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HomeMy Public PortalAboutCity Council_Minutes_2002-05-28_Regular 20021 CITY OF TEMPLE CITY CITY COUNCIL, COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, FINANCING AUTHORITY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING - BUDGET STUDY SESSION MINUTES MAY 28, 2002 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Gillanders called the City Council Meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: Councilman - Souder, Zovak, Wilson, Vizcarra, Gillanders Councilman -None City Manager Cole, Public Safety Manager Blackwell, Parks and Recreation Director Burroughs, Community Development Director Dawson, City Clerk Flandrick, Senior Management Assistant Flod, Financial Services Director Maldonado 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS — None 4. PROPOSED BUDGET - FISCAL YEAR 2002 -2003 City Manager Cole reviewed the remaining budget items for Fiscal Year 2002 -2003, continued from the Budget Study Session of May 22, 2002. A. LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITIONS At the meeting of May 22nd, Council approved the Youth Resource Deputy and the Gang Suppression Deputy positions in the Fiscal Year 2002 -2003 budget; and approved the Second Motorcycle Officer position for a period of six months, with more information to be provided for consideration of full year budgeting. City Manager Cole stated, relative to Council's request, staff contacted the Sheriffs Department and requested information for Council's consideration of the second motorcycle officer position. The information request included different types of citations issued this fiscal year versus last fiscal year, amount of notice time necessary should Council decide to eliminate a position and the minimum staffing level required. Staff provided a chart indicating citations issued per fiscal year per number of motorcycle officers. Council discussed this position and Financial Services Director Maldonado responded to questions related to funding of these positions and revenue generated. City Manager Cole and Public Safety Manager Blackwell responded to questions related to the statistics table indicating citations issued. Discussion continued relative to the officers' scheduled hours and the two officers working tandem. It was confirmed that any of the special assignment officers could be terminated with a thirty-day notice. Council concurred that the initial approval of the Second Motorcycle Officer position remain at six months and further directed staff request a response from the Sheriffs Station regarding the hours each Motorcycle Officer works, why they are patrolling together and to verify the information provided to the city of number and types of citations with the amount of revenue received. B. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM City Manager Cole directed Council's attention to the Vehicle and Equipment Replacement Fund, which showed a significant decrease from the previous year's Budget Study Session Minutes May 28, 2002 Page 2 budget, during which aging vehicles were replaced, new lobby furniture was purchased for Live Oak Park and photocopiers and computer workstations were replaced. Pages F -5 and F -6 of the budget document indicated Capitalized Fixed Assets and Inventoried Fixed Assets. At the meeting of May 22, Council added two additional vehicles to the budget using AQMD funds. In response to Council, City Manager Cole stated two additional fueling tanks could be added at the Corp Yard using AQMD funding. Staff was directed to bring back to Council the cost of additional tanks at the fueling yard. Councilman Souder moved to accept pages F -5 and F -6 in the Fiscal Year 2002 -2003 budget, seconded by Councilman Zovak and unanimously carried. City Manager Cole referred to page G -6 of the budget document listing the Capital Improvement Program Project Cost Summary. Of the approximately 4.4 million of projects budgeted for fiscal year 2002 -2003, 2.2 million were carryovers to complete projects from the previous fiscal year. Council questions were addressed regarding the Capital Improvement Programs and discussion centered on street improvements. Councilman Souder suggested street widening be included for certain streets as part of the street improvements. Financial Services Director Maldonado responded to availability and amount of gas tax monies for street improvements. City Manager Cole stated the curb and gutters and sidewalk will be replaced if need replacing as part of the scheduled street improvement program. Council expressed priority for sidewalk repairs. In response to Council's comments, City Manager Cole stated when a bid project comes before Council for approval, additional streets needing the same level of repair could be included. City Manager Cole directed Council's attention to pages G -14 through G -16, indicating replacement of storage buildings at La Rosa Yard, remodel of employees lounge and Community Room kitchen, carpeting of City Hall and Civic Center and striping of mall parking lots. Councilman Zovak requested staff bring to Council's attention adjacent properties for sale for potential use as parking lots. Councilman Souder moved to approve the Capital Improvement Program as presented, seconded by Councilman Wilson and unanimously carried. C. PERSONNEL Mayor Gillanders expressed disappointment that the proposed salary plan offered nothing for the grunts in the field, but was spread among the management people whether they deserved it or not. He did not feel it was commesurate and was not what should be done. In response to Councilman Zovak, a re -cap of what was proposed and approved in last year's salary plan was reviewed. City Manager Cole presented the proposed salary plan for fiscal year 2002 -2003, including the following major areas: 1) an overall Cost of Living Adjustment; 2) adoption of the 2.5% @ 55 PERS Retirement Formula; 1 1 Budget Study Session Minutes May 28, 2002 Page 3 3) an increase in the City paid life insurance from the current $20,000 benefit to $50,000; 4) a slight modification in the Unique Skill Bonus Program to allow participation by the Secretary Classifications; and 5) specific reclassification requests. City Manager Cole reviewed each proposal with Council questions addressed and items discussed in turn. City Manager Cole stated a cost of living adjustment of 3.2% was proposed for all full - time and part-time positions, and would include the same increase in the Optional Benefit Plan. The estimated fiscal impact was $80,469. With the state legislature adding three new retirement formulas, staff requested an actuarial analysis at all three plans and prepared a cost spread sheet. 2.5% @ 55 was proposed as the benefit was significant for low cost. City Manager Cole and Financial Services Director Maldonado explained the City has enough surplus on hand to continue funding out of the surplus. As has been longstanding policy, the City would fund the 1% increase of the employee portion from 7% to 8 %, with an estimated fiscal impact of $20,199 per year. City Manager Cole continued with the proposal to increase Life Insurance Benefits from the current $20,000 up to $50,000, which the City may offer in coverage as a tax -free benefit, at an estimated fiscal impact of $5,500 per year. Jn It was proposed the Unique Skill Program be expanded to include the Secretarial.:staff for certifications showing proficiency in a specialized area of expertise desired in each individual position, at an estimated fiscal impact of $4,800 per year. . City Manager Cole proceeded with the specific reclassification and new position requests. The first proposal was to reclassify two existing positions — the Parks and Recreation Supervisor to Parks and Recreation Superintendent to be placed at the same salary level of the Maintenance Superintendent and Junior Accountant to Senior Accountant with a 10% increase. Also the creation of two full -time positions were proposed: Youth Activities Coordinator (to be filled by the current part-time Youth Coordinator) at a salary range of $2,663 to $3,115 and Assistant Planner (to be filled with a new recruitment). The Licensing /Permit Specialist position would be abolished with those duties to be performed by the Community Development Department Secretary and the Receptionist. The Assistant Planner position would be created at a salary range equal to Personnel Analyst of $3,422 to $4,003. Last year the Council requested to know how many employees have or will be reaching their fifth step during fiscal year 2001 -2002. City Manager Cole reported there are five employees at their top step, two of which would no longer remain on the list if the personnel recommendations were approved. Two salary range increases were proposed: one for Director of Financial Services to reflect the significant change in duties assumed by this position at an increase of 8% and one to reflect the promotion of Director of Parks and Recreation to Assistant City Manager /Director of Parks and Recreation at a salary range level equivalent to the Financial Services Director /City Treasurer of $7,141 to $8,354. Budget Study Session Minutes May 28, 2002. Page 4 City Manager Cole reviewed an additional item for Council consideration to increase the cost of living adjustment for retirees to 3.2 %, from the current maximum of 2 %. This increase would benefit both past and future retirees from the City at an estimated fiscal impact of $61,627 per year. Councilman Wilson said she agreed with Mayor Gillanders statement that the grunts were being overlooked and without a Director of Public Works, the work Toad is not balancing out. The Public Works Coordinator position was not filled and all of the work has been re- distributed. She felt the proposal should be looked at overall. City Manager Cole responded last year the rank and file employees received significant promotional opportunities, with four promotional opportunities approved last year for Park and Maintenance workers and the Deputy City Clerk. Mayor Gillanders moved to send the salary proposal back to the City Manager for two weeks to spread the increases out over two years and go from there as this proposal was not satisfactory, seconded by Councilman Wilson. Councilman Souder said he could not vote for that motion without direction for any changes to be made. Mayor Pro Tem Vizcarra commented that he felt more comfortable with survey data and felt such data was helpful. City Manager Cole responded that Council rejected a proposal for a salary survey last year and directed staff not to use survey comparisons in salary proposals. Councilman Souder suggested some parts of this budget could be approved or denied this evening. The maker and second withdrew the motion. RECESS /RECONVENE The meeting was recessed at 9:49 p.m. and reconvened at 10:00 p.m. with all Councilmembers present. Councilman Wilson requested Council first consider those employees who have reached their top (fifth) salary step. City Manager Cole stated, if the salary plan were approved as presented, two of those at the top step would no longer be on the list, as they would be reclassified. Council discussed a longevity increase or bonus with different alternatives reviewed. Councilman Wilson moved to approve the five employees at the top step to go up one step on July 1, excluding the two if their reclassification is approved. The motion failed for lack of a second. City Manager Cole suggested Council consider approving a step 6 for those all employees who are at step 5 for 2 years and step 7 for all employees who are at step 6 for 3 years, with each step increasing salary by 4 %. Councilman Wilson moved to approve the City Manager's recommendation, seconded by Mayor Gillanders and carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: Councilman - Souder, Wilson, Gillanders Councilman - Zovak, Vizcarra 1 1 1 1 1 Budget Study Session Minutes May 28, 2002 Page 5 ABSENT: Councilman -None Councilman Zovak moved to deny a 3.0% cost of living increase for retirees, seconded by Councilman Souder and carried, with Mayor Pro Tem Vizcarra voting no. Councilman Souder moved to approve a 3.2% cost of living increase for part-time employees, seconded by Councilman Zovak and unanimously carried. Councilman Wilson moved to approve a 3.2% increase to the Optional Benefit Plan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Vizcarra, and carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilman - Souder, Wilson, Vizcarra NOES: Councilman - Zovak, Gillanders ABSENT: Councilman -None Councilman Zovak moved to deny the increase in life insurance benefit, seconded by Mayor Gillanders and carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilman - Zovak, Vizcarra, Gillanders NOES: Councilman - Souder, Wilson ABSENT: Councilman -None Councilman Zovak moved to adopt the 2.5% @ 55 PERS Retirement Formula, seconded by Councilman Souder and unanimously carried. Councilman Wilson moved to approve the 3.2% cost of living adjustment factor, seconded by Councilman Souder and unanimously carried. Councilman Zovak indicated he wished the reclassification requests to come back to Council. Mayor Gillanders suggested a proposal with less money and less complicated. Councilman Souder suggested a broader basis or scope for the recommendations and expansion of the need to give Council a better understanding. Councilman Zovak added the impact to staff should be brought up at the time of purchase or upgrade of new programs. He stated his other concern relating to positions going from supervisor to superintendent was to know each span of authority and how many people each position supervises. 5. ADJOURNMENT The City Council meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m. ATTEST: G„,O1_,La. City Clerk Mayor