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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 01/11/1995 OPEF#TIONS COMMITTE IINUTES - v JANUARY 11, 1995 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jon Johnson- Chair, Leona Orr, Christi Houser STAFF PRESENT: Ken Chatwin,John Hodgson,Brent McFall,May Miller,Kelli O'Donnell, Sue Viseth MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: None. The meeting was called to order at 9:31 a.m. by Chairperson Johnson. Approval of Vouchers All claims for the period ending December 31, 1994, in the amount of $966,441.81 were approved for payment. Kent Downtown Partnership Letter of Agreement Director of Operations Brent McFall stated that this is a proposed letter of agreement between Kent Downtown Partnership and the City of Kent. This is a continuation of the City's relationship with Kent Downtown Partnership. The City will provide $32,000 to support their revitalization efforts and promotion of downtown in twelve installments. The Partnership also has the responsibility to develop matching funds. He noted that these fluids were provided for in the budget. McFall asked for the Committee to recommend to the full Council authorization for the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Kent Downtown Partnership. Committeemember Houser so moved,Committeemember Orr seconded and the motion passed 3-0. Federal Drug and Alcohol Testing Compliance Risk Manager Ken Chatwin informed the Committee that the new federal drug and alcohol testing requirements are applicable to employees with commercial vehicle licenses except for police and fire who are exempt. He noted that over fifty employees are subject to testing currently under random testing and pre-employment testing would be conducted in the future. Chatwin stated that at present the only facility offering this type of testing convenient to the City would be Valley Occupational Clinic. He noted the proposal was on a fee basis and training of supervisors would also be conducted. Chatwin recommended that the first year an independent contractor should be used to comply with the law. Orr asked if the new law had been explained to employees. Chatwin responded that Sue Viseth has sent a memo out to those employees. Orr moved to approve the recommended contract with Valley Occupational Clinic. Houser seconded and the motion passed 3-0. Kent Downtown Partnership Executive Director of the Kent Downtown Partnership Linda Johnson distributed a copy of the report from the State. Johnson noted that since October of 1993, 52 new businesses had opened in the Downtown and four had expanded or relocated into the district. She explained that statistics only apply to the district but her office helps other businesses such as Ernst moving into the area. In concluding her review she noted that overall the City of Kent downtown is doing well in comparison to other cities. Worker's Compeer cation Claim Handling Contract Ken Chatwin explained that this is a renewal of the contract with Scott Wetzel for one year. He noted that the previous contract had been 18 months in order to move to a January 1 renewal date. The claim frequency is estimated to go down for 1995 and there has been a slight increase in prices. Currently the City pays$395 for each indemnity claim which would increase to$435 for 1995 and medical claims would be increased from$85 to$90 each. The administrative fee ` s OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES, Cont } ' - JANUARY 11, 199 would remain the same. Ken stated that he has been pleased with the past performance of Scott Wetzel and that he feels that it would not be cost effective to do the function in-house. He noted that funds were paid out of the Worker's Compensation Trust Fund. Orr moved to recommend the Committee approve the renewal of the Third Party Claims Administrator contract with Scott-Wetzel Services Inc. Houser seconded and the motion passed 3-0. Safety Awards Program Expansion Ken Chatwin stated that the current program was started in 1994 in response to the high claims in 1993. The result has been a reduction in claims. Chatwin noted that other factors have contributed to the reduced claims such as a change in employee attitude brought about by the new administrations settlement of labor contracts and the elimination of the fear of layoffs. He explained that there is still a need for safety awards since they help keep employees interested in looking after each other. He stated that the proposal would expand the program to all City employees. The cost per person would be lower he added. Chatwin stated the cost per month would be $2,768 which is up from $1,650. This expense would be paid out of the Worker's Comprehensive Trust Fund as a preventative measure. Orr asked how many employees would be covered. Chatwin responded that 600 would be included which should be enough to include 10 month employees but not summer help. Orr moved to approve the expansion of the safety awards program. Houser seconded and the motion passed 3-0. Golf Course Refunding Ordinance May Miller informed the Committee that this item had been approved in May to be brought forward to Council but it had been held up due to the Orange County situation. She stated that the average interest in today's market is estimated at 6.18%which is up from the beginning of the process. 4.9%of the principal amount savings is projected. The savings will accomplish two goals; reducing the debt cost and lowering the payments for three years to do golf course improvements. Miller noted that John Hodgson has put together a list of improvements and she explained that even though these are councilmanic bonds which are pledged by the City they will be paid from golf course revenue. May informed the Committee that the City is currently being rated by Moody's. She added that she had attended the Economic Development Forecast lunch where it was predicted that the region will have steady continual growth and that even though Boeing has laid off 19,000 people 30,000 new jobs have been added in other businesses. After further explanation of the area economy,May recommended that authorization be given to proceed with the bond refund. Houser asked if since we cannot do anything at the driving range because of the weather would the funds go into savings? Miller responded that it would be placed in an interest bearing account. Parks and Recreation Director John Hodgson stated that an RFP for the mini-putt will be going out on Tuesday for the design and construction of a turnkey mini-putt excluding landscaping plants which would be done in-house. He estimated that the project would be complete by June. Hodgson informed the Committee that a soil survey of the range had been done with the results showing the soil is not good and it looked like soil would have to be Page 2 OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES, Cont JANUARY 11, 1994' imported. It was recommended that any work on the range be done at the driest time of the year which is August. He noted that SEPA is in the process for the range, netting and synthetic turf now and it is hoped that by purchasing ads and promoting the mini-putt it will help carry revenue through construction on the range. Houser asked if any expansion of the clubhouse for youth was being considered? John responded that S.S.M.D. was proposing some type of picnic area and possibly a concession trailer if enough revenue is generated to expand the project. Miller stated that February is the projected date for sale of bonds. Orr moved to proceed with the Golf Course refinance, Houser seconded. Miller asked that authorization be given for the Mayor to sign the Refunding Trust Agreement,Orr agreed. McFall asked if the item should be placed under Other Business on the Council Agenda, Johnson stated it should be. Johnson called for a vote;the motion passed 3-0. Refuncli g Bond Purchase Contract May Miller asked for authorization for the Mayor to sign the Refunding Bond Purchase Agreement. Houser so moved, Orr seconded and the motion passed 3-0. Council Rules and Procedures Committee Chair Johnson stated that he was bringing this item forward for any comments or questions and there was no timeline. Orr stated that it was her understanding that she would be working with Johnson and Bennett. Johnson replied that this was a draft and as a committee it could be worked on. Houser stated that she had a few questions. Johnson stated that he would like to ask everyone to give suggestions and work on it as a committee with Orr and Bennett. Houser asked if section 21 from resolution 1094 was included which states that a Council committee shall submit all business to the Council with or without a recommendation. Houser noted her concern that another Council member sit in on a committee and vote in Section 25 which is difficult when they may not have all the information from previous meetings. Christi questioned the need for Section 26 which seemed cumbersome. Jon replied that things have been brought to Council before without prior knowledge of department heads or even the City Attorney for review. She agreed that the provision in Section 16 for the City Attorney's review made sense but questioned the examination and approval by department heads. After further discussion Houser asked that it also be considered that sections 17 and 21 from the old resolution be incorporated into any new resolution. November Financial Report Miller reviewed the November financial report with the Committee. On page one she explained that the cash view compared from last November to this November is lower due to earlier transfers of project funds so that the books can be closed sooner. In reviewing investments, May explained on page 3 that the types of investments are distributed as indicated in secure investments. On page 7 it was noted that the general fund revenue is up 4.8%for November and 2.4% for the year. Page 8 reflects the transfers early as well as retroactive payments of Page 3 OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTfES, Cont JANUARY 11, 199 S contract salaries. During further review May indicated that the December sales tax figure had been received and sales tax will end the year at 7%over budget. She noted that page 11 shows sales tax with one time revenue backed out which indicates that there has been 5.5%real growth over what was budgeted. May distributed and reviewed a handout outlining the percentages of sales tax received by reporting category. Miller noted that utility tax is up by 5% and that building permits are up by 1%although values of building permits as shown on page 14 are way down. During May's review of the recreation fees on page 15, Christi Houser noted that the Parks Committee needs to look at fees being charged for programs. On page 16,May stated that fines and forfeitures may go up from the 2.8% increase as more accounts are turned over to collection. May explained that golf revenue was down 1.9% and that she had met with John Hodgson, Finance staff and Jim Stone to target areas to enhance revenue next year. She noted that the budget had been adjusted last month on the expense side. After May concluded her review of the remaining financial report, a discussion followed of the compensation levels of vacant positions. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:33 a.m. by Chairperson Johnson. Page 4