HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1981-08-11Mayor Gus Nicolopulos
Vice Mayor Roberta Cerri Teglia
Council:
Ronald G. Acosta
Mark N. Addiego
Emanuele N. Damonte
AGENDA
Adjourned Regular Meeting
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER: (Side 2 TF-O01)
1981-82 Budget Review:
Communications:
Vice Mayor Teglia arrived:
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL
City Council Conference Room
August ll, 1981
!65
ACTION TAKEN
Adjourned Regular Meeting
Recited.
6:15 p.m. Mayor Nicolopulos presiding.
Council present: Damonte, Addiego
and Nicolopulos.
Council absent: Acosta and Teglia
City Manager Birkelo stated that
there would be a continued review
of the proposed budget for 1981-82.
Assistant to City Manager Wilson
requested that Council authorize
the City to release those revenue
sharing funds previously allocated
to those agencies having cash flow
problems. He further explained
that the usual procedure was that
after Council approved the allocation
these were logged into the non-departmental
budget, and after tentative approval
of the budget the funds are released.
Consensus of Council to release the
funds to those agencies expressing
cash flow problems.
Discussion followed concerning the
staffing; possibility of consolidat-
ing with the Police Department.
Vice Mayor Teglia arrived at 6:20 p.m.
Further discussion ensued relative
to investigating the consolidation
of the Communications Division and
Police Department; economics involved;
training of staff, with a request by
Council to meet in January, 1982 to
discuss the issue of consolidation.
Discussion continued relative to
salary expentiure; equipment
maintenance cost; building maintenance
8/11/81
Page 1
Communications - Continued:
Councilman Acosta arrived:
RECESS:
RECALL:
Police Department:
costs; overtime costs; personnel
turnover within the last fiscal
year; operations within the division;
volume of calls occuring within a
year's time; police and fire trans-
actions; warrant processing; computer
messages; volume of work; the importance
of monitoring the TV cameras for security
purposes; staff development and seminars.
Councilman Acosta arrived at 6:55 p.m.
Discussion followed on recruitment
of personnel; specifications and
pressures related to the dispatcher
positions; working conditions; questions
asked by residents concerning operational
policy; procedures when responding to
calls; possi~lity of providing a tape
to Cable Television in order to
educate the public on the procedure
followed when a call is received;
possible purchase of additional radio
equipment; maintenance and upgrading
of equi~pment; telephone etiquette;
recording of emergency calls and
other related matters.
Mayor Nicolopulos declared a recess
at 7:30 p.m.
The meeting was recalled to order at
7:40 p.m., all Council present.
Discussion followed on the adjustment
of salary and wage costs due to the
increased ICAP personnel; training
costs; overtime and benefit costs;
reserve program; use of the computer
in crime analysis; various functions
of personnel; community crime statistics;
provision of field services; injuries;
sick leave; types of crimes being
committed; impact of crime upon the
City; the fact that there is a 13%
decrease in crime within the City;
possibility of increasing penalties
for crimes committed within the City;
crime analyzation; possibility of
crimes being committed and not being
reported; conviction rates for felony
arrests; patrol and investigative
efforts; increase in level of service
8/11/81
Page 2
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN 167
Police Department - Continued:
Parks and Recreation -Recreation:
Parks and Recreation - Parks:
provided to the citizens; demands
upon the Police Department with the
increased population in relation
to the number of Police personnel;
community relations; the Police Service
Technician Program; wage negotiations;
types of complaints registered by
the citizens regarding the actions of
the department; the influence of other
communities upon South San Francisco;
laxity of enforcement of various laws;
areas of concern within the department
and Council's concern that a standard
of service be maintained; changing of
moral standards within society; effect
of legislation upon the average citizen;
establishment of priorities; towing of
abandoned vehicles; number of citations
issued in a week's time, etc.
Discussion followed on costs of salaries;
administrative costs; part-time salaries;
special services account; estimated
fee revenue increasing by 17% in the
coming year; program costs; various
programs which are offered through
the Recreation Division; needs of the
community being addressed by the programs
which are offered; fees charged to non-
residents when registering for classes;
effect of proposition 13 on the fees
charged; accommodating the recreational
needs of the young; soccer; supervision
problems; appropriations to the Recreation
Division over the past l0 years; types
of services provided; number of part-time
and full-time positions; attendance
figures for recreational activities,
with a compliment by Vice Mayor Teglia
on the creativeness of the Recreation
Department.
Discussion followed on communications
and morale; inconsistent implementation
of policy; Director of Parks and Recreation
Norton explained that he had met with
each member of the Park Division and
indicated the changes which had sub-
sequently been made to address their
concerns; impact of increased workload
upon employees; levels of maintenance;
areas of concern; maintenance of
median strips; the need for additional
8/11/81
Page 3
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN
Parks - Continued:
RECESS:
RECALL:
L i bra ry:
Councilman Damonte left the dais:
manpower to properly maintain levels
of standard; use of herbicides to
cut down on the growth of weeds;
plans to submit a monthly report to
Council on the activities of the
Parks Division relative to the
amount of work completed; concerns
over safety when working on the median
strips; projected improvements for
Orange Memorial Park; quality of work
performed; costs of maintaining
median strips; signal traffic con-
troller, etc.
Mayor Nicolopulos declared a recess
at 10:30 p.m.
The meeting was recalled to order at
10:35 p.m., all Council present.
Discussion followed on full time and
part time salaries; maintenance of
book collection; materials and services;
maintenance of occupied space;capital
outlay; reference program; reassessment
of children's collection.
Councilman Damonte left the dais at
10:50 p.m.
Further discussion ensued concerning
the goals and objectives of 'the Library;
circulation; staff attitudes; physical
appearance of the libraries; reorganization
of collections; on-going workshops for
staff; consultant studies to assess the
on-going needs of the Library; technical
processes within the department;
evaluation of collection; communication
within in the department; automated
cataloging; ways of encouraging usage
of the Library for children; need for
input by employees; the use of News
Releases concerning activities in the
Library; streamlining of routines with-
in the system; addressing the needs
of the community, etc.
Consideration of a date to review the
non-departmental budget.
M/S Acosta/Addiego - To adjourn to
Wednesday, August 12, 1981, at 7:00
p.m., in the City Hall Conference
8/1l/8
Page 4
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN 169
ADJOURNMENT:
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Room, 400 Grand Avenue, South San
Francisco, California.
Carried by unanimous voice vote.
Time of adjournment 11:25 p.m.
APPROVED:
Barbara A. B6ttaya, C%ty ~lerk6/
City of South San Francisco
'Gu~ Nicolopulos, May~f'~
City of South San Francisco
The entries of this Council meeting show the action taken by the City Council
to dispose of an item. Oral presentations, arguments, and comments are
recorded on tape. The tape and documents related to the items are on file
in the office of the City Clerk and are available for inspection, review
and copying.
8/11/81
Page 5
VERBATIM MINUTES REQUESTED BY COUNCILWOMEN TEGLIA BECAUSE TAPE WAS CLOBBERED
8/18/81 Council Meeting Page 1
BIRKELO:
MR. PALLADINO:
NICOLOPULOS:
ACOSTA:
PALLADINO:
ACOSTA:
DAVIS:
ACOSTA:
DAVIS:
ACOSTA:
DAVIS:
ACOSTA:
TEGLIA:
I think you received a copy from the Chamber with regard
to their request, maybe you would like to have Mr.
Palladino from the Chamber respond.
Tony Palladino, President of the Chamber of Commerce,
South San Francisco, we presented a brief summary of
those services that the Chamber provided to the City
of South San Francisco and we respectfully request the
amount of $20,000 for these services rendered, and I
will be more than happy to discuss the items included
in the presentation.
Any comments?
Council or the liaison did ask to develop a working
program force for the other members of Council, and
I guess this is what you are saying -- a work program
of what the chamber does for the City: the mailing
of information about South San Francisco. Could you
go into that a little more?
I have with me Mr. Les Davis, the Executive Vice President,
who runs the day-to-day affairs of the Chamber and I
would like to bring Les up to address that particular
question.
If you would.
Les Davis, Executive Vice President of the Chamber, in
answer to your request - through the Chair - the 16,000
ounces of mail include a variety of printing material of
communications, maps and brochures, various items along
with research and statistics which were compiled from
public companies.
What I am asking, the inquiries are not designed as
seeking information from the City?
Yes, yes, that is mail sent throughout the country
maybe for a resident or a businessman providing them
with the names of real estate people and the properties
available and the costs.
On the printing, 5,000 city maps annually, I always
presumed the Engineering;Department made up the maps.
Are we talking about a different type of map? You
say print and distribute to each department.
Yes, for the Fire and Police Departments, it's a map
20 X 38.
That is the smaller one.
Do you have any samples of the materials you distribute?
8/18/81 Council Meeting Page 2
DAVIS:
DAMONTE:
DAVIS:
DAMONTE:
DAVIS:
DAMONTE:
DAVIS:
TEGLIA:
DAVIS:
TEGLIA:
DAVIS:
ADDIEGO:
DAVIS:
ACOSTA:
DAVIS:
Yes, you have it. Over the years we presented the
packet with printed material -- the packet~we
provide those to you.
I am wondering, regarding that packet, how often do
you update it?
It's done every three years and it's in the process of
being updated right now.
The map had many new locations.
Gellert changed the map as soon as it came out and the
Kimbell, Michelle Court area and those will be added with
the new map that will be printed in ten days.
And a lot of other information has been changed. I hope
it has not been sent out because it gives a false picture.
The minute it is presented, it is obsolete. We do
change them.
I think what Mr. Damonte was saying -- it was outdated
by many years.
If you are talking about the brown covered brochure...
Outdated.
The outer sheet is outdated, that is the State of
California and that is reprinted in the PEP (sic)...
The entire brochure with the quotations from the leaders
of the community, one was in the building industry. We
have some other dealings with him right now, and it
doesn't seem acceptable. How many do you print up.
On that particular item it was printed in 1971 and done
in a pictorial mode so it wouldn't become outdated, and
it has a fast-back and for those interested we xeroxed
it with the real estate for either business or residential.
It's hotels looking for information, it brings the person
inquiring up-to-date information on the source. This
is why we are here and why this request.
Les, on item No. 5 publishing shopping guides for the
general public that you update each year...
Yes. it was done by Ramon in Burlingame, in Daly City
and they turned that over to us three years ago.
8/18/81 Council Meeting Page 3
ACOSTA:
DAVIS:
ACOSTA:
DAVIS:
Then those who advertise in a section pay for the
publishing. Let's get down to the next one, conducting
the Miss South San Francisco Pageant by the request of
the City of South San Francisco. It has been conveyed
that the City wanted you to conduct the Pageant and I
want to discuss whether we want you to have that burden,
or perhaps the Chamber would want to do it on its own.
Well, some of this was discussed by the liaison, I guess
what I am saying is I want to get your point of view
on the expenses of the Pageant.
I think it was in 1967 or 1968 when the Chamber was
asked to take over the Pageant. Each year thereafter
the San Mateo County Fair requested that City Council
designate to hold a Dream Girl and each year it was
filled out by City Hall that the Chamber would hold it,
and we have done it for twelve years. As far as the
support is concerned for a period of time the City
marked up to $3,000 for the purpose of putting on the
Pageant. Then after Proposition 13 the money was not
available and we drew the money, it costs in the neighbor-
hood of $6,000 each year and $2,000 in scholarships. As
far as advertising, the girl who wins goes to Santa Cruz
for the California Pageant as one of 32 contestants as
an applicant; and if there is any advertising derived
from that it is done within the two hours while on
the television. You will recall we had a girl who was
the fourth runner-up and was announced and it was a
city rather than a district, so this is what we believe
you wanted in advertising. The businessmen who pay for
it get nothing out of it. We are putting on a show, if
you don't want it the Board of Directors will consider
dropping it.
You say you conduct the blood drive there and save the
citizens thousands of dollars. Anyone in South San
Francisco who needs blood would, hen have the opportunity
to draw on that fund
Yes, without repayment or replacement. This is held
quarterly, we have a reserve of 700 pints. We have on
some occasions given out as much as 200 pints. Any
resident of South San Francisco has an unlimited supply
of blood, any worker has a maximum of five pints who lives
out of South San Francisco, but it could be more and
depending on the amount of reserves. Anyone who moves
from the City and then carries a credit for the amount
he has in his account. It is co-sponsored with the
Lions Club, because the Lions Club sponsors the break-
fast - which is a secondary effect, the Lions put it
on for the less fortunate. The Lions donated all
of the blood in its reserve to the Chamber when it
started the fund and have ever since.
8/18/81 Council Meeting Page 4
NICOLOPULOS:
TEGLIA:
I think we have a basic difference in financial contri-
butions which is causing concern - the Chamber thinks
they need more money. I think the Council has to decide
something tonight - that we have to give roles to the
Chamber and ourselves what roles we could play and what
they could play so they have membership and we
have appreciation and this is causing a difference. I'm
asking the Council what do you think it is time to discuss
them, once we go through the job will be easier. I think
it is a policy direction so the Chamber knows how we stand.
I think until we do that we will have differences that
won't do any good. I am open to discussion.
This afternoon I did some calling, partly in San Bruno,
Daly City and Pacifica to find out what kind of relation-
ship existed in the Chamber and the City Hall in those
cities to get a basis of comparison. Starting with
the City of South San Francisco~you have before you
a list of eight items that our Chamber says they perform
on behalf of South San Francisco, to which we subsidize
their activity to the tune of $7,500. The number of businesses
numbers 2,050, the sales tax revenue $5,509,000 rounded
off, which denotes a healthy business climate in the
community. Our Chamber of Commerce membership was a
low of 271 and a high of 294 with an annual budget of
$59,744 and we subsidize $7,500 to rent their own space
or provide their own space. In Millbrae there are 445
businesses, the membership is 135, their annual budget
is very close to ours and they are subsidized $3,200
and everyone!,prints something and distributes and
prepares economic profiles-that is not anything new.
Many of these around, do not publish a shoppers guide;also in
Millbrae beyond what every Chamber does the staff and
the promotion, etc. They sponsor the Dream Girl and
a wine festival and this has 335 participants. In San
Bruno they also rent their own space. In San Bruno
they have 1,150 businesses, 250 members comprise the
Chamber and receive no subsidy and do everything our
Chamber does; and they sponsor the street fair. They
do not sponsor the Pageant, there is another organization
in that City that takes that on. The City of San Bruno
has a proposal to provide an information center for the
City and be staffed five days a week from 8:00 to 5:00
to provide information for San Bruno and work out a deal
where the City allows them to build on City property. In
the City of Daly City with 1,800 businesses and 167
members of the Chamber, a budget of $53,000 the subsidy
is high - $12,000, however that Chamber works directly
with the City Council, e~g. working on the community
median placing, signs that say welcome to Daly City.
They recently went down to the Board of Supervisors
with a request from the Council in respect to a position
on BART and they are working with the City Council to
attract people to Daly City; and they are going out
to the community to present the Council's position;
selling and putting on economic dev.workshops; handling
8/18/81 Council Meeting Page 5
TEGLIA:
ACOSTA:
DAVIS:
the Beauty Pageant and a number of other things besides.
Their office space is.provided by the City of Daly City
and they are looked upon as an arm of the City Council.
In Pacifica there are 700 businesses, many of which are
looked upon as home businesses, with a sales tax of
$682,000 a year. They have 150 members and an annual budget
of $26,000 City subsidized with $8,000 and rent their
own office space. They do everything that ours does
and in addition they participate in the annual Frontier
Days, sponsor a tournament and do not put on a pageant.
My reason for bringing all of this out is that it is
my feeling that the other cities are getting quite a bit
of mileage from the money they invest and I am looking
for more than was presented, more active, more promotion
and perhaps we failed by not indicating what we wanted.
So at this point I am not interested in giving you
$20,000 - after giving you $7,500. That is how I feel
about giving you $7,500 in the first place. I am not
interested in giving you $20,000! I do not know how
anyone else feels about this, but I have a problem in
looking at some of the information - you publish a
listing of clubs and organizations in the City. That
is not a big job, it's productive but it basically fits
an 8½ x 11" sheet that is published, you run them off
and you stuff them and send them out. I am sure it is
15,000 ounces but I don't see that as a good thing -
it's not the same as getting out into the community and
promoting, and that is what I am looking for --
maybe someone else has some ideas.
I had originally made my presentation, but hearing what
you just said and after making my statement I want, and
still do want a closer relationship with the Chamber
in relation to the City. You do get City related calls
in a sense, what I wanted - say a business wanted to
come into South San Francisco and the liaison would be
the Chamber of Commerce and they would walk them through
the shortcuts of doing certain things. There are certain
departments that handle certain things like ordinances
and fire regulations, business licenses that a person
needs advice on, these are the things the Chamber has to
do that are necessary for the City of South San Francisco
in the way of promotion and more as an arm of the City.
This is why I thought there could be a better relationship
with the Chamber and the Council to develop these things.
Most of us think if you went to another city you would
prelimininarily go to the Chamber to find out the
statistics, and if the Chamber cannot give you the
answer then that is what I want through the relationship
with the Council.
This is part of our every day occupation, directing them
to the right departments, it is a natural thing.
8/18/81 Page 6
ACOSTA:
May so Les, but in a sense you have not seen it where
it is concrete. Looking at Roberta's statement 2500
businesses in a town, I would think the people coming
into business in the City would automatically go into
the Chamber.
DAVIS:
Many do, there was a bad taste in the businessmen's
mouth around about the late 5Os, but we are picking
up some of the older businesses. We have little
trouble with the new businesses to get them in the
Chamber but the other ones from this part of the City
still have a little bad taste, but we are still growing -
by the way it is 295 members as of today.
DAMONT E:
Looking at percentages regarding the businesses,
Millbrae has close to 20% of all the business, Pacifica
21%, Daly City 15% and we are 14%, so we are low and
I wonder how vigorously do you pursue members when
there is a new store? Do you approach that proprietor?
DAVIS:
We did hear of a store opening but the man is a member
already.
DAMONTE:
The Mayor and I had an opportunity to walk up through
a new section of Westborough and some of those spaces
are newly opened businesses and have been for a year.
We asked, "Are you a member of the Chamber? Have
you been approached by the Chamber." They said no,
but I am glad you did attend the ppening of Friedman'st
that is what you should do when a business opens.
DAVIS:
As soon as we find out about it from the local contact,
that someone is moving in, then one of the members makes
a contact. There are times, when we learn that the man
has been there a year.
DAMONTE:
A brand new building has been there a year and in business,
and I would think that you people would be aware of
something like a new building - something of that magni-
tude and open for business.
DAVIS:
We have no way of being aware of it unless someone
makes us aware.
DAMONTE:
If someone comes to you - where will you direct them?
DAVIS:
I send them to City Hall to fill out the papers for the
use permit and business license and that the Police and
Fire will have to check them out.
DAMONTE:
Isn't there a reverse directory which you can use to
contact the new businesses or find out what new stores
have taken out a business license?
8/18/81 Council Meeting Page 7
DAVIS:
DAMONTE:
DAVIS:
ADDIEGO:
DAVIS:
ADDIEGO:
ACOSTA:
ADDIEGO:
ACOSTA:
TEGLIA:
Some years ago we did get cards for the new licenses
but you have changed the program, we do have a printout, but
no way of knowing if it is a new business or a re-established
business.
If you see by the license that they are not a member of
the Chamber, wouldn't you approach-them?
The figures I got from City Hall~from the printouts --
if we had a method by which we could find out what new
licenses were issued in a 90 day period then I could
send out a member to approach them - but we don't have
that information.
I do not feel comfortable with the membership percentages
in the various cities, the differences are significant,
Daly City is not very successful and we are the only
city that is less successful. Perhaps with the Chamber
being a part of the government it is hampering the
options, because Daly City Government is telling them
how to run their organization. There is enough benefit
from business promotion itself and as a sidelight you
are promoting the City and there is some benefit but the
individual things that you are doing for us I think
this is more significant of what you are doing for
yourself and a spin off for the community as well. I
don't think we can pay the majority of those costs.
Item 1 and 2...
Those are national figures. I think if you were to check it~
it is seventy-five cents to handle a phone call and
the average in the San Francisco Examiner is that
a business letter today costs any where from $4.94 to
$6.63 and those are simply national averages.
The City government wants to make the City attractive,
in light of sales tax, yet we still remain high. So
perhaps the City government has been successful in
doing what they do best and perhaps we could stay out
of your areas, I don't see the~two coming together and
I think they are both generating to each other and I
don't see it working together.
I was asking that they be working in close relationship,
not going to a Board because I think the City has enough
representatives but new businesses need permits and they
need to get other businesses within the City and then
there is an exchange of services.
How does government fit into that?
Government should not fit in, I would like the Chamber
to become more active.
More active and I think with the business base and with
the help of the City they could be identified with this~
8/18/81 Council Meeting Page 8
TEGLIA:
DAMONTE:
PA[EADINO:
ADDIEGO:
PALLADINO:
ADDIEGO:
I think you could generate your own activity with
memberships and servicing them and we'll get the
spin-off but I don't think we could be in a City
subsidy role. The other cities have some things they
sponsor and we have the Downtown Merchants Daze, which
they hope to be an annual affair and there is no need for
us to get into their affairs. I don't want to
function as Daly City does and I leave it to them in
their wisdom. I guess I think it's time you look at
the number of businesses that are fair game and get
them to support your activity and remain members.
That is the part that bothers me. The Chamber sells
the City to get new businesses in, that is the benefit
and buy your membership. It seems you are having
trouble to sell your membership to the businesses
that exist. Now if you can get out and sell yourself,
that you are a viable organization, I think that would
take care of a lot of your memberships.
Our membership dues structure is one of the lowest on
the peninsula. We have structured it to enhance the
new members. Getting back to some of the services we
perform, the 8,100 phone calls a year which are
specifically related to City functions, these are not related
to the business community but are called to us. We
respond, yet that could have been directed to the City
and have a City person would spend the time and effort.
Also 16,000 ounces of mail which is promotion of the City
and what we do, we are preliminarily responsible to the
business community but along the way we perform a lot
of services and are asking to be compensated for services.
We do many things beneficial to the citizens that do
not affect the business community but we feel strongly
that our Chamber should be one step ahead of the other
Chambers to not only benefit the community at large
in other than just in the business function.
Mr. Palladino, outside of the realm of business, when
you speak of promoting the City, what benefits would we
get from the promotion?
Other than being a member of the community, it
promotes a warm feeling in the City that one citizen
passes on to a friend or relative to let them know
the things going on in the community. You can't --
you don't have a handle -- you can't put a dollar sign
on them.
When we look at how we serve our businesses, we offer
management services, other city services: sewage, that
make the living better. We do that for all aspects
of the community and we get into other aspects and we
are having a harder time to justify them.
PALLADINO: Let me give you an example, we had a transportation within
8/18/81 Council Meeting Page 9
PALLADINO:
PALLADINO:
TEGLIA:
PALLADINO:
TEGLIA:
PALLADINO:
the Board of Directors of eighteen businessmen in
South San Francisco and we have many committees, one of
them deals with transportation. They are having some
problems with SAMTRANS going and servicing the area
east of Grand Avenue, our committee in response to the
city business in that area had taken a study and met
with the SAMTRANS people and we saw the needs and tried
to fill the need. Now the City is going to benefit
from the effort, if we are successful and I am not
going.to say we are going to be successful - there
could~some problems and more efforts needed. But
the City is going to benefit from our spending our
volunter services and if you put a dollar sign --
if you~commission~study~'~u may spend $15,000 or
$20,000 to get an answer that we are giving you now.
We can!t give you a dollar sign, we can't say this
costs us $5,000 or $10,000 because it is for the
needs of the business community. We are working together
and yet we are not but we could assist you. You are
a political body and if we goin together...
Somewhere down the line we are going, perhaps, to need
the muscle of the City and we would be happy when it's
necessary to jointly approach the SAMTRANS people.
Do you have a copy of that report that you say you have
done. If that kind of thing has been documented, that
is one thing and secondly with that area that has
been an on-going concern to this City. When it set
out each City had to set it's own situation and we did
and we felt it would be extremely attractive. That
doesn't mean times don't change and we hope we can get
people out of their automobiles and on buses. We have
the Homart people and had some conversations ...
Conversations, Mrs. Teglia, we had gone beyond the
conversations. We polled the businesses and we got
the responses back, it projected out to be that our
City shOwed that we had support a ridership of 400
in the morning and 400 in the evening which would more
than justify implementing a bus line to run into that
area. It is not impossible, but difficult to convince
the people that make the decisions in the SAMTRANS
that it is sorely needed and many of the businesses mentioned
that their employee structure is some what difficult because
there is no public transportation in the area and
that is something we felt strongly about because a lot
of people will not go into that area.
Your responding to your own membership?
And the City and they are intangible. We perform and
not only in keeping with the community but to the well
being of the community.
8/18/81 Council Meeting Page l0
NICOLOPULOS:
PALLADINO:
NICOLOPULOS:
ADDIEGO:
PALLADINO:
DAMONTE:
PALLADINO:
Any other comments? I would like to interject my
thoughts. My philosophy is that the Chamber is
selling the City. There has to be a coordination
of efforts, but maybe not coordinated together. I
am interested in the Chamber having a place in the
City and that is why I think this body must make it
clearer than we have, just exactly where you fit
and how do we assist and in what way. Apparently
the monetary things get us caught up -- the thoughts
from the Council is that the money has been needed
in the past and it feels the returns have not been
as expected.
It's difficult to measure the success that comes back,
it comes back in many ways and you can't get a handle.
We do the things that you folks do and that is to keep South
San Francisco a good place and promote the City and
promote the business community aspect as we can.
The issue tonight is money - to give them $20,000 or
not. Other things are attached to this and I hope it's
done soon so when the money is given to the Chamber and
it's justified and that the Chamber will tell what
they expect of the Council, then I would feel comfortable.
I would like to answer by letting you know that tonight what
I have heard does not make me feel comfortable with
government being involved with business and I am uncom-
fortable with the monetaries. I don't see the two
together in this light and I am looking at a time when
the City government is not involved in this aspect.
If it doesn't happen now then I don't want the subsidy
to be increased.
We are not looking for subsidies but pay for what we
do and I think we have to keep that separated. We
are presenting you a contract for services performed
but I think the word subsidy should not be a part of
whatever action you take. With a subsidy if you don't
do this then we are not going to subsidize you next
year. We don't want to look at this as a subsidy
because you could enforce some of the will of your
body on us and I don't think that would be in keeping
with a Chamber of Commerce
If we are going to give you a contract then we would
designate what that money is going to be spent...
We don't want to be instructed there may be a time when
we oppose some of the City's rulings so where do we
stand if you subsidize us it could be contrary to the
primary concern of helping the business community. We
would be obligated to try to lean towards the City
ruling when maybe we feel strong towards the business
community.
8/18/81 Council Meeting Page ll
TEGLIA:
PALLADINO:
TEGLIA:
PALLADINO:
DAVIS:
ACOSTA:
PALLADINO:
ACOSTA:
NICOLOPULOS:
The question, it seems to me, in all the years that
the City has given to the Chamber -- has the City
ever restrained you?
No, because we performed a service. You paid for
a service, you did not subsidize us - you paid for
a service. I am not clouding the issue but I am saying
the word subsidy doesn't fit into what we are
presenting to you.
With respect to how each of us feels - I would like to restate
that I would like to see a healthy business life in the
community. I would like to see a Chamber that serves
the City and the community, and then I would be satisfied
with the spin-off. I think that is in your ballywick
and I think there is enough there to benfit you. I
have a problem when we get into the contract -- none of us
have gotten into the South San Francisco Pageant, but
I think you ought to go out and do what you do best and
I think we would be happy to have a Chamber... I think
there is another source of funding than what you have
provided. Perhaps someday we will get into the ideal
situation where the businessmen that are members can
fully support all of the functions of the Chamber.
Just because of the fact they have a greater budget than
ours and it comes from fund raisers and they promote
the City and they don't ask the City for a dime. I
don't think that is far away.
I can't argue with comparing our Chamber with another
community and apparently you have done some research
so I am at a loss to comment. I would be happy to
get into comparing organizations and see if they
measure up to the South San Francisco Chamber.
I am amazed with the number of businesses and the sales
tax of over three million...
You have the hotels, the light industry, shopping
centers and commercial businesses and the small mama
and papa stores. I guess I am saying it's not
selling Chamber membership, it takes more time and
effort and we are not sitting on our hands waiting for
them to come to us. We deal with colunteer help and
sometimes your intentions are to double membership and
that doesn't always happen. We have an on-going member-
ship that is active in promoting membership.
Council should come to a decision to give or not to give.
Do you have any other members that want to speak from
the Chamber?
8/18/81 Council Meeting Page 12
STRAZZARINO:
TEGLIA:
STRAZZARINO:
TEGLIA:
DAMONTE:
Frank Strazzin°, member of the Board of Directors
and 2nd Vice President, I think it is apparent that
there is a need for better communication in getting
some of the feed-back in terms of how we can work
together - in terms of the new businesses, if this
was a better vehicle and go after the businesses.
What concerns me is that we are working hard to
promote the City of South San Francisco and we
need to work closely with the City Council and and
while communication has improved with some of the
committees with the time spent together, I think
there is still activity up and down the peninsula,
but the argument looks like how much better they
look than we do. I think the impact I am receiving
is that the Chamber is not doing a good job and
I am thinking some cities do not have a viable role
and we can take a positive approach.
I am sure there are cities without Chambers, but
the sales tax base is going up and I think that is
the difference. We are not here to cut off the
Chember, we are saying do what you are doing and
and go to the people you are serving and generate
your budget.
In terms of the member figures there is a campaign
going on and we are going out calling and telling
them what the Chamber can do for them and
we are working on it daily and I think we can develop
a better Chamber. The reason we didn't want to
call it a subsidy but a contractual basis - we are
helping to attract sales tax dollars and that is
good for you and the City and I think the dollars
are similiar and if we can keep the things in mind.
I am not saying we have done everything positively,
but maybe working together on a new frontier and
attach some of these areas...
I know that for a year there has been discussion, and
after a year I would expect that you would come to
this meeting with a program that noticed items. We
have a better idea now, but what you are coming to is
not $7,500 but $20,000 based on the past not the
future; and recognizing how the Council is looking
at the Chamber -- I think the ball is in your court.
You have heard what we have to say, if you come up
with a program that the Council can contract for...
I want to point out that there are 2,000 businesses
and you have less than 300 members in the Chamber. I would
rather see you promote your organization to the
businesses in South San Francisco rather than go outside of
South San Francisco and my hope is that they come to
South San Francisco because they heard from South San
Franciscans - from you, which is not a fact. I know
that when we have asked businesses if your members
8/18/81 Council Meeting Page 13
DAMONTE:
NICOLOPULOS:
DAVIS:
NICOLOPULOS:
DAMONTE:
TEGLIA:
DAVIS:
TEGLIA:
DAVIS:
ADDIEGO:
DAMONTE:
M/S ACOSTA/NICOLOPULOS:
VOTE:
M/S ACOSTA/NICOLOPULOS:
VOTE:
M/S Damonte/Addiego:
VOTE:
of the Chamber of Commerce were promoting your Chamber,
but as I said I would rather see you go from within
rather than with out.
I think before this Council takes a vote I would like
to preface this -- we shouldn't cut off the communications
I think this Council must keep the communication lines
open and I think we will strive for the ...
Insofar as members are concerned all the hotels and
motels, save one, are members of the Chamber. Yet
you chose to give $101,000 to the Convention Bureau,
I question it because I don't understand it.
I can address that.
The thing is that one organization is organized just
to promote those establishment and we have had the
hotels come before us and solicit our help.
Specifically to that organization, because they
consider that organization to keep the rooms full.
They put out a confidential report, which I received,
with a five year projection and there never has been
a convention or conference being held in South San
Francisco.
We don't have the facilities.
How can you give $100,000 for one group that does not
bring in revenue.
That is totally opposite to my philosophy that instead
we are becoming more a part of their budget, I don't
see the benefit.
The thoughts of Council in the past years has been to
slowly pull away, so they can become independent and
by giving them $10,000 they may become ...
$10,000 be given to the Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber
is to pursue its membership drive.
Motion failed, Damonte, Teglia and Addiego voted no.
$7,500 be given to the Chamber of Commerce.
Motion failed, Damonte, Tegli.a and Addiego voted no.
$5,000 be given to the Chamber of Commerce.
Carried by majority vote, Acosta voted no.
(ATTACHED IS A LETTER DATED 8/17/81 from the Chamber of Commerce to the City
Council requesting $20,000.)
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
P.O. Box 469 · South San Francisco, Ca. 94080 ° 415-588-1911
August 17, 1981
Honorable City Council
City of South San Francisco
P. O. Box 711
South San Francisco, Ca.
Gentlemen,
Previous agreements between the City and Chamber have required the
Chamber to advertise and make known the resources of the City of
South San Francisco "by preparing, providing, disseminating, cir-
culating, and/or publishing such data, statistics, reports and other
information as may be reasonably necessary to increase trade and
commerce." This has been accomplished by the following activities:
1. Answering approximately 8,~00 City related calls per year.
2. Mailing approximately 16,000 ozs. of information about South San
Francisco each year.
3. Print and distribute at least 5,000 City Maps annually including
supplying city departments with maps.
4. Prepare a Community Economic Profile every three years for local,
statewide and national distribution through the State Chamber of
Commerce as well as our own.
5. Publish and distribute a Directory and Shopper's Guide annually to
each household and general public.
6o Publish and distribute an annual listing of clubs and organizations
in the City.
7. Conduct a Miss South San Francisco Pageant by original request of
City.
8. Conduct a quarterly con~unity Blood Drive for general community
benefit, thereby saving our citizens thousand of dollars.
It is difficult to establish the precise cost of the above services
but, using generally accepted cost standards, Items 1 and 2 cost the
Chamber between $22,000 and $32,000 per year, and Item 7 has direct
cost of about $6,000. It should also be noted that much Chamber work
is conducted by volunteers for which no direct cost can be applied.
During past years, the City has supported the Chamber by providing
office space and up to $18,000 annually in budgetary assistance. In
spite of inflation, City support last year ~vas only $7,500 and no
office space° The Chamber believes that $20,000 in direct City support
would be eminently fair for services rendered.
Respectfully
~E~t iv~ce President
~~.-~.j~l'~- ~.~ ~ ~ ~ .
Tony ~al~'adino, President
LSD/oo