8A Consent 2008 0616 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT MINUTES Page 3 City of San Leandro City Council, San Leandro Economic Development Agency, San Leandro Parking Authority, San June 2, 2008 Leandro Public Financing Authority, and San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting complete its work, and then report its recommendations to the Council. Mr. Jermanis noted that program reductions will take considerable time to implement, and will involve community input and outreach. Councilmember Grant commented on economic trends, and expressed concern that the economy may take awhile to recover. Councilmember Souza thanked the staff that worked to develop the budget document. She echoed the concern expressed by Councilmember Grant regarding economic trends. Councilmember Souza expressed concern about adding positions for the next fiscal year without identifying a revenue source to fund them, and asked whether the City could delay hiring until revenue sources could be identified. Regarding leasing the fire truck, she stated that she believes purchasing the vehicle would save the City money in the long term. Mr. Jermanis indicated that Mr. Carter would compare the cost of leasing versus purchasing. Councilmember Souza voiced her support for reinstating the DARE Program. She clarified her earlier comment about adding staff positions, stating that she supports the immediate hiring of four additional police personnel, while delaying the hiring of non-police officer personnel. Mr. Jermanis noted that the proposed budget includes the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee, which added back funding for one police officer and three non-sworn positions. Councilmember Grant expressed concern that, at a time when the City must rein in spending, it is also implementing new programs, and raising community expectations. She commented that this sends a mixed message to the community, and may hinder support for program reductions or a revenue measure. Councilmember Starosciak stated that she felt the Agency is overextending its credit in the Joint Project Area without a strong plan for the $35 million bond issuance. Mr. Jermanis commented that he believed it was only recently that projections of future income from the Joint Project Area showed support for a bond issuance of this size. Staff feels that the market and interest rates are at a point where the timing is right for this bond issuance. The Council, as the Agency Board, can determine whether to issue all or part of the $35 million, as well as identify those projects that they feel are necessary to undertake. Councilmember Starosciak inquired about the priority placed on the replacement of the Estudillo/Callan parking garage. Mr. Jermanis noted that did not have a revenue source to fund its construction. A seismic analysis performed on City facilities revealed that the garage does not meet seismic standards, nor does it meet ADA standards. Additionally, implementation of the Downtown Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Strategy will require that more parking be provided downtown. However, Mr. Jermanis indicated that the garage project does not need to be done this year, and the Council can determine the projects to be undertaken. Councilmember Starosciak asked how the garage project, which is in the Plaza Redevelopment Area, could be funded with Joint Project Area funds. Mr. Jermanis stated that the Bond Counsel has determined that the Joint Project Area would receive benefit from an improved parking facility downtown. Councilmember Starosciak expressed concern that the bond proceeds could be used for other projects, such as the Ninth Grade