HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 09/28/1994'006.
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 28, 1994
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jon Johnson - Chair, Leona Orr, Christi Houser
STAFF PRESENT: Norm Angelo, Cliff Craig, Karen Ford, Roger Lubovich, Brent McFall, May Miller,
Kelli O'Donnell, Sue Viseth
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Cheryl Reid -Valley Daily News
The meeting was called to order at 9:35 a.m. by Acting Chairperson Christi Houser (Committee Chair
Johnson arrived approximately 9:55).
Approval of Vouchers All claims for the period ending September 15, 1994, in the amount of
$2,268,181.99 were approved for payment.
Au .gust Financial Report
Finance Division Director May Miller reviewed the August financial report with the Committee. May noted
on page one that the general fund revenues are 2% over budget as of August. On page 4 - 6 it was noted that
sales tax has been holding steady with a slight increase and that September 1993 compared to September
1994 shows an increase while the year to date retail sales have increased from 27.8% to 31.3%. Contracting
has decreased while manufacturing had a one time increase in 1993. May noted that her sales tax report
detail shows that 591 new agencies are reporting out of a total of 4,609 business reporting in 1994. Of the
new businesses, 212 are services which points to the sales tax base becoming more diversified. May
reviewed the utility tax revenue stating that the 1995 utility tax will be budgeted approximately 5.2% over
1994 inclusive of the fee increases. During further review, building permit revenue was noted to be down
4.3% with building valuations also lagging behind the 1993 levels. Recreation fees continue to be down and
May stated that a budget adjustment will be recommended for 1995. Fines and forfeitures were reported
to be 1.6% over budget. The water operating revenue increase of 3% appears to be reflective of the hot
summer which is also reflected in the sewer and drainage revenue. A discussion followed regarding the golf
course operating revenue during which Brent McFall stated that capital needs are being looked at which will
be brought back to the Committee when a finance plan has been established. Miller distributed a break
down of payments made to the golf course director. .
May reviewed the adjustments to be made to the 1994 budget on page 16 and noted the preliminary Mayor
Recommends column which forecasts an increase in salaries and benefits of 3.5% for COLA's, a 20%
drainage rate increase, and the addition of fire equipment to the reserve fund. She added that details of the
recommended budget would be discussed in detail at the budget workshop. The expense analysis on page
17 breaks down the budget by each department. May explained that the increase in the Council budget was
the result of the addition of benefits for Councihmembers. Administrations budget reflects increases in civic
affiliations such as AWC, Puget Sound Regional Council, the Chamber of Commerce, etc. and the Court
increase is the result of the addition of the probation contract for a full year as well as additional computer
costs. Development Services has been transferred to the Planning Department; Police shows the increase
in cost of Drinking Driver Task Force of $10,000 to replace a lost grant; and, the Fire Department increase
is due to the fire equipment replacement program. Public Works includes the drainage increase and the
Parks Department includes the changes in the Saturday Market program and the addition of the youth teen
program. A $30,000 incentive program has also been added for 1995 to encourage departments to use
budgets more efficiently. The overall recommended budget if adopted would be 2.2% over 1994 and
includes the library annexation. The CIP preliminary baseline outlined on page 18 includes a 1 % increase
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OPERATI S COMMITTEE MINUTESL,ont.
September 28, 1994
in the fund balance. A discussion followed of the starting time for the budget workshop. Johnson
recommended that it begin at 5:30 and use as much time as needed.
Employee Assistance Program Contract
Human Resources Manager Sue Viseth distributed a handout which gave specific information on the
services provided by the proposed Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Sue explained that the City had
previously contracted for these services but the program was discontinued in 1991. She stated that EAP's
are used to augment the mental health benefits which employees receive and cover such areas as counseling
for troubled teenagers, drug and alcohol problems, and divorce. She noted that these types of problems
impact employees work and the EAP provides confidential services and is a local firm. She explained the
proposed program would offer three free consultations which would result in either resolution or referrals
to continue services if necessary.
Viseth stated that there has been a significant increase in mental health benefits used by employees and in
addition training would be offered to supervisors to help refer employees to needed services. She continued
that an employee task force was used to solicit RFP's and interview the seven respondents. Funds have been
allocated. Sue asked for authorization for the Mayor to enter into a contract with Maschoff, Barr &
Associates and to add this item to the consent calendar of the next City Council meeting. Houser moved
to authorize entering into an Employee Assistance Program contract to be put on the consent calendar of the
next City Council meeting. Orr seconded and the motion passed 3-0.
Christi Houser asked what impacts the Washington State Health Reform would have on the City. Sue
responded that the national health reform is currently on hold and that they are monitoring the State reform.
She stated that they are not sure of the impacts since the City is self insured and that she will be working
with the City's broker as it develops.
Resolution - Valley Medical Center's Proposed Tax Lew LID Lift
Fire Chief Norm Angelo stated that the Public Safety Committee has requested that the City look at adopting
a resolution to address the issues raised by the proposed levy LID lift. Angelo noted that the Green River
Flood Control Board had been approached with a five year deferral of impacts which was rejected. Angelo
explained that two options have been proposed for Council consideration. He noted that this is an ongoing
problem for junior taxing districts which, if the funds go away, results in higher risk or higher cost to the
public. He emphasized the need for public education.
After further discussion, it was noted that the first resolution emphasizes the need for citizens to educate
themselves on the impacts on public safety of the levy LID lift. The second resolution includes the
information from the first and in addition states that the City opposes the proposed tax levy LID lift. Angelo
stated that the Fire Department is not adversarial toward the hospital it is more a question of the taxing
issues and the need to make people aware of those issues. A discussion followed regarding the possibility
of creating a utility bill stuffer on the City's position and the impacts the levy LID lift would have if passed.
Lubovich recommended a change in the language regarding "informed voters" to read "encourages all
citizens to become informed as to the impacts related ...". Councilmember Houser moved to recommend
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September 28, 1994
the resolution that opposes the Valley Medical Center's proposed Hospital Disoct ,tax LID lift with the
recommended changes, Orr seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0. ,
Procurement Ordinance & Policies (Cont.)
Roger Lubovich stated that the comparisons of the current policies and the proposed policy had been
distributed with the agenda Houser stated that she had read the information and noted her concern relating
to item 4. She suggested that the $50,000 limit be reduced to $25,000 for Cou=il aWroval. Orr agreed with
the suggestion. Roger informed the Committee that a telephone survey of neighbog cities varied. McFall
noted that no number was set, it was left to the comfort level of the Council. Johmon asked if the change
in the $50,000 limit would impact the other limits. Orr noted that item 5 should refle,ct the lower limit for
professional consultant contracts. Lubovich agreed. Orr asked if any changes to City policy would be
brought back to Council. McFall stated that they wouldn't but it could be stipulse& in the ordinance that
the Mayor promulgate regulations to be approved by the City Council. Houser moved to recommend
adoption of the procurement ordinance and policies with the changes in ite four and five in the
comparison list discussed and adding Council approval for changes to any oris.
L„ID 344 - Installwont Note and Ordinance
May Miller stated that the proposed LID 344 is being recommended to save the costs of printing and
distributing bonds. Miller requested that the Committee approve the ordinance and authorize the Mayor to
sign it. Roger noted that there might be some minor changes to the final ovlinance but it would be
substantially the same. Orr moved to recommend approval, Houser seconde&wdlhe item passed 3-0.
LID 342 - Installment Note and Ordinance
Miller noted that LID 342 was similar and would be used for the Smith Street sWewalks. Orr moved to
recommend approval, Houser seconded and the motion passed 3-0.
Puget Power Recgigting - Letter of Agmment
May informed the Committee that a letter of agreement had been negotiated with Nget Power. Customer
Services would accept checks and money orders only to begin with. May request approval to enter into
a letter of agreement. Orr so moved, Houser seconded and the motion passed,unouiWously 3-0.
Added Items
Committeemember Orr requested an accounting of cellular phone usage. She specified that she would like
to know who was using them, etc. since the bill for them continues to increase. *Fall noted that a policy
had recently been put into place to bill back personal use of cellular phones and,,t* the requested report
would be brought to the next Operations meeting.
McFall informed the Committee that the Police Department will be soliciting fads .for the annual Youth
Academy is soliciting funds and will be setting up an account to receipt collecteo foods into.
There being no further business, Committee Chair Johnson adjourned the rneeti at 10:40 a.m.
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