HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022_05_25 - SpecialMINUTES
Special meeting of the City Council of the City of Redlands held in the Council Chambers, Civic Center, 35
Cajon Street, on May 25, 2022 at 5 00 P M
Present
Staff
Paul Banch, Mayor
Eddie Tejeda, Mayor Pro Tempore
Denise Davis, Council Member
Jenna Guzman -Lowery, Council Member
Mick Gallagher, Council Member
Charles M Duggan, Jr , City Manager, Yvette M Abich Garcia, City Attorney, Jeanne
Donaldson, City Clerk, Janice McConnell, Assistant City Manager, Chris Boatman,
Assistant City Manager, Carl Baker, Public Information Officer, Chris Catren, Police Chief,
Danielle Garcia, Management Services/Finance Director, Brian Desatnik, Development
Services Director, John Harris, Municipal Utilities and Engineering Director, Rich Sessler,
Fire Chief, Don McCue, Library Director, James Garland, Assistant Finance Direct
Mayor Barch called the meeting to order and announced this was conducted as a teleconference
meeting in the City Council Chambers, Civic Center, 35 Cajon Street, Redlands, California
Council Member Guzman -Lowery was present via teleconferencing and all votes during the
meeting were conducted by roll call The Mayor explained that comments could be presented
in -person, via Zoom, via cell phone or landline He offered the public an opportunity to address
them on any subject within the jurisdiction of the City Council, which is not already scheduled
on the agenda
PUBLIC COMMENT
Various Concerns - Dennis Bell said the ANCA presentation during the last Council Meeting
encouraged everyone to plant trees to help blunt the heat effects of climate change, but he was
concerned that people would plant trees that were not suited for this area He suggested the
City update the guidelines for landscape palettes recommended in the City to reflect the
current and future realities of climate change He thought the City didn't need any more citrus
groves, and he wondered if the City should continue holding the Saturday Morning Market
because it seemed to him that only half the vendors were showing up for the event
NEW BUSINESS
Fourth of July Celebration
Assistant City Manager Boatman offered background on the request from the Redlands 4th of
July Committee for an expenditure of $30,000 and a request for in -kind support related to the
fireworks show and 4th of July activities On May 3, 2022 the Council considered the
expenditure and, at the time, directed staff to provide alternative locations for the event, along
with more detail concerning the overall costs Staff researched the site viability of Redlands
High School and University of Redlands, but it was determined that neither one would be able
Special CC_May 25, 2022
Page 1
to accommodate this year's event He added that financial support of this event serves as a
public benefit by drawing visitors into the City, encouraging tourism and economic benefits as
well as generating goodwill with the Redlands community
Tim Murone, representing the 4th of July Committee, explained the University and the
Committee were open to discussing the fireworks show at the University for next year with the
City's continued support He added the artificial turf at Citrus Valley High School prevented
this location as a reasonable option In -field seating will be offered at Moore, entrance tickets
will be sold in advance and at the gate, continuing the tradition Council Members raised
questions and concerns including, the possibility of selecting a different firework's vendor, one
that might consider holding the event at the Sports Park, the value of the fireworks show as a
means to deter the use of illegal fireworks, parking and viewing spots and the real
environmental impacts experienced by the human and animal population Mayor Pro Tem
Tejeda suggested that the City may need to step up their involvement since currently, the event
relies solely on volunteers
On motion of Mayor Pro Tempore Eddie Tejeda, seconded by Council Member Mick Gallagher,
the City Council unanimously determined, by roll call vote, that approval of the closure of E
Colton Avenue, Chapel Street, Stillman Avenue, E High Avenue, Division Street, and 5th
Avenue, and the Redlands 4th of July event, are all categorically exempt from environmental
review pursuant to Sections 15301(c) and 15323 of the state's guidelines implementing the
California Environmental Quality Act, authorized the temporary closure of E Colton Ave ,
Chapel St , Stillman Ave , E High Ave , Division St , and 5th Ave , determined that the
provision of $30,000 to the Redlands 4th of July Committee for support of the 2022 4th of July
Celebration event serves a public benefit because it promotes economic development and
tourism within the City by attracting visitors from surrounding communities to participate in the
event, provides a recreational activity that can be viewed by all residents, and goodwill within
the community, approved an additional appropriation in the amount of $30,000 and in -kind
support of City resources in the amount of $29,966, and authorized the sale and consumption
of alcoholic beverages during the event at Sylvan Park
Vote 5 - 0 Passed
FISCAL YEARS 2022-2024 BUDGET WORKSHOP
Proposed Budget Overview
City Manager Duggan and Management Services/ Finance Director Garcia summarized the
Proposed Fiscal Year 2022-24 Budgets An overview of FY 2021-22 showed that the economy
as a whole saw a significant turn towards pre -pandemic normalcy and was on a general path of
recovery The City's two main sources of General Fund revenue sales and property tax have
contributed positively and the passage of Measure T and the favorable reallocation of
point -of -sale Amazon warehouse sales tax have also bolstered the sales tax revenue stream
even further Expenditure highlights included Restored staffing for Police, Fire, Library &
Facilities & Community Services, Restored capital equipment leases, Service Enhancements in
police & fire, Tree trimming 25% of the City's urban forest, 3 replacement fire engine
purchases, Acquired 300 East State Street as future City Hall, and Acquired future site for
Redlands Police Department offices
The financial outlook for the General Fund was expected to end the fiscal year at June 30,
Special CC_May 25, 2022
Page 2
2023 and 2024 with revenues and expenditures balanced The Proposed Budgets provided for
pandemic -related cuts to be fully reversed, with the addition of new staffing and enhanced
service delivery The Budgets included funding for Major capital improvement projects,
Homelessness Solutions, Deferred maintenance needs of public buildings and infrastructure,
Public safety facilities, vehicles, equipment, & technology, and Establishing reserve funds
designated for future planning efforts
Forecasted revenue for FY 2023 was presented Highlights included the projection that the
local and regional economy will be bolstered by strong consumer demand, Sales Tax was
anticipated to be steady, but slower than the recovery following the COVID-19 recession,
Property Tax growth of 4 1% in assessed value, but it was added that inflation and interest
rates will remain a concern Debt financing in FY 2023 was scheduled to fund the Renovation
of former Kmart site into new Safety Hall, Construction of two new fire stations, Relocation
of a third fire station, Purchase three fire apparatus / engines Other Major Capital Spending
was represented in a State Infrastructure Grant match for Library renovations, Downtown
Event & Gateway Improvements, a Remodel of the City's Emergency Operations Center, and
Traffic & Parking Improvements
An overview of FY 2024 Revenue Assumptions was reviewed showing that local and regional
economic growth begins to slow as a result of slowing consumer demand, rising interest rates,
Sales Tax projected to be steady, but slower growth anticipated, Property Tax expected to
show a healthy growth of 6 8% in assessed value, due to new construction and CPI
adjustments Expenditure details included Enhanced public safety service levels, Service
Enhancements and Capital and Maintenance spending and projected Measure T funds for FY
2023 and 2024 were detailed
Following the overview, department heads discussed their FY 2022-2023 budgeted revenues
and expenditures requests and responded to several questions from the Council The City
Council will continue its discussion of the proposed budget at its regular meeting of June 7,
2022 with possible adoption and if needed, continued budget discussion and adoption at its
regular meeting of June 21, 2022
As public comment, Dennis Bell complimented staff for their hard work on the budget, but he
suggested certain details were missing, especially regarding in -kind requests and the future
expenses associated with the Museum He urged for more accountability and transparency with
these matters, and he thought the Budget painted too rosy of a financial picture
Each Council Member praised staff and expressed their appreciation of the effort put towards
the Proposed Budget
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further action required the special meeting adjourned at 7 48 P M
Special CC_May 25, 2022
Page 3