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2007 06 21 CC Minutes LA QUINTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 21, 2007 A special meeting of the La Quinta City Council was called to order at the hour of 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Adolph. PRESENT: ABSENT: Council Members Henderson, Osborne, Kirk, Sniff, Mayor Adolph None PUBLIC COMMENT - None CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed BUSINESS SESSION 1. CONSIDERATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2007/2008 PRELIMINARY BUDGET. City Manager Genovese made opening remarks and reviewed the highlights of the Preliminary Budget. Finance Director Falconer presented the staff report. City Manager Genovese stated the community and significant funding requests have been outlined in the staff report. Proposed Staff Positions In response to Council Member Osborne, City Manager Genovese reviewed the proposed staff positions of Museum Manager; Office Assistant in the City Clerk's Department; Traffic Signal Technician, Counter Technician and Maintenance Worker I in the Public Works Department; and Management Assistant and Executive Assistant in Administration. City Manager Genovese explained one full-time position will oversee the Museum and will be assisted by volunteers, in response to Mayor Adolph. In response to Council Member Osborne, Police Chief Walker outlined the four additional positions two officers, School Resource officer, and City Council Special Meeting Minutes .2 June 21, 2007 Community Services Officer to assist in traffic issues; and identified the need for additional patrol in the Cove In response to Council Member Henderson, Police Chief Walker explained the use of the proposed GPS system. In response to Council Member Kirk, Police Chief Walker confirmed the Department supports the mobile citation system as it will expedite. the issuance of citations. Police Chief Walker explained the working hours, patrol, and use of the School Resource Officer position at the schools, in response to Mayor Adolph. In response to Council Member Sniff, Police Chief Walker stated the need for additional patrol in the Cove has been identified, and the Department is able . to conduct sweep in the area as needed. In response to Council Member Osborne, Fire Chief Jordan explained service and personnel costs are projected to go up next year; reviewed contracted services; stated estimates given are at the high end and the City will be charged the actual cost; stated recently received updated costs and estimate is $100,000 less than in the budget. Fire Chief Jordan explained the Department will strive to stay under budget; and does not anticipate service costs to fluctuate again next year, in response to Council Member Kirk. Finance Director Falconer explained the difference between the payroll costs of Police and Fire services In response to Council Member Kirk, City Clerk Montecino explained the utilization of an additional Office Assistant; and the process of scanning records and maps. Public Works Director Jonasson explained the justification for contracting undergrounding services, in response to Council Member Kirk. Council Member Henderson commented on the increase of staff; stated the increase is not directly related to the building community, but is associated with the natural growth of the organization; stated the City Manager has maintained a minimum staffing level for many years; and conveyed her support for the increase of staff. City Council Special Meeting Minutes 3 June 21, 2007 Council Member Sniff stated he has observed the City Manager to be extremely conservative in staffing over the last 20 years; and conveyed his support for the additional staff positions proposed in the budget. In response to Mayor Adolph, Finance Director Falconer explained the City will receive approximately $1.8 million from the reimbursement from the Library, and the funds will be utilized for constructing the Museum and improvements for Phase II of the Library. Grant Requests Mayor Adolph explained the Grant Program recently adopted by the City Council. Council Member Sniff conveyed his support to increase the contingency for grants to $100,000, and suggested Council review grant requests at a later date. Council Members Henderson and Osborne conveyed their understanding that the grants would be considered at this time. Council Member Kirk suggested Council allow those in attendance to make a brief presentation of their grant requests. Council Member Osborne requested to change the Air Show funding amount from $10,000 to $5,000; and increase the contingency to $105,000. Carlos Ortega, City Manager for the City of Palm Desert, spoke on behalf of the College of the Desert Public Safety Academy, and presented his grant request of a minimum of $0.50 per resident. Mayor Adolph announced Community Services Director Hylton was awarded as Community Service Person of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. Council Member Kirk suggested the City contribute up to $50,000 for the Cause of the Desert Foundation contingent upon excess funds in the Public Safety budget at year end. Finance Director Falconer stated staff will have an accurate balance in August, and will report back to Council through the Items of Interest (101) and a report in September. Reg Centerro, La Quinta Playhouse, expressed appreciation for Council's support of the Playhouse, and introduced Aaron Fagan, 78-790 La Palma Drive, who explained the impact the Playhouse has on the community. City Council Special Meeting Minutes 4 June 21, 2007 Cynthia Fagan, stated the arts programs have been eliminated from schools and many communities. In response to Council Member Henderson, Mr. Centerro explained the Playhouse is currently soliciting a professional to conduct fundraising for the construction of a playhouse in the city. Council Member Kirk conveyed concern regarding the amount of grant requests, and suggested Council consider increasing the contingency to $160,000. City Manager Genovese confirmed the directive from Council was not only to bring the grant requests back with the budget, but also large item requests; and the process of reviewing grant requests on a quarterly basis with a contingency of $120,000. Council Compensation Council Member Sniff spoke in support of: 1) increasing compensation for the City Council to $2,300; 2) increasing compensation for Mayor to $2,800; 3) removing the Redevelopment Agency expense account; and 4) removing the vehicle reimbursement benefit, effective July 1, 2007. In response to Council Member Henderson, Finance Director Falconer stated the net increase to the Mayor and City Council's compensation is $600 and $800, respectively. Council Member Kirk stated the increase is fair; awkward to increase compensation; suggested making the increase effective upon the seating of new Council Members. Council Member Sniff stated it is only fair to increase compensation to be more competitive with surrounding cities; stated the Council oversees a very successful city and all Members work hard for the City. Council Member Henderson stated she doesn't question the amount of time anyone serves; commended those who dedicate part of their professional and family time to serve the community; stated she will not support an increase; conveyed satisfaction in serving the community; feels the suggestion for a wage conveys a job and prefers to receive a stipend; supports moving the car allowance from Redevelopment to the Council as recommended by the City Attorney and supports a $100 increase. City Council Special Meeting Minutes 5 June 21, 2007 Council Member Sniff stated this is not a part-time job, it is a 100% commitment; conveyed his priorities as family, country and La Quinta; this is a reasonable request. Council Member Osborne stated he does look at the increase to $2,300/mo. as a stipend; and expressed his opinion that the proposed amount is reasonable. Mayor Adolph conveyed his support for the increase and stated the city must be comparable with other cities; and stated this increase was not initiated by the Council. MOTION - It was moved by Council Members Sniff/Osborne to increase the compensation for City Council to $2,300; increase the compensation for Mayor to $2,800; eliminate the Redevelopment Agency expense account; and eliminate the vehicle reimbursement benefit, effective July 1, 2007. Motion carried by a vote of 3-2, Council Members. Henderson and Kirk dissenting. Council Member Osborne commended the Council, City Manager, and staff for the success of continually increasing the General Fund since FY 2003/2004. Council Member Sniff conveyed his pride in the success of the city and appreciation of the Council's dedication to the community. Mayor Adolph commended the Finance Department for the preparation of the budget. MOTION - It was moved by Council Members Sniff/Kirk to adopt the Fiscal Year 2007/2008 Preliminary Budget, and directed staff to prepare a Fiscal Year 2007/2008 Final Budget for the July 17, 2007 City Council meeting. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Adolph adjourned the meeting.