HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 06/15/2004
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES
JUNE 15, 2004
Committee Members Present: Chair Tim Clark and Bruce White
Julie Peterson was absent, however, had previously concurred with Chair Tim Clark on agenda
items 1, and 2.
The meeting was called to order by Tim Clark, Chair at 4:02 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED MAY 18, 2004
Bruce White moved to approve the minutes of the May 18, 2004, Operation Committee
meeting. The motion was seconded by Tim Clark and passed 3-0. Julie Peterson previously
concurred on this agenda item.
APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS DATED MAY 31, 2004
Chief Administrative Officer Mike Martin presented the vouchers for May 31, 2004, for approval.
Bruce White moved to approve the vouchers dated May 31, 2004. Tim Clark seconded the
motion, which passed 3-0. Julie Peterson previously concurred on this agenda item.
POLICE MDC REPLACEMENTS
Information Technology Director Stan Waldrop presented the Police MDC Replacements request
to purchase 34 semi-ruggedized laptop computers from CDW*G to replace existing mobile data
computers in Police vehicles. The Police Department has 47 mobile data computers (MDCs).
These are semi-ruggedizd laptop computers used for data communication with Valley
Communication Center which have a normal replacement interval of 4 years. These workstations
are on a 3-year replacement cycle due to the more strenuous environment in which they operate.
The laptops would be paid from the 2002 Technology Plan in the amount of $76,000.
Bruce White moved to recommend the Council authorize the Mayor to sign purchase orders
for replacement MDCs, payable to CDW*G, not to exceed $76,000. Tim Clark seconded the
motion, which passed 2-0.
QWEST PBX MAINTENANCE CONTRACT
Information Technology Director Stan Waldrop presented the Qwest PBX Maintenance Contract.
A competitive RFP process was conducted to procure a vendor to maintain the City’s PBX
telephone system. The City received responses from seven (7) vendors and Qwest Interprise
Services was the successful vendor from this process. The process resulted in a reduction of the
City’s PBX maintenance costs by over $15,000. Mr. Waldrop advised the budget impact would be
approximately $33,000 annually, which is currently included in the 2004 Operating Budget,
depending on equipment placed in or removed from service.
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Bruce White moved to recommend the Council authorize the Mayor to sign a contract
renewal with Qwest Interprise Services PBX Maintenance Services subject to City Attorney
approval of the contract documents. Tim Clark seconded the motion, which passed 2-0.
BUDGET APPROPRIATION FOR SPECIAL ELECTION ORDINANCE AND THE
BALLOT PROPOSITION – REAL PROPERTY TAX LEVY RATE ORDINANCES
Chief Administrative Officer Mike Martin presented the Budget Appropriation For Special
Election Ordinance together with the Ballot Proposition – Real Property Tax Levy Rate
Ordinances.
He advised that the King County Department of Records and Election Bureau has estimated that
the cost of a special election for the purpose of the consideration of a Levy Lid Lift for the City of
Kent will cost approximately $100,000. There are no funds currently in the budget for this
purpose. This ordinance will appropriate that amount from the fund balance in the General Fund.
As a potential exists of a significant reduction in the property tax levy of the City, the
administration recommends that we make contingency plans in the event this occurs. This
planning may include this special election and potentially planning for a second election in
November depending on other events that may occur in early July. The administration believes
that this planning is a prudent step given the potential impact that could occur to governmental
services. This budget ordinance will reduce the General Fund balance by $100,000.
Mr. Martin further advised the Operations Committee that if approved at the November 2, 2004,
general election, proposed Initiative 864 would reduce the City’s income tax revenue by twenty-
five (25) percent, which will cause a reduction in the City’s general fund budget of over $5
million. If Initiative 864 is approved, the City will be forced to implement further significant
reductions in its labor force and in the services the City provides. However, if Kent voters were to
vote to permanently increase the City’s maximum allowable regular real property tax levy rate by
about one cent per $1,000 of assessed value—from $2.76 to $2.77—the City’s property tax rate
and revenues will then be exempt from the twenty-five (25) percent reduction proposed by
Initiative 864. In order for the proposition to be put before the voters at the September 14, 2004
special election and the November 2, 2004 general election, the City Council must pass a separate
ordinance for each election directing the City Clerk to submit the proposition to the King County
Records and Elections Division. The budget impact is estimated at $100,000 reduction in the
general fund balance. Committee members had numerous questions and comments regarding
agenda items 5 and 6 and wished to discuss both in further detail with the full Committee present.
Bruce White moved to delay action on Items 5 and 6 of today’s agenda and move them to the
next Operations Committee of June 6, 2004, with the intention that they would be placed on
Other Business for the July 6th Council meeting, without a recommendation from the
Operations Committee. Tim Clark seconded the motion, which passed 2-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:28 p.m.
Renee Cameron
Operations Committee Secretary
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