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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2002-03-07Yo~.. ~, MINUTES CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 7, 2002 MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING COMMUNITY ROOM 33 ARROYO DRIVE o Call to Order Roll Call 7:04 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Fernekes Green and Matsumoto, Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez and Mayor Mullin Absent: None Staff Present: City Manager Wilson, City Attorney Mattas, Assistant City Manager Moss, Police Chief Raffaelli, Directors Van Duyn, Nagel, Bower, Steele, Sommer, H&CD Manager Fragoso, H&CD Consultant Sanchez and Library staff members Grantano, Linder, and Fulghum- Nutters, Others Present: Ms. Jackie Williams, Dr. George Kozitza, and Ms. Mina Richardson Public Comments: None Study Session: a) Employee retention Presentation given by Director Bower (an outline was distributed to Council). Councilwoman Matsumoto asked for data on reasons employees have left the City and if it was related to benefits. She requested information on the City of Pacifica closing down at noon on Friday' s and if was due to economics. Director Bower addressed the flexibility concern and explained that flexible work schedules is an important factor for employee retention. Councilmen Fernekes and Green commented that they were agreeable to further exploring the options if the objective is to provide greater service to the community. Mayor Pro Tern Gonzalez expressed his concern on the number of options being considered and that more information is needed. Mayor Mullin requested comparable data be obtained from similar cities on employee turnover for various positions. He asked Director Bower if she has noticed any change in the turnover rate since she's been with the City. Mayor Mullin reviewed each of the options and stated his support for a majority, except team incentives and closing City Hall one-half day. He stated support for flexible work schedules. Councilmembers agreed the following information be brought back to Council for further consideration: · comparison numbers and costs (financial impact) for other cities with the same number of employees · the number of employees leaving the City, for what reasons, and their job category · how do small cities retain employees · a dress policy for casual Friday Director Bower informed Council that several options are "meet and confer" items, such as vacation, sick leave, dental benefits and flexible work schedules, and require discussions with bargaining units. b) First time homebuyer program Staff report and visual presentation given by Consultant Sanchez. He presented information on affordable housing and who is eligible, creating affordable housing, the Countywide Housing Investment Partnership (CHIP), employee recruitment and retention, and resources needed for the first-time homebuyers (FTH) program. Council stated their support for the program. Mayor Mullin stated that he'd like to restrict the homebuyer funds to our community as a minimum requirement. Councilman Green suggested the program be structured so that the down-payment loans are to be repaid (not forgiven). Councilwoman Matsumto questioned if the CDBG subcommittee should be recommending more funds to the FTH program. Manager Fragoso cautioned Council from building up a large pool of uncommitted Block Grant funds for the FTH program. She further advised Council that Block Grant and HOME funds are restrictive and can only be used for very low income people. Staff indicted that funds can not be restricted to occupational categories. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 7, 2002 MINUTES PAGE 2 o Consultant Sanchez informed Council that eight applicants (combination of City and School District employees) have qualified for the affordable unit at Hillside and North Spruce Avenue. Director Van Duyn explained the lottery process and that Council will conduct a lottery drawing. He stated that each time a FTH home becomes available the process starts over and a new qualifiers list will be established. Staff stated that based on Council's comments, the program will be completed and it will come back to Council for final action. c) Volunteer groups - policy direction regarding soliciting funds Ms. Mina Richardson, 123 Cherry Avenue, representing the Westborough Community Advisory Committee, questioned if the agenda item affects the swimming pool fundraising committee. City Manager Wilson stated the item does not impact the committee. Report presented by City Manager Wilson. Mayor Mullin stated that he would like to see some standards or criteria developed to address the issue. He stated his concern was attributed to the Community Learning Center (CLC) fundraising activities. He asked for staff to see if other cities have any written policies. Councilman Fernekes voiced his concern, stating that he was unaware of the CLC' s fundraising activities and that Council needs to be kept informed beforehand and not after the fact. He stated that letters soliciting funds are inappropriate under the City's seal and that there are sensitive implications that need to be considered. Councilwoman Matsumoto and Mayor Pro Tem Gonzalez voiced their support for staff developing a policy or guideline. Further discussion ensued regarding the types of soliciting Council objects to. Direction was given to staff to contact other communities for any policies that have been developed and bring a report back to Council. Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6, Labor Negotiations: City Manager; Agency Negotiator Steven Mattas, and pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) Existing Litigation: Aetna Realty v. City of South San Francisco Entered into Closed Session: Reconvened into Open Session: Report from Closed Session: 9:20 p.m. 10:34 p.m., All Councilmembers present No action taken. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 7, 2002 MINUTES PAGE 3 6. Adjournment Motion-Fernekes/Second-Green: To adjourn the meeting at 10:34 p.m. Unanimously approved by voice vote. Submitted by: Sylvia M. Payne, C~y Clerk City of South San Francisco Approved: aanY&o The entries of this Council meeting show the action taken by the City Council to dispose of an item. Oral communications, 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. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 7, 2002 MINUTES PAGE 4