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Council Unanimously Passes 2017 City Budget

Discussion centers around “overhires” for police department; Kennedy and McAustin tangle

Published on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 | 5:07 am
 

[Editor’s Note:  This story originally reported that 6% of revenues from the City’s water fund would be added to the city’s general fund. City spokesperson William Boyer said Tuesday that information is not correct and that no transfer from the water fund has gone to the general fund since 2010. The story below has been corrected.]

 

The Pasadena City Council Monday evening unanimously passed what Mayor Terry Tornek described as a “hair’s breadth, break-even budget” for the new fiscal year ending in 2017.

The total budget appropriations for 2017 will be $835.9 million, which includes an operating budget of $714.2 million, Capital Improvement Programs appropriations of $64.6 million, and appropriations of $57.1 million for the city’s three operating companies: the Rose Bowl Operating Company, Pasadena Center Operating Company and Pasadena Community Access Corporation.

The total budget surplus for 2016-2017 is $14,187, 150. The proposed five-year forecast is less optimistic, with a $7.6 million deficit projection in 2018, which increases incrementally to a $12 million deficit in fiscal year 2021.

The new budget, according to Interim City Manager Steve Mermell, will add $50,000 for minimum wage outreach, an additional $95,000 from the Cultural Trust Fund for the city’s rotating art program, as well as add one new full-time employee for Villa Park.

An additional 8% of revenues from the city’s power fund will be added to the general fund.

The new budget also authorizes ten more “unfunded” full time employees to the city’s police department as “overhires.”

Mermell, in his presentation said the budget was “status quo at the moment. It covers programs and services, competitive pay and benefits, as well as a financial plan with sufficient reserves to address downturns.”

With the city facing shrinking revenues, Mermell also recommended that the city modify its Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) sharing arrangement with Pasadena Center Operating company in order to increase revenues. The city should also do a cost recovery study and cost allocation plan, as well as conduct a citizen survey to perhaps create a new revenue measure, he said.

Mermell told the council that the City should examine its operations to look for “less expensive ways” to do business and offer service, and perhaps decide that there are “services that the city can no longer offer.”

Mermell also recommended the possibility of looking at other outside agencies to fulfill city services.

Much of Monday evenings’ discussion centered around the idea of properly staffing the police department.

Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez, responding to Councilmember John Kennedy’s questions, told the Council that the city currently has 239 full time police officers. According to Sanchez, that figures out to 1.7 officers per thousand residents, which is the recommended staffing level approved by the FBI.

Pressed on the ideal number of full-time officers needed, Sanchez, said “250 would get us there,” and added that the FBI count doesn’t necessarily account for major cases where a larger number of officers are required at any given time. Sanchez also noted that there are currently 19 officers on the force who are headed for retirement.

Mayor Tornek suggested that the number of officers be left at 239, and the ten unfunded officers remain in the budget with an ultimate goal of 250, as the budget suggested.

Kennedy then said that the City Council’s Public Safety Committee should initiate the police staffing discussion, “but it has not been done. I am supportive of 239, but let’s have a discussion in the committee structure.”

Councilmember Margaret McAustin, after inquiring of Sanchez how long it takes to actually have a new officer on the street, (18 months from scratch; lateral officers take 4-6 months), said she was supportive of the Police Chief’s recommendation for 250 officers on the force ultimately. She then suggested that the “250 officers” discussion be taken off the table, and said that, “the discussion… should begin with the Police Chief and the City Manager, and they should bring that to the Council. It’s not up to the Public Safety Committee to direct the Police Chief on how to hire.”

Kennedy interjected, saying to McAustin, “We don’t direct the Police Chief to do anything, and you know that, so don’t be dishonest intellectually. You know that, and you’re being dishonest.”

“Mr. Kennedy, please don’t raise your voice at me,” said McAustin. “ I find it very threatening when you speak to me like that. My point is, Mr. Mayor…”

Kennedy interjected again, saying, “For the record, I am not threatening you. I have a right to raise my voice, and this is not a threat, and I take that as offensive.”

As Mayor Tornek calmed both Councilmembers, McAustin once again reiterated that it was her view that police staffing and hiring decisions should begin with the Police Chief and the City Manager.

Councilmember Victor Gordo also weighed in, saying that the police numbers in Pasadena represent “average” numbers, but he would like to come back to the discussion at some point later, since “residents deserve more than just average numbers.” Gordo also suggested that the police and city look at the issue of retention with regard to police officers in the city.

Councilmember Tyron Hampton said he agrees with the staffing numbers, but “I would like to see more residential officers, not just in commercial areas.” Hampton also said he thinks the Public Safety Committee should have a voice in police hiring.

The budget was passed unanimously with an an additional amended motion to revisit the goal of a 250-officer police force.

Following the vote, Tornek reflected on the budget itself, and on the public speakers, all of whom criticized the Council and the police.

Addressing the public comments, Mayor Tornek said, “They’ve conveyed one narrow view, which is not reflective of how the rest of the city feels, and there were lots of unfair and inappropriate comments.”

Referring back to the budget, he said to the council, “This is a challenge, but I do support the budget as it has been submitted. I think that most of you have sat through most of the meetings, and that is unprecedented, the level of participation.

“These meetings are not fun, and there are very few citizens involved,” he continued, “because they are not fascinating as we walk through them. There are very few things that we get to control directly, and this is one of them. So, we’ve taken this process very seriously. I think this is a good budget; (though) I know it’s a little scary in terms of what the future holds in store.”

 

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