1974-06-27 Special CC MinutesSPECIAL MEETING OF TEE CO-'NCIL 07 THE CITY 07 ALAMEDA
HELD THURSDAY JUNE 27, 1474
The meeting convened at 7:30 o'clock p.m. in the Council Chamber of the City Hall with Vice
President Corica presiding.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called with Councilmen Beckam, Hurwitz, McCall and Vice President Corica, ( /),
were noted present. Absent: President La Croix, Jr., (l),
1. Receipt of the Notice and Agenda of this Special Meeting had been acknowledged by the
Councilmen and was on file. The purpose of the session was for presentation by the City Manager
of the Recommended Budget for fiscal year 1974 -1975, and action thereon, if so desired.
UNFINLSUED BCSTNESS:
2. City Manager Goss made his presentation of the Recommended Budget for the City of Alameda
for 1074 -1973.
Mr. Goss stated that in preparing the Recommended Budget he had attempted to keep the following
goals in mind. The first, to make the community a more liveable place, which could be accomplished
ty building needed capital improvements such as acquiring and developing the Northside Park and
improving the cperation of the Golf Courses; to upgrade the City aesthetically by encouraging
housing rehabilitation and repair; by alleviating major and minor traffic problems; and by looking
at ways and means to control noise, odor and animals. The second goal was to encourage greater
citizen participation in issues confronting the City. The third goal was to create a better aesthetic
or planned community.
Mr. Goss pointed out that the current year's budget had a built -in operating deficit of $295,000
carried over from 1972 -1073, and had been balanced by using a substantial portion of the year's
income from revenue sharing. He said reliance upon current revenue sharing funds would, of
necessity, be required during 1974 -1975, as no other major source of new revenue was expected which
would meet the substantial effects of inflation on the City's operating budget. He said the
situation was compounded further by the effect of Senate Bill 00 which significantly limited the
City's ability to increase the ad valorem tax rate above that set for 1072 -1073, and the reduction
of the City's dividerrl from the Bureau of Electricity by $100,000.
With the use of graphs, tabulations and recapitulations, projected on the screen for the visual
information of all, he narrated the facts and figures as set, forth in detail by Departments. In
explanation of the Community Promotion account, Mr. Goss stated this had been increased by 4$6,500
over the previous year. Of this amount, 32,500 was to pay the City's share of the Alameda
Times -Star "Progress Edition ", and the balance reflected the contract with the Alameda Chamber of
Commerce. The estimated revenues and funding from several sources and the contemplated expendi-
tures in the overall financial operation of -ne City were pointed out and clarified. He stated
the proposed tentative budget totaled x$9,821.796, which exceeded the 1973 -1074 budget by $506,m
It was stated this was merely a tentative budget and the final figures would be higher than those
indicated at this time, based on the outcome of negotiations with employee groups with regard to
salary and fringe benefits for the ensuing fiscal year.
Mr. Goss stated it was his intention to supply, in the near future, a proposal for capital improve-
ments as well as techniques for funding those improvements. He noted the provisions of the Charter
prevented the adoption of the Budget until after September 1, and it was anticipated that prior to
then figures, would be available on the assessment roll and the terms of the meet and confer process.
The Vice President commended Mr. Goss on his excellent presentation. There followed a question
and answer period with Mr. Goss clarifying points raised by the Councilmen and members of the
audience.
Mr. Charless Tillman, 2415 Roosevelt Drive, commented on the Community Promotion account and the
Transient Occupancy Tax proposed by the Alameda Chamber of Commerce. He said he believed the
money generated from such a tax should revert, to the business community for promotional purposes
and thus the City would he relieved of their support of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Brit Johnson, incoming President of the Alameda Chamber of Commerce, stated they were
requesting additional funds from the City to defray the operational costs of the Chamber. He said
they had more than 400 members and explained the functions of the staf°, members of the Board or
Directors, and committee members. Mr. Johnson explained the role played by the Chamber in per-
forming a wide variety of jobs in their representation of the City. He distributed copies of
Chamber publications setting out their Community Economic Profile, a Retail Sales Analysis, and
1073 -74 Program of Work.
Mr, Stanley Smith, Manager of the Alameda Chamber of Commerce, elaborated on the publications,
their wide distribution and cost. He said the Council would receive in the near future additional
proposals from the Chamber, all of which had cost, in dollars and time expended by star' and
volunteers, He stated they were asking for the sum of $7,500 in additional funding for services
and promotion of economic development in the City. Mr. Smith provided a brief explanation of
the proposed Transient Occupancy Tax which he stated the City Manager would he presenting to the
Council very soon,
In answer to questions put, by members of the Council, Mr. Smith stated the Quarterly Reports o
the Chamber were on file in the City Manager's office and their total budget was approximate]y
$70,000, including all sources of income. He reported that from the $21,7'0 received from the
City for 1273 -1974, $2,500 was allocated to the "Progress Edition ", $ ^,700 went to the Junior
Chamber of Commerce, 47,000 was distributed according to the provisions of the contract with the
City, and their net income was 410,100. He said the County of Alameda two years ago was allotting
them $9,000, had decreased this to $7,400 and were intending to degrease the amount for the next
three years.
There followed a lengthy discussion of the Chamber of Commerce request for additional funds.
RESOLUTIONS:
3. The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Hurwitz, who moved its adoption:
"Resolution No. 9210
Approving and Adcpting the Tentative Budget of the City of Alameda
for the Fiscal Year 197/ - 1275."
The motion to adopt said resolution was seconded by Councilman McCall and on rot] call carried by
the following vote. Ayes: Four. Noes: None. Absent: President La Croix, Jr., (1).
The Vice President declared the foregoing resolution adopted.
L, Councilman Hurwitz moved the Council retire to executive session for consideration of
personnel matters and appointments to various City Boards and Commissions. The motion was seconded
1-7 Councilman Beckam and carried on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Four. Noes: None.
Absent: President La Croix, Jr,, (1). Councilman McCall indicated he would not attend the session.
After a five - minute recess, the Council reconvened in the Conference Room of the City Hall for its
deliberations.
Following discussion, Councilman Beckam moved that President La Croix, Jr. be excused from
attending regular meetings of the City Council during the period of his disability. The motion
was seconded by Councilman Hurwitz and carried on the following roll salt vote. Ayes: Three.
Noes: None. Absent: President La Croix, Jr, and Councilman McCall, (2).
At the conclusion of discussion concerning appointments to various City Boards and Commissions,
it was determined no action would be taken at this meeting. It was requested that the office of
the City Attorney prepare appropriate resolutions to effect the appointments on which the Council
Had reached agreement, for action by the Council at its next regular meeting.
ADJOIRNMENT:
c There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned,
Respectfully sutsnitted,
City Clerk