HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/24/2011 - Study SessionCity Council Minutes
City Council Study Session
May 24, 2011 — 3:00 p.m.
I. ROLL CALL
Present: Council Member Hill, Council Member Rosansky, Mayor Pro Tem Gardner, Mayor Henn,
Council Member Selich, Council Member Curry; Council Member Daigle
City Manager Kiff introduced the new Community Development Director, Kimberly Brandt. .
II. CURRENT BUSINESS
CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
In response to Council inquires regarding Item 5 (Loud and Unruly Gathering Ordinance),
City Manager Kiff clarified that if the ordinance passed at second reading, an outreach
program would include a public informational plan with direct notification to any property
owner along with proposed draft language which could be included in their rental
agreements. He also stated that all necessary and appropriate means would be used to
notify the property owner after the occurrence of a loud and unruly gathering.
Regarding Item 7 (ASBS Grant), Mayor Pro Tem Gardner requested that staff look into
whether Council has the opportunity to deal with Buck Gully/Little Corona Pond instead of
the Los Trancos Pond. She also mentioned Item 8 [Concession Agreement(s) for Corona del
Mar State Beach], commenting on the procedure and new RFP.
2. BUDGET DISCUSSION FOR ALL CITY DEPARTMENTS AND THE CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP). [100 -20111
City Manager Kiff and Administrative Services Director McCraner utilized a PowerPoint
presentation which included budget principles; an expenditure explanation; the cost curve,
FY12 department adjustments; budget and realignment philosophy for City Council, City
Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk Offices, and Administrative Services, Human
Resources/Risk Management, Community Development, Library Services, Public Works,
Recreation and Senior Services, and Municipal Operations Departments.
Discussion ensued regarding the Media and Communications Committee. City Manager
Kiff stated that the current model. is insufficient and suggested that a non - profit or
consulting firm take on the entire responsibility as a more appropriate management
model.
Administrative Services Director McCraner clarified that the new full-time Budget Analyst
position would assist all City departments, especially the City Attorney's Office and
Recreation and Senior Services Department, with budget reconciliation, variance analysis
and performance based budgeting review.
City Manager Kiff stated that there will be a full discussion of position control and changes
during the June 14, 2011 meeting.
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City of Newport Beach
City Council Study Session
May 24, 2011
Council Member Selich commented on the City Attorney's budget reduction plan and
clarified that focusing more on conducting litigation using in -house staff as opposed to
advisory work will result in saving some of the outside counsel costs. He also inquired
about the Local Coastal Plan (LOP), under the Community Development Department, and
how their plan fits into the budget.
In response to Council questions, Administrative Services Director McCraner stated that
under the proposed Public Works budget, direct project costs will be allocated to Water and
Sewer CIP projects where project costs will be absorbed by the Water Enterprise Fund
instead of the General Fund.
Public Works Director Badum stated that they are holding the vacant Public Works
Inspector position open for now with the anticipation of bringing that vacant position back
next year, along with the possible elimination of the City Surveyor position after a one
year reevaluation. He noted that the reduction in services proposed by the budget would
result in a decreased speed at which projects are put out.
Discussion ensued between Council and City Manager Kiff regarding street lighting, fleet
maintenance, and the restroom maintenance contract.
Municipal Operations Director Harmon commented on the new Compressed Natural Gas
(CNG) facility and its utilization by outside agencies, as well as looking into alternative
fuels.
City Manager Kiff utilized an additional PowerPoint presentation to address the Capital
Improvement Program (CIP), including its General Fund picture and year -end balance
conclusion.
Deputy Public Works Director Webb utilized a PowerPoint presentation including
background information about the CIP, CIP project selection, City Council CIP priorities,
FY 2010 -11 CIPs completed, photos of completed CIP projects, the ongoing encumbrance
project list, 10 -year CIP funding history, FY 2011 -12 CIP projects, Traffic Signal
Modernization (TSM), FY 2011 -12 CIP summary, and the proposed FY 2012 CIP new
funds, re- budgets and total funds.
Deputy Public Works Director Webb addressed questions regarding the streetlight
rehabilitation project, Civic Center and Park project, modification improvements for the
drainage system, as well as the expected schedule and grants for the remaining TSN
phases.
Council Member Hill and Mayor Henn stated that they appreciated the hard work ant
forward - thinking put into the CIP.
City Manager Kiff thanked staff and mentioned the upcoming June 14, 2011 Study Sessior
and potential City Council adoption of the budget, as well as the June 28, 2011 Stud}
Session and Council meeting if the budget is not adopted on June 14, 2011.
City Manager Kiff presented a PowerPoint presentation entitled, Newport Beaci.
Lifeguards - Summary of Current Discussions. The presentation included lifeguard core
functions, minimum staffing guidelines, discussion items, a comparison of currem
alternatives for supervisory full-time employees (FTEs), current lifeguard and CERI
Program operations, and highlighted Alternatives A, B and C.
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City of Newport Beach
City Council Study Session
May 24, 2011
In response to Council questions, Battalion Chief Williams, Fire Chief Morgan, and City
Manager Kiff explained the difference between a paid and a non -paid 24 -hour beach
support service system; noted that the City is in line with other coastal communities with
regard to responding to beach related emergencies; confirmed that there are after hour
activities on the beach at night; addressed the changes in nomenclature; clarified the
definition of "nighttime standby;" stated that Alternatives A, B and C are different staffing
models based on a certain amount of full-time personnel; noted that the open Division
Chief position is a promotional position within the Fire Department; and noted that there
would be one layoff in Alternative B.
Discussion ensued between Council and Fire Chief Morgan regarding Alternative B and
the four part -time positions and pay scale.
City Manager Kiff stated that Alternative A is a viable proposal but it may be a model that
the community is not ready for. He recommended that Alternative B be placed on the
checklist, suggested it be implemented sooner rather than later, and noted that there are
negotiation items for the Lifeguard Management Association (LMA) to consider.
Council Member Curry mentioned the public's concern regarding management issues
related to overtime and the disproportional costs of these services in today's labor market.
City Manager Kiff and Fire Chief Morgan explained that the new Assistant Fire Chief
position would be an at -will position.
Mayor Henr commented on the Alternatives and encouraged staff to continue to find a way
to achieve the $700,000 targeted savings that was initially proposed.
Karen Tringali, CERT volunteer, shared her concerns regarding the proposed Fire
Department organizational changes, noting that they will directly impact the City's
Emergency Management Services Coordinator, Community Preparedness Coordinator, as
well as the respective programs, duties, responsibilities and ultimately the safety of the
City's residents, businesses and visitors. She also expressed her opposition to the
transferring of the Community Preparedness Program and its leadership out of the
Prevention and Preparedness Division.
Jennifer Strange expressed her concern regarding the safety of.the beaches during the
summer and off - season months, and presented Council with a petition with over 1,700
signatures in opposition to the lifeguard budget proposal.
Gary Standard presented Council and staff with background information about CERT
volunteers and their qualifications, and stated that the budget proposal reduces the
effectiveness of the Community Preparedness Coordinator and CERT program.
Ted Cooper requested Council and staff to take a hard look before implementing anything
that reduces the resources that support the CERT program.
Josh Yocam, Association of Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguards (ANBOL), expressed his
appreciation for the budget discussion process, but believed that the proposals will reduce
the City's ability to save lives.
Peter Adderton expressed his desire for the ABLE program to continue and suggested that
the City prepare an RFP for the program.
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City of Newport Beach
City Council Study Session
May 24, 2011
Brent Jacobsen, Lifeguard Management Association (LMA), mentioned the benefits of
Alternative B, including consistent supervision and ensured safety of the Junior Lifeguard
Program.
Mayor Henn acknowledged the passion of the CERT graduates and stated that the City
Manager and Council will be sure to address the concerns raised.
III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
IV. ADJOURNMENT - 5:05 p.m
The agenda for the Study Session was posted on May 19, 2011, at 5:06 p.m on the City
Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration
Building.
City Clerk
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