Minutes 2009 0601 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

MINUTES ~ Page 5 City of San Leandro City Council, San Leandro Parking Authority, San Leandro Public Financing Authority, and San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting~Tune 1, 2009 Vice Mayor Starosciak acknowledged the hard work of staff to develop the proposed budget, but stated that she would not support the Finance Committee's recommendation to adopt the budget. She commented that the Finance Committee looked for ways to save the services for which there was the loudest community outcry, and she noted that some services that were recommended to be eliminated from the budget have been restored, while others have not. Vice Mayor Starosciak expressed concern that the City needs to communicate the dire financial situation to its residents, rather than give in to political pressure. She also observed that the proposed budget is based on overly optimistic budget projections, and draws from the City's Self Insurance Fund and reserves. Vice Mayor Starosciak stated that she is not in favor of using the $250,000 from the Self Insurance Fund to save programs. A motion was made by Councilmember Prola, seconded by Councilmember Stephens, to adopt the resolutions, approving the budgets for the City of San Leandro, Redevelopment Agency and Public Financing Authority for Fiscal Year July 1, 2009 to June 20, 2010. A substitute motion was made by Vice Mayor Starosciak, seconded by Councilmember Souza, to refer the proposed General Fund budget back to the City Council Finance Committee to reconsider its recommendation to transfer $250,000 Self Insurance Fund reserves to fund library services; and consider redistributing the $250,000 between the library and recreation services; to 1) provide some hours of operation at Farrelly Pool without raising prices or reducing hours at the San Leandro Family Aquatics Center, and 2) maintain the Children's History Museum program, with a school fee to recover 50% of the costs. Additionally, the Council would communicate to the Community Assistance Grant applicants that while this year's funding has been maintained, General Fund support in future years would likely be devoted to core services, such as public safety. Vote on the substitute motion: 2 ayes; 4 noes (Gregory, Prola, Santos, Stephens); 1 absent (Reed). The motion failed. Councilmember Souza shared Vice Mayor Starosciak's concern regarding the handling of the budget deficit and the inequities in the budget process. She observed that the Council has not discussed increasing fees for programs, and disagreed with using one- time funds for ongoing expenses. Councilmember Souza stated that the City is setting the residents up for a shock, and delaying the painful budget cuts. Councilmember Stephens commented that the economic outlook is difficult for the foreseeable future, and the City needs to prepare the community. He complimented the Finance Committee and staff for making the necessary adjustments and presenting the budget early. Councilmember Prola expressed surprise that there was opposition to the $250,000 transfer from the Self Insurance Fund for library services, and recalled that there was consensus from the Council at the recent work session to take this action. He pointed