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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/15/2000 BAKERSFIELD {~)~ ~,5'~'~4"~ Patricia J. DeMond, Chair Aian Tandy, City M~er Mike Maggard Staff: Darnell Haynes Mark Salvaggio AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE May 15, 2000 2:00 p.m. or shortly thereafter City Managers Conference Room 1. ROLL CALL Call to Order at 3:27 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Patricia J. DeMond, Chair; Mike Maggard; and Mark Salvaggio 2. ADOPT APRIL 19, 2000 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. 3. PRESENTATIONS 4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS 5. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Discussion and possible recommendation regarding building relationships with our State and Federal elected officials to obtain additional project funding/lobbying efforts Damell Haynes reported on efforts planned to improve relationships and build a dialog with elected state and federal officials to make them aware of City concerns regarding project funding and lobbying efforts. ASsistant City Manager Alan Christensen will be attending a meeting in Sacramento next week regarding City representation and the need for substantial ongoing commitments to local government finance. Staff from the City Manager's office will initiate contact with the local offices of our State and Congressional officials to ask them or their field representatives to meet with the Budget and Finance Committee to discuss project funding and lobbying efforts. Staff will report back to the Committee. B. Discussion regarding the Equipment Management Fund Raul Rojas stated that in the mid 1980's the Council directed Public Works staff to develop an Equipment Management Fund so that there would be funds available for maintenance and replacement on a scheduled basis. Equipment includes vehicles, telecommunications, radios, o,,:,ooo, FILE COPY AGENDA SUMMARY REP( BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE Monday, May 15, 2000 Page -2- computers and copiers. New vehicles/equipment are purchased with cash and once in place the assigned department pays a fixed cost for the vehicle/equipment and maintenance. The fixed cost is increased five percent each year for 5 to 15 years, depending on the type of equipment, and this keeps the equipment fund solvent. The fund allows the City to replace or upgrade vehicles/equipment as needed. The estimated Equipment Fund balance is $11.5 million. VVhile the fund facilitates our ongoing needs at its current level, the cost of replacing our fleet equipment today would be about $59 million. The fund also allows for money to be loaned, with Council approval, to departments for special needs such as the toters purchased for Solid Waste. On such loans interest is charged. Gregory Klimko clarified that the City's large microwave system and the main-frame computer system are not included in the Equipment Fund. 6. NEW BUSINESS A. Review and recommendation regarding the Cost Recovery Program and proposed fees John Stinson gave an overview on the master fee schedule and proposed changes. Most of the increases are primarily due to inflation. The increased fees in the Aquatics Program are due to the state and federal changes in the minimum wage law. The Committee directed that when possible, increases should be made annually so they occur gradually. Committee members expressed concerns about the fees proposed for the Recreation and Parks Aquatics Program that may prohibit some young people from being able to apply for a job. There is a $40 fee to be certified, but also an additiOnal $75 fee for required training for a first-time life guard position. The Committee directed staff to further research this issue including the $30 fee for a driver's license certificate, provide information and address this issue during the May 22nd Recreation and Parks Department's budget presentation to Council for possible adjustment. Noting the possible adjustments needed in the Aquatics Program, the Committee unanimously approved for staff to go forward with the public hearing for the Cost Recovery Program. B. Discussion and Committee recommendation regarding request from Image Bakersfield 2000 for City of Bakersfield sponsorship Ruth Klein spoke about Image 2000 and its goal of a cooperative venture of profit, non-profit, and governmental agencies working together to improve Bakersfield's image. The proposal included an eight-page four-color tabloid of approximately 275,000 copies to be printed and inserted in a fall Sunday edition; 200,000 in the Los Angeles Times and 75,000 in The Bakersfield Califomian. The second issue of a similar tabloid would be scheduled to come out in the spring of 2001 with approximately 500,000 copies printed and inserted in Sunday editions; 200,000 in the Los Angeles Times, 200,000 in the San Francisco Chronicle, and 75, 000 in The Bakersfield Califomian. Cox Cable has indicated they will provide $55,000 of paid air time in the form of PSA spots. Image 2000 is looking for sponsors and would like City Counci. I approval and endorsement of this project, so that different City entities, such as the Convention and Visitors Bureau, would help them with financing and information. There are three levels of sponsorship: $8,000, $15,000, and $25,000. AGENDA SUMMARY REPOi~ BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE Monday, May 15, 2000 Page -3- Mayor Price was present and indicated the City's support of efforts to improve the image of Bakersfield. He believes the plan for the tabloid has changed since he was first approached by Image 2000. It appears it has become more of an advertising supplement rather than just being promotional. He felt it would be up to the Committee to make the recommendation if this is the venue they wish to financially support. There was discussion about the Chamber of Commerce Vision 2020 also having an Image Committee. The Convention and Visitors Bureau also has just put out a beautiful, full-color reference guide promoting tourism in Bakersfield. To avoid duplication of City support, the Committee suggested that the three groups meet and coordinate plans. Committee members reiterated that Council supports private efforts to promote the City, but is cautious regarding the expenditure of City resources on identical projects. The Committee recommended waiting until the Chamber's Vision 2020 project is completed and directed staff to see where efforts might be coordinated. C. Discussion and Committee recommendation for establishing procedures for evaluating ambulance service rates This referral generated from the Council meeting when ambulance rate increases were approved on information from the provider, and a question was asked if there was any methodology in place to compare services and rates with other cities. John Stinson stated that the last survey on ambulance rates was done in 1992. The cities surveyed were Sacramento, Modesto, Stockton and Fresno. Stockton no longer regulates rates. In 1993 the local process was changed. It had become increasingly difficult to do comparisons with other cities on an annual basis. The type of service locally provided is somewhat different in nature and managed care also affects services provided. Staff has checked with State and County EMS to see if they had knowledge of any recent surveys, and they are waiting for input in this regard. Gene Tackett stated that there is a review of the present system going on by Fred Drew, Kern County EMS. The review is going to address the system, pricing, and requirements for response times, so there may be some information generated from that. Committee members agreed that staff can do a survey with comparable cities, but should wait until results come out of the County EMS review since we must work with the process they will define. It was noted that the City has control of rates within the City, but State law provides that County EMS controls the zones and regulations over service providers qualifying to serve the area. The Committee directed staff to prepare an informational memo regarding what process we have in place for setting and regulating rates, a list of cities that have comparable services that could be used in a survey, and what role the City has with County EMS. It was discussed that in the past, requests for ambulance rate increases were brought to the Budget and Finance Committee for review and recommendations to the full Council. The Committee changed that procedure to staff review and their recommendations for action by the full Council. This process was implemedted by ordinance approved by the Council in 1995. The Committee further requested staff to include in the memo the pros and cons of both processes. Any recommendations will require an ordinance amendment. This item is to be brought back to the Committee for further study. AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE Monday, May 15, 2000 Page -4- D. Discussion regarding Southeast Bakersfield In-fill Housing Development Project (This item heard first under New Business) Jake Wager stated a proposal has been received from Mr. Marvin Dean and a determination is being made conceming its qualifications of eligibility for CHDO funds. A letter was sent to Mr. Dean on May 8th asking for additional information needed to complete the department's review of the application. Mr. Wager has been advised by Mr. Dean that they now wish to revise their proposal. Mr. Dean spoke about their infill project of building affordable homes on vacant lots in the southeast redevelopment project area. They are no longer specifying what type of funds, but are requesting a conditional commitment letter by May 25th from the City to do a private project not to exceed 10 homes in the southeast. Their request is for $15,000 per house for a total commitment of $150,000. He stated a desire to work with City Code Enforcement regarding property owners who do not wish to improve their property, work with the City and County rehabilitation programs, and work with law enforcement to set up neighborhood watch programs. Alan Tandy explained that in the administration of any city, federal, HOME/CHDO funds, or Block Grants, the paperwork trail and the composition of the documents have to be complete. When the requested information is received from Mr. Dean, the application will then be finalized and an agreement drafted for approval by both parties. When that step is finalized, the project request can move forward for City Council approval. The Committee directed staff to work with Mr. Dean when he has provided the necessary information for the application. 7. · COMMITTEE COMMENTS None. ~ 8. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m. Staff present: Mayor Bob Price; City Manager Alan Tandy; City Attorney Bart Thiltgen; Assistant City Manager John Stinson; Assistant City Man. ager Alan Chdstensen; Assistant to the City Manager Darnell Haynes; Economic Development Director Jake Wager; Fire Chief Ron Fraze; Community Development Coordinator George Gonzales; Finance Director Gregory Klimko; Development Services Director Jack Hardisty; Public Works Director Raul Rojas; Public Works Engineering Manager Jack LaRochelle; Assistant to the Public Works Director Georgina Lorenzi; General Services Superintendent Brad Underwood; Fleet Superintendent Ernie Medina and Deputy Fire Chief Gary Hutton. Others present: James Burger, The Bakersfield Californian; Marvin Dean, Southeast Bakersfield Business and Property Owners Association; Ruth Klein, Image 2000; Gene Tackett; Barbara Harris, Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance; Stephanie Campbell; and Jacqualine Att. cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council DWH:jp