Laserfiche WebLink
<br />l\UNUTES Page 4 <br />City of San Leandro City Council, San Leandro Economic Development Agency, San Leandro Housing Finance <br />Corporation, San Leandro Parking Authority, San Leandro Public Financing Authority, and San Leandro <br />Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting-June 21, 2004 <br /> <br />demonstrate sound financial responsibility to the voters by cutting salaries and staff <br />before reducing public safety services or increasing taxes. <br /> <br />Heidi Finberg, CEO of the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, addressed the City <br />Council, noting that although the Chamber has expressed support for a business license <br />tax increase, it would also consider support for a modified public safety parcel tax if it <br />included a residential-business split reflective of the use of public safety services, a <br />sunset clause, a moratorium on implementing a business license tax increase during the <br />life of the parcel tax and if it is implemented in combination with other budgetary <br />changes such as the 911 fee, a phased reduction in the non-residential Utility User Tax <br />rebate program and further reductions in general services. Ms. Finberg expressed the <br />Chamber's willingness to work with the Council and staff to identify solutions to the <br />budget crisis. <br /> <br />There being no other comments from the public, and without objection, the Public <br />Hearing was closed. <br /> <br />Councilmelnber Santos noted the need for the public to be made aware of the $2.8 <br />Inillion assessment to the City from the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) <br />and the Governor's deal with the League of California Cities and other local <br />goven1ll1ental agencies which will require that the City of San Leandro and the San <br />Leandro Redeveloplnent Agency give the State approximately $4.2 nlillion over the <br />next two years. He suggested that the City would not need to consider a tax increase <br />were it not for these two issues. <br /> <br />Councilmember Santos stated he would not be opposed to a sunset on the revenue <br />nleasures, but pointed out that there is no indication that the State's budget problems <br />will be resolved any time in the near future. <br /> <br />Councilnlember Santos requested that the City Council Ad Hoc Committee to Consider <br />November 2004 Ballot Measures review the possibility of an increase in the Business <br />License Tax. He noted that this option would require a lower threshold to pass than <br />would the Public Safety Parcel Tax. <br /> <br />CouncihneInber Santos expressed concern about eliminating the non-residential Utility <br />User Tax rebate program at this time and suggested the Council revisit the option in one <br />or two years. He expressed concenl that if companies lose the rebate they vvould resort <br />to layoffs. <br /> <br />Councilmember Santos suggested the money proposed for the holiday banner program <br />could be used instead to continue the Arroyo High School video program and summer <br />intern program. <br /> <br />Councilnlember Grant stated that she would like the Council to consider exempting <br />low-income residents from the 911 fee. She also expressed concern that the allocation <br />of revenue between police and fire from the proposed Public Safety Parcel Tax be very <br />clear as she heard that this was an issue in a neighboring city. Councilmember Grant <br />asked that the allocation of the revenue from the 911 fee be clear as well. <br />