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WORK STUDY SESSION <br /> <br />Ream reviewed the various charts in the Proposed Budget booklet, highlighting Santa Ana's <br />ratio of employees to population (5.1), the lowest of California's 11 largest cities. He noted <br />Santa Ana's population had grown from 200,000 in 1980 to more than 300,000 in 1994, <br />while the City workforce had declined steadily since 1986, clearly demonstrating increased <br />organizational efficiency. <br /> <br />Various staff members reviewed new fees and proposed increases for the following: <br /> <br />Ward maps <br />CC & R registrations <br />Final Tract Map amendments <br />Preliminary Site Plan Reviews <br />Field Plan Checks <br />Gold Seal Incentive Program <br />Temporary Library cards <br />Various recreation fees <br />Miscellaneous fees <br />Water and sanitation rates <br /> <br />Councilmembers expressed reservations concerning increased charges for pool use, new <br />charges for temporary library cards, and reduction of pool operating hours. <br /> <br />Fire Chief Bud Carter reviewed the Fire Inspection fee revenue, as well as the process used <br />by the Department and the billing procedures. The Council requested the Fire Chief detail <br />the Fire Inspection fees and procedures in an information packet. <br /> <br />City Manager Ream and Police Chief Paul Walters discussed Alarm Fees. Following <br />discussion, staff proposed to eliminate the fee for residential burglar alarms and reduce the <br />annual fee for businesses from $30 to $25. Ream indicated that the proposal would permit <br />the City to reinstate 17 cadet positions in the Police budget, help pay consultant costs for <br />Permit Parking Districts, and eliminate the Parking Permit Fee. <br /> <br />Jeff Hamilton expressed concerns regarding privacy and asked why the Police Department <br />needs to know what type of an alarm is installed. Chief Walters explained that knowledge of <br />the equipment in use helped the Police Department to reduce responses to false alarms. <br /> <br />The City Manager responded to various questions concerning the budget from the Council, <br />noting that Great Western sanitation fees would be discussed as part of an in-depth work <br />study session on recycling. He then summarized the budget presentation. <br /> <br />The Council joined with Councilmember Mills in complimenting him and staff on preparing <br />an excellent budget in light of difficult economic conditions. <br /> <br />RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION - 8:35 P.M. <br /> <br />CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 137 JUNE 6, 1994 <br /> <br /> <br />