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.
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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.
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ATTEST: MAYOR
HI :F DEPUTY CITY LERK