The September 13, 2011 Fillmore City Council meeting had a number of proclamations along with City Manager Yvonne Quiring again addressing the City’s grave financial problems. Quiring gave a presentation to the Council on the proposed sales tax initiative that is expected be on the November 8, 2012 ballot. She also requested the Council review six resolutions to be considered at the League of California Cities Annual Conference and provide direction to their voting delegate on the City’s position.

Former Council Member Cecilia Cuevas spoke during the comment section, addressing the Council, “I come to you with a heavy heart.” Cuevas was speaking of the many members of the Planning Commission who recently resigned in protest. She spoke of the many years of experience the City is loosing with their departure. Cuevas said she believes the numerous complaints from the City employees over the past couple years and mass exodus of the Planning Commission are due to the failure of leadership by the present City Council. She added the Council has not dealt well with the present economic problems and the loss to the City as a result is tremendous. Cuevas added, “With the exception of (Council Member) Conaway, there has been very poor leadership. I hope the town realizes what this leadership has brought.”

Press play above to see former Council Member Cecilia Cuevas' public comments, a debate about tort reform and the city's Brown Act violation, and the City Manager's presentation on raising taxes.

Quiring began the proposed sales tax initiative presentation by first discussing the recent attempts the City has made to balance the budget by cutting $2.9 million in the last two years with this year’s budget balanced using $620k, from the General Purpose Reserves. But with an added burden, due to Governor Browns using Redevelopment funds to balance the States budget, Fillmore, along with all the other Redevelopment Agencies throughout the state, is required to pay the state what is being called a “ransom” to retain Fillmore’s Redevelopment Agency. Fillmore’s ransom payment is expected to be between $1.9 and $2 million, putting a great hardship on Fillmore’s finances and questions of the town’s ability to provide services at its going rate. The projected deficit for FY 2013 is $1.4 million with the General Purpose Reserve at $916,000. Basically, the City is spending much more than it is taking in and something must be done soon to generate revenue. Council Member Steve Conaway reminded everyone that the 2008-2009 revenue was above expenses, but those times have changed. Quiring warned that if there is another $1.4 in cuts, the City will fundamentally have to change its operations. Meaning; cut non-self supporting recreation programs, more cuts to police and looking for savings through contracting with another agency, cuts in fire services, close parks, no street repair and tree trimming, no code enforcement and closing the pool.

A Town Hall meeting will be held to address the needed tax increase on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 6:30 pm. Distribution of fliers with information on the meeting will be handed out in front of supermarkets in town on weekends throughout October and in November, along with advertisement on Channel 10 and through Service Clubs.
An increase in sales tax is one of the ideas being proposed to address the city’s shortfall, but other taxes were also considered. One was a property tax increase which would be an additional $110 to each per parcel in Fillmore and would raise $489,000. With this approach only property owners would carry the burden. With an increase in sales tax the burden would be distributed throughout the town and carried by everyone purchasing taxable items in Fillmore. It would mean an additional .75 percent or an additional 8 cents on a $10 purchase.
Quiring presented the six initiatives to be considered at the League of California Cities Annual Conference to the Council. The first resolution presented was the use of social media as a means of informing the public. Conaway voted No, responding by saying that many citizens do not use social media and he did not feel it should be depended upon to inform the public. Mayor Gayle Washburn, Council Members Brian Sipes and Jamey Brooks voted yes. Walker was absent.

The second initiative was Tort Reform with Conaway and Brooks voting No and Sipes and Washburn a Yes vote. Conaway explained his disagreement with the resolution by comparing the slim opportunities those with little funding have when coming up against a giant government entity.

There was then a heated debate between Sipes and Conaway, with Sipes citing what he called a frivolous law suit against the City of Fillmore for a Brown Act violation. Conaway rebutted stating the court didn’t see it as frivolous because the City lost and was fined $45,000.

The third initiative was Public School Education and bullying. All members voted No. The forth was support for building separate prisons for youth offenders convicted of adult crimes. Conaway and Sipes voted No, with Washburn and Brooks voting Yes.

The fifth initiative was replacing the death penalty with life in prison. Conaway, Sipes and Brooks voted No, with Washburn voting Yes and stating she was not in favor of the death penalty.

The last initiative was dealing with the City of Bell and its recent problems to which all members voted No.
About halfway through the Council meeting Washburn shared the guidelines of Roberts Rules of Order with the 40 or so who were in attendance. Roberts Rules of Order governs the conduct of formal meetings such as city council meetings. Washburn asked that those in attendance who would be speaking or commenting to the Council to be respectful and address their comments and questions to the Council, not the staff. She informed the public that due to some of the legal guidelines of the Brown Act, the Council may not be able to answer some of their questions. She also asked that those with comments respect the time limits place on speakers. Washburn also accused the media of intimidation, saying some don’t like the camera flash while speaking.

Washburn began the numerous proclamations that were presented at the meeting with one to the president of the Ebell Club, Fay Swanson, for the club’s donation of automatic doors to the Fillmore Senior Center. This improvement, which aids those who require assistance entering the building, was greatly needed. Joining the Mayor in the presentation was Donna Voelker, Director of the Fillmore Senior Center.

The next proclamation was to Leonore Young, or Leo as she is known by her fellow co-workers. Young was thanked for her 22 years of service to the town of Fillmore. While presenting her with the proclamation Washburn stated, “Cheerful is the word that best describes Leo.”

Next there was a proclamation to Raymond S. Brown Sr., the outgoing Film Commissioner, who was acknowledged for his well thought out guidance and input. Brown responded, “It’s been a pleasure. I’ve only lived here five years….it’s been a pleasure.”

Third to be acknowledged was Mark Austin. Austin’s service on the Planning Commission covered 12 years starting in 1999 and served a total of four terms. His pen was involved in many of the projects and businesses throughout Fillmore. During his long service he worked with a total of 36 other Commissioners.

The fourth proclamation was also someone from the Planning Commission; Vance Johnson, who served as chair for more than 10 years and worked on a large number of projects including the Water Recycling Plant. Accepting for Johnson was Douglas Tucker. Tucker, himself, then received a proclamation for his two terms, covering five years of service on the Planning Commission. Tucker was thanked for the great interest he gave in hearing from those property owners with concerns on how they might be impacted by development or changes in their areas.

With appreciation going in the opposite direction, Faith Lugo addressed the Council thanking them for their support and presented each Council Member with a gift bag. Lugo announced the upcoming “Relay For Life” event; which raised $97,000 last year to fight cancer. This year’s event will be held at Shields Park this Saturday and Sunday, September 17-18 between 10am and 10pm.

Ari Larson, President of Soroptimist International of Fillmore, addressed the Council with an invitation to attend ‘Success through Reading! Celebrating International Day of Peace.’ This event is being held Wednesday, September 21 between 3:30-4pm at the Fillmore Library. The book Let There Be Peace on Earth: And Let it Begin with Me will be read along with singing and participants will make special peace bracelet to take home.