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City businesses given bidding preference
By Wanda Castel de Oro — Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
 Bill Morris, of Wm L. Morris Chevrolet Fillmore, addressed Council Tuesday night, thanking it for considering larger businesses in its Local Small Business Resolution preference. Fillmore Senior Center In 1989 the City and Fillmore Senior Center entered in to a Lease and Service Agreement for the purpose of allowing the Center to operate a multipurpose senior citizens social services center at the facility. In 1995, the City and Center replaced the 1989 Lease with the current Fillmore Multipurpose Senior Center Use Agreement. The purpose of the new agreement was to more correctly define the duties and responsibilities of the parties for operation of the facility. Councilmember Steve Conaway recommended revising the 1995 agreement and bringing it back to Council. Who has authority over city employees was “murky” stated Conaway. He said he would like clarification on “who is responsible, who they report to and take direction from,” calling for “better language and clarity” in the “line of authority”. Councilmember Laurie Hernandez thanked the Board for a “great job” and asked who was responsible for seeking grants for the Center, and if they were in the process of pursuing any new ones. Community Services Supervisor Annette Cardona said she is responsible for seeking grants, specifically United Way ($10,000) and Area Agency on Aging grants (2010-$15,665, 2011-$20,000). Cardona stated that the Senior Nutrition grant “moves up and down based on utilization”. If numbers continue to rise they will receive more monies for the next year fiscal year; the grant is based upon the number of meals served at each meal site. This year, the Senior Nutrition Program grant received will be $15,665. Next year, they are scheduled to receive $20,000 for the Senior Nutrition Program, according to Cardona. That covers $15,665 for the Senior Nutrition Program, and $4,335 are for supplies needed for the nutrition program (floor mats, pot holders, hot carry bags, serving carts, etc.). No other grants are being pursued at this time, said Cardona. The city has provided $40,000 annually to the Center through the Fillmore Redevelopment Agency, 2008-2010. Mayor Patti Walker said Council “can’t turn a blind eye” to the Joint Powers Insurance Authority recommendation to revise and update the language of the 15-year old agreement. Councilmembers Gayle Washburn and Jamey Brooks thanked the volunteers who keep the Center’s programs operating. Several citizens took the opportunity to praise the Center for its advancement in the last two years, and renewed interest, under the direction of a new Board. Dave Roegner said, “The seniors really do love their senior center and it is a very needed social program for the city.” Alan Hair was a little blunter about the Centers progress. “It was a mess,” he said, adding that 18 months ago there were few programs available except the nutrition program, and attendance was dismal. “It was truly a grass roots program,” to bring the Center back to its former lively self, after several years of neglect. Hair said he counted attendees at the Center on Tuesday at 49, and that shows it is headed in the right direction. “Fillmore senior citizens are counting on you,” he told the Council. “Please, keep the support coming.” Board President Marie Wren updated council on Center programs, which include computer, yoga, art and Spanish lessons, and senior nutrition, including “the best salad bar in the county”. Wren also said the Center needs automatic doors, diningroom chairs, and new room dividers. Small Business Resolution Morris stressed that when a local business makes money, the city makes money in sales tax. “The program obviously wasn’t written for the car business. My understanding is that you are possibly changing it so it will work for the car business as well,” stated Morris. And Council did just that, questioning Morris about how many employees the car dealership retains and its yearly gross receipt. He estimated that the dealership has 50 employees, 60-70 in a good year, with an approximate $12 million annual gross, depending on the state of the economy. Brooks asked what the parameters were according to state law. City Attorney Ted Schneider said, “The definition is completely up to you.” Washburn said she thought the Resolution should read 100 employees as a parameter, a significant increase from the existing 10. Walker said 60 was fine with her, Brooks recommended that the Resolution state 70 as a compromise. The proposed “Small Local Business” Resolution also named an average annual gross receipt of $1 million or less over the preceding three years; that was changed to $17 million. Washburn also suggested changing the Resolution’s wording from maintaining principal business office “within the City’s geographic boundaries” to “93015”. Public Works Director Bert Rapp cautioned that the change could cause confusion with city and county partition of sales tax revenue. A trial period of three years was proposed, with a review at the 30 month mark. Council adopted the Resolution, 4-1, with Conaway voting No. He stated that although he is in complete support of local small business, “People want less government in their lives, not more. Open free market works.” Citizen Marcoz Hernandez asked if minority businesses and businesses owned by women would be given preferential treatment as well. Brooks said he felt it was enough to address “local small businesses right now”. 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