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2015-05-06 Special CC MinutesSpecial Meeting Alameda City Council May 6, 2015 1 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY- -MAY 6, 2015- -6:00 P.M. Mayor Spencer convened the meeting at 6:03 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Daysog, Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese, Oddie and Mayor Spencer – 5. Absent: None. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA (15-317) Ken Peterson, Alameda, discussed reasons for voting on matters; expressed concern over a long lead time being used as a reason to vote for something instead of merits. AGENDA ITEM (15-318) Presentations by General Fund Departments on Proposed Budget for Fiscal Years 2015-16 and 2016-17. The Interim City Manager gave a brief presentation. Urged Council not to eliminate the high school Student Resource Officers funding: Kelly Lara, Alameda. The Council discussed having speakers making comments after each department presentation. Discussed the City debts and shifting funds from the General Fund; stated the City’s revenue has not increased much over the past few years, yet the budget has been balanced; requested an explanation: Ken Peterson, Alameda. The Police Chief gave a Power Point presentation and responded to Council questions. Regarding contract overtime, Vice Mayor Matarrese inquired whether the amount charged includes the fully burdened cost of the employee. The Police Chief responded that he does not know whether or not the amount includes benefits. Vice Mayor Matarrese requested the issue be parked and the policy be discussed since the bill is probably larger than the amount paid; further requested presentation slides include both dollars and percentages. The Police Chief completed the presentation and there was a brief Council discussion. Special Meeting Alameda City Council May 6, 2015 2 The Fire Chief gave a Power Point presentation and responded to Council questions. Following a discussion about the paramedicine program, Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she would suggest the City pursue Alameda Health Care District Board of Directors as an extension. Vice Mayor Matarrese stated a City and Hospital Board liaison committee was proposed via a 2009 Council Referral; the District was not interested at said time; a current Board Member has expressed interest; requested staff to review the matter, which could help fund medical service delivery. The Interim City Manager inquired whether there is Council interest. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft expressed her support for the idea; stated that she would be willing to serve on the subcommittee. Mayor Spencer, Councilmember Daysog and Councilmember Oddie expressed support for the idea. The Fire Chief completed the presentation and there was a Council discussion. Councilmember Oddie requested Council be provided a copy of a study done three to five years ago, which he believes was called Tri-Net. The Council discussion briefly continued. The Human Resources Director gave a Power Point presentation and responded to Council questions. The Finance Director gave a Power Point presentation and responded to Council questions. The City Clerk gave a Power Point presentation and responded to Council questions. Regarding the cable studio revenue, Mayor Spencer requested staff to add efforts to support using cable funds for operations to the follow up list. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft suggested referring the matter to the City’s lobbyist. Following the presentation, Mayor Spencer stated that she would like the matter of part time staff employees not receiving benefits added to the list of items to be addressed. The Interim City Manager stated Human Resources could run a report. The City Attorney gave a Power Point presentation and responded to Council questions. Special Meeting Alameda City Council May 6, 2015 3 Regarding the workers compensation fund, Vice Mayor Matarrese stated that he would like projections tightened up; discussed not relying on using surplus to fund workers compensation. Following the presentation, Mayor Spencer requested Council be provided the amount billed to outside counsel in the last three years. The Interim City Manager gave a Power Point presentation on the City Manager Office budget and responded to Council questions. Regarding the City’s lobbyists, Mayor Spencer requested Council be provided monthly updates with itemized work. Councilmember Daysog suggested considering filling an Assistant City Manager position without having to hire someone new; stated having two Assistant City Manager should not be a given. The Interim City Manager stated that she would consider the matter; discussed departments doing more with less. Councilmember Daysog clarified that he was addressing hiring from within the City. There was a brief Council discussion on the authority of the City Manager versus the City Council. *** Mayor Spencer called a recess at 9:28 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:35 p.m. *** The Information Technology (IT) Manager gave a Power Point presentation and responded to Council questions. Regarding staffing levels compared to other cities, Mayor Spencer requested the information be added to the follow up items. The Interim City Manager stated Sean Leandro and Walnut Creek have 9 IT employees and Pleasanton has 6 IT employees. Mayor Spencer stated the number of employees and the pay compared to other City of Alameda salaries need to be addressed. Regarding training, Mayor Spencer stated staff should review offering training for IT staff; further stated that she would like a slide showing the amount spent on training across all departments. Vice Mayor Matarrese discussed Citywide solutions and outsourcing. Special Meeting Alameda City Council May 6, 2015 4 Expressed concern about Library computers: Carol Gottstein, Alameda. At Mayor Spencer’s request, the IT Manger discussed the library computers. The Interim City Manager gave a Power Point presentation on the City Council budget and responded to Council questions. The Interim City Manager gave a Power Point presentation on closing the gap and responded to Council questions. Mayor Spencer requested the presentation be revised to include that the amounts are in millions of dollars. Regarding the 1.4% Fire Department cut, the Fire Chief responded to questions. Vice Mayor Matarrese requested Council be provided an expanded explanation of the proposed cuts, including amounts; stated that he needs to understand the revenue loss. The Interim City Manager provided a brief explanation; stated information would be provided. Vice Mayor Matarrese stated his question has been answered. Mayor Spencer requested the information provided include information on potential delays. Regarding the 1.4% Police Department cut, the Police Chief responded to questions. *** (15-319) Mayor Spencer stated a motion is needed to continue past 11:00 p.m. Councilmember Daysog moved approval [of continuing the meeting]. Vice Mayor Matarrese seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote – 5. *** The Interim City Manager continued the presentation. The Interim City Manager and Finance Director responded to questions. Urged the Council to use the reserve to close the gap in FY 2015-16; suggested focusing on increasing revenue: Robb Ratto, Park Street Business Association. Stated that he concurs with Mr. Ratto; urged keeping the Public Information Officer Special Meeting Alameda City Council May 6, 2015 5 position; stated that he would like to see an additional 8 to 10 public safety employees: Jon Spangler, Alameda. Councilmember Daysog discussed using the General Fund reserve to fund some of the cuts and proposed positions. Councilmember Oddie discussed the savings from eliminating the Disaster Preparedness Coordinator, revenue projections, using reserves rather than making cuts and vacancies. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated it is time to ease up on the reserve purse strings; expressed support for eliminating the Disaster Preparedness Coordinator; suggested requesting the School District help fund the School Resource Officers; expressed support for additional IT staff. Vice Mayor Matarrese suggested the fund balance be used to fund the future PERS liability and earmarked for deferred maintenance; expressed concern over proposed Fire and Police cuts. Mayor Spencer expressed concern over staffing cuts and over staff savings not penciling out; expressed support for spending the reserves, not filling the Disaster Preparedness position and reducing janitorial service, which should be paid fair wages. The Interim City Manager made brief closing comments. CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS (15-320) The Interim City Manager announced the dates needed to be revised for the two additional Council Meetings scheduled in June and July; stated the matter would be placed on the May 19th agenda. The dates were briefly discussed. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Spencer adjourned the meeting at 11:56 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lara Weisiger City Clerk The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.