1992/06/03 City Council MinutesRohnert Park City Council Minutes
June 3, 1992
The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in
adjourned regular session in the City Offfices, 6750 Commerce
Blvd., Rohnert Park, CA with Vice Mayor Hollingsworth
presiding.
Call to Order The adjourned regular session was called to order at
approximately 7:00 a.m. by Vice Mayor Hollingsworth.
Roll Call Present: (4) Councilmembers Eck, Hopkins, Reilly, and
Vice Mayor Hollingsworth
Absent: (1) Mayor Spiro
Staff present for all or part of the meeting: City Manager
Netter, and Finance Director Harrow.
1992 -93 Budget The City Council commenced a work session on the proposed
City Budget for 1992 -93 as presented by City Manager Netter.
Comments were made by City Manager Netter in regards to the
format of this year's 1992 -93 proposed budget and reviewed
highlights as listed in the 1992 -93 budget memo.
In the budget discussions, the Council requested staff to
provide the number of new jobs generated by the stores being
built on the west side of town and the estimated number of
employees who are Rohnert Park residents.
City Manager Netter explained Rohnert Park's deficit position
and how staff has proposed to balance the 1992 -93 budget by
using approximately $200,000 in reserves, deferring street
overlay projects, by suspension of the 10% set aside into the
infrastructure reserves, this amounted to $628,000, and
suspension of the set aside for reserves for additional
recreational facilities in the amount of approximately
$130,000. In addition, the CDA principal payments in the
amount of $458,000 would be used to balance the General Fund
budget.
There was general discussion on how Rohnert Park managed to
get into the deficit position. City Manager Netter indicated
that this will be the second year of a hiring freeze for the
City, but for the three years prior, the City added 46 new
employees. The costs of salaries and benefits of these 46
new employees are catching up with the City. In addition,
new facilities are being added, such as R Park, M Park, the
new Public Safety Facility, the Senior Center, etc. He
explained that when facilities are added, it costs the City
more to operate and maintain those facilities and programs.
1
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes June 3, 1992
There were general comments by the City Council in regards to
taxing Rohnert Park's citizens as opposed to cutting budgets,
staffing, and programs, and how there is a fine balance
between taxing and the costs of services. There was a
suggestion that the City should privatize wherever possible,
which may even include the privatization of the Performing
Arts Center.
There was an extensive discussion of the City and its
development of commercial and industrial bases to help raise
revenues generated by sales taxes. In addition, there was a
brief discussion on working towards a third golf course on
the west of town on the Pimentel property to help generate
new revenues for the City. The Council agreed that the City
should take an active part in generation of new income, which
may include increasing the TOT tax, Real Property Transfer
tax, and other sources.
Councilman Eck requested staff to insert a section in the
budget on the Wine Center detailing the financing program,
which would include new revenues generated by the 1% increase
in TOT tax, the rentals generated by both the Wine Center and
the Chamber of Commerce, and the cost of the City providing
promotional funds to the Sonoma County Wineries Association.
Councilman Hollingsworth commented on the stadium land and
the possibility of selling it to maximize its highest and
best use. At this point, it looks like the stadium is not
the highest and best use for the property. By possibly a
potential sale, this property would help the City in its
financial difficulties. This should only be looked at as a
last resort measure.
Councilman Eck suggested that sometime in the future the City
bring back the plans for the use of all the property around
the stadium for Council's review and discussion.
Discussion then continued on the Performing Arts Center's
operation. Councilman Eck and other Councilmembers commented
on the fundraising and the possibility of hiring some
individual on a commission basis. City Manager Netter
indicated that he had discussed this matter with several
organizations and was told that the Philanthropist Society
stated that it was not ethical to ask a fundraiser to work on
a commission basis. City Manager Netter inicated he would
check this out further. Councilman Reilly questioned whether
the Performing Arts Center might be administrative top heavy
and inquired about contracting out or merging some positions.
Discussion continued on the phase-out program of the resident
companies and other matters in regards to the Performing Arts
Center.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes
June 3, 1992
City Manager Netter indicated that the community promotion
detail was shown on page 52 and that the Council should
decide which groups it desires to hear presentations for at
an upcoming budget session.
Adjournment Because of scheduled appointments by some of the
Councilmembers, Vice Mayor Hollingsworth adjourned the
meeting at 8:40 a.m. to Thurs., June 4th, at 7:00 a.m. to
continue the discussion and work session on the 1992 -93
budget.
City anager /Clerk
3
Mayor Pro Tempore