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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-22-1976MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA June 22, 1976 The meeting was called to order at 5:02 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza, by Mayor Garthe. The following Council members were present: Gordon Bricken, Harry K. Yamamoto, Vernon S. Evans, David L. Brandt, James E. Ward, and Mayor John Garthe. Councilman David F. Ortiz was absent. The following Staff members were present: City Manager Bruce C. Spragg; City Attorney Keith L. Gow; Assistant City Manager Ronald Wolford; Director of Public Works John E. Stevens; Planning Director Charles C. Zimmer- man; Police Chief Raymond C. Davis; Executive Director of Redevelopment Richard Goblirsch; and Clerk of the Council Florence I. Malone. INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Following the Pledge, the Invocation was given by Councilman Gordon Bricken. RECESS - COMMUNITY At 5:05 P.M. the REDEVELOPMENT AGBNCY Council.recessed for the regular meeting of the Com- munity Redevelopment Agency; at 5:25 P.M. Council recon- vened with the same Council members present. CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE Mr. Waldo Haug, Chair- RECOMMENDATIONS - RECEIVED man of the Charter PUBLIC HEARING - S~ Review Committee, pre- sented the Committee's recommendations for amendment of the City Charter. During his presentation he stated that the Committee had held 13 meetings and 4 public hearings; and that the procedure in- volved (1) selection of the sections of the Charter for amend- ment consideration, (2) tentative approval, and (3) final approval following the public hearing on each proposed amend- ment. He added that many of the changes were recommended to bring the Charter into conformance with State, Federal and Supreme Court Decisions; that the Committee recommended placement of the amendments on the November 2, 1976 statewide ballot as separate issues, 48 in all, except in those cases where the City Attorney advised consolidation. Mr. Haug also requested that the Comniittee be disbanded, but stated that members would be available for discussion of the recommendations if needed. Councilman Brandt's motion to disband the Charter Review Com- mittee effective as of the date the Council finally acts on its recommendations, and to instruct the Staff to prepare a suitable expression of the City's appreciation for a job well done, was seconded by Councilman Bricken, and unanimously carried C6:0). The recommendation arid amendments to the Santa Ana City Charter submitted by the Charter Review Committee were received and the amendments were set for public hearing before the City Council on July 6, 1976 at 7:50 P.M. in the City Council Chamber, on the unanimously approved (6:0) motion of Councilman Ward, seconded by Councilman Evans. CA 129 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 239 JUNE 22, 1976 Councilman Evans left the Council meeting at 5:35 P.M. ORAL COMMUNICATION Margie Benz, a member WAGE ~ SALARY NEGOTIATIONS of the Orange County PETITION - RECEIVED ~ FILED Employees Association, speaking on behalf of the City of Santa A na 'employee membership of that Association, stated that the membership believes the present salary offer of 2% on July 1 for the City's miscellaneous employees is inadequate, especially with the cost of living having increased approximately 5-1/2% and an anticipated 14% increase in medical insurance payments commencing July 1, which in effect reduces the propDsed salary increase to 1% or less. She suggested that Council consider a 7% increase effective July 1, 1976, instead of 1% and 2% increases over a two-year period to provide a truly representative increase in take-home pay that would not be negated by cost of ~iving and medical insurance payments. Miss Benz stated that the miscellaneous employees' salary and fringe benefit requests are not greater than those of other employees; and that the 7% increase, up front, will help main- tain the City's competitive position in the labor market. She quoted from Page 5 of the City Manager's Budget Message regard- ing Santa Ana's tradition of operating with minimal staff as opposed to. an average staff, which has resulted in Z $6 million Budget savings. She observed that in at least one case she is aware of the proposed grouping for 'salary increases is unfair, because it would create an imbalance between professional and non-professional pay scales. In summary, she asked that the City Council demonstrate its loyalty and appreciation in the same way the employees have done over the years, by approving the 7% salary increase or allowing the City's negotiator to expand on the present proposal. Mayor Garthe stated that the Council did appreciate the effi- ciency and loyalty of all the City employees, but that the Council had received and rejected the final wage and salary offer from the miscellaneous employees. The City Manager stated that he would continue to meet with the .-miscellaneous employees' representatives. Miss Benz presented a petition in support of her oral statements which had been signed by 355 City employees. It was received and filed on the unanimously approved (5:0) motion of Council- man Brandt, seconded by Councilman Ward. CA 50.1 RECESS the Budget review. .members present at At 5:50 P.M. Council recessed in order to reconvene in Room 851 for continuation of Council reconvened with the same five 6:00 P.M. in Room 851. PROPOSED CULTURAL Councilman Brandt sug- ~ SPORTS CENTER gested that a report of the progress and discussion of future plans for the development of a cultural-sports center in the Civic Center might be appropriate for the July 6 Council meeting dinner. He stated that the director of the cultural CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 240 JUNE 22, 1976 center in San Jose, Mr. Bob McDonald would be willing to give the Council an overview of the type of facilities and the procedures involved. Councilman Brandt withdrew his motion, with the consent of the second (Mayor Garthe), to authorize travel and subsistence expenses for Mr. McDonald for one day, and to instruct staff to in¥ite him to make a presentation to Council regarding the feasibility of a cultural-sports center in Santa Ana. As an alternative Councilman Brandt suggested that the Public Information Officer invite several members of the Performing Arts Guild to the July 6 Council meeting, at which time Council- man Brandt, the P.I.O. and Mr. Blaustone of the Arts Guild would report on the various alternatives that are available for the development of the Center. CA 52.8A FIRE DEPARTMENT Acting Fire Chief Ray PROPOSED BUDGET Bachtelle reviewed his Budget request with the Council. He stated that there is a 25% increase in emergency calls, and he antici- pates that with two trained paramedic units the calls will average over S00 per month; that the work load has gone up, but the manpower has gone down in fire suppression; that a lot of time is spent in training which translates into product- ivity; that manpower is needed for commercial and industrial inspections and fire suppression. He recommended that the eight positions deleted from the Fire Department suppression budget be reinstated, and that purchase of a new fire engine be authorized. City Manager Bruce Spragg stated that the new Fire Chief plans to prepare a comprehensive master plan for fire protection that will include an audit of the Fire Department to determine what the optimum station location, manpower and equipment may be. Mayor Garthe and Councilman Brandt agreed that three men on a 1,500 gallon pumper cannot function effectively during a fire. CA 65B POLICE DEPARTMENT Police Chief Ray Davis PROPOSED BUDGET presented an overview of his department bud- get. He stated that Team Policing is continuing to reduce crime in Santa Aha; that six additional officers are requested in his 1976-77 budget to maintain the efficiency level of the program; that the School Resource Officer at Spurgeon School is not being funded this year because the Federal funding is no longer available. He described the Department's Community Relations effort which has experienced a 208.4% increase between 1974 and 1975, the high morale and total community involvement of his officers, and the positive response from the community. Referring to his capital budget, he stressed the need for a shooting range in the basement, the Command and Control Pro- ject with attendant remodeling, and the relocation of the Communications Center from the first floor to the second floor. Councilman Ward stated that he would like to see the School Resource Officer continued at Spurgeon School. Councilman Yamamoto suggested that the School District and the City might share the expense of the officer, and Mayor Garthe stated that he would favor authorizing the SRO position, but it would be the Chief's responsibility to determine his as- signment. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 241 JUNE 22, 1976 BUDGET STUDY SCHEDULED to continue its review of the Budget. Council agreed to meet on July 10, 1976 at 8:00 A.M. in Room 851 of the City Hall ADJOURNMENT At 7:35 P.M. the meet- ing was adjourned on the unanimously approved motion of Councilman Yamamoto, seconded by Councilman Ward. CLERK OF THE COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 242 JUNE 22, 1976