HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 01/14/1992 OPERAT NS COMMITTEE 11INUTES
January 14, 1992
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Christi Houser
Jon Johnson
Paul Mann
STAFF PRESENT: Norm Angelo
Lin Ball
Mary Berg
Ed Chow
Jim Hansen
Charlie Lindsey
Roger Lubovich
Tony McCarthy
May Miller
Kelli O'Donnell
Don Olson
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairperson Houser.
Approval of Vouchers
All claims for the period ending December 16, 1991,in the amount of$3,278,081.73 and all claims for the
period ending December 31, 1991, in the amount of$1,225,633.18 were approved for payment.
Office of Human Services
Human Resources Director Olson asked for the Operations Committee's approval of this item on the
Consent Calendar at the next City Council meeting. He further explained that this item was brought forth
per the recommendations of the Warner Group Report relating to the organization structure change
creating a department of health and human services. The IPC recommended creation a new office of
human services. A job description has been drafted for the manager of the office with a salary grade of
45 which would be used to fill the position.
The creation of the office has been discussed with Planning Director Jim Harris. The office would stand
alone with a reporting relationship to Planning. This recommendation is cost neutral to the general fund.
Additional salary costs would be covered by the Block Grant Funds. Surplus funds are available this year
and sufficient funds will be assigned in forthcoming years. Harris had requested that the title be Office
of Housing and Human Services which is acceptable to IPC and Administration.
Olson noted that this recommendation is in concert with Administration's efforts to implement non-cost
recommendations from the Warner Group study.
Committeemember Mann moved to approve the creation of the Office of Housing and Human Services as
recommended. Committeemember Johnson suggested that the item be placed order Other Business.
Committeemember Mann so moved. The motion was seconded and passed with a vote of 3-0.
Increase of Fees for Fire and Building Permits
City Attorney Lubovich informed the Committee that currently fees are set in four ordinances. The City
Attorney proposed that the fees be removed from ordinances and set in resolutions which would simplify
the City Code. The Fire Department had proposed rate changes for fire and plumbing permit fees as part
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OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES -
January 14, 1992
Increase of Fees for Fire and Building Permits. Cont.
of the 1992 budget preparation. The new plumbing fees are established by the 1991 Uniform Plumbing
Code and the fire code fees are increased from$35.00 to$70.00. The City Council had sent the item back
to Committee.
Fire Chief Angelo noted that the Council had intended to have more opportunity for public input to review
the justification for fees and allow the Chamber of Commerce more opportunity for input. The Public
Safety Committee forwarded the proposal to Council without a recommendation.
After further discussion of the budget process, Committeemember Mann moved to recommend adoption
of the proposed fees. Committeemember Johnson seconded the motion. City Attorney Lubovich suggested
that the item be placed under Other Business on the agenda. The Committee voted unanimously to
recommend adoption of the fire and plumbing fee increases under Other Business at the next City Council
meeting.
Procurement and Contract Authorization & Related Ordinances
City Attorney Lubovich reviewed the changes in the Procurement and Contract Authorization and related
ordinances. The City has been operating under the State statutes for cities under 20,000 which sets
guidelines for procurement and contract authorization. These limits would be set by resolution to adopt
the statutes for cities over 20,000,which do not have guidelines. The City Attorney recommends using the
same limits as cities 20,000 or under. The City Attorney's office is working on a more detailed procurement
policy that will go into further detail when implemented. The proposed limits would be $7,500 for an
informal bid process and over $15,000 for a formal bid process.
During further discussion Fire Chief Angelo and Senior Planner Ball spoke in favor of keeping the proposed
limits for bids noting the burdens that would fall on staff and contractors if lower limits were adopted.
Lubovich also recommended that Council authorization of bid constitute authorization.
Committeemember Mann moved to accept the procurement ordinance and related ordinances with the City
Attorney's change. Johnson seconded the motion which passed with a vote of 3-0 to be placed under Other
Business at the next City Council meeting.
Public Defender's Contract
City Attorney Lubovich reviewed with the Committee the history of the public defender's contract noting
that the City had been using the same firm for the past three years. Last year the bid process had only one
other response which was $15,000 a month and Sampson & Wilson, Inc. agreed to handle the public
defense for$8,500 a month. Lubovich stated he was able to negotiate with the firm for the 1992 contract
in the amount of $11,500 a month. The increase in case load and double setting accounted for the
increased costs. Sampson&Wilson also agreed to dedicate two full time attorneys with a third on call as
well as support personnel. Lubovich noted that he was concerned that if the contract went through a
formal bid process Sampson &Wilson may come in with a higher bid.
After further discussion, Committeemember Johnson moved for approval of the contract. Mann seconded
the motion which passed with a vote of 3-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. by Chairperson Houser.
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