2001/05/12 City Council MinutesCITY OF ROHNERT PARK CONCURRENT MEETINGS MINUTES for:
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
ROHNERT PARK FINANCING AUTHORITY
ROHNERT PARK DISTRICT
SPECIAL CONCURRENT MEETINGS
WORK SESSION:
2001 -02 BUDGET
WORK SESSION MINUTES
June 8, 2001
Friday
The special concurrent meetings of the City of Rohnert
Park for the City Council, Community Development
Commission, Rohnert Park Financing Authority, and the
Rohnert Park District met this date for a work session
open to the public to discuss the 2001 -02 Budget. The
work session commenced at approximately 3:30 p.m.
in the Rohnert Park Senior Center, 6800 Hunter Drive,
Suite A, Rohnert Park, with Mayor Mackenzie presiding.
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Mackenzie called the work session to order at
approximately 3:36 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: (3) Councilmember Spiro; Vice Mayor Flores;
and Mayor Mackenzie
Absent: (2) Councilmembers Reilly and Vidak- Martinez
Mayor Mackenzie noted that Councilmember Reilly was
stuck in traffic on a broken down Golden Gate Transit bus,
and that Councilmember Vidak- Martinez was tending to
personal matters at her home.
Staff present for all or part of the meeting: City
Manager Netter, Assistant City Manager Donley, Planning
and Community Development Director Kaufman, Public Works
Manager Stephens, Finance Director Lipitz, Personnel
Manager Robbins, Director of Public Safety Miller, Fire
Commander Cassel, Building Official Braun, and Recreation
Director Barry.
City of Rohnert Park *SPECIAL CONCURRENT MEETINGS MINUTES
June 8, 2001 Page(2 )
ACKNOWLEDGING THE CITY MANAGER /CLERK'S REPORT ON THE
POSTING OF THE MEETING'S AGENDA:
The Council acknowledged the City Manager /Clerk's report
on the posting of the meeting's agenda.
UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES:
Mayor Mackenzie stated that in compliance with State law,
the Brown Act, citizens wishing to make a comment may
do so at this time, limited to 3 -5 minutes per appearance
with a 30- minute limit.
1. Robin Bleckwehl, 5000 Roberts Lake Road, was
recognized and indicated that she was flanked by
several representatives from the Rohnert Park Chamber
of Commerce Board of Directors. She DISTRIBUTED to the
Councilmembers the "Annual Progress Summary" for the
Chamber. The new board chair for the Chamber shared
comments on several aspects of the "Resident and
Business Services" section of the report. He discussed
relocation packets and resource directories. Bill
Comstock, general manager of the Doubletree Hotel,
talked about the T.O.T. contribution and various trends
in the tourism industry lately. Ms. Bleckwehl closed
with some comments on the increase in Chamber
membership in the last year, the "Shop Rohnert Park
First" program, and the formation of "Women in
Business." Chamber members encouraged the Council to
consider Chamber funding, and they responded to Council
inquiries.
2. Sandy Hemmill, Unicorn Marketing, was recognized and
indicated that she represents one of the newer
companies that has joined the Rohnert Park Chamber of
Commerce. She noted that she works with small
businesses as a marketing and advertising consultant.
She discussed the benefits to small businesses from
participation in the cooperative advertising
program. She encouraged the Council to continue to
fund the Chamber so that small businesses can
continue to market themselves effectively.
Ms. Bleckwehl added that the "Shop Rohnert Park First"
program is a business retention program outlined in
the Chamber's four -year economic development plan.
*City Council /Community Development Commission/
Rohnert Park Financing Authority /Rohnert Park District
City of Rohnert Park *SPECIAL CONCURRENT MEETINGS MINUTES
June 8, 2001 Page(3 )
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. PROPOSED 2001 -02 GENERAL FUND BUDGET
*Review of each City Councilmember's Suggested Budget-
Balancing Proposals: City Manager Netter shared a
brief overview of the key points of each
Councilmember's budget suggestions as outlined in
a staff report provided to Council in the meeting
packets.
At this time, Councilmember Spiro, Vice Mayor Flores,
and Mayor Mackenzie shared their individual perspectives
on their budget suggestions. Mayor Mackenzie REQUESTED
a monthly Council review of selected indicators to
measure budgetary performance during fiscal year
2001 -02 via a report from the Finance Department.
*Review of Staff's Budget - Balancing Proposals: City
Manager Netter shared a brief overview of the key
points from the City Staff Member's Budget Proposals
as outlined in a staff report provided to the Council
in the meeting packets. City Manager Netter discussed
long -term options, expense reductions /organizational
changes, timing of long -term options, and short -term
budget balancing. Staff responded to Council
questions. City Manager Netter then reviewed the
"Sale of Land and Buildings Proceeds to Reserves"
report, and Assistant City Manager Donely
DISTRIBUTED and commented on a document entitled,
"Analysis of Lease- Financing Option." Staff then
responded to Council inquiries.
2. COUNCIL'S DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION FOR FORMAL
IMPLEMENTATION INTO BUDGET:
Council discussion concluded, and upon MOTION by
Councilmember Spiro, seconded by Vice Mayor Flores,
with Councilmembers Reilly and Vidak- Martinez absent,
a motion was APPROVED 3 -0 -2 to DIRECT STAFF to conduct
further analysis on the lease- financing option.
Council then CONCURRED to DIRECT STAFF to review
a possible revenue increase of 15% across the board for
Licenses and Permits, Charges for Current Services,
Recreation, and Performing Arts, as suggested by
Councilmember Spiro.
*City Council /Community Development Commission/
Rohnert Park Financing Authority /Rohnert Park District
City of Rohnert Park *SPECIAL CONCURRENT MEETINGS MINUTES
June 8, 2001 Page(4 )
Assistant City Manager Donley shared comments on the
process of drafting an outline of an economic development
plan as described in his June 6, 2001, memo provided in
the meeting packets.
At this time, Mayor
department heads to
ideas and concepts
discussion ensued a
perspectives.
Mackenzie asked the senior
share their thoughts on any of the
that were discussed. Council
s staff members shared their
After Director of Public Safety Miller's comments,
Council DIRECTED STAFF to provide further information
regarding the Department of Public Safety's workload
status. Furthermore, Council CONCURRED to DIRECT the
City Manager to continue discussions with the School
Board to obtain certain grants to offset the cost of
maintaining a D.A.R.E. School Resource Officer in the
schools via an expanded program.
3. COUNCIL'S DIRECTION ON NON - PROFIT FUNDING, CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE, AND OTHER COMMUNITY PROMOTIONS:
At this time, Council discussion centered around
non - profit funding, Chamber of Commerce, and other
community promotions. One C.O.Y.F. Commissioner shared
comments on creative ways to leverage funding for
non - profits.
Council CONCURRED on two matters: (1) To discuss all
aspects of non - profit funding, Chamber of Commerce, and
community promotions as a full Council at the next
scheduled work session; and (2) To invite all
representatives from non - profits, the Chamber of Commerce,
and community promotions /businesses to attend the
meeting and to share their recommendations.
Council CONCURRED that there will be a travel budget
for Councilmembers for the next fiscal year and that
further discussions on this matter will take place at the
next scheduled budget work session with a full Council.
Furthermore, Council CONCURRED (1) To fund retirement
medical from reserves and (2) To reduce the reserves as
outlined in the "Short -Term Budget Balancing Options" in
the staff report.
*City Council /Community Development Commission/
Rohnert Park Financing Authority / Rohnert Park District
City of Rohnert Park *SPECIAL CONCURRENT MEETINGS MINUTES
June 8, 2001 Page(5 )
4. NEXT STEPS:
*Choose Date and Time for Additional Budget Sessions:
Next, Council CONCURRED to meet again on Friday,
June 22, 2001, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., for the next
Budget Work Session.
Finally, Council CONCURRED TO DIRECT STAFF (1) To prepare
more expanded and detailed proposals to balance the
difference of approximately $200,000 for the Fiscal
Year Budget 2001 -02 through reductions in their respective
operating budgets, and (2) To prepare a more detailed
revenue estimate for the Reader Board Sign.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Mayor Mackenzie
ADJOURNED the work session at approximately 6:25 p.m.
4�2� -
Katy Leonard,
Certified Shorthand Reporter
CSR No. 11599
J ke Mackenzie,
Mayor
of Rohnert Park
*City Council /Community Development Commission/
Rohnert Park Financing Authority /Rohnert Park District