so we do not lose ground to othel cities. We will clearly need contributions from property owners and merchants as well as the city. He noted that it may be a l0-year project; but with everyone's help, we should be able to move forward. 33e Councilwoman O'Mahony thought the study was needed to increase the community education level. She reviewed the various proposals, and she supported either Callander or Gates as finalists. Mayor Knight agreed with many of Councilman Harrison's suggestions, but she felt addressing parking was the most important aspect of the study. She said there needs to be logical and affordable improvements. She supported public workshops in the process and would like to combine parts of the different proposals. Councilman Harrison felt strongly that we needed a package; and he suggested that the finalists be Gates & Associates, Callander Associates, and Sasaki Associates. Councilman Spinelli agreed with these proposals, as did Councilman Pagliaro. After additional discussion, it was agreed that the finalists would be Sasaki Associates, Gates & Associates, and Callander Associates. These firms should be invited to the July 6 council meeting and asked to make 10-minute presentations on their proposals. C oulrc L C oI\4I\4r I.IT s Councilwoman O'Mahony said she was receiving a number of complaints concerning the temporary library building removing available parking. She suggested we may wish to address this by consideration of exchanging city-owned land on El Camino for other parcels for parking. FRoNa rng FLooR Karen Key addressed the council about the problems homeowners are encountering with regard to renewal of homeowner insurance in older properties. She asked council to assist with this problem. Merchant Sam Malouf thanked council for its discussion about streetscape; he said he will be trying to obtain additional merchant support for improvements. Councilman Harrison thanked the recreation department staff for all their work on this year's Art in the Park. AorouRrsurxr The meeting adjourned at 9:59 pm a v Judith A. Malfatti City Clerk