2004-05-20 Special CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
THURSDAY- -MAY 20, 2004- -6:00 P.M.
Mayor Johnson convened the Special Meeting at 6:15 p.m.
Councilmember Gilmore led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call - Present: Councilmembers Daysog, Gilmore, Kerr,
Matarrese and Mayor Johnson - 5.
Absent: None.
(04 -247) Study Session to consider the City's Two -year Financial
Plan and Capital Improvement Projects for Fiscal Year 2004 -06.
Griffin Neal, Alameda, submitted a handout to Council and discussed
Alameda Power and Telecom's finances and assets.
The City Manager provided a handout on response to Councilmembers'
questions at previous budget sessions.
Mayor Johnson requested that further information showing the entire
Code Enforcement budget be provided.
Vice Mayor Daysog requested that information on outstanding debt
include the original principal plus the outstanding amount, rather
the final amount of the debt plus principal should be provided
using the most conservative inflation rate.
Mayor Johnson clarified that her request for Code Enforcement
information should include Community Improvement Commission
funding, the entire funding amount and personnel information.
The City Manager stated outside legal costs would also be included.
Mayor Johnson stated that she would like a breakdown of Code
Enforcement personnel explaining the duties of each employee.
Mayor Johnson requested organizational charts with salary ranges.
The City Manager stated a summary listing of salaries would be
provided.
Councilmember Kerr requested outstanding debt tables on sewer
bonds; stated the money borrowed was repaid on property taxes and
was a large amount on the property tax bill; originally, the bond
was intended to cover pay -as- you -go; then, a positive fund was to
be built to pay for future sewer services; requested staff to
ensure that the property tax funds were used to pay the bond debt
Special Meeting
Alameda City Council 1
May 20, 2004
and not used to replace the main sewer at Alameda Point.
Councilmember Kerr requested greater detail for the Development
Service Department budget; stated the department is not flat and is
now deeper; Development Services has a lot of debt funding which
uses the General Fund as collateral.
The Alameda Power and Telecom (AP &T) General Manager gave a Power
Point presentation on the AP &T budget.
Councilmember Kerr requested information on the amount of funds
AP &T pays in cost allocation, General Fund transfers, PILOT
(Payment in Lieu of Taxes), and Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment
Authority leases.
Councilmember Gilmore requested said amounts be provided over the
past several years.
Councilmember Matarrese requested the history of AP &T drawing down
on reserve funding kept by the Northern California Power Agency
(NCPA) .
Councilmember Matarrese requested that the summary of positions and
associated salaries be provided only for filled positions.
In response to Councilmember Gilmore's inquiry about whether the
Council has control over AP &T's budget, the City Attorney stated a
detailed memorandum would be provided.
Councilmember Matarrese requested that non - General Fund department
provide scenarios of 5% cuts; stated Council will be looking for
increased transfers; requested that the Public Utilities Board
(PUB) review the NCPA reserve and staffing levels to find a way to
increase the General Fund transfer.
In response to Council's questions regarding the PUB's control over
AP &T's budget, the City Manager stated that he would meet with the
City Auditor, City Attorney and staff to provide a written
response; noted there is more than one way to interpret the
Charter.
Vice Mayor Daysog requested a memo on AP &T's General Fund transfer
amount that would result from following the Charter versus other
methods of calculation; questioned if the transfer amount is above
Charter requirements and how the amount is determined.
Councilmember Matarrese requested that each department provide 50
and loo cut scenarios.
Special Meeting
Alameda City Council 2
May 20, 2004
Mayor Johnson stated the Council must know about Development
Service projects and programs in order to make funding decisions.
Councilmember Gilmore stated other department provided 5% budget
cut scenarios; all enterprise departments should have to provide
information on cuts.
The City Manager stated the information would be provided at the
end of all the presentations.
The Assistant to the City Manager gave Power Point presentations on
the City Council and City Manager budgets.
In response to Mayor Johnson's inquiry regarding association
membership, the City Manager stated a list would be provided.
The City Attorney gave a Power Point presentation on her
departmental budget.
The Finance Director discussed CalPERS cost increases.
Mayor Johnson requested information on the possible multi -year
phase in of the increases.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Johnson adjourned the
Special Meeting at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown
Act.
Special Meeting
Alameda City Council 3
May 20, 2004