HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-03-20 - MINUTES - STUDY SESSION NOTES (2)City Council Study Session
March 20, 2001
Call To Order: 5:45 p.m.
Roll Call: All Councilmembers were present.
Flag Salute: Was led by Rick Gould, Director of parks, Recreation & Community
Services
ITEM 1 2001 / 2002 BUDGET — George Caravalho, City Manager, outlined the
budget process and indicated the current status. The purpose of this study
session was to share information and to review the challenges and
opportunities to service the needs of the community and to determine
Council's priorities. A handout was provided showing Council's previously
stated priorities and the city's good financial health.
Council questions, concerns and comments: the businesses the City is
in; whether the City is getting the maximum benefit from economic
development and tourism; providing job opportunities in the City so residents
do not have to commute thereby improving quality of life; the amount of
money spent on consultants and utilizing staff to the maximum; low crime
and unemployment figures being attributed to the City's excellent recreation
programs; keeping the roads in good shape; partnering with other agencies
for park space and parking; doing more with economic development such as
the car dealerships and the ice rink; phasing projects over time; having after-
school programs in all 28 schools; taking funds from undergrounding,
medians and signals; ensuring a quality Aquatics Center; having more
practice fields for all sports; terminating some programs that are no longer
useful or no longer self-supporting; commenting on the possibility of
preparing a zero -base budget every 10 years; creating a funding formula for
parks & recreation services for city v. unincorporated areas; utilizing school
space over weekends; bonds for various purposes; the status of Whitney
Canyon; roads being an extremely high priority and not interrupting current
progress; having a 3-4 year plan for the Aquatics Center and gym, median
improvements adding value; making sure there are no wasted dollars; having
the budget numbers earlier and more backup material available; TMC efforts
being a high priority with effective use of lobbyists; each Council member
having an opportunity to add other issues and priorities; and a summary of
the projects in process being provided next time.
George Caravalho, City Manager, indicated a joint study session would be
scheduled with the Parks & Recreation Commission to discuss the Aquatics
Center and other issues. Further, another study session would be scheduled
for the Council to receive a presentation from capital projects staff;
Suggestions were made to provide more information on Senior Center
Transportation funds; needing more discussion and considering a possible
lease/purchase for the Newhall parking lot; reallocating undergrounding
funds to other uses; considering phasing for the Boys and Girls Club;
considering a loan to the hospital; and recognizing Mayor Frank Roberts of
Lancaster at a future meeting.
Mayor Weste called for public participation; there was none.
Rick Putnam, Deputy City Manager, provided an update on the TMC negotiations which
appear to have terminated as of today's meeting bayed on the position taken by TMC to not
move from a 56.1 million ton project over 20 years.
Council and staff acknowledged the efforts of many who have helped with the TMC effort.
Mayor Weste adjourned the meeting at 7:23 p.m.
Sharon L. Dawson
City Clerk
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