MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Hermosa Beach, California, held on Tuesday, May 24, 1999, at the hour of 7:20 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Fire Chief Pete Bonano

ROLL CALL:

Present: Bowler, Edgerton, Oakes, Reviczky, Mayor Benz

Absent: None

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

No one came forward to address the Council at this time.

PRELIMINARY BUDGET REVIEW

1. Overview of Budget Changes - City Manager Burrell said the expected revenues would allow the City to meet its current service needs but not its long-term infrastructure needs. He said the legislature was considering how to split up the State surplus, largely the result of the $3.6 billion taken from cities, counties and special districts in the early 90s, and cited proposals to return some of the property tax that had been taken. He said proposed capital improvements included a number of park and street re-paving projects, and that the only proposed staff change would reclassify the position of planning intern to planning assistant. He reviewed expected revenue and addressed the potential loss of the Utility Users Tax (UUT) if the submitted initiative petition qualified for the November ballot. He said the UUT, at $1.7 million, was the City's third largest revenue source, presently representing 14 percent of total General Fund revenues. He suggested that the Council next review the capital improvement projects, noting that staff was prepared to present a small slide show.
   
2. Review of Capital Improvement Projects - With the use of an overhead projector, Public Works Director Williams first presented a summary of the proposed capital improvement projects and then reviewed each of the projects in greater detail.

Staff was directed to: 1) report back on why the section of Gould Avenue from El Oeste to Pacific Coast Highway was not included in the slurry seal project; and 2) include in the bid specifications for the proposed Monterey Boulevard improvements (from 19th Street to Hermosa Avenue) a cost estimate for Monterey Boulevard from Herondo to Fourth Street as an alternative.

Councilmember Oakes left the meeting at 8:10 P.M.

City Manager Burrell and Public Works Director Williams responded to Council questions.

The meeting recessed at 8:45 P.M.

The meeting reconvened at 9:02 P.M.

(c) Overview of Revenue Changes - The Council reviewed the revenue worksheets. Finance Director Copeland and City Manager Burrell responded to Council questions related to those worksheets.

(d) Review of Department Expenditures - Rather than review the individual department budgets page by page, the Council discussed only those areas with which they had questions. City Manager Burrell responded to Council questions. City Clerk Doerfling, City Treasurer Workman, Community Resources Director Rooney, Finance Director Copeland, Fire Chief Bonano, Police Chief Straser and Public Works Director Williams were available to respond to Council questions specifically related to their departments.

Staff was directed to: 1) provide information regarding the average salary and benefits for each department; 2) include in future budgets the previous year pie charts so that the changes can easily be seen; 3) provide a copy of the allocation for computer replacement charges; 4) explain the increase in Building Division salaries since the budget shows no additional personnel; 5) return with a more cost-effective alternative to the current Dial-a-Ride program; 6) explain the totals for the Insurance Fund; and 7) explain the increased insurance charges for the Police Department.

City Manager Burrell announced that the grand opening for the skateboard park would be Friday, June 18, 1999.

It was the consensus of the Council to direct staff to report back on the feasibility of substituting a restroom trailer for the portable restrooms at the Pier, something with lights and flush toilets, and perhaps setting it on a concrete pad just south of the old restrooms.

CITIZEN COMMENTS

No one came forward to address the Council at this time.

ADJOURNMENT - The Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Hermosa Beach, California, adjourned on Tuesday, May 24, 1999, at the hour of 10:05 P.M., to the Regular Meeting of Tuesday, May 25, 1999, at the hour of 7:10 P.M.

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