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Minutes -City of San Leandro City Council, Page 6 <br />San Leandro Economic Development Agency, San Leandro <br />Housing Finance Corporation, San Leandro Public Financing Authority, and <br />San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting -June 21,1999 <br />City Council discussion ensued regarding the EOC being on the unmet-needs list, <br />as well as the possibility of conditioning large developments to perhaps build the <br />City a new firehouse. The issue of a fire training tower being on the unmet needs <br />list was mentioned, and it was suggested the City should be working toward <br />consolidating those kinds of facilities with surrounding cities. <br />Mayor Young indicated the budget is not all "gloom and doom"; there are still <br />several programs in the budget. She noted her concerns with proposed cuts, such <br />as senior dances, youth programs, and the City Connection. She remarked that she <br />agrees with Council Members Glaze and Galvan regarding the possibility of <br />locating an EOC in one of the new fire stations. She also expressed concerns with <br />the proposed cuts in the Police Department and indicated the need to fight for <br />public safety and public works. With regard to the remarks made about the City <br />Council Finance Committee, she indicated that the Committee had continuously <br />reported to the City Council on issues that were before them. She clarified for the <br />public that the City of San Leandro has the lowest property tax, thus, less funds <br />than other cities. She reminded the City Council what is before them is the City <br />Manager's proposed budget and that further review is necessary. She indicated <br />the City Council should not have been surprised about the recommendations they <br />received in the proposed budget, as the City has been facing a growing deficit. <br />City Council discussion ensued regarding the process and frustration the City <br />Council Finance Committee went through, and the frustration of the balance of the <br />City Council regarding the lack of recommendations from the Committee. <br />Council Member Loeffler commented that the City Council needs to take a <br />position on compensation to employees and the need to get more information out <br />to the public regarding those costs that have not previously been available. <br />The City Manager responded to comments and indicated the City Council Finance <br />Committee did ask pointed questions about showing overtime and costs in the <br />budget. He explained that the budget is a summary document and does not include <br />line items. He further noted the City Council and the community need to rely on <br />the fact that there are countless documents behind the budget that would show <br />exactly how much is being spent. Those questions do deserve answers, and there <br />is need for a forum to raise those questions and to see how the community and the <br />City Council would like to see this budget presentation done differently in the <br />future. The process was different this year. He indicated what has been pointed <br />out to the City Council is that there is a shortage between revenues and <br />expenditures, and our ability to provide the same level of service is exhausted. He <br />feels the best venue to review and prioritize the recommendations are to send these <br />back to the City Council Finance Committee. The City Manager summarized and <br />stated he feels progress has been made. The City Council Finance Committee has <br />