HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-30-1991 City Council Minutes MINUTES
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
TIME:Thursday, May 30, 1991
PLACE: Senior Day Care Center, 19655 Allendale Ave.
TYPE: Adjourned Regular Meeting/Joint Meeting with Finance Committee
1. Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. Councilmembers Anderson,
Clevenger, Monia and Mayor Stutzman were present. Vice Mayor Kohler
arrived at 8:12 p.m.
Finance Committee Members present: Jameson, Yang
Staff present: City Manager Peacock, Finance Director Shriver,
Environmental Programs Manager Gloege, Assistant to the City Manager
King, Maintenance Director Trinidad, PLanning Director Emslie,
REcreation Director Pi.sani, City Engineer Perlin.
2. Report of City Clerk on Posting of Agenda
The City Clerk reported that pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the
agenda for this meeting was properly posted on May 24. The notice of
adjournment from the May 15 Council meeting was properly posted on May
16.
3. Review and approval of materials for Civic center Improvements
(internal and external)
Duncan Todd, HED Architects, presented an update on the Civic Center
improvement plans. Tom Klope, MPA Designs, presented the site
development plan, including parking, landscape and the skateboard park.
The Council suggested that provision for a restroom facility and a
bicycle rack at the skateboard park should be considered. It was also
suggested that an additional meeting room in the Civic Center be
studied as a community meeting room to replace the library meeting room
should an expansion into that area take place.
The Council agreed to have an accent color on the exterior siding but
that the color choice needs to be refined by the architect and approved
by the Council.
Agreed to interior option "B" on material board 2.
Approved material board 3 as presented except the green pain~ seems too
institutional but shouldn't be darker, and the yellow paint should be
more pastel. Resubmit both.
4. Review Proposed Budget
The City Manager presented the proposed budgets for the next two-year
cycle. Concern was expressed over the revenue and debt situation with
the Hakone Foundation. Monia suggested that the use of the Hillside
Development Fee should be reviewed in the next year.
A discussion ensued regarding the reserve policy and whether it should
be changed at some time in the future. The City Manager discussed the
needs for reserve funds to 1) provide for dry period financing since
60% of the operating budget is spent in the first six months because
of street maintenance activity but only about 40-45% of revenue is
received during that same period; 2) to provide interest income for
operations; 3) to protect against State actions which reduce revenues
or add expenses and to give the City time to adjust its operations
without having to cut services and 4) to provide for the ability to
take advantage of special opportunities to speed up projects or respond
to emergency situations without having to divert funds from other
sources, programs or projects.
He suggested that the reserve policy remain as currently stated for the
next two to three years because of the uncertainties of the current
economic and State financial situation. After that period of time
City Council Minutes 2 May 30, 1991
Council may wish to refine the policy to a general fund reserve rather
than an overall reserve, as is now the case.
Finance Committee Member Yang commented that because the City~s
financial situation may deteriorate if current projections hold, the
City should begin to plan now for ways to increase productivity and
keep an adequate reserve. (The current reserve policy is to keep six
months of operating budget cost as an overall fund reserve.)
Clevenger noted that keeping the reserve would allow the City Council
now and in the future to operate with the greatest amount of
flexibility in the event that school sites are declared surplus in the
future or other issues arise which cannot always be anticipated by the
budget process.
Staff was complimented by both City Council and Finance Committee
members on the thoroughness and completeness of the budget document.
Kohler expressed concern that every effort be made to keep the Civic
Center improvement project within budget. The City Manager indicated
steps which have been taken during the design process to keep costs
within the approved budget of $1.8 million. Once the project is bid,
staff will closely monitor work progress to ensure the budget is
adhered to. Current estimates do show the project can be brought in
within the budget authorized.
5. Review Capital Improvement Program
The City Manager provided copies of the final draft of the plan which
is currently under review by the Planning Commission for consistency
with the policies of the General Plan. Hearings on the plan are
scheduled for June 5 and June 19. A total of 33 projects are proposed
for fiscal 1991-96. Councilmembers were requested to contact the City
Engineer with questions and comments before the hearing on June 5.
6. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,