M 06-11-90TOWN OF LOS GATOS
CALIFORNIA
TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY
June 11, 1990
Minutes
TOWN COUNCIL
The Town Council/Parking Authority of the Town of Los Gatos met in the Council Chambers
of the Town Hall, 100 East Main Street, at 7:28 p.m., Monday, June 11,1990, in regular
session.
ROLL CALL
Present:Joanne Benjamin, Eric D. Carlson, Robert L. Hamilton,
Brent N. Ventura and Mayor Thomas J. Ferrito.
Absent:None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Given by all in attendance.
OPERATING BUDGET/1990-91/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING
Mayor Ferrito stated that this was the time and place duly noted for public hearing to
consider the 1990-91 Operating Budget including the use of Community Development Block
Grant Funding.
MANAGER'S BUDGET REVIEW
Bob Beyer, Interim Town Manager, gave an overview of the Town Budget and addressed
the following concerns and observations:
1)This year's budget reflects a reduction of 4% from the status quo budget, or 2% below
the 1989-90 approved budget.
2)Overall revenues are estimated to be 5% lower than the present fiscal year by
$654,445.
3)Sales taxes are estimated to increase by 5%, or $175,000.
4)Personnel, including salaries and benefits, is where the major portion of budget is
expended. 75% of the total budget is in personnel compared to 67% last year.
5)Materials and supplies have been reduced 21%. There is no out of state travel
provided for in the budget this year.
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6)Capital outlay has been eliminated except for two items.
7)Deficit of $610,400 is anticipated by the end of 1990-91 due to the earthquake.
8)Santa Clara Counties Cities Association and Inter-Governmental Council will be given
Town's backing but asked to wait for monetary support.
9)Unfunded Programs not provided for in the proposed budget:
Tanner Hazardous Waste Program $ 6,700
Solid Waste Management $90,000
Street Traffic Study $15,000
Commercial Specific Plan Studies $30,000
Hazardous Building Program $50,000
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MANAGER'S BUDGET CONT.
Mr. Carlson asked that the overall budget be addressed at this time and for Council to
return to the unfunded items after looking at the other needs of the Town tomorrow evening.
Mr. Ventura asked for a staff report on methods of enhancing revenue, which are
mentioned in the budget, and to specify the amount that could be raised to meet emergency
needs but not necessarily to be used on a continuous basis.
TOWN COUNCIL
Due to the restraints of the budget cut Mr. Carlson requested reevaluation of the benefits
package given to the Council and asked if this might be an area where cuts could be made.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Ventura, that Council policy will be to fund at
most one planning commissioner and one council person for the League of California Cities
Convention. Carried unanimously.
TOWN TREASURER
Macula Braucht, Finance Manager, explained that Treasurer's materials budget was twice
last year's due to Treasurer handling payments to Bank of America as paying agent for all
Town coupons and called bonds. These services are being charged to the Treasurer's
account and not to the assessment district itself.
Consensus motion by Mr. Carlson that Treasurer will try to keep travel within local area.
Carried unanimously.
TOWN CLERK
There was a need to re-evaluate the Clerk's budget in view of the fact that Special Noticing,
an unbudgeted item, in the amount of $5,000, was added. The Clerk was asked to return
tomorrow night with an amended budget.
TOWN ATTORNEY
Council approved departments conceptual budget proposal.
TOWN MANAGER
The amount of overtime budgeted for this office was questioned by Council, and reductions
were requested.
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Los Gatos, California
The position of Assistant Manager will be reviewed. The need for support with personnel
issues, risk management, worker's compensation and the need for analytical review of these
subjects, and further analysis of financial projections, was recognized and a report back to
Council concerning this position will be placed on next Monday's agenda, June 18, 1990, to
be discussed by Council in Closed Session.
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June 11, 1990
Los Gatos, California
TOWN MANAGER CONT.
Mr. Carlson requested the implementation of a complete Town Financial Polices and
Procedures Manual from the finance department to be developed over time and be
accounted for with performance indicators. This manual will explain how we do business in
Town.
PLANNING
The suggestion for future savings in the Planning Department is to have Council reconsider
its policy for being personally responsible for its high level of review and to allow extensive
review to take place at a more immediate level. Los Gatos regulates land use at a much
higher level than most communities which causes the number of items going to the Planning
Commission and Council to be higher than the average city.
Mr. Carlson suggested that the $30,000 needed for a marketing study being done under the
guidance of the Specific Commercial Plan Committee come out of Redevelopment funds
when they are generated. He also suggested that Planning prioritize the projects and
attempt to complete a certain number within its performance indicators.
BUILDING
Mr. Baker explained that a certain amount of revenues were given up during the special
earthquake rules for obtaining permits.
ENGINEERING
Mr. Carlson commended the department in its decrease in budget within the traffic program
and the increase in performance indicators due to the proposed purchase of computer aided
design drafting software and hardware within this budget year.
POLICE
Council consensus was that the crossing guard program be kept for the safety of the school
children, that the parking enforcement officers be retained, that overtime be retained for
various reasons, and that the Community Services Program be cut and its staff incorporated
within other police departments so that employees would not have to be laid off. Police
Department requested to return the following evening with report.
LIBRARY
Council consensus was for the Librarian to return with a new proposal tomorrow which
would include a cut in hours, books and reference staff, and include hiring additional pages
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and retaining Sunday openings.
PARKS, FORESTRY AND MAINTENANCE
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mrs. Benjamin, that Council raise the parking fee at
Oak Meadow Park from $2.00 to $3.00. Carried by a vote of 3 ayes. Mr. Ventura and
Mayor Ferrito voted no.
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June 11, 1990
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COMMUNITY SERVICES
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mayor Ferrito, that Council be consistent with Town's
policy and not fund the vacant position of Arts Coordinator at this time but place the $40,000
allocated to page vii under the unfunded positions until such time as Council determines how
to handle the Museum and Arts management questions. Carried unanimously.
GENERAL FUND
Consensus motion by Council that staff return with an analysis of Town's automotive
equipment replacement fund and the realities of retaining the equipment for one year.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ferrito adjourned this meeting at 11:28 p.m. to the following evening, to reconvene at
7:30 p.m., June 12, 1990.
ATTEST:
Marian V. Cosgrove
Town Clerk
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