1994/07/18 City Council MinutesJuly 18, 1994
The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in adjourned
meeting 1994 -95 Budget work session commencing at 5:00 p.m. in the
City Offices, 5750 Commerce Boulevard, Rohnert Park, with Mayor Reilly
presiding.
CALL TO ORDER Mayor Reilly called the adjourned work session to order at approximately
5:12 p.m.
ROLL CALL PRESENT: (4) Councilmembers Eck and Gallagher, and Mayor Reilly
Councilman Hollingsworth arrived at 5:57 p.m.
ABSENT: (1) Councilwoman Spiro
Staff present for all or part of the meeting: City Manager Netter, Assistant
City Manager Leivo, Director of Public Safety Rooney, and Fire Services
Commander Shields.
Unscheduled Public Mayor Reilly stated that in compliance with State Law (The Brown Act)
Appearances citizens wishing to make a comment may do so at this time. There were
no unscheduled public appearances.
Items for Discussion - Proposed Budget for 1994 -1995:
City Manager Netter summarized the Council changes in the Budget to
date. The Council would not take the five percent increase in salary.
Other topics covered included real property transfer tax and in -line
hockey. The Bicycle Plan recommendations and the General Plan
staging approach costs were deferred to a later date.
Councilmembers discussed the Sonoma State Planning Institutes'
possible involvement in a general plan update and timetables.
MOTION Upon motion by Councilwoman Eck, seconded by Councilwoman
Gallagher, and approved by the three Councilmembers present, a long-
term General Plan update would be initiated during the current fiscal year
of 1994 -95.
City Manager Netter continued the review of Council changes to the
Budget regarding community promotions, the Public Safety Department
and Fire Services, Sports Center improvements, and possible City Hall
refurbishing.
Mayor Reilly asked for and received a review from staff regarding
Council travel and meetings. Discussion followed. Mayor Reilly moved
that the budget be reduced by $5,000. Councilman Eck proposed a
budget of $1,000 per Councilmember. Mayor Reilly amended his motion
to $3,000 reduction. After discussion, he withdrew the motion. It was the
consensus of the Council to discuss this item when a full Council was
present.
19OHNERT PARK CITY COUNCIL MINUTES (2) July 18, 1994
Fire Services City Manager Netter introduced the new, augmented Public Safety
budget. Wiscussion by Councilmembers followed. �C'ity Manager Netter
and Director of Public Safety Rooney answered questions on the
following:
Discussed building offered for sale by private party for fire station on
the west side;
* Scheduling of station staff for five fire stations on a 24 -hour basis; need
20 additional people at $75,000 per officer;
* Fire Services training;
Fire Division staffing;
Volunteer Fire Fighters;
* Setting a time period for Council review of Fire Services;
Inspections;
* Automatic mutual aid agreement; and
* Response to 911 calls; obtaining an independent audit of response
times, 75 percent of overall fire calls are handled directly from patrol
cars.
Councilman Hollingsworth arrived at approximately 5:57 p.m. Mayor Reiily accepted
comments from the audience.
Debra L. Hales, 825 Liana Court, read from a newspaper article. She spoke in support of
guaranteed fire response times and that a 20 -year General Plan should
be started.
Donald Mclsaac, 838 Lunar Court, spoke in support of fully staffed fire stations and that a Fire
Commission should be formed.
Margaret Mclsaac, 838 Lunar Court, stated that the Fire budget had already been decreased
and asked the City Council to take more time to deliberate.
Dean Huber, 845 Lunar Court, spoke of the cost of damage to his home resulting from fire.
He asked the Council to consider the growing size of the City and
support a professional firefighting staff, 24 -hour staffing of the "M"
Section station, and the formation of a citizens commission. A 20 -year
plan should included full fire services.
Mike Haberski, 1441 Magnolia, Chair of Rohnert Park Chiefs stated that a fire service should
exclusively be composed of trained firefighters and that current response
times were inaccurate and unacceptable.
Councilman Hollingsworth left the meeting at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Stacey Allen, 794 Bernice Avenue, stated that fire specialists were not always available and
that patrol cars did not carry oxygen. She spoke in support of a
professional fire department.
Linda Branscomb, 6585 Commerce Boulevard, Suite 188, suggested that, rather than a
commission, interested citizens could form a group to meet with Chief
Rooney to discuss their concerns and possible solutions.
;90HNERT PARK CITY COUNCIL MINUTES (3) July 18, 1994
John Lund, 176 Adele Avenue, requested a comparison of the budget with the City of
Petaluma and to put basic services first. He reviewed in detail individual
items in the budget and stated the City should obtain services at the
lowest possible cost.
Barry Comerfond submitted a speaker card but did not speak.
Adjournment There being no one further wanting to be heard, Mayor Reilly adjourned
the meeting at approximately 6:44 p.m. to Thursday, July 21, 1994, at
6:30 p.m. at the Rohnert Park Community Center Multi- Purpose room,
5401 Snyder Lane, a meeting with mobile home park residents. Council
will also discuss at this meeting a date and time for a continued Budget
session.
yor
u�
b s t
Secretary