Tulare City Council Budget Workshop

7635 ACTION MINUTES OF TULARE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF TULARE March 17, 2017 A special meeting of the Tulare City Council was held on Friday, March 17, 2017, at 12:30 p.m., in the Tulare City Fire Training Room, 800 S. Blackstone Street COUNCIL PRESENT: Maritsa Castellanoz, David Macedo, Greg Nunley, Jose Sigala COUNCIL ABSENT: Carlton Jones STAFF PRESENT: Joe Carlini, Willard Epps, Janice Avila, Darlene Thompson, Rob Hunt, Steve Bonville, Nick Bartsch, Traci Myers, Luis Nevarez, Frank Furtaw, Fred Ynclan, Roxanne Yoder, Melissa Hermann I. CALL TO ORDER SPECIAL SESSION Mayor Pro Tem Castellanoz called the special meeting to order at 12:48 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION Luis Navarez led the Pledge of Allegiance. An invocation was also provided. III. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mayor Pro Tem Castellanoz advised that comments from the public are limited to items listed on the agenda (GC 54954.3a). Speakers will be allowed three minutes. Please begin your comments by stating and spelling your name and providing your city of residence. IV. 2015/16 Year End Review Finance Director Darlene Thompson provided a report for the Council’s review. V. Mid-Year Budget Review and Direction Finance Director Darlene Thompson provided a report for the Council’s review. The Council requested staff to provide a report regarding funds removed from the Fire Department for fleet replacement. VI. Presentation of 2017/18 Budget Overview a. Preliminary 2017/18 Budget  7636 Finance Director Darlene Thompson presented a PowerPoint slide containing the total amount of projected revenue and expenditures for the General Fund 2017/2018 preliminary budget showing a projected deficit. b. Suggestions to Balance Budget Finance Director Darlene Thompson presented a PowerPoint slide displaying suggestions on how to balance the proposed budget. c. Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Interim City Manager Joe Carlini presented the SWOT to the Council, highlighting the staff’s view of the City’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. d. Fleet Control Budget General Services Director Steve Bonville presented PowerPoint slides detailing changes to the Fleet Control Budget, a Fire Apparatus funding schedule, proposed changes for a decrease in funding to the Fleet Control Budget, and recommended replacements. e. CalPERS Finance Director Darlene Thompson presented PowerPoint slides displaying current and future discount rates of CalPERS. Council requested staff research alternatives to CalPERS. Finance Director Darlene Thompson advised that moving away from CalPERS would be extremely expensive. f. Personnel Control Budget (PCB) Human Resource Director Janice Avila presented a PowerPoint slide displaying the recommended Personnel additions and reclassifications. Council requested clarification regarding the reclassification salary changes. g. Equipment Replacement Budget Finance Director Darlene Thompson presented a PowerPoint slide displaying equipment funded and their fund amounts. h. Projects Budget Senior Project Manager Nick Bartsch presented PowerPoint slides displaying the proposed 5-year General Fund capital projects including the 2017/18 and 2018/19 scheduled projects. Council requested to have staff consider moving the aerial drone project from the General Fund to the department’s Maintenance and Operations budget. Staff was also directed to research lease options for the BearCat project. i. Special Items: i. Proposed Reorganization of Community Development Community Development Director Rob Hunt presented PowerPoint slides displaying the current organizational chart for Community Development  7637 and the proposed organizational charts for Community and Economic Development and Community Services Department along with a slide detailing the personnel changes and additions and a slide highlighting the budget impact. ii. Redevelopment Agency Loan Finance Director Darlene Thompson presented a PowerPoint slide displaying the total approved loan amount, the payment amount the City will receive in 2017/18 (payments will be the same or slightly increased over the next 20-25 years) and the loan balance as of 6/30/18. Staff advised Council there will be a scheduled study session in April for the Low/Moderate Fund. iii. Master Fee Review Finance Director Darlene Thompson presented a PowerPoint slide displaying the status of the Master Fee Review. Staff advised Council that the fee schedule will be uploaded and made available on the City’s website. V. General discussion, and questions and answers Council Member Sigala requested staff provide a report detailing the true cost of the Ag Show. Finance Director Darlene Thompson advised that she will provide the requested report. Council Member Sigala inquired about duplicate lines for Animal Services on the Expenditure report. Animal Services Manager Frank Furtaw responded thereto. Council Member Sigala requested there be a line item added specifically for street lighting, setting aside $25,000 annually for the fund. Council Member Sigala requested reports regarding organizations that the City supports. Finance Director Darlene Thompson advised that those organizations present those reports to Council every June. Tulare Chamber of Commerce CEO Donnette Silva addressed the Council regarding questions raised. Council Member Sigala requested there be a line item added for Social Services, setting aside $25,000 annually for the fund, to address homelessness/social service issues. Council Member Sigala requested to fund a streets budget with $200,000 of Measure I funds. Finance Director Darlene Thompson inquired if the Council would like to increase their travel budget of $2,500. Council Member Sigala increased from $2,500 to $5,000 and allow rollover year to year with a max cap for each Council Member.  7638 VI. ADJOURN JOINT SESSION Mayor Pro Tem Castellanoz adjourned the special meeting to order at 4:40 p.m. _________________________________ President of the Council and Ex-Officio Mayor of the City of Tulare ATTEST: ________________________________ Chief Deputy City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the City of Tulare