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Budget Analyst Drew Corbett presented the staff report. Analyst Corbett clarified that the budget supplement for Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) online filings has been reduced because the additional estimate for transferring hard copies of FPPC forms to the Web has been reduced to the point where it can likely be absorbed within the existing operational budget. Staff’s original estimate did not take into account that 80 percent of the filers are now likely to file online, thereby reducing the number of hard-copy forms that would need to be scanned.
Councilmember Moylan inquired as to how other cities deal with the issue of a two-year cycle of funding for outside groups having a drop in funding occur in the middle of the cycle. Director Hom stated that many cities have the same issue because the deadline for adopting Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) plans does not coincide with when cities adopt their budgets. Director Hom stated cities deal with this issue in various ways, and one method would be to require that staff allocate the maximum funds for outside funding at the beginning of the fiscal year. Once the amount of CDBG funds is announced in December or January, there would then be a precise amount of combined CDBG and General Funds to allocate. Other cities determine the amount of General Funds that are needed to supplement any reduction in CDBG funds, once they determine how much CDBG allocation will be received. Director Hom explained this issue was the number one study issue ranked by Council and staff will be studying the entire process and returning to Council with a recommendation before the next outside group funding cycle begins.
Public hearing opened at 7:28 p.m.
Amit Srivastava, a neighborhood association president, spoke about the benefits of neighborhood association grant funding. Srivastava stated the number of associations applying for this funding has increased since the program began. Srivastava explained that neighborhood associations are a vital resource to the community and urged Council to plan for future increases in funding for associations because as the City continues to grow, so will the associations.
Craig Horne, member of Cool Cities Team, spoke in support of the City’s plan to conduct a community carbon inventory funded with grant money. Horne stated that members of the Cool Cities Team were encouraged by the City’s effort to find a way to include Sunnyvale’s first sustainability coordinator in the proposed budget. Horne stated the members of Cool Cities appreciate the creative thinking of the city manager in attempting to find a way to fund a full-time coordinator position by sharing the position with another city. Horne urged Council to support staff’s recommendation to fund the part-time sustainability coordinator position and then share the position with another city in order to make the position full-time.
Pat Plant, Chair of the Housing and Human Services Commission, encouraged Council to fill the shortfall in funding for the community service agencies. Plant stated the agreement with these groups was for a two-year commitment. Plant stated that the commission is requesting that that City make up the difference for this year’s CDBG funding shortfall in the amount of $53,182. Plant stated the commission discussed reducing the allotment but agreed that would be unfair because these are fairly low-budget groups who have made plans based on the funding that was promised to them by the City.
Director Hom clarified that when the two-year program was approved, it was not necessarily for a two-year commitment of funding, as agreements were signed for only one year. Director Hom stated the second year of funding was dependent on the CDBG allocation.
Councilmember Swegles verified with City Manager Chan that at the February 1, 2008, Study Issues and Budget Issues Workshop, Council requested staff combine the $100,000 for outside group funding into the service level set-aside fund, which brought the fund to an approximate total of $610,000. City Manager Chan explained that the city manager’s recommended budget supplements for the coming year used all of the allocation. City Manager Chan explained that if Council moves forward in approving the recommended supplements, then Council may want to cut some low-priority services or choose to increase revenue by increasing fees.
Sharon Davis, President of the Board of Directors for Sunnyvale Community Services, requested Council approve funding equal to last year’s allocation. Davis spoke of the benefits of Sunnyvale Community Services and the continued need within the community for their services.
Nancy Tivol, Executive Director of Sunnyvale Community Services, explained that most funding cycles are for two years. Tivol spoke of the negative impact a cut in funding would create. Tivol supported having the study issue on outside funding address multi-year funding for a multi-year funding process.
Paul Wysocki, Interim Executive Director of the Housing Trust of Santa Clara Valley, thanked the City of Sunnyvale for its previous support. Wysocki provided an explanation on how the organization has used the funds received.
Jim Griffith, Chair of the Board of Library Trustees, stated the board unanimously voted to support approval of budget supplements 5 and 6 for the Library. Griffith spoke of the benefits of having a materials handing system and eliminating the reserve fee.
Elaine Curran, President of Junior Achievement of Silicon Valley and Monterey Bay, requested Council’s continued support. Curran spoke of the benefits of Junior Achievement.
John Donovan explained his involvement with Junior Achievement as a volunteer. Donovan explained his experience has been very rewarding. Donovan stated this is a worthwhile cause and requested Council’s support.
Ann Marquart, Executive Director for Project Sentinel, spoke about the benefits that Project Sentinel provides to the community with respect to fair housing services. Marquart requested Council reinstate the projected 30 percent cut for this organization.
Public hearing closed at 8:01 p.m.
Director Hom stated he wished to forward an additional recommendation from the Housing and Human Services Commission. Director Hom explained that the commission reviewed the housing related portions of the recommended budget and recommended approval of budget supplement 19. Director Hom stated the vote was five to four, in favor of granting $45,000 to the Santa Clara Valley Blind Center, with the stipulation that it would be on a one-time basis and would not be repeated. Director Hom stated the commission stated their decision was in consideration that the agency may not have been aware that money could not be moved between funds. The dissenting opinion was concerned with setting a precedent in the allocation of monies for social service, given that other agencies had to go through a precise process for allocation of funds.
Vice Mayor Hamilton verified the Housing and Human Services Commission has recommended the entire $45,000 for the Blind Center come from the General Fund, and not go through the normal process.
Vice Mayor Hamilton stated if the budget supplement regarding placing FPPC forms online passes, she would like to sponsor a study issue to explore adopting an ordinance requiring that all filings are online. Councilmember Whittum stated he would co-sponsor the study issue. Vice Mayor Hamilton stated it would be dependent on whether the budget supplement passes next week. City Manager Chan explained sponsoring a study issue would not require a motion and could be requested at anytime.
Vice Mayor Hamilton questioned if this would need to be a study issue, or would it be more of an operational matter. City Manager Chan stated this would not require a study issue, but staff would need to research as to whether there are state guidelines. Vice Mayor Hamilton stated she will go ahead and sponsor a study issue, contingent on the budget supplement passing. City Manager Chan stated if there are not any state guidelines, then staff will not move forward on the study issue and instead will handle this administratively. City Manager Chan explained that staff will return to Council with further information. Vice Mayor Hamilton stated the staff report indicates that there is not a requirement for filers to file their forms online without having an ordinance. Vice Mayor Hamilton acknowledged Councilmember Whittum will co-sponsor this study issue.
City Attorney Kahn explained that a requirement does exist for FPPC form 700 (Statement of Economic Interest) for a hard copy to be on file with the City Clerk, which is an addition to filing online. City Attorney Kahn explained that an ordinance can exist for online filing of the FPPC form 460 (Campaign Disclosure Form); however, for the FPPC form 700, the city clerk would still need a hard copy. City Clerk Gail Borkowski explained that any electronically-filed FPPC forms would require that the filer submit an original hard copy to the Office of the City Clerk, regardless if it has already been filed online.
Councilmember Howe inquired as to what Project Sentinel received last year for funding, and where did those funds come from. Director Hom stated the funding for Project Sentinel is through CDBG funds; but instead of the public service portion of CDBG, the funding is within the administrative services portion. Director Hom explained that Project Sentinel’s funding is allocated from the administrative services portion, which has been reduced. Director Hom explained that the recommendation is to reduce Project Sentinel’s funding from $30,000 to $20,000. Should Council approve restoring the original funding of $30,000, then the additional funds would need to come out of the General Fund. Councilmember Howe verified with Director Hom that reallocating the administrative CDBG funds would be another way to cover the funding shortage for Project Sentinel.
Actions: Council conducted a public hearing to meet the legal requirements of the City Charter, the California Constitution and the California Government Code; and
Council did not provide any direction to staff on any issue requiring further review prior to the budget adoption on June 10, 2008.
Councilmember Whittum asked the mayor, “Normally when does Council have a, is it the next hearing that Council discusses adding and subtracting from the budget and so forth. “ Mayor Spitaleri stated “that is correct, tonight is just for public input.”
No formal action was required or taken by Council.
Mayor Spitaleri thanked those who spoke for sharing information and speaking on behalf of various programs.
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