HomeMy WebLinkAboutVATOC 2024-10-22 Minutes1 VOTER-APPROVED TAX OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE October 22, 2024 AT 5:30PM REGULAR MEETING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM CITY HALL 3RD FLOOR 1400 FIFTH AVENUE SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA WATCH ONLINE: https://cityofsanrafael-org.zoom.us/j/8733635857 MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER – 5:30pm • Roll Call Members Present: Chuk Freide (Chair), Tracey Broadman (Vice Chair), Carsten Andersen, Caleb McWaters, Stephen Roth Staff Present: Paul Navazio, Shanw Plate, Catherine Quffa, Daniel Avalos, April Miller MINUTES 1. Approve regular meeting minutes from last meeting It was moved (Broadman) and seconded (Roth) to approve the minutes from the meeting of September 7, 2023. The motion to approve the minutes was passed by the following vote: Ayes: Andersen, Broadman, Friede, McWaters, Roth Noes: None Abstain: None MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 2. Introductions / Awards / Recognitions / Presentations None 3. Public Comment from the audience regarding items not listed on the agenda. None MATTERS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE If necessary to assure completion of the following items, the Chairperson may establish time limits for the presentations by individual speakers. 4. Presentation of Unaudited Financials from FY 2023-24 and Budget for FY 2024-25 • Staff presented a report which included the unaudited revenue and expenditure results for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. 2 Measure D – Library Tax • Chair Friede – Inquired regarding the balance of Measure C funds (pre-dating Measure D) and plans for use. Director Quffa noted that the funds are restricted for use for a new or expanded library, historically the funds were used for polling and studies to pursue expansion or a new library. Director Quffa noted that should Measure P pass, the funds would be used to support the initiative. • Member McWaters – Inquired regarding transactions regarding vendors Baker & Taylor, Amazon Capital Services. Director Quffa noted that Baker & Taylor is the City’s main book vendor while books are also purchased from Amazon. • Member McWaters – Inquired regarding the description of transactions in the provided ledger. Director Quffa provided clarification • Chair Friede – Inquired regarding the pending Measure P and whether the committee would have purview of the funds. Director Navazio noted that, although not explicit in the measure, it would likely come under purview of the committee. • Chair Friede – Inquired whether the staffing for the new library potentially provided by Measure P will be covered by the general fund or will an extension of Measure D. Director Quffa noted that Measure D expires in 2026, and the City intends to renew it and that there will be considerable time between then and the completion of any new library for which to consider funding sources. • Member McWaters – Inquired regarding a significant favorable variance in the equipment budget. Director Quffa clarified that the budget included furniture and equipment related to the renovation currently underway for the downtown library which is now expected to be incurred in fiscal 2025 and has been reappropriated for the new fiscal year. Measure E – General Tax • Director Navazio clarified that Measure E is general tax and that one third of the tax is used to fund debt service with any remaining amount transferred to the Essential Facilities Capital Projects Fund. • Member McWaters – Inquired how the City determines which expenditures go against the quarter-cent portion of the tax versus the half-cent portion. Director Navazio clarified the quarter-cent portion is for discrete capital projects, approved by council, whereas the half-cent portion is not specifically tracked and recorded in the general fund • Chair Friede – Inquired regarding the debt service requirements for future years. Shawn Plate clarified that overall debt service will continue to increase annually. Director Navazio indicated that staff will provide the amortization schedule in the future meeting. • Member McWaters – Inquired regarding the variance between budget and actual for remaining projects. Director Navazio noted that the annual budget was provided in lump sum and not at the project level. Director Miller noted that the favorable budget variance is also due to the lack of staff capacity to devote to new projects. Measure G – Cannabis • Director Navazio provided some context on the temporary reduction in tax rates for retail delivery set to expire at the end of the calendar year. Director Navazio noted that businesses have indicated their preference for the reduced tax rate to remain and likely not be restored to its full amount. • Chair Friede – inquired regarding the SAFE team funded by Measure G. Director Navazio clarified that this is the non-Police and Fire public safety response to calls for service, focused on homelessness. Chair Friede inquired regarding the funding sources for the SAFE team. Shawn Plate clarified that through the 3 year pilot program the SAFE team expenditures are 3 first covered by Opioid Settlement funds in the general fund first, and Measure G funds second. • Member McWaters inquired regarding the increase in budget for SAFE team activities in FY25 versus FY24. Shawn Plate clarified that this is a maximum and is not likely to reach that total as over $500 thousand in opioid settlement funds have already been received during fiscal 2025. • Chair Friede – Inquired regarding the allocation of personnel costs to the Measure G – Cannabis Fund. Director Navazio clarified that time is not specifically tracked, but the estimate is a proxy for multiple staff members’ time. Measure R – General Tax • Chair Friede noted a minor discrepancy in the staff report to be corrected Accept the Report: It was moved (Roth) and seconded (Anderson) to accept the report as presented. The motion to accept the report was passed by the following vote: Ayes: Andersen, Broadman, Friede, McWaters, Roth Noes: None Abstain: None STAFF COMMENTS 5. Schedule of upcoming meetings • The committee agreed to meet again on either Tuesday or Wednesday December 17th or 18th ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:42 PM NEXT MEETING • Committee Meeting to Review Audited Financials for FY 2023-24 and Approve Annual Committee Report (November/December) Notice Any records relating to an agenda item, received by a majority or more of the Committee less than 72 hours before the meeting, shall be available for inspection in online. Sign Language interpreters and assistive listening devices may be requested by calling (415) 485-3066 (voice), emailing Lindsay.lara@cityofsanrafael.org or using the California Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing “711”, at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Copies of documents are available in accessible formats upon request. Public transportation is available through Golden Gate Transit, Line 22 or 23. Paratransit is available by calling Whistlestop. Wheels at (415) 454-0964. To allow individuals with environmental illness or multiple chemical sensitivity to attend the meeting/hearing, individuals are requested to refrain from wearing scented products.