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<br />Mr. Ponty disclosed the assumptions going into the five year projections. Furthermore, <br />he explained that the City Council obtained salary freezes from Executive Team, <br />RCMEA and IAFF. He expressed concern with Health Insurance Costs, Retirement <br />Contributions, ERAF (education revenue augmentation fund refunds) and other <br />extraneous items such as real estate recovery. He reiterated that Council directed staff <br />to balance the budget without using reserves and he noted that these are stable at <br />$14.6 million. <br /> <br />Council then posed questions to Mr. Ponty regarding items shared throughout his <br />presentation. Mayor Ira mentioned that SAMCEDA had hired Beacon Economics to do <br />a County wide study on economic indicators and trends. Mayor Ira expressed a desire <br />to consider placing a measure on the 2010 ballot. One Council Member asked about <br />SEIU's salary freeze and its impact on the cuts. Mr. Ponty explained that due to the <br />timing, the budget will not be amended to show these changes, but the savings are <br />appreciated and helpful. . <br /> <br />Peter Ingram, City Manager, voiced his opinion noting that if the budget is off by .60/0 he <br />considers it essentially balanced. He highlighted prior Council direction to focus on <br />core services and service levels. Mr. Ingram reiterated that Council was clear on the <br />non-use of reserves. In regards to Boards, Commissions and Committees (BCCs), he <br />noted that staff is reviewing process improvements; however, there is awareness that <br />not all BCC's can be merged. Mr. Ingram explained that this topic will come back to <br />Council as soon as this budget is put to rest. <br /> <br />The City Manager summarized the current staffing reductions explaining that about <br />25,000 hours are being cut in work force. Mr. Ingram also covered new revenues such <br />as parking rate increases and the fire inspection and recreation fees. He then covered <br />the alternatives that Council may further consider. He then opened the floor for Council <br />questions. There were none. <br /> <br />Public Comment <br />Evelyn Gutierrez representing SEIU membership of Local 512, thanked Council and the <br />Executive Management for the open communication and noted that their membership <br />voted to approve a cost of living freeze. She spoke about preserving services and to <br />look at alternatives, such as TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) and business license <br />fees, as opposed to direct cuts to services. <br /> <br />Molly Spore-Ahadef, chief steward for SEIU Local 512, noted that some of their <br />membership was present in the Chambers. She said these people want to continue <br />providing public service and she noted that public employees do not pay into social <br />security and that they are ineligible for it as well as ineligible for Medicare for those who <br />began working with the city before 1986. <br /> <br />Police Department Presentation <br />Lou Cobarruviaz, Police Chief, provided a brief synopsis of the reasoning leading to the <br />proposed cuts. Vice Mayor Aguirre inquired why he had not provided alternatives. The <br />Chief reiterated that what he is recommending is his best approach to retain officers <br />even though he too appreciates Community Service Officers (CSOs). One Council <br /> <br />SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD <br />MEETING MINUTES <br /> <br />June 21, 2010 <br />PAGE 4 <br />