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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2020-06-22 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Cathedral City Special Meeting Monday, June 22, 2020 8:00 AM City Council Chambers 68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero Cathedral City, CA 92234 • CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 8:00 AM by Mayor John Aguilar. Mayor Aguilar reported that over the weekend a long-time employee, Benjamin Hernandez, passed away. He expressed his deepest condolences to his family, work family and friends. He requested a moment of silence in his honor. • PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Pro Tem Raymond Gregory led the Pledge of Allegiance. • INVOCATION (MOMENT OF REFLECTION) Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez offered the Invocation. • ROLL CALL Attendee Name Title Status Arrived John Aguilar Mayor Present 8:00 AM Raymond Gregory Mayor Pro Tem Present 8:00 AM Mark Carnevale Councilmember Present 8:00 AM Ernesto Gutierrez Councilmember Present 8:00 AM Rita Lamb Councilmember Present 8:00 AM • AGENDA FINALIZATION • STATEMENT OF PARTICIPATION BY THE CITY CLERK 1. LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS A. Budget Reductions due to COVIDI9 Recommendation: To REVIEW POTENTIAL GENERAL FUND BUDGET IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) FOR FY 2019/2020 AND FY 2020/2021 AND APPROVE FISCAL YEAR 2020/2021 PROPOSED BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS. The following individuals submitted comments for the record or called in to provide their comments. Their comments are summarized below. All submitted comments will be made part of the record according to our standard standard procedures. Shelley Kaplan, stated that reducing staff, especially in the public safety areas will have a direct impact on the primary services the city provides. He suggested that the Council utilize $2 million in reserves to retain positions, focusing on public safety staffing and to re-evaluate in late Fall when we have a better understanding of the true impacts of COVID-19 and the economic recovery. Chip Yarborough, stated that he provided a letter to the City Council and recapped some of his observations and suggested reductions. He urged the Council to use reserves to fund the public safety positions that are being suggested in the reduction plan and to re-evaluate in late Fall. Alan Carvalho, expressed his appreciation to the Council and staff for the time spent dealing with very difficult and challenging times. He stated that he has admiration for the City's Public Safety Officers. He feels that it is important to preserve the quality of care by utilizing the reserve set aside to help fund both fire and police departments. He feels that the reserve was created to handle this type of economic downturn we are presently experiencing and urged the Council to utilize them retain the public safety positions. Terry Applegate, expressed her concern with the reduction of public safety during this pandemic and urged the Council to utilize reserves to preserve the positions that are proposed to be unfunded. Julie Osborn, expressed her concern with the proposed cuts to public safety and encouraged the City Council to look at other places for cost savings. Mayor John Aguilar asked Police Chief George Crum to provide an update on the ongoing issue that has been taking place with fireworks prior to providing his presentation on his proposed budget cuts. Police Chief George Crum reported that the Police Department has made 7 arrest related to illegal fireworks. The Department has additional officers on the streets during this time and doing operations trying to apprehend those using and selling illegal fireworks. The fireworks issue we are seeing today has not been seen ever before. They are looking into utilizing a drone to see where the illegal fireworks are being ignited. Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez stated that he witnessed an individual in a car set-off illegal fireworks and drive off and questioned if they could be doing this around town and if it could be gang related. Cathedral City Page 2 Printed on 7/08/2020 Chief Crum responded that they have been made aware of individuals driving around town and shooting off fireworks and they are investigating it. He also responded that it could be gang related, however, they are uncertain at this time. Councilmember Mark Carnevale questioned what the consequences of the use of illegal fireworks. Police Chief George Crim stated that it is a misdemeanor. Councilmember Mark Carnevale questioned if there is something that can be done to increase fines. City Attorney Eric Vail stated that fines can be increased, however, what becomes problematic is the collection of the fines. Mayor Pro Tem Raymond Gregory, stated the problem with fireworks is nationally, not just here in Cathedral City. He congratulated the Police Chief for his efforts and encouraged him to continue. He also encouraged residents to continue reporting the use of fireworks so it can be addressed locally. Councilmember Rita Lamb, thanked the Chief of Police for the efforts of the Department. She also thanked the City Manager for helping her with an upset resident related to fireworks. Mayor John Aguilar, also thanked the Department for all of their efforts. Police Chief George Crum provided an overview of the proposed cuts to the Police Department and the effects of the cuts on the City and its residents. Mayor John Aguilar stated that he is opposed to further reductions in Police Department personnel. He suggested other areas for saving. He feels that it is appropriate to go back to unions and ask them to give something back in order to save positions. He also questioned if retirement was encouraged with an incentive for those who can. He questioned if the contract with Desert Hot Springs for Dispatch is cost recovery. Police Chief Crum responded in the affirmative. Mayor Pro Tem Raymond Gregory stated that there is a chart showing a sworn position cut. He requested clarification on whether this position is an officer or a member of management. Police Chief Crum responded that he has had conversations with a commander, who is a sworn officer, about retiring and coming back contractual to complete a project that he is currently working on. There is no Police Officer that is proposed to be laid-off. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory questioned if The Police Chief was confident that the Department can get the job done with the proposed reductions. Cathedral City Page 3 Printed on 7/08/2020 Chief Crum responded that it is his hope that they could maintain for a year and at that time they would need to re-evaluate. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory questioned if the chief has a priority list and if there are individuals that can take on some of the specialized job duties. Police Chief Crum responded that he is prepared to prioritize the list. Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez thanked the Chief for his hard work. He stated that he would be willing to take a pay cut and reduce his discretionary account. Councilmember Rita Lamb stated that it is the City's responsible to ensure that the City is safe. She would like to see the prioritization of the positions for the proposed reductions of non-sworn positions. Councilmember Mark Carnevale stated that he supports the proposed 10% reduction in Police without personnel lay-offs. Mayor John Aguilar clarified that the Police Department is not filling any vacant positions, there are no proposed lay-offs of sworn officers and staff is going to work on a retention priority list of the non-sworn proposed reductions. Police Chief Crum stated that the following is his retention priority list for the non- sworn proposed reductions: 1. Evidence Technician 2. Crime Analyst 3. Records Analyst 4. Police Training Coordinator 5. Office Assistant 6. PSA Mayor Aguilar stated that The Mayor stated that there were several decisions made during the June 17, 2020 Special City Council meeting and questioned if staff is prepared to provide the dollar amount to Council. City Manager Charles McClendon responded that on June 17, 2020, the City Council did the following: • Eliminate funding of the Palm Springs International Film Festival - $50,000 • Move funding in the amount of$25,000 from the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce to CVEP • Bring back a plan to Council including necessary funding to complete the comprehensive Fee Study • Keep Code Enforcement coverage as close to seven days a week as possible. Interim Fire Chief Blake Goetz provided the reductions being proposed by the Fire Department. Cathedral City Page 4 Printed on 7/08/2020 Mayor John Aguilar expressed his concern with the lowering of the rating and the effects it may have on insurance rates and questioned if the proposed reductions would jeopardize the SAFR Grant Funding. Interim Fire Chief Goetz responded that the proposed reductions will not jeopardize the grant. Councilmember Rita Lamb questioned the total savings with the proposed reductions in the Fire Department's budget. She also questioned if the reductions are all or nothing. Interim Chief Goetz stated that they can reduce their budget by 10% without lay- offs and reduce the overtime floor to 12. Mayor Pro Tem Raymond Gregory questioned if it would make sense to declare a fiscal emergency to protect the City from losing the SAFR Grant. He feels that there is merit in having some flexibility set by policy and having a floor helps control the overtime costs. He stated that there is a lot of work that goes into the hiring of public safety employees, which also needs to be considered when considering reductions. He feels that it makes sense to him flexing policy to get savings Public Safety sworn, work that goes into hiring, etc. flex policy on scheduling, etc. Councilmember Ernesto Gutierrez questioned which department has had the most increase over the years. City Manager McClendon responded that the Fire Department has had the most increase in staff being hired in the last six years. Councilmember Gutierrez questioned when the last time the Department had a minimum staffing of 12. City Manager McClendon responded 2016 and prior. Councilmember Gutierrez stated that the City offers a high level of care and there is a cost. He stated that his goal is to see what can be done to reduce the costs. Councilmember Mark Carnevale stated that proper management and watching overtime is what his recommendation would be. He does not support drastic reductions. Mayor Aguilar stated that he feels that it is clear that the Council doesn't support personnel reductions in the public safety area. City Manager McClendon provided a math summary of the proposed changes that the Council has indicated for the recommended reductions from staff 2. CLOSED SESSION Cathedral City Page 5 Printed on 7/08/2020 Eric Vail, City attorney, announced that the City Council will meet in Closed Session to discuss the following items listed on the Agenda. A. Conference with Labor Negotiator Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 Agency Negotiator: Charles McClendon, City Manager Represented Employees: AFSCME - The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees CCPFA - Cathedral City Firefighters Association CCFMA - Cathedral City Fire Management Association CCPOA - Cathedral City Police Officers Association CCPMA - Cathedral City Police Management Association Non-Represented Employees The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 9:50 a.m. The City Council reconvened at 10:40 a.m. City Attorney Eric Vail announced that the City Council met in Closed Session to hold a conference with Labor Negotiator Charles McClendon related to Represented and Un-represented Employees, there was no reportable action taken. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Gregory and seconded by Councilmember Carnevale to approve the recommended budget reductions to the FY 20-21 budget in the amount of$9,032,064 and authorize the use of reserve funds in the amount of$2,827,397 to balance the FY 19-20 budget and in the amount of$2,420,667 to balance the FY 20- 21 budget with the following changes: • Eliminate funding for the sponsorship of the Palm Springs International Film Festival by$50,000. • Move funding in the amount of$25,000 from the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce Contract to CVEP. • Bring back a plan to Council including necessary funding to complete the comprehensive Fee Study. • Keep Code Enforcement coverage as close to seven days a week as possible. • No reduction of Fire Department Personnel and utilize reserve funds in the amount of$554,602. • No reduction in Sworn Police Personnel and keep the Evidence Technician, Crime Analyst and Records Analyst and utilize reserve funds in the amount of$224,887. • 10% reduction in Council salaries in the amount of$6,500 • Affirm fire staffing with overtime floor at 12. Cathedral City Page 6 Printed on 7/08/2020 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Raymond Gregory, Mayor Pro Tern SECONDER: Mark Carnevale, Councilmember AYES: Aguilar, Gregory, Carnevale, Gutierrez, Lamb ADJOURN Mayor John Aguilar adjourned the Special Meeting of June 22, 2020 at 10:45 a.m. *.- - - j ILL �'', 4'Y--j,� .fl / Ma or, City of C. edral City City Clerk-'City of Cathedral k i i Cathedral City Page 7 Printed on 7/08/2020