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Minutes - San Leandro City Council Meeting - January 21, 1992 Page - 16 - PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued) on their budget problems, but they can come to the local level and the City Council understands how they feel . He said all of the City Council Members are local . He said whatever is decided, the assessments will apply to the City Council as well as to the rest of the community. He talked about the United States' poor standing in the international market place, and he said the citizens are paying the penalty for the errors of the Federal government. He said we were promised a tax cut and a balanced budget, but instead the National deficit has grown. He said public safety still represents about 50% of the General Fund. He said over the last two or three years we have seen these financial problems coming and we have balanced our budget, but the Federal and State governments have not balanced theirs. He said if we were required to cut $156,000 from the library we would deny children the right to a proper education, and if this country does not educate its children we have lost it all . He said we will not be able to compete with the Japans or Germanys of the world. He said the City Council has to make a very difficult decision. He said he was prepared to make it because we have to maintain the integrity of the City and make sure that we are safe in our homes, services are maintained, and our children receive a quality education. Council Member Polvorosa commended staff and the Finance Committee for coming up with a workable plan. He said it is a plan that allows us to maintain the quality of life to which we have become accustomed. He said the Finance Committee has worked this plan to the bare nub. He said he does not see how we can cut it any more. He said he could live with the plan. Council Member Perry said cities have to balance their budgets, but the Federal and State governments can take money from the cities. She noted the City had lost 25% revenue when revenue sharing was lost and Proposition 13 froze our property taxes, which were the lowest in northern California. She said she understood the community's concern regarding seniors and wanted staff to come back with a plan that would provide subsidies for low-income citizens. She said she was aware that many people had been laid off from work. She said we are all feeling the crunch of the recession and she, herself, has been affected. She said she wanted to hold the line on salaries and benefits, not just a one-year wage freeze. She said she understood this matter could not be addressed now because there are contracts but wanted to ensure that the City Manager addressed this matter as appropriate. She said before she would approve any kind of assessment she would want to be assured that there is a plan to look at the additional 29 items on which the City Council has given staff direction and to look at restructuring. She said it would also be a good idea to get cost- saving ideas from the employees. She said she had heard the community