Loading...
1995/08/17 City Council MinutesRohnert Park City Council Minutes Budget Work Session August 17, 1995 The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in an adjourned 1995 -96 budget work session commencing at 6:00 p.m. The work session was held in the City Offices, 6750 Commerce Blvd., Rohnert Park, with Mayor Eck presiding. Call to Order Mayor Eck called the 1995 -96 budget work session to order at approxi- mately 6:00 p.m. Roll Call Present: (4) Councilmembers Flores, Reilly, Spiro, and Mayor Eck Absent: (1) Councilwoman Gallagher Staff present for all or part of the meeting: City Manager Netter and Finance Director Harrow. Agenda Posting - The Mayor acknowedged the City Manager /Clerk's report on the posting of the meeting's agenda. Unscheduled Public Appearances - Mayor Eck stated that in compliance with the Brown Act, citizens wishing to comment may do so at this time. There being no one wishing to speak at this time, Mayor Eck moved the meeting to the scheduled items. Proposed 1995 -96 Budget: City Manager Netter reviewed the 1995 -96 budget and passed out an update of revenues, general fund reserves, and other pertinent information. He stated that he was looking for Council's decisions and actions at this budget session as the budget is scheduled for a formal public hearing and approval at the City Council meeting of August 22, 1995. In order to present a budget to the citizens, the Council should make a preliminary determination on whether the baseline budget is acceptable and whether any additions to the baseline budget would be recommended. The Council continued to review the baseline budget and expanded budget as shown on pages 17.1 through 17.3 of the budget document. Council- member Flores indicated he would like to see $15,000 added in for the full time Senior Scheduler for the Senior Center. Vice Mayor Spiro agreed and stated that the Senior Scheduler position has performed many functions including fundraisers and events that produce revenues for the Senior Center. In addition, Councilman Flores indicated he would like to see a Fire Assessment Tax on the March 1996 primary ballot. Mayor Eck indi- cated he was more in favor of an assessment -type taxation as taxes are Rohnert Park City Council Minutes - Budget Work Session - August 17, 1995 collected for a specific purpose by citizens who directly benefit. He indicated that this may have to happen in order to maintain current service levels. There was general discussion among the Councilmembers on the real estate property transfer tax, with Mayor Eck indicating he was reluctant to approve any additional positions, including the full time position of the Senior Scheduler, if the Council is not going to consider the transfer tax as an augmentation revenue source. Councilman Flores indicated he would not support the real estate property transfer tax unless the program is phased in. Councilman Reilly indicated he would not support the real estate property transfer tax unless it was approved at one time without phasing in. Mayor Eck indicated that the City Council should be unanimous on tax proposals such as this and recommended a letter be sent to the real estate industry indicating that the City of Rohnert Park may be considering a real estate property tax increase following its six month financial review sometime in January 1996. There was general discussion regarding various other aspects of the budget including ways to offset the $15,000 additional funds needed to support the Senior Scheduler position. In that discussion, the Council recommended all departments' travel and meeting budgets be reduced by 25% across the board. Further discussion continued with a motion by Vice Mayor Spiro, seconded by Councilman Flores, to approve the funding of approximately $15,000 to make the Senior Scheduler position at the Senior Center full time. This motion was approved 4 -0, with Councilwoman Gallagher being absent. *CORRECTION from 9/26/95 City Council meeting per Councilman Reilly signified below. It was the *consensus of the Council that the real estate property transfer tax wouldVe increased at this time but, as previously stated, a letter would be sent to put the real estate industry on notice that the Council may be considering increasing the real estate property transfer tax in January fol- lowing the City's six (6) month budget and financial review. It was also the consensus that a 25% reduction in travel and meetings across the board would be implemented to help offset the additional cost of the full time Senior Scheduler position. 2 Rohnert Park City Council Minutes- Budget Work Session - August 17, 1995 Additional discussion continued on the 1995 -96 budget. Mayor Eck commented on the City's Bicycle Plan and recommended the Council consider approximately $5,000 for certain signage as outlined in the Plan recommended by the Bicycle Advisory Committee. Upon motion by Councilman Reilly, seconded by Councilman Flores, $5,000 was allocated for bicycle signage as outlined in Section E of the Bicycle Plan Project priority listing. The items included in the $5,000 would be items #'s 2, 3, 4 (without the signal), 5, 6, and 8 (without the bridge). The Council also, by consensus, agreed to provide funding to the non- profit groups as listed on page 52 of the budget, with the condition that letters would be sent out to the non -profit groups that funding will be eliminated or substantially reduced in the budget for 1996 -97. The Council also discussed a long term plan for revenues, costs, programs, etc. and indicated that the City Manager should notice all department heads to be extremely cautious for this budget year and not to spend any funds that are not absolutely necessary, especially for capital equipment, and that all departments should be put on notice to be prepared to reduce their budgets by 10% across the board beginning in the budget year 1996- 97. In addition, the Council will be holding public hearings to consider other revenue options such as the Fire Services Assessment Tax, a Library Assessment Tax, Landscaping & Lighting Assessment District, and possibly a Utility Users Tax. Mayor Eck indicated that all the comments and recommendations stated tonight would be summarized for the citizens at the regularly scheduled Council meeting of Tuesday, August 22, 1995, at which a formal public hearing has been scheduled on the 1995 -96 budget. Adjournment - There being no other comments or discussion regarding the 1995 -96 budget, Mayor Eck adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:45 p.m. OMA,40l-- M ager /Clerk JDN:lr ayor