HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-23-1983MINUTF~ OF THE ADJO~ P4~3LAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
July 23, 1983
The meeting was called to order at 9:16 a.m., in Room 147, Council
Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza, by Mayor R. W. Luxembourger.
Councilmembers present were John Acosta, Gordon Bricken, Daniel E. Griset,
P. Lee Johnson, Patricia A. McGuigan, Dan Young, and Mayor R. W.
Luxe~bourger. Also present were City Manager A. J. Wilson, City Attorney
Edward J. Cooper, Clerk of the Council Janice C. Guy, and n~nagement staff
members, Phil Freeland, Allen E. Doby, Sam Johnson, James Swatzel, William
Reimer, Agnes Sayers, Ray Davis, Larry Shaffer, and D~] Stone, as wall as
members of the local press.
1983-84ANh~JALB[DGET
The City Manager updated the Council relative to the iapacts of the State
budget upon the City of Santa Ana, explaining tb~t all State aid to local
government bad been eliminated, which would result in an anticipated $3
million shortfall for the City during FY 1983-84. He indicated that two
possible sources for funding to eliminate this shortfall would be an
increase in the property tax to fund the City's existing pension debt, or
an increase in the utility tax from three percent to six percent. He
recommended the utility tax as the preferred source of increased revenues
since any increase in the property tax would be shared with other
government agencies, but that all revenues derived from the utility tax
would revert to Santa Ana. The Manager noted that this increase did not
have to be implemented immediately, but suggested that the utility
companies be alerted since a 60-day lead time was required to ~ke the tax
operational, and stated that should the City need this revenue, the tax
should be in force by November 1. He also stated that in his opinion,
additional actions would be taken by the State Legislature when it
returned to session in August, and that should the Legislature enact an
increase to the sales tax, the need for increased local revenues for S~ta
Ana would be obviated.
Councilmember Bricken suggested that Santa Ana look for a local solution
to its financial problems rather than relying upon the State, and
recommended that the Council place a measure for a paramedic or public
safety tax on the December 13 election ballot. The Manager explained
that if this action were taken and public safety identified as a special
purpose activity, there might be difficulty in the future of using general
funds for an identified special purpose activity.
Councilmember Johnson expressed concern with raising taxes at all,
suggested that the citizens were dissatisfied with present tax levels and
would not tolerate additional taxes, and reflected that he was against
using public safety as a "shield" to raise taxes.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 244 JULY 23, 1983
The Council discussed various methods for dealing with the i~pending
shortfall.
MOTION: Instruct the City Manager to investigate the following
alternatives and report back to the Council on September 6:
1) Impacts on City services of a cutback of
$3 million;
2) Investigation of revenue sources to raise an
additional $3 million; and
3) Various combinations of decreased expenditures
and increased revenues.
MOTION: Young SECOED: McGuigan
Acosta, Bricken, Griset, Johnson, Luxembourger,
McGuigan, Young
None
None FILE 310.10
The Council recessed at 10:43 a.m., and reconvened at 11:01 a.m., with all
members present, except Councilmember Bricken.
Councilmembers discussed, in more detail, several facets of the budget
including publicity and promotional activities and related costs, the
Library budget, and the Police budget.
MOTION:
Allocate $26,000 from Council Contingency Fund to
Library budget, in order to re-open the Newhope and
McFadden Branch Libraries on Fridays.
MOTION: Johnson SECObD: McGuigan
AYES:
Acosta, Griset, Johnson, Luxembourger,
McGuigan, Young
None
Bricken FILE 310.10
MOTION:
Allocate $25,~0~ from the Council Contingency Fund to the
Police budget, in order to retain the second Criminalist II
position in the Criminalistics Unit.
MOTION: Johnson S~COI~D: McGuigan
NOES:
ABS~IgT:
Acosta, Griset, Johnson, Luxembourger,
McGuigan, Young
None
Bricken FILE 310.10
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 245 JULY 23, 1983
MOTION:
Place the following ordinance, as amended by the foregoing
action, on first reading and authorize publication of
title.
OI~DINANCE NO. NS-1693 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANTA
ANA APPROPRIATING MONIES TO THE SEVERAL OFFICES, AGENCIES,
AhD DEPAR~I~ENTS OF THE CITY FOR ~ItE FISCAL YEAR ~ING
JULY 1, 1983.
MOTION: Johnson SECOSD: Young
AOJOURLW~NT
AYES:
NOES:
Acosta, Griset, Johnson, Luxembourger,
McGuigan, Young
None
Bricken FIkE 310.10
At 12:45 p.m., the meeting was informally adjourned.
Janice C Guy
Cle~%~O~e Council
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
246 JULY 23, 1983