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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 03/01/1988 OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES March 1 , 1988 COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Christi Houser Steve Dowell Paul Mann Jon Johnson STAFF PRESENT: Brent McFall tN Tony McCarthy Mike Webby Marie Jenson May Miller OTHERS PRESENT: Dee MOschel , Chamber of Commerce Lyle Price, Kent News Journal APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS All claims for the period ending February 29, 1988, in the amount of $735,597.45 were approved for payment. OFFICE SPACE OPTION City Administrator Brent McFall reviewed the City's needs, plans and opportunities for office space. He noted that a study done approximately four years ago said that by 1988 the City would need an additional 30,000 square feet of office space. Current plans are to relocate the library, picking up 15,000 square feet by mid-1990 for use by the Police Department with existing Police space in City Hall being allocated to other departments. In addition, the City is looking for approximately 15,000 square feet primarily to house a Permit Center which would consolidate Engineering, Planning and Code Enforcement in one area. This space would primarily result from the development of a public private partnership on City owned land adjacent to City Hall . The earliest that this space could be completed would be mid-1989, and would provide the additional 15,000 square feet. An interim proposal would be to purchase or lease office space at, other locations in the downtown area. An immediate option would be to purchase the Curran Law building across 4th Avenue from City Hall which would provide approximately 5,400 square feet. Advantages of this purchase for $580,000 would be that it would be available immediately, be in proximity to City Hall and therefore allow the City to Operations Committee Minutes March 1 , 1988 Page 2 control future use of the space. The disadvantages are that it is not big enough for the Permit Center and would only provide housing the overflow department needs. It is not a long term solution and the grounds are not large enough for substantial parking at any future time. Additional negatives would be the amount would come off the tax roil , the City's debt capacity would be reduced from approximately $700,000 to approximately to $200,000. Based on this presentation, the Council discussed the pros and cons. Councilman Dowell supported leasing some space on a short-term basis, Councilman Houser was concerned about reduction in the City Council 's capacity, and Councilman Mann was concerned that the City needed additional space close to City Hall as opposed to a remote location. Even on a short term basis, Mr. Mann felt that leasing space was throwing good money down the drain. Brent noted that the appraisal ,on the building was $520,000 but that the City usually pays more than the appraisal ,since it is cheaper than condemnation. Councilman Mann moved to acquire the Curran property, but his motion died for lack of a second. Councilman Dowell proposed that the City enter into a lease negotiation for the Curran building, rather than purchase the building outright. That motion also died for lack of a second. The Committee decided to have a short presentation at the Council meeting of 3/1 , and let the Council make the decision on the property. CLID 316 BOND PURCHASE Finance Director McCarthy told the Committee that Dick King from Shearson, Lehman and Hutton had proposed a net interest cost to the City of 7.349964 and a gross underwriting spread of $22. The interest rate and the gross underwriting spread are below the rate proposed at the last Operations Committee. Based upon this input, the Committee decided to approve the sale of bonds to Shearson, Lehman and Hutton. The item as previously directed by the Committee will appear on the consent calendar for March 1 . a� Operations Committee Minutes March 1 , 1988 Page 3 PAY AND CLASS STUDY IMPLEMENTATION City Administrator Brent McFall explained to the Committee that he, with the concurrence of the Mayor, is proposing two revisions to the pay and class implementation scenario presented at the February 16 Operations Committee. These recommendations relate to the City Clerk staff and to certain administrative staff. In the City Clerk's area, the recommendation is that the Deputy City Clerk be classified at a range 25. In the Administrative area, the recommendation is that the Executive Assistant be classified at a range 30 and that the Community Events Coordinator be at a range 27 with the Public Information Coordinator remaining at a range 34. Administrator McFall explained that he had held various meetings, both with the Mayor and with the staff associated with the City Clerk's Office, and is making these recommendations with the concurrence of those involved. With respect to the function of the Executive Assistant, it was noted that the individual involved will be scheduling the work flow of the clerical staff, but that the individuals will be responsible to the City Administrator. Following this presentation Councilman Dowell had a question about the process, Assistant City Administrator Webby explained that the employees had completed questionnaires which their supervisors had reviewed and commented on but did not change. He also noted that all positions weren't included in the salary survey portion of the study as many positions could not be compared with those in other cities. Councilman Dowell also questioned other positions in the survey, particularly noting the parallel between superintendent positions. City Administrator McFall noted that there was concern for equity among like level positions in various departments and therefore the staff adjustment in that area. Also questions were raised concerning why the attorney positions were lower than certain maintenance positions. It was noted, that the study Kent did was a market study and that what the .positions are paying in the market. Following this discussion, Councilman Mann moved the endorsement, Councilman Dowell seconded and it was unanimous that it be brought to the full Council for approval . COUNCIL CHAMBER REMODEL Because of the length of the meeting in discussing other subjects, the Council Chamber remodel was postponed for discussion at the March 15 meeting. 66F-01F