2011-05-31 Special CC ARRA CIC Minutes
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL,
ALAMEDA REUSE AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (ARRA), AND
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION (CIC) MEETING
TUESDAY- -MAY 31, 2011- -7:00 P.M.
Mayor/Chair Gilmore convened the meeting at 7:08 p.m. Councilmember/Board
Member/Commissioner Tam led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL – Present: Councilmembers / Board Members / Commissioners
Bonta, deHaan, Johnson Tam and Mayor/Chair
Gilmore – 5.
[Note: Councilmember Johnson arrived at 8:50 p.m.]
Absent: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
(11-275 CC) Mayor Gilmore made a brief statement regarding the tragic downing at
Crown Memorial Beach on May 30th.
The following speakers commented on the matter: Lynn Krekemeyer, Alameda Aquatic
Masters and Alameda Aquatic Task Force; Adam Gillitt, Alameda; Rosemary McNally,
Alameda; and Michael John Torrey, Alameda.
(11-276 CC) Robb Ratto, Park Street Business Association (PSBA), announced that the
City of Alameda was featured on Eye on the Bay; provided the video to the City Council.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember/Board Member/Commissioner deHaan moved approval of the Consent
Calendar.
Vice Mayor/Board Member/Commissioner Bonta seconded the motion, which carried by
unanimous voice vote – 4. [Absent: Councilmember Johnson – 1.] [Items so enacted
or adopted are indicated by an asterisk preceding the paragraph number.]
(*11-046 ARRA/11-026 CIC) Minutes of the Joint City Council, Alameda Public
Financing Authority and CIC Meeting of April 6, 2011; the Joint City Council City
Council, ARRA, CIC Meeting of April 12, 2011; and the Joint City Council, ARRA, CIC
Meeting of April 19, 2011. Approved.
(*11-277 CC/11-047 ARRA/11-027 CIC) Recommendation to Accept the Quarterly
Financial Report through March 31, 2011. Accepted.
Special Joint Meeting
Alameda City Council, Alameda Reuse and
Redevelopment Authority, and Community
Improvement Commission
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May 31, 2011
AGENDA ITEM
(11-278 CC) Recommendation to Receive a Summary of Proposed Budget and
Forecast for Fiscal Years 2011-12 and 2012-13.
The Acting City Manager and Controller gave a Power Point presentation.
Following questions regarding redevelopment, the Controller continued the
presentation.
Following vehicle replacement discussion, the Controller and Acting City Manager
continued the presentation
The City Council asked questions regarding the Fire Department budget.
The City Council addressed the Police Department budget.
* * *
Councilmember Tam left the dais at 9:26 p.m. and returned at 9:29 p.m.
* * *
The Recreation and Park Department budget was discussed.
* * *
Vice Mayor Bonta left the dais at 9:35 p.m. and returned at 9:37 p.m.
* * *
The City Council addressed the Library budget, revenue generation and redevelopment.
Speakers: Kevin Kennedy, City Treasurer; Nancy Bianchi, Friends of the Alameda
Animal Shelter (FAAS); Cindy Shelby, FAAS; Robb Ratto, PSBA; Judi Friedman, West
Alameda Business Association; Heather Wood, FAAS; Matthew Pearce, Alameda;
Nancy Hird, Alameda Citizen’s Taskforce; and Chuck Bianchi, FAAS.
Following public comment, there was discussion of the façade grant program,
redevelopment funding and the animal shelter.
In response to Vice Mayor Bonta’s inquiry about providing animal shelter information in
an Off Agenda Report or at the next Council meeting, the Acting City Manager stated
euthanasia rates could be provided fairly quickly; explained Council direction is needed.
Mayor Gilmore stated that the City Council needs to provide direction on the items
addressed in the Power Point on slide 30; stated that she did not hear any discussion
on general government; staff should go forward with A [$328,000 General Government
reduction] and B [$195,000 Administrative Services reduction] as proposed; there was
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Redevelopment Authority, and Community
Improvement Commission
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discussion, but no opposition on the Fire Department recommended option [$800,000
reduction]; that her recommendation would be to implement outsourcing the Animal
Shelter for one year and engage the community about the City/non-profit [operation of
the shelter] because additional time is needed; that she is reluctant to take more Police
Officers off the street; she wants to work with the community to find another solution,
which cannot be done before budget adoption; that would be her recommendation for
the Police Department [recommended option: $1.3 million reduction]; for Parks,
although difficult, reducing the playground staffing from 10 to 5 keeps 5 free sites; for
the Library, she would like to look at different options discussed or use fund balance.
The Acting City Manager requested prioritization of adding back Library funding.
Mayor Gilmore stated that her preference would be to add everything back, but at least
stay open Sundays; saving $163,000 is not worth the huge benefit of remaining open.
Councilmember deHaan inquired how much would be saved by closing Sundays, to
which the Library Director responded $10,000.
Councilmember Johnson stated that she is okay with reducing to 8 hour days; the
critical thing is having the Library open on Sunday.
The Acting City Manager stated Sundays would be added back; the Main Library would
be open 8 hours; and branches would be closed one additional day per week.
Mayor Gilmore inquired how many days the branches would be open, to which the
Acting City Manager responded 4 days.
Mayor Gilmore stated that she could live with that.
Vice Mayor Bonta stated that he agrees Sunday hours should be brought back; the
reduction to 8 hour days during the week has to be done; if justified by use patterns, the
hours should vary so the Library closes some days at 6 p.m. and others at 8:00 p.m.
The Acting City Manager stated the varied scheduled was the intention; Library staff
would look at getting the most bang for the buck.
Vice Mayor Bonta stated remaining open on Sundays costs $10,000; soliciting a $5,000
contribution from the Friends of the Library would share the costs.
The Acting City Manager stated the $10,000 amount is not large and could be added
back.
Following brief discussion, Mayor Gilmore requested the Councilmembers to confirm
whether the one time use of funds outlined on slide 20 is acceptable; there was no
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Alameda City Council, Alameda Reuse and
Redevelopment Authority, and Community
Improvement Commission
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May 31, 2011
opposition.
There was discussion of using the $2.7 million in proceeds from land sales.
In response to Councilmember Tam’s inquiry about the $1.3 million in omitted expenses
outlined in slide 11, the Controller responded that he does not expect to find any more
surprises.
Mayor Gilmore stated there is clear direction approving use of one-time funds.
There was discussion of use of fund balance and objection to using fund balance for FY
12-13.
Councilmember deHaan provided a handout on budget issues.
Following discussion, Mayor Gilmore stated that she heard consensus that the Council
is grudgingly okay with using $814,000 from fund balance; the Councilmembers
concurred.
Mayor Gilmore addressed the proposals involving employees on slide 23; stated that
she supports addressing the deficits with employee unions; employees should be
engaged and might have creative solutions to solve problems; all options should be
reviewed; the City should not be limited and should include creative ideas; noted
Council concurred.
In response to Vice Mayor Bonta’s inquiry regarding the savings from closing Friday, the
Acting City Manager stated the savings are marginal; efficiency is an issue; skeleton
crews on Friday cause difficulties serving the public.
Mayor Gilmore addressed increasing taxes [listed on slide 24]; stated the property
transfer tax was recently increased and should be off the table; staff indicated a survey
would be done, which is fine and would provide valuable information; increasing existing
taxes is not as a high priority as other things discussed; getting more information from
polling would help Council decide how, and if, the City should go forward.
Councilmember Tam stated that she would focus on things that give the biggest bang
for the buck; the Utility Users Tax might be worth reviewing; encouraged focusing on
getting property conveyed and on the tax roll.
Mayor Gilmore addressed other revenue generation options [listed on slide 25]; stated
polling would be done; that she doubts the public has an appetite for a parcel tax, but
having the information would be good; doing the fee study is fine; addressed franchise
taxes; stated that she would direct staff to go forward and work on the two areas [fee
study and franchise fees].
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Alameda City Council, Alameda Reuse and
Redevelopment Authority, and Community
Improvement Commission
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May 31, 2011
In response to Councilmember deHaan’s inquiry, the Deputy City Manager stated
possessory interest is based on the leasehold value; for example, the operator of the
theater pays possessory interest tax based on his lease value.
The Acting City Manager stated staff would implement: 1) government services cuts; 2)
administrative services cuts; 3) the recommended Fire option; 4) the recommended
[Police] option with the Animal Shelter, doing a one year contract and during that year
the City would engage the community around the idea of a non-profit hybrid; 5)
Recreation and Park recommendations; 6) all Library recommendations, except that
Sundays are being added back, which would cost approximately $10,000; 7) all one
time options are being used, including approximately $800,000 in fund balance; 8)
talking to employees; 9) doing polling on taxes, recognizing taxes are not a quick, easy
fix; 10) doing a fee study; and 11) getting properties moving [on tax rolls].
The Controller noted the final budget would only reflect one year of the Animal Shelter
savings.
* * *
(11-279 CC) Vice Mayor Bonta moved approval of continuing the meeting past 12:00
midnight
Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion, which carried by the following voice
vote: Ayes: Councilmembers/Board Members/Commissioners Bonta, deHaan, Johnson,
and Mayor/Chair Gilmore – 4. Noes: Councilmember/Board Member/Commissioner
Tam – 1.
* * *
Vice Mayor Bonta stated when implementing revenue increases, comparison with other
cities should be done; the sales tax is going down 1% in July; a 0.25% or 0.5% increase
would still be a lower sales tax payment; inquired whether implementing the tax
proposals would require a vote of the people.
The Acting City Manager responded in the affirmative.
Councilmember Johnson stated that she wants direction on the Animal Shelter to be
clear; staff would bring back information on the euthanasia rates and facility selection;
inquired when Council would make the final decision.
The Acting City Manager stated the reduction would be included in the budget; staff
would have information on shelter selection when the matter comes back in June;
euthanasia rates would be provided as quickly as possible.
Mayor Gilmore stated the key is that the contract would be for one year and the public
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Redevelopment Authority, and Community
Improvement Commission
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May 31, 2011
would be engaged about doing a public-private partnership.
Councilmember Johnson noted the City would not be locked into the direction without
questions being answered first.
The Acting City Manager stated Frequently Asked Questions information could be
prepared.
Mayor Gilmore stated community input should be solicited on the front end for the next
budget; community members should consider how they would prioritize core services
and provide suggestions; the City needs to build a budget based on the services the
community values.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor/Chair Gilmore adjourned the meeting at 12:02
a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
Secretary, CIC
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown Act.
Special Joint Meeting
Alameda City Council, Alameda Reuse and
Redevelopment Authority, and Community
Improvement Commission
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May 31, 2011