1995-06-05 Joint CC School Board Minutes173
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD
JUNE 5, 1995
(Held concurrently with an Alameda Unified School District
Meeting.)
The meeting was called to order by President Appezzato at 4:34 p.m.
at the Alameda High School Faculty Room, 1st Floor, West Wing.
ROLL CALL
City Council
Present: Councilmembers DeWitt, Vice Mayor Mannix and President
Appezzato - 3.
Absent: Councilmembers Arnerich and Lucas - 2.
Alameda Unified High School District
Present: Board of Education Members Berresford Bingham, Anna
Elefant, Vice-President Barbara Rasmussen, and President
Gail Ann Greely - 4.
Staff: Superintendent of Schools Dennis Chaconas.
(95-336) Presentation by the Honorable Alameda COunty Board
of Supervisor Wilma Chan on the County's Budget
Don Roberts, Alameda, addressed the City Council and School Board
regarding funding cuts at the Mastick Senior Center; terms of
funding for seniors; and amount of Federal and County monies
allotted for the City of Alameda.
Neil Patrick Sweeney, Alameda, addressed the City Council and
School Board employment requirements for individuals who work on
the Cypress Freeway; and offered suggestions on increasing the
County's budget.
President Appezzato welcomed and introduced the Honorable Alameda
County Board of Supervisor Wilma Chan.
Supervisor Chan gave an overview of her personal priorities;
introduced staff members: Mark Friedman, Economic Development;
Alice Lai-Bitker, Asian Community Liaison and Social Service
Issues; Susan Rosenthal, Health Care and Budget; and David Brown,
Child Services and Constituent Contact; stated that educational
forums were held regarding the County's budget, lead abatement, and
Special Joint Meeting of the
City Council and School Board
June 5, 1995
i74
the budget at Mastick Senior Center; and stated that office hours
were kept by staff, volunteers and herself in Alameda.
Supervisor Chan gave an overview of the County's budget; stated
that the Mastick Senior Center was represented under Public
Assistance; that bridges were represented under Public Ways; that
the 1995 -96 Proposed Budget - All Funds - Total Financing by Source
was $1,130,561,269.; that 92.1% of the County's budget was mandated
and 7.9% was non- mandated; that the County received property tax
distributions in the following amounts /years: 35.1% for FY 1991-
92, 30.6% for FY 1992 -93, and 17% for FY 1993 -94; that the County
Budget had a $77.6 million funding gap for FY 1995 -96, which had to
be approved by the end of June 1995; that the County was comprised
of 14 cities, to include unincorporated areas; that it was
difficult to assign exact numbers and /or dollars to individual
cities due to the manner in which the County calculated services
rendered; discussed direct and in- direct services /benefits; and
stated that the City of Alameda paid the County $5.6 million in
property taxes.
In response to President Appezzato's inquiry, Supervisor Chan
stated that the $5.6 million in property taxes was the County's
portion received via the State; and that the County currently
received approximately 17% of Alameda's property taxes.
Supervisor Chan stated that the following percentages reflect the
population of Alameda's utilization for the following services:
1.5% AFDC, 1.94% Medi -Cal, and .29% General Assistance.
At this time, Supervisor Chan reviewed Selective Services'
Reductions for 1995 -96 Budget; stated that the Mastick Senior
Center was budgeted for $12,498, currently receiving $18,000; that
the Alameda Municipal Court has a proposed reduction; and that the
bridges had a proposed reduction, currently receiving $1.7 million.
In response to President Appezzato's inquiry, Mr. Brown stated that
the County had funding from State and Federal sources; that some of
that money was generated locally and other places; that the County
of Alameda estimates the City of Alameda receives $63 million in
direct and in- direct services based on per capita and direct
services that the County can account for.
In response to President Appezzato's inquiry, Mr. Brown stated that
the City of Alameda paid the County $11 million.
In response to President Appezzato's inquiry, Supervisor Chan
stated that Alameda's short -fall to the County was made up from
citizens throughout the County and the State; and that the County
was an entity that dealt with the whole overall State and Federal
Budget.
Special Joint Meeting of the
City Council and School Board
June 5, 1495
17i
In response to Supervisor Chan's statements, Vice Mayor Mannix
clarified that Alameda citizens who paid Federal and State taxes
were contributing funds towards the short-fall.
In response to Mr. Roberts' inquiry, Mr. Brown stated that the City
of Alameda received $543,000 in direct services from the County's
Adult Services Program, which includes: in-home support services
for over 200 residents in Alameda, public guardianship and adult-
protective services that serves various ages of adults; and further
stated &hat Alameda received other direct services, in addition to
Mastick Senior Center, that were allotted for the elderly.
Discussion was held regarding funding, funding formulas, and
reductions in funding.
Supervisor Chan stated that the funding formula had not been
decided, and further study was being conducted by the Board; that
she wanted to fund the Mastick Senior Center Program; that all
senior centers were targeted for budget cuts; that the Gas Tax that
Alameda pays was for Alameda roads; that the Gas Tax that the
unincorporated area pays was supposed to be for unincorporated
roads; that the County had been using the Gas Tax for the
unincorporated areas to pay for the bridges; and that the people
residing in the unincorporated areas were perturbed.
In response to President Appezzato's inquiry, the City Manager
stated that for FY 1994-95, the current budget for bridges was $1.6
to $1.7 million; that the County had been looking at cutting said
costs by cutting shifts, such as graveyard or operating on-call,
and the automation of bridges which would warrant fewer operators;
that hearings were taking place with the Coast Guard regarding said
issues; that he informed the County Administrator that an analysis
indicates they could lower the cost of operation to approximately
$1 million a year; that the County has it reduced to $1.1 or $1.2
million; that the County requested the City to conduct a license
plate survey to determine the origin of the vehicles that were
crossing the bridges; that 35% had addresses in Alameda, 25% had
addresses in Oakland, and the remainder varied from various cities
in the County to cities all over the State, and some cities outside
the State; that the County said because the two largest users of
the bridge were Alameda and Oakland, that made up 60% of the cost
of operating the bridge; that the County wanted the City to pay the
35%; and that if the County could get the cost down to $1 million,
that would be $350,000 for the City.
President Appezzato stated that the City had a legal agreement with
the County which was signed in 1989 stating that the County would
operate the bridges.
Special Joint Meeting of the
City Council and School Board
June 5, 1995
176
In response to President Appezzato's inquiry, Supervisor Chan
stated that the County Administrator had informed the City that,
from a legal point of view, the County had a legal right to turn
the bridges over to the Cities of Oakland and Alameda, which would
result in a 50/50 distribution, which she was not advocating; that
hopefully it would not get to that point; and that the issue was
not just on the bridges, but in general, how the City and County
could cooperate more.
President Appezzato stated that the City and County had an
Agreement signed in 1989; that the validity of the Agreement needed
to be determined; and that said matter needed to be presented to
the City Council for a vote on assuming 35% to 40% of the cost to
operate the bridges.
In response to President Appezzato's inquiry, Supervisor Chan
stated that an approximate $500,000 cut was proposed for the
courts.
In response to President Appezzato's inquiry, Supervisor Chan
stated that the courts have not determined the impact of the
proposed reductions.
Councilmember DeWitt stated that further legal interpretation of
responsibilities regarding the bridges was needed.
Supervisor Chan stated that the cities need to pursue legal
opinions/interpretation as deemed necessary.
In response to President Appezzato's inquiry, Supervisor Chan
stated that the Alameda Health Clinic was not currently receiving
a budget cut.
In response to Mr. Roberts' inquiry regarding rescinding City's
lease to the County for $8.50 a month for the Health Building at
2226 Santa Clara Avenue, Supervisor Chan stated that the County
would be willing to discuss the matter.
Mr. Brown discussed funding of the Mid-Way Shelter Budget; and
reviewed a report dated June 1, 1995, regarding the cost of
maintaining County's Redwood Road [County Road].
President Appezzato requested that the City Manager report back to
the City Council regarding the proposed $500,000 reduction for
courts, and to include impact of said reduction.
In response to President Appezzato's inquiry, Supervisor Chan
stated that a Hearing regarding general government (court &
bridges) was schedule for Tuesday, June 13, 1995, at 1:30 p.m., and
Special Joint Meeting of the
City Council and School Board
June 5, 1995
177
that a hearing regarding public protection was scheduled for
Tuesday, June 20, 1995, at 1:30 p.m.
(95-337) Status of Child Care and 4-A (95-338) Afterschool
Programs/Middle School (Superintendent Chaconas)
The City Manager reviewed the report on the Recreation and Park
Department Youth Programs; stated that students from Washington and
Paden schools attend Washington Park Recreation Afterschool Program
(RAP), however, due to low enrollment, Washington Park RAP will be
closed as of the end of this school year, June 16; that when year-
round school begins, students of Paden, T.ongfellow, and Woodstock
schools may attend RAP at Longfella Park, which was a new
addition.
Following discussion, the City Manager stated that the only school
that would not be serviced was Washington due to a lack of
interest.
In response to Board Member Bingham's inquiry, the City Manager
stated that the Council authorized the City to be a part of a State
surplus program and designated certain employees to look at State
surplus vans; that some of the vans looked at were in such terrible
shape, that the cost of repair would exceed their worth; that one
van was currently being looked at that may have some possibility;
and that two vans were desired.
Discussion was held regarding subsidized costs of child care,
needed recreational activities, and funding.
In response to Board Member Rasmussen's inquiry, the City Manager
stated that the cost for recreational leaders at middle schools
would be $100,000.
Superintendent Chaconas expressed concern for adults using Encinal
High School Gym on Saturdays and Sundays, and stated that the
Recreation Department should have priority access.
Discussion was held regarding current usage of gymnasiums and
various options for gym usage.
Superintendent Chaconas stated that he would speak with middle
school principals and recreation staff regarding combining current
programs with students whose needs are not currently being met.
In response to Councilmember DeWitt's inquiry, the City Manager
stated that the City parks were open on the weekends but not
staffed; and that the cost for staffing on a Saturday would be
approximately $120.
Special Joint Meeting of the
City Council and School Board
June 5, 1995
178
(95-339) Update on the East Wing on the Historic Alameda
High School (Superintendent Chaconas)
The City Manager reviewed the report on the Current Status of East
Wing, dated June 5, 1995, which addressed the following: interior
renovation, exterior renovation, elevator, retrofit lighting, City
council chamber, floor and office layouts, and temporary usage of
facilities for the Fire Department's administrative staff during
remodeling of Fire Station #1.
Board Member Rasmussen stated that a design had been previously
prepared for the Board Room, and suggested that the City Manager
contact Roy Miller for further information.
In response to Board Member Rasmussen's inquiry, the City Manager
stated that the City should be relocated to Historic Alameda High
School by October 1, 1995.
(95-340) Update on cable televising in the Alameda High
School Little Theater (Superintendent Chaconas)
In response to a question regarding live cablecasting from the
Alameda High School Little Theater, the City Manager stated that
everything had been completed except the pole attachment agreements
with Pacific Bell; that he anticipated those would be completed
within one to two weeks; that after the agreements were signed, it
was anticipated that the construction could be done within 30 to 45
days; suggested that it may be feasible to look into the
possibility of utilizing the former auto repair shop as a Council
and District Board meeting room since the pole line extensions
which cost approximately $20,000 would not be required; stated that
bids for the remodeling of the East Wing, Historic Alameda High
School, would be opened on June 13, 1995; that negotiations with
the contractor for a change order for that area could be
accomplished if there were adequate funds for the project; and that
the Council would be awarding said contract at the June 20, 1995
Council meeting.
Board Member Rasmussen suggested that the City Council and School
Board look into the feasibility of utilizing the former auto repair
shop and report back when the bids were opened.
(95-341) Base Closure Update (Superintendent Chaconas)
President Appezzato stated that there was no new information on the
base closure.
Special Joint Meeting of the
City Council and School Board
June 5, 1995
t, 9
Superintendent Chaconas announced that Arthur Andersen donated $1.5
million for a proposed partnership with the Alameda Unified School
District to provide a community state-of-the-art learning center.
ADJOURNMENT
President Appezzato adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m.
Res ectfully submitted,
D E B. FELSCH, CMC
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in advance in accordance
with the Brown Act.
Special Joint Meeting of the
City Council and School Board
June 5, 1995