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Home My WebLink About07-25-2012 Adopted CC Min Sp Mtg DUSD (2) C'S° I% MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL i9� ��. A OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN/DUBLIN " le// UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT �LIFORO% SPECIAL N S L MEETI G —JULY 25, 2012 A special meeting of the Dublin City Council/Dublin Unified School District (School District) was held on Wednesday, July 25, 2012, in the Regional Meeting Room. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m., by Mayor Sbranti. 1. CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PRESENT: Councilmembers Biddle, Hart, Hildenbrand, Swalwell and Mayor Sbranti Boardmembers Cunningham, Tomlinson, Haubert, Kenney, Miller ABSENT: None The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT Introductions were made and public comment was offered, with none received. 3. PRESENTATION OF RESULTS FROM CITY OF DUBLIN'S COMMUNITY SURVEY City Manager Pattillo stated that the City Council and the Dublin Unified School District had met three times in the past year. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the proposed Utility Users Tax after the June election. She recognized the Lew Edwards, FM3, and City Staff for getting this report together. Lew Edwards Group representative, Dave Mason, stated that they worked with the City to evaluate the feasibility and structure of a potential Utility Users Tax to be placed on the November 2012 ballot. The Utility User Tax would maintain essential city services, and protect vital school programs. Mr. Mason stated that survey indicated that the support for the Utility Users Tax had softened since the last survey in 2011. If the City decides to proceed with the Utility User Tax, the recommended rate was 2.95% with a sunset to maximize viability. DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL/ 1 DUBLIN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT MINUTES VOLUME 31 ,, w SPECIAL MEETING n' JULY 25, 2012 g'e �� FM3 Research representative, Curt Below, outlined objectives and key findings as well as highlights of public opinion survey results. Mayor Sbranti opened the item for discussion. Board President Tomlinson stated that, if the Utility Users Tax was to be placed on the ballot, it should be when the support and rate was stronger, and possibly be brought back for discussion when the parcel tax expires, and the Utility Users Tax would be a potential replacement. He also stated that, at this stage of the election, the School Board felt that it would be best not to move forward with the Utility Users Tax. City Manager Pattillo stated that it was discussed at the Liaison Committee meeting that there was a lot weighing in the November election regarding the Governor's ballot measure, and if the measure does fail, it would be draconian for schools, and the measure would be revisited. Cm. Hildenbrand stated that it was upsetting that the City had consistently delayed various measures on behalf of the School District and now the School District was not supporting the Utility Users Tax. City Manager Pattillo stated that this was the first time the City had done a revenue measure, and if the City and the School District goes forward with this, her recommendation was to go for the maximum rate. School District Superintendent, Dr. Hanke, stated that if the governor's ballot measures failed, the School District would be at a 28% deficit. They are currently at 22% deficit and had been slowly growing. Mayor Sbranti asked when the parcel tax expires. Dr. Hanke explained that it would expire in 2014. Vm. Hart stated that this issue needs to be continued. In two years the School District would either renew the parcel tax or do something combined with the City. Boardmember Kenney stated that this was not the right time to go forward with the Utility Users Tax. When it is the right time, the School District would be supportive. Dr. Hanke asked when the revenue would actually begin once the Utility Users Tax was approved. DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL/ 2 DUBLIN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT MINUTES VOLUME 31 so, SPECIAL MEETING hest JULY 25, 2012 % 1 1•J Administrative Services Director, Paul Rankin, explained that a start-up system would need to be established with utility and wireless companies to begin collecting revenue the following year around March with a November election. Dr. Hanke stated that when the parcel tax expires at the conclusion of the 2013-2014 school year, before the November election, the budget for the School District in 2014-2015 would be $1.35 million short. The School District would have to weather that for the entire school year until the Utility Users Tax measure passes. This would be an important element and would need to be discussed. Mayor Sbranti stated that he agreed with all the comments, and the consensus was that now was not the time to go forward with this measure, and the efforts should be put into something that would generate more revenue. He stated that working with the School District was a great opportunity to get more accomplished. This would be a potential for the School District to raise more money and the City would have an opportunity to deal with its needs. 4. DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN CITY AND SCHOOL DISTRICT City Manager Pattillo explained that, at the last Liaison Committee meeting, it was discussed that the City was moving forward with the next steps to bring back the Emerald Glen Aquatics project. This item would be brought back to the September 4, 2012 City Council meeting. Staff waited before bringing back these issues based on the outcome of the bond measure because, within the bond measure, there was some allocation for a swimming pool. The modernization of the facility would be brought to the City Council, and a report would also be shared with the School District. The Liaison Committee meeting also included a very brief discussion regarding a community garden. City Manager Pattillo explained that Dr. Hanke looked at school facilities to see if there was any acreage available for a community garden. City Staff would also be working on this project. Dr. Hanke stated that they were thankful for the partnership with the City. The conversation at the Liaison Committee meeting regarding the aquatics facility was that this could be a win-win for the community and the School District. He also stated that there was potential for the community garden concept and was another example of how the School District and the City could work together to benefit the community. Several schools in west Dublin have an excess of 12-14 acres of land available for a community garden. City Manager Pattillo stated that there would be an opportunity for partnerships with Chevron that relates to the energy sustainability project. Vm. Hart asked about the master plan process with regards to the tennis courts and the extra land in the pool area. DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL/ 3 DUBLIN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT MINUTES VOLUME 31 k Do SPECIAL MEETING g r z, JULY 25, 2012 ‘ e} .y� Kim McNeely, Dublin Unified School District Facilities Director, stated that because of funding, they focused primarily on the buildings. They didn't look at the pool area and they were already in the process of updating the master plan. Vm. Hart stated that the there was immediate need for tennis courts, and that the City should offer to share the cost with the School District because the tennis courts are also used by the community, not just the high school. City Manager Pattillo explained that, within the Development Agreement with Jordan Properties, $600,000 was allocated for joint City and school capital improvement projects. This could be a potential funding source and the item would go back to City Council and a later date. Ms. McNeely explained that, at this time, they didn't have an updated master plan, and there was a strong possibility that when they look at the aquatics facility, they might reorganize that space. Vm. Hart asked how long the master plan process would take. Ms. McNeely explained that it depends on the community input. They do have the proposal and the Board approval to budget the master plan. Depending on level of public participation, it could be done soon. Dr. Hanke stated that the community would benefit with the two aquatics facilities, Emerald Glen and the high school, complementing one another. The strength of the relationship and partnering could really benefit the community. City Manager Pattillo explained that this would be discussed by Staff. City Manager Pattillo explained that the recommendation from the Liaison Committee was to move forward with the tennis courts and that the item would be brought back to the City Council. Vm. Hart suggested that public art be placed in front of the theater. This would also be another partnership between the School District and the City. Mayor Sbranti suggested that this would be an enhancement to the theater and would be discussed with Staff. Vm. Hart asked if there had been discussion for midnight basketball at the high school City Manager Pattillo explained that there had been discussion with PAL and been presented to the City Council. DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL/ 4 DUBLIN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT MINUTES VOLUME 31 , or SPECIAL MEETING ft,/�a�, o JULY 25, 2012 �\ �0 Gtim•.' Mayor Sbranti stated that this item was worth exploring. City Manager Pattillo explained that in January 2013, City Council would have the Strategic Plan Update and this would be the most strategic way to bring this item back to City Council. Mayor Sbranti suggested that discussion regarding after school programs include the high school. 5. NEXT STEPS ON SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND MEASURE Dr. Hanke stated that the School District was thrilled about the Bond Measure passing. The District had discussions about placing more projects on the ground as the measure E dollars became available. The School District would be looking at new projects including the needs, wants, timing, and priority of these projects. The School District had discussions regarding the bond dollars, and a Board Study Session would be planned in the next few weeks. Mayor Sbranti asked for an update on Measure C . Dr. Hanke explained that Measure C dollars were going towards the student union at the High School, and was in its final stages. A ribbon cutting had been scheduled for August. The performing arts facility would begin, E4 was in the design phase, Murray Elementary School's master plan was in the first phase, and the master plan for all remaining elementary schools was in process. Board Member Haubert stated that this was a great meeting and looks forward to having more discussions with the City. 6. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council/Dublin Unified School District, the meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m. in memory of Staff Sgt. Sean Diamond and our fallen troops. Minutes prepared by Gloria McCafferty, Deputy City Clerk. s \Jn^ - ,4 I Mayor ATTEST: ' i/.�... . Deputy City C DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL/ 5 DUBLIN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT MINUTES VOLUME 31 r-152u SPECIAL MEETING mm JULY 25, 2012 % )% IPOR S