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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1998.05.20CITY OF BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL STUDY MEETING Wednesday, May 20, 1998 Conference Room A Mayor Mike Spinelli convened the city council study session on the above date in Conference RoomAatTp.m. Cout{cIL pRESENT: GellIclN, JANNEy, KNIGHT, O'MeHoNy, SpINpLLI Srerr PRBspNr:ANopRsoN, ARGyRgs, BAGDoN, BpctcpR, EscoprIpR, MISSEL, MoNRoE, REILLY, Scuwenrz, WtLLtlvts Orupns PRsspNr: RspRpspNrATIvEs or CHeNasER oF CouupRcE, LIBRARy BoARD, tND CorrruuNrtY GRouPs 1. RBvrBw PnoposBo 1998-99 BuocBr eNt Ceprrel Pnocnela Budget Chairwoman Rosalie O'Mahony gave a brief overview of the budget including the significant capital projects totaling $13.7 million and the new 5-year capital improvement plan. The city manager noted that the proposed budget is very optimistic based on increasing hotel and sales tax. Hotel and sales tax now comprise 62% of the general fund. There are 4.75 full-time positions recommended to be added to this year's budget. This is the most positions added in the 1990s. The current threats to the budget are the state proposed reduction in lieu vehicle fees and the possibility of Federal mandates concerning social security. The water and sewer budgets are proposed to increase 3.1% based on the need for capital improvements. The capital improvement program at $13.7 million is a record level and will use $3.8 million in fund balance which should accrue during the 1997-98 fiscal year. Council then moved to a review of the operating department budgets. Councilwoman Knight reviewed the city hall and public works budgets. She noted a major change in central services due to the computer network; and had talked to the finance director about adding a bike rack at city hall. The public works/engineering budget calls for the addition of part-time assistance and a new full-time position dealing with pump station monitoring. The major capital improvement expenditures funding year are directed at the corporation yard and wastewater treatment plant. She has also asked the public works director to review the sewer treatment contract with Hillsborough. In the water department, we are changing meters to electronic reads. The capital improvement program also proposes $1.6 million to be spent on Adrian Road for resurfacing and drainage improvements. She noted we recently received a memo from the public works director on how this winter's storms will cause an overrun in this year's budget. Councilman Galligan reviewed the police and park & recreation budgets. He noted that the police calls for service were increasing and that the department is requesting two additional police officers to deal with workload. There is also $60,000 in the capital improvement program for a new roof and four new police cars which will be purchased locally. The communications salary account is lower due to retirement of senior employees and the fact that 352 new employees will be hired at lower salaries. The parking enforcement budget includes funds to replace parking meters which are being stolen. Parking meters are being heavily used so there is also overtime in the parking enforcement budget to assist with collecting the additional revenue. It was noted that parking meter revenue to date is running ahead of budget estimates, and we should be approximately $75,000 ahead by year end. In reviewing the park & recreation budget, Councilman Galligan noted that recreation has a 17 % increase. This is a result of the addition of the aquatics program later in the year and landfill park development. There is also a significant increase in revenue from current program which will assist in supporting these programs. He felt the city did need to look at a full-time teen coordinator. In the park department, he noted the increase in the budget was affected substantially by an increase in insurance costs which are out of the park department's control. The finance director noted that the large increase is a result of tree claims in the prior year. Councilman Galligan also mentioned that when the landfill driving range operator is selected, the new operator may want to maintain the greens at the landfill. Vice Mayor Janney reviewed the fire department and noted that there is a 4.8% increase with no new positions. In reviewing the workload statistics, it was noted that the number of fires is down whereas the number of emergency medical calls are up. She reviewed a number of the line items noting that the budget includes more training in part because of the need to keep up with providing paramedic services. She also reviewed the disaster preparedness budget and recommended approval. Councilwoman Knight questioned the fire chief concerning Mills Canyon fire protection and weed clearance as well as noting that assistant chief Ken Musso is doing an outstanding job with disaster preparedness. Budget Chairwoman O'Mahony also asked about the possible use of goats for weed clearance, and the fire chief responded they had looked into it and he did not feel this was feasible at this time. Mayor Spinelli reviewed the library budget and noted that the 7.5% increase is partially offset with additional revenues. He asked the city manager about the possibility of getting additional revenue from Hillsborough. The manager noted that the current arrangement is based on the combined budget of San Mateo and Burlingame and that the increase may exceed Hillsborough's ability to pay. Mayor Spinelli noted this budget addresses the first fulIyear of the new library building and the budget seemed appropriate. Council asked the city librarian about the elevator; he confirmed that, so far, it was working fine. The city manager reviewed the capital improvement program and noted that there is a listing of the proposed 33 projects for 1998-99 in the summary pages at the beginning and a new addition in the 5-year program which outlines 44 projects in over $53 million in the back of the budget. Mayor Spinelli asked that we consider putting the 5-year program on the city's website. Councilman Galligan commented that we need to be careful that these are noted as proposed projects and that certain funding must occur to have them implemented. The manager noted that under the shuttle bus program we have received a grant which will reduce the city cost; and there's been a request to add to the weekend and holiday portion of the midday shuttle. Budget Chair O'Mahony was concerned about the level of ridership on the midday shuttle and how it would affect the air quality averages. After discussion with council, it was agreed that we should proceed with the additional money for weekend and holidays and look at increased marketing with the hotels to increase midday and other ridership. Bruce Burlingame City Council 353 May 20, 1998 Carlton commented favorably on the hotels' promotion and patrons use of the shuttle. Council next reviewed the community group funding. There are a total of eighteen groups requesting over $52,000 where the budget proposes $37,000. Councilwoman Knight recommended that council approve the same funding as last year for the community groups and that we not rejoin SAMCEDA. Budget Chairwoman O'Mahony agreed and stated that she would need more information to consider funding of such new programs as Sustainable San Mateo County. Vice Mayor Janney felt that last year, the council set criteria for funding which would focus on local Burlingame groups serving Burlingame people. She requested council consider a l-year additional $500 for Poplar ReCare because of a special program they have coming up. After discussion, the council concurred with this request. Councilman Galligan noted that he would like to increase the total amount available to community groups to approximately $46,000. He would also like to fund the Sustainable San Mateo County program. Mayor Spinelli agreed with Budget Chair O'Mahony and Councilwoman Knight in funding the same groups as last year with the addition of $500 to Poplar ReCare. He likes having some remaining budget flexibility in this area to use during the year. 2. CouNcrr- CouurNrs Budget chair O'Mahony thanked the staff for the good work on the budget. She noted that she likes some of the ideas from the park & recreation commission concerning leveling of the field at Cuernavaca Park for soccer and would like additional consideration of this idea. She noted that doing something for the back field at BHS would be mutually beneficial for the high school and the city for soccer season. Fnou rHB Fr-oon The executive director of Shelter Network explained their request for additional funding for their homeless and transitional housing programs. The chairwoman for Sustainable San Mateo County also explained their request for $1,500 from the city, noting that their report would be delivered shortly. AprounNupNr The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m. V Judith A. Malfatti City Clerk May 20, 1998 354 Burlingame City Council