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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - May 20, 2008 SSCITY OF LODI SPECIAL JOINT INFORMAL INFORMATIONAL MEETING "SHIRTSLEEVE" SESSION CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2008 A Special Joint Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council and the Lodi Budget/Finance Committee was held Tuesday, May 20, 2008, commencing at 7:01 a.m. A. ROLL CALL Present: Council Members — Hitchcock, Hansen, Johnson, Katzakian, and Mayor Mounce Absent: Council Members — None Present: Lodi Budget/Finance Committee Members — Kirsten, Russell, Vargem, and Chairperson Johnson Absent: Lodi Budget/Finance Committee Members — Domingo, Harris -Wall, Roberts Also Present: City Manager King, City Attorney Schwabauer, and City Clerk Johl B. TOPIC(S) B-1 "Review of the 2008-09 Draft Budget" City Manager King briefly introduced the subject matter of the joint meeting between the Lodi Budget/Finance Committee. Deputy City Manager Krueger reviewed the 2007-08 budget recommendations regarding the energy cost adjustment, Parks & Recreation/Hutchins Square organizational review, Code Enforcement consolidation, financial system, mobile home rates, cable franchise fees, fleet replacement policies, economic development, Community Redevelopment Agency, capital improvements, and deferred maintenance study. He also provided an overview of the current year recommendations including not funding San Joaquin Partnership, Downtown Lodi Business Partnership (DLBP), Parade of Lights, and grants for arts. The Committee did recommend funding an economic development coordinator position and funding the fireworks and 4h of July event with recovery of costs. He also discussed sub -committees to review public safety overtime, skate park, and impact mitigation fees. In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Krueger stated the recommendation is that the sub -committees be formed through the Lodi Budget/Finance Committee, not the City Council. Committee Chair John Johnson stated the recommendation with respect to the Lodi Conference and Visitors' Bureau was based on a discussion with Nancy Beckman with respect to future transient occupancy tax (TOT) application and percentages that may apply. In response to Mayor Mounce, Mr. Johnson stated the Committee's recommendation is for the City Manager and City Council to work on the TOT percentages. Mr. Krueger stated the Committee may be able to provide some assistance with the same. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Mr. Johnson stated that, based on a balanced budget, the Committee decided to recommend not funding the San Joaquin Partnership and DLBP and in exchange funding the economic development coordinator position to get the most for the City's dollars. A brief discussion ensued between Council Member Johnson, Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, and Mr. Johnson regarding whether an economic development coordinator or the Partnership is better suited to represent Lodi. In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. King stated there are both arguments in favor of and against funding the San Joaquin Partnership. Fb stated the arguments against include the organization is heavily favored with the city of Stockton and other communities and less so with Lodi, intra -County relocations, and job creation that is focused on logistics and warehousing, which generally tend to be fewer jobs in larger areas. He stated the arguments in favor include job creation for the entire county, the organization working with cities, and commitment with respect to the Enterprise Zone. Mr. King stated he did not Continued May 20, 2008 believe it was the right time to fill an economic development coordinator position in light of budget concerns. In response to Council Member Hitchcock, City Attorney Schwabauer stated impact fees can be used to expand or create new facilities so long as the growth drives the need for such expansion and creation. Mayor Mounce stated she would not be opposed to looking at options to make the DLBP more self-reliant at mid -year review or next year so long as there is ample notice given in conjunction with the fiscal year of the DLBP. In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Johnson stated the Committee did not discuss the possible linkage of the DLBP to the Chamber of Commerce. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Mr. Johnson stated he believes the Committee had a reasonable amount of time to bring forth and consider its recommendations with respect to the economic development coordinator position. In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Hansen, Mr. King stated economic development is an ongoing process and not a fiscal year based activity. He stated the position may be reviewed after the proper set of tools, such as redevelopment and Enterprise Zone, are in place. Committee Member Dave Kirsten stated his big concern was public safety overtime and related salaries and provided a brief overview of similar concerns shared in other communities, including Palo Alto and Los Angeles. In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Kirsten stated that, while the Committee may not have the science and/or technical expertise to do an in-depth analysis of the public safety overtime issue, the sub -committee would be able to reasonably work with members of public safety who can provide such information. He stated it may be that nothing can be done. Mayor Mounce suggested speaking with the firefighters directly. Mr. Johnson stated that, in light of the Committee's meeting schedule, the sub -committee should begin to take a look at the public safety overtime issue as soon as feasible. Mayor Mounce suggested the sub -committee also provide information regarding hiring a fully loaded employee and the use of overtime with respect to when it is more economically feasible to hire a full-time employee versus paying overtime. In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Johnson stated the items that did not make the list because they died on motions that lacked a second included the recreation supervisor position, the JDE program, 1% general fund set side for deferred maintenance, and outsourcing fire services. Mr. Johnson also suggested making the arts a self-sufficient program that does not require City subsidy. Mayor Mounce stated a special meeting may be held next Tuesday morning, May 27, for budget purposes if the budget is not adopted on Wednesday, May 21. C. COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS None. D. ADJOURNMENT No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 a.m. ATTEST: Randi Johl, City Clerk W . - J Budget Committee Recommendations 5-20-08 Line item recommendations San Joaquin County Partnership 359000 no Downtown Lodi Business Partnership 359000 no Parade of Lights -Community Events 2,500 no ONMIIWjibp Development Coordinator 72,500 Allocate to this eC7Oao"ic Grants for Arts 509000 no Fireworks 22,000 Yes, recover costs Community Events -4h of July 209000 Yes, recover costs Other Recommendations: Sub -committee to review Public Safety Overtime Sub -committee to review Funding for New Skate Park o Review Impact Mitigation Fees and possible use for this purpose Sub-committeeto review Impact Mitigation Fees and possible use for General Facilities deferred maintenance 1:1milf - ` ` Budget Committee Advisory Recommendations to City Manage • Energy Cost Adjustment (ECA) • Parks Recreation/Hutchins Square Organizational Review • Code Enforcement Consolidation with Police Department • Financial System • Mobile Home Rates • Cable Franchise Fees • Fleet Replacement Policies • Economic Development (per page 354 in Budget document) • Community Redevelopment Agency • Capital Improvements and Deferred Maintenance Study