HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin 02-28-05 (Speical)MINUTES OF THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2005
Pre-Budget Workshop
The Ukiah City Council met at a Special Meeting on February 28, 2005, the notice for
which being legally noticed, at 3:40 p.m. at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center,
Chenen Blanc Room, 200 South School Street, Ukiah, CA.
1. ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present: Crane, McCowen, Rodin, Baldwin. Mayor Ashiku
arrived at 4:04 PM.
Staff present: City Manager Horsley, Finance Director McCann, Planning
Director Stump, Public Utilities Director Ziemianek, and City Clerk Ulvila.
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AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
The City Council welcomes input from the audience. If there is a matter of business on the agenda that you are
Interested in, you may address the Council when this matter is considered. If you wish to speak on a matter that
is not on this agenda, you may do so at this time. In order for everyone to be heard, please limit your comments
to three (3) minutes per person and not more than 53n (10) minutes per subject. The Brown Act regulations do
not allow action to be taken on audience comments in which the subject is not listed on the agenda.
No comment from the audience.
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PRESENTATION BUDGET FORECAST MODEL~ ALTERNATIVE FORECASTS
AND RESPONSES TO COUNCIL QUESTIONS
City Manager Horsley reviewed the format for the workshop, directing
Councilmember's attention to the supporting documentation. Department Directors
will present an overview of their individual budgets.
Mendocino Transit Authority requested to be moved forward on the Agenda; no
action was taken by the Council.
Finance Director McCann stated he recently attended the Annual California Society
of Municipal Finance Officer's Conference, noting that the presenters were optimistic
that the State will not shift taxes from cities and local government for possibly, the
next two Fiscal years. Finance Director McCann presented a brief Power Point
presentation and reviewed the forecast model highlights, advising that the primary
focus is on the General Fund at this time. Projected revenue calculations include
the 1/2% sales tax increase and 2% growth. Interest on the City's investment
earnings is estimated at 2.5%.
Expenditure History
A PowerPoint presentation was provided by Bernie Ziemianek, Director of Public
Utilities, reviewing operating reserves, expenditures and the cost of operating the
department; reviewed rate stabilization and bond payments; reviewed the 2005
Energy Balance, Natural Gas Spot Prices by, and Ukiah Resource Net Energy
Balance, stating that the City needs to plan for the future while taking into
consideration problematical situations such as endangered species, high flows in the
Lake Mendocino Hydro chamber, etc., and effect on daily operations.
Special Ukiah City Council Meeting
February 28, 2005
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City Manager Horsley stated an electric utility workshop will be conducted within the
next few months to discuss utility issues.
Total Police and Fire Expenditures
Chief Latipow stated that revenue projections assume the 1/2% sales tax increase.
Chief Latipow discussed the history of the ambulance service, cost of paramedics,
billing, education/certification - recertification and attendance at conferences, etc.,
stating that fees should pay for the services delivered. Chief added that the
ambulance provides services outside the city under mutual aid. Discussion followed
regarding whether the projections are based on anticipated billing collections. Chief
Latipow stated that the proposed increase in fees would result in an additional
$72,000 annually. Chief Latipow reviewed costs for the fire station, utilities,
including soft costs and reiterated that these costs are projected within the
Firefighter budget; the ambulance budget and associated costs are separately
funded.
Capital Expenditure Forecast
Finance Director McCann recapped projects as identified within Attachment 1 -
stating these figures are estimation.
Forecast (Reports and Graphs)
PowerPoint and oral presentations provided detailed description of the graphs and
reports contained within Attachment 2, which is organized into four main groups of
departments: Public Safety, Public Works, Community Services and General
Government. The presentation covers period 1996 to 2035, captured in five-year
averages, with the inclusion of the 1/2% sales tax beginning with 2006 and continuing
to 2035.
General Fund History and Forecast in Five-Year Averaqes
Attachment 3 identifies the Total General Fund Expenditures, broken down into the
four main groups of departments with the addition of Fixed Asset Replacement, for
period 1996 to 2035 and the General Revenue breakdown including the 1/2% sales
tax, beginning with FY 2006.
Worst Case Forecast
Attachment 5 provides assumptions reflecting no sales tax increase or other new
funding, eliminates new public safety positions and all capital expenditures.
Reconciliation of City Accounting System, Audited Statements and Budqet for Year
Ended June 30, 2004
Attachment 7 provides an overview of the FY 04-05 year-end budget, resulting in an
estimated beginning balance for FY 05-06 of $45,785,734 and Operating Reserve
Account of $15,882,670.
Having completed review of the proposed draft FY 05-06 Budget, Councilmembers
discussed whether to move Mendocino Transit Authority forward on the Agenda.
Due to the majority of the audience being present to hear Agenda Item #4 regarding
a ballot measure to increase the sales tax by 1/2%, the Agenda remained as posted.
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February 28, 2005
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4. DISCUSSION REGARDING PROPOSED BALLOT MEASURE AND ADOPTION
OF RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS TO REQUEST THE COUNTY CLERK TO CONDUCT A SPECIAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTION OF THE CITY OF UKIAH ON TUESDAY~ JUNE 77 2005, AND
TO CONSOLIDATE SAID ELECTION WITH ANY OTHER ELECTION HELD ON THE
SAME DAY
Public Comment: Members of the audience stepped forward to voice their opinion
regarding the proposed ballot measure. Primary focus was on a five year sunset
clause versus a ten year sunset clause.
Councilmembers responded by stating recruitment of new personnel is difficult if
funding is only secure for five years; the City then becomes only a training ground
until the employee moves to another employer offering higher salary and benefits.
Discussion continued regarding the need to Contact the County to confirm the City is
receiving its share of property tax proceeds.
The matter of an advisory vote was discussed. Supporting documentation provided
to the Councilmembers included five alternatives. Discussion followed with
Councilmembers reviewing each alternative and sharing comments and concerns.
Councilmember McCowen suggested changing the wording within Alternative #2 to
read, "Should additional funding for public safety, including police, fire and
emergency medical service be first priority"?
M/S Baldwin/Rodin to include Advisory Alternate #2, as stated by Councilmember
McCowen, on the Ballot Measure.
AYES: Councilmembers: McCowen, Rodin, Baldwin, Mayor Ashiku.
NOES: Crane
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion carried
Mayor Ashiku polled Councilmembers to obtain consensus on the sunset clause;
majority favoring a "15 year sunset". Mayor Ashiku stated he will support the 15
year sunset clause stating that Council should work diligently with staff; staff to
reduce or eliminate waste and improve efficiency.
Councilmembers called for a Special Meeting to be held on March 2, 2005 at 6:00
PM. to consider adoption of an ordinance imposing Transactions and Use Tax to
be administered by the State Board of Equalization and changing Section 1749
"Repeal of Tax" to be repealed ten years after the operative date.
Recess from 7:02 PM
Reconvened at 7:14 PM
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February 28, 2005
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M/S Rodin/Baldwin Adopting Resolution 2005-35, requesting the Mendocino
County Board of Supervisors to request the County Clerk to conduct a Special
Municipal election of the City of Ukiah on Tuesday, June 7, 2005, and to consolidate
said election with any other election held on that same day.
AYES: Councilmembers: McCowen, Rodin, Baldwin,Crane, Mayor Ashiku.
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion carried
5. DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL LOCATIONS FOR MENDOCINO TRANSIT
AUTHORITY (MTA) INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION FACILITY
City Manager Horsley discussed the staff report which describes the history of MTA
and Railroad Depot site. Discussion followed by both Council members, Jim Mastin
and Bruce Richard, MTA General Manager, providing a history on MTA's previous
intent to relocate to this site as well as current issues such as realignment of Leslie
Street and Hospital Drive in order to improve traffic circulation, clean up of the
property and easement issues.
Councilmember Rodin reported that at the last Northern California Railroad
Association (NCRA) she attended, the Board requested City Council opinion in
regard to the matter. At the same time, NCRA would put the matter on its next
agenda and report on the City Council's feedback to MTA's proposal. The City
should continue to have the traffic engineers pursue the proposed MTA Standley
Street Project.
Consensus of Councilmembers and staff was to pursue the railroad depot
development and direct staff to identify those issues related to the project. A plan to
clean up the area needs to be developed.
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m
Marie Ulvila, City Clerk
Transcribed by Gail Petersen-Latipow
Special Ukiah City Council Meeting
February 28, 2005
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