Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-08-1994 Minutes MINUTES MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JUNE 8, 1994 STURGES AUDITORIUM 780 NORTH "E" STREET SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA This is the time and place set for an adjourned regular meeting of the Mayor and Common Council of the City of San Bernardino from the regular meeting held at 8:00 a.m., Monday, June 6, 1994, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 300 North "D" Street, San Bernardino, California. The City Clerk has caused to be posted the Order of Adjournment of said meeting held on Monday, June 6, 1994, and has on file in the office of the City Clerk an affidavit of said posting together with a copy of said Order which was posted at 3:00 p.m., on Tuesday, June 7, 1994, on the door of the place at which said meeting was held. The adjourned regular meeting of the Mayor and Common Council was called to order by Mayor Minor at 7:05 p.m., Wednesday, June 8, 1994. in the Sturges Auditorium, 780 North "E" Street, San Bernardino, California. ROLL CALL Roll call was taken by City Clerk Rachel Clark with the following being present: Mayor Minor; Council Members Negrete, Curlin, Hernandez. Oberhelman, Devlin, Pope-Ludlam, Miller; Deputy City Attorney Rhemrev, City Clerk Rachel Clark, City Administrator Shauna Clark. Absent: None. PUBLIC MEETING - ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 994 - PROPOSED EXTENSION & EXPANSION - CITY-WIDE STREET SWEEPING & STREET LIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT (1) This is the time and place set for a public meeting to consider the proposed extension and expansion of Assessment District No. 994, the city-wide street sweeping and street lighting assessment district. In a memorandum dated May 10, 1994, Roger Hardgrave, Director of Public Works/City Engineer, stated that Assessment District No. 994 was established on July 17, 1990, as a mechanism for generating additional funds for law enforcement services. The costs for street lighting and street sweeping were financed from the assessment district, with a commitment that the funds made available through the general fund would be used for law enforcement services. 1 6/8/94 A finding must be made each year by the Mayor and Council that these funds have been expended for law enforcement services. A five year "sunset" clause was included in the resolution establishing Assessment District No. 994 which stipulated that the district would expire in July, 1995, unless action was taken to extend the district. Authorization was granted at the January 10, 1994, Mayor and Council meeting to proceed with the legal requirements to extend and expand the district to include the following elements: remove the five year "sunset" clause, expand the boundaries of the district to include areas annexed since the district was established, expand the scope of the district to include maintenance and operation of traffic signals, and the graffiti removal program. A Resolution of Intention was adopted April 4, 1994 which determined the necessity for expanding the district, preliminarily approved the Engineer's Report, set the public meeting for June 8, 1994, and the public hearing for June 22, 1994. The annual assessment levy is currently approximately $48 per year for each assessment unit, which is one single family residence. Under the proposed expanded district, the amount levied would increase to approximately $65 per year per unit. Annual assessments may not be increased more than the Consumer Price Index (CPI) , or five percent, whichever is lower, without notifying all affected property owners, and conducting a public meeting and public hearing. It is the intention of the City to offer a rebate program to low and moderate income households; however, the rebate program would be financed from funds other than those generated by the assessment district. Notices were mailed to all property owners in Assessment District No. 994 stating the amount of the old assessment, the amount of the proposed assessment, and the date, time and location of the public meeting and public hearing. No action can be taken on the protests during the public meeting, and all protests should be carried over to the public hearing scheduled for June 22, 1994. Mayor Minor opened the public meeting. Fred Wilson, Assistant City Administrator, stated that Assessment District No. 994 generated funds to pay for street lighting and street sweeping services that in turn freed up monies in the general fund to provide funding for forty-eight additional police employees. He stated that a five year sunset clause was included in the district to satisfy concerns raised by citizens that the district would be reviewed periodically by the Mayor and Common Council to ensure that the net proceeds are being spent for law enforcement services. 2 6/8/94 Mr. Wilson stated that it is anticipated that the expanded Assessment District No. 994 would generate $4,460,800 annually, which would be generated and expended as follows: Revenue Street lighting Street sweeping Traffic signal maintenance Graffiti removal District administrative costs $1,811,800 $1,367,000 $ 763,400 $ 470,600 $ 48.000 TOTAL $4,460,800 Exoenditures Forty-eight police personnel Current police officer benefits Seventeen new police personnel Four patrol cars Police communications system $2,793,500 $ 424,400 $ 744,900 $ 148,000 $ 350.000 TOTAL $4,460,800 Mr. Wilson stated that a hotIine number was established to receive telephone calls from property owners concerning the district. As of May 9, 1994, a total of 274 calls had been received, 219 for information only, 41 calls in opposition, and 14 calls in support. The main concerns of the callers were that the notice was too difficult to understand; lack of city services such as street sweeping; lack of police visibility; lack of understanding of the graffiti removal program; Council "giving away City money"; and lack of understanding about the assessment formula. Since mid-May, the hotIine has averaged 15 calls a week. Daniel Robbins, Chief of Police, stated that when Assessment District No. 994 was created it was estimated that the Police Department would receive $2.5 million annually to address concerns associated with the rise in the City's crime rate, the response time for calls for service, inadequate police visibility, records management retrieval, and police officer recruitment and retention. The Police Department proposed to utilize this funding to hire twenty-three sworn employees, and twenty-five non-sworn employees, as follows: three Sergeants, twenty officers, eleven Police Records Clerk Trainees, one Community Service Representative III, twelve Community Service Representative II, and one Typist Clerk II, along with the necessary equipment, and set aside approximately $425,000 to enhance police officer benefits. Chief Robbins stated the following: CRIME RATE - In 1990 there was concern regarding the increase in the level of crime within the community, the trend continued in 1991, 1992, and 1993 saw a decrease totaling 10%; however, while the decrease is important to note, crime in our community today is at an unacceptable level. 3 6/8/94 RESPONSE TIME - The average response to life threatening crimes is approximately four minutes, approximately eight minutes for in progress felonies, and approximately twenty- three minutes for in progress misdemeanors. In 1990, 30% of the calls for service were of an emergency nature, the remaining 70% were of a lower priority; however, currently 70% of calls are emergency calls for service, which reflects the increase in reported violent crimes. Non- emergency crime reports not requiring on scene investigation are taken over the telephone, a procedure that many law enforcement agencies are now utilizing. POLICE VISIBILITY - The additional forty-eight police employees provide higher police visibility; however, with annexations and an overall increase in calls for service, there is always a need for additional units on the street. RECORDS MANAGEMENT & RETRlEV AL - For several years prior to 1990, the City had not reported mandated statistical information to both the State and Federal government due to a lack of personnel and difficulties with the antiquated records management system. These problems have now been resolved, and the City is now in compliance with these mandates. OFFICER RECRUITMENT & RETENTION - The department currently has three vacancies, and funding from the district has helped supplement officer benefits. All twenty-three sworn officers were placed in operational line units, nineteen in the Patrol Division, two in the Narcotics Unit, and two in the Homicide Unit. Of the twenty-five non-sworn employees, seventeen assumed non-emergency functions that had been previously assigned to sworn personnel. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE GRANT - In November 1993, the Police Department applied for a grant from the Department of Justice under the police hiring supplement program. Under this program, cities the size of San Bernardino could apply for up to $2 million in Federal funds to hire additional police officers. The funds could be used to pay new police officer salaries and benefits for a period of three years. On February 9, 1994, the Department was notified that it had been awarded a grant for a total of seventeen police officers, and would receive Federal funds in the amount of $1,439,000 over a three-year period. The City would be obligated to provide $2,100,000. The seventeen officers would be assigned to the Patrol Division pursuant to the grant requirements. Additionally, the department would purchase computer equipment to use in managing the deployment of personnel. Chief Robbins explained that if Assessment District No. 994 is not extended beyond July 1995, the department would lose the forty-eight employees hired when the district was established. The loss of forty-eight employees represents an organizational loss of 11 %. Chief Robbins answered questions regarding the Department of Justice Grant for the seventeen additional police officers. Discussion ensued regarding the employee benefit package for police officers. 4 6/8/94 Assistant City Administrator Wilson explained that the employee benefit package for police officers currently includes bilingual pay, wellness programs, POST certification, payout of unused sick time, a uniform allowance, and health and dental insurance for the employee and one dependent. A discussion was held regarding the benefit package for police officers, and the lack of a sunset provision on the proposed extension and expansion of the district. Chief Robbins answered questions regarding the effective life of police vehicles. Roger Hardgrave, Director of Public Works/City Engineer, answered questions regarding the current and the proposed assessment amount. Discussion ensued regarding the impact on the Police Department if the current district was not continued, and how to fund the salary and benefits for the additional seventeen officers after the grant expires in three years. Wayne Harp, Assistant Chief of Police, answered questions regarding the Department of Justice grant. Discussion continued regarding the benefit package for police officers, the 800 mega hertz communication system, the expiration or "sunset" clause of the district, the deployment policies for police personnel, and the difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified police dispatch personnel. Director Hardgrave stated that since 1990, an additional five square miles have been annexed into the City. The following individuals voiced opposition to the proposed extension and expansion of Assessment District No. 994: Gay Blake, 2906 "I" Street, San Bernardino, CA. Susan Johnson, 5088 Sundance Drive, San Bernardino, CA. City Administrator Shauna Clark answered questions regarding the expenditure of Assessment District No. 994 funds. The following individuals voiced opposition to the proposed extension and expansion of Assessment District No. 994: Buddy Long, 1435 Rialto Avenue, and 34000 Newport, San Bernardino, CA. 5 6/8/94 CA. Robert Long, 407 East 9th Street, and 3149 North Devil Canyon Road, San Bernardino, Donald Hoy, 2744 Rialto Avenue, #8, San Bernardino, CA. Doris Wallack, 2744 West Rialto Avenue, Space #41, San Bernardino, CA. Willard Kenley, 28067 Pacific Street, San Bernardino, CA. Shauna Clark, City Administrator, answered questions regarding Proposition 172 sales tax revenue received for public safety concerns from the State of California. The following individuals voiced opposition to the proposed extension and expansion of Assessment District No. 994: James Hamilton, 23335 Westwood Street, Grand Terrace, CA. Mr. Hamilton owns five properties in San Bernardino, CA. David Schulze, San Bernardino Valley Association of Realtors, 1798 North "D" Street, San Bernardino, CA. John Duckworth, 3850 East Atlantic Avenue, San Bernardino, CA. Mr. Duckworth presented to the City Clerk a petition containing the signatures of 220 residents of the Valencia Lea Mobile Home Park, 3850 East Atlantic Avenue, Highland, CA, opposing the extension and expansion of Assessment District No. 994. Allen Bartleman, 5364 Mayfield, San Bernardino, CA. John Bahr, 4444 Quail Canyon Road, and 1490 Lynwood Drive, San Bernardino, CA. Dana Pankey, 38790 Waterview Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA. Mr. Pankey owns thirty- five properties in San Bernardino, CA. Mr. Pankey submitted to the City Clerk a letter stating his position on this matter. The following individuals spoke in support of the proposed extension and expansion of Assessment District No. 994: Steve Filson, representing the San Bernardino Police Officers Association, 1299 North "E" Street, San Bernardino, CA. Mr. Filson proposed that the language in Resolution No. 94- 88 be amended to stipulate that revenues generated by the district would be used to finance the enhanced law enforcement services, ensure adequate levels of manning, the department would establish and utilize a manpower allocation formula, and establish recruitment and retention goals. 6 6/8/94 Dennis Houser, representing the San Bernardino Public Employees Association, 433 North Sierra Way, San Bernardino, CA. The following individuals expressed opposition to the proposed extension and expansion of Assessment District No. 994: Jim Schlata, a resident of San Bernardino, CA. Albert Riordan, 607 East Evans Street, San Bernardino, CA. Robin Shidler, representing one hundred and sixty five other property owners in San Bernardino, CA, 180 West Highland Avenue, and 1492 East Sonora, San Bernardino, CA. Ruth Bruner, 2737 North Golden Avenue, San Bernardino, CA. Art Stockton, a resident of San Bernardino, CA. Mayor Minor closed the public meeting. Discussion ensued regarding the positive and negative impact of a sunset clause on the district, whether the assessment formula was fair to mobile home tenants, whether the matter should be placed on the ballot for a vote by the people, the best method for generating additional funding for police services, the benefit package for police personnel, how to fund the salary and benefits for the seventeen additional officers after three years when the Department of Justice grant terminates. Discussion continued regarding what type of comprehensive program would reduce crime in the community, what usable equipment currently exists at the Police Department that could be used to reduce equipment expenditures for the new personnel, what programs or personnel could be eliminated in the city wide budget to provide more funding for law enforcement, and what would happen to the Police Department if the district is not continued and expanded. Rachel Clark, City Clerk, stated that, as of this date, the City Clerk's Office has received 213 letters of protest to the proposed extension and expansion of Assessment District No. 994, representing 1.07% of the entire district, and one letter of support. It was the consensus of the Mayor and Common Council that the protests to the extension and expansion of Assessment District No. 994, if any, be continued to the public hearing scheduled for 7:00 p.m., June 22, 1994, at the Sturges Auditorium, 780 North "E" Street, San Bernardino, California. 7 6/8/94 ADJOURNMENT (2) At 9:11 p.m., the meeting was adjourned to 9:00 a.m., Monday, June 13, 1994, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 300 North "D" Street, San Bernardino, California. RACHEL CLARK City Clerk ~/~ L_ / ' By ~c-: a~'::-Lp Melanie Vale Deputy City Clerk '%~~, No. of Items: 2 No. of Hours: 2 8 6/8/94