ACTION MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF VILLA PARK, CALIFORNIA
May 8, 2023
Special Meeting
GENERAL SESSION
5:00 p.m. - City Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL - Mayor Pitts called the General Session to order at 6:32 p.m.
Due to technical difficulties, there was no audio for the meeting recording until 5:17 p.m.
Meeting minute transcription up to this point is limited. Please Contact City Hall at (714) 998-1500 if you have any additional questions.
COUNCILMEMBERS
PRESENT: Jones, Miles, Wu, Rossini, and Pitts
ABSENT: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG - The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Pitts reviewed the rules of decorum.
Mayor Pitts opened public comments. Hearing none, public comments were closed.
NEW BUSINESS
2023-24 Second Budget Workshop Presentation
City Manager Franks presented the Second Budget Workshop including 2022/23 Year- End Projections, 2023/24 Estimated Financing, 2023/24 Revenue Assumptions, and 2023/24 Expenditure Issues. He announced the 2022/23 Street Rehabilitation Project is $2.1 million and noted the contractor has asked to start work on June 8, 2023, to avoid any traffic conflicts with the local schools as they close for the summer. He confirmed Churchill Lane, Squires Circle, and Dodson Way are included in the project.
City Manager Franks provided a brief overview of Council Priorities which included Capital Projects/Infrastructure and General Expenditures. He noted $300,000 was placed in the Storm Drain Reserve as a precautionary measure. He reported $100,000 was removed from the Street Slurry Seal and reallocated to the Street Rehabilitation Project after May 8, 2023, Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
speaking with the contractor and determining those funds would provide more benefit in the long run for street rehabilitation.
City Manager Franks explained that after an assessment of all the City's trails it was determined there are approximately 4 years of work to be completed. He noted $260,000 has been allocated over the next 4 years to complete the rehabilitation.
Mayor Pitts inquired if alternative materials besides decomposed granite (DG) have been looked at for the trail repair. City Manager Franks explained there is an alternative material available, but the best long-term option would be to install sidewalks. He further explained DG is the best material available for trail use.
Mayor Pro Tem Rossini inquired if an evaluation has been conducted on the horse trail to determine if a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) product can be used versus the wood product.
City Manager Franks explained that staff has discussed the idea, but no evaluation has been conducted. He noted residents have expressed support for the wood railings as it gives the city an equestrian feel.
Mayor Pro Tem Rossini encouraged City staff to conduct an evaluation. He agreed that cost and community input are a large part of the conversation. He noted that PVC has been used in other communities, is very attractive, and can have cost benefits over time.
City Manager Franks agreed that staff will review the PVC options and bring it back to the City Council.
City Manager Franks reported that the Villa Park Community Services Foundation (VPCSF) will be funding the Winter Wonderland event and is no longer a part of the City budget. Councilmember Wu confirmed the VPCSF budget for the event is $3,500.
City Manager Franks reported that City Council travel is budgeted at $10,000 or $2,000 per City Council member. He noted City Council approval is needed if travel is outside of the Southern California area and explained that City sanctioned events do not require City Council approval.
Councilmember Jones requested clarification if the budget was allocating $7,500 to the Winter Wonderland event. City Manager Franks explained it was being removed from the budget.
City Manager Franks reported the Orange County Sheriffs Department (OCSD) continues to negotiate at the county level. He explained that OCSD will provide numbers when negotiations conclude sometime in June. He advised that staff have allocated a 10% increase to the base contract for the law enforcement contract for budget planning purposes. He noted that he expects the $150,000 for the Student Resource Officer (SRO), Directed Enforcement, and Special Event to be less.
May 8, 2023, Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor Pro Tem Rossini requested a breakdown of the $150,000 for each service. City Manager Franks agreed to provide a breakdown of services.
Councilmember Jones inquired if the VPCSF has been billed for Directed Enforcement or Special Events in the past. City Manager Franks confirmed it is a common practice. He noted he will include past reimbursements in the breakdown.
City Manager Franks reported the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) Insurance Premium has decreased by $4,332. He noted Municipal Election Costs have decreased by $15,000 as there is no election this year. He noted Bill Tarin, the City's Building Official/Code Enforcement Officer, has indicated he will retire this year. He explained a budget adjustment will be needed closer to his retirement date.
Mayor Pro Tem Rossini inquired if a Request for Proposal (RFP) was in the works for a replacement. City Manager Franks reported that staff have begun making inquiries and will return to the City Council with additional information.
City Manager Franks reported a $6,000 decrease in technology due to not needing to replace any phones. He noted Maintenance Supervisor Mike Knowles' vehicle has been budgeted for replacement at $85,000 but expects it to come in lower. He explained an electric vehicle is not an option due to the extensive wait time.
Councilmember Miles inquired if Mr. Knowles takes the city vehicle home or leaves it at City Hall. City Manager Franks confirmed the vehicle is left at City Hall every evening.
City Manager Franks reported a decrease in base salaries of $7,000 and a decrease in CaPERS Unfunded Actuarial Liability (UAL) of $3,700.
Mayor Pro Tem Rossini inquired about the annual UAL contribution. City Manager Franks reported it is 6.75% and noted the City is within 86-90% funded.
City Manager Franks reported a budget contingency amount of $120,000 for any unforeseen emergencies. He noted a resident inquired about updating the city's islands on Villa Park Road from Wanda Road to Lemon Street. He explained they will explore the rehabilitation but noted there are no funds budget for that rehabilitation although there may be state funds available. He announced a public hearing will be held on June 17, 2023, to adopt the 2023-24 Budget as part of the regular City Council meeting. He noted the budget will be publicly available on the City's website.
Mayor Pitts, Mayor Pro Tem Rossini, and Councilmember Miles thanked the staff for their hard work preparing the budget.
May 8, 2023, Villa Park City Council Meeting Minutes
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:38 p.m. to the next regular Council meeting to be held City of Villa Park
ATEST: I
Steve Franks, City Clerk
City of Villa Park
Note: The above minutes are a summary of actions. A DVD recording of this meeting additionally serves as an official record and is available upon request from City Hall.