pages: CityCouncil/2013-09-17.pdf, 9
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CityCouncil | 2013-09-17 | 9 | Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the City would accept the School District establishing a financing source other than the City, to which the Recreation Director responded in the affirmative. In response to Councilmember Tam's inquiry regarding School District project requirements, the Recreation Director stated any project on School District property or funded by the School District must be approved by the Department of State Architects (DSA); the requirement was previously known as the Field Act, which is specific to earthquake readiness; DSA standards require a longer, more extensive review period; the higher construction standards might increase costs. Councilmember Tam stated a lot of work has been done during the last 6 months; commend staff for reaching agreement on the design, compliance and cost; stated that she has fundamental questions about the best and highest use of City funds; the City just refinanced bonds to pursue saving $3 million to pay for an Emergency Operations Center (EOC); the proposal is to loan $1.15 million to the School District; the funds would come out of the City's equipment replacement fund; the City has been discussing Fire Station 3, which is in need of a seismic retrofit; inquired whether equipment funds could be used for said facility. The Finance Director responded the equipment replacement fund year-end balance is approximately $3 million; the EOC would have wiped out the whole balance; staff searched for a fund that is technically unrestricted and would not impact the General Fund; the fund would lower by $1 million, but over $2 million would remain in the fund after the loan. Councilmember Tam stated the Council approved the purchase of replacement Police Department vehicles; the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant was used since there was not enough in the equipment replacement fund; the COPS grant could have been used for other Police programs; inquired whether the $1.15 million could have been used instead of the COPS grant. The Finance Director responded in the affirmative; stated cities typically use the COPS grant for one time purchases. Councilmember Tam noted the COPS grant could have been used for the license plate readers; stated the City has had many budget discussions; a speaker tonight discussed the need for additional funds to implement the smoking ordinance; inquired why staff believes the pool is the best and highest use of the funds. The Finance Director responded the School District has three options: a bond issuance, a private loan or the City loan. The City Manager stated after two years of discussion, the School District has indicated a project amount has finally been determined; in June 2012, the Council directed staff to continue the Joint Use Agreement for only one more year; this June, the Agreement Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 4 September 17, 2013 | CityCouncil/2013-09-17.pdf |