February 12, 2025 – Study Session Minutes Page 1
FEBRUARY 12, 2025 – CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Freedman called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: M/Freedman, MPT/Cajulis, C/Law, C/Tragarz, C/Wu ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
Also present: City Manager Weiner; Assistant City Attorney Mann; Community Development Director Vasquez, Public Works Director Barcelo, Finance Director Merkel; Finance Manager Meza; Community Relations Officer Tep; Administrative Services/Human Resources Officer Ramos; Senior Management Analyst Munoz; Senior Management Analyst Markel; Admin Services Specialist Cortez and City Clerk De Dios.
DISCUSSION ITEM:
1. City Budget /Financial Outlook and Future Expenditures and Revenues CM/Weiner provided a staff report outlining current fiscal stability and future expenditure impacts.
Discussion took place amongst Council and Staff regarding the following: the general fund balance including revenues and expenditures, future fiscal impacts, public safety costs, park improvement and maintenance projects, possible revenue solutions, potential parcel tax, economic development, and hiring an economic development consultant.
C/Wu stated that he is okay with an economic development consultant for $40,000 or less.
MPT/Cajulis stated that he is in favor of the parcel tax for public safety and park improvements.
C/Law stated that she does not want to rush into selling city-owned land and is concerned that the parcel tax could be a burden to residents but was in favor of economic development because of the current vacancies.
C/Tragarz shared information on bonds verse parcel taxes. She stated that she is typically antitax and would rather invest in an economic development consultant and hold onto city-owned land as a future investment.
M/Freedman stated that she is in favor of exploring a parcel tax for the benefit of city. She stated that she would like to bring back the idea of a parcel tax at a later date.
February 12, 2025 – Study Session Minutes Page 2
CM/Weiner stated that since there was not a majority amongst Council in favor of a parcel tax, the city will keep operating within its means and utilize developer-paid money for economic development and will not look into selling city-owned property at the moment.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
William Harrison expressed concerns regarding a parcel tax.
Vijay Vakil asked that the City look at cutting expenses.
Andrew Rodriguez stated that he is in favor of an economic development consultant and would like to see more housing.
There being no further input, the City Council closed oral communications.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED on the 26th day of February 2025
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Linda Freedman, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Teresa De Dios, City Clerk