Minutes 2023 05-03CITY OF POWAY BUDGET REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
May 3, 2023
City Council Chambers 13325 Civic Center Drive, Poway, California
(Per Government Code 54953)
CALL TO ORDER Interim Director McDermott called the Regular Meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: John Couvrette, Andrew Cruz, Chris Pikus, Robert Polston (5:17 p.m.), Jared Wilson STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
City Manager Chris Hazeltine; Assistant City Manager Wendy Kaserman; Interim Director of Finance Tim McDermott; Director of Human Resources & Risk Management Jodene Dunphy; Director of Community Services Audrey Denham; Director of Public Works Eric Heidemann;
Director of Development Services Bob Manis; Fire Chief Jeff Chumbley; Sheriff’s Captain Nancy Blanco; Budget Review Committee Secretary Jenny Paglinawan
(Note: Hereinafter the title Secretary shall be used to indicate Senior Administrative
Assistant/Secretary) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Interim Director McDermott led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT None.
STAFF ITEMS 1. City Manager Welcome / Committee and City Staff Introductions
City Manager Hazeltine welcomed and thanked Committee members for their desire to serve. Committee members and staff made brief introductions.
Committee Member Polston arrived at this juncture 2. Budget Review Committee Mission and Charter (including Brown Act) Interim Director of Finance McDermott presented the item along with a slideshow presentation. He provided an overview of the Budget Review Committee Charter and the Brown Act, including the duties; basic meeting rules and requirements; and violations.
City of Poway – Minutes – May 3, 2023
Public Comment:
Torrey Powers requested the removal of Committee Member Jared Wilson from the Budget
Review Committee due to potential conflict of interest.
End of Public Comment. In response to the Public Comment, City Manager Hazeltine stated that the City’s Attorney
confirmed there is no conflict of interest. This was an informational item. No action was taken. 3. Selection of Committee Chair and Vice Chair
Public Comment:
None.
End of Public Comment. Committee Member Pikus nominated Committee Member Couvrette for Chair.
Motioned by Committee Member Pikus, seconded by Committee Member Polston to select Committee Member Couvrette as Chair of the Budget Review Committee. Motion carried 5/0 by the following vote:
Ayes: Couvrette, Cruz, Pikus, Polston, Wilson Noes: None Abstained: None Chair Couvrette nominated Committee Member Pikus for Vice Chair. Motioned by Chair Couvrette, seconded by Committee Member Polston to select Committee
Member Pikus as Vice Chair of the Budget Review Committee. Motion carried 5/0 by the following vote:
Ayes: Couvrette, Cruz, Pikus, Polston, Wilson Noes: None Abstained: None
Interim Director McDermott provided newly appointed Chair Couvrette with a meeting script to assist in presiding over the meeting. 4. Budget Process Overview
Interim Director McDermott presented the item along with a slideshow presentation. In response to Committee inquiry, Assistant City Manager Kaserman responded Committee recommendations from prior years are available online and will be provided to the Committee.
City of Poway – Minutes – May 3, 2023
Public Comment:
None.
End of Public Comment.
This was an informational item. No action was taken. 5. Overview of Departments Interim Director McDermott introduced the item along with a slideshow presentation. Staff described their departments’ organization, broad functions, and major workplans. Assistant City Manager Kaserman described the organization and major initiatives and workplans for the Legislative & Administrative Department. In response to Committee inquiry, Assistant City Manager Kaserman responded the vacant Management Analyst position is kept as a budgeted
position to potentially fund in the future if there is a demonstrated need. Interim Director McDermott described the organization and major initiatives and workplans of the
Finance Department. Director Dunphy described the organization and major initiatives and workplans for the Human
Resources & Risk Management Department. In response to Committee inquiries, Director Dunphy responded there are currently several vacancies throughout the City; she noted recruiting is challenging for all positions right now as Poway competes with other agencies, as well as the
private sector for certain positions. An analyst is dedicated to running recruitments, with two technicians providing support. City Manager Hazeltine added the City takes hiring seriously and is deliberate and thoughtful in finding the right fit for Poway. Director Denham described the organization and major initiatives and workplans for the Community Services Department. In response to Committee inquiry, Director Denham stated the City has faced challenges bringing some volunteers back following the pandemic. The City has considered holding a volunteer fair. She stated she would speak more with Chair Couvrette on connecting with volunteers through the Poway Chamber of Commerce, as well as the process for making reservations for the older adult meal program.
Director Manis described the organization and major initiatives and workplans for the Development Services Department. In response to Committee inquiries, Director Manis responded to questions regarding Section 8 housing vouchers, grading, code compliance, and
unfunded State mandates regarding stormwater requirements. In response to Committee inquiry, City Manager Hazeltine responded the City does not participate in Project Labor Agreements (PLA) for capital projects and this does not result in the City losing State funding.
Director Heidemann described the organization and major initiatives and workplans for the Public Works Department. In response to Committee inquiry, Director Heidemann provided clarifying
information regarding the Water Infrastructure Improvement Program. In response to further Committee inquiry, Director Heidemann explained the California Advanced Clean Fleet regulations taking effect January 1, 2024. This unfunded State mandate will impact the City’s capital replacement program and there are not yet electric options for much of the City’s fleet. Director Heidemann clarified the work that will be done as part of the Hazardous Tree Removal Project. Director Chumbley described the organization and major initiatives and workplans for the Fire
Department. In response to Committee Inquiry, he stated the City receives helicopter services
City of Poway – Minutes – May 3, 2023
from the San Diego Fire Department. He also confirmed there are no plans for a reserve ladder truck, however, it will be several years before the City takes delivery of the new ladder truck
ordered earlier this year. Sheriff’s Captain Blanco described the organization and major initiatives and workplans for the
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Poway Station. Discussion ensued regarding License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras, including how they operate and will be used. Assistant City Manager Kaserman stated funding for the cameras is included in the Budget and the City is
currently waiting for the County to execute contracts with the vendor. City Manager Hazeltine added the concept of LPR cameras was introduced with the Safe Poway program as a pilot program. Staff requested, and the City Council approved, additional funding for LPR cameras outside of the cameras the County Sheriff’s Department is providing as part of the Safe Poway program. In response to Committee inquiry regardless the homeless population in Poway, Sheriff’s Captain Blanco described the Department’s efforts to continually educate and offer volunteer services to the homeless. She added it can be challenging when homeless persons do not want to accept assistance. Sheriff’s Captain Blanco also addressed questions regarding traffic
enforcement in Poway. In response to Committee request, staff will provide the Committee with an electronic copy of the
presentation slideshow. Public Comment:
None.
End of Public Comment. This was an informational item. No action was taken. CITY MANAGER ITEMS City Manager Hazeltine expressed how proud he is to be City Manager of Poway and the pride he feels hearing the department directors give their presentations and talk about the work their
departments do to serve the residents of Poway on a daily basis. He added that what was presented is the bulk of what the budget supports; the City only budgets for what it needs and there is not much room for extra items. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Couvrette adjourned the Regular meeting at 7:32 p.m.
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Jenny Paglinawan
Budget Review Committee Secretary City of Poway, California