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HomeMy Public PortalAboutCity Council_Minutes_1970-06-30_Regular 1970COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF TEMPLE CITY ADJOURNED MEETING June 30, 1970 INITIATION: 1. Mayor Merritt called the adjourned meeting of the City Council to order at 7:45 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Mayor Merritt. 3. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmen- Briggs, Gilbertson, Harker, Tyrell, Merritt ABSENT: Councilmen -None ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Koski, Assistant City Manager Recupero UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 4. RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT: A. RESOLUTION No. 70 -1024: Re. Law Enforcement Services, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (1 year). City Manager Koski presented Resolution No 70 -1024 entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF NEW CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES OF THE SHERIFF OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, which provided for termination of agreement with 30 days notice. The City Council discussed the package of services which was proposed by the Sheriff's Department as not being in the best interest of the City, with the following statements: Councilman Gilbertson inquired if the County had then rejected the proposal for expanded service as proposed by the City Council of the City of Temple City as a type of service that they are not prepared to render to our city. City Manager Koski advised that the proposal made by the Council, wherein 2 man - -2 shifts would be readjusted to 1 man in 2 cars, was determined by the Sheriff's Department not to be comparable, and at this time would not consider that program for the City of Temple City, thereby necessitating the retention of the 2 shifts- - 2 man, 1 shift - -1 man. Councilman Gilbertson stated that under these circumstances our determination at this point has to be to accept what is offered, regretful as it may be. Mayor Merritt stated that it seems this is the best we can do with the Sheriff's Department at the moment. Councilman Harker stated that he was not satisfied, but that we are placed in a situation where we have to commit ourselves to accepting that which we do not want; that the whole history of this has been a series of indecisions, compromises, etc., by the Sheriff's Department, right up to the line of no return. He stated that he had been satisfied with the quality of law enforcement and protection provided, but is unhappy with the situation of finding ourselves in the position we are now in, that we have been forced along with other contract cities into a corner. He urged that the City continue to work out alternative ways to go with nearby communities, so that a solution will soon be forthcoming. Councilman Briggs stated that he was unhappy with the position in which the Council had been placed, and also that he was perturbed at the arbitrary and unyielding manner in which the Council Minutes, Page 2 - June 30, 1970 Sheriff's Department had dealt with the Council. He stated that he was not happy with the service and noted that there was another situation Sunday night where he and other persons had been treated very rudely by the Sheriff's Department, and that he was in favor of finding another means of law enforcement as soon as possible. Councilman Gilbertson spoke again to the point that the Council is charged with the primary responsibility for the protection and welfare of the citizens of the community, and that we are not in a position to structure the type of enforcement we would prefer. He stated that he felt the suggested format that the Council had offered to the Sheriff's Department was far superior to what was offered by the County, and that when the Council is charged with the responsibility, they ought to be able to do what they feel is best. Councilman Tyrell called attention to the following items: 1) that Resolution No. 70 -1024 includes a provision for termin- ation of the agreement on 30 -days notice; 2) that the County tax rate was being increased by 93 while the City of Temple City has no property tax; and 3) that it is the inflexibility of the Sheriff's Department that is creating this problem by not deviating from ;its staffing pattern to fit the need of cities, whereas in the past it has been the Chief Administrative Office and /or the Board of Supervisors with whom we had the problems. He advised that the requirements for law enforcement in Temple City are not the same as those in central Los Angeles, the Strip, or County area - -that we just don't have the same kind of problems, and that the Sheriff's Department has adopted an inflexible pol- icy regarding 2 -man patrol units. In the proposal for 1 man cars, the cars could be assigned on a double response method for supplying law enforcement: 1. There would be two pieces of equipment on the scene at the same time so that if it is necessary to block off the street it can be done from both ends. 2. There is flexibility in the double response method in that for many cases two men are not needed at the situation beyond going to the door'Hat -the same time toy determine what is needed, but after the initial entry it is not necessary to have two men on the scene. One man can go on his way and get back to patrol. Since we have proposed three 1 -man cars, he is free again for another double response on another call, which is a more practical approach to our law enforce- ment'problems. 3. By having single man cars and more of them, we Are goi ng to cover more area which will provide better visual enforce- ment or repressive type law enforcement. Councilman Tyrell considered that the failure of the Sheriff's Department to accept the proposal is simply failure to realize that there is a difference between cities desiring contract services, and that it is this inflexibility which is creating the problem. He further stated that what is being offered is not satisfactory, f i n a n c i a l l y , or otherwise. He stated that the S h e r i f f ' s Depart- ment recently was granted 1 12% cost of living increases,. _which I s tantamount to fiscal irresponsibility on the part of the Board of Supervisors when they are requesting a tax increase. Council Minutes, Page 3 - June 30, 1970 Councilman Tyrell pointed out that the proposed agreement has a trust provision to cover the difference between $153,000 and $230,000, to be placed in trust account to be held for the period of investigation to determine the responsibility of the Sheriff. If it is determined to be less than $230,000, we are supposed to receive the difference. He advised that it was his personal feeling that the determination will only allow the statutory and constitutional responsibility of the Sheriff, and it will take at least one more year to resolve this issue or philosophy into dollars and cents. During the period of time we are waiting, we we would be spending far in excess in monies, of that which it would cost to set up a separate department,by district or other- wise, so we are really throwing money down the drain. Councilman Gilbertson moved to adopt Resolution No. 70 -1024 as presented by the City Manager, which motion was seconded by Councilman Briggs. Dialog on the motion included the comments before mentioned, following which the motion carried unanimously. B. RESOLUTION No. 70 -1025: Re. Request for additional law enforcement services under above agreement. City Manager Koski presented Resolution No. 70 -1025 entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY REQUESTING ADDITIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES WITHIN THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY FROM THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT UNDER THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT. Councilman Gil- bertson moved to adopt Resolution No. 70 -1025 as presented, seconded by Councilman Briggs and unanimously carried. 5. RESOLUTION No. 70 -1022: Re. Adoption of City Budget for Fiscal Year 1970 -71. City Manager Koski advised that requests to review the $25 per month cost of living adjustment with a view to additional increase had been received from the Parks and Trees Departments, Public Works and Planning, and that the Council may wish to hear from representatives, present in the audience, before adopting the budget. Don Hyler, Park Maintenance Man, advised that their appearance was not to be demanding, but to present the needs to the Council with full understanding. Bob Baker, Senior Tree Trimmer, stated that Temple City salaries were steadily falling lower because cost of living increases were insufficient. He stated that the cost of living in 1969 increased by 6.1 %, and that during the first half of 1970, it increased another 3.4 %, however that the 1970 increase was not being sought at this time. Councilman Tyrell advised that the matter had not been considered lightly, that some neighboring cities and the County had seen fit to meet increases with some degree of irresponsibility, particul- arly in the Sheriff's Department and the 93 tax rate increase in the County, and that this is going to be felt in other cities. He stated that there was no intention to penalize the staff who have been loyal, but that all would have to realize that we have a serious economic situation in the country and that it was now being felt in the midwest where there was increase in bankruptcies from 400% to 500 %, and that it is expected to hit California and the Los Angeles area in September. Also, at the present time many businesses in this area are forced to make a 6% reduction in salaries, just to keep their doors open. He advised that the $25 per month increase had been decided on as the best means to provide adequate salaries to those who need it the most, those in the lower salary bracket. He advised that in order to keep things on a solid basis, it was not possible to ask the citizens Council Minutes, Page 4 - June 30, 1970 to start having a City tax - -that there is no tax base to put it on as the people already are overtaxed by the school system and other agencies, and that if the economic situation continues on the downgrade, that there aren't going to be people left to pay the taxes. Councilman 3riggs_ added that the matter of consideration of salaries included many hours of deliberation by the Council, and that this was the best solution that could be arrived at. He reiterated that the economic condition was serious when we hear daily of large corporations going bankrupt, and that unem- ployment on the west coast had increased from 4.1% to 5.5% in about 4 months. He advised that the ability to pay is the criteria upon which the Council had to make decisions, and that this is the best that could be provided. Councilman Gilbertson advised those personnel who were present that he would like to have them take a look at the formula - -that it would have been much easier to have placed the increase on a percentage basis of what was available, but that Council was very concerned about those making less money, and that is why the flat figure of $25 per month was proposed. He felt that it was one of the greatest responsibilities of the Council to maintain a sound government structure, and that at this particular time the Council had been hit with the pressures on law enforce- ment costs, possible loss of revenue from sales tax because of the economic situation, and census adjustment, while at the same time increased costs had to be met for utility and other needs; that this Council has a pledge to fulfill to the citizens not to place a City tax. He advised that it was the sincerest best effort on the part of the Council to provide the $25 per month increment. Councilman Harker concurred with the previous comments. He advised that he was not apologizing for the decision- -that the Council was not only responsible to the employees but to the City as a whole, that the Council was in a position of steward- ship so far as the community is concerned, and that the Council must properly guard and utilize their investment in the commun- ity- -their homes, their lives and everything else. He stated that the City could look back with satisfaction that we have survived this long without a City tax, and that it was one of the commitments made to the community when incorporation was proposed, but that it becomes more and more difficult to avoid it. He stated that the increase that was granted might at least convey the fact that there was interest on the part of the Council for the employees welfare. Lynne Senne, Planning Secretary, inquired if it would be possible if the cost of living increase could be reconsidered at a later time when the census figures might indicate that we have funds coming. Councilman Tyrell noted that the census figures would only have a bearing on in -lieu or subventions, wherein we receive so much money per capita. However that this would not affect sales tax revenues which are determined by the sales made within the City, and that we are always three to four months behind in finding out these returns, which may make it March or April before a true picture would unfold. City Manager Koski noted that the proposed budget included other added costs which were an outgrowth of the $25 per month increase to employees, for Social Security and Retirement Funds, as well as for other employee benefits such as health insurance which had increased. 1 1 Council Minutes, Page 5 - June 30, 1970 Councilman Harker suggested that should the economic picture brighten in the near future perhaps some consideration could be made to provide an adjustment retroactive. Councilman 3riggs inquired if, by the same token,the employees would be willing to pay back if the reverse were true. Eugene Valencia, Tree Trimmer, stated that he had listened carefully to the statements of the Councilmen, and that he felt the Council had been sincere and had provided the proper con- sideration of employee needs. City Manager Koski advised that in addition to the additional costs which were reflected in Social Security and Retirement Fund accounts previously mentioned, that the amended budget included a $25 per month increase for James T. Peglau, Maintenance Super- intendent, whose services were provided under contract and for which an amendment to agreement would be necessary. The total amount of $300 was pro -rated to the Parks and Trees accounts. He further advised that the approval of the agreement with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department encumbered an amount of $316,769, which was now in the budget. He then presented Resolution No. 70 -1022 entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY ADOPTING THE CITY BUDGET AND APPROPRIATING REVENUE TO THE CITY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1970 -71, in the total amount of $1,189,651. Councilman Tyrell moved to adopt, seconded by Councilman Briggs and unanimously carried. NEW BUSINESS: 6. COMMUNICATIONS: There were none. 7. TIME FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO SPEAK: Those present had already spoken on other items. 8. MATTERS FROM CITY OFFICIALS: AGREEMENT: L. & L. GARDENING SERVICE - Median Strip Maintenance. City Manager Koski presented an agreement with L & L Gardening Service to provide complete maintenance service for median strips, Baldwin Avenue from north to south City limits; and Santa Anita Avenue, from north to south City limits, in the amount of $4,200. He advised that this amount was previously included in account No. 8103, and that the agreement reflected no additional costs beyond those already budgeted. Councilman Tyrell moved to approve the agreement with L & L Gardening Service, and to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the agreement, seconded by Councilman Briggs and unanimously carried. 9. ADJOURNMENT: Councilman Tyrell moved to adjourn at 8:55 p.m., seconded by Councilman Gilbertson and unanimously carried. The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 1970, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City Hall. ^� � /1A) /* ATTEST: MAYOR HI :F DEPUTY CITY LERK