HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/10/2011 - Study SessionCity Council Minutes
City Council Study Session
May 10, 2011 — 2:00 p.m.
I. ROLL CALL
Present: Council Member Hill, Council Member Rosansky, Mayor Pro Tom Gardner, Mayor
Henn, Council Member Selich, Council Member Curry, Council Member Daigle
II. CURRENT BUSINESS
1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR - None
2. FISCAL YEAR 2011 -2012 BUDGET [100 -20111
City Manager Kiff explained that this was just the first of many opportunities to
review the proposed Fiscal Year 2011 -2012 Budget, noting that the budget is not
typically adopted until June. He utilized a PowerPoint presentation that included a
summary of prior year budget actions (FY 09 -10 FY 10 -11), budget principles, a
fiscal sustainability plan, expected year -end closing projections, FY 11 -12 revenue
and expenditure projections, key initiatives in FY 11 -12, program changes, and
critical decision points.
In response to Council questions, City Manager Kiff explained that capital outlay is
a budget section that refers to minor purchases, such as equipment purchases;
stated that the Tidelands Management Fund would generate more revenue to put
toward the Capital Improvement Programs (CIP); and clarified the amounts within
the general fund contribution and the CIP, and explained their functions.
Mayor Henn defined Employer Paid Member Contributions (EPMC) as the cost of
retirement and pension benefits paid by the City on behalf of the employees.
Police Chief Johnson utilized a PowerPoint presentation that included a brief
overview of the Police Department's proposed budget cuts, core responsibilities to
the community, net reductions, increases in sworn officers to patrol, positive impacts
for the community, budget reduction impacts to the community and vetting
options /direction for the AirBorne Law Enforcement (ABLE) program. He stated
that there are no layoffs in this plan and that anyone in a position that is being
eliminated would be moved to a vacancy that currently exists in patrol.
In response to Council questions, Police Chief Johnson clarified that the elimination
and addition of certain division positions would result in a net savings of $2 million,
explained the responsibilities and workload of an Assistant Chief in comparison to a
Captain, discussed the creation of a new and more efficient patrol schedule,
referenced the statistic sheet detailing ABLE's work throughout the County,
encouraged Council to sit in on an ABLE patrol shift, gave potential buyout options
within the provisions of ABLE's program noting that any costs would be taken from
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the reserve funds and not the general fund, acknowledged that under the private
sector option Costa Mesa could at anytime reconsider their participation in the
ABLE program which would in turn help defray the cost of the program, stated that
the ABLE helicopters are scheduled to fly 1,500 hours per year and approximately
five hours per day, elaborated on the City's shared helicopter resources with
Huntington Beach, Orange County Sheriff's Department and Anaheim, and noted
that the City has a readily available helicopter from 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. every day.
City Manager Kiff stated that the City needs to have a disposition of the helicopters
so it could take care of all the assets and then transfer the reserve, discussed other
viable models the City could pursue regarding the ABLE program, acknowledged
that each option would have some level of concern and requested that Council review
the issue further and decide on the proper course of action.
Council Member Curry commended Police Chief Johnson and City Manager Kiff on
the budget presentation which focused on performance measurement, benchmarking
and doing things differently, expressed his appreciation for the initiative that these
proposals show in improving police service on the streets while reducing costs,
acknowledged the concerns regarding the elimination of the D.A.R.E program, and
directed staff to come up with different options to replace the D.A.R.E program,
such as running the program with non -sworn personnel. He agreed that without
Costa Mesa, the ABLE program would not be viable, urged staff to provide some
options and cost estimates to Council so that they could appropriately evaluate the
information and make an informed decision. He acknowledged the importance of
helicopter patrol especially in areas where patrol officers cannot reach.
Council Member Hill stated the he was very pleased with the depth of thought put
into the Police Department's budget and hopes that the community recognizes that
effort, clarified that if the ABLE program is eliminated the City could explore the
option of contracting maintenance services if needed, and recommended that the
City retain control of the ABLE program by privatizing out as many elements of the
program that can be privatized and sell the services of the program to as many
buyers as possible to offset the operational costs.
Mayor Pro Tem Gardner disagreed with Council Member Curry stating that the
D.A.R.E program needs to be provided to all schools within the City in order to be a
viable program but agreed to look for other ways to deliver a program even if it is
not the D.A.R.E program per se and verified that the salary levels would remain the
same even if an officer is transferred to a different budgeted vacancy.
Mayor Henn noted that he is very much in favor of seeing if there is a program
similar to D.A.R.E that delivers much of the same benefits without using a sworn
officer so that it preserves a positive interaction between children and police officers.
Police Chief Johnson made reference to the City of Cypress and a program they are
putting together using a non -sworn officer in place of their D.A.R.E program.
Mayor Henn expressed support for looking into non -owned and non - managed
solutions for the ABLE project such as contracting with another police agency or
doing an RFP to the private sector. He noted that the City would still maintain
some sort of control without being in the helicopter business.
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Council Member Daigle stated that she appreciates the Police Department's efforts
to look into other solutions for the ABLE program and stated her interest in the
private sector, particularly in working with another agency.
Fire Chief Morgan utilized a PowerPoint presentation that included the Fire
Department's budget development parameters, budget development actions,
lifeguard operations, organizational adjustment considerations, organizational
adjustment pertinent rescue data from 2005 -2010, organizational adjustment
actions, current budgeted organizational chart, pertinent data and a proposed
seasonal deployment model with an overall savings of about $1.5 million - $1.6
million dollars or 5% of the Fire Department's budget.
In response to Council questions regarding lifeguard functions, Fire Chief Morgan
noted that there will be three at -will positions, stated that there are around 30 -40
recues in the off season period, stated that he is working with staff as well as the
Lifeguard Management Association (LMA) to make sure that the .42 FTEs are
properly trained and available when needed, noted that the City currently has three
boats but plans to maintain a two boat deployment system.
Council Member Curry asked whether the Fire Department can assure the public
that the beaches are going to be safe during the winter if these changes are put in
place. Fire Chief Morgan responded by stating that based on the current economic
conditions, these proposals provide a logical alternative to lifeguard staffing which
moves and flows with the dynamic needs of the community and visitors to the City.
Council Member Rosansky suggested that the lifeguard division create a list of the
core services it provides, asked how many lifeguards are really needed to patrol the
beaches, and suggested cross - utilization or contracting out of the administrative-
type functions.
Fire Chief Morgan stated that he agreed with Council Member Rosansky's
comments, stated that five permanent lifeguards accentuated by seasonal
deployment was a sufficient number of lifeguards needed to patrol the beaches,
clarified the changes in job duties, and reassured that all requirements and aspects
were being explored.
Council Member Curry stated that he appreciated the Department's direction and
collaborative efforts, and listed issues of concern including resource allocation,
efficient staffing, and the utilization of City assets and resources.
In response to Council questions, Fire Chief Morgan explained the Department's
plan to make staffing more dynamic with the ability to surge based on capacity and
agreed that scheduling needs to be addressed to eliminate overlapping.
Council Member Daigle commented on the long -term budget goals to reduce costs
and improve operations and expressed her support for the City Manager's decision.
Mayor Henn questioned how the proposal will accommodate safety responsibilities
including beach coverage, training and preparedness during the offseason, and
suggested redistribution of overtime hours to those at the lower end of the pay scale.
He stated that he is in support of the targeted budget savings as long as the
objective requirements are satisfied.
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City Council Study Session
May 10, 2011
Council Member Hill requested more information about the scheduling overlap and
expressed concern regarding the pay scale.
Brent Jacobsen, Lifeguard and President of the Lifeguard Management Association
(LMA), commented on the difficultly of maintaining the level of expertise and
professionalism among part -time employees because of their limited work hours, and
requested that Council look at how day -to -day staffing is affected.
Eric Bauer, retired Lifeguard Battalion Chief, expressed his concern regarding
temporary employees and the proposed budgets cuts to the lifeguard division.
City Manager Kiff thanked Chief Johnson and Chief Morgan, stated that he
respected the full -time lifeguards' willingness to talk about other options and
reminded the public about the upcoming study session in two weeks.
III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
IV. ADJOURNMENT - 3:57 p.m.
The agenda for the Study Session was posted on May 4, 2011, at 2:25 p.m. on the
City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach
Administration Building.
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City Clerk
Recording Secretary
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Mayor
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