M 05-24-93TOWN OF LOS GATOS
CALIFORNIA
TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY
May 24, 1993
Minutes
TOWN COUNCIL
The Town Council/Parking Authority of the Town of Los Gatos met in the Council Chambers
of the Town Hall, 110 East Main Street, at 7:30 p.m., Monday, May 24, 1993, in regular
session.
ROLL CALL
Present:Randy Attaway, Steven Blanton, Linda Lubeck,
Patrick O'Laughlin and Mayor Joanne Benjamin.
Absent:None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Given by all in attendance.
CLOSED SESSION
Interim Town Attorney, James Jackson, reported that Council had met in Closed Session
prior to this evening's meeting pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a), Council
met to discuss Pending Litigation regarding Town of Los Gatos, et al.v Vertical Management
Systems, Council instructed discontinuance of further action.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a), Council met to discuss Pending Litigation
regarding Bankruptcy Claim of Charles Zaloumis, there is a meeting concerning that case
tomorrow.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a), Council met to discuss Pending Litigation
regarding the progress of the EEOC Claim of Larry Strom.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b), Council will meet to discuss two items
prior to tomorrow's Council meeting at 7pm.
PUBLIC HEARING
1993-94 OPERATING BUDGET
Mayor Benjamin stated that this was the time and place duly noted for public hearing to
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consider Preliminary 1993-94 Operating Budget Including the Use of Community
Development Block Grant Funding.
The following people from the audience spoke to this issue:
Bill Quigley, 103 Bellridge Drive, presented a letter to Council regarding his view of the
overall budget and how the Town could save money. This letter was received and filed for
the record.
Larry Arzie, owner of "The Porch", requested Town's consideration of the problem of
overflowing trash receptacles downtown, and reestablishment of parking enforcement in the
downtown area.
No one else from the audience addressed this issue.
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May 24, 1993
Los Gatos, California
MANAGER'S PRESENTATION OF 1993-94 BUDGET
David Knapp, Town Manager, addressed the problem of State level financial activity which
has impacted and will continue to impact local government entities. A reduction of $650,000
from the Town's budget will occur when property tax revenues are redistributed to local
schools. Since 1978 the Town has lost $1,800,000 in State takebacks of traditional local
municipal funding revenues. AB 1313 is at this time being considered in the legislature and
would take an additional $670,000 from the Town's resources. These financial
manipulations have reduced the Town's General Fund revenue by 9.5% for this year and
has caused a 16.7% decrease in staffing. With these fluctuations in funding the budget may
reflect additional cuts and restructuring of staff.
COUNCIL REVIEW OF BUDGET AND SEPARATE COMMENT
Town Council review led to Council consensus that benefits be funded at the present level
of use and not in excess of that. This would allow $12,000 to be moved to another account.
Town Treasurer had no changes and referred to the possible automation of the check
reconciliation process.
Town Clerk review considered the possible buy back of the Clerk's hours and a request that
the performance indicators reflect work for an annexation for the coming year.
Town Attorney comments were to establish a review process for Council to track the
balance in the outside litigation account.
Town Manager review addressed the distribution of the Information Systems Officer's
duties among remaining staff due to the budget cuts.
Election budget remains the same for unanticipated elections.
Planning Department suggested instituting savings by sending public hearing notices only
as required by State statue. Zoning ordinance requires sending notice on every item that
comes before Council and Planning Commission. State only requires noticing conditional
use permits, variances, zone changes, and subdivisions. $18,000 in materials could be
saved and additional savings could be made with personnel costs; a similar $10,000 could
be saved in the Clerk's Office.
Nuisance Abatement/Town Code amendment/Item #B3 (03.46)
Council considered adopting a Nuisance Abatement Ordinance. The enforcement of this
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Los Gatos, California
type of ordinance would require additional staff time and funding. Under the restrictions of
this year's budget Council decided to not pursue implementation of this ordinance at this
time.
Building and Engineering Services addressed the ADA concerns which the Town must
consider. The law presents many mandates without funding to carry them through. Our
Town staff and committee has reviewed these mandates and made suggestions for
implementation and response to the concerns.
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May 24, 1993
Los Gatos, California
COUNCIL REVIEW OF BUDGET CONT.
Police Department discussion included the need to reintroduce parking control and
crossing guard services.
Motion by Mayor Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Blanton, to support reinstatement of the
Crossing Guard Program for the amount of $35,000. The funding will come from the
$12,000 in the Council's budget and requests to Monte Sereno and the School District for
matching funds. Carried by a vote of 3 ayes. Mr. O'Laughlin voted no and Mr. Attaway was
absent.
Police Records Clerk was discussed and the need for the reinstatement of this position as
a high priority was made clear by the Police Chief.
Motion by Mr. O'Laughlin, seconded by Mrs. Lubeck, to fund the Records Clerk position
at $28,000. Motion failed by a vote of 2 ayes and 2 nays by Mayor Benjamin and Mr.
Blanton.
Library Department discussed the new fees that Town has recently adopted and the
proposed two week furlough in August when the Library will be closed to the public.
Parks, Forestry and Maintenance Services were considered and at this point the request
for removal of unfunded positions from the budget was proposed. Council consensus was to
remove all unfunded positions from the budget document but to keep a list of the most
current ones within a two year time span.
Community Services discussion revolved around the grants and funding mechanisms of
the department showing that the Town funds are only 28% of the budget.
Dead Animal Pickup is non-funded in this budget due to Santa Clara County stopping all
animal control services. The Sanitation District also refused to use non-point source funding
to help with this service. Council suggested that all calls regarding dead animals be referred
to the County Board of Supervisors.
Redevelopment/Parking Facility/1992 COP'S funding from the Redevelopment Agency
has been potentially protected from changes in State Law by being wrapped into funding of
certificates of participation which will be used to repay the loan's from the Town against the
cost of the downtown parking facility.
Equipment Replacement review showed that the fund could not be used to balance the
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Los Gatos, California
budget as had been done in previous years since the equipment it is reserved for will need to
be replaced within the next four years.
ABAG Self Insurance was reviewed and a correction in figures was made in the 1992
budgeted amounts due to number transposition.
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May 24, 1993
Los Gatos, California
Council Action Review:
Council was interested in adding these items:
Crossing Guards $ 35,000 unanimous
Records Clerk $ 28,000 2/2 vote
Crime Prevention $ 47,300 2 were interested
Total $113,000
Council had identified $12,000 for this purpose. Council requested that staff develop options
for Council, identifying trade offs for Council decision. Feedback from the community was
requested before Council made a decision regarding the parking control program.
Mayor Benjamin asked for consensus from Council that Community Grants be limited to
$165,260. Council would work with this limit at the continued budget hearing meeting
tomorrow evening.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Mrs. Lubeck, seconded by Mr. O'Laughlin, to adjourned this evening's meeting
at 9:55 p.m. to a Closed Session meeting May 25, 1993 at 7:00 p.m. prior to the reconvening
of the Budget Hearing by Council at 7:30 p.m.
ATTEST:
Marian V. Cosgrove
Town Clerk
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