DRAFT MINUTES
SALINAS CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
2:00 P.M.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Kimbley Craig, Councilmember Orlando Osornio, and Councilmember Anthony Rocha.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Steve Carrigan, Assistant City Manager Jim Pia, City Attorney Chris Callihan, Accounting Manager Eric Burl, Senior Accountant Anh Le, and Finance Management Analyst Abe Pedroza.
Mayor Kimbley Craig called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
1. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
2. MINUTES
The minutes of th e August 1, 2023 meeting were unanimously approved by motion of Committee Member Osornio, second by Committee Member Rocha.
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. FY 21-22 Audited Financial Statements
Acting Finance Director Jim Pia and Accounting Manager Eric Burl introduced Ken Pun of the Pun Group, LLP, a partner from the City’s independent financial audit firm. Mr. Pun delivered the presentation, outlining the required communications, audit responsibiliti es, an overview of the financial statements, financial indicators , and audit results. Although issues were noted, the City was given an unmodified opinion on the financial statements, reflecting fairly presented financials, consistent accounting policies, reasonable estimates, and proper disclosures.
By motion of Councilmember Rocha, second by Councilmember Osornio, the committee unanimously voted to recommend acceptance of the audited Basic Financial Statements for fiscal year end June 30, 2022 to the full City Council.
B. California SB 329 (Dodd): City Council Compensation
City Attorney Chris Callihan introduced the topic of potentially increasing City Council compensation as a result of recent action by the state legislature. Currently the Mayor and Councilmembers are compensated monthly at $800 and $600, respectively. Staff noted the amounts as outdated and inadequate, given the commitment required by City Council to perform their duties. SB 329 would allow for an increase, up to a maximum of $2,550 monthly.
Committee members inquired upon various specifics, including a cost comparison of the increase, w hat other jurisdictions have approved, timing of any action given current City labor union negotiations, logistics for enacting, and more. By motion of Councilmember Rocha, second by Councilmember Osornio, the committee voted to postpone bringing the item to City Council until after negotiations have concluded with the SEIU labor union.
C. Committee Member Reports
None.
4. NEXT MEETING
Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
5. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:53 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY: ________
Abe Pedroza, Finance Management Analyst