06-14-1978 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA June 14, 1978 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Vernon S. Evans in the City Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza. Council members present were: Gordon Bricken, David F. Ortiz, Harry K. Yamamoto, John Garthe, David L. Brandt, James E. Ward and Mayor Evans. The following members of Staff were present: City Manager Bruce C. Spragg, City Attorney Keith L. Gow, Fire Chief B. J. Thompson, Library Director Howard Samuelson, and Director of Recreation and Parks Robert Gresham. INVOCATION PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, the Invocation was given by Councilman Bricken. RECESS At 7:03 P.M. the meeting EXECUTIVE SESSION was recessed for an PERSONNEL MATTERS Executive Session to discuss wage and salary negotiation information with the City's Negotiator, Director of Personnel Donald E. Bott. The City Manager and the City Attorney also participated in the Executive Session. The Coun- cil meeting reconvened at 7:35 P.M., with all Councilmen present. OPERATING BUDGET The City Manager stated REDUCTIONS that each of the City's SUMMARIZED departments had prepared Proposition 13 budget reductions that average out to a total reduction of 14% in the City's 42 million dollar operating budget, including the elim- ination of 192 positions, and that each department head would describe his proposal to Council. FIRE DEPARTMENT Fire Chief B. J. Thompson OPERATING BUDGET distributed reports out- 5% REDUCTION - TENTATIVELY APPROVED lining his proposals for a 5%, 10% and 15% reduc- tion in his operating budget, and reviewed each recommendation in detail, using a visual aid to demonstrate how he proposed to accomplish the reductions. He stated that a 5% reduction would not substantially diminish the department's fire suppres- sion capability, but that he could not recommend a reduction in excess of 10%. Wayne Bowman, President of the Firemen's Benevolent Association, stated that fire service is not mathematically balanced, there- fore a 15% budget cut does not equal a 15% decrease in service; that it would reduce the efficiency of an engine company by 30%; that if you reduce paramedic manpower by 15% you would reduce 30% of the City's paramedic manpower. Councilman Ward suggested that the Fire Department Operating Budget be reduced by 5%. The other Councilmen concurred, but objected to the elimination of three Fire Investigator positions, leaving only one position for arson investigation. There was no formal motion, but the consensus was to approve a 5% reduc- tion ($590,000) in the proposed $7,786,000 Fire Department budget for fiscal year 1978-79, as proposed by Chief Thompson, including CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 223 JUNE 14, 1978