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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 03/23/1994K OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES March 23, 1994 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jon Johnson, Leona Orr STAFF PRESENT: Jim Huntington, Bob Hutchinson, Charlie Lindsey, Roger Lubovich, Brent McFall, May Miller, Kelli O'Donnelll, Sue Viseth MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Judy Jones, Jean Parietti The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Chairperson Johnson. Approval of Vouchers All claims for the period ending March 15, 1994, in the amount of $1,089,281.94 were approved for payment. Harrison House Report - King County Housing uthori (K.C.H.A.) Judy Jones of the K.C.H.A. distributed to the Committee a report of Harrison House residents/applicants, She noted that currently there are 46 City residents, 18 from unincorporated King County, and 30 from other areas. She noted the list also outlines current applicants. Ms. Jones informed the Committee that the Housing Authority is currently working on filling the subsidy program units and is working with one resident that was previously denied. She noted that potential residents for this program have a concern with how long funding will last and what will happen if they are left without funding once in Harrison House. Jones stated that the second unit is filled with a current resident who no longer has funds from savings for rent. She added three other tenants have asked to be on the waiting list for the subsidy program. Ms. Jones noted that no rent increases or food service increases are currently planned. When asked for questions Chairperson Johnson asked if the projections have been in line for expenses. Ms. Jones responded that some had been high and others low which evened out. February Financial Report Finance Manager Miller reviewed with the Committee the February Financial Report distributed with the agenda. Miller noted that under capital projects, water and sewer appear high due to the nine million dollars reserved for the Tacoma Intertie. On page four Miller pointed out that the high and low on the general fund revenue is reflective of when property tax is collected noting that currently the 4.2% gain is due to unsettled contracts and vacancies. On page nine Miller noted the growth in retail and services through December with Target and Starbucks reporting the highest sales. The budget forecast an page 19 reflects a prediction of ending the year $151,000 over the predicted budget. Miller cautioned that this is a minor amount in a $1.3 million budget this early in the year. Resolution Establishing Permit & Plan Review Fees City Attorney Lubovich stated that a basic plan review fee had been established a few months ago for residential single family homes. He stated that some clarification of the process for basic plans is needed. Other permit fees will remain the same. The proposed resolution would establish the basic plan fee at $50 per permit issued from the approved basic plan with an hourly rate for any changes made. Lubovich added that the developer and architect must both sign off on the basic plan. The above would 1 Operations Committee Minutes, Cont. March 23,1994 only apply to single family residences and only upon written request with reproducible plans provided. Lubovich noted that this resolution would clearly define and establish the application process. Building Official Hutchinson noted that the concept can only be applied to single family due to logistics of the code requirement which vary on size, use, etc. The basic plan review process would only apply to single family units; one on a single parcel. Committeemember Orr moved to accept the recommended resolution and recommend approval to the Council. Johnson seconded and the motion passed 2-0. Report on Permit Process Organization Director of Operations McFall informed the Committee that he and the Mayor have been meeting with Don Wickstrom, Jim Harris, Norm Angelo and Bob Hutchinson to fine tune the Council's desire for a one-stop permit situation. McFall stated that a number of models with the goal of retaining flexibility while being responsive were considered. It was determined that the focus will be on a customer service system that works on problem solving versus a regulatory response. McFall explained that under this system staff would help the applicant identify alternatives. If a permit cannot be issued, in the worse case, the person would feel that the City had tried to help them through the process. McFall outlined the organization plan for permitting; the Office of Development Services will report to Planning as a division of Planning. Staff would be assigned from Public Works, Fire and Planning as key contacts for their department to O.D.S. During heavy workloads more staff could be assigned from departments. McFall stated that the staff that perform the work will help to work out the details of how the relationships and procedures will be set up to make this approach work. McFall added that hundreds or thousands of permits make it through the system but you always hear of the ten or so that don't even if the fault is with the applicant. O.D.S. now has the ability to track how many permits are issued. McFall noted that O.D.S. will also have the Code Enforcement function to work on nuisance codes such as junk, unsafe structures and that a Code Enforcement Officer is currently being recruited. McFall stated that this design for the placement of O.D.S. does not require Council action since it is within the Mayor's authority. Report on Council Wages and Benefits McFall noted that all elected positions were looked at. McFall reported that the Mayor's compensation must be authorized by Council and may be adjusted by ordinance during the term of office. These adjustments could include management benefits, car allowances and/or a cost of living adjustment. This may be done year -by -year or Council may establish a standard to measure against which is set in ordinance form. McFall continued that Council compensation is more tricky. Since the Council adjusts their own level of compensation, it must be adjusted after the expiration of current terms. There is eine exception, the legislature has determined that medical coverage is not compensation and can be added immediately. A C.O.L.A could be done against an index which would automatically adjust wages each January based on an outside index such as 80% of C.P.I.-W, Seattle. Other possible benefits could be membership in the state P.E.R.C. retirement system, car allowances, etc. McFall noted that attachment B gave comparisons of other Operations Committee Minutes, Cont. March 23, 1994 council benefits in neighboring cities. McFall stated that he would be glad to pursue any of the above if the committee wished. Council Chamber Remodel Update Lindsey distributed a revised memo on the council chamber dais remodel and reviewed the changes with those present stating that there would be ten positions at the same level which would be curved. The front of the dais would be plastic laminate with slots for name plates for other committees. Lindsey stated that the final estimate of $15,000420,000 complete with the backdrop. Miller asked if the Committee would like to authorize that the remodel go ahead with a budget limit of $20,000. Orr moved to authorize the establishment of a budget not to exceed $20,000 including change orders, hopefully less. Johnson seconded and the motion passed 2-0. Lubovich noted that he would soon be able to bring abatement of dangerous buildings to Committee. Johnson adjourned the meeting at 10:35 a.m. 3