Minutes 2002-01-21121
MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL
HELD
Januaw 21,2002
The adjourned regular meeting of the Cypress City Council was called to order at 5:31
p.m. by Mayor Sondhi in the Board Room, West Wing of City Hall, 5275 Orange
Avenue, Cypress, California.
PRESENT: Council Members Keenan, McGill, Piercy, Mayor Pro Tem McCoy, Mayor
Sondhi
ABSENT: None
Also present were City Manager, City Attorney, Director of Finance and Administrative
Services, Community Development Director, Public Works Director, Police Chief,
Recreation and Community Services Director, Assistant to the City Manager, Planning
Manager, Finance Manager, and Deputy City Clerk.
The City Manager stated the purpose of the mid-year budget review is to provide the
Council with a status of the current budget, update on issues that have occurred or are
about to occur mid-year, and to review preliminary budget figures for fiscal year 2002-
2003.
The Director of Finance and Administrative Services introduced Finance Manager Matt
Burton. He stated the General Fund is within the scope of expectations, therefore, there
will not be any requests for budget adjustments. The estimated revenues for the
General Fund are $23,843,615 and projected expenditures are $21,477,087, which is a
net increase of $2,366,528.
The Director of Finance and Administrative Services stated the increase in revenues is
mostly related to General Fund revenues, which increased $1.9 million. The City
experienced a major increase in sales tax, with the last two quarters for the City's two
largest sales tax producers being their highest quarters ever. Investment earnings have
increased over the projected amount. He stated interest earnings will actually be going
down in the future due to a drop in interest rates. Motor Vehicle In-Lieu is up from
projected amounts and Transient Occupancy Tax amounts are lower by 15 to 25% due
to the events of September 11,2001.
The Director of Finance and Administrative Services stated General Fund expenditures
are expected to be under appropriation by $351,670. A major impact was the OCTA
Gas Tax Exchange, which was $210,000 under the budgeted amount. Other
supplemental requests that have been approved include the shifting of the Police
Officers/Gun Range to Grant and General Fund, respectively, increase grant
appropriations totaling $87,462, and the Civic Center expansion design at $65,587.
He stated there will be an increase from operations to the General Fund balance of
$2.3 million. Some of the uses for these funds will be designated for the Conference
Center, increase contingency levels at year end, and to make up for monies the County
may hold back based on the recent property tax ruling of approximately $300,000.
In the Cypress Recreation and Park District Fund, estimated revenues are $3,484,740
and projected expenditures are $3,629,311, which is a net decrease of $144,571.
Decreases in revenues are from user fees, which were overbudgeted, property tax, and
park development fees, which are based on residential construction. Expenditures in
the Park District include an 8% increase in part-time salaries due to the increase in
minimum wages and the supplemental appropriation for the re-roof of the snack bar at
Oak Knoll Park ($4,250).
co .c,. ,.UT.S :1.22
The Director of Finance and Administrative Services stated that the Cypress Recreation
and Park District Fund Balance has a decrease from Operations of $144,571 and an
increase in Development Fee Fund of $25,000. The projected General Fund
Unreserved/Undesignated Fund Balance of $805,323 could be used for the mandatory
playground equipment upgrades.
He stated the Redevelopment Agency will be rolling over its $9.9 million debt this fiscal
year. The Certificates of Participation were refinanced, which provided a lower interest
rate. For the Project Area Cash Flow, there is a positive cash flow in the Civic Center
Project Area, but a deficit in the other two project areas. The Redevelopment Housing
Fund proceeds from the project areas total $682,380, and the fund balance is
$1,062,415.
The Director of Finance and Administrative Services stated some of the mid-year
budget issues impacting the City are:
Economy
Property Tax Ruling
Minimum Wage
Electric Crisis
Approval of Gun Range
Park Playground Equipment Improvements
Conference Center/VVicker Drive Development
Town Center Development
Lexington Junior High School Parking/Signal
Mandated Impacts (NPDES fees)
Cypress College Parking Violations (will be taken over by the school in July)
He stated that projections for revenue for Fiscal Year 2002-03 are $1,180,000 or 5.5%
greater than the current budget year. Sales tax is expected to be $600,000 over the
current year budget and property tax will be flat due to the recent ruling, but will be
offset by the two percent growth plus three percent in reassessments for resales.
Transient Occupancy Tax will be lower than initially budgeted this year. Investment
Earnings, Grant Revenue, and Motor Vehicle In-Lieu are all expected to increase for
next year also.
Mayor Sondhi asked if there were other sources available for the City to receive grant
monies.
The Director of Finance and Administrative Services stated the only grants available for
cities for the General Fund is for police or recycling, which the City already receives.
In regards to the Capital Improvement Program, the City is currently sending out
requests to the City Council, departments, and commissioners to start getting input for
the budget process. The City will continue with the $1.3 million transfer from the
General Fund to cover residential street resurfacing ($800,000), sidewalk repair
($250,000), and public facilities ($250,000). Other proposed ClP projects include the
Conference Center construction and storm drainage improvements.
Council Member McGill asked if the City was nearly done with the original repaving for
residential street resurfacing.
The Director of Finance and Administrative Services stated these funds would be for
looking forward as maintenance and set-aside for future uses when Measure M funds
are no longer available and the City must pay for arterial highway costs.
He stated the Capital Improvement Program for the Cypress Recreation and Park
District still has State Park Bond Funds to spend. Capital improvement projects include
upgrading playground equipment, Essex Park wrought iron fence, skate plaza,
Community Center renovation, Park Land purchase/development, and the Community
Center Marquee renovation.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
123
JANUARY 21,2002
Budget issues for FY 2002-03 include:
State budget (biggest concern
Property tax
Energy crisis
Negotiations/Non-represented
Boys & Girls Club-participation in gym
Minimum wage increases (Cypress Recreation and Park District)
Wicker Drive properties (purchase from RDA)
Council Member Keenan stated he would like the City to explore, as part of the budget
process, purchasing alternative fuel vehicles.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
None.
The City Council meeting was recessed at 6:16 p.m.
Mayor Sondhi left the meeting at 6:16 p.m.
The Redevelopment Agency was called to order at 6:16 p.m.
PRESENT:
Agency Board Members Keenan, McGill, Piercy, Agency Vice
Chairperson McCoy
ABSENT:
Agency Chairperson Sondhi
JOINT CLOSED SESSION WITH THE CYPRESS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Mayor Pro Tem/Agency Vice Chairperson McCoy left the meeting at 6:41 p.m.
The Redevelopment Agency was adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
The City Council meeting reconvened at 6:56 p.m.
REPORT OF WORKSHOP AGENDA/CLOSED SESSION:
The City Attorney reported that the Council met in a Joint Closed Session with the
Cypress Redevelopment Agency regarding Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing
Litigation, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a), Cottonwood Christian
Center v. Redevelopment Agency of the City of Cypress, Case Number SA02-60,
United States District Court - Central District of California, Case Number 02CC01575,
Orange County Superior Court - Central Justice Center. The City Council and Agency
were provided a confidential status report on recently filed litigation by Cottonwood
Christian Center. No action was taken in Closed Session, nor was any solicited.
The City Attorney reported that the second Cypress Redevelopment Agency Closed
Session item, Conference with Real Property Negotiators, pursuant to Government
Code Section 54956.8, Property: Approximately 75 Acres at Northwest corner of
Katella Avenue and Walker Street within the Los Alamitos Race Track and Golf Course
Redevelopment Project Area, Negotiating Party: Executive Director, Deputy Executive
Director, and Agency Counsel, Under negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment, was
not held, as the negotiating parties were unable to meet with Cottonwood Christian
Center prior to the scheduled Closed Session.
No action was taken in Closed Session, nor was any solicited.
3
ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:
None.
ITEMS FROM CITY MANAGER:
None.
ADJOURNMENT: Council Member McGill adjourned the meeting at 6:58 p.m., to
Monday, January 28, 2002, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Executive Board Room.
MAY?F~OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS
ATTEST:
~ CLER. O. +-. EOT¥ OF CYPRESS