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replied "yes it is". Councilmember Beltran asked Electric Utility Director Clarke if the lights would be installed on Mt. Vernon in the near future. Director Clarke responded yes, the special lights have to be ordered to illuminate the cross -walk. Fiscal Condition of the City Mr. Fred Cordova, 190 East "E" Street, addressed an article in the newspaper stating the citizens of Fontana are asking their City Council to extend the utility tax in order not to lose police personnel. He stated he had asked on several occasions to look into ways to increase the revenue and there has been no response. He said it was time for action and offered a plan. Addressing the City Manager and the Director of Personnel, Mr. Cordova said it was his understanding that there approximately 20 employees with more than 20 years service. Mr. Cordova recommended giving these employees a Golden Handshake providing two additional years of service, this would allow the city to bring in new employees at a lower entry wage. Mr. Cordoval said this was common practice with the State of California and that he had retired on a Golden Handshake. Mr. Ray Lopez, 181 Louise Street, said he was a very disappointed person and very concerned. He stated that City Manager Martinez had provided the Council with various options to improve the financial condition of the City and nothing has been done. He opined that it was little the Council has done and that it is still dragging their feet and have not done enough to correct the situation. He stated his concern is that at the end the citizens are the ones that will have to pay to correct the situation and this can be avoided. Mr. Lopez said he would like to see a plan that would prevent this administration and future administrations from overspending. Mr. Chris Gallegos, City Employee, said he was concerned that the City is moving forward with dismantling many of the divisions in Public Works. He said when he was a young boy he enjoyed taking things apart, many times not knowing how they worked or if he would be able to put them back together. He stated that if the Council takes the Public Works organization apart it will never be able to put it back together again. He stated that perhaps what is needed is improved efficiency; however, no one has talked to the employees on a one-to-one basis to find out how to make things run more efficiently. He imparted an adage told to him by his father, Always Leave Things Better Than You Found Them. Terry Dorman, City Employee, addressed the Council saying the Public Works Department should not be taken apart anymore than it already has. Additionally, the City should hold together, work togerther as a unit to put Colton back on the map of California. 3 ? M�,., C °-115