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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2010-11-17SPECIAL MEETING ~o~~x S~~ MINUTES cITY coUNCIL OF THE cALIFOR~lA CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue) South San Francisco, California 94083 Meeting to beheld at: CI"hY HALL LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM 400 GRAND AVENUE SOUrhH SAN FRANCISCO, CA WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER ]l7, 2010 6:30 P.M. NOTICE IS HEREBY GNEN, pursuant to Section 54956 of the Government Code of the State of California, the City Council of the City of South San Francisco will hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday, the 17t" day of November, 2010, at 6:30 p.m., at City Hall, in the Large Conference Room, 400 Grand Ave, South San Francisco, California. Purpose of the meeting: 1. Call to Order. Time: 6:30 p.m. 2. Roll Call. Present: Councilmembers Garbarino, Gonzalez, and Matsumoto, Vice Mayor Mullin and Mayor Addiego Absent: None. 3. Agenda Review. No changes. 4. Public Comments -comments are limited to items ~~n the Special Meeting Agenda. None. Follow up items from October Study Session regarding Library and Fire Departments' Core Services. City Manager Nagel stated this meeting was done as a follow up from the October 20 meeting regarding specific programs in the Library and Fire Departments. The numbers provided at that meeting were estimated, but tonight's numbers were more accurate regarding the programs, thought they maybe offset a few dollars and cents by some aspects. Library Director, Valerie Sommer gave a brief history and explanation of the two (2) programs in question, Project Read and the Learning Center. Project Read ("PR") was established in 1985 and was the first library literacy program in the state. It is a free, volunteer based program assisting those, whobased on testing, read at a 7r~' grade or lower level. It is a goal oriented program that provided one-on-one tutoring, which is beneficial as a standard class schedule proves to be a hindrance for many individuals. Many students are menial workers and need to improve their literacy for the betterment of theirs and their families' lives. Commitment and investment from City is paid off in success of students as participants have gone on to become United States citizens and active community members. Another part of the program is financial literacy, this portion is grant funded. Project Read is greatly needed in order to break the cycle of illiteracy and it serves as a bridge to the library. Free books are given to children of learners. The total budget of the program is $599,024, with $328,596 in offsets making the General Fund commitment $270,428, with the bulk going towards staffing and administration. There is Does get some state funding, provides a little assistance. Mayor Addiego asked at any time, how many learners were there and how many were adults. Director Sommer noted there were 120 to 125 learners at any one time and they were all adults. She added specialized programs, such as the financial literacy program, were open to the general public. Councilwoman Matsumoto asked how much contribution came from the other cities whose residents utilize the program. Director Sommer give the, following figures: Daly City - $27,000 from their Community Developmer.~t Block Grant (CDBG) San Bruno - $5,000 and Colma - $10,000. Colma is billed per learner. Councilwoman Matsumoto felt the $42,000 received from the other cities was disproportionate to the services provided. Councilman Gonzalez asked if there was a limit an the number of learners and if there was a waiting list to which Director Sommer responded it depended on the number of tutors and there was indeed a waiting list. The Councilman also asked if the learners fed in the school district. Director Sommer noted that maybe the goal for some, but not all. Councilwoman Matsumoto asked if the financial and health literacy programs were totally grant funded. Director Sommer responded yes. Mayor Addiego asked where someone could go if Project Read did not exist. Director Sommer noted there were programs in Redwood City, San Mateo and at County Administrative sights, but the success was built on it being at home, a community of learners. Councilwoman Matsumoto noted her concern was the participation in fund raising from the other cities. Dollars not proportionate to residents has always been a sore spot for her. Councilman Garbarino agreed with the sentiment. Mayor Addiego stated at the current pace, the City was paying $3000 for every learner and questioned if this was the best way to use that money. Director Sommer noted that every learner touches the lives of three (3) other people. The Mayor was unaware that the County had a program and thought perhaps they could help administrate. Councilman Garbarino agreed with the Mayor on that aspect. Director Sommer notes the county library system was a separate entity from the county as a whole. _ SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 17, 2010 MINUTES PAGE 2 Councilwoman Matsumoto asked what would be affected if the budget was cut by $100,000. Director Sommer responded it would most likely be seers in staff reduction and changing some full time positions to part time. Councilman Gonzalez suggested perhaps putting a cap on the number of learners would eliminate some of the burden. The Mayor asked how many learners dropout. Director Sommer noted approximately 10 to 15%, because of goal directed nature. Vice Mayor Mullin asked if Director Sommer had notice;d an uptick in participation given the economic climate. Director Sommer replied there have been a lot of referrals but referred to Literacy Program Manager, Holly Fulghum-Nutters for confirmation. She responded there had been an increase in learners and added literacy students are some of those hit the hardest due to a low level of skills. Director Sommer went on to give a brief description of the Community Learning Center ("CLC") and its benefits to the City. Established in 199'9 as a response to community focus groups, the CLC provides homework assistance and class support for adults as well It helps parents keep children in school and helps them with navigating the school system. The CLC partners with other organizations in the City such as Skyline and the Adult School to provide o many adult programs including: basic computer instruction, drop-in computer labs, resume assistance, Citizen Classes, native language literacy classes and homework assistance for parents helping their children, and parenting programs and classes.. It is a vibrant community center well used by residents. The General Fund commitment is $317,268 and is used mainly for administrative, with a 1.9 full time position. All other positions are grant funded except one (1) who is half Redevelopment. Programs are grant funded. Given the number of people served by the Learning Center, Mayor Addiego worked it out to be approximately $3000 per person. Councilwoman Matsumoto asked if some of the same programs weren't available through the Boys and Girls Club. Both the Mayor and Councilman Gonzalez explained the programs offered by the Boys and Girls Club were of a different nature. Councilman Gon;~alez explained the Boys and Girls Club was geared more towards High School students and noted that parents pay $25 to receive services through the club. He suggested perhaps an fee be assessed for the Learning Center. The Mayor felt that would not nearly be enough but showed there were different mechanisms available. Director Sommer noted there could be sliding; scale charge, but payment could not be made a requirement. Vice Mayor Mullin, recalling the agency Families on Track, asked if the CLC services had filled its void since its closing. Was there a rollover effect? Director Sommer referred to Literacy Program Manager; Ana Linder who explained some groups got funding to continue some activities at CLC, where space was provided for free. Parkway has been worked with in different ways, case management is not provided but referrals are made. The Mayor asked if it was possible to consolidate these services. Director Sommer noted there were some retirements coming down the line and CLC and PR services could be consolidated. She concluded her presentation and noted given the option, she would much rather consolidate CLC with PR than v/ith any of the County programs. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 17, 2010 MINUTES PAGE 3 Fire Chief White was present to discuss the Basic Life Support Ambulance Program ("BLS") which was implemented in January 2005 to address the need for a third ambulance and maximize the availability of the City's two (2) Advanced Life Support Ambulances ("ALS"). The BLS program revenue and costs have fluctuated throughout the years, with main losses in FY 08/09 attributed to an outdated business model, having to create a new customer base and the current economic factors. Chief White provided afive-year BLS Profit/Loss Summary. Chief White also noted the BLS program has indirect revenue through allowing the ALS to be used more frequently thus earning more revenue. Also, when BLS is not running the Emergency Medical Technicians ("EMT") are helping to generate approximately $35,000 in revenue by doing health and safety trainings. BLS program is also great recruitment of potential employees and obtaining quality hires early on to create a more diverse workforce in the department. The department has taken steps to decrease expenses, since 2003 revenue has been increased by 90% across the service lines. BLS many do well some years and not so well other years, but the department tries to spread the risk. Other than FY 08/09, revenue goals were met. In closing, Chief White felt the BLS program was worth keeping, seeing where it goes and noted opportunities in the future to examine and/or stop funding. Mayor Addiego asked the volume of ALS calls prior to implementing the BLS program. The Chief responded anecdotally and stated from 199"7 there were approximately 35 transports, today calls were run every third day, making the number now over 100. The Mayor, referring to the graph, stated if BLS was a stand alone operation, it would not be in business. Chief White felt progress was possible considering what a new business model could do but understood ultimately there was a tough choice ahead as times were much different since 2004. Vice Mayor Mullin asked the Chief to relate how collection efforts may have been a challenge to BLS? Chief White noted reimbursements have gone down across the board with Medicare reimbursing only $250 and Medical at $109. He noted however that the collection rate was quite high at approximately 80%. Councilwoman Matsumoto asked what would happen to quality of service if BLS were cut. What impact does that have on mutual aide? Chief White responded for the most part, nothing would happen, the system would flex, but there could bf° approximately 65 times per month where we would be without an ambulance and the 12 minute response time would not be met, which in some instances could a load and go situation and be a matter of life or death. Councilwoman Matsumoto had the following further questions: could rates be increased, as they are currently lower than American Medical Response ("AMR"), and since we are not getting referrals from AMR, where do the calls come from? Staff reported rates could be raised, but would only affect private pay clients as insurance reimbursements are set. Gurney vans, wheelchair patients, BLS ambulance patients are also defined by insurance. Chief White added rates were going to be revisited in July, but Council wanted to be below 10% and offer City resident discourrts. BLS patients usually come from skilled nursing facilities, board and care homes, Seaton Medical Center and Kaiser has been referring their Senior Advantage patients. Vice Mayor Mullin asked what effect the aging county Thad on the growth projection with the current business model. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 17, 2010 MINUTES PAGE 4 Chief White felt prospects were good, especially with new healthcare bill passage. Even with the steady decreases in Medicare since 1997, revenues have held steady. The Vice Mayor noted the volume of patients may go up, but the industry- would continue to be squeezed. Mayor Addiego asked how long would it take for BLS to come back if Council were to cut it now. Chief White thought it would take approximately one (1) year, based on past experiences, to get it to its current state, but it could take longer. City Manager Nagel asked if the direction from Council was to let BLS run through the fiscal year and revisit it at that time. Councilmen Gonzalez and Garbarino confirmed. Councilwoman Matsumoto asked what would happen then, do we shut it down? City Manager Nagel asked how long it would take to shut down if it still showed a loss of $34- 35,000. Mayor Addiego suggested Council revisit it 90 days before the end of the fiscal year and direction for Project Read would be to explore partnering with the County Library systems, look at $100,000 in reductions now and begin capping enrollments. As for the CLC, he wanted to look at combining services with Library and Project Read services, and tie-in reclassifying job descriptions. Vice Mayor Mullin noted there was a need to save 6.3 million in the next 5 years and a model could be developed over the next two to three years, he ciid not want to jam through decisions, nor depend on retirements for savings. Director Sommer noted her preference for combining Project Read and the CLC and doing staff reductions rather than joining with the County. Closed session time in: 8:00 p.m. Closed session time out: 9:45 p.m. Report out of Closed session: No Reportable action 6. Conference with Legal Council -Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (a) Baykeeper v. City of South San Francisco. Being no further business, Mayor Addiego adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m. Submitted by: Appro e y: - 1~' ~~~ Anna M. Brown evin Mullin Deputy City Clerk, City of South San Francisco Mayor, City of South San Francisco SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 17, 2010 MINUTES PAGE 5