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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 - MINUTES - 6/8/1994 CITY OF PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES June 8, 1994 An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, was called to order by Mayor Maryanov, in the Large Conference Room, City Hall, 3200 Tahquitz Canyon Way, on Wednesday, June 8, 1994, at 6:30 p.m., at which time, the City Attorney announced items to be discussed in Closed Session, and at 7:30 p.m., the meeting was convened in open session. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Hodges, Lyons, Reller-Spurgin, and Mayor Maryanov ' Absent: Councilmember Schlendorf The meeting was opened with the Salute to the Flag. REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: City Clerk reported that the agenda was posted in accordance with Council procedures on Julie 3, 1994. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY ON MATTERS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION(All Entities)- See items on Page 2 of agenda this date. PUBLIC COMMENTS: a) Evan Morgan suggested a change in shift scheduling for police and fire departments (061- in order to reduce overtime needs and budget costs; and stated that now that the issue 016) of Mr. Sport's city loan has been made clear, for the record, site would like to have it put to rest. b) Philip Lacy, Spa De jour, commented on the license tag; for his business, which includes about 30% massage, for $600 which he stated compares to a business with (143- 53 employees, but he only has two; that he believes the fee is punitive; and that he 002) offers the kind of spa activities that attract people to Palm Springs. Patti Patane also spoke on Mr. Lacy's behalf, and urged that some relief be provided ' to him. Mayor requested a report from the City Manager. c) Gary Boswell, spoke,on behalf of the Police Management Association,concerning the elimination of one lieutenant position,and the replacement of two police officers with (061-- two community services officers, and the impact that would have on police services. 016) d) Lyle Pierceall, Park & Recreation Commissioner, stated the utility tax measure passed, yet the park superintendent position is proposed to be eliminated; and urged that it be retained in order to complete the golf course, and to make certain, facilities are in condition for the national softball tournaments that will be coming to Palm Springs. e) John Booth, President of the P.S. Police Officers Association, concurred with Capt. Boswell's comments, and stated that Option A implies there is only one police cut but (061- there are three, which coupled with five officers already cut and one position vacant, 016) will result in a loss of 9 officers within 9 months. n Carol Cole, R&C Express Cab, commented on Sunline regulation of taxicab service, and an assessment per vehicle in addition to surcharges and inspection permits; that (143- the City Manager has asked for a task force; and that Mr. Cole's proposal covered 002) one-half of the issues suggested to be addressed, in advance of those being suggested. g) Herman Art, ASP Taxi, also commented on the winual fee charged by Sunline, which (143- they felt was to have been a one-time charge; and suggested Sunliue cut its budget. 002) h) In response to question by Council, City Manager stated that there would be:a net loss of one lieutenant in the police department; that a vacant position does not preclude its (061- being filled and is not automatically a cut position; and that the community services 016) officer allows the sworn personnel time to perform otherr duties, since the CSO is available to handle reports, and other non-safety specific functions. Council Minutes ,3 S 6-8-94, Page 2 i) City Clerk read a prepared statement by Councilmember Schlendorf, commenting concerning her actions at the last meeting related to adding an item about an (124- amendment to contract with Bill Short,dba Carriage Trade, a copy of which is on file 016) with the City Clerk; and requesting that the budget item be continued to June 15. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: Mayor declared the meeting adjourned for the ' purpose of convening as the Community Redevelopment Agency; after which, members reconvened as the City Council. LEGISLATIVE ACTION: 1. TAXICAB REGULATION On June 1, 1994, the Council continued recommendation concerning the composition of a task force to review and recommend various options for taxicab regulations, in order to formalize the reconnnendalion. City Manager recommended approving action that reaffirms commitment to Sunline,to provide for the appointment of a task force; and that he will follow-through on the issue of the per vehicle assessment. He stated that Sunline will provide the resource support for the task force. Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated that she has difficulty with the per vehicle fee being assessed each year, and agrees the subject needs to be included in the list of topics for the task (143- force to cover. 002) Councilmember Hodges suggested that all of the fees, including purpose, charged by Sardine should be addressed. She added that the taxicab drivers currently feel that no one is regulating them. Mayor suggested that the language of the resolution provide that Sunline is currently the ' regulatory body and the Council respects its authority to regulate. Res 1840914ecognizing Smiline Transit Agency as the current regulatory body, and authorizing the City Manager to establish a task force to review the taxi issues noted in his memorandum, as well as those noted above, was presented; after which, it was moved by Hodges, seconded by Lyons, and unanimously carried, Schlendorf absent, that R18409�be adopted. 2. 1994-95 BUDGET Continued review, discussion, and action if any. Supplemental materials were distributed, revising pages contained in agenda packet of this date. City Manager reviewed Option A, and stated that with$4 million raised through the utility tax, a$1.6 million shortfall must be addressed; that the utility tax would be for three years, during which those revenues would have to be replaced, or further reductions imposed. Director of Finance reported that a PERS Fund "savings" is actually a result of less expense based on PERS actuarials and reduced rates applied to salaries for next year; and the $560,000 transfer from the PERS Fund relates to a refund three years ago, at which time it (061- was anticipated to spread that refund over a three year period. In answer to question by 016) Council, he stated that the General Fund Reserve is $770,000, and with the Teeter Plan money, is about $2 million; that there is about $800,000 in PERS fund which could also be moved to the General Fund Reserves; that the Council stipulated that both the Teeter and PERS funds would be apart from the General Fund, but are in fact all reserve funds; and that normal reserves are 5-15%, with the most conunon being 10% of general operating funds. ' Mayor stated that the Council made the decision last year to keep the other funds separate, but that he would like to see the reserves come up to at least $3 million. Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated that she felt the proposal was a compromise, and she could agree to pulling the reserves together for an approximate $3 million reserve fund. Councilmembers Hodges and Lyons expressed concurrence. Council Minutes 6-5-94, Page 3 2. 1994-95 BUDGET (Continued) Mayor stated that he favored Option A, and that there needs to be an in-house review of all positions in the City in terms of salary scale and "position labeling" in that he felt titles have been created in the past to which compensation created more expense to the City, e.g., the former Council Affairs Administrator; and cited example that a master patrolman designation based on training and longevity affects the current budget; and that he would like to see those ' addressed now where that is appropriate, i.e., Executive Secretary. Councilmember Hodges noted that a study was proposed a few months ago, and perhaps that can be reconsidered after the budget is approved. In answer to questions by Council, City Manager stated that the bids on proposals for parks maintenance are scheduled for June 14, and it would be tight, but it could be operating July 1 1, 1994. Councilmember Lyons asked for a span of control analysis, in terms of management vs. non- management. Mayor stated that the marketing and tourism was very important and very needed, and that salary scale and positions and duties need to be reviewed; that the Harvest Spring Festival must be addressed now, and that he considered parks maintenance in a state of flux until the bids are received. Councilmember Reller-Spurgin stated she favored Option A, and would like to go over the recommendations and talk them out in the best interest of the City; that regarding the utility tax, the cotmnunity came out and strongly supported it and she fell.it was saying it wanted to continue having nice parks, the pool, library center, and more than adequate public safety and she thought the Council job was to assure that the public got what it thought it voted for; that she wanted more police on the street; and that she requested a listing of all property owned by the City and she would like to see selling it as a consideration and getting it on the tax roll; , That she did not favor rushing, but was interested in seeing if there was something that would be suitable to trade or lease to bring back the rodeo. Mayor stated that he expected there would be future budget amendments concerning some of the issues; that negotiations are in progress and the results are not known; that he hoped police could be added on the street, and was waiting to see a reorganization to help make that happen; and that he favored pursuing the citizens patrol. City Manager noted that amendment to the utility user tax ordinance would come back, and the budget in final form, unless other changes are desired. Councilmember Hodges stated that she would like to review all of tine options, and asked the City Manager to look at those again in Option A and see if he recommended others; that she favored carrying the final action to June 15; that she would like to see the consequences of the cuts, e.g., the cut in the building roofing inspector. Councilmember Lyons stated that greener parks means an additional $200,000; and that he did not think the voters said to stop making cuts; and the Council should continue with streamlining the city. In answer to question by Council, City Manager stated that four department positions would become division mead positions in Administrative Services, and would receive a reduced pay; that five mid-manager positions are proposed to be eliminated; that lie understood his charge to be to looking at shifting the PERS fund balance to the General Fund balance, to look at position titles, to look at enhancing the park maintenance; to look at span of control; to look at job and pay scales for marketing and tourism; and to see if there: were other cuts he would recommend than those shown in Option A. Police Chief reviewed details of his memorandum concerning basic police services, a copy of which is on file with the City Clerk, and he responded to questions. He particularly noted that there are four shifts which overlap, and are adjusted for peal: activity, and that there is not a 4 hours per day of overtime; and that one position was filled under Prop. 172 funding, Council Minutes 6-8-94, Page 4 2. 1994-95 BUDGET (Continued) and one is in process, but has been held pending results of the budget, to avoid hiring a new person only to then be laid off under Option A. He also stated that he is looking carefully at the citizens on patrol programs, and has found both successes and failures. ' Following discussion, information to be provided, as summarized by the City Manager, was concurred in; and the budget to be rescheduled for June 15, 1994. 3. ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE ITEMS: (Satisfies agenda posting requirements; materials at meeting) - None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor declared the meeting adjourned. `�_j JUDITHSU ICH City Clerk