2004-07-01 Special CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
THURSDAY- -JULY 1, 2004- -7:31 P.M.
Mayor Johnson convened the Special Meeting at 9:00 p.m.
Roll Call - Present: Councilmembers Daysog, Gilmore, Kerr,
Matarrese and Mayor Johnson - 5.
Absent: None.
(04 -321) Study Session to consider the City's Two -year Financial
Plan and Capital Improvement Projects for Fiscal Year 2004 -06.
Alan Elnick, Alameda City Employees Association (ACEA), stated that
ACEA remains without a contract; that he met with City
representatives on June 8 and was disappointed no suggestion for
direction was taken; ACEA attempted to offer some direction; the
City acts in an unlawful manner by not making efforts to come to
some type of agreement; City employees have acted in decorum in
light of adversity; the City Manager's 5% budget reduction only
eliminates positions of ACEA employees; Council has recommended
that the Equipment Operator be retained for use by the Parks
Department; ACEA recommends offering the position to the Golf
Department or offer the position back to the Parks Department; the
City Manager intends to propose a loo reduction scenario which
would include eliminating a full time Maintenance Worker II
position; ACEA recommends reviewing the Human Resources Department;
there was a position created to help Alameda Power and Telecom in
recruitment processing; staffing needs are no longer needed; the
position is no longer necessary; there should be some leveling in
the management structure.
David McGraw, COPPS Unit, urged that the COPS unit not be cut.
Betty Cosmos, Volunteers in Policing, provided the Council with an
overview of the Crime Analysis Division job functions.
The City Manager provided a packet of information in response to
questions made by Council at previous budget sessions; stated that
the original set of recommendations have been modified to include
deeper cuts in a number of departments; per Council's previous
direction, three police officers and a telephone operator have been
restored; two new dispatchers have been added; 9 firefighter
positions have been restored; the 911 public safety access fee has
been reduced to $2.00; the CalPERS "fresh start" is included for
public safety sworn personnel to generate additional cash flow.
Councilmember Matarrese requested Council to determine what the
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reserve threshold should be.
Councilmember Kerr stated that reserves should be used as little as
possible; requested staff to review having a sliding scale on the
first land /cell phone line; that cutting the $1 million in School
District support should be considered; inquired whether Animal
Control would be contracted out.
The City Manager responded that a report addressing Animal Control
options would be presented to Council in six months.
Vice Mayor Daysog requested the possibility of having more park
directors be explored.
Mayor Johnson inquired how the volunteers would be affected by the
cuts, to which the Police Chief responded that a review of COPPS
Unit recommendations would be provided to Council.
Mayor Johnson requested staff to review ways to not have the City
Manager and City Attorney offices closed one day per week.
Councilmember Matarrese stated Council direction should not include
cuts in points of service; requested that 5% in maintenance and
park supervision cuts be held in abeyance for six months and then
re- evaluated.
Following Council comments on funding for recreation leaders at all
10 City parks, Vice Mayor Daysog inquired whether funding would be
for one leader at each park for the two -year fiscal budget, to
which the Mayor responded in the affirmative.
Vice Mayor Daysog requested staff to provide a spreadsheet
outlining trends and City reserves, to which the City Manager
responded that a previously submitted spreadsheet would be updated
and presented to Council.
The City Manager suggested that Council approve direction given and
that adoption of the budget be placed on the July 20 City Council
agenda along with the Community Improvement Commission and Alameda
Reuse and Redevelopment budgets.
Councilmember Gilmore stated that she advocates applying the
$25,000 paid in Police overtime staffing of School District
sporting events and dances to Park and Recreation programs.
The Police Chief stated that the School Superintendent is
endeavoring to reimburse the Police Department for the expense;
that he would provide Council with an update.
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Mayor Johnson requested staff to provide a continual overall review
of capital improvements, special funding balances and redevelopment
projects.
Vice Mayor Daysog moved approval of direction to proceed forward
with the adoption of the budget for Fiscal Year 2004 -06, to include
authorization of funds for recreation leaders and maintenance at
all ten parks without addressing the $1 million in support to the
School District.
Mayor Johnson inquired whether there should be further discussion
on the 911 fee, to which the City Attorney responded that the fee
is for direction only.
Councilmember Matarrese stated that if the fee were not approved,
some public safety services would be lost.
Vice Mayor Daysog stated that his motion was based upon the 911 fee
being linked as a source of revenue that pays for public safety.
Councilmember Matarrese seconded the motion, which carried by
unanimous voice vote - 5.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Johnson adjourned the
Special Meeting at 10:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown
Act.
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