HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 01/20/2004Operations Committee Minutes
January 20, 2004
Committee Members Present: Chair Tim Clark, Julie Peterson, Bruce White
The meeting was called to order by Tim Clark, Chair at 4:00 P.M.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 2, 2003
Julie Peterson moved to approve the minutes of the December 2, 2003, Operations
Committee meeting. The motion was seconded by Bruce White and passed 3-0.
APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS DATED DECEMBER 15, 2003, DECEMBER 31, 2003, AND
JANUARY 15, 2004
Finance Director Robert Nachlinger presented the vouchers for December 15, 2003, December 31,
2003, and January 15, 2004, for approval.
Bruce White moved to approve the vouchers dated December 15, 2003, December 31, 2003,
and January 15, 2004. Julie Peterson seconded the motion, which passed 3-0.
SALARY COMMISSION ABOLITION ORDINANCE
Chief Administrative Officer Mike Martin presented the Salary Commission Abolition Ordinance. Mr.
Martin advised the Operations Committee that by the adoption of Ordinance No. 3617 on October 1,
2002, the City Council established an Independent Salary Commission to set the salaries of the
City’s elected officials. The Mayor would like the City Council to consider abolishing the
commission. If the commission is abolished, it is necessary to repeal the Kent City Code provision
that established the commission and to amend other sections of the Kent City Code to set forth the
current salaries paid to Kent’s elected officials. The salaries set forth in the proposed ordinance are
the current salaries paid to each elected official as established by the Salary Commission for 2004.
As required by law, the ordinance does not increase or reduce the salaries of the City’s elected
officials. Mr. Martin advised that this ordinance merely amends the City Code so that it accurately
reflects the salaries set by the Independent Salary Commission.
City Attorney Tom Brubaker distributed a revised Ordinance which added a provision regarding the
Municipal Court Pro Tem Judges. Mr. Brubaker advised that the Municipal Court Pro Tem Judges
are paid through the Municipal Court’s budget, however, the salary is set via the City Council.
Operations Committee, 1/20/2004
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Councilmember Peterson stated that she would like more time and further discussion on this issue
before voting on the abolition of the salary commission ordinance. Councilmember White
questioned whether passage of the ordinance would abolish all prior issues regarding the salary
commission. City Attorney Brubaker stated that only legislative action can abolish all prior issues
regarding the salary commission, and that if the ordinance is adopted, then the City Council would
be the one to increase the salary of the Mayor as well as the City Council. City Attorney Brubaker
further stated that the 2004 salary levels are in effect and would stand during the current term of
each councilmember. A councilmember cannot vote to increase or decrease their salary while in
their current elected position. However, since neither the Mayor or the Judges set their own salaries
(Council does), state law allows Council to increase-but not decrease-their salaries. Any vote for an
increase or decrease of salary would become effective upon the next Council term.
Julie Peterson moved to table the Salary Commission Abolition Ordinance until the next
Operations Committee meeting on February 3, 2004. The motion was seconded by Bruce
White and passed 3-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:22 P.M.
Renee Cameron
Operations Committee Secretary