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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 07/07/1992 City Clerk ti :i4- OPERATIONS COMMITTEE July 7, 1992 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Christi Houser Leona Orr Jim White STAFF PRESENT: Ken Chatwin Ed Chow Dan Kelleher Charlie Lindsey Roger Lubovich Tony McCarthy Alana McIalwain May Miller Rose Nelson Kelli O'Donnell Tom Vetsch Don Wickstrom Barney Wilson MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Bill Doolittle Jean Parietti Donald Prociw The meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m. by Chairperson Houser. Approval of Vouchers All claims for the period ending June 15, 1992,in the amount of$2,845,642.28 and for the period ending June 30, 1992, in the amount of$1,205,225.02 were approved for payment. Burlin on Northern Parkin Chairperson Houser noted that the Committee could hear non-action item reports since Committeemember White was delayed. Administrative Manager McIalwain updated the Committeemembers on the progress of negotiations with Burlington Northern. She noted that the City had been leasing a number of properties from Burlington Northern under separate agreements. The City is working to combine all of the leases under one agreement. Local businesses have also been supportive of the City negotiating for additional parking spaces. A tentative agreement has been drafted and is awaiting action from Burlington Northern. McIalwain stated that there is a non-budgeted cost associated with the lease. Burlington Northern is requesting payment of the property taxes on the lots in exchange for the use of the land for parking which amounts to approximately$6,000. 1 OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES, CONT. July 7, 1992 City Attorney Lubovich noted that he had received a letter tentatively agreeing to the lease in return for the City paying the taxes but apparently Burlington Northern is using the property to secure a major loan packages which is holding them back from signing the agreement. He also noted that there is the possibility that their are some additional properties that the City may have previously leased that may be of benefit. Once the agreement is complete, the City should have long-term access to parking. Mandated Bloodborne Pathogens Vaccination Risk Analyst Chatwin stated that he need to update the Committee on a potential budget expense due to the new Federal and State WISHA mandated program. Chatwin noted that the Fire Department was okay but the Police Department had a possibility of 20 people requiring the subject vaccinations. He elaborated that any person who may be required to perform first aide which could expose them to AIDS or Hepatitis B, must be offered the Hepatitis B vaccination series. The series consists of three shots which would amount to approximately$300 per person, the serum itself is about $150. The Police Department requested funding last fall for this item but there are 20 people in Corrections who need to be offered the vaccination. Chatwin stated that there is a narrow window for implementation of the program. The requirements have also continued to change and now include Parks staff and youth programs. Employees dealing with sewers were also considered for inclusion but are not included at this point. The main area of implementation now is personnel in youth programs including baseball and recreation. The requirements may be applied to anyone who may have to provide emergency first aide before calling 911. If their job description requires first aide,the City is obligated to offer the vaccination to them. Another aspect is to provide for the disposal and control of any materials with blood on them from first aide. Houser asked if this would apply to referees and coaches. Chatwin replied that his understanding is that temporary employees must be offered the vaccination even if it is for a three month program and the person is not employed long enough to receive the third shot since the series is completed over 90 days. The guidelines may require the employer to be responsible for notification and possibly payment after termination of employment. Lubovich asked if this was an interpretation of the State law. Chatwin replied that the law states that occupational exposure means reasonable anticipated skin, eye mucus membrane or perennial contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result in the performance of an employees duties is one test. The other test is if we have made first aide and CPR a part of the job description,which is true in a number of Parks employees. Houser asked how many temporary employees these requirements would apply to. Chatwin replied that it could be 100 or more employees depending on the individuals involved. He also stated that the numbers could possibly be controlled in the future by changing some job descriptions. Chatwin pointed out that the Parks employees as well as Public Works employees were considered by the State as an afterthought and at this point Public Works will not be subject to the regulations but everything is just being defined. Committeemember Orr stated that she had previously looked into this issue on her own and could understand the $150 for the vaccination but questioned the $150 to administer the shots. Chatwin responded that we could possibly get a reduced figure through contracting for services. The$50 figure per 2 OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES, CONT. July 7, 1992 office visit is just an average cost at this point. Houser asked about the requirements for tracking temporary employees. Chatwin replied that documentation would be required even if an employee rejects the offer for vaccination there are mandatory declinations that must be signed for the City's protection. Houser asked when this would take affect. Chatwin stated that the WISHA standard came out May 26, 1992 with all aspects to be completed by August 27, 1992. Upon Committeemember Whites question Chatwin noted that he did not currently have a strong description of which Parks employees would fall under this but it was clear that training and disposal programs need to be designed for the Parks Department. During further discussion he noted that his main purpose was to bring the Committee up to date on the information available at this time. Water Leak Adjustment Request - Don Prociw, Sr. Customer Services Manager Lindsey informed the Committee that Councilmember Bennett had brought to his attention a citizen complaint regarding a leaky toilet. Lindsey wrote a letter explaining the City policy regarding leaks and informing Mr. Prociw that if he wished to pursue the matter he could bring it to the Operations Committee. Mr. Prociw explained to the Committee that he had left on a trip early on the 30th of January and had asked someone to come in to bring in the mail and paper on that day. The person used the restroom before leaving and it ran for seventeen days which left Mr. Prociw with a water bill of$270. Mr. Prociw asked if the Committee would look at last year's billing and forgive the difference since he did not have any control. White asked what our obligation was to METRO. Lindsey replied $13.70 since it went through the sewer. Finance Director McCarthy informed the Committee that this was an exception to policy of allowing a 50% reduction if a leak occurs between the meter and the house. During further discussion, Committeemember White noted his concern of having the rest of the citizens of Kent pick-up a portion of the bill. After further discussion, Prociw noted he understood the Committee's concern but pointed out that normally the person would be at home and have some measure of control. Chairperson Houser asked for a motion. After having no motion put forth, she informed Mr. Prociw that the Committee did not wish to adjust his bill because of the precedent it would set. CPG Grant Acceptance/Budget Change Public Works Director Wickstrom stated that as authorized in 1991, a CPG grant from the DOE for a Solid Waste Coordinator had been applied for. The grant has been awarded to the City and the DOE is asking for acceptance of the funds or, if not accepted, they would like to have the funds freed up for another project. Wickstrom outlined how the position had been redefined to meet mandatory needs of the City for recycling and water conservation. Also by redefining the job,the City portion of the salary could be funded from the 3% water utility tax. During further explanation, Wickstrom noted that the City has been approved for a two year grant with the potential for another two years. There would�be no impact on the general fund and he proposed that the position be advertised in-house which could provide further savings if a general fund position is vacated and frozen. He requested that the Committee: authorize acceptance of the grant; transfer$32,000 from the water utility tax; and,approve a different title. Wickstrom informed the Committee that the Public Works Committee had concurred with this request. 3 OPERATIONS CODE MINUTES, CONT. July 7, 1992 Houser felt that$60,000 seemed like a high salary. Wickstrom replied that the funds included salary and benefits as well as funding of programs such as oil pick up and hazardous waste disposal. Personnel Analyst Nelson noted that the position has been researched by Human Resources. They have found that other cities have similar positions and recruiting as a salary range of 27 is significantly less. Nelson also recommended that it would be noted that this was a two year implementation position. Orr noted that with all of the numerous mandates the City needs to comply with, the City should take advantage of the dollars available to us. A discussion followed of the various mandates from the DOE and King County imposed under adoption of the Regional Comprehensive Plan as well as requirements for water use reduction tied to the permit process for Pipeline Number 5. Orr moved to accept Wickstrom's recommendation to authorize acceptance of the grant; authorize the transfer of$32,000; and, approve the revised position. Orr stipulated that if the in-house position did not work out, it should be brought to the Committee's attention. The motion passed with a vote of 2-1. Houser seconded the motion. Orr and Houser voted in favor of the motion. White voted against the motion. Bill Doolittle questioned the in-house vacancy asking if that position would be filled. Houser responded that it was her understanding the vacancy would be frozen. Senior Housing Update McIalwain gave a verbal report on the status of the Senior Housing Project. She informed the Committee that the City has received over 280 calls of interest. The construction has been remarkable and is on-time. The project is also on-budget. The King County Grant is almost completed and the loan with the State is still being looked at. In addition, the King County Housing Authority is finalizing a management plan. The application process is planned to begin in late August with project completion in late November and the dedication in mid/late December. White questioned the ownership of the project in regards to the use of staff time. Mayor Kelleher explained that the housing was being built by the City and developed as a turn-key project. The City has a responsibility to the bond holders. In addition, the Housing Authority is working hard on the project. During further discussion, City Attorney Lubovich noted that the City does hold a reversionary interest in the project. Kelleher pointed out that the project coming in under budget gives the City the option of foregoing the State loan. White questioned how the City could come in under budget when the contract with the Bellewood Corporation is for a given fee. Kelleher indicated that the amount included the grant and some contingencies could be negotiated. Kelleher noted that if the loan is accepted, there are more stringent requirements that must be met. Doolittle asked if it was known how many of the 280 inquiries were Kent residents versus outside of the City. McIalwain responded that staff has only taken names and addresses to distribute information as it becomes available. Doolittle pointed out that 300 people had been identified in Kent at the beginning of 4 a r OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES, CONT. July 7, 1992 the process. He added that King County Housing Authority has stated that absolute priority would be given to Kent residents. Kelleher replied that the project fell under multiple restrictions. The Housing Authority must 1) give priority to Kent residents and 2) have residents who earn 50% or less than the median income. While it is not etched in stone, it is being considered that if both of these criteria are met an applicant would have top priority. If an applicant only meets one of the requirements they would be given number two priority and if they met neither, would be last priority. The County Grant for$250,000 agrees to only 10 residents having to be from unincorporated King County. Kelleher continued that one of the advantages to foregoing the State loan is their requirement that at least 70 units be below 30% of median income,whether or not the person is a Kent resident. A discussion followed regarding the people interested in the project. Budget Status City Administrator Chow stated that per the Mayor's and Councirs request three meetings have been held with approximately 250 employees in attendance. In addition, forms were distributed for input. The suggestions from the forms and meetings were collated and are being forwarded to Finance and Human Resources to cost out and report back. Kelleher asked if these were non-personnel cost savings. Chow replied that they were. Chow continued that Department Heads were requested to resubmit proposals for revenue generation and additional budget cuts which is due to Administration by the 10th of this month. Administration will be meeting with the unions tomorrow to discuss their suggestions for the short fall. Parks and Recreation Director Wilson noted that he had attended one of the meetings and felt it went well. Doolittle pointed out that at the workshop in March the Council had unanimously asked to withdraw the frozen positions. During further comment, he pointed out that the frozen positions will cause confusion during the 1993 budget process. After a brief discussion of frozen positions,Chairperson Houser adjourned the meeting at 3:10 p.m. 5