CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
Mayor Isaiah Wright Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore
Council Member Raymond Altman Council Member Jason Greenough Council Member Kelly Schellong
MINUTES
BUDGET WORKSHOP
WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY
210 BATTERY STREET
CRESCENT CITY, CA 95531
TUESDAY MAY 9, 2023 5:30 P.M.
OPEN SESSION
Call to order Mayor Wright called the Workshop to order at 5:35 p.m.
Roll call Council Members present: Council Member Ray Altman, Council Member Jason Greenough, Council Member Kelly Schellong, Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore, and Mayor Isaiah Wright
Staff present: City Manager Eric Wier, City Attorney Martha Rice, City Clerk/Administrative Analyst Robin Altman, IT Administrator Fritz Ludemann, IT GIS Technician Taylor Patch, Finance Director Linda Leaver, Housing Authority Executive Director Megan Miller, Public Works Director Dave Yeager, Public Works Maintenance Manager Jason Wylie, Fire Chief Kevin Carey, and Police Chief Richard Griffin
Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Wright
NEW BUSINESS
1. Shipment of the Sister City Mural to Rikuzentakata
• Authorize the expenditure of the not to exceed amount of $2,000 to ship the Sister City tile mural to Rikuzentakata, Japan
City Attorney Rice stated yesterday that a new estimate to ship the mural was received today and is now $4,000. Therefore a motion needed to amend the amount from $2,000 to $4,000 as an urgency item that arose after the posting of the agenda. City Manager Wier stated that the shipping materials has made the mural heavier than anticipated, thus the rise of the shipment cost.
There were no comments from the public.
On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, seconded by Council Member Schellong, and carrie unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City authorize amending the amount from $2,000 to $4,000 as an urgency item.
The Council then considered the item as amended.
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On a motion by Council Member Schellong, seconded by Council Member Greenough, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City authorized the expenditure of the not to exceed amount of $4,000 to ship the Sister City tile mural to Rikuzentakata, Japan
There were no comments from the public.
2. FY 2023/2024 Proposed Budget of the City of Crescent City • Recommendation: Receive budget workshop presentation from City Manager and Finance Director; provide direction regarding FY 2023-24 budget; take action as necessary and appropriate.
CIty Manager Wier gave a PowerPoint Presentation starting off with the Year in Review. City Manager Wier went over Measure S and what the funds have been used for. Chief Carey explained the need of new SCBAs and that they would only be in City Fire vehicles. Council Member Schellong stated that the amount for Fire Captains seemed really high; City Manager Wier explained that it is the cost of those positions, but it is not fully funded by the City. Mayor Pro Tem Inscore stated he is afraid of the firefighters being put at risk since the current SCBAs are almost out of compliance; Chief Carey assured that firefighters are safe because they have been certified and are operationally ready to go. Chief Carey explained the five-year plan and further explained that there is also a need for new turnouts as the fire department is not allowed to have any that are older than 10 years old; it would be $50k a year to have 10 or 11 a year and can stop after 5 years. Council Member Schellong asked if there are 50 SCBAs but only 24 being used; Chief Carey stated it would be 23 on each side (District and City). Chief Carey reported to the Council that there will be the need for a new apparatus. The Department is looking for a First Response vehicle and it is being proposed to put away $90k for two years to be able to purchase one for $180k. There are grants available to help with the expense. Mayor Wright asked why the choice of a Dodge Ram would be chosen; Chief Carey stated that a Dodge would last longer than a Ford. City Manager Wier went over what Measure S Funds are covering for the Police Department. Chief Griffin went over the choice to have a third K9. He stated that Lt. Kai has two more years left of service. The purchase of the K9 will be covered by a grant. Council Member Schellong asked about the volunteer K9 programs; Chief Griffin stated that program is separate from the CCPD Kgs as the volunteer Kgs are not deployed on patrol, they are cadaver/rescue dogs. The funding for that program is separate from the patrol K9s. He further reported on the recent successful fundraiser for the volunteer K9s. Chief Griffin went over some other expenses that are associated with the K9 program. He also explained the other reasons behind what has been requested of CCPD for Measure S funding. City Manager Wier went over the needs for streets for Measure S funds. Director Yeager went over the patching machines that are needed and what they are used for. He went into detail of some of the upcoming project plans with the machine and discussions were held in regards to CalTrans funding and how it is being acquired.
City Manager Wier reported to the Council the funding needs the Pool has for Measure S funds.
Director Yeager explained the needs of the locker room and updating the floors to ensure there is a slope to help with the pooled water along with making sure there is traction in the floor.
Council Member Schellong asked where we were with the HVAC; City Manager Wier stated that it is hoped that design will be done by June. At the end of this week, himself and Director Yeager will be meeting with the contractor to discuss details. City Manager Wier went over the Fiscal Responsibility portion of MeasureS funds. City Manager Wier went over in detail the Measure S revenue and expense summary.
MeasureS Oversight Committee Chair Perry reported to the Council the recommendations listed in the recently adopted resolution. Council Member Schellong asked Chair Perry if he was comfortable with the projection; he stated he was and it was a reasonable projection.
Mayor Wright called a two minute break was taken at 7:26; meeting was called back to order at 2 Page
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7:33 p.m.
Public Works Maintenance Manager Wylie went over the new remote water meter readers. City Manager Wier explained staffing needs for the Public Works Department. Chief Griffin outlined the staffing needs of the Police Department. City Manager Wier explained the staffing needs for the IT Department with the IT Administrator's pending retirement. Finance Director Leaver reported to the Council and public the Pers unfunded Liability and that it will be paid off in 2043.
Director Leaver then explained the coverage that the City receives from Golden State Risk Management Authority. She stated that all of the City's costs have increased and it's across all City funds. Council Member Schellong asked if the City has sought out other insurance; Director Leaver stated that we could, however this rise has been industry wide and GSRMA has been a Director Leaver went over the General Fund details. The largest revenues for the General Fund are sales tax, MeasureS, and TOT; Director Leaver explained that the sales tax proposed is $2,135,000; Measure S is $2,300,000; and TOT is $1,739,546. City Manager Wier gave a presentation on the Marketing Plan and Budget for FY 23-24 and how the City has been working with Lynnette Braillard with LuLish Marketing. Economic Development has had a focus on marketing to include website traffic, search impressions, social media impressions and engagements. The Recreation budget will include $12,655 for advertising and marketing the pool, $5,000 for special events, swim camp, $12,000 to replace slides in the Park, $5,000 to replace Park toilets and $5,000 to replace chairs in the Cultural Center.
Public Works Director Yeager reported that EMOT Dan Borges will be able to fix the clock in the downtown area. He further stated that the outside of the structure will need to be refurbished Council Member Schellong asked about the fountain for Mason Mall; City Manager Wier stated that it will be discussed in what's not included in the budget. Council Member Schellong asked if the mold had been resolved at the City Yard; Director Yeager explained that it is being addressed.
City Manager Wier went over in detail the grants and the projects associated with them. Council Member Greenough asked if the Tobacco Grant can be for another two years; Chief Griffin stated that he thinks it's a good chance that the City will get it again. Council Member Schellong asked if the City is moving forward with the issue of tobacco, will that make our grant application more appealing for approval; Chief Griffin stated that it has been modified and was one of the reasons why they were successful last year in obtaining the funding.
Director Leaver went over the General Fund projection and that the budget proposed tonight would keep the City above the 25% reserve. Director Leaver went over the ongoing expenses and that it's important to keep 10 - 20 years down the road in the forefront of thought for the budget. For the 10 year projection, Director Leaver stated that it is best practice to budget conservatively. She further stated that actual expenses come in under budget due to unfilled positions, benefits not used, utilities and other expenses under budget, projects not completed, etc. Over the last five years, the total budget to actual savings was 12% of the budget.
City Manager Wier went over what is not included in the budget: debt service for City Hall ($200- $250k?), additional part-time Parks Maintenance Workers ($22k each), Mason Mall fountain - will have to be redesigned and refurbishing needs to be done - estimated at $40k; the Cultural Center staining ($60k a side), Phase 2 of the Cultural Center Feasibility Study ($205k), Tri-Agency funding ($30k), other economic development projects and other one-time projects. Tri-Agency - Mayor Pro Tem Inscore went over the Tri-Agency debt and feels they should be given a second chance. He recommends having a budget line item for Tri-Agency/Economic Development.
Council Member Greenough is in support of putting the $30k aside. Council Member Schellong stated that when she was on the Board the "lender of last resort" was a requirement. Is in support of Tri-Agency and the tool it has been for the community. In full favor of funding Tri-Agency. Would like to see where it goes before the City fully invests; is in support of setting aside the $30k. 3 Page
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Council Member Altman spoke in opposition to the Tri-Agency and feels it is a bailout. Council Member Greenough stated that the Tri-Agency has a bad reputation because they haven't done in a long time. He is only in support of the $30k set aside with the contingency that there is no more bad loans. Is not in support of "lender of last resort"; Mayor Wright agrees with not having "lender of last resort" and would not support the $30k set aside. Council Member Greenough asked if a motion would be required to have Tri-Agency listed as a line-item in the budget. City Manager Wier stated that it would be helpful to make a motion. City Manager Wier stated he cannot pinpoint a successful project that the Tri-Agency has had.
Council Member Schellong asked if the debt service for a new City Hall would be this fiscal year.
Mayor Pro Tem Inscore asked when the Water Fund loan would be paid; Director Leaver stated it would be this year; Mayor Wright asked if we didn't stain the Cultural Center; Public Works Maintenance Manager Wylie explained that the product that was used was not good quality and didn't last. Council Member Schellong asked how much the Monument Fund had in it; Director Leaver stated that she believed it would be $18k; Council Member Schellong asked for Council consensus to have funds available in the Veterans Monument on the next agenda; consensus received. Mayor Pro Tem Inscore stated that we need to make the decision to either replace the Memorial Fountain back, then the sign needs to be taken down. If it can't be a fountain, it needs to be mounted somewhere. Council Member Schellong is in support of restoring the fountain and returning it to the plaza. Mayor Wright is not in support of having the fountain returned to Mason Mall. City Manager Wier stated that if something was done to invigorate the area, it may improve the current conditions of the space. Council Member Greenough asked if grant funding can be used for the upkeep and maintenance of the Cultural Center; City Manager Wier stated it would not be available for grant funding. Partnerships, however, could help with the funding.
Council Member Greenough would like funding for the Mason Mall fountain, Tri-Agency funding earmarked as Economic Development funding to eventually go into Tri-Agency; Cultural Center staining. Council Member Schellong was in favor of getting a quote for one side versus three. Is in favor of the new City Hall and thinks the City should act now.
The Council was in consensus moving forward with City Hall; and will continue the discussion on Thursday.
Housing Authority Executive Director Miller reported to the Council what is up and coming for the HA in regards to Project Based Vouchers. They have given 474 of the 590 PBV, VASH was 12 out of 28, Emergency Housing Vouchers 13 out of 15, and Mainstream Vouchers were 31 out of 40 distributed.
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
Legislative Matters - None
> City Manager Report and City Council Directives - None • Reports, Concerns, Referrals, Council travel and training reports - None 4 | Page
5/9/23 COUNCIL MINUTES
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Wright adjourned the meeting at 10:05 p.m. to the continuation of the Budget Workshop of the City Council of the City of Crescent City scheduled for Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. at the Wastewater Treatment Facility, 210 Battery Street, Crescent City, CA 95531.
POSTED:
BAltman
Robin Altman
City Clerk/Administrative Analyst
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