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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-27; City Council; MinutesCITY COUNCIL Minutes Council Chamber 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 April 27, 2021 Special Meeting 10 a.m. CALL TO ORDER: 10 a.m. ROLL CALL: Hall, Blackburn, Acosta, Bhat-Patel, Schumacher. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONCURRENT MEETINGS: None. INVOCATION: None. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn led the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None. PRESENTATIONS: None. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR: None. DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY MANAGER REPORTS: 1. ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL UPDATE FOR THIRD QUARTER OF FY 2020-21 — Receive a report on the economic and financial update for the third quarter of fiscal year 2020-21 and provide direction as appropriate. (Staff Contact: Laura Rocha, Administrative Services Department) City Manager's Recommendation: Receive the report and provide direction as appropriate. Deputy City Manager of Administrative Services Laura Rocha, Economic Development Manager Matt Sanford, and Finance Director Ryan Green presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). City Council received the report. In response to Mayor Hall's inquiry, Deputy City Manager Rocha explained that residential and commercial delinquent rent or rent not being paid is not being tracked at this time, but Finance staff would look into that option. In response to Council Member Acosta's inquiry, Director Green explained that the hoteliers are dependent on tourist travel and they do not see a comeback any time soon in order to return to the 2018-19 levels of Transient Occupancy Tax. April 27, 2021 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 2 The following individuals called into the City Council Meeting and voiced their comment for the record: Mary Lucid expressed her concerns regarding sanitation at the Senior Center upon reopening. 2. COVID-19: ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE OPTIONS — 1) Adoption of Resolution No. 2021-094 approving modifications to the COVID-19 Small Business Loan Program; and 2) Receive a report and discuss additional options to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and provide any desired direction based on the discussion. (Staff Contact: David Graham, Community Development) City Manager's Recommendation: Adopt the resolution, receive the report and provide direction as appropriate. Chief Innovation Officer David Graham presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). City Council received the report. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to adopt Resolution No. 2021-094. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn to approve a resolution of support of the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation and to have staff return with recommendations. Motion failed due to lack of a second. Motion by Council Member Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, directing staff to return with information for City Council to have a discussion for supporting other non- profit organizations. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. Mayor Hall left the meeting at 11:26 a.m. due to a possible conflict of interest. Council Member Bhat-Patel reviewed the conversation from the Ad-Hoc City Council Economic Revitalization Subcommittee and explained that the subcommittee had made no recommendation for City Council consideration regarding rental assistance. Mayor Hall returned to the meeting at 11:28 a.m. Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn declared a recess at 11:29 a.m. Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn reconvened the meeting at 11:35 a.m. April 27, 2021 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 3 3.OPTIONS FOR USE OF EXCESS GENERAL FUND RESERVE BALANCE — 1) Receive an update on compliance with the General Fund Reserve and Pension Funding Policies; and 2) Provide direction to city staff on the use of General Fund Reserves balances in excess of the 40% target required by the General Fund Reserve Policy. (Staff Contact: Laura Rocha and Ryan Green, Administrative Services Department) City Manager's Recommendation: Receive the update and provide direction to staff. Deputy City Manager of Administrative Services Laura Rocha and Finance Director Ryan Green presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). City Council received the update. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, for discussion, to fund the Infrastructure Replacement Fund with $3.5 million, the Pension Liability Fund with $6.9 million and leave the remainder in the General Fund for one time opportunities including City Council Goals. Substitute Motion by Council Member Schumacher, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to continue this item until hearing agenda Item No. 4. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. 4.FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 CITY COUNCIL GOALS WORK PLANS — 1) Adoption of a resolution approving the work plan and to achieve goal priority to "Engage the community through a citizens committee to create a new plan to manage growth in Carlsbad in a way that maintains an excellent quality of life" and appropriating funding for consulting services to assist in this effort; 2)Adoption of a resolution approving the Housing and Homeless Services work plan and necessary funding appropriations to help achieve the City Council's fiscal year 2021-22 priority goal of "Reducing the homeless unsheltered population, among those who want help, by 50 percent within five years."; 3)Adoption of a resolution approving the work plan to achieve the goal priority "Bring the Fire Department into conformance with Standards of Cover evaluation."; and 4)Adoption Resolution No. 2021-095 approving the work plan to achieve the goal priority "Conduct a facilitated City Council workshop to work on team building and City Council communication and an ethics ordinance to support the delivery of superior public service." (Staff contact: Jason Haber, City Manager Department) City Manager's Recommendation: Adopt the resolutions. Intergovernmental Affairs Director Jason Haber, Fire Chief Michael Calderwood, Deputy City Manager of Community Services Gary Barberio and Community Development Director Jeff Murphy presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). April 27, 2021 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 4 The following individuals called into the City Council Meeting and voiced their comment for the record: Kimmie Chatfield inquired about the homeless who are resisting help in Carlsbad and what solutions can be incorporated to solve the problem. Kelly Le Berthon asked that the City Council be cautious with the use of funds towards proven unsuccessful attempts to decrease homelessness. Jessica Mestler inquired about Project Hope and if they are housing early release prisoners in the hotel near her home. Ms. Mestler also inquired if the police department would be increasing patrols in the area as she no longer feels safe in her community. Tracy Carmichael expressed her approval of Council Goal No. 1 and her disapproval of Council Goal No. 2. Ms. Carmichael spoke of the unsafe environment that the homeless population is creating. Jean Walker expressed her concern with the homeless hotel voucher program. Mary Lucid spoke regarding the concerns of seniors at the Senior Center and asked for $1.5 million for safety features and for subsidies for providing more equipment. Ms. Lucid also requested that the City Council members attend Senior Commission meetings to hear the desires of the seniors. In response to Mayor Hall's inquiry, Chief Neil Gallucci explained that the problem on Avenida Encinas is not a homeless issue but a crime issue. Chief Gallucci went on to explain that the entire state is experiencing a seriously challenging social issue. Chief Gallucci explained that Carlsbad's goal is services first and then citations. Chief Gallucci added that if the resolution is approved, two more officers will be put in the field to assist with these issues. In response to Council Member Bhat-Patel's inquiry, Chief Gallucci explained that to his knowledge no one is being given a hotel voucher by probation or parole officers after being released from custody. Chief Gallucci added that officers are being dispatched to areas where there is increased crime. In response to Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn's inquiry, Project Manager Nelson explained that the hired contractor, as well as herself, will be onsite at the hotel to make sure rooms are being kept neat and clean, and no damage is taking place. In response to Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn's inquiry, City Attorney Celia Brewer explained that the city can uphold criminal violations which can be separate from homelessness. In response to Council Schumacher's inquiry, Chief Calderwood responded that an EMT is not a firefighter whereas all firefighters are paramedics, and that adding the EMTs would April 27, 2021 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 5 give the firefighters the chance to fight the large fires instead of acting as a paramedic when needed elsewhere. In response to Council Member Schumacher's inquiry, Chief Calderwood explained that the timing of bringing both ambulances online could be spread out since the hiring and training process is so time consuming. Chief Calderwood added that the fire department will be as flexible with timelines as the City Council needs them to be. In response to Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn's inquiry, Chief Calderwood agreed that the city is behind on the standard of cover. Chief Calderwood added that the city is behind by two years. Mayor Hall declared a recess at 2:53 p.m. Mayor Hall reconvened the meeting at 3:05 p.m. Discussion ensued regarding changing the language in the resolution from Council Contingency Fund to General Fund excess reserves. City Attorney Brewer explained that staff should correct the resolution and bring it back to Council at a future date. Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, directing staff to return with an amended resolution approving the work plan and reflecting the amended language use of General Fund excess reserves. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn requested discussion be heard regarding the delay of hiring two social workers and using one social worker from the County. Council Member Acosta expressed that she would like to wait to see what County programs unfold. Council Member Schumacher also expressed that she would also like to wait to see what the County can provide, and would also like to change hiring a benefits specialist. City Manager Chadwick added that the city could contract out that service, and explained that it would be determined if the position can be contracted out by the time the budget is presented. Mayor Hall requested the use of the FEMA program before using city funds for the voucher program. Deputy City Manager Barberio reminded the City Council that the FEMA program is reimbursable and the city would need to fund money up front to be reimbursed at a later date. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, directing staff to return with an amended resolution reflecting language that includes the postponement of hiring the two social workers, hiring an employment and benefits specialist April 27, 2021 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 6 for a two-year contract, and authorize the use of Reserve Fund expenditures. Motion carried, 4/1 (Hall — No). Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn and Council Member Schumacher expressed their preference for all paramedics instead of EMTs. Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to adopt the resolution approving the work plan to achieve the goal priority "Bring the Fire Department into conformance with Standards of Cover evaluation," as presented by staff. Council Member Schumacher asked for discussion as well as a different timeline that would stagger the ambulances. Substitute Motion by Council Member Schumacher, seconded by Council Member Acosta, directing staff to return with an amended resolution with a different timeline for acquiring ambulances and personnel to staff the ambulances. Motion carried, 3/2 (Blackburn, Bhat- Patel — No). Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to adopt Resolution No. 2021-095 approving the work plan to achieve the goal priority "Conduct a facilitated City Council workshop to work on team building and City Council communication and an ethics ordinance to support the delivery of superior public service." Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. Continuation of Item No. 3. 3. OPTIONS FOR USE OF EXCESS GENERAL FUND RESERVE BALANCE — 1) Receive an update on compliance with the General Fund Reserve and Pension Funding Policies; and 2) Provide direction to city staff on the use of General Fund Reserves balances in excess of the 40% target required by the General Fund Reserve Policy. (Staff Contact: Laura Rocha and Ryan Green, Administrative Services Department) At the Mayor's request, Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn restated his original motion to fund the Infrastructure Replacement Fund with $3.5 million, the Pension Liability Fund with $6.9 million and leave the remainder in the General Fund for one-time opportunities including City Council Goals. Council Member Bhat-Patel restated her second to the motion. Council Member Schumacher requested a brief recess for Finance Director Green and Fire Chief Calderwood to calculate the costs for the ambulances to be added. Mayor Hall declared a recess at 4:08 p.m. Mayor Hall reconvened the meeting at 4:20 p.m. Finance Director Green explained that the shifting of the two ambulances into a phased approach does not change the one-time cost for that component, it just phases it. Director April 27, 2021 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 7 Green explained that over the 6-year period costs would be $25.9 million instead of the originally presented $26.5 million, and the total one-time cost for FY 2021-22 would be $8.3 million instead of $9 million. Substitute Motion by Council Member Schumacher, seconded by Council Member Acosta, directing staff to allocate $10 million from the unassigned General Fund reserve balance to pay down existing pension liability to the California Public Employees Retirement System, transfer $3.5 million from the unassigned General Fund reserve balance to the Infrastructure Replacement Fund and assign $8.3 million from the unassigned General Fund reserve balance to the one-time costs associated with the City Council's FY 2021-22 goals. Motion passed, 3/2 (Hall, Blackburn — No). COUNCIL REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Mayor Hall and the City Council Members reported on activities and meetings of some committees and subcommittees of which they are members. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: None. CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS: None. CITY CLERK COMMENTS: None. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Hall adjourned the duly noticed meeting at 4:35 p.m. Tamara R. McMinn CPMC, CMC Senior Deputy City Clerk