Special City Council Meeting August 11, 2020

0:32:27U S the email must contain the subject line requests to speak

0:32:32and the agenda item number as well as provide

0:32:34a name and a full phone number for identification purposes

0:32:39at the conclusion of each public comment period

0:32:41raised hands will be reset to prepare for the next period

0:32:44of public comment written public comments received by the

0:32:47posted deadline today have been provided to the city council.

0:32:56And posted online with supplemental materials

0:32:58any comments submitted after the deadline will be

0:33:01provided to the city council and included

0:33:03with supplemental materials.

0:33:05After the meeting no written comments

0:33:07will be read into the record as a reminder public comments

0:33:10for today's meetings are limited to the items on the agenda

0:33:13only.

0:33:14Mayor Lyman we're ready to move on to the next item

0:33:33All right, that concludes item 1 instructions

0:33:36about public comment.

0:33:37We now will move on to item two, which

0:33:40is adoption of the consent calendar

0:33:44public comments are at this time, the members

0:33:49of the public who wish to provide

0:33:51public comments for this item.

0:33:53The Consent Calendar should use the res feature

0:33:57to request to speak All right, we

0:34:07will now take up item two A which is agreement with Mark 43

0:34:14Inc. To provide computer aided dispatch

0:34:17and records management software.

0:34:21Do we have any public speakers at this time

0:34:26Do you see one hand and just mention that we did receive

0:34:29comments from Daniel Schulman by the advance deadline

0:34:32and that has been posted on online

0:34:34and provided directly to the city council

0:34:37and we are one speaker requests for this item

0:34:40is Sherry drop mayor and mayor if you

0:34:42can confirm the 3 minute time limit

0:34:45Yeah let's go through that.

0:34:47OK.

0:34:48Thank you Sherry You are unneeded

0:34:50and you can begin your time now okay.

0:34:53Good.

0:34:53Thank you Yeah.

0:34:56I'm just meet myself for work.

0:34:59OK Great.

0:35:00Thank you Yeah, I just wanted to say I think it's a good idea

0:35:04to continue with the contract.

0:35:06I'm going to just was a little confused because I know

0:35:08that there have been requests for records and information

0:35:13and data from the police department

0:35:15and my what I've heard was that there so many records.

0:35:20It's difficult, time consuming, and I would assume

0:35:23that a contract like this and this software

0:35:26will manage the data so I hope.

0:35:29In terms expenditure of the fifty thousand dollars

0:35:33that when the police use this software

0:35:38that the company does provide reports that are

0:35:42pretty reliable and accessible.

0:35:44And so that there is enough transpo to see you.

0:35:48So there's information.

0:35:49The public is requesting.

0:35:51We don't have to either use another outside source

0:35:55or we can do it pretty pretty easily

0:35:59thanks that concludes the request to speak at this time.

0:36:09Great Thank you We have a consent item.

0:36:12Can I have a motion please.

0:36:15I'd like to make a motion to I wanted to ask you

0:36:21a couple of questions at this time.

0:36:24So go ahead is the chief around.

0:36:28Yes Yeah Yeah I just wanted to be a couple things

0:36:32up a simple explanation about what this does chief for Us

0:36:39And then secondly, is this kind of following on watch

0:36:45Jerry ask will this help and requests that we have

0:36:47for information from the police department

0:36:53it came from Fidelity This is bulky the chief of police so

0:36:58this where Peter aided dispatch system as well as

0:37:03our records management system.

0:37:05So a computer aided dispatch is the program

0:37:08that our dispatch center uses to communicate with our officers

0:37:12when they get calls into the dispatch center a dispatcher

0:37:15will enter the information into the CAD system,

0:37:18and then route that to the computer terminal

0:37:20our officers use a CAD system able to tracks calls basically

0:37:24all calls for service no matter what they are

0:37:28the records management system component of this software

0:37:31is our police.

0:37:33Reporting software.

0:37:34So every time one of our officers

0:37:36investigators criminal incident they enter their report

0:37:39into the system so the system also houses all police

0:37:43reports that we take the computer

0:37:45system does it through a cloud based interface.

0:37:48So all data is held in a server farm that is not

0:37:54within the city of El Cerrito so that there's also

0:37:57data redundancy in the event of a natural disaster to make sure

0:38:00that if one data center goes down

0:38:02the data is replicated on another server

0:38:05on a different tectonic.

0:38:07So for this job.

0:38:09There's replace the system is very robust

0:38:12and houses a number of different data points

0:38:16just like any database is only as

0:38:18good as that data you put in.

0:38:19So you have to make sure that you are answering

0:38:22that to you on a track.

0:38:23So that you can also pull it out also doing database

0:38:27queries is not necessary really a very quick process Times

0:38:33database these queries can be time intensive for staff

0:38:37and then also be time intensive to sort through the results

0:38:40to make sure that the data that was requested

0:38:42is what we're actually going to be returning.

0:38:44So it still does take people power

0:38:47to make sure we're responsive to a data

0:38:50request when we get them.

0:38:52That's an overview of the system.

0:38:55Thank you and there's a couple of follow up.

0:38:59So there is a confidentiality section here

0:39:02that you're comfortable with.

0:39:03And we don't give out any information that's

0:39:05collected that isn't responsible a request is

0:39:09that is that right.

0:39:12Right.

0:39:13So there are they see the complete the company make

0:39:18sure that they're not giving out any of our records

0:39:21and we also agree not to give out any proprietary owned

0:39:25So that would be things like user manuals things

0:39:28that a competitor might use against them

0:39:30or a competitor might yes.

0:39:33Intellectual property that a competitor might steal

0:39:35so we agree that we don't give out that kind of information

0:39:38about Mach 43 on the contract also has been vetted

0:39:42by the city attorney's office in the contract

0:39:46is not really the item.

0:39:47This up for tonight.

0:39:48We're currently in a contract with Mark 43

0:39:50is really making sure that they get their payment

0:39:52for the current Five year.

0:39:54And that just gets to my last question.

0:39:57And this is my stupidity but this amount of money,

0:40:01it's just not wise, it's outside the budget

0:40:04process and my wrong about that or why are we giving this back.

0:40:09Yeah because I need council approval for any amount

0:40:12of money that's over either my spending authority or the city

0:40:15manager spending authority.

0:40:16So this is fifty thousand dollars

0:40:18and exceeds Pincus as authority that's where

0:40:21I'm coming to council for.

0:40:23So it's in the budget process just the timing of it

0:40:26requires us to approve that it's All right.

0:40:29Yes sir.

0:40:30Also the This is the first year that Mark

0:40:3343 has raised the annual rate.

0:40:35So our contract locked in the first three years of payments

0:40:40at a little over forty six thousand dollars so for year

0:40:44end of the contract they decided to increase

0:40:46the amount for the annual renewal

0:40:50thank you I still need a second to Mr. Tito's motion back

0:40:59and I'm talking about the daily motion by Quito seconded by.

0:41:03All those favor to me have a roll

0:41:04call please ma'am I mean sorry, can you repeat that for me.

0:41:11Yes in Cuba.

0:41:13May I FDLE.

0:41:14Yes council member Abelson yes.

0:41:18Council member Pardue Okamoto yes.

0:41:21Council member King 2 Yes.

0:41:24Motion carries.

0:41:26Thank you So that concludes.

0:41:30Item look to.

0:41:34And we'll now move on.

0:41:36Item 3.

0:41:37A. Which is a policy matter.

0:41:40It's our fiscal response plan.

0:41:42Our action proposed just discussed

0:41:44the city's fiscal response to cope with recession.

0:41:47And lack of reserves including the budget reduction target

0:41:50and potential strategies to direct staff

0:41:53to implement the recommended strategies within the upcoming

0:41:56amendment to the city's budget.

0:42:03Thank you Your Honor I'm can.

0:42:05Get some the cinema manager and for you tonight

0:42:09is the recommended sessions for the current iteration

0:42:16of the fiscal response plan as the council knows

0:42:20the city has been discussing our budget challenges

0:42:23for several months now.

0:42:25Staff has already identified approximately four million

0:42:28dollars reductions including cuts in expenses employees

0:42:31deferring cost of living raises furloughs and other actions

0:42:36to decrease cost.

0:42:38However because the city's budget issued troll in nature

0:42:42that the proposed actions will not be enough to build back

0:42:45the General Fund Reserve, especially

0:42:47if the current recession which is still ongoing.

0:42:50The COVID 19 pandemic crisis prolonged recession.

0:42:55The revised forecast indicates that the city would need

0:42:57to implement at least One point $5 million

0:43:00in additional ongoing budget solutions To that end.

0:43:03The city council has discussing potential budget solutions.

0:43:07We have had several meetings to discuss the various components

0:43:11of what that means.

0:43:13It was introduced at the city council meeting on June 9.

0:43:17And since then, the city council has reviewed these options

0:43:21the city has also held a meeting and reviewed with staff

0:43:25council and public feedback.

0:43:28So tonight our consulting partners

0:43:31has analyzed and refined the recommendations

0:43:33for the fiscal response plan to discuss

0:43:35what to do this evening.

0:43:37And so to that end.

0:43:38I would like to once again introduce Nancy Hetrick and

0:43:42Steve from manager partners OK.

0:43:48Thank you.

0:43:49You Karen.

0:43:50Appreciate that.

0:43:50Steve's pulling of the forest.

0:43:52So I can go through his list.

0:43:54Nice to be back.

0:43:56So this evening what we are going to be doing

0:43:58is spending time reviewing the journey we've been on.

0:44:01I'm not going into great detail.

0:44:03We've opened the journey together.

0:44:05But at the end of this evening we're

0:44:07hopeful that we can have some agreement on the nature

0:44:11of the fiscal problem that the city is trying to solve

0:44:14through these fiscal strategies as the city manager has

0:44:17mentioned a lot of work has happened to date including

0:44:21finding upwards of four million dollars in budget strategies

0:44:27to address the city's financial situation.

0:44:30So this is to get forward to that that next wave

0:44:33and address the impacts of the covered pandemic, which we'll

0:44:36talk about more this evening This

0:44:39is in preparation for the updated budget

0:44:42that you'll be receiving in September.

0:44:44And so tonight's conversation really

0:44:46is intended to inform steps preparation

0:44:48of that document for you.

0:44:50So begin talking about the fish the fiscal problem reviewing

0:44:54the strategies And we have tried to encapsulate the input

0:44:59that we have received along the way,

0:45:01including the input generated through the August first town

0:45:05hall meeting and you'll see that those are summarized

0:45:07in a concise manner for staff to then assuming council agreement

0:45:14to prepare the budget.

0:45:16Lastly we'll review next steps where

0:45:17do we go from here in order to get

0:45:18this across the finish line.

0:45:21Those were our objective The basic outline

0:45:24of our presentation this evening recap the process just

0:45:27as brief brief reminder it's all well docu the agenda Bill

0:45:30that you have before you as well.

0:45:32We'll review the updated financial forecast.

0:45:35This is a moving target.

0:45:36We know as we become as we have additional

0:45:40and fresh new information that data has been

0:45:43incorporated into the forecast for example

0:45:46updated information on purchase has been captured

0:45:49and so that reflects where we are today and the budget target

0:45:53that we recommend.

0:45:54So Steve will take through that then we'll review the budget

0:45:57strategies and again.

0:45:59There should be no surprises here.

0:46:01There is nothing new.

0:46:02It's just that it's been refined to reflect the input

0:46:06and the changing environment.

0:46:07Operating environment of the city over the course

0:46:10of our time together.

0:46:11And then finally, we'll wrap with our next steps.

0:46:15So the next slide process Overview This really

0:46:18gives you a bit of a roadmap.

0:46:20Again largely documented in the agenda Bill that was provided

0:46:24ahead of tonight's meeting.

0:46:25But we began this process prior to Kobe

0:46:28prior to a lot of what we know today

0:46:31through the strategic planning efforts

0:46:34that involved engagement with community

0:46:36as well as with staff.

0:46:38So we were moving along that line,

0:46:41we had identified fiscal sustainability

0:46:43as a top priority of the city.

0:46:45Even prior to Coburn This was in light of the depletion

0:46:49of reserves that we've had lots of conversation

0:46:51about of last several months.

0:46:53So the analysis analysis of the city's

0:46:55financial position short and long term

0:46:58reflects that reality.

0:47:01And so the city and the finance director

0:47:04have been closely involved in monitoring this.

0:47:07This led to the short term budget

0:47:09reduction strategies that have already been implemented

0:47:11that have referenced in the city manager's opening comments

0:47:15and our reflected you'll see when we walk

0:47:16through the overall solution for the city then hits

0:47:21the recession or impacts that we are now observing a little bit

0:47:25more And so the model that we have developed to share

0:47:30with council and with your staff reflects our projection

0:47:34and our best understanding of the impacts

0:47:36that are anticipated on the city based

0:47:39on the recessionary impacts.

0:47:40And so Steve will remind us of those

0:47:43to set the table for the strategy conversation

0:47:45then, of course, we went through the process identifying

0:47:49strategies and reviewing, we weighted them and rated them

0:47:52against a scorecard methodology that we reviewed with council

0:47:55back in May based on the priorities that were identified

0:47:59during the strategic planning process

0:48:01but also on a series of programmatic criteria

0:48:05that are important to evaluating strategies for budget

0:48:10and right sizing so we use that initially,

0:48:14it was the tool we have used it as a tool

0:48:17and it has served to the conversation

0:48:20As we have moved through this the council has opportunity

0:48:24to route review in detail the strategies along with staff

0:48:29and what's involved with them and the choices

0:48:32that are before the city the city held this town hall

0:48:36meeting to hear additional input in light of the changing

0:48:39and evolving environment that we're operating in today which

0:48:42is different perhaps than the environs

0:48:46that we engaged with the community pre covered.

0:48:50And then that brings us to today.

0:48:52So today is really an attempt to bring these pieces together

0:48:56and get agreement on a roadmap for moving

0:48:59the city forward like that.

0:49:03I will walk through them.

0:49:04I handed over to Steve Toller and this is just

0:49:08a kind of a reminder of what's included

0:49:09in the scope of the work that we have accomplished.

0:49:13So we did do a deep analysis of the city's general fund

0:49:18fiscal gap both pre covered looking

0:49:20at the structural issues.

0:49:22And the lack of reserves.

0:49:23And the impacts of the current recession

0:49:26both are important to this conversation.

0:49:29We identified possible long and short sorry short

0:49:31and mid-term budget strategies to address those gaps

0:49:35and evaluated those.

0:49:37What we didn't do this was not a a deep

0:49:40dive organization review.

0:49:42We did engage with staff.

0:49:44We did use our own knowledge of best practices being applied

0:49:48and used in a variety of different organizations

0:49:50that really unique and specific to the city of El Cerrito

0:49:54which was our charge here.

0:49:55And so the next step to this.

0:49:58We'll be doing the detailed work in implementation.

0:50:03And that really falls on staff to bring those pieces

0:50:07off the finish line and into the budget

0:50:09to bring to you All right.

0:50:11I mean turn over to Steve and his

0:50:13take us through the next couple sections Thankfully.

0:50:18Good evening Mr. Mayor.

0:50:19Members of the council just thought

0:50:21I'd take you a little bit on a journey

0:50:24that we've taken over the last couple of months

0:50:26in terms of understanding what the updated financial forecast

0:50:29looks like and we updated the financial forecasts again

0:50:33indicate that you that we had incorporated all

0:50:38of the different strategy that the staff has already moved

0:50:41forward with an with your approval some of them

0:50:46ongoing cost savings, which tally pretty darn close to 2

0:50:51point seven million dollars.

0:50:53And then there were some other onetime saving

0:50:55that really relate more to furloughs

0:50:58for the first actually for the first half of the year

0:51:01for many staff plus fund managers for the rest

0:51:06of the year through 2021 actually

0:51:10and that will end totaling about a million dollars.

0:51:13So it's just about three point seven million

0:51:14that has been in corporate rated now into the forecast

0:51:19And so just by way of reminder This is what the baseline

0:51:22forecast look like before the recession occurred

0:51:27A lot of the impacts and changes that you made that were shown

0:51:31in the previous slide were addressing

0:51:34that recessionary impact.

0:51:35But you were already dealing with a with a structural gap.

0:51:38So the question was, what did the

0:51:40what did the forecast look like with those changes

0:51:43that you made.

0:51:44And it was promising the two point Seven million and ongoing

0:51:50plus the additional million dollars and one time this year

0:51:55had the ability to change or reject your reserves.

0:52:00So that you would be restore reserves by the time

0:52:02we hit about 2020 for and they would then exceed that reserve

0:52:07goal is that point.

0:52:09And then continue to grow upward so that you could end perhaps

0:52:13doing even more in terms of service provision

0:52:17after that time.

0:52:18And the reason this glide slopes much

0:52:21more rapidly is because the Redevelopment Agency, the form

0:52:27of redevelopment redevelop agency

0:52:29will finally make good on all of enforceable obligations

0:52:33and there will be an additional amount of property taxes

0:52:37that start coming in to the city's general fund

0:52:41but then as recessionary impacts started

0:52:44to hit We worked with staff to identify what

0:52:47the potential impacts were and this was also some

0:52:51of our independent analysis this year

0:52:53sales taxes declining at least up to 10 percent additionally

0:52:57and have the potential to decline even

0:53:00further from what the original trajectory

0:53:03sales taxes were hotel tax.

0:53:06Pretty much down by about 20 percent

0:53:10while your franchise fees were expected

0:53:11remain stable development fees were expected

0:53:14to decline property taxes would stay pretty

0:53:17much where they are right now.

0:53:18But there is the potential for some softening

0:53:20especially if we see a prolonged recession

0:53:25that includes the significant unemployment that we're seeing.

0:53:28And then that stays for a period of time

0:53:31There is the potential for real estate prices

0:53:33as much on the residential.

0:53:35But definitely the commercial side

0:53:37to start sliding a little bit so there's

0:53:40a bit of a slight assumption made with respect to recreation

0:53:46fees we're pretty much you know turned

0:53:48off by the end of the fiscal 2001 a trend for the most part,

0:53:53they're going to be a slow recovery from where I'm already

0:53:57mentioned the RDA bond and that will be fully matured

0:54:01and you'll start thinking about over 1 million dollars

0:54:04annual property taxes started to hit the city's

0:54:07general fund by fiscal 2016.

0:54:09We have not included in the baseline assumption

0:54:12or in the recessionary assumption

0:54:15any significant development activity that's not already

0:54:17under construction along the corridor

0:54:19or they're in San Pablo Avenue as we've mentioned

0:54:23in previous council meetings there is the potential

0:54:25that that could end up generating

0:54:28some good property tax as well as transient occupancy tax.

0:54:31If the two hotels are moved forward in our

0:54:34and our built we have incorporated the one time

0:54:37Carers ACT funding that the state has shared with cities

0:54:41under 500000 popular One based on a roughly about

0:54:44twelve dollars and fifty cents per capita

0:54:46and for most Reno that ended up equating to about three seven

0:54:50thousand dollars as one time item revenue

0:54:53enhancement in 2021 to help cope with some of the impact

0:54:57from this recession.

0:54:58So what does the recession look like.

0:55:01The recession forecast before we were looking at this green line

0:55:05here that showed reserves were going

0:55:07to be increasing and ultimately getting

0:55:10you back to the reserve goal.

0:55:13Instead the impacts of these recession

0:55:16had an impact of about one point eight million dollars negative

0:55:20in 2000.

0:55:21And as we see here, the recovery of your reserve levels

0:55:28are not going to be as quick as was originally anticipated

0:55:32as a result of the revenue losses

0:55:34that we were seeing until we hit this 25, 26 level where you

0:55:38start seeing significant returns and it

0:55:40would take without any additional corrective action.

0:55:44It would take until 2020 sex until your reserves were

0:55:47able to be restored above 0 So what does that mean in terms

0:55:52of budget solutions that would be required the city will have

0:55:57to look at about one point five million dollars

0:56:01and additional budget reductions of assault on the expenditure

0:56:06side starting in this current year

0:56:09fiscal 2020 1 so that you would end up having reserves starting

0:56:15to be restored to the point that twenty six you will then

0:56:20ultimately reach you your your reserve goal

0:56:23and buy twenty seven will be able to restore about four

0:56:29million at that time given the trajectory of revenues and

0:56:33expenses long term at that point,

0:56:36which would mean that not only would you

0:56:38be able to restore one and a half million

0:56:40that you would have to do an additional reductions

0:56:43in starting this year.

0:56:45But you would be able to restore several of the other reductions

0:56:52that were made in the 2000 20 and 2021 fixes

0:56:58that you worked with with staff on

0:57:01and another key indicator here is that we're not expecting

0:57:05any federal aid at this point as you

0:57:07know that we go into a long this story about what's

0:57:11going on at the federal level.

0:57:13But suffice it to say there is no additional federal that's

0:57:16anticipated in this forecast. right now.

0:57:20So what does it mean in terms of one

0:57:22and a half million dollars in strategies.

0:57:24So let me do that transition to the discussion about budgets

0:57:28priorities three areas that we really governed our approach

0:57:33in in assisting you identifying those strategies as number

0:57:38one, what are the possible short and mid-term strategies that

0:57:41can be implemented and then how we then based on an evaluation

0:57:46criteria that was discussed by Nancy a little earlier in terms

0:57:51of weighing it against the city's strategic goals

0:57:54as well as other program attributes,

0:57:56such as what is the Matt demand for the different programs cost

0:57:59recovery or the universal applicability of those services

0:58:04provided to the entire community creating that framework can

0:58:08prioritization of the different strategies that were identified

0:58:13and ultimately they had the total sufficient to address

0:58:16the fiscal goals not only in addressing short term

0:58:19solvency which is getting your reserves above zero,

0:58:22but then also providing long term sustainability to you

0:58:27within a reasonable timeframe and that

0:58:29was what we saw in previous wrath of one

0:58:32and a half million dollars in other budget reductions

0:58:35that would be required to restore solvency and get you up

0:58:38to above your reserve goal by 2016

0:58:41when you off of the requirement that you have of relying on tax

0:58:46revenue anticipation notes to be able to make good

0:58:49on your general fund obligations.

0:58:52One of the things that needs to be considered whenever

0:58:54identifying and selecting strategies is really there

0:58:57is a level of uncertainty for the future and some of these.

0:59:02Some of these considerations have a dampening effect,

0:59:08such as the future depth of the recession area impacts

0:59:11and what is that going to look like.

0:59:14And also To what extent are we going to see additional shelter

0:59:17in place stay orders that might further exacerbate an already

0:59:24you know recession assumption over the next three or four

0:59:28years.

0:59:29You know there might be the potential for some one

0:59:32or federal state aid that might help you in terms

0:59:34of restoring reserves faster than what was

0:59:37anticipated if that's the case.

0:59:39That will be helpful in getting you back to sustainability

0:59:43earlier rather than later.

0:59:46There's also the opportunity for retirement

0:59:48to turn over operational changes that might give you

0:59:51some opportunities to take a fresh look at the organization

0:59:54and how you're providing services.

0:59:56And finally it's also the ability

0:59:58to increase cost recovery for those services

1:00:01that you're currently providing that are not achieving

1:00:05full cost recovery and there might

1:00:08be opportunity in the future to be able to improve that.

1:00:13That would also have an impact of being able to reduce

1:00:15the amount and extent of strategies

1:00:18that you would have to implement And so

1:00:21of all the different strategies that were evaluated and based

1:00:25on using the prioritization criteria that I mentioned

1:00:29earlier, we've boils down to presenting

1:00:32to tonight, the strategies that really

1:00:35down to basically Six areas.

1:00:37The first is reducing city administration The second area

1:00:41is changing the way that service delivery happens

1:00:45within the finance function which could mean

1:00:50some level of either shared service

1:00:53or outsourcing of certain functions

1:00:55to be more cost effective.

1:00:57I'm looking at opportunities to restructure the way that you

1:01:00handle the functions and the fire department

1:01:02in terms of fire management.

1:01:04I'm in managing the various administrative type programs

1:01:08within the fire department you also have the opportunity

1:01:11to restructure police operation and that would be related

1:01:16to how you handle either patrol or traffic or enforcement

1:01:19or other options within the police department

1:01:24that help take a fresh look at providing those services

1:01:29the 5th areas and reducing and shifting funding of landscape

1:01:33maintenance costs for the most part,

1:01:35being able to exercise existing revenue sources that would be

1:01:39able to help in in those areas in addressing

1:01:44the costs of landscape maintenance and if necessary.

1:01:47Then reducing those costs if those external funds are not

1:01:51sufficient to be able to achieve the amount that is listed here.

1:01:56And then finally, the last area is again,

1:01:59it administrator area within the recreation department

1:02:02of reducing some of the administrative functions

1:02:05and recreation that will still allow for the delivery of all

1:02:08the other services that the community is

1:02:10reliant on including but not limited to aquatics senior

1:02:13programs and other areas.

1:02:16But the sum of all of those strategies

1:02:20add up to just over one point $5 million.

1:02:23And if implemented in a timely fashion

1:02:26and successfully will allow you to achieve the fiscal goals

1:02:30that were presented on that slide that showed reserves

1:02:34being restored by 2026 and as importantly being

1:02:39able to wean the city off of reliance on debt financing

1:02:44to be able to have cash flow that you need to pay

1:02:48for operations So with that just some final thoughts in terms

1:02:53of next steps and then we'll turn over to the Council

1:02:55for discussion any questions.

1:02:57Is tonight would be to finalize the list of strategies.

1:03:02And then have staff prepare a final fiscal response plan that

1:03:06would come to you to accept that fiscal response plan that would

1:03:13be incorporate in a revised budget that would be adopted

1:03:17by you in the September timeframe

1:03:20and so with that, we thank you for this opportunity to help

1:03:23you and I'll stop sharing screen and see

1:03:24if there are any questions.

1:03:25And I can always bring the slide deck up if necessary.

1:03:29Absolutely.

1:03:29Yeah.

1:03:30I'm gonna ask a few questions to highlight some of the things

1:03:33I heard between Nancy and Steve.

1:03:36You say one was that all of the actions we are taking

1:03:41are on the expenditure side.

1:03:44And and allowed not the revenue side.

1:03:46And that is primarily due to the fact

1:03:48that the revenue side is still such a large unknown

1:03:52and uncertain as a result of the covered That's correct

1:03:58and to add a little bit more to that

1:04:00is that This is a difficult time to seek additional revenue

1:04:05enhancements to be able to address

1:04:09any fiscal needs that a city might have and what not.

1:04:13So most of the work has been done on the expenditures.

1:04:16Can you bring up slide eleven which

1:04:18is where it shows the influence of one point $5 million

1:04:24on Slide 10.

1:04:26So Mike toggle back and forth between slides 10 and 11.

1:04:30And Joe.

1:04:31So This is This is actually slide 10 right.

1:04:36Slide 10 is due with the formal dollar cut in place

1:04:40or without the $4 million cut What this is is the green line

1:04:46was originally prerecession right the red line here

1:04:49is including the 2 point seven million

1:04:53ongoing plus the one million and temporary actions taken.

1:05:00And it is not including this graph

1:05:02does not include the additional one point

1:05:03five, that would be necessary to bring sustained.

1:05:06If you can go to the next slide which does

1:05:09include the one point five.

1:05:10Can you speak to why we did one point five and the fact

1:05:17that the scorecard and other feedback

1:05:20we got from the public.

1:05:22This is the breakpoint where we're not necessarily

1:05:25going after too many services.

1:05:27But we are getting a number that is fairly responsive it doesn't

1:05:33achieve we've got public comments suggesting that we

1:05:36should be at six million dollars of reserves

1:05:38within two years, which would be the 2012 to twenty three dot

1:05:45and the 20 twenty two twenty three daughters is roughly one

1:05:49million we are at 6 million by twenty four

1:05:52twenty five which is four years.

1:05:56But we can use speak in order to achieve that 6 million

1:06:01in two years what the level of cut would need to be

1:06:05and why we stopped at one point five million.

1:06:08Right.

1:06:08You're needing to overcome the gap presented here

1:06:11on the right hand side pretty much

1:06:13a million dollar gap and 22 that ultimately felt repairing

1:06:17itself based on some of the work that you had done previously,

1:06:20but because you have the city will have had reserves far

1:06:25below zero you're going to need to not only

1:06:27make up for that lost ground.

1:06:29But also in proved from that point

1:06:32However in order to achieve 6 million dollars let's

1:06:35say by 20 to you will have started with 0 Based

1:06:40on this assumption of one and a half million dollars

1:06:43of additional reductions you'll only be at zero you will have

1:06:47needed another six million dollars in total

1:06:50or if we start again, starting in the current year

1:06:53that you're in.

1:06:54You would've needed in additional you know instead

1:06:58of the one and a half you would have needed about five or six

1:07:01million dollars in reductions and that would've equated

1:07:04to about in addition all 10 to 15 percent of your

1:07:09your general fund.

1:07:11Budget which would have been severe.

1:07:13So you know one can model this based

1:07:16on whatever the objectives are.

1:07:18But there's a balance between how quickly you cut how severe

1:07:23are those cuts how severe is the impact on service delivery

1:07:27in the community in order to achieve

1:07:31that that goal of restoring reserves such a quick pace

1:07:35and from our perspective, our independent perspective

1:07:38and working with other agencies We believe that as long

1:07:42as there is commitment from the council,

1:07:44the community and the staff in achieving

1:07:47this goal of restoring reserves in such a time frame

1:07:51by 26 that that will get you to where you need to be

1:07:54and will help to achieve the sustainability

1:07:57need long term weighing against that

1:08:00not significantly reduce services

1:08:03so so abruptly over a two or three year period.

1:08:07You go to Slide 15 this time.

1:08:09That's the slide that shows the one point five million cut

1:08:13or areas I should say areas This is rather vague

1:08:19but it's but it's I want to.

1:08:21I mean, if make a statement into a question

1:08:25you know our actions or our guidance tonight

1:08:30will result in staff reductions and the precise people

1:08:36who are reduced are really at the hands of the professionals.

1:08:40Karen your staff and your department managers.

1:08:43And so this guidance here is intended

1:08:47to give you areas based on the feedback

1:08:50we've gotten the comments we got.

1:08:52We've got in June these were the ones that we decided we would

1:08:58you're recommending that we should go after.

1:09:01But we're also not getting a lot of detail.

1:09:03And that's intentional to allow for solutions that might find

1:09:08themselves between now and when we

1:09:10adopt the budget in September.

1:09:12If we were to precise that wouldn't necessarily give staff

1:09:15the opportunity to take advantage of other cost savings

1:09:19that might come up.

1:09:21So just wanted to get somebodies perspective on you're asking us

1:09:26to you're giving recommendations to us these recommendations are

1:09:28relatively vague and I want to make sure the public knows

1:09:33there's a reason for that.

1:09:35And an that this is achievable.

1:09:38Despite that the vagueness this is achievable I'll take it.

1:09:42I'll take that one.

1:09:43Thank you, Mayor and perfectly said that's exactly

1:09:47that the rationale behind this mess that methodology

1:09:50obviously, there is detail that is housed within the numbers

1:09:54that are before you we conversations

1:09:57about these strategies to date.

1:10:00But they do affect specific positions As outlined here.

1:10:06And as was mentioned on the slide that precedes this one

1:10:09there are still lots of questions and some uncertainty

1:10:14and there are opportunities that potentially

1:10:17could present themselves.

1:10:18And so as you as you signals that we don't want to be overly

1:10:22prescriptive such that we prevent

1:10:25the opportunities for taking advantages

1:10:30advantage of the situation.

1:10:32Opportunities that emerge.

1:10:33And so what we'll need to have from council

1:10:36is a in importantly agreement on the target

1:10:40and I think that we as professionals feel very

1:10:43comfortable in that number.

1:10:45And then we have based on the input

1:10:48that we have heard over the course of the last couple

1:10:51of months tempted to thematically show

1:10:55the strategies that staff will present

1:10:56to you in detail as a part of the budget document.

1:11:00And so at the end of the day, the council of the budget

1:11:04that in operates the redux that achieve this target.

1:11:08So the detail.

1:11:09These we felt that this was going to be slightly more

1:11:14flexible with you not being overly

1:11:17prescriptive, but still signals to council

1:11:20and to the community.

1:11:21These are the areas that have risen

1:11:23to the highest level of priority in terms pursuing reductions.

1:11:26So I hope that that helps to clarify a little bit.

1:11:29I recognize that it's a reframing of the strategy

1:11:34that the far hides behind are not different things.

1:11:39Paul I see you going off and on mute.

1:11:41But I'm going to go to Janet first since we can't see her.

1:11:45So Holly if you could on mute Janet this time

1:11:48Janet this is your opportunity to ask thanks.

1:11:52Can you hear me.

1:11:53Yes okay.

1:11:56I think I was already and muted the the one thing I wanted

1:12:03to point out that has to do with tax reductions

1:12:09is that we do have a civil service system in place.

1:12:14And so that will also play into the details

1:12:19of what actually happens and so just because a person

1:12:29occupies a particular job.

1:12:32It's the job Title I believe right Karen

1:12:37that plays to Signor already.

1:12:41Yes Janet That's correct. if someone

1:12:45is in a position they and they are

1:12:47subject to the civil service system,

1:12:49then yes already or any memorandums

1:12:52of understanding that governs that position

1:12:55would come into effect.

1:12:56So one person that might be occupying that position

1:13:00might not be the one who necessary

1:13:02loses their job because of that.

1:13:05So yes Janet you're absolutely right.

1:13:08And I might add I think for all of us

1:13:11this discussion is a very difficult one

1:13:15And I think it's what we do.

1:13:20It was sort of as a last resort a last resort,

1:13:24it's not something we come to easily an

1:13:29and I think it's important to recognize that But in terms

1:13:35of the money and getting the goal of the reduction

1:13:40now what we will also be doing along the way

1:13:45is getting a to documents on a regular basis.

1:13:51All right Karen the docket being the record cash and the other

1:14:02one being a budget document.

1:14:08Expenses and so that we'll be able to see what's going on.

1:14:15And will we get that monthly Yes.

1:14:17Janet that's the plan to give those monthly.

1:14:20Yes okay.

1:14:21And I want to.

1:14:22And I keep saying that because I want to remind us all

1:14:25that we also have a responsibility when

1:14:27those documents come to look at them

1:14:30and make sure that we are on target to do

1:14:36what we think we are trying to.

1:14:37So that.

1:14:38So that, in fact, we can achieve it.

1:14:40can get one of the things that I think

1:14:42is a true statement even though we project

1:14:46right now how you know things that,

1:14:49for example about the pandemic.

1:14:52We can't be sure what's going to happen until that happens.

1:14:57And so we'll be have to be really on the alert

1:15:01for signs of change like that.

1:15:03I think that's the most important thing

1:15:06to realize here then I really want to thank everybody

1:15:09involved with getting all of this information put together

1:15:14in what amounts to a very short amount of time

1:15:20thank you think that's all I had to say for now.

1:15:26Thank you Paul.

1:15:27Yes.

1:15:28Thank you I wonder thank the mayor because he absolutely

1:15:32My two big questions Number One was why why is one

1:15:37point five million.

1:15:38The magic amount of money and why is it more better than what

1:15:43it comes down to is that we basically have a plan

1:15:47and we're not going to be cutting as much

1:15:49of our some of our services.

1:15:50If we all agree on this plan that we have a goal to get to.

1:15:54So I concur with that.

1:15:56The second thing was I was really

1:15:58hoping to get more specifics today

1:16:00myself on where we were going and what

1:16:02would be presented to us.

1:16:04So the public could see what we're talking about.

1:16:06But I understand the concern of not doing that.

1:16:10But I think I've gotten good feedback from the city

1:16:13that city staff has heard a lot of our goals

1:16:17that shouldn't be types like fire station 72

1:16:21the pool library and maybe are concerned

1:16:24about custodial services.

1:16:26Those are issues that you have heard

1:16:28we've talked about they've been playing

1:16:30out in the workshop a little bit So I appreciate that.

1:16:34So you'll be coming back to us at the next hearing.

1:16:38Is that right.

1:16:38Karen with specifics based on these general goals we're

1:16:42giving to you tonight to deal with yes, we will with that

1:16:47with your direction that we would encompass rate

1:16:49these into the budget process and with the next iteration

1:16:54of the budget that comes before you including the budget

1:16:57document will with the council also needs to do

1:17:00is approve the level of positions for the city.

1:17:04So that would be incorporate within and in the time

1:17:07from the time from now between then then internally staff.

1:17:12We will work through the civil service issues for all of them.

1:17:17Just wanted to say that I'm a little concerned that we don't

1:17:21talk about it, we don't bring up revenue side of things

1:17:27because we're going to have to deal in some way.

1:17:30With that in our recovery and we have a department.

1:17:34I know Councilman Quinn spoke out

1:17:36about this our recovery is gonna be based on San Pablo Avenue.

1:17:40And our development.

1:17:41What we're doing.

1:17:42And I just want to make sure that that department is not

1:17:45hit right now because there's some great difficulties

1:17:48going on getting permits out moving ahead in this direction.

1:17:52And I would even I almost want to add

1:17:55a position there at staffer there to move

1:17:58this along a little bit.

1:17:59So I'm kind of on that side of things.

1:18:02But we need to think about the revenue side.

1:18:05Finally I have a question on slide number seven

1:18:10that I wanted to raise the cuts in the furloughs things

1:18:13that we've already made.

1:18:16I see that with our labor groups the elimination of a cost

1:18:19of living adjustments renegotiated memoranda

1:18:23in the ongoing is in the ongoing section

1:18:28and I was a little confused about that

1:18:31because it's my understanding that's a one time one

1:18:35time negotiation can I get a little explanation as to why

1:18:38that's an ongoing benefit to us Let

1:18:41me clarify how that comes up.

1:18:44By having the one year of eliminating a cost of living

1:18:47adjustment the model would have assumed that it

1:18:50was going to be increased.

1:18:53And so therefore you have a trajectory

1:18:55of salaries going elsewhere from your guys perspective right.

1:19:00Well because the caller was eliminated you

1:19:05with what was special bargaining groups

1:19:07the curve is basically reduced, because it's

1:19:10thought gone up this one year.

1:19:12And so therefore, that difference

1:19:14between those two that gives you the ongoing savings.

1:19:17So it's not suggesting that the COLA is eliminated

1:19:20for the future instead of that one year adjustment of the COLA

1:19:25reduces the amount of the projected

1:19:27salary in the future years applied or not.

1:19:29OK.

1:19:29OK.

1:19:30OK.

1:19:31Thank you And my final question maybe to Steve

1:19:33is I don't know if you heard the news about the assessor

1:19:37and assessed value of tax Wells you know over the last week

1:19:41where we were that we have not heard anything in the last four

1:19:45or five business that matter to our projections

1:19:49hand because we're the we have the largest

1:19:53increase in assessed value in the county

1:19:57of Contra Costa like six point 6% that Steve hasn't seen it.

1:20:03So Steve, what we got was a report

1:20:06that the assessor has increased Elsa to total taxes,

1:20:11not on any individual home.

1:20:14But total tax our properties have gone up cumulatively

1:20:18six point 6% for this coming fiscal year

1:20:23and so I'll start by saying giving it a first opinion.

1:20:28Any any surplus revenue she goes all to reserve.

1:20:32And so that it we should not be saying Oh, we got more revenue

1:20:37we shouldn't be considering these cuts tonight.

1:20:39So I just I'm not sure where you're

1:20:40headed with your question, Paul but not that

1:20:43would have more potential outcome.

1:20:45Was just wondering what it meant as far as revenue

1:20:49fell Serino what do we not know that yet.

1:20:54The calculation to be get it back of the envelope.

1:20:59It's about 50 percent more than we expected so it should be

1:21:03something on the order about 300,000

1:21:05to a half million dollars more tells Rito in revenue

1:21:08on an annual basis.

1:21:10So it's always.

1:21:11But it's not come to allow us to say, oh, let's

1:21:16not do this one point five.

1:21:17Okay.

1:21:18Thank you all.

1:21:19Thank you very much staff We're showing Gabe gave

1:21:26slipped his hands.

1:21:27We'll go Gabe and then you two Rochelle okay.

1:21:30Thank you Mr. Lyman.

1:21:31I agree with what Paul Fidelity said,

1:21:35especially dealing with the Planning

1:21:37Department building department.

1:21:39This is the future of our city and the future

1:21:43of our small businesses.

1:21:45The future of our family here who are adding onto their homes

1:21:50and These are people that have emailed me and personally

1:21:54called about the frustration of getting through and getting

1:21:57anything done at City Hall right now because it so so know

1:22:01that during recession times it's important to let people build

1:22:06who can afford to build and many of our residents

1:22:10want to do this.

1:22:11Now so know that we need to step it

1:22:14up and get rid of the bottlenecks

1:22:16and to make more that we staff.

1:22:20And if we don't have the staffing in that department

1:22:22let's make the staffing for this department temporarily at least

1:22:26to make sure that we're at 100 percent

1:22:29to catch up on the months and months of things that

1:22:32have not been done and people want

1:22:35to get their reductions done.

1:22:36I mean, this is summer season and they contractors

1:22:39could should be working right now

1:22:42and know that they've been waiting

1:22:44patiently so I've heard it.

1:22:46And I've gotten so many phone calls from our residents,

1:22:49our small business owners and our people that want to invest

1:22:52here in L.A. read out.

1:22:53They've been letting me know what's going on in City Hall

1:22:57where's the bottleneck.

1:22:59And we know where the bottleneck is

1:23:00and I just want to make sure that in the future

1:23:04especially during recession times.

1:23:06And this time of Kovic This is a great opportunity

1:23:11for people to work for contractors and for residents

1:23:16to block who had the opportunity to finally get these plans done

1:23:20and add that room for their future kid.

1:23:24And so many of our residents coming in from other areas

1:23:28made that made the sacrifice to buy these expensive homes

1:23:33knowing that they one day to you in the back for their grandma

1:23:36for their mom or for.

1:23:38They want an extra room for their new kid coming up.

1:23:42So I just want to make sure that these services there we

1:23:46have small businesses that want to build we have

1:23:50an idea in Bart part has RF Q Well right now dealing

1:23:58with the future of else Rana Plaza BART station

1:24:01so I want to make sure that the This is a future of our city

1:24:05and the future of our small businesses.

1:24:08And I know that this is something

1:24:11that we need to stamp Hundreds percent

1:24:13and I support by Spirit Paul Deli on this.

1:24:18I also agree with the Mayor Wyman and Janet Olsen

1:24:22on the things we need to work on and look at

1:24:27and we talked about this for many, many months now.

1:24:30And I want to tell the residents El Cerrito now

1:24:34what austerity is all about.

1:24:36We have asked for a tax measure after tax measure

1:24:39and with that you have trusted a supported

1:24:43each apart tax measures.

1:24:46And we appreciate that.

1:24:47But no now we can not ask for another tax hike

1:24:52from our residents.

1:24:53We are one of the highest taxed cities in the state California.

1:24:57We cannot do that.

1:24:58So this is the time of austerity and austerity

1:25:01is if we cannot afford what we're doing

1:25:05right now We need to cut.

1:25:06And we will do that.

1:25:08And I want to let the residents of El Cerrito

1:25:10know that we should have done this a long time ago.

1:25:15And then we weren't getting all the information

1:25:18so I appreciate.

1:25:20City Manager Karen Pinkus in letting everyone

1:25:23know what is really happening with our city

1:25:26and it's going to take us many, many years to undo the best set

1:25:30was done by Yo years past.

1:25:34And I'm not blaming pinpointing on anybody

1:25:37but know that I've talked to every single mayor

1:25:40here in Contra Costa County and Alameda County

1:25:43and they know that the city has had problems

1:25:45and they're wondering why we're still doing big governments.

1:25:48So no that we can't do this anymore.

1:25:52I can talk to let this council know for the past two years

1:25:55austerity is what we are doing.

1:25:57And this is what austerity is austerity is all about

1:26:02for the next two years.

1:26:04And we had the former treasurer come to Elsa radio

1:26:08and speak before a California city

1:26:10speaking about the next set the next few years

1:26:13after 2020 and this is.

1:26:16They call the seven year situate dealing with all the baby

1:26:20boomers retiring and did our city ever

1:26:25look into a rainy day fund.

1:26:26No they did not.

1:26:27But all the other cities in our county did so well.

1:26:31This is part thing killing wrong.

1:26:33And this city.

1:26:34And I want to make sure in the future and the future

1:26:37of this council that comes in in the month of December

1:26:39her business is going to change From now on,

1:26:42we are not going to be beholden to anybody

1:26:45We are going to run the city like all

1:26:48these other cities are run.

1:26:50And I didn't like what our colleagues were

1:26:52doing especially dealing with the smugness

1:26:55of Elsa Rito attitude.

1:26:57We can do this but look at Hercules

1:26:59and pin all and Pleasant Hill.

1:27:01But I want let my colleagues know

1:27:03I spoke to the council members and the mayors

1:27:05and the city managers there.

1:27:07They have control 7 point $5 million

1:27:10in their rainy day fund reserves.

1:27:13What do we have.

1:27:14Nothing.

1:27:15The city of Hercules they have a rainy day fund

1:27:18and they did what they had to do when we were supposed

1:27:20to do it back in 2011 12 and 13 we

1:27:24decided to do something else.

1:27:25And I wasn't there.

1:27:27And part of that council will be at a different city manager

1:27:30then but you look at every city where

1:27:33one of the few cities in the whole Bay area

1:27:36that did not prepare for this.

1:27:38And I'm I want to say publicly.

1:27:40I am so sorry.

1:27:41I am sorry on behalf of my six years

1:27:44on that council I apologize And we should be doing a better

1:27:48job than we need to be fiscally conservative

1:27:52starting right now.

1:27:54No more of this overspending and traveling all over the place.

1:27:58Those days over and where you will

1:28:00have to make cuts in every department

1:28:02and know that we will do this.

1:28:04And we will do what we have to do to make sure that bankruptcy

1:28:10is not going to happen here.

1:28:13BRITO So No no you have voted me in twice.

1:28:18And the things that I wanted to do for the city.

1:28:22We're not going to be able to do for another seven years.

1:28:25And we're looking at a new library.

1:28:28You know I wanted to do that before my you Before the end.

1:28:32My second term I'm sorry, we're not to do this.

1:28:35We're going to be cutting programs

1:28:36and cutting personnel and looking at every thing

1:28:40with a microscope.

1:28:41So you know I want the president to know

1:28:44that we are transparent I am and we're telling it like it is.

1:28:48So again my apologies to the citizens of El Cerrito

1:28:52who pay the most taxes.

1:28:54One of the highest taxes here in the Bay Area.

1:28:57And look where it's gotten us to this sorry state

1:29:01that we're in it because we never prepared for a rainy day.

1:29:04So again, no more of this extra stuff.

1:29:07This is not going to happen.

1:29:09And I said back in 2018 and 2019 we can not afford this

1:29:14but my colleagues didn't pay any attention to me on that.

1:29:18And I do not get the votes.

1:29:19So again.

1:29:20This is how it is.

1:29:22And back to you Mayor.

1:29:23Thank you Thank you for your comments.

1:29:25Do you have any question COBB My questions.

1:29:29No great kid in black and white here with Well

1:29:32what we need to do.

1:29:33And I support them.

1:29:34And I want to say thank you to Nancy

1:29:37and thank you to Steve on that.

1:29:41And we will make them necessary changes

1:29:44and then this is a promise.

1:29:45Again again, thank thank for your comments.

1:29:47So do you have any questions.

1:29:55It's still on mute.

1:29:56Nope.

1:29:56There you go.

1:29:57You're good.

1:29:58Are we going over each of the last point.

1:30:03Individually or with kind of the presentation

1:30:06and that's That was a presentation for us to deliver

1:30:14to you reflects the prior presentations

1:30:17kind of rolled together OK.

1:30:20OK.

1:30:21In that case.

1:30:24See one of the things I'm not I'm

1:30:28still not clear on is the school resource officers

1:30:34and how that fits into the budget.

1:30:37We were getting paid for them by the school district

1:30:41and now we're not nearly you say we're being vague

1:30:46on certain parts of reductions.

1:30:48But I I still understand how that's being accounted

1:30:52for in the budget Well, first and foremost, we

1:31:00don't have that funding And so we will not

1:31:03be assigning any school resource officers school resource

1:31:06officers if the chief might want elaborate on this a more Holly

1:31:11if he's available to come back in as

1:31:14to what the resource officer said there is.

1:31:18But that would mean that the assignment

1:31:21is no longer available.

1:31:22And so those officers would be redirect to other duties

1:31:27and any differentials any shift differential or extra pay

1:31:31or anything that the school resource officers are entitled

1:31:35to would also go away and chief if you want to maybe elaborate

1:31:40on that a little bit more.

1:31:42But you think it's so back in October

1:31:45when we identified that we were in an economic problem

1:31:49the Police Department decided to keep three positions three

1:31:52additional positions vacant beyond what was originally

1:31:55budgeted for us as a result, when the city council when

1:32:00the school board eliminated funding for the school

1:32:03resource officers.

1:32:04We also eliminated those positions.

1:32:06But did not have any officers separate because

1:32:10of the eliminated positions because we were holding

1:32:13extra positions vacant so as at the end of last fiscal year,

1:32:18we end of the year at thirty nine.

1:32:21Sworn positions, which was 6 below what our maximum would

1:32:25have been in the previous fiscal now that those two school

1:32:30resource officers are no longer funded

1:32:33those positions no longer exist the police department OK.

1:32:38So what I'm hearing budgetary wise because I mean

1:32:43I don't have it in front of me, I'm

1:32:45more of a visual learner when it, especially when

1:32:48it comes to numbers.

1:32:50But to me it's like we already had these three positions open

1:32:55completely separate print anything going on

1:32:58with the school resource officers

1:33:00but then we basically lost funding for two officers.

1:33:03And yet we're still funding those officers.

1:33:06So To me, it seems like if we lost the funding that there

1:33:10would be two additional officers just

1:33:15eliminated from the force in order to maintain our budget.

1:33:19What it was before so last the City Council authorized

1:33:26to hire forty two sworn to have 42 sworn

1:33:29officers for last fiscal year instead of Fielding forty two

1:33:35sworn feel that thirty nine sworn

1:33:37for the duration of the year to save

1:33:38money because of the fiscal situation we were in.

1:33:41OK.

1:33:41So at the end of the year, we essentially have four vacancies

1:33:46instead of six vacancies.

1:33:49So we eliminated vacant positions

1:33:52to preserve officer position so there is an overall savings

1:33:59it's just that the savings won't be the same in the next year

1:34:02because we'll be missing revenue from that.

1:34:06I think ahead of us for a moment there.

1:34:08So We're authorized forty Two instead, we feel that fewer.

1:34:13We fielded thirty nine for the duration years.

1:34:16So over the course of the year, we achieve savings

1:34:21and we're basically still at that thirty nine level entering

1:34:24the current fiscal year.

1:34:26So still below what was authorized last year

1:34:32I see But what I'm saying is we we authorized that that you're

1:34:40considering those three savings that where we're at right now.

1:34:46We lost additional money.

1:34:47So I just I'm just throwing that out there for the and one thing

1:34:54about the looked out on.

1:34:56So the positions that began last year

1:34:58were Three or two positions we held out

1:35:03Queenie lays on officer vacant we

1:35:05held out traffic officer and a patrol officer

1:35:09as a vacant positions.

1:35:11So coming into the current year.

1:35:13If we look at just the normal authorized number the community

1:35:17leaves officer would still be vacant

1:35:20the traffic officer and the troll lives would fill.

1:35:23But the two SRO positions are now vacant as well.

1:35:28Plan calls for additional savings

1:35:30from police department restructuring that

1:35:32is you know other than school resource

1:35:35officers the school resource officer

1:35:36program does not have funding.

1:35:38We don't have school resource positions we won't

1:35:40as officers in our schools.

1:35:42This year.

1:35:43And I think it's also important to remember that

1:35:47despite the revenue that we were getting

1:35:48from the school district that by no means covered.

1:35:51And Officer we were getting you know

1:35:54one but one fifty thousand dollars that

1:35:56does not cover one officer.

1:35:58So they were essentially helping us fund positions.

1:36:01But those positions were not hired because of the revenue,

1:36:06and they didn't fully fund NRC was

1:36:08meant to supplement our ability to provide those officers.

1:36:13So it while it's a loss in revenue positions were not

1:36:16created or the positions were not filled thanks

1:36:19to that revenue we were already subsidizing

1:36:22those pretty heavily OK.

1:36:24So what what does fifty thousand dollars

1:36:29buy informs And Officer still not fully won officer right.

1:36:39Marvin fluctuates between 70 and 80 percent

1:36:41of what an annual cost to an officer

1:36:43although the cost lobsters go up as a result of the calipers

1:36:46making changes to their formula.

1:36:48So teach you about 80 percent of officer

1:36:53and ultimately, when the budget comes back for September

1:36:57the revenues and the forecasts will be updated to ensure

1:37:00that that is included.

1:37:01And then you'll see what the fiscal response

1:37:04plan is to ensure that you are able to achieve that goal.

1:37:13And then the other thing that I would just like to point out

1:37:16I know I wanted it out before, but I think that I think

1:37:23that the recession is going to be

1:37:26worse than the model predicted.

1:37:30I'm not sure if one 5 million is really not

1:37:34to build our reserves especially if things do change with what's

1:37:40going on with pensions and one thing

1:37:43that we haven't touched at all was a permanent decrease

1:37:46in salaries I know.

1:37:48Maybe it can't be across the board.

1:37:51But I would definitely be encouraging especially

1:37:56are our people that make more than one thousand dollars

1:38:00a year that that's more permanent

1:38:03reductions has occurred to help balance the budget.

1:38:07If we're able to do it without it.

1:38:09We're able to do it with one point $5 million

1:38:14that would be fantastic.

1:38:15I'm just pessimistic when it comes to thinking that this

1:38:20will really be enough.

1:38:23And you know, I'm speaking from personal experience.

1:38:28I took 10 1/4% cut to go from the shift day shift.

1:38:33So that I could run for office.

1:38:35It took another 10 1/4% cut in order to be mayor because I

1:38:42went from the staff nurse or to the staffers

1:38:44to though I know that you can get

1:38:47by with less and still be fine.

1:38:51You know when you make a certain amount of money a year,

1:38:55you're going to be able grocery still, you're

1:38:57going to be able to do things.

1:39:01But you might be like me wearing like 10

1:39:04year old shoes and the 10 year old outfit's and 10 year.

1:39:10How old.

1:39:11But it's possible so I just wanted to also throw

1:39:17that out there for the council members

1:39:19especially to think about.

1:39:21I've heard so we're going to be on the table

1:39:26but I've raised the same concerns to our city manager

1:39:29as we monitor. that is something that we

1:39:31can deal with the next stage.

1:39:34Well thank you And if I might add to that.

1:39:38That's why I keep bringing it up and I brought it up tonight

1:39:43that we need to look those reports on a regular basis,

1:39:46which will be monthly and see what perhaps because we don't

1:39:51really sure know what's going to happen with a pandemic

1:39:54among other things.

1:39:56And we need to be vigilant.

1:39:59It's our response ability.

1:40:01I would say to do that thank you.

1:40:07I appreciate as you all know, our Brown Act

1:40:11prevents from speaking with each other except public forum

1:40:14and sometimes you don't know if you're

1:40:17the one thinking some things I appreciate

1:40:19all of my council members.

1:40:21And I also just wanted to agree with that to help providing

1:40:28action with Council Member Keith Quinn and council member

1:40:33Fidelis when it comes to the revenue side and our planning

1:40:38and building and some of the comments that were made

1:40:41from the public Are we shooting ourselves in the foot

1:40:45by reducing what we're doing right

1:40:48now in planning and building.

1:40:51I don't know if there is any possible

1:40:53to do the piecemeal work I mean, I

1:40:55know most people are out on this temporary schedule

1:40:58where you're working for days.

1:41:00But is it possible to bring that planning and building to 5.

1:41:06I don't know that could work.

1:41:07But I'm I'm right in there with someone who's

1:41:11been trying to get some work done around the house,

1:41:14then trying to get inspections and I assure you I

1:41:17not getting expedited treatment for being

1:41:20a council member I wish I were.

1:41:24But I'm not.

1:41:26So I feel you.

1:41:27All are all the builders that are

1:41:29out there and all of the people at trying to get stuff done.

1:41:34I know they're overwhelmed too.

1:41:35I understand.

1:41:36I get so what can we do about it as a council to bring that

1:41:42back in to make sure that we're continuing

1:41:45to bring in some revenue during this difficult time and.

1:41:53Yeah.

1:41:53I'm curious to see.

1:41:55I'm supportive.

1:41:56I believe, of the of the recommended

1:42:00actions made by once again, not knowing the full details.

1:42:04I just want to make sure that what we're doing when we talk

1:42:08about works is going to be held I'd

1:42:13like to definitely hear more about that before any cuts

1:42:16to staff on that.

1:42:17I don't know whether means it's very vague.

1:42:24So I guess the end of my questions and comments

1:42:29now I just little nervous about that

1:42:33being in the we're producing tomorrow.

1:42:37You said some public works when I look to the list

1:42:41the Public Works as is reduce shifting funding for landscape

1:42:45maintenance and cost is that what you were talking about yes

1:42:49isn't sure what that means.

1:42:50It just is that just going to the measure funds.

1:42:54I suspect that that's the Measure H funds as was

1:42:57presented to back in June and these are ages as well

1:43:01as any other special funds OK.

1:43:05I just wanted to make sure that that's all of that.

1:43:09So thank you for a clarifying that at this time,

1:43:13I'm going to ask the members of the public who wish to provide

1:43:16public on this item to raise their hands to request to speak

1:43:28and I see one given that we probably won't have too many.

1:43:40Let's go ahead with three minutes.

1:43:42You don't need to use all of your three minutes.

1:43:45But rail.

1:43:48You want to speak, please Mary I may just take a brief moment

1:43:53to mention that public comments that were received by the 130

1:43:57deadline today I guess they'll be very to bring up

1:44:00because there were about 15 of them, and some of them

1:44:03are quite extensive and should be the council's

1:44:07should definitely look at them.

1:44:10So yes if you want to bring those

1:44:11up in and remind us about them.

1:44:14Can you can.

1:44:15I know you can see my screen Charles confirming that we

1:44:20receive 16 comments at sorry.

1:44:26One was so the comments that were received

1:44:33by the advance deadline today for this item

1:44:36were received by Charlie.

1:44:37So so Bonnie Richard Bell yen Leonhart laundry Wild Wayne

1:44:43Kathy Haynesville Justin Rodriguez Derrick flower John

1:44:47Schick Leslie Adams Marlene Keller Daniel Schulman Tom

1:44:52Panis Elie Shikha Al Miller review Eugene and Sue Duncan

1:44:56and then again, as the mayor mentioned,

1:44:59if there's any callers on the WebEx call today

1:45:02that wish to speak on this item you

1:45:04can use the raise hand feature which I will

1:45:06also display up on the screen.

1:45:08If you are having a problem locating it to provide

1:45:11you assistance, and then rare.

1:45:13I am going to mute you.

1:45:15Now you can begin your three minutes of comments All right.

1:45:19Thank you very much council members.

1:45:22My name is Raya Ewing I live here

1:45:24and also Rito and I have already sent

1:45:28comments to you via the email.

1:45:30So keep this brief.

1:45:32I want to add to too much repetition here.

1:45:36But I have noticed that when conversations around rethinking

1:45:42public safety and imagining ways that we can

1:45:46keep our community healthy safe and secure with less police

1:45:50contact.

1:45:51It's easier for people to start to wonder,

1:45:54is this is anything personal.

1:45:56People can get a little bit defensive

1:45:58and I just want to reiterate that like with any governance

1:46:02with any budgetary question.

1:46:04It's not a matter of good people or bad people.

1:46:08It's a matter of what systems work

1:46:11to serve the majority of residents,

1:46:14which systems work to serve the most vulnerable among us.

1:46:18So with that in mind, I'll just reiterate

1:46:21what I said in my email comment, which is just

1:46:24to among other things after the council to continue

1:46:28to be open to these conversations and also

1:46:32that as you go forward with these budgets.

1:46:35I think not only about how can you keep things as

1:46:38close to the same as possible.

1:46:40But rather how can you not only survive the current crisis.

1:46:44But build something that is better

1:46:46and to make sure whatever decision you make

1:46:49this year will set up future counsel members to make

1:46:54the best possible decisions to be the most flexible with what

1:46:58the community.

1:46:59Thank you Thank you Mayor.

1:47:03We do have two members of the public

1:47:06who have requested to speak VSO so I will move on

1:47:09to the next request, which is from Sherry

1:47:12drop near Sherry Sherry.

1:47:14You are unneeded and Yeah I'm calling around the budget.

1:47:22I am particularly around the police

1:47:25I know that there have been open positions

1:47:28they haven't been filled.

1:47:30I don't think I know that they weren't planning to be filled.

1:47:33But I think that they should be removed

1:47:35permanently from the budget.

1:47:37I understood something about the council authorizing

1:47:40X number of positions.

1:47:41I mean, the question is even though they're authorized

1:47:45whether they should have been authorizing the first time I

1:47:48think especially during a period where we still didn't have

1:47:52many reserves as an interesting thing

1:47:55to think about also in relationship to other police

1:47:59departments and the size and the population

1:48:02and also in terms of function.

1:48:05I understand Berkeley is changing their traffic unit.

1:48:09And they're using city workers instead of sawn officers

1:48:14to do that kind of function.

1:48:15I think that's something to think about.

1:48:17So I do appreciate the fact that you're looking for cuts

1:48:23in areas where I think they're necessary

1:48:25And the previous caller did talk about public safety

1:48:30in thinking about it definitely.

1:48:32And I agree.

1:48:34I think it's time that we do that.

1:48:36And I also want to emphasize as well that when people say,

1:48:40do you find police.

1:48:42It's not about personality and the not even about

1:48:45our confidence in the police.

1:48:47It's about the functions and whether they're

1:48:49actually suitable for this day And that's

1:48:55all I want to say thanks.

1:48:58Thank you And Our next speaker is Miguel espanol.

1:49:04Miguel you are needed and can begin your time now

1:49:12Miguel are you on the call Looks like we

1:49:22do not have Miguel on the call.

1:49:24So that does at this point conclude our request

1:49:27to speak on this item.

1:49:30Thank you One last opportunity for anybody

1:49:34to speak on this matter.

1:49:38All right.

1:49:38Seeing and we'll bring it back 2 counts for deliberate

1:49:44in discussion.

1:49:47And we'll start with disable some some member.

1:49:56Any of us were muted now.

1:50:06Council member Abel saying Are you with still we

1:50:17may need to come back to her.

1:50:18She is and meeting.

1:50:19But she is not responding at the moment.

1:50:21Okay.

1:50:24Paul would you like to speak This

1:50:28is an opportune for comments.

1:50:30Any additional statements questions Yeah.

1:50:33Thank you.

1:50:34You.

1:50:36I'm assuming we will be hearing more specifics

1:50:40at the next council meeting and that possibly this issue

1:50:47about restructuring and police operations

1:50:49is one of the generic categories will include some

1:50:53of these positions that we've been talking about today,

1:50:56whether they stay or don't stay.

1:50:57Is that correct.

1:50:59Yes I pretend FDLE we will be if this

1:51:02is the direction that the city council directs me to go into.

1:51:06Then we will incorporate all of these into the budget

1:51:09into the budget document and the org charts and the positions.

1:51:13And that will be presented to you in September,

1:51:15where with an eye toward again amending

1:51:19the budget by October 1st.

1:51:21And I also wanted to remind all of you

1:51:24that we usually come to you in midyear

1:51:27to do any budget amendments.

1:51:28This time, we will come to you at the end of each quarter

1:51:32to do budget amendments.

1:51:33We could budget amendments you know God forbid something worse

1:51:37happens and we have to make more drastic cuts

1:51:40but we do have the ability to bring those to you

1:51:43again and amend it at any time.

1:51:45But but but this will be provided within the budget

1:51:49detail that will be presented to you So not next week,

1:51:53not the team cannot claim to have Councilman depending on.

1:51:58We leave that up to the mayor.

1:52:00Our actions tonight will determine whether we

1:52:03have a meeting next week.

1:52:04OK.

1:52:05I just wanted to say a few words and thank the staff

1:52:10for the last 10 days ago, we had a good public forum

1:52:14about our budget and a lot about the police department and also,

1:52:20which is timely and every city is having the same discussions

1:52:24and what I heard was real cordial exchange

1:52:27from our residents about who are concerned,

1:52:30obviously about our finances.

1:52:32They want services cap in our budget that

1:52:36are our people like to use our services

1:52:40that make a difference during Colvin

1:52:42and just general services.

1:52:44They want our police force.

1:52:46I heard, to be reviewed in the process where there may be more

1:52:51accountability that seemed to be a consistent theme

1:52:54and they want to make sure that any cuts that we make

1:52:56are fair and equitable So I think

1:52:59we're all on that basic direction we had

1:53:01a lot of letters today supporting and praising

1:53:04our police and fire departments and I have to agree on very

1:53:08proud of our police and fire.

1:53:09I think we have some of the best.

1:53:11I'm very proud about that but there are, as I mentioned,

1:53:16there every community now is dealing with fine tuning

1:53:19tweaking reviewing dealing with how we can make our police

1:53:23force better, whether it's more accountable or just not

1:53:27having guns in places maybe that shouldn't be.

1:53:31So I'm hoping that our city does the same thing.

1:53:33And from what I've heard from our city manager and our police

1:53:36chief they're open for this.

1:53:38This is something that we're heading toward it may not

1:53:41be immediate because of all the concerns and all the issues

1:53:44that we have.

1:53:45But it's part of our general process that we're in now.

1:53:49So I'm I'm pleased about that.

1:53:51You know they're about 14 state laws presently that could be

1:53:55passed in the next month or two that will impact police

1:53:58departments and that alone can be a major change in our police

1:54:03department so we're just going to have

1:54:05to deal with that see how we respond to that.

1:54:08and move forward.

1:54:08But I want to thank the residents for being so

1:54:11cordial cordial was the key word I was using both in the budget

1:54:16and our police discussions because It is delicate stuff

1:54:19we're taking away things from our community

1:54:21and the police issues is a very critical right now.

1:54:24So thank you all thank you for your patience.

1:54:26We're doing our best.

1:54:27We do hear you and we'll be back in touch and any words

1:54:31you have email us connect with us

1:54:34We will get more specific next round.

1:54:36I promise.

1:54:37Thank you you gave us extensive comments before.

1:54:41Did you take care.

1:54:43Minute.

1:54:45Thank you Jenny.

1:54:46You're back.

1:54:47I always just I'm giving up on Eric minor okay.

1:54:52I'm here Go ahead.

1:54:54I would like to hear.

1:54:56I just.

1:54:56The commuting thing is not working.

1:55:00Accurately you might say the can I go back to where I would have

1:55:06to what I would have said when you first asked me to speak we

1:55:10were talking about the police budget, which actually we're

1:55:13doing again, that the business is about having a higher

1:55:18authorized number of officers over the actual amount

1:55:23we're able to have.

1:55:24What was going on at that time.

1:55:26And I don't know.

1:55:27It's still true or not is that it took so long to get to hire

1:55:32somebody you had to have a position available in order

1:55:38to basically, I guess advertise even for officers and it was.

1:55:44And it's basically also very difficult

1:55:48at least It was then maybe the chief can address that too.

1:55:55It's very it takes a very long time.

1:55:57And it's not all that easy to find

1:55:59and officer to hire maybe the chief addressed that now.

1:56:05And anyway that would slide that we

1:56:07had the higher number of positions than we had actual.

1:56:11That was done on purpose so that it was possible to hire people

1:56:16and so that instead of we had if what we really wanted

1:56:20was 39 that the maximum we could ever get was say 36.

1:56:25The chief address that if he's still here

1:56:29and I think you might be coming back.

1:56:31I can also address that many years ago.

1:56:34The council did authorize what we called over hiring.

1:56:38So that we we.

1:56:39Even with the amount of authorized positions your craft

1:56:42it takes quite some time to hire an officer.

1:56:45It takes time to hire a good officer since we have

1:56:48high standards here and Speedo and I

1:56:50know that the cheapest probably there is backup there

1:56:53if he wanted to address this as well

1:56:55but you're correct that very, very few opportunities for us

1:56:59to fully fund and staff the police department

1:57:02have existed in the past prior to leaving these positions

1:57:06vacant on purpose.

1:57:08Chief did I cover that.

1:57:11I think it is Pincus and I would say that the number that

1:57:14is represented by those sworn positions

1:57:16is based off of a number that the state gave during an audit

1:57:20of police practices Serino historically,

1:57:23we never actually plan to step up to 45 usually

1:57:27officers 43, 44 and 45 were people that were in a recruit

1:57:31training program and were intended to replace

1:57:34an outgoing employee.

1:57:35So they did allow us to over hire to maintain a staffing

1:57:40usually 42 to 43 so is that situation still choose now Now

1:57:50we typically do we have difficulty getting

1:57:55the new officer ready to start before the old officer actually

1:58:01exits.

1:58:02Study Well I would say that in the past,

1:58:06we have historically lost about 2, 3 officers a year

1:58:10on average so that over hire amount kind

1:58:13of represented the replace churn to replace officers this year.

1:58:18We do have a recruit lined up for an outgoing lane departure

1:58:22that we know is going to happen this year however we don't

1:58:25typically over hire by just hiring sworn officers

1:58:29above our authorized level.

1:58:31So this year, we have someone who

1:58:34will be coming into the academy shortly after departure.

1:58:36But we're no longer over hiring like we used to.

1:58:40It is still a challenge to get people up to speed.

1:58:42And it is a long ramp up time it still takes about two years

1:58:47we're talking about an academy recruit

1:58:49before somebody is fully solo on their own.

1:58:52Out on the street ready to be a non probationary officer So

1:59:00what will be the impact would you say of downsized thing

1:59:07the total sworn officer 42 to say 39.

1:59:13What would What do you think the impact of that

1:59:15will be on actual number of staff.

1:59:19I think that if the cuts come from specialty positions

1:59:22it will probably mean that officers will look

1:59:26to other departments that maybe have other specialty position

1:59:30opportunities where officers are very highly

1:59:33qualified people they could really go to any police

1:59:36department in the Bay area.

1:59:38They're highly recruited most of them

1:59:40have bachelor's degrees as far as continuity of operations

1:59:46we may have some vacancies during the course of the year

1:59:49that may present gaps in service while we hire people up

1:59:53to replace vacancies as those come up.

1:59:56Right now we don't have any vacancies

1:59:58that we see on the horizon other than a retirement.

2:00:00This year.

2:00:01But our officers are very, very highly sought after.

2:00:04They're very well-trained and they're

2:00:05very well qualified to be cop.

2:00:07So having other departments around that have opportunities

2:00:11that they're interested in will certainly

2:00:12impact our staffing for sure.

2:00:17Thank you Any other comments at this time.

2:00:23I think I got a little bit distracted

2:00:27by my equipment problems.

2:00:33I think I think that I understand

2:00:36pretty thoroughly what's going on with the document

2:00:42that we're being asked.

2:00:45We are we're being asked to approve this today right.

2:00:48We're being asked to give guidance to staff

2:00:51on additional cuts before the budget comes to us in September

2:01:00and based on what criteria on the presentation

2:01:07given to us over the last couple of months.

2:01:10But the most look on easy slide listening what was presented,

2:01:15and it's confused.

2:01:16You said, I'm sorry the I think the package that was presented

2:01:24is someone with pretty much agreed to.

2:01:27I'm assuming that the ones where there were some differences

2:01:34with the consultants recommendation that we

2:01:38discussed at a prior meeting.

2:01:40I think the large the first of August, I believe the.

2:01:46I assume that we're doing the ones we suggested correct.

2:01:51That's what's on the list yes.

2:01:52Okay.

2:01:53Here so I'm I'm under the circumstance answers.

2:01:59And I would say under the circumstance dances

2:02:01and you know, with a big, tender line

2:02:06that I think this is we done a good job of identifying how

2:02:12we're gonna get through this next period of time

2:02:14understanding that if things change financial we

2:02:21you know as a result of the pandemic or some other thing

2:02:25that we will need to adjust are the budget

2:02:28once again, or maybe even more than once again.

2:02:32So that would be my understanding of going forward

2:02:41and thank you Mike you gave extensive comments before.

2:02:44Do you want to add take a minute and just add some.

2:02:48Thank you Thank you.

2:02:49Mayor I just want residents to know how progressive

2:02:54and how amazing our public safety departments are.

2:02:59And I want folks to know that with the training

2:03:05that the chief has worked on for years

2:03:07and before that chief Moyer knowing

2:03:09that we were one of the first cities

2:03:11working on community policing.

2:03:13Our chief trains the other police department

2:03:16and police chiefs around the county

2:03:18let them know that it works.

2:03:19So we've been on the forefront and so

2:03:24I understand what some of our residents

2:03:28have been saying and defund the police

2:03:31and I want to use another word on that.

2:03:34I want to say instead of defunding the police.

2:03:37Let's look at what you want out of the funds

2:03:42that you want to take out of the police

2:03:44because looking at what we have here at the general fund

2:03:47budget strategies you know, I support the changes that are

2:03:51over there with the fire management functions

2:03:56and also restructure the police operations.

2:04:00But know that as someone who lives on the north

2:04:03side of the city cliffs the Richmond border when I moved

2:04:06back here in 2001 we've had one of the highest

2:04:10crime rates back then.

2:04:12And I had a crime front in my house

2:04:15where someone was burglarize across the street

2:04:19and the our police chased him down through my back

2:04:24through the back of the House.

2:04:26The perpetrator broke my fence and you know

2:04:29they were looking for a gun.

2:04:31And this guy was dangerous This is why we have the police

2:04:35and this is why they do a great job.

2:04:38And so I want to let people know look at the public comment

2:04:43what are residents have said.

2:04:45There is another side that that on many of our residents

2:04:49support the police and support the community

2:04:53policing that we've done for many, many years.

2:04:56And they were the ones that trained me to make sure that we

2:05:00had the neighborhood Watch program

2:05:02and know that the SRO owes were created because our high school

2:05:07and middle school, we were having gun problems and gangs

2:05:11and to do our residents want to go back to those days

2:05:14when there was constant drug and gang

2:05:17fights and all that disappeared because of community

2:05:21policing with S.R. Rose.

2:05:23So I'm going to let all the residents know the pause is

2:05:26about making sure we have people that work

2:05:30with our young people, to make sure that they deal

2:05:34with tardiness to deal with drugs they deal with all

2:05:38the things that they do.

2:05:40And this is a great things that people

2:05:43who want to defunding the police you know,

2:05:47I want people to know that Greg LeMond Mayor de Lyman

2:05:49and I will.

2:05:50And our next mayor conference in September Third

2:05:54will be with the mayors and the head of the health department

2:05:58and Carter Costa and we will be speaking about what we can do

2:06:03to have the county step up and help us with mental health

2:06:08issues and homelessness issues.

2:06:11We counted the last time we counted were between 12 and 15

2:06:15and we all know them by hour by their first names

2:06:19and our police and our fire have been

2:06:21very empathetic and very helpful with the people

2:06:26that refused services and in.

2:06:28So I want to make sure that that residents know about that

2:06:32and that you know with the restructuring

2:06:34these budget strategies.

2:06:36We're doing this in all departments Jim

2:06:39and this is what austerity is all about.

2:06:41So I want our residents to know that we

2:06:44are doing the right thing.

2:06:46And I hope you support us in these changes that we do.

2:06:50I'm looking at Karen Pinkus right now.

2:06:53But things that I've asked Karen to look at in making sure

2:06:58that we're not using this temporary trailer that we've

2:07:02wasted four forty dollars on.

2:07:04And ten thousand five dollars a month I want

2:07:08to make sure that the county.

2:07:10I spoke to supervise John Joya and and he

2:07:13is checking with the county to see if they can possibly

2:07:18use that maybe here in El Cerrito

2:07:21was somewhere in West County because you

2:07:24know the county services like mental health and all that.

2:07:28And the things that residents and have

2:07:30been protesting about that is going to happen on the web.

2:07:34The help with our 19 mayors.

2:07:35We're all on board and doing that.

2:07:37But that is with the county of Contra Costa So with that,

2:07:41thank you and I say thank you.

2:07:43And I support all the things that we're doing here.

2:07:46It's difficult. And it's going to be frustrating to deal.

2:07:49But no, it has to be done.

2:07:51And that's austerity.

2:07:52Q Thank you.

2:07:53You.

2:07:54Yeah.

2:07:55Rochelle Do you have a comment.

2:07:59Yeah.

2:08:00I'd also like to respond to are our residents that are

2:08:04calling to defend the police.

2:08:06I know that at does it actually mean to completely dismantle

2:08:11the police department.

2:08:12There may be a few people saying that but for the most part,

2:08:16it means redirecting funds to to the problems

2:08:20that the root cause of crime, which are poverty homelessness

2:08:28being hungry lack of education.

2:08:32And I understand that it.

2:08:34It's going to take not just a city also Brito

2:08:38but a nationwide movement to really move funding to try

2:08:44to help all of these things.

2:08:46And you know I wonder about those boys

2:08:51and maybe girls that cut that at problems at our June

2:08:554 high schools and our high schools

2:08:58and are they now involved in the criminal justice system.

2:09:03Could we have done something better for them.

2:09:05Could we have prevented them from ending

2:09:07up there in the first place.

2:09:09I think that's what this is about.

2:09:11I think we need to lock our children, especially

2:09:15our children of color.

2:09:16I think we can do a better job.

2:09:18I think people are starting to wake up to that fact

2:09:22So I'm really looking forward to our police chief and our city

2:09:25manager looking at other models that have been done

2:09:30around the country to see what part we can play here

2:09:33and also Rito how we can help out.

2:09:36We can adjust things, how we can possibly refund things you know

2:09:43is Is it possible to redirect funds within the city

2:09:47even within the time of this financial crisis

2:09:49to really address the root causes of what creates

2:09:54crime in the first place.

2:09:56And I know that our police officers there that knowledge

2:10:01you know with so many people having bachelor's degrees

2:10:04and master's degree I'm sure that there

2:10:07several of them that are really on board

2:10:10How can we make things better.

2:10:11So I do applaud the work that our officers do.

2:10:16And I hope that the will work with us

2:10:19to make positive changes in the city of El Cerrito and beyond

2:10:24and to really treat everyone who they come into contact with,

2:10:28whether it be equal to or from Serino or not with the humanity

2:10:33and respect and that being said I'm really I

2:10:40think I already stated my feelings.

2:10:42I'm a little nervous about one point five million

2:10:45goal I guess to really because I think collectively

2:10:51and that means all five of us has made the changes that were

2:10:56necessary over the last few years

2:10:58to keep us out of getting into this problem

2:11:01in the first place.

2:11:04So I know that all five of us want

2:11:06to do a better job at all five went to turn this around.

2:11:12And what we're debating right now at timeline how quickly

2:11:17we're going to turn it around how quickly that as Miss Ables

2:11:22said, we're going to keep monitoring

2:11:24things month by month and making adjustments, then five.

2:11:28So that we can tackle this problem.

2:11:31So that it doesn't become a problem again.

2:11:33And I really think after going through this experience

2:11:35one of the greatest things about making a mistake is learning

2:11:38from it and learning how to do better

2:11:41and to not make the same mistake again.

2:11:45So I support the efforts done by our city management.

2:11:52We'll see how this goes.

2:11:53And we will keep evaluating and hopefully we can do what.

2:11:59Which has been my goal is council member

2:12:03to really continue to provide the services to everyone

2:12:06and also.

2:12:07So I think that the cuts that have been made so far

2:12:11have really done a good job doing that really trying

2:12:14to make it so the person and also

2:12:17Rito does not feel these cuts.

2:12:22With maybe the exception of the planning and building division,

2:12:25which I we're going to continue to work

2:12:27so thank you all very much.

2:12:30And I will be supporting this going forward.

2:12:35Great.

2:12:36Thank you Actually based on all the comments at this point

2:12:39we're going to be a unanimous support to give direction

2:12:42to staff to follow the recommendation

2:12:45from the consultant and I'll just make a few brief comments

2:12:51before we adjourn.

2:12:52One I've said already.

2:12:54But it's worth reiterate and it speaks

2:12:57to ROCHELLE Your last point if revenues improve,

2:13:01then we should not step away from the plan

2:13:05we're setting in motion.

2:13:06But we should be using those extra revenues

2:13:09to restore our reserve as quickly as possible to speak

2:13:14to how proud we are of our of our city of our fire

2:13:20department, our police department of our rec

2:13:21department Just last weekend, we were in the New York

2:13:25Times our pool and the way we're managing Kobe's response

2:13:28was in the pool.

2:13:29So we are proud our police department

2:13:33as kneeled with Black Lives protesters

2:13:37we really are a progressive city.

2:13:39I think that was stated by Gabe.

2:13:42So you know we are a five people who are doing our best

2:13:47to listen to the public and have that effect on policies that

2:13:52are being going into place.

2:13:54And that's what tonight we're establishing establishing

2:13:57a policy can can't help but notice

2:14:01that 40 percent of the one point five million

2:14:03is coming out of police.

2:14:05So to Michelle's point we'd love to be

2:14:08taking that 40 percent potentially finding

2:14:09a different place for it.

2:14:11If necessary but at the moment that's where the cuts are.

2:14:15And again, I'm going to reiterate something

2:14:17I said earlier these cuts that what we're recommending tonight

2:14:22is the general areas where cuts should occur.

2:14:26We're not trying to micromanage how these cuts will be done.

2:14:30We're not identifying individuals that is not

2:14:33our response ability our responsibility is to set

2:14:36the policy that staff is going to go off and implement

2:14:39including this one point five million To that end,

2:14:42I will go the majority of the board

2:14:45by saying our building department

2:14:47does generate revenue building in the region has slowed down.

2:14:52Now so that there's greater staffing

2:14:54available the cost to implement projects has gone down.

2:14:59I am seeing it at my place of work

2:15:02I am seeing more competition and prices coming in

2:15:05below engineers estimate significantly

2:15:08below engineers estimates.

2:15:09So if to build on a comment that was made earlier if there's

2:15:14a builder out there that has the resources to build it this time

2:15:18it is cheaper for them to build and therefore, their projects

2:15:22pencil in El Cerrito where before only those projects

2:15:26in San Francisco pencil because the high rent demand

2:15:30San Francisco rents are going down ours are standing stable.

2:15:34So we are our projects should be able to pencil

2:15:36now so I want to echo that that's a revenue area for us.

2:15:42That should not necessarily be heavily impacted with that.

2:15:49I believe grasping for my to to with that.

2:15:55That concludes item 3 a policy matters.

2:15:59And we will now go on to item for adjourn

2:16:04this special meeting to the next regular least

2:16:07scheduled council meeting, which will be Tuesday Sep timbre 1.

2:16:16I have my scripts on I'm hoping somebody if I didn't get it

2:16:22somebody will correct me you are correct.

2:16:24They September 1 is the tentative date

2:16:26for a special meeting.

2:16:28Can you confirm that the council's concurring to cancel

2:16:30the regular meeting that is scheduled for next Tuesday

2:16:33on the Yeah.

2:16:34So if everybody could give me a thumbs up that they're there

2:16:37wanting to cancel the 18th and have the special meeting

2:16:41on September 1 is our next meeting

2:16:42where we'll start to begin talking about the budget.

2:16:46I'm on for Janet I can't look at my calendar

2:16:52because I using not that that is September 1 or Tuesday it is.

2:16:57Stay and we Do you already have, you should already

2:17:00have a hold on your calendar for that day

2:17:02we have not employees have not personal meeting it

2:17:05is we have nuts.

2:17:07But set a specific start time yet.

2:17:09We just put a hold for on day our because

2:17:11of the time, that's what I was wondering you

2:17:16don't know what time.

2:17:17So OK.

2:17:20As great as I know it's okay it's

2:17:21hard to tell without knowing the time do we do.

2:17:28We need to do it.

2:17:29Now's the time at this time No, I'm

2:17:33seeing a shake of the both city Manager and City Attorney

2:17:37to before we are adjourning this meeting at six thirty 5

2:17:42to the next special meeting of September 1

2:17:46via teleconference June.

2:17:48Thank you, everyone thank you.

2:17:58Bye.