pages: CityCouncil/2017-03-21.pdf, 16
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CityCouncil | 2017-03-21 | 16 | Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether there is a process in the budget to allocate funds for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), to which the Interim Public Works Director responded in the affirmative. The Finance Director concluded the presentation. In response to Mayor Spencer's inquiry, the Finance Director stated the Utility Users Tax (UUT) revenue is not significant enough to put it in a higher bracket. Mayor Spencer stated the analysis of the UUT impacts should have been included; Council needs to plan for the impacts. Councilmember Matarrese stated that he is ready to adopt the proposed mid-year budget; he is mindful of the comments that anticipated basic costs were not included in the budget; the positioning of allocations against future projects is appropriate. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft concurred with Councilmember Matarrese; stated she is not pleased with the EOC cost; she is heartened by lessons learned across the departments; people need to remember the importance of public safety; she is extremely proud of the Police Department which is a model of forward-thinking policing; giving the Police Department adequate lockers lets them know they are valued; she is prepared to support the mid-year budget. Vice Mayor Vella stated the City could always do better; utilizing new department heads and gaining internal knowledge for all projects is important; updating lockers for the women in the Police Department is crucial; she supports the budget amendment. Councilmember Oddie stated that he is disappointed the EOC project came back three times requesting more money; there are lessons learned; the Police and Fire budgets are taking an extraordinary hit; he does not want people to lose site that public safety is bearing the brunt of the overages; he supports the mid-year budget amendments. Mayor Spencer stated that she will not support the amendments; she is concerned there is no analysis on the UUT; a two-part process would have been better; she is also concerned there is no dollar amount for one-third of CIP projects; a long term plan is needed; the policy is that any new expenditure is extraordinary; funds should be spread over all the departments; the public did not have a chance to weigh-in on the budget adjustments. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated the public does have a chance to weigh in; the agenda goes out 12 days before the meeting; there were no public speakers on the item; there was the same opportunity for public input as there were for the other items on the agenda which had several public speakers. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council March 21, 2017 | CityCouncil/2017-03-21.pdf |