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2017-05-17 Special CC MinutesRegular Meeting Alameda City Council May 17, 2017 1 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY- -MAY 17, 2017- -5:00 P.M. Mayor Spencer convened the meeting at 5:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese, Oddie, Vella and Mayor Spencer – 5. [Note: Councilmember Matarrese left the meeting at 9:50 p.m.] Absent: None. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA None. AGENDA ITEM (17-329) Budget Workshop for Fiscal Years 2017-18 and 2018-19 to Provide Direction on Funding Requests for Budget Adoption on June 6, 2017. The City Manager, Finance Director, and Mike Meyer with NHA Advisors, gave a Power Point presentation and responded to questions. The City Treasurer made brief comments on the budget; urged Council to spend cautiously and set aside as much money as possible. The City Auditor expressed support for hiring NHA Advisors; made brief comments on the budget. The City Manager continued the presentation and responded to questions. Expressed support for improving the Carnegie Building; outlined ways to keep the downtown vibrant, including making the Carnegie Building a cultural destination: Donna Layburn, Downtown Alameda Business Association (DABA). Provided the book Alameda at Play to Council; stated Alameda was the third city to have a Recreation Department; discussed the history and importance of parks: Former Councilmember Lil Arnerich, Alameda. *** Mayor Spencer called a recess at 7:11 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 7:23 p.m. *** The Community Development Director, Fire Chief, Police Chief, Recreation and Parks Director, Library Director, City Manager, Information Technology (IT) Director, Public Regular Meeting Alameda City Council May 17, 2017 2 Works Director and Human Resources Director continued the Power Point presentation and responded to questions. Councilmember Matarrese expressed support for the Recreation and Parks and IT positions; stated that he is not inclined to support the City Manager or Fire positions; expressed support for opening the branch libraries an additional day. Councilmember Oddie stated that he would like to see the various fund subtotals when the matter returns; inquired whether all proposed positions are considered critical. The City Manager responded staff would listen to Council comments and include the most critical positions when the matter returns; noted four positions are under the General Fund. Vice Mayor Vella stated when the matter returns, she is interested in receiving an analysis of how critical all positions are, not just General Fund, as well as which positions would be working on completing previous Council direction. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft expressed concern over adding the Fire Department Division Chief position right now; expressed support for the Recreation and Parks positions; requested analysis of the revenue that would be generated from the Community Development positions. The Human Resources Director noted revenue would pay for the positions, not the General Fund. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft suggested having the Public Information Officer position pick up some of the workload of the proposed Assistant City Manager position; questioned whether the proposed IT positions could be compressed; expressed support for the Public Works positions. Mayor Spencer stated that she would like the net costs of the proposed positions; concurred with Councilmember Oddie’s request for analysis of the urgency and importance of the positions; expressed concern over the Fire and City Manager positions. The City Manager inquired whether Council would like to provide input on vehicle purchases and non-personnel funding requests. Councilmember Matarrese expressed support for pool vehicles; suggested vehicles not be purchased; discussed the Community Development proposed position tackling ordinances and being paid from the General Fund, not fees. The Community Development Director clarified community development funds are collected as part of the permits fees, which can be used for said work. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council May 17, 2017 3 Councilmember Oddie suggested Councilmember Matarrese finish providing his feedback on all items. Councilmember Matarrese expressed support for putting one-time money towards the PERS increase first; stated the technology upgrades and non-General Fund requests do not carry a PERS burden; funds with money should be spent; anything requiring General Fund money must be weighed against the PERS obligation; the City does not want to shut down services to pay for PERS. Councilmember Oddie stated one-time money should be put into the pension trust funds; the gauge for using General Fund money should be for one time efforts with long term efficiencies. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated when the matter returns on the 6th, she would like Council to consider a policy, such as allocating 50% of any one time funds to the trust. Vice Mayor Vella stated the liabilities are City’s responsibility that have to be met; 50% might not be enough; a baseline can be set; being prudent early on will be helpful; there is an efficiency need relative to the IT expenditures; requested more information on building maintenance; stated costs of maintaining current Fire Department vehicles for the last two years should netted against the new vehicle expenditure; requested information on costs associated with vehicles, including electric vehicles; stated that she does not have a problem with expenditures outside of the General Fund. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft noted Public Works has prioritized building repairs. Vice Mayor Vella outlined the type of information she would like provided for a future discussion. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft expressed concern over replacing the O’Club roof when the building is in such deplorable condition. The City Manager stated staff can bring back a discussion about buildings separate from the budget. Councilmember Oddie inquired how 50% of one time money would be defined, to which the Assistant City Manager responded it would be the surplus amount above the 25% General Fund reserve. Mayor Spencer stated that she agrees with having an analysis of vehicles; her priorities are maintenance of building roofs and homeless assistance; requested information on purchase of the Union Pacific remnant parcels; stated the City is trying to improve bicycle access; agreed with Vice Mayor Vella about needing information on historic buildings; stated the City does not have $3 million for IT needs; the camera readers are very important and a good use of the money; setting aside money for pension liabilities is not her top priority without a long term plan; the people’s money should not be Regular Meeting Alameda City Council May 17, 2017 4 invested until there is a serious discussion, otherwise, the City is continuing a course that cannot be sustained. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Spencer adjourned the meeting at 10:04 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lara Weisiger City Clerk The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.