CC 01-09-04~OF
cUPEI TINO
APPROVED MINUTES
CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL
Regular Adjourned Meeting
Friday, January 9, 2004
CALL TO ORDER
At 12:40 p.m. Mayor James called the meeting to order in the Blackberry Farm Retreat Center,
21975 San Femando Ave., Cupertino, California.
ROLL CALL
City Council members present: Mayor Sandra James, Vice-Mayor Patrick Kwok, and Council
members Richard Lowenthal, Dolly Sandoval, and Kris Wang. Council members absent: none.
Staff present: City Manager David Knapp, Deputy City Attorney Eileen Murray, Finance
Manager Carol Augustine, Human Resources Manager Sandy Abe, Public Works Director Ralph
Qualls, Community Development Director Steve Piasecki, Parks and Recreation Director
Therese Smith, Public Information Officer Rick Kitson, City Clerk Kimberly Smith, and City
Manager's Secretary Linda Lagergren.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None
GOAL SETTING WORK SESSION
A. Budget Review
City Manager David Knapp gave an overview of the budget and explained that $3 million
of the City's $30 million budget has already been cut over the last 18 months, and it is
necessary to cut at least another $3 million. He said he still hopes to avoid layoffs and
keep service levels high.
Finance Manager Carol Augustine summarized the city's fiscal condition at this time, and
explained that this is the third year of an economic downturn and the projected shortfall
for this budget is $3.2 million. She reviewed a chart that illustrated the revenue gap
created by the state withholding of Vehicle License Fees (VLF) that the state will not pay
to the city until 2006. She said that staff identified $1.6 million in potential cuts. Knapp
said that staff would recommend making up with $3.2 million shortfall with half of the
money from the reserves and half from budget cuts and new revenues.
January 9, 2004 Cupertino City Council Page 2
Augustine reviewed the 8 personnel positions that had been held vacant, totaling
$348,000 in this current year. She also highlighted other cuts, most of which were
maintenance-related costs as well as out-of-pocket expenses for festivals, totaling
$619,000. She said that possible cuts to capital costs totaled $615,000, and included the
Sk8 park, sidewalk gaps, traffic calming, Memorial Park ball field, and traffic signal
upgrades.
Functional organizational chart
David Knapp reviewed the organizational chart and explained the selective hiring freeze
that has been in place. He said that the City is very lean, and is probably in the bottom
10% of cities in terms of the number of staff positions to city population.
Goals status report
David Knapp reviewed the current status of the city Council Goals.
During the City Council discussion, the following suggestions were made:
2.
3.
4.
10.
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12.
Get a current appraisal and sell excess real estate
Provide a cost analysis on Parks and Recreation programs
Reduce city-funded library hours
Provide a copy of the community-wide survey questions before the survey is
finalized
Review activities of the 5C's and possibly propose some new projects
At the Jan. 20 meeting, discuss the feasibility of providing Fourth of July
fireworks, and announce the decision at the State of the City address
Assign staff or hire a specialist in economic development; arrange for a City
Council study session in February
Pay particular attention to Collins School access (walkability, safety, etc.)
Receive updated presentation on student population statistics from Fremont Union
High School and invite the Cupertino Union School District to participate.
Add a Parks component to the 2004 Goals, which would address the need for a
park in the Rancho Rinconada area and programming for Blackberry Farm
Delay any changes in financial operations at Blackberry Farm at this time
Investigate feasibility of increasing city's share of property tax dollars by
changing the amount shared with the county.
Master calendar
Public Information Officer Rick Kitson explained that the newly-developed calendar is
available to the Council members in the Outlook program on the city hall mail system,
and it will be updated as necessary so members can see at a glance the meetings and
major events planned throughout the year.
January 9, 2004 Cupertino City Council Page 3
E. Discuss and prioritize goals
The Council members identified their top priorities among the goals:
Richard Lowenthal - retail health
Dolly Sandoval - parks
Patrick Kwok - open space, quality of life, education, smart growth, and communication.
Kris Wang - economic development and library
Sandra James - economic development, capital improvement projects, General Plan, and
a cohesive City Council.
F. Stevens Creek Trail Alignment walk
From 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., the City Council toured the proposed alignment of the
Stevens Creek Trail, including the east and west banks of the creek through Blackberry
Farm picnic grounds. Consultant Janna Sokale led the walk.
ADJOURNMENT
At 4:45 p.m., the City Council adjourned to Monday, January 12 at 6:00 p.m. for Commission
interviews, City Hall Conference Room A, 10300 Torre Avenue.
Kimbefly Smit~ity Clerk
For more information: Staff reports, backup materials, and items distributed at the meeting are
available for review at the City Clerk's Office, 777-3223, and also on the Intemet at
www.cupertino.org. Click on Agendas & Minutes/City Council/Packets.
Most Council meetings are shown live on Cable Channel 26, and are available at your
convenience from our web site. Visit www.cupertino.org and click on Watch Meetings.
Videotapes are available at the Cupertino Library, or may be purchased from the Cupertino City
Channel, 777-2364.