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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000 - MINUTES - 1/26/2000 - STUDY SESSIONSTUDY SESSION CITY OF PALM SPRINGS January 26,2000 CONVENE IN OPEN SESSION A. Call Back to Order in Studio B-All Present B. Flag Salute C. City Attorney Report on Matters Discussed in Closed Session-See Page 2 of Agenda this date. D. Public Comments Howard Lapham, read prepared stated, copy attached. E. Council Comments Jones: Comments on Film Festival, successful event; situation at Ruth Hardy Park getting letters and e-mails; questioned status of Loews. Reller-Spurgin: Skateboarding problem downtown, need aggressive enforcement, requested report on same; request PAL and baseball stadium use be placed on future SS agenda. Mayor: May need to add additional PD services at Ruth Hardy Park; need to examine joint use agreement with PSHS for stadium use. F. City Manager Comments Complimented Fire Chief on election to Riverside County Fire Chief Association President. G. STUDY SESSION H. BUDGET REVIEW Office of Budget and Management reviewed a video and handouts. Questions by Council were held to end of presentation. Assistant City Manager of Operations stated that the parking lots within the City are being redone; that the cost is high; that maintenance has been put off which necessitates the removal and reconstruction of the lots at this time; that landscaping, new lights will be included in the bids. Director of Finance reviewed TOT AND Sales Tax projects, copy attached, and added that both are up at this time. Director of Office of Management & Budget stated overtime costs in PD and FD are up; that usually the gap is filled by salary saving; that this is not the case; that recovery is being sought; that all other departments were purged of any savings or carryovers for future project to cover the costs; that the agreements between the City and PD calls for a miminum of 4 hour call back or overtime, regardless if the time is less; that miminum staffing levels must be kept for both departments to function; that the present contract between the parties is up for renewal; that there has been some funds set aside in anticipation of those negiotations; that the overtime issue is ongoing and will continue to be a part of the budget. Hodges: stated that this issue is unfair; that no one had ever stated that the DT Experience or the Airport policing would cost the City in overtime. Assistant City Manager Operations stated that there is a maintience level of service the City has; that the redsidents want the service; that at the last election the voters approved Measure U, that the measure prevents the privatizing of the WWTP; that with that prevention the City will suffer a $1.8 million loss; that Measure Y did pass, but now the Council needs to fund the parks and recreation $400,000; that the voters did authorize the UUT to be increased to 5%, instead of the 4.5% now being assessed; that the goal of the Council has been to increase the reserves and operate with a balanced budget; that the recent measures will call for increase funding to maintain the balance that the Council wishes; that currently in the City when applications are being sought it is difficult to get people to apply; that the reason is not clear, it may be the economy, or the salary level is not competitive enough; that public bids are likewise down; that contractors are busy and do not want the hassle of governement jobs. Oden: Questioned if the Charter had limited the bidding in some way. ACM stated that the procurement ordinance needs to be revised to allow greater flexibility. Reller-Spurgin questioned what the status of economic development funding was. City Manager stated no new programs, unless something else is given up; and reviewed revenue estimate on handout. TENNIS CENTER Director of Facilities review handout, copy attached. City Manager stated the matter will be on the 2/16/00 agenda for consideration. OVERTIME ISSUE PD AND FD reviewed policy for overtime. Mayor requested report on cost of New Years Eve Celebration downtown; need additional assistance in office, due to increased activity on committees. Council consensus no additional funding for increased staffing. I. DOWNTOWN PARKING POLICY Assistant City Manager-Operations reviewed handout on revised parking plan, copy attached. J. PALM SPRINGS DISPOSAL/NEXTPHASE RECYCLING Bob Kuznick, Palm Springs Disposal Services reviewed handout, copy attached.