HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 12/07/1992 City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET COMMITTE
December 7, 1992, 4:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Jon Johnson - Chair, Leona Orr, Jim White, Tom Brubaker, Cliff Craig, Bill
Doolittle, Ramona Fultz, Charlie Lindsey, Tony McCarthy, May Miller, Don
Olson, Jean Parietti, Don Wickstrom, Helen Wickstrom.
Committee Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.
Property Tax Levy Ordinance
Chief Administrative Officer McCarthy stated the Ordinance is due to King County by
December 14th. The 1993 levy rate is $3.06 which is down from the 1992 figure of $3.19.
After a brief discussion of the lower rate, White so moved for approval of the Ordinance,
Orr seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
1993 Budget
McCarthy noted that the starred items were additions/changes from the last meeting. As
requested by the Golf Advisory Board Chair,McCarthy stated that he has been working with
the Parks Department to establish the Golf CIP list. A discussion of items included followed,
McCarthy stated that he would try to have the list finalized by tomorrows City Council
meeting. It was moved by White and seconded by Orr to approve the Parks Department CIP
list. The motion carried with a vote of 3-0.
During further discussion, White noted the depletion of the Environmental Mitigation fund
and questioned how the multi-family recycling would be implemented. Wickstrom stated
that would be by Council's direction along with the yard waste program which has also not
been funded. Upon questioning Wickstrom added that a process would be followed to
gather public input before going to Council.
McCarthy noted that the Library Special Election was noted in the budget with no funds
allocated. A discussion followed regarding the cost of the special election and the
possibility of any savings if the election was held in the fall of 1993, McCarthy was directed
to bring answers to these questions to the City Council Meeting of December 8th, 1992.
Johnson asked for the Committee's input for including the deletion of the department head
merit pay. He noted that if a COLA is given those with a larger salary receive a proportional
COLA. A discussion of the merit pay system followed. Johnson moved to direct the Chief
Administrative Officer to prepare a proposal for a new merit pay plan, leave the funds in the
budget with the condition that before any of the funds are spent the new plan must be
approved. Orr seconded the motion, the motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
White asked if the step increase was an automatic 5% a year. McCarthy explained the step
increase policy. White proposed freezing the step increases for one year unless negotiated
into the contracts in which case everyone would receive them. Upon consultation with the
Human Resource Department it was agreed that it was too late in the negotiation process
to include for this contract and that criteria is in place for all employees to complete a
performance evaluations before the increase is granted to those eligible.
• Johnson asked when COLA's will be distributed. McCarthy stated that the Mayor is In favor
of waiting until the majority of union contracts are settled. Johnson asked-If the COLA's
would be retroactive. McCarthy stated that it would be based on the union settlement.
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CITY COUNCIL BUDGET COMMITTEE hNNUTES
December 7, 1992, Continuer!
White asked if there was any program encouraging early retirement. Olson stated that
Human Resources is gathering information and will be reporting to thwExecutive Committee
on Wednesday.
White stated that he had a suggestion on Community Events. White stated that he was not
convinced the City should be involved in all of the activities the City Is currently. He
encouraged creativity to look for another way of funding. White state[with the interest of
the Team Downtown and the PDA talked about previously, he would like to pursue the
proposal to eliminate the positions leaving a 1/2 position which would be transferred to parks
and at the end of the next Saturday Market season revert to the POA or team downtown.
McCarthy responded that in the previous modification a 1/2 position was eliminated and the
City Management Committee was asked to evaluate future participation. As deliberation
proceeded, Johnson suggested that the issue be debated at tomorrow Council meeting.
Orr suggested that White's suggestion be considered as part of the budget process for
1994.
Johnson asked for a recommendation to go to Council to Include the adjustments for the
1993 budget as outlined in the Budget Agenda,drawing a line throw the 1993 Department
Head Merit Deletion. McCarthy added the direction for the Chief Administrative Officer to
develop a Department Head merit formula, no COLA's for non-represented employees until
settlement of the union contracts, one position being transferred to Parks and the direction •
to the Managements Study Committee to look at Community Events and bring their
recommendations back to the Budget Committee prior to the end of the 1993 Market
season. Committeemember Orr so moved, Johnson seconded the motion. White stated
that he could not approve the budget in Its present form stating that he did not feel the City
was adequately prepared for the future. Johnson responded that he felt that with the
Budget Committee an increased awareness of the situation the Committee can monitor the
situation and react If the economy changes. Orr agreed noting that analyzing monthly
should avoid any tragedy as seen this year. Johnson called for a vote on the motion.
Johnson and Orr voted in favor of the motion and White voted against the motion. The
motion passed 2-1.
Johnson adjourned the meeting at 5:40 p.m.
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