Minutes 1998 0302 - Laserfiche WebLink

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•t M Minutes - City of San Leandro City Council Meeting Page - 14 - March 2, 1998 C. City Council Comments 1. Vice Mayor Loeffler commented that it is good to be back from the Far East. He commented on the speed humps he saw in operation throughout his trip. He also commented on how proud he was of how the City responded to the recent rain storms. He further noted that the City has completed most of its salary negotiations with most of the employee groups during the time that he was gone. He added that, as he recalled when discussions began about the budget for this year, there was a $1 million surplus. He asked the City Manager, after the employee negotiations were completed, what amount of money did that represent out of the $1 million? The City Manager estimated there is about $50,000 left. The basic provisions for the salary adjustments, given the size of the work force, average about $800,000 to $900,000 a year. Vice Mayor Loeffler commented on the importance of that information to the community and added that the community needs to be educated as to the costs of City employees. For example, when they see a typical City service being provided, it is important they understand what the cost factor is. He feels there is a lot of mystery as to where the money goes in our City. Vice Mayor Loeffler indicated that he passed onto to Council a letter from Union Pacific Railroad that he received while he was gone. He noted he is optimistic we will see some solution from the railroad on re-doing our railroad crossings. City Manager Jermanis noted we did not get the information in the same format as Vice Mayor Loeffler did, in terms of the locations that have been discussed; and he added he wanted to get a report back to Vice Mayor Loeffler as to what the full extent of the agreement is and what the format is. He noted he had mentioned previously they were looking at 30 railroad crossings that need some attention, and the letter to the Vice Mayor indicates they have settled on the first six. The City Manager indicated he will get Vice Mayor Loeffler more information on this. Vice Mayor Loeffler asked what issues the Council will be taking to Washington, D.C., to seek help from the Federal Government on. The Mayor noted one of the primary things would be to have on-going discussions with FEMA with regard to responding to the issues of this past storm. The Council also has an on-going interest in what is going on with the National Endowment for the Arts, Welfare to Work, Flood Insurance, scheduling of a meeting with HUD, and transportation dollars. She noted Council Members will be meeting with Congressman Pete Stark. The Council Members will also be meeting regarding crime prevention, additional funding for the Police Department, and they will be meeting with Senators Feinstein and Boxer. The Mayor indicated she will not be attending the Conference.