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HomeMy Public PortalAboutCity Council_Minutes_1994-03-15_Special 19941 1 CITY OF TEMPLE CITY CITY COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 15, 1994 INITIATION: 1. CALL TO ORDER: Pursuant to the Agenda posted March 11, 1994, Mayor Manning called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15, 1994. 2. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmember - Breazeal, McGowan, Wilson, Budds and Manning ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Ovrom, Community Services Director Chadwick, Community Development Director Dawson, Assistant to the City Manager Kravitz, Financial Services Director Maldonado and Economic Development Director Sims 3. MODIFICATION OF LIGHTING AND MAINTENANCE DISTRICT FUNDING FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - City Manager Ovrom presented the background information as outlined in the staff report dated March 15, 1994. Councilmember Breazeal said the City collected the $170,000 last year. At a study session certain costs and assessment rates were set. He asked if the the allocation is from reserves or from what was assessed last year. City Manager Ovrom said the allocation is coming from the reserves accumulated over prior years. The two projects totalling $170,000 were not included in the engineer's report for this year. These additions were made after the assessments were set and levied. According to the rules, the City cannot use the funds because it was not included in the engineer's report and listed as a capital improvement. Staff is recommending a loan to the district which will then be included in the assessment set for 1994 -95. Mayor Pro Tem Budds moved to unappropriate Lighting District reserve funds in the amount of $170,000 and amend the current fiscal year budget accordingly; approve loan to the Lighting and Maintenance District for capital improvements in an amount not to exceed $170,000 from general fund designated "one-time" monies; direct the Lighting and Maintenance District engineer to include the appropriate documentation in the engineer's report for Fiscal Year 1994 -95 regarding the City loan and repayment by the District; and authorize the exchange of Lighting and Maintenance District funds with Park Acquisition funds in the amount of $20,000 for the Live Oak Park Multipurpose Facility and use $20,000 of Lighting and Maintenance District funds for the park water irrigation system improvements, seconded by Councilmember Wilson and unanimously carried. 4. RESOLUTION NO. 94-3316: ORDERING THE ENGINEER'SREPORT TO ESTABLISH LIGHTING AND MAINTENANCE DISTRICT ASSESSMENT RATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 1994 -95 - Administrative Assistant Carroll presented the background information as outlined in the staff report dated March 15, 1994. City Council/Agency Special Meeting Minutes March 15, 1994 Page 2 Councilmember Breazeal questioned the $25,000 for a chipper. He asked if the equipment could be leased since there is a possibility the Council may request proposals from private contractors for tree trimming. City Manager Ovrom explained the two types of leases. The boom truck has a lease, but is owned by the City. The lease allows the cost to be financed over a period of time. The lease of a chipper would be a rental. The City would not own the chipper. Mayor Manning asked if the chipper is used daily, if the other chipper is unusable, and could a chipper be rented on an as needed basis. She suggested contacting other cities to inquire if there is interest in sharing rental of equipment. Public Services Superintendent Hyatt said the 100 horse power brush chipper would have the capacity of chipping a trunk 14" in diameter. The chipper can be one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment. Newer models have safety features to protect the operator. Because of the cost for additional maintenance, it would be more cost effective to purchase a new chipper. The chipper is used about 3 to 4 hours a day. City Manager Ovrom suggested including the chipper now, then explore other options later. The chipper could always be removed later. Councilmember Breazeal noted when the Council voted against privatizing the maintenance function, he recommended privatizing the tree trimming program. Mayor Pro Tem Budds said there was a lengthy discussion and tree trimming was not separated from the maintenance function. Staff proceeded on the assumption that City personnel would continue to be utilized. He supports supplying personnel with proper equipment. Superintendent Hyatt said he conducted a review of all the parks and tree maintenance needs. The lawn mower at Live Oak Park is insufficient for the park. During a normal time of year it takes one full day to mow the lawn and during peak summer season it takes about two to three days. He concluded by stating there is an equipment deficiency. A new mower, sufficient for the parks needs, would cost about $24- 27,000 and would mow 24 acres in an 8 -hour day. Currently $12,000 is budgeted to purchase a park mower for Temple City Park. He suggested taking the two -year old park mower from Live Oak Park and moving it to Temple City Park and purchase a new larger mower for Live Oak Park. The budgeted funds could be used to purchase the new mower. Councilmember Wilson said the cost is extremely high. Councilmember Breazeal asked how much overtime is expended to ensure the mowing is done. Superintendent Hyatt said no overtime is expended; time is reallocated in order to complete the mowing. City Manager Ovrom asked how many productive days would be saved if the mower is purchased. Superintendent Hyatt said about 24 full days. With the extra time the staff could improve the flower beds, weeding and improve ball field maintenance. Councilmember McGowan suggested checking with the School District to see if there is any interest in a joint use of lawn mowers. 1 1 1 City Council/Agency Special Meeting Minutes March 15, 1994 Page 3 City Manager Ovrom asked if the mower could be added after the draft report is prepared by the engineer. City Attorney Martin said the engineer's report could be submitted with alternative plans, either including or not including the equipment. The Council will have two opportunities to select a plan, when they receive the report and later when the public hearing is held. City Manager Ovrom said when the Council reviews the engineer's report, a decision could be made to substitute the $12,000 equipment for a $24,000 piece of equipment, but the report should include the higher amount. Mayor Pro Tem Budds said in order to expedite the process, he would suggest developing alternate plans. Councilmember Wilson suggested separate zones in the commercial areas. City Attorney Martin said the Council does need to resolve this issue and it is a policy decision. If Lower Azusa receives the same benefit as Las Tunas, they should remain in the same zone or if Lower Azusa receives a lesser benefit, they should be placed in different zones. A decision should be made soon in order to be included in the notice and the engineer's report. Councilmember Breazeal expressed concern for the unfairness of the assessment and felt there should be at least two zones. City Attorney Martin said if Zone C is lowered, Zone A must be raised. If the Council wants to change the policy, the engineer must be instructed to include it in the report. Mayor Pro Tem Budds asked if the engineer would have sufficient time to create the additional zones or if it should be addressed in the request for proposals for the following year. City Manager Ovrom said there is no time to go out to bid for a new engineering firm and do a new break down. The only way to meet the deadline for this year would be to have Dwight French do the additional work. City Attorney Martin said the report will outline the percentage each zone will pay and that will determine the assessment. If Council feels that is not binding on the next year, Council could change it. Councilmember Breazeal said because of the time constraint and the urgency of making improvements to Las Tunas Drive, Council could determine to make a full assessment this year, but acknowledge that there may be some quit pro quo on how the assessment is done for the next year. City Attorney Martin said it should be included in the report. If there is a change, there will be a credit and offset as a payback. Mayor Pro Tem Budds asked if the recommendation for no COLA for personnel would be included in the engineer's report and if a COLA is granted would it deplete the reserve. He suggested building in the CPI for purposes of the engineer report. City Council/Agency Special Meeting Minutes March 15, 1994 Page 4 City Manager Ovrom said it would come out of the reserve. If the Council chooses to include the CPI the motion should be made to include items for Council scrutiny and consideration when the engineer's report is completed, including the mower and the chipper. Councilmember Breazeal moved to adopt Resolution No. 94 -3316, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY ORDERING THE ENGINEER'S REPORT REQUIRED TO LEVEY THE LIGHTING AND MAINTENANCE DISTRICT ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1994 -95, and include a 4% CPI for salaries for personnel included in the assessment district and increase the amount by $12,000 for a mower at Live Oak Park, seconded by Councilmember Breazeal. Councilmember Breazeal asked that future requests for equipment have the maintenance and repair records included with the requests. City Attorney Martin asked if the equipment is being maintained and handled in appropriate and safe condition. Public Services Superintendent Hyatt said all equipment is being properly maintained for safety. Administrative Assistant Carroll asked for clarification on the type of noticing process the Council preferred. City Manager Ovrom said a notice is only needed if there is an increase in the assessment not if there is a decrease or no change to the assessment. Mayor Pro Tem Budds moved to provide the standard 10 -day public hearing notice, seconded by Councilmember Wilson and unanimously carried. Mayor Pro Tem Budds moved to authorize staff to solicit proposals for Assessment District engineering services, seconded by Councilmember McGowan and unanimously carried. 5. TIME FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO SPEAK: Daryl Thomas, 5304 Glickman Avenue, asked how big Live Oak Park is and what the mowing cycle is. He suggested using one mower for both parks. He said a trunk 14" in diameter should be cut up in logs not chipped. Councilmember Breazeal said the park is 15 acres. Mr. Thomas said he sent a letter to City Attorney Martin and the City Council on March 4th regarding the mailing of the Lighting and Landscape District notices. He provided copies of the letter to Council. The post office in Santa Ana indicated bulk rate is not first class mail and the last assessment may be invalid because the notice was not mailed first class. City Manager Ovrom said the post office will attest to the first class mailing. Mr. Thomas said lineal footage is not a per parcel price. The regulations stated that parcels are to be assessed on an equal basis. He said corner properties have a higher assessment and are not assessed equally The intent of the law is not being followed. 6. MATTERS FROM CITY OFFICIALS: NONE 1 1 1 1 1 City Council/Agency Agenda November 16, 1993 Page 5 7. CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION: The City Council recessed to a closed executive session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 to consider personnel matters. Reconvened at 6:30 p.m. 9. ADJOURNMENT: At 6:30 p.m., it was moved, seconded and unanimously carried to adjourn. ATTEST: Oeirk