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2018-06-19 Special CC-SACIC MinutesSpecial Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission June 19, 2018 1 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION (SACIC) TUESDAY- -JUNE 19, 2018- -7:01 P.M. Mayor/Chair Spencer convened the meeting at 7:59 p.m. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers/Commissioners Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese, Oddie, Vella and Mayor/Chair Spencer – 5. Absent: None. AGENDA ITEM (18-386 CC) Resolution No. 15401, “Approving and Adopting the City of Alameda Operating and Capital Budget Mid-Cycle Update for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-19.” Adopted; (18-007 SACIC) Resolution No. 18-01, “Approving and Adopting the Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission (SACIC) Budget for FY 2018 -19.” Adopted; (18-386 A CC) Resolution No. 15406, “Approving Workforce Changes in the Community Development Department, Base Reuse and Transportation Planning Department, Fire Department and Information Technology Department.” Adopted; and (18-387 CC) Resolution No. 15407, “Amending the City of Alameda City Employees Association (ACEA) Salary Schedule and the Salary Schedule of the Executive Management (EXME) Compensation Plan.” Adopted. The Acting City Manager made brief comments. The Finance Director gave a Power Point presentation. In response to Mayor Spencer’s inquiry, the Finance Director stated the difference of the forecast is almost a $20 million swing, which is largely due to the transfer tax and property tax increases from new development. Mayor Spencer stated that the growth in property taxes will continue on the same leve l cannot be assumed. The Finance Director continued presentation. Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission June 19, 2018 2 The Community Development Director stated direction was given at the May workshop to set up a three year pilot program with $500,000 for legal aid for low income renters; at the June 5th meeting, there were subsequent questions about whether or not the program would include other legal services; staff would like to confirm the direction, which is a legal aid program for low income renters. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether there is a way means testing could be done; stated it would be good to know if individual landlords could be limited by number of units, income and assets; stated landlords want to make sure they are abiding by the ordinance. In response to Mayor Spencer’s inquiry, the Community Development Director stated the program administration staff gives direction to landlords and helps clarify what is needed to be compliant with the ordinance; staff does not provide individual advice on individual cases. Vice Mayor Vella stated landlords can go to the Housing Authority to get clarification without violating the ordinance; having a separate office where tenants could get advice would be helpful; the program should be bifurcated; inquired whether providers could look at income levels before taking a case as part of the Request for Proposals (RFP). The Community Development Director responded that she does not know how means testing is done; she does not believe legal services attorneys would take landlord cases; if Council directs legal services be provided to both low income tenants and landlords, staff would recommend doing more research on how the process would work on the landlord side and move forward only with the tenant side at this time. Councilmember Oddie stated the direction is clear that Council wants to assist tenants; he does not understand why free legal service would be given to landlords when tenants need it. The Acting City Manager stated the $500,000 in restricted fund balance is set aside; there has been discussion of both landlord and tenant services; staff wants to get clarification on the direction. Mayor Spencer stated Council agreed to allocate the money; suggested coming back to discuss the matter. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated the topic to provide services to both landlords and tenants was raised and is valid to consider; landlords have access to legal services; there are not enough resources so the focus should be on providing services to tenants. The Community Development Director confirmed the direction is for staff to issue the RFP and come back to Council with a contract. Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission June 19, 2018 3 Mayor Spencer inquired when the matter will come back to Council, to which the Community Development Director stated it would come back in October so staff could move forward with the RFP. In response to Mayor Spencer’s inquiry, the Community Development Director stated staff could come back with a proposed contract regarding tenant services if the Council desires. Mayor Spencer stated Council should weigh in on the type of legal services offered. Councilmember Matarrese stated Council is trying to level the playing field and will have an opportunity to do so when staff brings the contract back; the ball needs to get rolling. The Finance Director continued presentation. Councilmember Oddie inquired about the requirements to get the Fire Marshall position built into the cost study. The Deputy Fire Chief responded it is not appropriate to include the Fire Marshall position; costs included are for personnel, equipment, response and amount of time it takes for each activity. Councilmember Oddie inquired how the position could be brought back without a cost study, to which the Acting City Manager responded staff is updating the Master Fee Schedule, which will be brought back in September. Councilmember Oddie inquired how can cost recovery be included in the study without the position, to which the Deputy Fire Chief responded he does not have an answer; stated the position cannot be included in the study since it does not exist. Councilmember Oddie stated there will never be a cost recovery study until Council authorizes the Fire Marshall position. The Acting City Manager stated staff is able to develop the fee knowing there would be future cost. In response to Councilmember Oddie’s inquiry, the Deputy Fire Chief stated when the cost study is done this fall, it will not include the Fire Marshall position. In response to Councilmember Oddie’s inquiry, the Acting City Manager stated staff will look into the issue and come back to Council. Vice Mayor Vella questions whether it is possible for staff to include the position if Council has not supported putting the position in the existing budget. Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission June 19, 2018 4 Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she met with the Deputy Fire Chief over some points; the Fire Department is looking at an impressive list of measures and programs; seeing how everything materializes would be helpful, rather than basing an expenditure on projected revenue increases; more information is needed. Vice Mayor Vella inquired whether it is possible for Council to approve the position but not fund it, to which the Acting City Manager responded more research needs to be done; staff would need to talk to legal and understand what should come first; she cannot provide an answer tonight, but will come back with more information. Councilmember Oddie inquired whether the budget needs to be approved tonight, to which the Acting City Manager responded in the affirmative; stated the budget needs to be adopted by June 30th. The Finance Director stated her request would be that Council adopt the budget and bring the Fire Marshall position back. Mayor Spencer inquired how fire inspections were handled under the previous Fire Chief and why it is an issue now. The Deputy Fire Chief responded it is an issue because of the increase in the volume of the work in the division; there was not much work in Fire Prevention under the previous Chief; the department took a substantial hit and City services were cut because of the downturn in the economy; the department is now working its way back, but work is increasing faster than staffing. Mayor Spencer stated perhaps non-sworn positions could do the inspections if the Fire Department is having trouble keeping up. The Acting City Manager stated staff would need direction on the issue. Mayor Spencer stated that she would like the item to come back; how to best utilize sworn fire firefighters to serve the community should be considered; she would like to reconsider non-sworn position to efficiently and effectively do inspections. Councilmember Oddie stated the previous Chief did ask for the Fire Marshall position and it was turned down; the ghost ship fire in Oakland is a good example of the Fire Department being short staffed; he does not want to risk the safety of Alameda residents with non-sworn people in the position. Councilmember Matarrese stated the issues is important enough to come back with real numbers; he would like to know the consequences of not having a Fire Marshall and other options. Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission June 19, 2018 5 The Acting City Manager stated that she would like to make sure there is a consensus; the task includes coming back with ways to pay for a Fire Marshall and addressing the non-sworn issue. Councilmember Matarrese stated said direction was given at the workshop; the Fire Chief presented an ask with a promise that there would be money behind it and it was insufficient. In response to the Acting City Manager’s inquiry regarding the non-sworn issue, Councilmember Matarrese stated the issue could be left to the Chief’s imagination; using non-sworn is cheaper and could fit in the budget. Councilmember Oddie stated he would not support that. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated there should be follow up with Chief on projected revenue sources funding the position in perpetuity by the revenue sources; regarding the sworn/non-sworn issue, the Chief should decide how he wants to allocate his resources; there is a lot of value in having a b alanced budget right now; if the position is funded by the revenue increases, she is ready to support, but it is premature at this time. The Finance Director continued the presentation. Mayor Spencer stated annual activity expenses are higher than projected revenues by $8,000. The Finance Director stated expenditures continue to grow; revenues are growing as well, but just not at the same pace. Mayor Spencer inquired whether reserves are being used to cover the $8 ,000, to which the Finance Director stated the $8,000 will be drawn down. In response to Mayor Spencer’s inquiry, the Acting City Manager stated the negative $8,000 is the difference between revenues and expenditures and does not affect reserves. Mayor Spencer stated that she wants to underscore the projected budget shows expenses are more than projected revenues. The Acting City Manager stated $8,000 is next to nothing in a $100 million budget; the budget does not include future development in Site A or the Northern Waterfront; many things can be done to make sure by 2021 the City does not have a deficit of $5 million; the City needs to continue to be conservative and diligent. Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission June 19, 2018 6 Mayor Spencer stated the same could be said if Council accepts the mid-cycle budget requests and does not make cuts. The Acting City Manager stated the City has a balanced budget this year. The Finance Director continued the presentation. Councilmember Oddie stated he appreciates that other cities are using Alameda’s CalPers policy as a model. The Finance Director continued the presentation. Expressed appreciation to Council for approving funding for tenant legal services; stated tenants have no equity, credit, or ability to access legal assistance: Eric Strimling, Alameda Renters Coalition. Councilmember Matarrese moved adoption of the resolutions. Mayor Spencer requested the motions be bifurcated. Councilmember Matarrese moved adoption of the resolution approving and adopting the City of Alameda operating and capital budget mid-cycle update. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft seconded the motion, which carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese and Vella – 3. Noes: Councilmember Oddie and Mayor Spencer – 2. Councilmember Matarrese moved adoption of the SACIC budget resolution. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote – 5. Councilmember Matarrese moved adoption of approving the workforce changes. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft seconded the motion, which carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese and Vella – 3. Noes: Mayor Spencer – 1. Abstention: Councilmember Oddie – 1. Councilmember Matarrese moved adoption of resolution approving the ACEA and EXME salary schedules. Vice Mayor Vella seconded the motion, which carried by the following voice vote : Ayes: Councilmembers Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese, Oddie and Vella – 4. Noes: Mayor Spencer – 1. Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and Successor Agency to the Community Improvement Commission June 19, 2018 7 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor/Chair Spencer adjourned the meeting at 9:06 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lara Weisiger City Clerk and Secretary, SACIC The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.