HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 05/24/1995 i
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES
MAY 249 1995
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jon Johnson- Chair, Leona Orr
STAFF PRESENT: Jan Banister, Dea Drake, Joy Honeycutt, Roger Lubovich, May Miller,
Ron Spang, Sue Viseth
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Linda Johnson, Bill Doolittle
The meeting was called to order at 9:37 a.m. by Chairperson Johnson.
Approval of Vouchers All claims for the period ending May 15, 1995, in the amount of
$1,635,501.72 were approved for payment.
Addition of 0.5 FTE Position or Graphics/ Cable TV
Information Services Division Manager Ron Spang reviewed with the Committee the handouts
distributed with the agenda. He noted that-staffing is currently 1/2 position down from 1991
staffing levels even though workloads have expanded for graphics and cable television has been
added. To meet these demands $23,000 has been spent on overtime to date although only$350
has been budgeted. He explained that this overtime has been offset by other savings but it is not
in the best interest of the employees to work the kind of hours Dea and Jan have had to work
to keep up.
During further review, Spang asked for authorization to add a half time permanent part time
position as soon as possible and have authorization to add $7,500 to augment for temporary
help. Graphics Specialist Lead Dea Drake pointed out that the chart included illustrates the
amount of overtime worked since 1994 which shows that a V2 time FTE is needed to stabilize
the normal workload with the additional $7,500 to hire temporary help during peak demands.
She added that this covers current demand only. The Committee questioned the impact of the
Meridian Annexation. Dea responded the increase would be in amounts of printing such as
increasing utility stuffers and parks brochures. Drake added that they anticipate coming back
in January to ask for another 1/2 FTE to concentrate on cable which would help cover expanding
hours without overtime. After expanding on the needs for cable, Committee Chair Johnson
questioned the use of volunteers from Community Colleges in addition to this for peaks, etc.
He asked if it was possible with the unions. Human Resources Viseth noted that the use of
volunteers had been discussed in contract negotiations. She noted that the expectations for a
professional station dictates that staff be on site with volunteers and is being looked at.
After further discussion,Committeemember Orr moved to approve for the additional production
staff as soon as it can be arranged. Johnson seconded the motion which passed 2-0.
Addition of Full Time Position for Finance
Finance Division Director May Miller informed the Committee that the Finance Department
has remained seven positions down since the 1991/92 cuts. To fill some of the need a
temporary person had been utilized six months of last year and five months of this year. Miller
explained that the AFSCME contract limits temporary positions to five months which is
reasonable in that staff should be added where needed. She stated that she was asking for a
Administrative Assistant II which most directors have to assist with budget and timesheets, etc.
Miller added that a budget change is not needed since budget savings would be utilized but
requested authorization to hire this position. She noted that the need for another position is
anticipated to be requested in January to assist the budget analyst. Viseth interjected that an
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OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES, Cont.
MAY 249 1995
Administrative Assistant H position was in Finance previously and had been deleted which has
left May with no secretarial support for the department leaving management level employees
to pick up coordination. Orr moved to approve the position,Johnson seconded. Orr noted that
more work is going to be needed to be ready for the annexation. After Johnson noted his
agreement that the work should be done by the appropriate staff,the motion passed 2-0.
Public Works Contract Reauirements - Ordinance
Johnson stated that Roger Lubovich had requested that this item be forwarded to the Public
Works Committee. Orr concurred.
Kent Downtown Partnership 11gd.ate
Executive Director of the Kent Downtown Partnership Linda Johnson stated that the
information from the packet was self explanatory but wanted to touch base with the Committee.
She pointed out that their in-kind donations have gone way up as well as extra people who have
come forward to volunteer in the office. Linda Johnson explained that the downtown private
investment has gone up to $15 million. She noted that the addition of the Code Enforcement
Officer Brian Swanberg is reflected in major improvements to the downtown and,has been
noticed by citizens.
Linda explained that the Saturday Market project is progressing and she is pursuing a grant
forwarded to her from Don Wickstrom for improvements. She noted that since this will be a
business incubator and qualifies for economic development funding. Linda invited all City
Councilmembers to walk through the downtown to look at sidewalks with her. Orr noted the
response she had seen at work to the article on the Kent Downtown. Linda noted that at a recent
convention she was reminded how forward thinking Kent is. Only 1,000 communities in the
U.S. have a position such as hers.
April Financial Report
May Miller reviewed the April Financial Report with the Committee. After reviewing tie April
Financial Report,May reviewed the Golf Complex April Financial Report with the Committee.
On page 5, she noted the Director comparison from 1994 shows that the Director's major impact
is in merchandise revenue is coming in under budget. On the City revenue comparison from
1994 she noted the major impacts are in range fees and driving range. She noted that the
individual revenue funds had been rolled into the overall forecast and the revenue has been
reduced from $3 million to $2.7 million. This is offset by the capital forecast being reduced
from $1.4 million to $1 million. Orr asked if the raised fees had contributed to the revenue
reduction. May responded that they are currently analyzing the number of rounds. She added
that it is hard to estimate what will happen with all of the new competition but the mini-putt
seems to be a good pull. May completed her review.
Committee Chair Johnson asked if there was any further business, there being none he
adjourned the meeting at 10:34 a.m.
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