Agdapkt 2010-07-26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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details on the Sewer Fund reserve and how replenishing these funds has been the focus of the Utilities Committee. One Council Member inquired about what sewer funds may be used for. This Council Member inquired if we should get an opinion from the Attorney General regarding use of these funds. Jill Ekas, Director of Planning, Housing and Economic Development, introduced the item of the Redevelopment Agency and shared slides (presentation on file). Ms. Ekas covered details such as project area and time limits reiterating her awareness that Council will want a study session on the RDA. Ms. Ekas provided details on flattening of this organization and reductions in management staff. She also highlighted some innovation and partnerships that this department has embraced such as the Geographic Information Systems. Ms. Ekas explained the City has hired a landscape architect, and the Economic Development Advisor position is a near future possibility due to the high level of interest. Council asked questions about the $5.9 million in funds that are available for affordable housing and how that money can be spent. Ms. Ekas explained that there are various ways of handling these funds from private development projects, to property purchases. The Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF) was discussed and Council posed questions. Ms. Jeannie Young answered with specifics. Peter Ingram, City Manager, commented that the RDA is perceived as an "opportunity area" within certain criteria. Chu Chang, Building, Infrastructure and Transportation Director, shared a presentation on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) (presentation on file). This was a follow-up to the Study Session held on April 26, 2010. He highlighted that in many ways this area is tied together with many other City Departments. Mr. Chang reiterated Council's prior direction on the use of Capital Improvement Projects. He covered those included and excluded. He noted innovative systems that have been or will be implemented. Mr. Chang then shared the various staffing changes in his Department. He noted that the only way this is going to work is if his team sticks together and keeps a great attitude. Council thanked Mr. Chang for his presentation and for pursuing as many projects as possible. Council was appreciative of the website efforts especially on the construction impacts. Mayor Ira thanked the City Manager and the entire team for putting this budget together. He believes the City Manager did a spectacular job and everyone worked well together. He noted that Dave Genesy and Chris Beth were great examples of such collaboration. Public Comment Mary Francis Adams related two incidents when she called the Fire Department for assistance. She spoke in favor of not cutting the Fire Department. Cori Manthorne, director of CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse) spoke in favor of continuing funding for HSFA (Human Services Financial Assistance). She said funding is vital to CORA and they have used these funds to assist increasingly greater numbers of people making a difference and helping prevent violence. Justin Velasquez, representing IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) defined . public safety in terms of the Fire and Police departments. He opined that a tangible solution towards ensuring public safety is to use funds from the Users' Utility Tax (UUT) for SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD MEETING MINUTES June 30, 2010PAGE 3