HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/10/1995 B A K E R S F I E L D
Tandy, City Manager Patricia J. DeMond, Chair
: Dolores Teubner Irma Carson
Kevin McDermott
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMI'I-rEE
Monday, July 10, 1995
12:15 p.m.
City Manager's Conference Room
1. ROLL CALL
Call to Order at 12:15 p.m.
Present: Patricia J. DeMond, Chair; Councilmember Irma Carson;
Councilmember Kevin McDermott
2.APPROVAL OF JUNE 2, 1995 MINUTES
Approved as submitted.
3.PRESENTATIONS
None
4.PUBLIC STATEMENTS
None
5. DEFERRED BUSINESS
A. ASSESSMENT DISTRICT DISCLOSURE NOTICE
Kevin McDermott began by expressing concerns about the BAR's (Bakersfield
Association of Realtors) proposal being too vague with regard to disclosure of the
APPRO~EI) AIJGII$, 15, 1995 FILl ~0P~r
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Monday, July 10, 1995
Page -2-
amount of the assessment. Discussion ensued regarding how specific the
disclosure needs to be and whether or not it is appropriate for disclosure to take
place during escrow or prior to opening of escrow as the City's ordinance
requires. Irma Carson indicated that by having disclosure during escrow rather
than prior to opening escrow, that the buyer is not provided with all of the
information needed to make an offer on a home. Pat had concerns about the
BAR's language which allows the seller to say they don't know if there's a lien on
the property. She felt that the information was available to the seller and,
therefore, the seller should be required to definitively say whether or not there's
a lien and what the amount of the assessment is. She felt that if disclosure did
not come soon enough and was not definitive, an unsophisticated buyer may feel
too intimidated to stop the escrow process. Alan Tandy stated that with the
increasing use by developers of assessment districts for basic infrastructure, the
City is under increased pressure to create a disclosure process for buyers
affected by these assessments.
In addition, clarification was provided with regard to how the different types of
home sales would be affected by the City's ordinance versus the BAR's proposal
on disclosure. The BAR felt that new home sales should be covered by strict
disclosure, but resales shouldn't because it is often too difficult to determine what
the assessments are and if liens are present on the property. Pat DeMond felt
that the tax bill on the property would provide this necessary information with the
exception of homes sold prior to receipt of the first tax bill. She was concerned
about how disclosure would work for these cases. Alan Tandy stated that this
information was available through the Finance Department. Kevin McDermott
stated that he was willing to amend the City's ordinance to require disclosure
prior to signing the sales contract for new construction only and resales
disclosure could take place as part of the transfer disclosure document. The BIA
objected to this proposal. Kevin then stated that staff could meet with the BIA to
work out their concerns with this proposal prior to this amendment to the current
ordinance going to the August 9, 1995 Council meeting. Alan Tandy assured the
Committee that staff would meet with the BIA and BAR to resolve any concerns
on the ordinance amendment prior to the Council meeting. Pat DeMond
requested that the final amended ordinance be acceptable to all parties
concerned prior to its presentation to the full Council.
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Monday, July 10, 1995
Page -3-
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. COUNCIL AND EMPLOYEE TRAVEL
Gail Waiters gave a brief summary of the rules and regulations which govern
Council and Employee Travel. Gail distributed the budget instructions which
guide departments in budgeting for reimbursable expenses. She also described
the guidelines used by the Department Heads to evaluate their employees' travel
requests which include whether or not attendance is valuable to the City, if the
travel is needed to keep current in their field, or if they serve on the governing
board for a professional organization. Once the requests are submitted as part
of the proposed budget, the City Manager's office reviews the requests to
determine whether or not they are reasonable, evaluate the impact on the overall
department budget and the value of the travel to the organization. Gail distributed
two Administrative Policies governing granting of business leave and mileage
reimbursement. Gail added that all travel is itemized in the departmental budget
request, both in and out-of-state travel. Alan indicated that review of the actual
travel expenses is monitored and audited very carefully by the Finance
Department. Irma asked what the mileage reimbursable rate is now, and Gail
answered that it is currently $0.30. Irma asked about how the Council agrees on
the amount of travel for each Councilmember. Gail responded that Council travel
is governed by the same rules and regulations as set out by a Budget and
Finance Committee Policy established in May of 1984.
B. CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUTSIDE AGENCIES
Irma wanted to know whether or not the City Council had a policy on distributing
money to outside agencies to support their operations. Alan Tandy indicated that
the City Council may use a particular philosophy to guide decisions on
contributions; however, no written policy exists. The unwritten philosophy has
been to make contributions for capital costs only, rather than operating costs.
Kevin McDermott confirmed this point and Pat Demond indicated that a written
policy might constrain the flexibility of the Council in making exceptions and
responding to special cases. Irma was concerned that non-profit organizations
might not be aware of this and, therefore, might not know that their requests will
be considered. Pat DeMond stated that all groups have access to the Council to
make requests and that many groups have had requests considered over the
years.
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Monday, July 10, 1995
Page -4-
C. CRITERIA FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS
Lee distributed a memo regarding the history of development of public swimming
pools. He indicated that no formal policy exists other than the recommended
guidelines for swimming pool location included in the General Plan. Irma asked
what is the process if an area of the City wanted a pool. Lee indicated that they
could submit a request which staff would evaluate and make a recommendation
to the City Council. Pat asked if new pools would have to be financed through
an assessment district. Alan Tandy stated that it has been over 30 years since
the City built a public swimming pool since the pool at Silvercreek was donated
by the developer. Lee Anderson stated that an assessment district would
probably be required to finance the capital costs and then a maintenance district
used to pay for maintenance costs. Kevin McDermott added that any new pools
should probably be built in partnership with a school in order to share in the costs
and the use.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council