92-0331_CC_Minutes_Adjourned Regular Meeting225
MARCH 31, 1992
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA
The Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of San Juan Capistrano,
California, was called to order by Mayor Jones at 1:07 p.m., in the City Council Chamber
to conduct a budget work session on programs and priorities.
ROLL CALL PRESENT: Gil Jones, Mayor
Kenneth E. Friess, Mayor pro tem
(arrived at 1:30 p.m.)
Jerry Harris, Councilman
Jeff Vasquez, Councilman
ABSENT: Gary L. Hausdorfer, Councilman
STAFF PRESENT: Stephen B. Julian, City Manager; George Scarborough, Assistant City
Manager; Richard K. Denhalter, City Attorney; Cheryl Johnson, City Clerk, David P.
Bentz, Director of Administrative Services; Tom Tomlinson, Director of Planning
Services; William Huber, Director of Engineering and Building Services; Ronald Sievers,
Director of Public Lands and Facilities; Al King, Director of Community Services.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None
COUNCILMANIC ITEMS
BUDGET WORK SESSION - PROGRAMS AND PRIORITIES (330.20)
Written Communications:
Report dated March 26, 1992, from the Assistant City Manager, forwarding the list
of recommended priorities for existing and proposed programs and projects; an
identification of costs of the programs and projects; and, narrative descriptions of
the programs and projects, including the status of priorities established last year.
The list of priorities identified those projects which were mandatory or necessary;
identified projects whose primary funding would be from the General Fund; and,
identified Community Redevelopment Agency priorities.
Citv Manager Comments:
The City Manager discussed
financial situation of Federal,
cities surrounding San Juan
bases. He stated a need tc
economic base so that this C
maintain itself at its currer
community values and desire
that staff had been directed
objectives and whether user fe
may choose to subsidize some
the impact on local agencies resulting from the
State and County agencies. He discussed the goals of
Capistrano for protecting and enhancing their tax
address development and maintenance of a sound
ity does not lose sales tax revenue and the ability to
t levels; while at the same time maintaining the
for aesthetically appealing development. He advised
to review current programs in terms of achieving
es were really covering costs. He stated that Council
services and it would be a conscious decision, such as
past subsidy for senior programs. He discussed the time required to get new
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programs on line, noting that programs such as gang prevention require an on-going
commitment of time, money, effort and community resources. He encouraged
Council to closely review programs in terms of achieving objectives and availability
of funding and personnel resources, citing a concern about creating high
expectations within the community without adequate funding or personnel to meet _
those expectations.
Staffing and Financial Constraints:
The Assistant City Manager advised that the overall budget expenditures were
$700,000 less than two years ago and that due to significant increases in the costs of
police services and litigation the rest of the operations of the City have had to
absorb $1.7 million in decreased expenditures to accommodate that $700,000
reduction. He stated that the resulting budgets and operations were austere and
funded only a basic no-frills operation and on-going mandatory and committed
programs. He noted that programs, projects, maintenance items and equipment
acquisitions had been deferred where it could be done without significant impacts on
the present service levels and advised that City staff had been reduced by 13
positions, or approximately 15% of the work force. Further, non -legal consultant
services had been reduced by almost $1 million. He stated that the 92-93
expenditures would need to be maintained at the 91-92 level or lower. He noted that
the fixed obligations of the budget to fund public safety, street and park
maintenance, building and construction regulations, planning and code enforcement
regulations were fixed obligations and represented the City's base funding level; that
this base, which was necessary to maintain acceptable service levels, created
constraints since few resources remained for other programs. He recommended that
direction be given for projects Council felt were critical so that staff could be
focused on those projects.
Revenue Enhancement Opportunities:
The Director of Administrative Services discussed areas where current revenue
could be enhanced, noting in each case the possible amount of increased revenue.
Those areas included lifting the maximum fees for business licenses, increasing the
transient occupancy tax and, lifting the maximum fee charged to apartments, hotels,
recreational vehicle parks and mobile home parks. He noted that initiation of a 1972
Street Lighting and Landscaping Act District, which could create a City-wide
district to fund such things as street lights maintenance of parks, parkways, street
sweeping, storm drains, slurry seal and overlay programs, trash containers for the
downtown, could be a new source of revenue. He advised that other new areas
included a utility tax, admission tax and initiation of a parking district.
Presentations by Department Heads:
William Huber, Director of Engineering and Building Services, discussed the current
activities of the three divisions in his department and the status of existing
priorities. Those priorities included the SERRA/Pre-treatment Program, the Sewer
and Grading Ordinances, a Pavement Management Program, the San Joaquin Hills
Transportation Corridor, a School Circulation Program, the Alipaz Extension and
Floodplain Management. He discussed the status of the new priorities, include
implementation of the Sewer Ordinance, technical issues on the San Joaquin Hills
Transportation Corridor, the Growth Management Element, the Railroad
Realignment Project, the Ortega Highway realignment and development of counter
handout material.
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Ronald Sievers, Director of Public Lands and Facilities discussed the functions of his
Department and the status of existing programs. Those programs included
management of the Kinoshita farms and open space land, development of an Historic
Structure Management Plan, Marco Forster field maintenance, completion of the
equestrian trail system, a hazardous materials programs, implementation of the
Open Space Master Plan, and revision and update of the Emergency Preparedness
Plan. New program priorities included water conservation, La Sala repairs, repairs
to the equestrian trail system, bus stop improvements, and purchase of alternative
fuel vehicles.
Tom Tomlinson, Director of Planning Services, discussed the functions of the
divisions in his department and the status of current projects. Those projects
included the Air Quality Management Program, the Transportation Demand
Management Program, the Alipaz/Trabuco Study, the Floodplain Element, revised
Sign Regulations, the Growth Management Element, the Transportation Corridors,
the Housing Opportunity Program, Cultural Resources Ordinance and General Plan
Equestrian Trails Program. He noted that the Housing Opportunities Program,
Growth Management Element, Cultural Resources Ordinance and General Plan
Equestrian Trails Programs were recommended for carry-over into 1992-93. New
programs included the Historic Town Center Master Plan, an Historic Preservation
Program, a Land Use Code update and a Community Outreach Program.
Al King, Director of Community Services, discussed his Department's role as a
service provider and support agency working to promote the community. He
discussed the status of existing programs, including development of a Human
Services division, a study of fees and charges, scheduling of the Capistrano Valley
High School gym, the park ranger program, revision to General Plan Equestrian Trail
System, completion of the equestrian trail system, adoption of the Open Space
Master Plan, implementation of the Open Space Master Plan, development of
facility usage agreements with the School District, and emergency preparedness. He
discussed the proposed expansion of current human services programs, involvement
with local area agencies, and the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. New programs
included the San Juan Market Place, a Red Cloud bike race, development of special
programs for senior citizens, and new community service revenue programs such as a
summer carnival and a winter wonderland.
Cassandra Walker, Community Development Manager, discussed the Community
Development Division's involvement in community redevelopment agency projects
and the City's special projects that are funded with outside funds. She discussed the
status of existing programs, including the Solag relocation, railroad platform, Los
Rios Entry Plaza, Little Hollywood Housing, Assistance with Mobile Home Park
purchases, and downtown parking district/parking fee. New programs included the
library parking lot and disposition of agency assets.
George Scarborough, Assistant City Manager, discussed the status of the programs in
the City Manager's Department, which included a revisions and update of the City's
Emergency Operations Plan, recycling waste diversion and solid waste management,
development and adoption of policy establishing criteria for acquisition of consultant
services, development of a program and strategy to make the City a better
consumer of legal services, and evaluation of public safety and security needs and
development of an action plan.
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RECESS AND RECONVENE
Council recessed at 3:25 p.m., and reconvened at 3:38 p.m.
City Council Comments:
Councilman Friess discussed his support for the following:
Public Handouts - stated that he would like to see this program in place by the end
of the summer and felt that a handout and public education would save staff time.
Circulation Around Schools - cited concerns with the accident potential and that the
program should apply to both public and private schools.
New Little League Field at Cook Park La Novia - cited concern regarding the
parking situation and the need to get the situation remedied quickly.
Parking Revenue - stated a need to aggressively pursue this source of revenue with
consideration given to parking meters, formation of a parking district and charging
commuters.
Relocation of Solag - stated the lower Rosan property was a viable site. He stressed
the need to move forward with the relocation and to work with the Capistrano Beach
sewer district and mobile home residents to allay their fears.
Councilman Vasquez discussed his concerns regarding the following areas:
Alternative Fuel Vehicles - stated that since this requirement is not definite
purchase should be delayed as long as possible.
Expansion of Human Services Youth At Risk Program - stated that the cost was
definitely worth the City's time and commitment.
Repair to Equestrian Trials Necessary Due to Storm Damage and Completion of
Equestrian Trails - cited the need to develop a way to fund the trail system and
repairs should be deferred if it meant more important projects would not be funded.
Historic Town Center Master Plan and Ortega Highway Realignment - felt it was too
early in the process to allocate funding to these projects.
Solag Relocation - felt that while this was an important project it carried a high
price tag and he did not consider it the highest priority among the CRA project.
Councilman Harris cited his philosophical approach, noting that mandated projects
needed to be dealt. Following that projects that had been in the process for a long
period of time needed to be completed. Then the status quo on amenities and
services already provided should be maintained before consideration was given to
building additional projects or beginning additional programs. He stated that
consideration should then be given to revenue-producing programs and that real
needs should be taken care of before "wants."
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Purchase of Mobile Home Parks - stressed the need to aid mobile home residents in
purchasing their own parks and cited his intent to pursue that concern.
Open Space Program - cited the expectation created through the open space
program and stressed the need to not let the community down.
Mayor Jones discussed his concerns in the following areas, concurring that there are
housekeeping projects that need to be completed:
Purchase of Mobile Home Parks - concurred with Councilman Harris on purchase of
mobile home parks, stating that the City's efforts should be put into making it
work.
New Little League Field at Cook Park La Novia - concurred with Councilman Friess'
priorities, especially regarding the parking situation at the new ball field.
School Circulation - cited strong concerns about the school circulation situation and
stated he could support a crossing guard.
Parking Revenue - cited the need to develop a plan to generate parking revenues
that will not put the City in a litigious situation.
Solag Relocation - stated strong concern that this type of operation is going on in
the middle of an archaeologically and historically sensitive area and relocation of
the facility is a priority.
Little Hollywood Housing - stated that implementation of this program was
absolutely needed.
Human Resources and San Juan Task Force - felt that in concert with City the Task
Force could achieve a lot and consideration should be given to financial assistance.
Historic Town Center/Ortega Highway Realignment - stated support for the projects
and the need to find sources of revenue to move ahead.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at
4:15 p.m., to the next regular meeting date of Tuesday, April 7, 1992, at 7:00 p.m., in the
City Council Chamber.
Respectfully submitted,
CHERYL JOH ON, ITY CLERK
ATTEST: -
GSIL NES, MAYOR
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