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Minutes - San Leandro City Council Meeting - May 3, 1993 Page - 13 - PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued) He said the City's rate is now the lowest in Alameda County for charter cities, and he displayed the rates for the seven charter cities. He said Alameda's existing tax is $4.40 per $1 ,000 of sales value, and they were considering increasing it to $6.40. He said Albany's is now $6.40, Berkeley's $15.00, Hayward's $4.50. He said Oakland's current fee is $12.50, and they plan on going to $15.00. Piedmont is at $6.50 and plans on going to $12.50. He said San Leandro's rate is now $2.00 and the proposal is to go to $6.00. He said $6.00 would still be below the average for charter cities. The Hearing was then opened to the public. Dave Fischer, President of the San Leandro Police Officers Association, said the State and County are taking away money. He said, if this continues, the Police Chief will be forced to go back to 1960's manpower in the Police Department. He said, right now, on a regular- shift basis, there is 1 police officer for every 10,000 residents. He said, based upon the 1960's there would be one officer for every 12,000 residents. He said the Police Department must take care of the citizens and must also consider the safety of the officers. He said this increase is needed in order to keep the quality of life and the safety of the citizens as they are now. The City Clerk noted letters had been received from John M. Bischoff, President, San Leandro Management Organization; Robert P. Maginnis, Chief of Police, San Leandro Police Department; and Brian M. McKenna, President of the San Leandro Fire Fighters' Association. Lou Filipovich, 15376 Laverne Drive, asked, if he supported this matter, would the City Council still vote in favor of it. He said other cities use a 25-5 formula. He proposed an amendment to the Ordinance that would allow the voters of the City the opportunity to vote on this Tax if it did not work in the next fiscal year by putting it on the 1994 ballot and requiring a two-thirds vote. Susan Riskind-Poulsen, 182 Sunnyside Drive, Member of the Revenue Subcommittee of the Vision Task Force and Head of the North Area Business Development Task Force, said it is clear the City has a budget crisis which is not being promoted simply by the City Council or City administration just to raise revenue. She said she would like the City Council to vote in favor of the Transfer Tax increase in the name of well -honored San Leandro traditions -- safely maintained streets, a responsive Fire Department, and good libraries and schools. She said those were the things which make San Leandro attractive to new residents and new businesses. She said this is what provides long-term health for the City. She said any tax inflicts pain, but this is a tax which will affect a small number of people as part of a larger process, instead of everyone in the City on a monthly basis. She said it is the least painful method.