MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE BUENA PARK CITY COUNCIL
HELD MAY 28, 2024
Vol. 54 Pg. 104
1. CALL TO ORDER
The City Council met in a special meeting on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Civic Center, 6650 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, California, Mayor Sonne presiding.
1A. CALL TO ORDER
1B. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Brown, Traut, Ahn, Sonne
ABSENT: None
Also present were: Aaron France, City Manager; Chris Cardinale, City Attorney; and Adria M. Jimenez, MMC, Director of Government and Community Relations/City Clerk.
1C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Brown.
2A. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Sonne announced the public may at this time address the members of the City Council on any matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council. There being none, Mayor Sonne closed oral communications.
3. STUDY SESSION
3A. DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 REVISED BUDGET
Director of Finance Hyun presented the revisions to the FY 2024-25 budget, which is the second year of the two-year budget. There has been a continuous effort to engage residents through Speak Up Buena Park! Over 1,600 residents participated in the community discussion around City service needs and priorities and they are as follows:
• Preventing crime, including property crimes, like burglary, robbery and car theft • Ensuring that children have safe places to play and safe routes to school • Maintaining 911 emergency response and retaining/attracting well-trained police officers • Keeping public areas safe and clean
• Keeping Buena Park affordable for middle class and working people • Helping maintain the City’s quality of life for local residents • Addressing homelessness
The budget feedback on the identified community priorities are as follows:
• Residents have told us public safety is a top priority and the budget currently reflects:
o The Buena Park Police Department is facing a staffing shortage. o The City must be able to recruit and retain experienced police officers. o Even in safe communities like Buena Park, robberies, assaults, burglaries, vehicle thefts and arson all increased in 2022.
o 911 calls have increased 24% since 2021, straining response times. • Thousands of Buena Park older adults benefit from our community’s senior programs like Meals on Wheels, senior transportation services and the Buena Park Senior Center.
The City strives to continue to offer quality programs that support our growing senior community and allow them to age in place.
Minutes May 28, 2024 Vol. 54 Pg. 105
• During these uncertain times, the City must preserve local control over Buena Park taxpayer dollars so that they stay local and serve our community’s needs ensuring they are spent in our own community on essential City services.
Furthermore, Director Hyun discussed the budget revisions for FY 2024-25, and sought City Council direction on such revisions.
The City Council directed staff to approve the FY 2024-25 General Fund Budget revisions as presented, and a policy issue to increase the WE LEAD BP budget allocation to an additional $12,500 for FY 2024-25.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Sonne adjourned the meeting at 2:52 p.m.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk