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Minutes 77-04-18MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL HELD April 18, 1977 The adjourned regular meeting of the Cypress City Council was called to order at 5:45 p.m. on Monday, April 18, 1977 in the administrative conference room of the City Hall, 5275 Orange Avenue, Cypress, California, Mayor Donald Hudson presiding. PRESENT: Councilmen Harvey, Lacayo, MacLain and Hudson ABSENT: Councilwoman Sonju EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Hudson called an Executive Session for matters of litigation at 5:47 p.m. COUNCILWOMAN SONJU ARRIVED AT 5:50 P.M. The meeting was called back to order at 6:15 p.m. with all Councilmen present. At the City Manager's request, Mayor Hudson added an item to the agenda regarding E.D.A. Grant Budget Changes. The City Manager presented a report from the Public Works Director dated April 18 which recommended budget changes to the EDA grant for the Civic Center Handicapped Access Improve- ments Project. The report indicated that EDA officials will agree to transfer all monies originally budgeted for items other than the construction contract (administrative expenses and contingencies) if the City will cover its own administra- tive expenses and absorb any contingencies that might arise. It was moved by Councilman Harvey, seconded by Councilwoman MacLain and unanimously carried to approve the EDA grant budget changes as outlined in the staff report and authorize staff to request the grant budget changes. The City Manager transmitted budget materials to the Council reflecting the 1977-78 program budget requests which showed adjustments following the City Manager's review of department budgets. He reported the 1977-78 preliminary budget amount was $4,618,753 and estimated revenue based on the existing tax rate and a 15% increase in assessed valuation was $4,445,309. The program budgets do not include capital improvements but do include new capital outlay items. The estimated reserve would be reduced to approximately $200,000. Councilwoman Sonju moved to delete all capital outlay items in the Police Department budget with the exception of two steno chairs and a four drawer file cabinet. The motion was not seconded. The Council discussed the College parking enforcement program, the'race track admissions tax and police program, and the Chamber of Commerce support program. The staff suggested that Cypress College be requested to share in the increased personnel salary and fringe benefit costs for the parking enforcement program. The Council agreed to direct staff to pursue this with the College. Staff pre- sented a comparison of admissions taxes charged by other race tracks and reported the City of Inglewood is reimbursed separately for police costs by the Hollywood Park Race Track. City Council Minutes April 18, 1977 The staff reported on the series of increases in the admissions and parking taxes for Los Alamitos Race Track. Staff felt the impact of the Orange County Fair would increase police costs by about $5,000. With regard to the Chamber of Commerce support, Mayor Hudson felt it might be more economical to the City if the City rents the Noe Building to another organiza- tion or public agency which could pay the total maintenance costs and assists the Chamber of Commerce with rental costs for office space elsewhere. The City Manager suggested that the Council consider using revenue sharing funds for the capital improvement projects amounting to $75,000 proposed for next year. The Public Works Director described the public facilities capital projects proposed for 1977-78. The Council discussed a proposed 1% increase in the franchise tax and the City Manager reported there has never been an increase in the City of Cypress. The Public Works Director felt that the utility companies would not be able to increase rates for one particular area, like Cypress, if the City increases the franchise tax. COUNCILMAN HARVEY LEFT THE MEETING AT 7:05 P.M. The staff transmitted another listing of possible program reductions including: elimination of Chamber of Commerce support, the City newsletter, Christmas ornaments, street tree replace- ment, and Public Works Saturday refuse program, amounting to a total reduction of $140,640. Staff stated these items would not necessitate a reduction of present employees. Councilwoman Sonju moved to delete all items on the list with the exception of the Chamber of Commerce support amounting to $7,000, Christmas ornaments amounting to $1,000, and newsletter amounting to $7,000. The motion was not seconded. It was moved by Mayor Hudson and seconded by Councilwoman MacLain to increase the race track admissions tax by five cents, increase the franchise tax by one percent; and notify the Chamber of Commerce that the Council is investigating finding another tenant for the Chamber building and substituting a rental allowance for the Chamber. Councilman Lacayo felt the Council should consider a greater increase in the admissions tax or none at all. He suggested a 15 or 20 cent increase. He also suggested that the Chamber of Commerce be sent a letter requesting a joint meeting to discuss their funding and maintenance of the building. Councilmen Hudson and MacLain moved to amend the motion to delete the increase of the franchise tax, increase the race track admissions tax to 4S cents and direct the City Attorney to prepare the appropriate ordinance, and send a letter to the Chamber of Commerce requesting a joint meeting to discuss their budget. The motion carried with Councilwoman Sonju voting no. ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by Councilwoman MacLain, seconded by Mayor Hudson and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:3S p.m. to Wednesday, April School. 2O ATTEST: cITY'~L~RK O~ 'THE CITY at 7:30 p.m. at Cawthon Elementary MAWR OF THE ~CITY OF CYPRESS / OF CYPRESS