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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2005-11-30 ~'t\l S,4N g (~ . ~~ >< (;;1 ~ g C'. i\~ :4lIFOP.~ MINU1'ES JOINT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO SPECIAL ME]~TING WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2005 MUNICIPAL SERVICE BUILDING 33 ARROYO DRIVE, SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO (Cassette Tape No. l) 1. Call to Order 6:30 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present: Councilmembers/Boardmembers Garbarino, Gonzalez and Matsumoto, Mayor Pro TemlVice Chair Femekes and Mayor/Chair Green Absent: None Staff present: City Manager Nagel, City Attorney Mattas, Assistant City Manager Van Duyn, Fire Chief White, Finance Director Steele, Library Director Sommer and City Engineer Ray Razavi Others present: Mark Addiego 3. Public Comments None. 4. Resolution authorizing an amendment to the City Clerk's compensation package Staff report presented by City Attorney Mattas. Councilman Garbarino advised Council that as a member of the subcommittee (Green! Garbarino) it was recommended that the request for additional administrative leave be put in abeyance until a later date for the purpose of fmther discussion. Councilman Gonzalez stated a concern with the benchmark cities and felt the process should be reevaluated as many of the cities have a larger population and may be in better position financially. City Manager Nagel stated that contracts are in place with bargaining units for two to three more years and advised Council that a change in the methodology would be subject to meet and confer. Mayor Pro Tern Fernekes requested that a reevaluation of the compensation process be scheduled for discussion at the City Council annual retreat. In response to Councilwoman Matsumoto's question regarding the City Clerk's annual salary review, City Manager Nagel substantiated that her salary is reviewed in the same timeframe as other executive management, but she declined a previous salary increase, as it was minimal. Motion-Garbarino/Second-Fernekes: To approve revised Resolution No. l23-2005, authorizing an increase to the City Clerk's compensation package. Unanimously approved by voice vote. 5. Resolution authorizing staff to prepare plans, specifications and bid documents and to advertise for bids for a proposed fire training tower and emergency operations center/classroom building and to prepare contract documents for the purchase of a fire simulation system Staff report presented by Fire Chief White. Councilwoman Matsumoto read a prepared statement that stated concerns regarding the process that was being followed for this agenda item. She stated that insufficient information was being provided in the reports, information that she requested was not being furnished, that the project was being rushed, and that the city's future was being mortgaged. She stated she could not support the estimated $2.6 million expenditure without information that included the cost of hiring an instructor (or the cost of using someone in-house), reproducing class material, advertising and a detailed marketing plan. She questioned what commitments are coming from other agencies, will classes need certification and will they be mandatory for fire departments to attend. She further asked for information on how many firefighters are attending classes out-of-area, what happens to this program if there are budget cuts, and what will be the cost of maintaining the old training tower at Central Station. Mayor Green responded to Councilwoman Matsumoto's concerns and countered that construction, labor and financing costs will rise if the project is delayed. He stated that potential revenue from the classroom, fire-training tower, and cell sites would be lost. He questioned why the other items on the list were not being examined as closely. Councilman Gonzalez commented that he agreed with Councilwoman Matsumoto and thought that decisions were being rushed. Mayor Green responded that the item needed to catch-up with the other items on the list in order to be ready for the bond sale. Mayor Pro Tern Fernekes reminded Council that the bid process was the only item before Council for consideration. He stated that once the bids come in, Council will make the decision whether or not to go ahead with the project. City Attorney Mattas advised Council that also under consideration was authorizing a sole source purchase of the Drager fire simulation system and thermal pads. He substantiated that Council is not authorizing the purchase of any items, that the decision to expend funds will come back to Council for approval. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 30, 2005 PAGE 2 Mayor Pro Tern Fernekes agreed with getting all the facts and figures to Council before making a decision. He discussed the benefits of going fi~rward with the project, the fluctuating interest and bond rates, and agreed that Council needed to know the cost of maintaining a second training site in order to make: a valid decision. City Manager Nagel advised Council that $2.6 million is at the top end for the project, the bid process will show the base bid and "add" alternates. He confirmed that staff will not go higher than $2.6 million. Councilman Garbarino agreed with the concerns and stated that all Councilmembers are fiscally responsible. He reiterated Mayor Pro Tern Femekes' statement that the bid process was the only item before Council this evening. He: agreed that the requested information is needed first, followed by a comprehensive bid package. He stated he will be holding the line at $2.6 million. Councilwoman Matsumoto confirmed with staffthat if the bids are rejected the $2.6 million will stay in reserves with a debt service that the City is still obligated for. She reiterated the items as previously listed above, and asked that the list also include information on potential competitive products, capabilitiles of the products being identified, comparable products on the market, and a comparison of costs. She stressed the importance of a marketing plan. Councilman Garbarino asked that information on why the old training tower does not meet today's needs be included. Mayor Pro Tern Fernekes asked that staffuse a bulllet format and list why the new fire tower and classroom are important as well as the cost of up-keeping the old site. He asked that staff provide bonding information, and to include the cost at a quarter-point raise, half- percent raise, and three-quarters percent or more raise, revenues from cell-towers, projections on estimated construction cost increases (percentage) for the next year-to-two years, and the City's current investment rate to be used in comparison to the debt service. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the Fire Department's BLS program that included staff's efforts to develop new revenue streams, getting the BLS program off the ground, projected revenues, and billing system. City Attorney Mattas advised Council that this was an appropriate discussion, but suggested this matte:r be placed on a future agenda for an in- depth discussion. Motion-Fernekes/Second-Garbarino: On the question: In response to Councilmembers' concerns regarding the action being taken, City Attorney Mattas read the title of the resolution and explained the inclusion of the Drager fire simulation system as a component ofthe bid package. Councilwoman Matsumoto asked that it also include all the information that Council requested. City Manager Nagel stated that Fire Chief White would contact Councilmembers to reconfirm all the items being requested. Motion continued: To approve Resolution No. l24-2005, authorizing staff to prepare plans, SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 30, 2005 PAGE 3 specifications, and bid documents and to advertise for bids for a proposed fire training tower and emergency operations center/classroom building and to prepare contract documents for the purchase of a fire simulation system, and to have staff prepare responses to questions as presented by Councilmembers. Unanimously approved by voice vote. 6. Adjournment Being no further business, Mayor/Chair Green adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Submitted by: /~w,d-//), ~ S~ia M. Payne, City Clerk U City of South San Francisco Approved: ~~ ';( ~ Raymond L. Green, Mayor/Chair City of South San Francisco SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 30, 2005 PAGE 4