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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 11/18/1997 Operations Committee Minutes November 18, 1997 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Jon Johnson, Chair; Tim Clark, Judy Woods STAFF PRESENT, Brent McFall, May Miller, Cheryl Viseth Meeting was called to order by Jon Johnson Approval of 11-1-97 to 11-15-97 Vouchers Moved to approve the 11/1-16/97 vouchers It was seconded and carried unanimously Renewal of Workers Compensation Program See attached memorandum outlining proposal Scott Wetzel Services, the current 3rd party administrator for City's self-insured plan, proposed renewal rate of existing plan for $25,825 00 for 1998 The contract has been restructured and will include a diskette for data base provided monthly to City. Moved to approve renewal of existing contract payable in quarterly installments It was seconded and carried unanimously Laundy Contract See attached memorandum The second lowest bid was recommended since the lowest bid didn't include all requirements of service Low bidder couldn't provide all items requested in bid It is a 3 year contract 2nd bidder provided all requirements and references. Moved to approve that UniFirst Corp be awarded a 3-year contract It was seconded and carried unanimously EMS Budget Shortfall The Emergency Medical Services levy failed at the election This is a failure of the county's basic funding mechanism On December 31, there will be no more money going to the County for these services Advanced life support, basic life support services, training, and administrative costs were fully funded by levy The balance of funds were allocated to city fire departments to partially pay for BLS services. $696,000 was to come to City of Kent for 1998. This is a substantial funding source A county funding solution is being sought {City} Staff feels it important to keep the system in place until there is a long-term solution 1 Funding Options suggested- Refer to handout. Recognize that property taxes will go down. 25/1,000 was paid to support emergency medical services A funding source could be devised without a tax increase Options: 1. Increase property tax increase 2 Increase utility tax rate 4 would generate approx $698,000 (See worksheet ) 3 Not hire 10 vacancies in Fire Department and hold down overtime costs 4 Use general funds strategic reserve Recommend use of general funds strategic reserve only to the extent necessary If there is a county-wide solution with funding given to cities, the funds wouldn't be used There wouldn't be any kind of tax imposition At the county level, the County Executive has proposed for cities and fire districts to fund their own BLS shortfall for the first 6 months of 1998 The county will fund the ALS out of its funds for the first 6 months of 1998 It will again go on ballot measure levy It would go on the ballot on February 3 If it passes, the county will issue tax anticipation notes to fund 2nd half of 1998 (City would only be out 1/2 of shortfall ) Levy would be collected in 1999 and go for 3 years Distribution to cities would be frozen at 1997 levels ALS would continue to grow at anticipated rate Interim solution that would be replaced before it expires in 3 years by a new funding source probably based upon legislative action The 5 largest cities in King County would have to act positively by adopting a resolution to allow the follow-up measure to go through (No later than December 9 so County Council could put this on the ballot.) It's unclear what cities will do this It's unclear whether County Council will accept the County Executive's proposal or modify it Questions to Answer. 1. How do we make up the shortfall? 2 Are we willing for the county to put the ballot measure back on the ballot for Feb election? It was moved to approve utilization of the 1998 strategic reserve funds not to exceed $698,000, if necessary, to fund shortfall of funds from King Cc due to the failure of EMS levy These funds will be used to pay for the portion of BLS provided for by Kent Fire 2 Department that were scheduled to be paid by the faded levy funds It was seconded and carried unanimously One Question. What position is the County Council going to assume? Will they lead cities through the process or anticipate that the cities take their action prior to the County offering some direction? Woods will support putting it back on the Feb 3 ballot Is the County intending to put it on the ballot? McFall/Angelo will be monitoring this carefully and will anticipate bringing a resolution authorizing placement of this matter on the ballot to the next Operations meeting for action on Dec 9 Another Question Could Channel 28 be used to educate the public about this levy? This might be a future possibility McFall stated that before Feb 3, a communication tool could be devised. This will be studied. 1998 Budget Review and Recommendations Refer to attached document Recommend the adoption of the 1998 budget ordinance including technical adjustments be set at the December 9 Council meeting, seconded, Johnson moved that money be allocated for a community newsletter, possibly using The Kent Reporter as a community outreach tool This was seconded and approved unanimously. September Financial Report See attachment Meeting adjourned 3