HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 11/20/2007 KENT
WASH 1 N O T O N
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES
NOVEMBER 20, 2007
Committee Members Present: Debbie Raplee, Deborah Ranniger and Tim Clark
The meeting was called to order by Chair Tim Clark at 4:07 p.m.
Deborah Ranniger joined the meeting at 4:20 p.m.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED NOVEMBER 6, 2007
Debbie Raplee moved to approve the minutes of the November 6, 2007, Operation
Committee meeting. Tim Clark seconded the motion, which passed 3-0, with
Deborah Ranniger's concurrence
2. APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS DATED NOVEMBER 15, 2007
Finance Director Bob Nachlinger presented the vouchers for November 15, 2007, for approval.
Debbie Raplee moved to approve the vouchers dated November 15, 2007. Tim Clark
seconded the motion, which passed 3-0, with Deborah Ranniger's concurrence
3. VISION SERVICE PLAN - THREE YEAR ADMIN. SERVICES CONTRACT
Employee Services Benefits Manager Becky Fowler presented the Vision Service Plan ("VSP") - Three Year
Administrative Services Contract which covers Premera and Group Health. Ms. Fowler advised
that all active employees and their dependents are covered under the self-insured Vision Service
Plan program totaling 802 employees and 2,124 dependents. The third-party administration
fees, exclusive of claims, for 2008 are estimated to be $19,580.00 and are budgeted in the
health and welfare fund. The City contracts with Vision Service Plan as a third-party
administrator (TPA) to process claims and provide access to VSP's network of optometrists and
ophthalmologists. The city is self-insured for this program and wires the monthly claims cost to
VSP for our vision expenses. The 2008 contract reflects no increase in administrative fees by
VSP. There is a budget impact of $135,821.00 (Administration and claim fees). Questions were
raised by the Committee and Ms. Fowler addressed those questions.
Debbie Raplee moved to recommend that the Vision Service Plan (VSP) three year
contract be placed on the consent calendar for the December 11, 2007 meeting
approving the contract and recommending it for the Mayor's signature. Tim Clark
seconded the motion, which passed 3-0. with Deborah Ranniger's concurrence.
Operations Committee Minutes
November 20, 2007
Page: 2
4. BUDGET CHANGE — RIVERBEND GOLF COURSE WELL PUMP AND ITEMS FOR
RESALE
Parks Director Jeff Watling presented the Budget change for the Riverbend Golf Course Well
pump and items for resale. Mr. Watling advised that In December 2006, City council authorized
staff to proceed with an emergency replacement of the well pump at the Riverbend Golf Complex.
At that time, staff did not request additional 2007 funding as the initial attempt was to absorb
that capital equipment cost into the 2007 budget. If unable, a budget adjustment would need to
be made in late 2007. In consulting with Finance Department staff in regards to actual
expenditures through October 2007, a budget adjustment will be needed for a portion of the well
pump replacement. Additionally, retail sales at the Merchandise Center in 2007 have exceeded
expectations. Though ultimately resulting in increased profit, merchandise must first be
purchased by Riverbend. Therefore, a budget adjustment of $160,000 for these expenditures is
requested to reflect the higher than expected business at the Merchandise Center. The budget
impact is from the Operating fund adjustment increasing the Riverbend Golf Complex
expenditures by $160,000. The Committee raised questions and Mr. Watling and Pete Peterson,
Golf Operations Superintendent addressed those questions.
Debbie Raplee moved to recommend City Council approve a budget adjustment
increasing the Riverbend Golf Complex Fund by $160,000 to pay for an emergency
well pump replacement and increased retail sales. Tim Clark seconded the motion,
which passed 3-0, with Deborah Ranniger's concurrence.
S. DOUG LEVY CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR 2008
Community and Public Affairs Manager Michelle Witham presented the Doug Levy Consulting
Services Agreement for 2008. Ms. Witham advised that since the year 2000, the city has
contracted annually with Doug Levy of Outcomes by Levy, the City's lobbyist to provide services
for the city of Kent. These services include assist with issue identification and meetings with Kent
legislators prior to the Legislative Session; continue to monitor and identify problems and
opportunities for Kent on issues under consideration by various state legislative bodies including
group meetings on transportation; and recently $28,000,000 appropriated for the construction of
the Kent Events Center, and a lot of financial assistance from the transportation funds in Olympia
for local transportation projects; Safe Havens program; Center for Advanced Manufacturing in the
amount of $500,000 in the last few years; Clark Lake expansion as well as Wilson Playfields. Ms.
Witham stated Mr. Levy is working with legislators on stiffening penalties for auto theft and metal
theft which are big issues in Kent as well as working on streamlined sales tax and sales tax
credits for annexation. Ms. Witham stated that Mr. Levy has proven himself to be extremely
effective in advancing Kent's legislative agenda and has accumulated a great deal of expertise
and knowledge regarding the issues of importance to Kent. Ms. Witham asked that the
Committee be aware of a $300 per month increase in his retainer, which is the first increase he
has asked for in the last three years which she believes to be a wise investment. Ms. Witham
addressed the Committee's questions regarding Mr. Levy's services and expenses.
Deborah Ranniger moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement with
Outcomes by Levy for government relations consulting services for 2008 in the
amount of $5,300.00 per month, plus agreed upon expenses, and upon review by the
City Attorney. Debbie Raplee seconded, which passed 3-0.
Operations Committee Minutes
November 20, 2007
Page: 3
6. NON-REPRESENTED EMPLOYEE SALARY ADJUSTMENT PROCESS - RESOLUTION
City Attorney Tom Brubaker presented the Non-Represented Employee Salary Adjustment
Process - Resolution. Mr. Brubaker advised that the Committee Chair and Council Member
Raplee have requested the Law Department prepare a resolution for Council consideration
which outlines the process for conducting group comparative salary surveys and implementing
the results of those surveys. The proposed resolution would provide such a process. The
Committee addressed its concerns regarding granting authorizing for salary surveys for
classifications of more than seven non-represented employee. The Committee advised that
they did not have concerns regarding individual salary surveys and stated that they would like
to find a balance and compromise when it comes to being involved and being aware of the
salary surveys and to take into consideration how it will affect the budget . Employee Services
Director Sue Viseth addressed the Committee questions and concerns and stated there is a lot
of work involved in salary surveys and many are conducted for recruitment purposes to be sure
the City is comparable to other cities in the job market.
Debbie Raplee moved to recommend the Non-Represented Employee Salary
Adjustment Process - Resolution to the December 4, 2007, Operations Committee
meeting. Deborah Ranniger seconded, which passed 3-0.
7. WATER RATE DISCUSSION
Finance Director Bob Nachlinger discussed the Water Rate memo and its attachments per the
request of the Committee at the November 6t" Operations Committee. He discussed the two
alternative rate proposals provided for the proposed base fee increase and a comparison of base
and consumption charges for water providers in the area of the City of Kent. Mr. Nachlinger
further advised that his department has updated the turn-on and turn-offs in our system to show
the number of repeat turn-offs that occur. Public Works Director addressed the Committees
questions regarding the Water System Plan Update for 2008 at all levels. The Committee
previously had addressed their concerns over the comparable rate amounts of residential vs.
commercial and felt commercial properties consume larger water usage and therefore should pay
more. The committee members were concerned about the turn off/turn on fees and liens on
residential customers already having financial difficulties but also don't want to hit the
commercial properties too hard either. Though this item was on the agenda for information
purposes only, after much discussion and compromise the committee took action.
Deborah Ranniger moved to forward the water rate discussion to the December 4,
2007 Operations Committee. Debbie Raplee seconded, which passed 3-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:06 p.m.
Renee Cameron
Operations Committee Secretary