HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 06/22/19940 0
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES
JUNE 22, 1994
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jon Johnson -Chair, Christi Houser, Leona Orr
STAFF PRESENT: Cliff Craig, Roger Lubovich, Brent McFall, May Miller, Kelli O'Donnell
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Linda Johnson
The meeting was called to order at 9:35 a.m. by Committee Chair Johnson.
Approval of Vouchers All claims for the period ending June 15, 1994, in the amounts of
$1,045,951.50 were approved for payment.
Kent Downtown Partnership Activity ReRort
Kent Downtown Partnership Executive Director Linda Johnson distributed to the Committee an
activity report outlining the activities of the Downtown Partnership committees. Johnson stated that
the Partnership will be reassessing goals based on the information from the Resource Team. She
noted that goals are usually set about every six months as the old ones are accomplished and asked
that the City participate in goal making sessions.
In reviewing the report, Johnson stated that page four is sent to the state quarterly and Kent
Downtown Partnership has been reporting since October of 1993 with a net business of 32 which
is the second highest with Vancouver the highest after reporting for three years. Johnson reviewed
the Saturday Market report noting that revenue is up 44.4%. She noted that the Partnership is
working with the Parks & Recreation Department on a five year contract and that the Partnership has
been meeting with the Mayor and Brent McFall on funding for next year.
Johnson informed the Committee that Auburn is on the verge of losing their Business Improvement
District and that she has been looking at forming a BIA in Kent but is not confident now is the time
to pursue it. Johnson noted that the Partnership will be active at Cornucopia selling t -shirts and
staffing an information booth to talk to the community.
Johnson reported that the Resource Team from the state recommended that Kent sit down as a
community to decide overall Kent identity. After interviewing over 100 people from all over Kent
they reported that our City has no image. Houser noted that it has changed so much from a rural
community. Johnson agreed noting that Kent has aerospace and industrial but is still a home town
with a great school district and that work needs to be done on telling the world. She suggested that
imaging be done together. Johnson expressed her hope that everyone would have an opportunity to
view the video of the final meeting with the Resource Team. In conclusion Johnson noted that Kent
will host the City Managers retreat in August.
Financial Report - MaY
Finance Manager Miller distributed the May Financial Report informing the Committee that it is
easier to get the report out with the agenda when the meeting falls on the last Wednesday of the
month. In review, Miller noted that the Cash is down due to the U.S. Marshal's contract being lost
the first quarter; and the 2 %2% COLA being paid in a different period. Under Other Insurance, May
noted that it was up $800,000 primarily because of liability and the City is doing better in health
insurance. During further review, Miller noted the Council has $14 million available in long term
councilmanic debt which may be utilized for the 277th Corridor, etc. McFall noted that the City
ITTE� MINUTES, COR. CO
TI T,�NF2,2,, 1994
would first need to determine how any funds used would be paid back. Miller stated that she is
working on a debt per capita analysis for the Council. On page four Miller noted that the general
fund is .2% above budget and on page five expenses are over budget primarily due to payment of
two large claims and the AFSCME back pay. On page 7 sales tax is reported over budget $215,000
which is may show the economy is healthy and Finance is projecting that 1995 will be 2.4% over
budget. Miller stated that the New Business Report was not included in the packet and reviewed the
new businesses including a courier service with 50 employees, a temporary business with 21 and a
concrete accessory business with 14 employees opening in May. She noted a contract company had
closed with 11 employees and the June report showed a new restaurant with 17.5 employees and a
retail grocery with 70 employees.
During further review Miller noted that recreation fees are down which could be connected to the
increased fees in 1994 causing participants to go to other facilities. She suggested that this be looked
at in the 1995 budget process. In reviewing pages 12 and 13 Miller explained that water was
significantly under budget due to a summer rate increase not being added on in May. She stated that
this occurred partially due to staff cuts and a new program is being written to automate the rate
changes. During this discussion Miller also noted that the Ramstead annexation will add 700 new
customers. On page 15 Miller reviewed the preliminary baseline 1995 noting that the annexations
had not been added in for revenues or expenses and that $50,000 has been set aside to use for an
incentive program to reward departments for doing well on their budgets. McFall elaborated that
he has asked the departments "how they can do things differently" to look for better ways since the
departments are the ones that know. During discussion of the budget process, McFall asked for
direction on the budget review by Council. Houser stated that this usually occurred mid -summer.
Miller added that this is not a growth year and there should only be modest changes. McFall
suggested that the budget calendar be added to the agenda of the next meeting. Miller concluded her
review of the budget.
After a brief discussion of the remodel progress; Committee Chair Johnson adjourned the meeting
at 10:25 a.m.
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