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Minutes - San Leandro City Council Meeting - January 21, 1992 Page - 15 - PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued) Barbara Samaniego, 2240 Strang Avenue, representing the Chamber of Commerce, said there had been many changes in California. She said the Chamber felt the Assessment District was inappropriate at this time and that the proposed cuts were not sufficient to warrant approval . She said there also had not been enough time for community review and input and the City Council should not make a decision at this time but should delay adoption until a later date. Sylvia Landt, 262 Broadmoor Boulevard, said the quality of life in San Leandro has been good to her and her family. She said with the amount of money they have paid for taxes it has been a very good buy, especially comparing San Leandro to other communities. She said she does not want the quality of life to deteriorate in any way. She said if it means an assessment she is willing to pay it to keep the community we have. Dick Randall , former City Manager of San Leandro, said the Financial Plan is consistent with the City Council 's financial strategies. He said the Plan was developed as a result of the questionnaire and the community workshops. He said the program had been modified three times and it will eliminate the General Fund deficit and provide the needed Disaster Preparedness. He said this is a balanced approach, which reduces services while gaining revenue and assures the financial health, and, most importantly, the quality of life of the community. There being no further comments from the public, on motion of Council Member Polvorosa, seconded by Council Member Santos, and carried unanimously, the Public Hearing was closed. Council Member Santos said there are severe economic problems throughout the United States. He said the State government took $240 million from cities last year and is heading for a $3-4 billion shortfall , so the State will probably look at taking Vehicle License Fees. He said cities do not have the same ability to raise revenue. He said last year there was a budget problem and the City cut $2 million in expenses, $800,000 of which was out of the Capital Improvement Program. He said a $3.5 million cut is' needed now. He said the problem is not within the local community, it is at the Federal and State level . He said the Federal and State governments act as Robin Hood in reverse; they steal from the cities to utilize the money at the Federal and State level . He read an article from The San Francisco Chronicle on why the Federal tax cuts will not help. He said any return of taxes to the people at the Federal level will probably be taken away by the State government. He said people cannot go to Washington, D.C. , and watch the Senate work