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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM082378August 23, 1978 RECONVENED: The Board reconvened at 7:00 pam. pursuant to recess, Present: Supervisors Lemke Madigan, Moseley, Richter and Chairman Winston. Clif Mickelson, administrative officer; Dan Blackstock, county counsel; W. R, Lawrence, auditor; and ', Clark A, Nelson, county clerk, by Cathy Pitts, assistant clerk L to the Board. 78=1b41 RESCIND ACTION OF MINUTE ORDER 78-1633 RE: SETTING OF .PUBLIC HEARING FOR ABANDONMENT OF WESTERLY TWENTY FEET OF MULBERRY STREET. On motion of Supervisor Lemke, seconded by Supervisor Richter and unanimously carried, the action of Minute Order 78-1633 setting a public hearing for abandonment of the westerly twenty feet of Mulberry Street was rescinded and referred to Public Works for processing. 7$-1b42 ADOPT RESOLUTION 78-150 RE: INTERPRETATION OF RESIDENTIAL ZONE.. USE TO INCLUDE DAY CARE FACILITIES UP TO SIX CHILDREN ', Supervisor Richter stated that the state has changed their procedures in licensing and requires certificates from sanitation, The Sanitation Department went to the Planning Department and were told that the residential zone does not allow babysitting. The licenses were red flagged as a result of this. There is a critical need for these facilities in the county. On motion of Supervisor Richter, seconded by Supervisor Lemke ', and unanimously carried, Resolution 78-150 instructing the Planning Director that the Board of Supervisors interprets the residential zone use to include day care facilities up to six children was adopted and the Chairman authorized ', to sign. 78-1643 INSTRUCT COUNSEL TO SUBMIT FINAL CONTRACT RE: ANIMAL CONTROL TO BOARD AT AUGUST 29, 1978 MEETING WITH COPIES TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO BCEA. MOTION OF INTENT TO APPROVE CONTRACT Discussion of animal control contract held at this time. Dan Blackstock, county ceunsel, stated that the final contract has not been prepared as yet. This relates to the property for lease and not the other aspects of the contract. The proposed contractor has agreed to the provision for protection to county employees. The contractor will be required to interview and to notify employees that would otherwise be terminated. Mr. Blackstock set out the location of the property that is proposed to be leased. Part of the property will not be included in the lease. The contractor will be allowed to use the property as long as the contract is in full force and affect. There is 120-day cancellation and this is a year to year agreement. Supervisor Lemke stated that the committee had discussed the licensing provisions. This would not be included in this year's contract. ': It could be brought up next year. Appearing: ', to Jim Cook, BCEA. Mr. Cook stated that he would like to have somethi~ in writing in the contract that the employees will be looked at seriously. He hoped to discourage the Board from action. The maximum amount of savings might be $25,000 to $30,000. The current mileage could I be cut from the transportation and travel resulting is a cost of $14,590.34, The level of service might be cut back to reflect the level of service the Board feels is necessary. The elimination of five CETA positions would drop the cost of the department. The Board can cut costs if they feel it is too high. Page 218. August 23, 1978 August 23, 1978 Supervisor Richter stated that during the meeting Counsel was asked to pregare the agreement to allow the county in the beginning of the second full year_of.the contract to (;negotiate for the collection of license fees to be zncluded as a portion of the compensation they would receive. This is proposed to shift totally to the vendor in subsequent years of the contract. Clif Mickelson, administrative officer, stated that it would be up to the contractor whether she wanted to use CETA personnel. She has guaranteed the level of service and pick up of animals. He recommended that the Board go with the contract. 2. Ralph Drown, Oroville. Mr, Drown is concerned regarding the proposal to turn over the operation to a humane society type vendor. He questioned whether the humane society operator could do the same adequate good job as the organization lodged under the law enforcement type agency as is presently run. He did not think they could do the same type of job in the residential agricultural area. He questioned whether the centralization could provide as rapid service to the outlaying areas of the county. He agreed with the savings of money. More consideration should be given to the employees who may lose their jobs. He-has had considerable experience with the animal control program. The level of services in Oroville are good. He has lived in Butte County two years. 3. Jessie Drown. Mrs. Drown questioned why southern California came up to run the program and why this couldn't be run by the people of Butte County. It was explained to Mrs. Drown that the proposed contractor is a resident of Paradise. She has lived there for seven or eight years, Mr. Cook stated that if the Board took action tonight they should consider that all of the animal control officers are sworn peace officers. Four or five of the officers are reserve deputies. The county will lose some good deputies that ride patrol. This is donated time. Supervisor Richter stated that he would like to see the Board adopt a policy of requiring the Personnel Director and all county departments to make every effort to employee these people where they are qualified. 4, Marsha Bradley, employee for Butte County Animal Control. Ms. Bradley stated that the county needs centralization of facilities and a neutering clinico Her concern is that this area is No. 1 rabies area in the United States. Animals that are suspected of having rabies are picked up at presento She is concerned that this will not happen if the program is contracted out. Supervisor Richter stated that most of the counties that he had visited had the animal control program under the Health Department. They have an updated program compared to Butte County. One of the unfortunate aspects is that the animal control is a kind of stepchild of the Sheriff's Department and this creates a problem. Supervisor Madigan asked why the Sheriff was not present to discuss this matter. He was advised that the Sheriff has been kept up to date on the matter, 5. Hank Marsh, attorney for BCEA. Mr. Marsh stated that there is a meet and confer problem relative to the process. He would like to see a copy of the written document presented to the Association to review to get around meet and confer. Perhaps BCEA should be a party to the agreement. It is necessary for meet and canter. This would be to avoid potential problems. Page 219. August 23, 1978 August 23, 1978 Jim Rackerby, personnel director, stated that he Etas been ' in discussion regarding the provision for the employees. This is a standard personnel policy to try to locate the employees even in soliciting in the private sector. He did not think there would be anything wrong with the Association being given a copy of the agreement. He did not agree that they should be a party to the contract. Supervisor Richter stated that he would insist that the screening of the employees be done by the contractor prior to the period for taking over. At that time, the contractor could let the employees know the wage schedule and benefits. Those not hired could have two or three months to locate jobs for transition without use of unemployment. On motion of Supervisor Richter, seconded by Supervisor Lemke and unanimously carried, the animal control contract is to be finished by Counsel to be presented to the Board on August 29, 1978 with copies to be made available to the BCEA; a motion of intent to approve the contract was made. 78-1644 DISCUSSION: DE~'CTND FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION UNIT AND OTHER PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS RELATING TO EMPLOYEES Hank Marsh, attorney for BCEA, was present to discuss the defunding for the Consumer Protection Unit. He finds it hard to justify cutting out a money making unit in the budget in view of Proposition 13. The Association has made a determination that they will be going to court over the issue. The decision to defund the unit does reduce the level of law enforcement in this county. Under SB 154 and 2212 it is ', illegal. There wasp certain money received for distribution taken under the section. He felt the decision of the Board falls under the Hicks vs. Orange County Board of Supervisors decision. The decision was an improper one. This decision related to employee`s jobs and is a negotiation and bargaining item, This requires that BCEA be given notice, For those reasons and many more the action of the Board is unlawful. He hoped the Board would reconsider the defunding of the unit that is making money. Ghairman--Winston stated that he had good reason for supporting the defunding of the unit including the question about the money making potential of the unit. The District Attorney saw fit to use the press as a answer or charge against him. He stated that he would have an answer for Mr. Leach by next Tuesday's meeting. Mr. Marsh stated that he was not speaking for Mr. Leach but is speaking for the employees within the Association. That problem is between you and Mr. Leach. The Association feels compelled to litigate this matter. ', Supervisor Richter asked that Counsel provide the Board before Tuesday an analysis of the legal ramifications of the Board's action in so much as Mr. Marsh has commented. Jim Cook, BCEA, stated that he heard the assessed value had an increase of 16.8%. He would like to make a plea with the Board regarding the Library and custodial services. The Association is concerned about the proposed cuts in the Library, He would Iike to have the Board consider restoring the cuts. He has serious concerns about contracting out the ', custodial services. This results in loss of control of people entering offices with. classified documents. A cost of $.03 to $,09 per foot has been kicked around. Currently the budget is around $338,630 per year to ', maintain 241,879 square feet. This is about $1.40 per square foot. He asked that the Board look at what the staff really does. Tf the Board is concerned about cost, they should have the Administrative Office look into cuttingcof services and attrition. He felt this would be a terrible mistake. Page 220, August 23, 1978 August 23, 1978 J ~ Supervisor Madigan stated that the Bank of America contracts their janitorial service out and they have more security problems and more effective service. Mr. Cook stated that Sank of America has everything under lock and key. Supervisor Richter stated that the point of having the county employees lock everything is well taken, Supervisor Richter asked the Association to show where cuts could be made. The Board has taken the action to cut all travel, conference and membexships. 78--1645 DISCUSSION: LIBRARY BUDGET Chairman Winston set out the background of the proposed budget cuts for the library. The first recommendation was to cut $498,000 from the Library budget. Mrs. Terry was asked to make comments regarding $160,000 and $200,000 cuts. The Board elected to tentatively reduce the Library budget some $200,000 which is going to have an affect on the Library services. The 1978-79 fiscal year is a troublesome year but nothing compared to the 1979-80 fiscal year. This will be a situation where certainly money is not going to be available to fund all of the services that are funded this year. If the Board does not initiate reductions this year and consider as part of a gradual reduction the reduction in 1979-80 will be a very difficult thing. RECESS: 8:07 p.m. RECONVENE: 8:15 p.m. Chairman Winston stated that there is some confusion regarding the Library budget. The Board is not considering revenue sharing at this time, only the operational budget. Appearing: 1. Ramona Flynn. Ms. Flynn pleaded with the Board to support the Library budget. Sometimes the Library is considered an unessential item. This service is extremely important to all of the county. The people in Chico have a strong feeling about the library at this time. It seems a more efficient operation would be possible if one adequate libary was to serve the .whole community of Chico. She hoped the Board was still going ahead with the building of the new library. Bill Lawrence, auditor, set out the budgeting for the Library. Proposed budget $938,074 Fund balances available 23,530 Antirecession funds 49,632 Share of taxes 530,589 $603,751 Available finances $603,751 Deficit $334,323 This was calculated on the figures from the Assessor's Office. There will be nothing from the state unless a new bill is passed: because the Board excluded the Library from the special districts allocations. The county will receive $5,278,000 for Medical, welfare,SSI. AB 2233 provides for an additional $162 million for funding for special districts and some allocation for libraries. AB 2212 does not preclude general fund financing of library districts. They can be given sales tax or other monies. He suggested that the Board stay with the $200,000 xeduction. In the sales tax field the Board has given a $135,000 xeduction 3n the fire budget. Page 221. August 23, 1978 August 23, 1978 If the Board wanted to take the $135,000 in sales tax apply it to this budget the unfunded amount would be $199,323. They could hold at that level to see if other funding will be made available. This would be restricted to the libraries and nat available -for county taxes. The Board must consider fire protection and the Library separate from the county, Mr. Mickelson stated that whatever the Board does will set the. base level of service, Supervisor Richter stated that possibly the county will not be able to start construction of the library in Chico. There is a good suggestion in terms of the cutback of $200,000 of closing down one of the departments in Chico. Would it be possible to put both departments in the Dleando"r building until construction can be started on the new facility? There is a possibility that the CHP building under construction will be completed by December. The Board could hold off closing either branch until the transition is made. He asked that the Librarian and the Administrative Office take a look at the possibility of Chico State Library opening to the public in general for one or two years. Perhaps some arrangements could be made, Jo Terry, Librarian, stated that last time she addressed the Board it was suggested that she go back and rework the budget a little bit. She submitted a revised $200,000 budget to the Administrative Office yesterday. She suggested that the Feather Falls branch. be held for the same reasons she 'had sited earlier. It is a minimal cost operation. She felt that the Oleandor site would be satisfactory in the interim. There are problems in using the University library. It is almost impossible to park. The North State Cooperative has a cooperative agreement for use of certain facilities, There is reference use available. They do not provide for family nor general reading materials. There is nothing to prevent us from talking to them. ', Chairnian Winston stated that he would like to see money earmarked for the construction of the Gridley and Chico libraries. There could be a delay in the building of the libraries. ', 2. Greta Lydon, Chico. Ms. Lydon stated that the Board had mentioned a chance of the possibility of closing one of the branches in Chico, She would like to know which one of the branches the Board is ', speaking of. There is a need for a larger library in Chico. If any ', revenue sharing funds are available for capital outlay she would like ', to see this used for the Chico Library. 3. Thomas Lucas. Mr. Lucas reiterated the feeling some of the people have regarding the librarieso He is concerned with solving the problems in Chico and adequate serviced The downtown location is a much better area. 4. Nora Wiley. Mrs. Wiley reiterated that the Gridley City ', Council is behind the library study. 78-1646 BUDGET SESSION ', Bill Lawrence, auditor, set out the relationship as proposed in the budget to what we feel as available finances and then there can be ~'~,' discussion of what the Board has cut, Page 222. August 23, 1978 August 23, 1978 ', County operating funds Fund balances available $3,093,055 Anticipated revenue $20,831,463 ', State Buy out 5,278,000 ', Share of taxes 5,b97,56G~ Total financing $34,900,082 Proposed budget in those categories $36,509,774 ', Deficit $ 1,609,692 This would be the amount needed for incre ased revenue or decreased spending. '. Revenue Sharing Fund Fund balances available $ 1,086,580 ', New revenue 1,960,594 ', Total 3,047,174 Budget as it exists 2,677,583 Surplus 369,591 REGESS: 9:00 p.m. RECONVENE: 9:15 p.m, ', Road Funds Local transportation (SB235) Fund balances available $ -0- ', Taxi revenue 120,000 ', SB 325 revenue 1,283,000 City contributions 168,616 Share of taxes -0- ', Proposed Budget ', Taxi revenue $1,351,616 Share taxes (-)1,471,616 Surplus $ 120,000 ', New road project to be added to budget 120,000 Surplus $ -0- Sales Tax Available $ 921,000 Amount of revenue revexsed back $ 362,000 This is a restricted fund. The Board can cancel road projects. They would have to substitute other projectso These funds could not be used for the general fund or for road projects that have no criteria for SB 325 funds. Page 223. August 23, 1978 _.~ August 23, 1978 Spec7,a1 Road .fund. T Motor Vehicle In-Lieu taxes Fund balance available $ 198,000 New project FAtJ or SASO projects 92,500 Surplus available $ 105,500 The Board can do anything they want to without touching the proposed projects or approved projects. Re ular Road fund F'.und balance available $ 608,000 $594,000 excess came out of this budget. This was for the appropriation for contingencies which proposed to bring back to $350,000, Now, $258,000 of the excess money in the road fund that cannot be transferred out of the road fund. It can be taken out of special road fund.. The anticipated in-lieu revenue is $1,277,000, There was $198,000 which was in the proposed budget that was not anticipated, There is an increase in revenue from Federal sources also in addition to new projects. Mro Lawrence stated that he felt that Mr. Lively had a misunderstanding of the SB 325 funds. There is no money available. When schedule 2 of the budget was prepared, in column 5 under other reserves there was $43,796 that had been returned to the SB 325 trust fund to make the reserve of $350,000. The available surplus is $105,000 and $258,0000 There is $363,000 in special road fund that could apply against the deficito Mra Nickelson stated that it is up to the Board to decide how big the contingencies fund should be. It is the Board's disgression to determine the amount of reserve. Supervisor Richter stated that he would like to go through the rest of the budget and come back to this item. It is a policy question of whether the Board is going to dip into the money traditionally used for roads to be used to fund other things. He felt that roads are the capital equipment of the county that provides the population with a means of making a living. Chairman Winston felt that the road department was no different from the other departments and should be cut. He felt that the road projects should be put into a priority list. Mr. Lawrence stated that the figures that he had presented was before any action had been taken. There are no additional sources of revenue that is not reflected in this budget., Just with the sources that were underestimated his office came up with almost $1/2 million of new revenue. The Board has not addressed the reduction of Medical and SSI with $350,000 going to come out of the budget. The Board has cut about $450,000 at the present time. Mr. Lawrence felt that next year would be more of a problem than this year. This is going to be the basis for the county's future. If the Board built the reserve up they could budget for the amount of the insurance premium. Mr. Lawrence stated that there is a technical report from the Department of Health that has to be filled out and identify the Health Department activities for programs. These can only be cut in relationship to the decrease, Tt will take six weeks to fill this report out. The Health Department budget should be held over until after the report has been completed. Page 224. August 23, 1978 August 23, 1978 78-1647 BUDGET REVIEW Budget review was held at this time. Fire Protection Regular Service, page 154, Account 36. To read: $1,246,361. (This reflects change in Schedule A contract for salaries), Bob Paulus, fire warden, stated that he was willing to go with the Administrative Officer's recommendations, They are severe cutsbut that they will have to live with them. It will be close whether the cuts will allow the Fire Department to operate at the same level of service as last year. The level is staying the same, the population is not staying the same. The situation will become more serious because the county department is not growing with the demand. He felt that next year he might ask for more. Supervisor Richter stated that he asked for a letter from Mr. Paulus regarding replacement equipment to make the department more efficient with the personnel that they have. He hoped the Board would look carefully at revenue sharing money to fund replacement equipment for the Fire Department. This way he could continue to maintain the service that is now maintained even with the increasing population. ', Mr. Paulus stated that his department needs tankers. There hre mostly engines at the present times He would need about four tankers. There is no water in the areas where fire protection is supplied. It is projected that the capital outlay for the four tankers would be about $350,000. The medical aid program.,,goes up in costs It is a demanding increase in the workload. It is not going to go down. His department has an excellent relationship with the other fire services, ambulance services and the police. Mro Paulus stated that the memberships are not for meetings they are for subscriptions to magazines. Fire Protection Volunteer Program, page 158, Bob Paulus, fire warden, felt that this budget should not be cut. The big item in the budget is for workman's compensation> A large amount of the budget is equipment mandated by CAL OSSA, The transportation and travel pays the personnels No changes made. Discussion: Out of county travel. Dick Puelicher, chief accountant, stated that the Board has cut the out of county travel and in county travel by over $75,000. Mr. Mickelson stated that there is no reason why all of the departments cannot live with the travel reductions. Discussion: Recommendations re: Veterans Service Officer and Memorial Halls Mr, Puelicher stated that the Board had directed the Auditor's Office and the Veterans Service Office and Mr. Halsey to evaluate the proposed cuts in the memorial halls and the Veterans Service Office. The cuts are not as much as figured. The organizations have agreed to meet again and achieve more reductions. This is about 30% to 35% of the suggested reductions. Discussion of Biggs Memorial Hall held at this time. Administrative Office to make inquiry of the City of Biggs to see what they think of taking the hall over. Budget hearings continued to August 30, 1978 at 7:00 p.m. RECESS: The Board recessed at 10:00 p.m. to reconvene on Tuesday, August 29, 1978 at 9:00 a.m. Page 225. August 23, 1978