Council Study Session

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION CITY OF MONTEREY Wednesday, May 27, 2015 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Councilmembers Present: Councilmembers Barrett, Downey, Haffa, Roberson Absent: Councilmember Smith City Staff City Manager, City Attorney, Director of Information Resources/City Clerk, Present: Assistant City Manager, Deputy City Manager, Plans and Public Works, Community Services Director, Finance Director, Fire Chief, Library Director, Acting Human Resources Director, Police Chief, Chief of Planning, Engineering, and Environmental CALL TO ORDER Mayor Roberson called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS STUDY SESSION 1. Review of the FY 15-17 Recommended Budget (Finance - 406-03) Action: Received and discussed report; received public comments Mayor Roberson gave a brief overview of the budget process and recognized City Manager McCarthy. Mr. McCarthy introduced the two-year budget and outlined some the staff recommendations, and Finance Director Forbis presented the information regarding reserves, revenues, expenditures, and the proposed budget details. Councilmember Haffa arrived at 4:27 p.m. Councilmembers indicated that they wish to discuss the possible future funding of the Downtown ambassador program in contrast with hiring additional police officers. On question, Interim Chief Hober said that the previously approved Community Services Officer positions are currently being recruited. Mayor Roberson asked to find out how much of the 1985 TOT increase for NIP and CIP went to the CIP. Mayor Roberson opened public comments on the budget. Mr. Soverign distributed a brochure to the Council regarding the Museum and its smart phone historical tour of the City and asked Council to support the program. Marie Hennesy, Chair of the Monterey County Visitor's Bureau and Monterey business owner, asked Council to retain the six percent funding for MCCVB. Nelson Vega asked Council to rethink not producing the past detailed annual budget document to keep the public informed. He supported the previous speaker regarding the MCCVB City Council Minutes Wednesday, May 27, 2015 contribution. He said that water is an important issue, and now is not the time to defund the Water Authority. Tammy Blunt, Monterey County Convention and Visitors' Bureau President and CEO, reviewed the work that her organization does and is planning during the Conference Center renovation. She suggested that now is not the time to put a cap on the investment in marketing. Rick Aldinger, Monterey resident and property owner, agreed with the previous speakers' points regarding investment in hospitality. He asked Council to maintain the six percent formula. Having no further requests to speak, Mayor Roberson closed public comment. Councilmember Downey thanked the Finance Director for the report. She said she would like to review the Window-on-the-Bay cleanup costs. On question, Ms. Bui-Burton explained that the costs at Bayview Academy are fully reimbursed. She said she would like to expand the trolley. She said she is pleased that the Water Authority budget is only $42,000. Mayor Roberson said that Council wants to analyze the budget decision points. Councilmember Haffa voiced concerns regarding the stormwater fee, and Mr. Rerig said that it is not contemplated to be raised at this time, but might be reviewed in the future. On question from Mr. Haffa, Deputy City Manager Pick said that the Wharf tenants already pay into the sprinkler fund. Mr. Forbis detailed the payments that are included in the Debt Services. Mr. Haffa said he would be interested in seeing how much the CIP budget should be in the future to adequately maintain the infrastructure. He asked to see a long term plan. City Manager McCarthy said that is the plan for staff to develop that plan. On question, Mr. Forbis explained the increases in the Tidelands fund via rents. Mr. Haffa said he would like to see how that fund could be leveraged. He asked to add a goal to gradually increase CIP budget so by 2025 it can sustain infrastructure. Councilmember Barrett asked Council to include a priority regarding economic development in order to keep revenues such as sales tax healthy. He asked to understand the predictions of rising revenues, and Mr. Forbis said that he would review additional revenue sources besides TOT, Sales and Property taxes. Mr. Barrett supported the ides of expanding the trolley service to a wider area of the community and days of operation. He supported unfreezing the Real Estate analyst position, but questioned why it is only for two years. Mr. McCarthy said that staff would like to do a trial to see how the workload balences out. Councilmember Downey asked if it is possible to loan money from the Parking Fund, and Mr. Forbis said that would be possible. Mr. Barrett voiced concerns regarding the rising credit card fees and asked how those might be reduced. On question Fire Chief Panholzer reviewed the Urban Search and Rescue Team program. On question, Finance Director Forbis said that the quarterly financial reports would not change, and the budget document would be printed bienneially. Councilmember Haffa said that he would be interested in hearing more about the Real Estate Analyst position, and that he would like to consider whether privatizing property management would be more viable. He said that the profit motive might cause better management. He clarified that he is talking about negotiating leases and managing the property. 2 City Council Minutes Wednesday, May 27, 2015 Councilmember Downey agreed, noting that she has asked to agendize privatizing a lease negotiator. ADJOURNMENT Having no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Roberson adjourned the meeting at 5:48 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Bonnie Gawf Clyde Roberson Director of Information Resources / City Clerk Mayor 3