Loading...
2002 06 20 CC Minutes LA QUINTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 20, 2002 A special meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at the hour of 10:00 a.m. by Mayor Pe~a. PRESENT: Council Members Adolph, Henderson, Perkins, Sniff, Mayor Pe~a ABSENT: None PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Pe~a led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENT - None CLOSED SESSION - None CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed BUSINESS SESSION 1. CONSIDERATION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2002/2003 PRELIMINARY BUDGET. City Manager Genovese presented a brief staff report. Finance Director Falconer presented major highlights of the preliminary budget and the budget process In response to Council Member Henderson, Mr. Falconer confirmed funding for the Phase II Jefferson Street Improvements (Highway 111 to Indio Boulevard) will be in place should that project get underway during FY 2002/2003. In response to Mayor Pe~a, Mr. Falconer stated if a fire tax is placed on the ballot ~November and approved by the voters, the tax revenues will be available in one year. In response to several questions regarding police services, Police Chief Horton reviewed the number of full-time police officers serving the City, including three City Council Minutes 2 June 20, 2002 lieutenants who serve on a part-time basis. He confirmed La Quinta officers sometimes assist in situations in other cities and vice versa. He stated the ability to respond to La Quinta residents is not a problem because the Sheriff's Department has approximately 40 patrol cars and 10 unmarked cars on the streets in La Quinta, Coachella, and surrounding areas at all times. He confirmed the use of cameras at intersections is a deterrent but noted traffic speed is also reduced by having more officers on the street. He feels a strong presence of officers is needed on Highway 111 to help prevent car thefts and burglaries. Council Member Perkins asked if additional motor officers are needed, to which Chief Horton replied the City can always use more motor officers but it can also get by with what it has for now. Mayor Pe~a commented on the number of petty thefts at Wal-Mart and Chief Horton stated he feels Wal-Mart is doing an ample job to deter such activities. Council Member Henderson referred to the tax chart on Page B-3 and repeated her request from last year that the property tax percentage be broken out in the pie chart so residents can clearly see how small that portion is. Mayor Pe~a referenced the General Fund Operating Expense chart on Page B-4 and suggested Public Safety be broken out separately in th'e chart from the Building portion to provide residents a better understanding of those expenditures. He also suggested a general description be added under each section in the pie chart on Page B-5. Council Member Henderson suggested dollar figures be included at the peak points of the graphs in Section D. She further suggested the reference to FY 93/94 on Page D-2 be deleted since it is not shown on the chart. Mr. Genovese stated the request by the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic has traditionally been taken from the police contingency of $92,500 but has not been specifically included in this budget. He noted any money utilized out of the police contingency fund directly affects other police enforcement programs. In response to Mayor Pe~a, Mr. Falconer advised the only expenditure from the fund this year was $25,000 for the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. He stated some police programs, such as Bike Patrol, were funded last year through grants. In response to Council Member Henderson, Mr. Genovese explained budgeted amounts not spent by the end of the fiscal year are returned to the General Fund and treated as surplus funds. He also noted the police department has City Council Minutes 3 June 20, 2002 already earmarked available grant funds this year for specific police programs, which was not the case last year. Therefore, any expenditure from the police contingency fund will affect the police department's ability to 'utilize those monies for additional police programs. He stated the amount shown on Page 7 for the La Quinta Arts Foundation last year should be corrected to read, "890,000" and that this year's requested amount is 8100,000. He noted the "Community Special Events" program (formerly Village Faire) has not been developed yet but is listed per Council's direction. In reference to the request to purchase a backhoe, he advised funds are included in the budget to rent the equipment and staff is researching grant funds to purchase it. In response to Council Member Henderson, Interim Public Works Director Stephenson estimated the use of a backhoe would be 8-10 times a month. In response to Mayor Pe~a, Community Services Director Horvitz stated the funding request for pool hours does not include September. She stated CVRPD feels the demand for use is too Iow to keep the Fritz Burns pool open. Council Member Henderson noted there's been some discussion at the Community Services Commission meetings about keeping the swimming pool open on weekends during September and asked staff to provide information on that possibility for future reference. In response to Council Member Adolph, Ms. Horvitz confirmed the Boys and Girls Club funding request for floor maintenance is an annual request. Council Member Sniff stated he would support a maximum of 825,000 for the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and 850,000 for Community Services Events. In response to Council Member Sniff, Ms. Horvitz stated the request by the Boys & Girls Club for, refinishing the floor is for only half the cost and the Boys & Girls Club is responsible for the other half. Council Member Sniff suggested eliminating the Special Projects Contingency Fund or reducing it to 820,000 or less. He voiced disappointment with the La Quinta Arts Foundation's request, noting their application contains dated material. He stated he has significant concerns about their current financial status. He was also disappointed the Chamber of Commerce has changed programs and is not involved with previous programs. In response to Council Member Henderson, Mr. Genovese stated the emergency reserve, which is a percentage of the General Fund and increases each year, City Council Minutes 4 June 20, 2002 was established years ago to ensure a specific amount of operating budget is set aside in case of interruptions in tax revenues, such as the motor vehicle fee. Council Member Henderson stated she supports an increase in police hours but would like more information on the Community Action Team. Council Member Perkins stated he would like to consider adding another motor officer at the mid-year budget review. Council Member Henderson stated she would support last year's funding level for the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and agrees with reducing the Special Projects Contingency Fund to $20,000. She would like to see new colors in the Chamber of Commerce Newsletter. She agreed with getting additional information on where the La Quinta Arts Foundation is going this year and stated she was open to discussing some of the police priority issues. In response to Mayor Pe~a, Chief Horton stated the Community Action Team, which would consist of two full-time officers, would help reduce crime by going into gated communities and educating residents on how to prevent burglaries. He stated the two officers would be specifically involved with educating people and resolving issues between residents, including the Cove area. They would use both marked and unmarked vehicles. Mayor Pe~a noted that would give the appearance of increased patrols in the City. Council Member Sniff questioned the cost effectiveness and value of the Community Action Team at this time. He felt current patrol hours are adequate and recommended considering it at mid-year budget review. Chief Horton stated the two team members would be beneficial, however, the City Manager has allowed $100,000 in the budget for programs and they will be able to pull officers in for those programs. He stated the City is getting good service with the funds it has available. Mayor Pe~.a suggested adding to the $100,000 amount in a contingency account. Council Member Sniff preferred seeing how it goes with the first $100,000 amount before budgeting any additional funds. Council Member Henderson agreed with keeping the Community Action Team idea on the table for future consideration. She would also like for Council to City Council Minutes 5 June 20, 2002 consider additional patrol hours at mid-year budget review and she supports adding an additional $100,000 to the police contingency fund. Council Member Perkins commented on the possibility of considering those items prior to mid-year budget, and stated he would support adding an additional $100,000 for police programs. Chief Horton stated they already have programs set up for the initial $100,000 and can easily double the programs. Mayor Pe6a stated he wished to see how effective the programs are before utilizing the additional $100,000. Council Member Sniff suggested limiting the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic amount to $25,000 and reducing the Community Special Events to $40,000. Mayor Pe~a stated he felt the School District should share in the cost for the shade structure at the Sports Complex and Ms. Horvitz stated she would discuss it with them. Council Member Sniff suggested reducing the Special Projects Contingency Fund to $15,000. Mayor PeSa stated he would support a reduction to $20,000 and limiting the grant requests 1:o every other year. Council Member Sniff concurred and stated he also agrees the Chamber Newsletter could look better. He stated he would support the Arts Foundation's request for $100,000 but wants more specificity and more complete financial reporting. He also noted the Council has not received an increase in compensation/salary since 1998 and suggested modest increases from $500 to $650 for Council Members and from $1,200 to $1,350 for the Mayor. Mayor Pe~a noted the increases are not included in the budget. A brief discussion ensued wherein a consensus was reached on the following budget amounts: Bob Hope Chrysler Classic - $25,000; Boys & Girls Club Facility Use - $30,000; Community Special Events - $40,000; Special Projects Contingency Fund $20,000 (limiting requests to every other year); and La Quinta Arts Foundation - $100,000 (additional information to be obtained before allocation of funds). City Council Minutes 6 June 20, 2002 Mayor Pe~a noted for the record he did not participate in the discussion regarding the La Quinta Arts Foundation funding request. City Attorney Jenson advised Council Member Perkins does not have to abstain from participating in the discussion regarding the Arts Foundation because it is not part of their building program. Mr. Genovese asked for Council's direction regarding the $51,800 deficient resulting from the additional $100,000 for police programs. Council Member Perkins suggested reducing the additional amount for police programs to $50,000 and adding to it later if needed. Council concurred. Council Member Sniff asked if there was any support for an increase in Council's compensation/salary. Council Member Henderson stated she would support an increase only if it is effective after the November election. Council Member Perkins agreed. Council Member Adolph stated he would not support an increase. Mayor Pe~a stated he felt the new Council should deal with it. MOTION - It was moved by Council Members Adolph/Henderson to approve the Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2002/2003 as amended. Motion carried with Council Member Sniff voting NO. MINUTE ORDER NO. 2002-88. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved by Council Members Sniff/Henderson to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, JUNE S. GREEK, City Clerk City of La Quinta, California