HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/07/2001 (2) Minutes of a Special Meeting
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June 7, 2001
Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Special Meeting
Thursday, June 7, 2001, 5:00 P.M.
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Finn called the Special Meeting of the City Council to order at 5:05
p.m.
Present: Mayor Finn and Councilmembers Casey, Cheng,
Fenwick and O'Malley
Absent: None
Staff: City Manager Maureen Cassingham, Planning Director
Carl Cahill, Public Works Manager Jim Rasp, Finance
Director Carol Ferrell and City Clerk Pat Dowd
Press: Liz Cloutman, Los Altos Town Crier
2. STUDY SESSION—FY 2001-02 PROPOSED BUDGET
The Finance Director presented an overview of the proposed budget for Fiscal
Year 2001-02. She referred to the financial highlights of the year 2000-01
which included recruitment and retention of quality staff, efforts to provide
effective delivery of municipal services; and preservation of the Town's
infrastructure. It was noted in the report that total governmental revenues for
the fiscal year 2001-02 were projected at$4.92 million, a 3.3 % decline from
the fiscal year 2000-01 adjusted budget. In part the Town's property transfer
tax revenues were expected to be off 31% and declines were projected in
almost every revenue category. In addition revenues from permits and licenses,
development applications, franchise fees and governmental revenues were
projected to fall in the coming year. Total operating expenses for the General
Fund were projected to be close to $4 million. This represented a slight percent
decrease over the 2000-01 adjusted budget but a$567,000 (16.7%) increase
over the estimated actual expenses for 2000-01. Budgets for salaries and
benefits were a significant factor as well as the recruitment efforts for staff.
The proposed budget also included professional service and consultant
contracts in several areas as well as repair/replacement in the area of sewer
infrastructure.
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Council discussed the proposed budget and expressed concerns about the
decrease in revenues commenting that if revenues were going to be less then
spending should be curtailed. They requested the Finance Director to bring
back a report stating the basic expenses,proposed projects and use of outside
consultants. That way the Council could determine the bottom line costs and
examine discretionary costs to determine if they were reasonable. Whether or
not to use outside consultants to achieve these goals could also be addressed.
For instance Council requested staff to bring back a report on the issue of doing
building plan checks in house rather than contracting this out. Council
believed the budget should be as accurate as possible and this report would
assist them in achieving that goal. Casey also suggested that the proposed
budget needed further review by the Finance Committee. She further
commented on the $800,000 in the Solid Waste Fund which could only be used
for solid waste projects and the several pieces of Town-owned properties as
two examples of possible revenues which should be looked at. Council agreed
that another meeting on the proposed budget would be scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
on June 21St
3. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR:
4. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further new or old business to discuss,the City Council
Meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Dowd
City Clerk
The minutes of the June 7, 2001 Special City Council Meeting were approved
at the June 21, 2001 Regular City Council Meeting.
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