The June 21, 2011 Fillmore City Council Meeting/Budget Workshop was the third of four meetings planned to address Fillmore’s $1.9 million General Fund shortfall. As a solution to help lower some expenses City Manager Yvonne Quiring suggested having some services contracted out and hours for other services cut. Some hard choices will have to be made.

Council Member Steve Conaway suggested that with the cut of the Gang Officer the Council should consider looking at the cost of maintaining the North Fillmore Storefront. The Storefront has one employee, Max Pina, whose part time pay is $23,393. The Council acknowledged that Pina does far more than most people know; he does all the cleaning and maintaining of the building. Conaway stated, “He’s been tremendous asset” but that the Council has a fiduciary position to look at everything. Mayor Gayle Washburn added she was not in favor of cutting the Storefront but maybe some of the hours of service could be considered. Council Member Patti Walker said she didn’t want to backslide on the progress made in North Fillmore. Quiring told the council, “Certainly we can reduce it, but it’s just a question of how much.” Sheriff Monica McGrath then addressed the Council stating that the hours could be reduced and that she didn’t think doing that would have that much of an impact on service. But McGrath also added that with the Storefront, “We get a great deal of bang for our buck.” Mayor Pro Tem Jamey Brooks replied, “I think this is a poor time to do this. I wouldn’t cut at all this year.” Washburn asked for an hour by hour review and said by mid-year we can annualize where we might cut. Council Member Brian Sipes agreed with Brooks adding the Storefront is so important and he did not want to change anything. Conaway summed up what the other members were saying and concluded that the members feel there’s value and want to collect more data on hours and services.

Quring presented a proposal to turn off the fountain in front of City Hall to save the City $1,300 a year. Council members suggested the pool maintenance crew also care for the fountain. Quiring informed the Council the budget changes may include contracting out the pool maintenance service. Brooks and Conaway disagreed with Quiring’s fountain proposal, stating that the area is rented out for special occasions such as weddings and parties and that it generates revenue for the City. Conaway asked Quiring, “We make more than $1,300 in renting it out, right? Brooks added that the cost should be considered a business expense. All council members agreed not to turn off the fountain. The City is also considering contracting out for Code Enforcement and addressing the Impact Fees application forms.

The motorcycle officer’s position has been cut and the Council inquired what was being done with the motorcycle. Fillmore’s Sheriff Chief Monica McGrath told the Council that the sheriffs in Thousand Oaks were interested in purchasing it and council was looking into that.

On the positive side, E J Harrison, Fillmore’s trash removal contractor, will not be asking for a rate increase next year. The Council also discussed the ordinance that requires every occupied residence in Fillmore to use Harrison for trash removal. The sewer and water is matched up with the trash removal and if both services are not being used a letter is sent to the residence informing them they are required to have both active. Both Washburn and Brooks stated they were not in favor of that ordinance and would consider changing it.

Again the proposal to increase sports fees was put forth. Although some fees were increased last year the fees will be increased for softball from $425 to $450, Youth Basketball from $75 to $85, park rental from $500 to $600, electric (non-wedding) for Central Park from $50 to $75, Community Center rental from $450 to $500 and Multipurpose Room from $750 to $800 per day. Washburn asked if there had been a decrease in participation due to the increase in fees last year and was told No. She then remarked, “We need to keep tabs on that to make sure we’re not pricing people out.”

The pool is still scheduled to closed in mid-October and scheduled to reopen February 8, 2012, saving the City $22,000; but the pool is still a heavy cost to the City with revenue around $100,000 and an expenditure of $172,000.

The pool leak has been fixed under warranty after it was discovered that a piece of rebar had punctured a water line during construction. Attendance is now up 50% and so far there are three birthday parties booked this summer. It may be closed the 4th of July if there is no one available to work that day.

The Towne Theatre is another money problem for the City; with revenue of $4,900 and expenditures of $6,000 it will cost the City $1,100 next year. The Towne Theatre Sub Committee members Sipes and Washburn, are looking for suggestions from the residents of Fillmore and asking anyone with ideas or questions on ways the Theatre can generate revenue to contact them.

The Senior Center informed the Council that the Center is considering cutting ties with the Council and may look for ways to contract out the services the City provides. Mayor Washburn wanted everyone to know that the Center is now functioning solely on their 4th of July fireworks revenue and needs volunteers to help sell fireworks next month. The City Manager asked that the Senior Center budget be brought back at a later time because there was so much to discuss that evening.

Due to Governor Brown vetoing the budget sent to him last week, there are still questions about the Redevelopment Association (RDA) funds and what will happen with the monies. Also, at issue are the two State bills that are pending that deal with RDA funding. Conaway was concerned with the money that is now in the City’s RDA Fund and asked Quiring, “Was there anything mentioned about encumbered money?....It’s not a done deal, these bills have not passed.” The City Manager told the Council that things are in limbo and we won’t know for at least a couple of weeks, “There’s a lot of uncertainty.” Quiring stated and that there was no mention of encumbered money, but she wants the City to be prepared for whatever the State may decide to do with the funds.
Washburn told the Council she would like the vacant commercial buildings that “are piling up” addressed at some time in the future. Brooks suggested they talk with the Chamber of Commerce and have a workshop. The other council members told Washburn that due to the huge problem of the budget the item would have to be put off for a while and all agreed that October would be a good time to put that item on the agenda.

The Council mentioned a very large transmission tower Verizon is planning to build in Fillmore and expects a proposal from Verizon presented to the Council in the weeks to come. There was some concerned about the size and placement.

Ending the council session Washburn asked each member if they would like to make a statement about the budget cuts. Walker stated, “It’s a really sorry situation…it’s affecting all of us. I’m sorry we’re here, I’m sorry.” Sipes added, “I want to thank the City Manager, working nights and weekends. I appreciate being updated everyday. This is my first year and a hard time to come in.” Brooks stated that it’s terrible and “we feel bad.” Washburn informed everyone that she’d been asked by many residents if wages were being cut. She wanted to assure everyone that wages weren’t being cut, but the City employee’s hours are being cut. Conaway said he will give a statement when the complete budget has been presented.