HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 03/13/1990 OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES f� t��� i
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�t�y 13, 1990 LD
MAR 2 2 1990
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Mann CITY OF KENT
Jon Johnson CITY CLFRV
STAFF PRESENT: Ed Chow
Jim Hansen
Tony McCarthy
Don Olson
Don Wickstrom
Bill Williamson
Charlie Lindsey
May Miller
Alana McIalwain
Becky Fowler
Teri Mertes
GUESTS PRESENT: Lyle Price, Kent News Journal
APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS
All claims for the period ending February 28, 1990 in the amount
of $599, 649.77 were approved for payment.
CITY POLICY ON MILITARY LEAVE
Personnel Director Olson presented to the Committee, as an
information only item, the city's current Military Leave of Absence
policy and the proposed new policy. The changes include
compensation for work days (5 per week) instead of calendar days
(7 per week) .
EMPLOYEE REQUESTS FOR RECLASSIFICATION
Personnel Director Olson informed the Committee that 50-60 job
reclassifications are currently on hold. Olson stated it would
take approximately 1 month, with current work load, to evaluate and
field audit each position to see if a reclass is appropriate. He
stated that with the current size of the Personnel staff this task
would be time consuming.
Some alternatives to address this issue are 1- hire an outside
consultant, 2- hire additional personnel, 3- perform a city wide
pay and reclassification. The last city wide reclassification
survey was done in 1987. The reasons that this must be addressed
include: 1- key employees are considering leaving to other
municipalities for higher wages, 2- lawsuits could be possible.
Olson stated that there are 12 union/teamster reclassifications
that take priority. Public Works Director Wickstrom was concerned
about keeping his current employees from considering other
municipalities because his department has already contracted a lot
of projects.
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Personnel Director Olson suggested the city get advice for Ewing
and Associates, who performed the last city wide reclass, when they
visit on March 29 and then decide on a solution.
PERSONNEL ANALYST/MATERNITY LEAVE
Personnel Director Olson stated, as information only, that
Personnel Analyst Viseth will be on maternity leave beginning in
July. The cost to replace her position for approximately 19 weeks
will be $11, 000.
BANKING SERVICES DRAFT RFP
Finance Assistant Mertes informed the Committee that the city will
be submitting proposals for banking services to local banks. A
draft proposal was presented which includes the city specifications
of banking services, monthly banking volumes and the proposal to
evaluate the cost of services.
Financial Services Manager Miller stated that with the city's
continued growth and technical advancement that banking services
have become more complex to include on-line bank information,
lockbox, credit cards and courier services, etc.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS/COURTROOM CARPETING
Customer Service Manager Lindsey informed the Committee of plans
to replace the chamber and courtroom carpeting. He noted that in
so doing the dias in the courtroom will be removed and the torn
benches will be mended. Currently the carpet in the courtroom and
chambers is known as being hazardous and must be upgraded. It was
recommended that the new carpet match the new artwork. The funds
to replace the carpet can be made available within the building
renovation account budget established in the 1990 budget.
The Committee recommended that Lindsey get quotes of firm prices
per square foot and bring them back to the Operations Committee.
Councilmember Mann presented the sound problem in the Council
Chambers and the inability to hear citizens on Television. Lindsey
and Assistant City Administrator Hansen recommended they evaluate
alternative solutions and present options to the Committee.
KING COUNTY LIBRARY SERVICE ANALYSIS
Assistant City Administrator Hansen explained to the Committee that
King County is examining the possibility of increasing the city's
library service fee. The fee is currently 26 cents on $1 assessed
value and Kin my wants to increase the fee to 50 cents.
Currently al city' pay at different levels and they want the fee
to be standar
Hansen received a request that local cit jointly participate in
an analysis of library service financing ssues, at a cost of $4200
per city, to be performed by the Georgette Group. The analysis
would consist of mechanics, rates, service and evaluation of how
fair and valid the proposed rates are. New col£ r' , such as Federal
Way and Sea Tac are paying at the rate of 50 cents.
The City of Kent is currently paying $807, 000 per year for services
and the new rate would be $1,354,000 with the increase to be paid
at 25% over a 4 year period.
The Committee recommended to Council that the city pay $4200 and
participate in the library analysis by a vote of 2-0.
LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION BUDGET
Assistant City Administrator Hansen informed the Committee that the
Library Construction project will go out to bid in March. The
pumping of perma frost and oil contaminated soil is nearly complete
and cost $145,000.
The budget for this project was established in 1987 and due to
inflation, at approximately 5% per year, the city's share of the
final budget increased by $275,000 to $1,876,374. There is
sufficient interest income from investing the proceeds to cover
this increase.