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CC - 05-13-89 - Adjourned MeetingAPPROVED CITY OF ROSEMEAD MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED MEETING DATE 3 -F /0 ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL R c MAY 13, 1989 An Adjourned Meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor McDonald at 9:03 a.m. in the Conference Room of City Hall, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. The Pledge to the Flag was led by Councilman DeCocker. The Invocation was delivered by Councilman Bruesch. ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: Present: Councilmen Bruesch, DeCocker, Taylor, and Mayor McDonald Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Imperial - Excused but did arrive at 12:10 p.m. INGLESIDE MENTAL HEALTH CENTER - 01-4200-740 Dr. Manhal A1-Khayyal summarized the programs that Ingleside Hospital is providing with the use of these funds, stating that Rosemead is charged on a monthly basis for the services that are actually provided to Rosemead residents. Councilman Bruesch expressed concerns that the pending sale of Ingleside to the Concept Health Group might affect the programs currently being provided because Ingleside Hospital would then become a profit instead of a non-profit organization. Dr. A1-Khayyal stated the programs are slated to continue should the sale occur but if any services are discontinued then Rosemead would not be billed for them. Councilman Bruesch preferred that the City continue to deal with the local administrator of the hospital rather than a corporate headquarters located elsewhere. Robert Kress, City Attorney, suggested that the City maintain cost controls and-that the fees remain consistent with the past fees charged for the same services. Councilman Taylor requested a list of any other hospitals that this company is currently managing. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DeCOCKER that the Ingleside Mental Health Center budget be approved in the amount of $42,000 to continue the programs currently provided; to request a quarterly report from the company listing the services rendered with the costs for those services; and the number of people who had been served. Vote resulted: Aye: DeCocker, Taylor, McDonald, Bruesch No: None Absent: Imperial Abstain: None The mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. LAW ENFORCEMENT - 01-4300-110 120, 130, 160, 180, 190 11-4300-120 Councilman Bruesch requested a schedule of the cars and number hours that they are on duty in the City of Rosemead, showing the average that are on duty at any one time. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DeCOCKER, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH that the budget for law enforcement be approved in the amount of $3,405,750 for the 1989-90 fiscal year. Vote resulted: ADJ CC 5-13-89 Page #1 Aye: DeCocker, No: None Absent: Imperial Abstain: None Taylor, McDonald, Bruesch The mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. WYCKOFF AND ASSOCIATES - 01-4200-110 120, 130, 140 . Councilman DeCocker expressed concerns that the Council was not being given sufficient lead.time to review the newsletters and the Calendar and did not feel the Council was receiving full value for its dollar. Mr. DeCocker requested that the City Manager be directed to research and draft a proposal providing a public relations program for submission to the Council . Councilman Bruesch suggested that a formal schedule of events for the newsletters and calendars for the Council to arrange for proper review by councilmembers and staff. Mr. Bruesch also stated the opinion that the photographic services could be better furnished by staff at a more reasonable cost. That pictures were being taken that weren't being used. After some discussion it was MOVED BY COUNCILMAN TAYLOR, SECONDED BY MAYOR MCDONALD that the Council approve the budget for public relations in the amount of $66,000; direct Ms. Wyckoff to provide a schedule of deadlines for preparation of the three newsletters and the annual City calendar; provide a two-week period prior to the printing of newsletters or calendar for council and staff review; designate a member of staff to act as liaison and assist with proofreading; provide photocopies of the newsletters and calendar to the members for their review; and provide copies of all pictures taken. Vote resulted: Aye: Taylor, McDonald No: DeCocker Absent: Imperial Abstain: Bruesch The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. Councilman Bruesch stated he had abstained because he would prefer to have the pictures taken by staff instead of paying a professional photographer if that service was not being fully utilized. ROSEMEAD BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB - 01-4200-730 MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DeCOCKER that the Rosemead Boys and Girls Club budget be approved in the amount of $25,000. Vote resulted: Aye: Taylor, DeCocker, McDonald, Bruesch No: None Absent: Imperial Abstain: None The mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. PUBLIC WORKS - TRAFFIC ENGINEERING - 01-4510-110, 160 Councilman Bruesch expressed concerns that no funds had been budgeted for new traffic signal installations, account 01-4530. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TAYLOR, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH that the Traffic Engineering budget be approved in the amount of $27,000 with $75,000 being appropriated for account 01-4530 to provide left-turn phasing for signals at Walnut Grove Avenue at Valley Boulevard and Garvey Avenue. Vote resulted: ADJ CC 5-13-89 Page #2 • • Aye: Taylor, DeCocker, McDonald, Bruesch No: None Absent: Imperial Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. A five-minute recess was called at 10:20 a.m. and the meeting was reconvened accordingly. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - 01-4200-750 MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TAYLOR, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH that the Chamber of Commerce budget be approved in the amount of $27,600. Vote resulted: Aye: Taylor, DeCocker, McDonald, Bruesch No: None Absent: Imperial Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. I. CONSENT CALENDAR Account numbers 4130, 4200, 4250, 4510, 4660, 4700, 4720, 4750•, and 4780 were removed for discussion. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DeCOCKER, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH that the accounts not mentioned be approved. Vote resulted: Aye: Taylor, DeCocker, McDonald, Bruesch No: None Absent: Imperial Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. 4130 - FINANCE Councilman Bruesch asked about the quarterly tax reports and requested a method to identify the lump-sum items. Frank G. Tripepi, City Manager, stated that a listing will be provided. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DeCOCKER that account 4130 be approved. Vote resulted: Aye: DeCocker, Taylor, McDonald, Bruesch No: None Absent: Imperial Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. 4200 - COMMUNITY Councilman Taylor asked about this capital outlay expenditure. Susan Neely, Director of Finance, stated this was for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial which had been appropriated mid-year. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TAYLOR, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH that account 4200 be approved. Vote resulted: Aye: DeCocker, Taylor, McDonald, Bruesch No: None Absent: Imperial Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. ADJ CC 5-13-89 Page #3 4250 - RESERVE • Councilman Bruesch asked what the expenditure of $3,000 to Rosemead High School had been for and staff responded that this had been for the Mayor's Run Against Drugs. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DeCOCKER that account 4250 be approved. Vote resulted: Aye: DeCocker, Taylor, McDonald, Bruesch No: None Absent: Imperial Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. 4510 - TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION Councilman DeCocker requested that the Council grant a salary increase to the Traffic Commissioners. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DeCOCKER, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH that the salaries be increased to $50.00 per meeting, maximum of one meeting per month. Vote resulted: Aye: DeCocker, Taylor, McDonald, Bruesch No: None Absent: Imperial Abstain: None The mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. 4660 - PUBLIC TRANSIT Councilman Taylor requested an explanation of the increase in the Dial-a-Ride program. Jeff Stewart, Executive Assistant to the City Manager, responded that this was merely an estimate should the new contract be bid at a higher rate. This was the same explanation for the Shopper Shuttle increase. Councilman Bruesch asked that staff investigate the use of Prop. A funds to acquire the CalTrans property at Walnut Grove and Hellman Avenues for the possible use as a Park-and-Ride facility and the reconfiguration of the off-ramp. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DeCOCKER that account 4660 be approved. Vote resulted: Aye: DeCocker, McDonald, Bruesch No: Taylor Absent: Imperial Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. 4700 - PLANNING MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DeCOCKER, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN TAYLOR that the salary of the Planning Commissioners be increased to $80.00 per meeting, not to exceed two meetings per month. Vote resulted: Aye: DeCocker, Taylor, McDonald, Bruesch No: None Absent: Imperial Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. ADJ CC 5-13-89 Page 44 • 0 Councilman Bruesch asked that another code enforcement officer be hired for the City. Councilman Taylor requested further information before proceeding further. Mr. Bruesch requested a list of the code enforcement activities in the City. Mr. Tripepi stated that a copy of their log will be provided. Mr. Bruesch also asked the study to investigate the need for a commercial code enforcement officer. 4720 - MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DeCOCKER that account 4720 be approved. Vote resulted: Aye: DeCocker, Taylor, McDonald, Bruesch No: None Absent: Imperial Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. 4750 - CDBG Councilman Bruesch requested assurance that sufficient funds were being budgeted for graffiti removal. Mr. Tripepi stated that additional funds would be requested if they were needed. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DeCOCKER that account 4750 be approved. Vote resulted: Aye: DeCocker, Taylor, McDonald, Bruesch No: None Absent: Imperial Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. 4780 - SOLID WASTE VERBATIM DIALOGUE FOLLOWS: McDONALD: I just wanted the Council to take under consideration the possibility of capping the subsidy either this year or next year and start passing the cost on to the individuals. We're up to approximately subsidizing that program up to the tune $750,000 as projected for next year. I'd like to... and the prices of the dump and the subsidy aren't going to go down, ever. I think we're going to look in the future and see that the prices that other cities are paying, and we're still far below those, I don't know if we want to make a motion this time or just think about that. I know this is the one place where we can actually give something back to each one of the individual people that pay taxes in the City but I think my concern is that we could take that money that we save and actually give something that would last a little bit longer than what we're giving them right now. Right now, we're giving them $2.00 or something. They're only getting about a BigMac burger a month, as far as our subsidy is concerned, that's how I related it. If we could take that money and put it into a senior center or we could put it into a community center or we could it into a pool or we could put it into a park; we could have something for posterity. If you just give them food it doesn't work out as well as if you teach them how to fish, type of thing. BRUESCH: Dennis, what we're doing is paying for careless habits of the constituency, is what it breaks down to. We're saying just throw out anything you can, we'll pick it all up, and we.... McDONALD: I think we ought to have that service and I think it's nice. ADJ CC 5-13-89 Page #5 0 • BRUESCH: I agree that we have to have the service. McDONALD: I think what the trash industry is leaning towards is actually per pound pickup because you see the industry moving towards the truck that picks up the container on the side and they've already got those where they could read out how much is in that container. We're eventually, and I think we're all aware of it, being forced into recycling a little bit and then we're going to be charge per pound just like you are for gas and electricity and water. In the future we're going to be doing that same for trash,' almost like a utility. I just want to throw that out for discussion. I was just a little concerned that it was getting to the point where by the next budget session it will probably be up to $1,000,000 a year. I know it's nice to give that back but I think we can give it back in a way that would be a little bit more productive for the community as a whole. Anybody else have anything to say? BRUESCH: I would move that we put a cap at $750,000. McDONALD: How do you feel about that, Gary? TAYLOR: I intend to vote no on it. McDONALD: You intend to vote no? TAYLOR: I will vote no on it. McDONALD: Any comments on the proposition? TAYLOR: You're going have to account for all the money you're giving away to special interest groups and you're going to take this away from 15,000 residents in this community. Do what you want with it but that's just the way I'm going to put it. McDONALD: You don't think a park or to put that money into a community center would be a better investment? TAYLOR: We're going to put in a community center besides that, Dennis. We've already got the money appropriated for that. That's not a good enough reason, we're going to do that already. McDONALD: We could put it into anything. Something that everyone... we're going to get an increase in the dump fees of $1.50 per ton on July lst. TAYLOR: That whole thing is a sham. We're a victimized monopoly situation. McDONALD: i realize that. TAYLOR: The public is going to get, as they say, the shaft no matter what's done. They really don't have any control this. It's pure politics coming from the State, coming from the County. They want to close the dump, well we'll force these people to play our program. I agree, there's a problem to a degree. We can recycle material. That doesn't help the resident by and large. The rates go up and the waste haulers get the benefit of the recycling profits. Some of the cities around us are saying the same thing. This isn't fair, the rates go up, they make the money, and we pay more. There's something wrong with it. BRUESCH: You're absolutely right with your comments about who gets the benefit of the recycling but the point is that communities such as ours or any community in a metropolitan area such as ourselves cannot afford subsidizing the careless habits of the people. Everybody in this six-county area has got to be thinking about what they throw away. If we continue, and this is the only reason I suggest this, it's not because i don't think it's a good policy of paying for the trash pickup. I think that each person in this area must have it put in their mind that they've got to be more careful of what they put in the trash. ADJ CC 5-13-89 Page #6 • • TAYLOR: I don't have a problem with that. It's a different issue. BRUESCH: If we keep on paying that price and paying the upper level of the price, what we're actually doing is saying continue to throw away, we'll pay for it. I don't think that's right. TAYLOR: If you get into the recycling issue of it, that's something entirely different than what we're talking about now. BRUESCH: Not really. It's get a... TRIPEPI: If I, Bob, let me just interject something. Because two of you have come on after this subsidy thing came about. What's really happened is the Council was, I'm not going totally embarrassed, but we were beginning to build up a reserve exceeding $10,000,000, just general fund reserve. The Council recognized that we're not really in business to make that kind of money. We're not a profit motivated agency. They decided to figure out a way, they asked us to figure out a way or directed us to come up with some alternatives of how to return some of this money back to the residents as a direct benefit to the people who are helping to contribute to that reserve. What we came up with was the trash subsidy. I just want to remind those of you that were on and to let the new ones know. It has not exceeded what we had anticipated. We fully well expected to be paying $1,000,000 a year by the time the contract came due in 191. It's been plugged in and when we put the budget together that subsidy comes directly out of the general fund reserves after the budget is there. It's the Council's way of reducing the reserves and to directly benefit all the residents that live in the community. If you develop a recycling program, a curbside recycling program, you would still pay a subsidy fee. It really doesn't....I think that is where.Mr. Taylor is indicating a difference between the two. What you're considering here is the continuation of the subsidy. Again, it's a policy question as to whether or not you want to cap it at $750,000. That's not for us to determine as staff. But I will tell you that from the projections that we have and what we did initially, it's been a few years, we fully expected it to be up to about $1,000,000 a year. McDONALD: What's our reserve in the general fund? BRUESCH: About $9,000,000. TRIPEPI: About $9,000,000, $9,500,000. We've been paying the subsidy for about...I believe we're in our fourth year now.... and we have effectively reduced the reserve by about 1/2 million to 3/4 million dollars. You had 10 million dollars in reserves when you started four years ago, now you're down to 9 1/2 million dollars. BRUESCH: I want to separate the idea of recycling. What I'm saying is that when we continue to subsidize a waste fee with whatever the service is, that people just throw everything away without thinking about it, we are really subsidizing..... McDONALD: We're that type of society, Bob. We use it once and throw it away. BRUESCH: I realize that. One of things that is constantly being put before us as public officials, is that our policy affects what the attitudes of the people in our communities show. I guess I'm just saying that I think it's not to our best interests to support careless habits. Another example of that is in a neighborhood where the streets are always filled with junk like that. We give more money for the street sweeper to go down there two times instead of one time instead of going in there and forcing litter laws. If we send the sweeper in there two times a week instead of one we are actually paying for the bad habits of the people and I think is exactly the same situation. ADJ CC 5-13-89 Page #7 McDONALD: I don't think necessarily bad habits. This society is a throw-away society. It's what keeps the economy going, going out to buy something else. I was just worried that the costs are getting so high that at some point we're going to have to say we're going to stop and all of a sudden something is going to come down from the State level and the people are going to be jumped on by $10-15 increase in fees and it's going to scare the Council who happens to be seated at that time. There's a lot of dump exceptions that are going to be changed within the next 4-5 years and solid waste is really going to have to improve technology-wise to catch up. TAYLOR:' Where do we stand on it? BRUESCH: I made a motion but I guess it died for a lack of a second. McDONALD: What was your motion? . BRUESCH: A cap of $750,000 pending a new contract which is a year and a half.... McDONALD: Do I hear a second? This is going to be a good vote. I'll second.it. We have a motion and a second on the floor to cap the subsidy at $750,000 pending a new contract. ROBERT KRESS, CITY ATTORNEY: And to make the policy decision at a later time as to whether that would be equally shared by residents and commercial accounts because you've got everything in that bulk $750,000. VOTE RESULTED: Aye: McDonald, Bruesch No: DeCocker, Taylor Absent: Imperial Abstain: None McDONALD: Dies. TAYLOR: This is one item I'd like in the minutes verbatim; this discussion on this trash subsidy because I believe that the majority of the residents are trapped in a quandary also. They continually have skyrocketing prices. Take the gasoline situation for example, right now and this is the only way that we can give them back $15-20 a year to 15,000 residents. we appropriate money for select groups within the City; the Chamber of Commerce being one and I think that the residents are entitled to a pittance, you might say. That's all it comes down to. McDONALD: Well, all the other monies that we have goes to everybody; when we improve the streets; when we improve the lighting; when we put in a park; when we work on the pool; when we work in the gymnasium; those are all ways to give the money back. It's indirect the way I was proposing it; the way you propose it is direct so that's.... TAYLOR: It's direct to all 15,000 properties and sure it's small. I said a pittance because that's what it is when compared to we have the commercial grant programs, the rebate, $15, 20, $30,000 to some of these private businesses. I don't think it's fair that the residents at large get zero back. Sure, they get the use of the streets but so do all the outside residents. The same thing with the community center that we have. It's amazing the number of people that do not live in our City that use our facilities and the local residents pay the taxes for it. I think it's only appropriate that I'll try to give them $15-20 if I get the chance to and that's all it is. ADJ CC 5-13-89 Page #8 BRUESCH: Again, I see nothing wrong with usi back into the community. We are faced with a to get our people to be thinking about that. that by subsidizing it so that they have such subsidize cable t.v. for the seniors, another franchisees? Zg the surplus to go crisis and we've got I don't think we do low costs. Why not one of our TAYLOR: Don't we do that already? At a lower rate? BRUESCH: But the City.... TAYLOR: Don't we already do that? BRUESCH: Well, the point is, I'm just throwing that out as an example. we can do a lot of other things that would be more, in my opinion, of a more positive.... You had a comment? KRESS: No. I was just answering Councilman Taylor that we don't subsidize cable television. McDONALD: No. We've asked them to provide it at a lower rate. TRIPEPI: They provide a discount to seniors. KRESS: Therefore, all the subscribers who actually pay subsidize but the City isn't involved in the transaction. TAYLOR: But don't they get a discount? TRIPEPI: Yes, they do. TAYLOR: So, no matter how we word it; play the game; whatever, there is selective treatment. TRIPEPI: Staff would recommend then, for the purposes of the budget, approval of account 4780.... TAYLOR: Move the approval. McDONALD: We have a motion. DeCOCKER: Second. TAYLOR: This is as presented. TRIPEPI: Yes. VOTE RESULTED: Aye: DeCocker, No: None Absent: Imperial Abstain: None McDONALD: So carried. END VERBATIM DIALOGUE Do I hear a second? Taylor, McDonald, Bruesch A recess was called at 11:25 a.m. for lunch and reconvened at 12:15 p.m. II. CONSIDERATION OF REMAINING ACCOUNTS Councilman Taylor expressed concerns with account 4500 - Construction - Streets & Highways, stating that no real major street improvement projects were being budgeted for in the next fiscal year. Al Rodriguez, Deputy City Engineer, stated that the City could implement a program similar to what is in the Agency budget; a various streets resurfacing project. ADJ CC 5-13-89 Page #9 Mr. Taylor was primarily concerned with the deterioration of certain streets in the northern portion of the City. Mr. Rodriguez stated that a program would be developed and returned to the Council for approval at a later date. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY MAYOR McDONALD that these remaining accounts be approved. Vote resulted: Aye: DeCocker, Taylor, McDonald, Bruesch, Imperial No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. Councilman Bruesch requested staff to investigate the feasibility of taking over the care of the Walnut Grove Avenue underpass and present a recommendation to the Council. III.CONSIDERATION OF PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS Frank G. Tripepi, City Manager, recommended a 5% cost of living adjustment (COLA) with a 0-5% merit increase, based on the individual's performance and work effort, for all City employees. Councilman Taylor stated the opinion that 10% is an excessive amount. Mr. Taylor added that this is no criticism or reflection on any member of staff but that 10% is too high on a consumer-wide aspect. Private industry and other public agencies are not getting 10% increases. Councilman Taylor requested that staff go back for a five-year period and determine the actual amount of increases that had been granted because the raises are compounding. Mayor McDonald noted that he was in favor of the recommendation as stated by staff. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TAYLOR, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN IMPERIAL that the total package increase be limited to 7% comprised of a 4% COLA and 0-3% merit. Vote resulted: Aye: Taylor, Imperial No: DeCocker, McDonald, Bruesch Absent: None Abstain: None A substitute motion was made by Councilman Bruesch to grant to the employees a 4.6% COLA with a 0-3% merit and this motion died for lack of a second. After some further discussion it was MOVED BY COUNCILMAN DeCOCKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH that the Council grant a 4.6% COLA and retain the 0-5% merit because 5% is not automatic to all employees and allows for incentive motivation. Vote resulted: Aye: DeCocker, McDonald, Bruesch No: Taylor, Imperial Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. In consideration of the city Manager it was MOVED BY COUNCILMAN DeCOCKER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH that the City Manager be granted a 4.6 COLA and a 5% merit increase effective July 1, 1989. Vote resulted: ADJ CC 5-13-89 Page #10 Aye: DeCocker, McDonald, Bruesch No: Taylor, Imperial Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. Councilman Taylor requested the record to show that his vote is no reflection on Mr. Tripepi or any staff employee. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN DeCOCKER that a $500 per month salary adjustment be granted to the Finance Director. Vote resulted: Aye: DeCocker, Taylor, McDonald, Bruesch, Imperial No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. There being no further action to be taken at this time the meeting was adjourned at 1:05 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 23, 1989 at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted: APPROVED: Cit Clerk MAYOR ADJ CC 5-13-89 Page #11