Loading...
Budget Investment Technology 2020/03/11BUDGET, INVESTMENT & TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2020 – 4:00 PM ANAHEIM CITY HALL SIXTH FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Jaqueline Godinez, Leonard Lahtinen, Christopher Nguyen, John Noteboom, John Showalter, Avelino Valencia III MEMBERS ABSENT: Rajesh Arora STAFF PRESENT: Debbie Moreno, D’Anne Lee, Tania White, Charlene Unzueta, Marnie Hunter GUESTS PRESENT: Dukku Lee, Andrew Nguyen, Larry Pasco, Julie Parker CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Godinez called the meeting to order at 4:08 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS None APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR JANUARY 29, 2020 Commissioner Lahtinen made a motion to approve the January 29, 2020 minutes with a second by Commissioner Noteboom. 4 Ayes; 0 Nays; 0 Abstentions. PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION Public Utilities General Manager Dukku Lee presented an overview of the Public Utilities department budget and operations. Mr. Lee discussed the department’s goals, objectives and business model. Dukku touched on risk management; including the regulations, reporting requirements and standards to which the department is held by regulatory agencies. Mr. Lee discussed the importance of community engagement and partnering with customers to make them aware of rebate and incentive programs as well as customer service enhancements that may be of interest and benefit. The department maintains connections with schools in Anaheim where the City hosts or sponsors: mentoring, internships, community service projects, education on conservation, school competitions, art contests and, student scholarships. Mr. Lee shared information on Anaheim’s electric system and discussed: power supplies, renewable energy, reliability, wildfire mitigation, LED lighting, underground conversion and, the City’s Electric Capital Improvement Plan. Discussion on Anaheim’s water system included information on: water supplies, reliability, Anaheim’s Water Capital Improvement Plan, water quality and, drinking water regulations. Dukku also talked about Anaheim’s uniqueness in owning its own electric and water system and how this benefits residents and businesses. Commissioner Noteboom asked about how energy is derived from Page 2 of 3 Budget Investment and Technology Commission Minutes March 11, 2020 landfills. Commissioner Lahtinen asked about: goals related to increasing renewable energy, LED lighting, undergrounding projects, transformer composition, general fund transfers and scamming attempts on utility customers. Commissioner Godinez asked about whether the City is able to recoup costs when property owned by the City utility is damaged. Commissioner Nguyen asked about customer delinquency rates and collections on utility accounts. Chair Valencia III asked Public Utilities’ budget for supporting non-profit organizations, utility rate increases over the last 15-20 years and, rainy day funds/financial reserves. COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION Community Services Director Larry Pasco provided an overview of the department’s operating budget and core services which include: libraries; parks & facilities; golf courses and; recreation, human & neighborhood services. Mr. Pasco also talked about partnerships the department has across the City such as: Angels’ baseball, Anaheim Ducks, Carl’s Jr. restaurants and, Anaheim Public Utilities. These partnerships (and others) help to support innovative programming. Larry referenced the City’s 2018 Parks Plan which serves as a guideline for priorities within the department including: athletic fields, park restroom renovation, security and, new park amenities. Mr. Pasco talked about examples of recent projects completed as a response to community input. This past year Pearson Park’s pond was resurfaced, new pumps were installed and, new aquatic wildlife was introduced. Additionally, the well-known airplane at Boysen Park was restored. The department has contracted with a company that provides goats who graze in the eastern portion of the City. While the goats have become a popular attraction, they lend an important service by removing dry vegetation considered to be flash fuels (particularly during wildfire season.) Mr. Pasco talked about three parks this year that will get needed attention which are: Reagan, Brookhurst and, Modjeska. The Anaheim Coves expansion has recently been opened to the public. The expansion includes a park, playground and, picnic area. Commissioner Noteboom asked if Anaheim Coves now extends under Lincoln Blvd. Larry shared enhancements made to both the Dad Miller and Anaheim Hills golf courses. Mr. Pasco talked about programs in the Recreation Services division aimed at providing a safe place for families and children to focus on both fun and educational activities. The department would like to expand its adult and senior programming which it hopes to do in the next fiscal year. Commissioner Lahtinen asked about the benefit security cameras provide in Maxwell Park as well as other parks in the City. Commissioner Lahtinen also asked whether the City expects to return to full-time park ranger staffing. Mr. Pasco talked about park ranger staffing and the private security firm which patrols some of the City’s parks (including Maxwell Park) during the late evening and through to the early morning. Commissioner Noteboom asked about Energy Field Park and any plans to refurbish it. Commissioner Lahtinen asked about Community Services’ items that were referenced in the 2019/20 Supplemental Budget Requests list. BUDGET UPDATE Debbie Moreno gave a brief recap of 5-year projections and impacts of future labor contracts. There will be a Capital Improvement Plan workshop during the March 24, 2020 City Council meeting which Ms. Moreno encouraged Page 3 of 3 Budget Investment and Technology Commission Minutes March 11, 2020 Commissioners to observe if possible. Ms. Moreno also talked about COVID-related impacts to City business. Commissioner Noteboom asked about the effect of event cancellations on Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). FUTURE COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE The next planned meeting will be April 22, 2020. ITEMS BY COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Lahtinen asked about sharing community budget meeting dates and locations with the Commission. Commissioner Lahtinen also complimented the Budget team on the budget content and design shared on the City’s website. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS None ADJOURNMENT Chair Valencia III adjourned the meeting at 5:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marnie Hunter, Secretary