1992/06/04 City Council MinutesCall to Order
Roll Call
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes
June 4, 1992
The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in
adjourned regular session in the City Offices, 6750 Commerce
Blvd., Rohnert Park, CA with Mayor Spiro presiding.
The adjourned regular session was called to order at
approximately 7:00 a.m. by Mayor Spiro.
Present: (5) Councilmembers Eck, Hollingsworth, Hopkins,
Reilly and Spiro
-00,
Absent: (0) None'--
Staff present for all or part of the meeting: City Manager
Netter, Assistant to the City Manager Leivo, and Finance
Director Harrow.
1992 -93 Budget The Council continued the work session on the proposed City
Budget for the 1992 -93 fiscal year as presented by City
Manager Netter.
The first item was a continuation of discussion of the City's
deficit position and how staff balanced the $1.4 million
shortfall. Vice Mayor Hollingsworth inquired about the legal
services department and suggested that staff prepare a
summary for presentation to the City Council on the costs for
City Attorney Flitner including his retainer, rent control,
and other work, and whether now would be the time to hire a
full time attorney. City Manager Netter said that he would
prepare a summary of costs to date for the current fiscal
year and would discuss a recommendation at Tuesday night's
closed session under personnel matters.
The discussion then centered on the City's five year revenue
and expenditure report that was submitted to the Council
approximately six months ago. City Manager Netter stated
that he would update that report and bring it back for
further discussion. Mr. Netter indicated that, based on the
original report, the City would be approximately $1.4 million
short for several years on an annual basis with a greater
impact on a cumulative basis. He indicated that even with
the new stores on the west side that the revenue growth is
not sufficient to offset the expenditure growth, even with no
new hires. Again, Mr. Netter indicated this report would be
brought back for Council's further review and discussion.
1
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes June 4, 1992
There was general discussion on the existing staffing and the
good work and strong dedication of current employees.
The Council did comment on a few instances where they would
notice Public Works employees not being as productive as they
might. City Manager Netter indicated that there are several
crews throughout the city, which include the OADS and other
contracted services, so those individuals the Council may
observe might not necessarily be the city employees. City
Manager Netter said he would mention to the Public Works and
Public Safety Departments that the city employees should be
aware that they do represent the City and that we should all
be conscious of the perception in the eyes of the ordinary
citizen on what we do, .pow we act, and what we say. All city
employees are ambafsadors of the City and should represent
the City in a professional manner.
Discussion continued on the Department of Public Safety's
operations and how the veteran officers handle situations as
compared to the "rookies." The Council emphasized that our
department should be public relations oriented.
Councilman Eck inquired about the Wine Center reserve,
whereby City Manager Netter said the approximately $113,000
in the Wine Ceneter tourist facility reserve would help for
tenant improvements of the space to be used by the Chamber of
Commerce. In addition, there was some earlier discussion on
possibly providing some advance promotional funds to the
Sonoma County Wine & Visitors Center. It was requested of
staff to work up the numbers necessary for the proposed
tenant improvements and additional funds needed, then zero
out the balance into the general fund operating account.
The Council then inquired about the street overlay programs
and the deferral of the ten percent (10 %) into the
infrastructure maintenance reserve. City Manager Netter
inicated that over the past several years the City has set
aside $500,000 for a continued overlay program. Due to the
severe budget deficit, staff is recommending the
approximately $528,000 to be used in the general operations.
There was some discussion on the way roads are constructed
in Europe, referencing a Time magazine article. City Manager
Netter indicated he had read that article and the roads last
twenty (20) years without an overlay due to the greater
amount of base and materials used as compared to
how California roads are constructed. These roads are more
costly to build, but again, last much longer. There was
discussion on the possibility of creating an assessment to
repair roads. City Manager Netter indicated that most of the
roads in town are now public roads and that he would check
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes June 4, 1992
with City Attorney Flitner to see if there was a mechanism
for creating an assessment district for street repairs and
maintenance of publicly owned roads.
City Manager Netter referenced page 26 of the budget which
outlines State /County extractions of revenues that have
impacted Rohnert Park. This amounts to approximately
$286,000 which includes such items as jail booking fees,
property tax administration fees, sexual assault examination
fees, cigarette taxes from the State, traffic fines, and
other items. Mayor Spiro inquired whether the City provides
any programs for sexual assault victims. City Manager Netter
indicated that he would ask Community Resources Specialist
Kathy Vander Vennett r_ F and.-report back to Council.
Discussion was held on page 52, community promotional detail.
The Council agreed to approve all those items as listed in
the "Amount Proposed" column down to the TO BE
DETERMINED ... $17,250 amount with the exception of the Country
Family Festival amount of $1,000.00 to be removed and
discussed with the groups and other agencies that are listed
below the TO BE DETERMINED of $17,250. A motion was made by
Vice Mayor Hollingsworth, seconded by Councilman Eck, and
unanimously approved. A copy of the list is attached to the
original set of these minutes.
The Council had considerable discussion on those items listed
following the TO BE DETERMINED line. The first item was the
Sonoma County Visitors and Convention Bureau, which requested
$125,480. There was extensive discussion on the City's local
promotional efforts through the Sonoma County Wineries
Association via the Wine & Visitors Center. City Manager
Netter indicated that the Council Committee had recommended
to the full Council to continue a $50,000 funding level to
the Sonoma County Visitors and Convention Bureau until such
time that the Sonoma County Wine & Visitors Center opens.
This amount would be prorated on a monthly basis. There was
addition comment on the local promotional efforts through the
Wine & Visitors Center and how it was felt that the City
could get more production for its dollar. Councilman Eck
indicated that whatever the Council does in funding for the
Sonoma County Visitors and Convention Bureau, it should be
done as a long term measure for the Convention Bureau's
planning, i.e. if it wants to give them zero dollars, then so
be it; but if it plans for $50,000 or more in funding, it
should be committed to this amount for several years to
provide a consistent level of funding to the Bureau. There
was continued discussion. It was a general consensus that
maybe the funding should be discontinued. This item would be
discussed in greater detail at the next scheduled budget work
session.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes
June 4, 1992
Guanella Bros. Softball Team was briefly discussed regarding
providing $10,000 to support the softball team. It was felt
that possibly reducing the amount to $7,500 and letting the
Guanella Bros. retain the entire amount of concession
revenues may lessen the burden on city funds.
Adjournment The Council decided to discuss the remaining budget items at
its next budget work session. This budget session as
adjourned at 8:50 a.m. to Weds., June 10, 1992, at 4:00 p.m.
City 4ger/Clerk
4
Mayor
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
1992 -93 Budget /
Community Promotion Detail
1900 -6'10
[tem Description
vity's Annual Report
City's Newletters
Maps and Miscellaneous Printing
Sister Cities Relations Committee
RP Wine /Tourist Center (net of ground lease)
RP Chamber of Commerce
Cultural Arts Council of Sonoma County
Young Woman of the Year
RP Founders Days Committee
Rancho Cotate Awards Program
Various sports teams
Social /Human Service Programs
Family Services Agency
Family Education Center
So. Co. Assoc. for Youth Dev.
YWCA Battered Women Shelter
Other
Christmas Toy Distribution Program
Country Family Festival
TO BE DETERMINED
TBD Items: t
So. Co. Visitor & Convention Bureau
Leadership Rohnert Park
SSU Athletic Association
Guanella Brothers Softball Team
Inter -Faith Shelter Network
Total
190 v,.d 6/ -52-
Amount
Amount
Requested
Proposed
$0
$0
2,000
2,000
1,000
1,000
2,000
2,000
75,000
75,000
39,500
39,500
3,000
2,000
5,000
5,000
7,000
5,000
250
250
8,000
4 000_
3,500
3,500
2,000
2,000
17,500
5,000
5,000
5,000
500 500
1,000 1,000
17, 250
125,480
TBD
1,500
TBD
1,500
TBD
10,000
TBD
6,000
TBD
$316,730 $170,000
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