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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/19/1995 BAKERSFIELD ,~ Randy Rowles, Chair Stt~a~. Trudy Sl~fep/J J Irma Carson ~ ~ Jacquie Sullivan AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT [~EGISLATIVE AND L_ITIGATION COMMITTEE ~ Thursday, October 19, 1995 5:00 p.m. City Manager's' COnference Room 1. ROLL CALL Called to order 5:15 p.m. Members present: Councilmembers Randy Rowles, Chair; and Irma Carson Member absent: Councilmember Jacquie Sullivan 2. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 25, 1995 MINUTES Approved as sUbmitted. 3. PRESENTATIONS None 4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None 5. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. CHARTER AMENDMENTS BALLOT MEASURES Staff clarified that Charter amendment wording had been approved at the Council meeting of October 11 although the wording could be changed if that was what the Committee desired. Chairperson Rowles indicated that a staff report would be sent back to Council indicating what had occurred in committee. APPROVED AS $iJBI~UTTED YEBRIJARY 1, 1996 FILE gOP¥ Agenda Summary Report Legislative and Litigation Committee October 19, 1995 Page -2- B. LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM Staff was directed to summarize proposed changes to the Legislative Platform. Additional information will be gathered at the League Conference for further review in January. 6. NEW BUSINESS A. PRIVATIZATION OF CITY SERVICES Upon being questioned, the City Attorney indicated that the City Council currently. has the authority to privatize city services. A discussion ensued on placing a pdvatization measure on the ballot. Chairperson Rowles indicated that a successful privatization measure would indicate the public's desire for the City to privatize. Councilmember Carson indicated that as the Council already had the authority to privatize city services she felt that Council is elected to provide the leadership which will find the best solutions for all concerned. Chuck Waide, union representative, indicated that such a charter amendment would limit Council's ability to respond to emergencies. He stated that privatizing was not new to the city indicating several instances where it has or is currently being used, including sanitation, the woodsite, in custodial services, in the mechanics section, in domestic water and in risk management. Reasons discussed for placement of a privatization measure on the ballot included: giving the people the ability to voice their opinion on the level of service, objectives for the City to perform by, and the ability for subsequent charter amendments to occur; competition improves quality, choice and lowers costs; and frustration over accountability to the taxpayer. Opposition to placement upon the ballot included: Council's ability to privatize services now; need to look beyond just dollars to assess entire impact upon community; constituent ability to voice their opinions to their Councilmember without going through the Charter amendment process; and confusion to the taxpayer over a privatization ballot measure. Councilmember Rowles indicated that the committee was not taking a position on a privatization ballot measure; he would draft legislation and submit it to be part of the Council agenda on November 8. He further indicated his proposal would not include public safety. Agenda Summary Report Legislative and Litigation Committee October 19, 1995 Page -3- The City Attorney was asked to prepare a legal opinion on whether Council currently has the authority to privatize city services. She was further asked to include whether Council has the right to pay prevailing wages or not on projects and whether that is included in the Charter. Councilmember Carson indicated she would like to know how many dollars the City spends on contracted services and how much of the City budget is restricted to private contract services. Chairperson Rowles indicated he would like to know how much the City contracts out for parks and maintenance districts. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Staff Attendees: City Manager Alan Tandy; City Attorney Judy Skousen; Administrative Analyst Trudy Slater Public Attendees: Chuck Waide; John Wilburn; Tony Brizano; Marc Benjamin (L&L101 g.min)