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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council - Minutes - 12/30/1993 ® Kent, Washington December 30, 1993 A special meeting of the Kent City Council was called to order at 6: 00 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Woods. Present: Councilmembers Bennett, Houser, Johnson, Mann, Orr and White, Chief Adminis- trative Officer McCarthy, City Attorney Lubovich, Public Works Director Wickstrom, Acting Finance Director Miller, and Acting Parks Director Thorell. Approximately 150 people were in attendance. 1993 Budget Adjustment Ordinance. The budget adjustment ordi- nance totals $28, 476, 848. This budget adjustment is primarily a housekeeping adjustment consolidating individual budget changes into one ordinance. $27 , 576 , 353 of this amount has been pre- viously approved by Council. The additional amount of $900, 495 has not been officially approved by the Council but is needed to be in compliance with the State Auditor' s requirements. The majority of these adjustments have been discussed with the Budget Committee or are housekeeping in nature to close projects. Revenues, grants, charges to City departments or fund balance provide sources of funding for all budget adjustments. In addition to the budget adjustments, two lines of credit are necessary to cover funds that are required to be spent before they are reimbursed. $200, 000 is needed from the Capital • Improvement Fund to cover December Lake Fenwick Trail construc- tion costs, until the funds are received from King County Open Space Bonds in January 1994 . A line of credit of $85, 000 from the General Fund is needed to cover the Housing and Community Development Fund expenditures until the funds are reimbursed by King County. A detailed explanation of the budget changes was included in the packet. Acting Finance Director Miller noted that 97% of the adjustments have been approved, and that $20, 000, 000 of it is for refinancing debt. She noted that refinancing will save the City $849 ,952 in present value debt service. She stated that of the 3% which has not been approved, $635, 000 was to record a seized asset project. She added that $130, 000 was for Workers Comp and $43 , 000 was for Unemployment. She urged the Council to adopt the proposed ordinance. JOHNSON MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 3147 relating to the 1993 Budget Adjustments. Orr seconded and the motion carried. city organization Plan. Mayor Pro Tem Woods announced that letters regarding Mayor-Elect White's proposed reorganization plan have been received from the following: CB Commercial Real Estate Group, Inc. , Trammell Crow Company, Hill Investment Company, Birtcher Frank Properties, Jack R. Bennett, Lance Mueller & Associates--Architects, Carpinito Brothers, Inc. , Kent Police Guild, Barghausen Consulting Engineers, Inc. , and Robison 1 • December 30, 1993 Construction, Inc. ORR MOVED to make the letters part of the record. Johnson seconded and the motion carried. Woods then read letters from Paul Morford, Henry D. Mairs, and Public Works Department Staff. ORR MOVED to make those letters part of the record. Mann seconded and the motion carried. Woods reported that she and White have discussed this issue and have agreed to receive input tonight from the Council and the audience, but that action will not be taken. She noted that a combined Budget and Operations Committee meeting will be held on Monday, January 3rd, at 3 : 30 p.m. to discuss this issue, and that it will be brought to the Council meeting of January 4th for action. Mayor-Elect White noted that it was not his intent that the reorganization be done on the front page of the newspaper, and that Councilmembers had been briefed on the plan. He stated that department directors have become accustomed to having their own way in matters of policy, budget and employment, and that they will no longer come to the Council for approval of things that could not be obtained through the Mayor. He explained that he asked all department directors to resign because each is operat- ing independently, with little regard to any centralized policy making body, and they have become very turf conscious and less • and less responsive to the citizens. He stated that nine posi- tions in upper management need to be eliminated and replaced by three: a Director of Operations, a Director of Public Safety, and a Director of Community and Economic Development. He added that the Director of Parks and Recreation would be retained. He said he has recruited a person who has served with distinction in municipal government to serve as the Director of Operations, and that this person will recommend managers for each division. He said he has recruited a nationally known person as Director of Public Safety. He added that two City employees and several others are being considered for the Director of Community and Economic Development. He noted that Parks and Recreation would be the fourth department and that he is currently reviewing all applications that were received when the Parks Director resigned earlier in the year. White noted that the nine positions he has proposed to eliminate are paid nearly $1, 000, 000, and that the four positions which would replace them would cost approximately $400, 000. He also spoke about overtime, the elimination of two positions, training for employees, the employee classification system, and the use of outside consultants. He said his plan includes a severance package for those whom he has asked to resign, and that attrition will take care of any employee reductions. He pointed out that the people who have been asked to resign are not eliminated from other positions in the City, and that he has asked for their ® input. He noted that this plan will save taxpayers more than 2 December 30, 1993 $1.5 million during his four-year term and urged the Council to pass it. Pat McShane, 925 Hemlock Street, noted that while streamlining may be necessary, the inner structure is needed and Council- members should take a long hard look at this issue. Mike Grant, SeaTac, noted that he worked for the Kent Police Department for 25 years, and that he also has experience in fire service. He said that Police and Fire functions cannot be done well together, and that while he agrees with streamlining, it is a mistake to combine the two departments. Gary Volchock, CB Commercial, Seattle, distributed additional copies of letters from developers along with a letter from Fisher Properties. He said that the City of Kent is the easiest and best of the cities in South King County to work with because of the directors of the departments, especially Don Wickstrom. He pointed out that the letters received and distributed are all in support of Wickstrom, and some support Planning Director Harris and others as well. Volchok noted that Wickstrom has been very good at acquiring matching funds that others might not be able to get from the State for roads and utility projects. He said that Wickstrom's skills and experience have paid many dividends for the city. He ® pointed out that the Public Works staff respect and support him, and that Wickstrom is not adversarial, is cooperative, consis- tent, predictable, and is available when needed. He said Wickstrom is also willing to consider reasonable alternatives. He added that Wickstrom has been working on a way to raise over $1, 000, 000 for the city without raising taxes. He pointed out that Wickstrom was able to acquire one of only eight public 404 wetland permits issued in the last seven years in Washington. He stated that Wickstrom has the best interest of the city in mind and recommended that he remain the Public Works Director. He noted that City employees are worried about their jobs and that the City will lose by attrition. He thanked the Council on behalf of all the parties who presented letters and urged them to retain Wickstrom. ORR MOVED to make Volchok's letters a part of the record. Houser seconded and the motion carried. John Keefe, 10031 SE 258 Place, stated that the Planning Department and the Public Works Department are both totally professional, and that the Police and Fire Departments seem to work well together. He said the integrity of the department leaders is something to be proud of. He recommended further analysis of the plan, including public involvement. Frank Connelly, Kent Police Guild, spoke is opposition to the proposal. He said they agree with White regarding increasing services to the public and cutting costs, but that they disagree with the way to achieve that. He said they have full faith and support in 3 December 30, 1993 Chief Crawford, and listed some of his accomplishments. He questioned where the savings would come from, since it appears that four people would be added to the nine already in place. He added that the Police Department works well as is. Harry Shutts noted that he has worked for the City for many years. He ex- plained that delays on projects can cost over $1, 000 an hour, and that Wickstrom makes immediate decisions when there is a problem, resulting in thousands of dollars being saved for the city. He noted that Wickstrom has a very good memory and does not have to go through files to know what happened on any project. He also stated that he appreciates the freedom Wickstrom allows his staff in the field, and noted that Wickstrom's rules are the same for everyone. He urged the Council to keep Mr. Wickstrom. Steven Foster, 5216 S. 212th, stated that he is a taxpayer in Kent and that if White's plan can save money while providing the needed services, it deserves to be implemented. Carol Stoner, 19708 121st, Renton, stated that now that the city has a full time mayor, it is a logical time to look at restructing government, but urged the Council to look at the human resources already available. She suggested making use of the expertise of long time employees. She noted that Wickstrom and Harris are profes- sionals who have served through two very different part-time mayors, and, as professionals, are adaptable and can serve through other administrations and under other structures as well. She pointed out that Harris has seen that his staff has exper- ience doing a wide variety of projects. She added that the task force on the sewerage lagoon has run very smoothly because of the people Don Wickstrom put on it, and reiterated that the expertise in the City should be considered. Bill Doolittle, 412 N. Washington, said he would like to see further information on where the savings and expenses would come from. He also requested that the proposed plan be compared to the one proposed at the last Council retreat. He suggested that a change in location for the combined Budget/Operations Committee meeting may be necessary. It was later agreed that the meeting would be held at the Senior Center. Lt. Sam Grubbs, Kent Fire Department, stated that Chief Angelo has always been open to input from staff, and the morale in the department has been very high until the last two years. He stated that the morale in the department has gone down because of the city administration, not because of the Chief or the admin- istrators. He said that it is Angelo' s job to protect his people and get the best for them. He urged the Council to refrain from adopting something that may not work and may cost more in the long run. Bill Wolinski, who is in charge of the Environment Engineering Section of the Public Works Department, said he left the City of Baltimore to come work for Don Wickstrom, and ® cautioned the Council to carefully look at the expertise and 4 December 30, 1993 cumulative experience, the track record, and the proven success of the department before accepting the reorganization plan. He said Wickstrom inspires confidence, demonstrates a pro-active approach to dealing with problems, and has fostered cooperation within the department and amongst departments. He said he is proud to work for Wickstrom and it would be a tragedy to lose him. Police Officer Mike Painter spoke in support of Chief Crawford. He noted that society is violent, and is getting worse, and that this type of thing only makes it harder on the people who work on the streets. He said that it is possible that restructuring may be needed, but that the loss of Ed Crawford would be a tremendous blow to the department. He said Crawford is the most compassionate leader he has ever been around, that they are worried, and that he will help in any way he can. Van Parker of the Public Works Department also offered his help to anyone who is willing to listen, noting that the City has good people working for them, and that they have good ideas. Tony McCarthy agreed that the City has many great employees, and said they can't be blamed for the past mayor' s management style. He said that all the department heads have done a great job and urged the Council to give them a chance. Hans Rasmussen, Director of Kent Youth and Family Services, spoke in support of Chief Crawford, noting that the Police Department has always supported funding for youth. He cited Project Lighthouse as an example, and urged the Council to keep Chief Crawford. Stan Wade, Construction Engineer for the Public Works Department, stated that Don Wickstrom and Gary Gill are fair-minded, and agreed that staff is capable of solving problems under proper leadership. He said that Wickstrom has the respect of his employees, can carry out policies, has a great memory, has the ability to find funds, and that it would be a travesty to lose him. He asked them to consider doing further study to see how Wickstrom can be allowed to carry on in his function while satisfying their demands. Police Officer Kathy Holt stated that Chief Crawford has brought a tremendous sense of well-being and high morale to the department and urged the Council not to support the public safety division. She said that if a public safety division were formed, Chief Crawford may leave, which would decrease morale and productivity. Police Officer Randy Bourne also spoke in support of Chief Crawford and noted that having one person in charge of Police and Fire would not be effective, because of the diversity. There were no further comments from the audience. White thanked the employees for their input and invited them to attend a meeting Monday morning with their questions and sug- gestions. He added that questions could be submitted to him in • writing. He said that he stands behind his proposal, but that 5 December 30, 1993 Council may choose to make changes to it. He said that the purpose of the reorganization is to free up money to use else- where, and to put greater emphasis on public safety. He said he has great respect for the department heads. Mann said that although Councilmembers were briefed, it was very brief, and he was not aware of the details of the plan or that the powers of the Police Chief and Fire Chief would be diminished. He said he asked Chief Crawford not to consider resigning, and that he feels the same way about Chief Angelo. He asked the Budget and Operations Committees to consider this. He said he does not want someone over Crawford and Angelo depriving them of any of their powers. JOHNSON MOVED that Mayor-Elect White' s reorganization plan be referred to the combined Budget and Operations Committee which will meet next Monday. Bennett seconded and the motion carried. Woods reiterated that the Council is committed to working with the Mayor-elect on the reorganization plan, and asked the employees to make the same commitment, since their help is needed. Councilmember Orr. Woods noted that this is the last Council . meeting for Councilmember Orr. She stated that Leona Orr has served the city well, has served with dedication and commitment, and with excellence and distinction. Ms. Orr was given a standing ovation. The meeting adjourned at 7 : 35 p.m. Brenda Ja ob , CMC City Cle 6