HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 01/19/2010 KEN T
WASHINGTON
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES
JANUARY 19, 2010
Committee Members Present: Debbie Raplee, Jamie Perry, and Les Thomas
The meeting was called to order by Les Thomas at 4:00 p.m.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED JANUARY 5. 2010
Raplee moved to approve the minutes of the January 5, 2010 Operations Committee
meeting. Perry seconded the motion, which passed 3-0.
2. APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS DATED DECEMBER 31, 2009
Finance Director, Bob Nachlinger presented the vouchers for December 31, 2009 for approval.
Perry moved to approve the vouchers dated December 31, 2009. Raplee seconded
the motion, which passed 3-0.
3. MOVE TO SIGN FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH
KING COUNTY REGARDING THE AUKEEN COURT RENTAL AGREEMENT.
Jeff Watling discussed increasing the amount of space the City of Kent leases from King County
for Municipal Court services With the flooding concerns, King County has relocated District
Court out of Aukeen Court leaving an extra space. With the need for increased expansion of
the court, the City would like to use that space The Agreement allows use for two days a
week into one of vacated rooms for an additional $340 00 a month The Agreement is month
to month as the County decides what their long-term plan is.
Raplee moved to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the First
Amendment to the Lease Agreement with King County for Additional Space at the
Aukeen Court Building. Perry seconded the motion, which passed 3-0.
4. APPROVAL OF THE 2010 PRE ANNEXATION BUDGET.
City may receive a sales tax credit of up to 0.2% of the 6.5% state sales tax to help provide,
maintain, and operate municipal services within a newly annexed area of 10,000 population or
more. The budgeted amount of $1,276,948 is for pre and post legislative session. Chief
Strachan informed Thomas that the five squad cars proposed will be split among shifts. Raplee
noted the high use of cars may increase maintenance with annexation. Strachan noted that
with the tentative reimbursement for annexation costs, they want to use the equipment as
appropriate.
Perry moved to recommend Council approve the 2010 Annexation Budget. Raplee
seconded the motion, which passed 3-0.
Operations Committee Minutes
January 19 2010
Page: 2
5. AUTHORIZE REQUEST TO WRITE-OFF UNCOLLECTIBLE ACCOUNTS FOR
2009.
Bob Nachlinger presented the charges requested to be written off for 2009. He gave
examples, including mention of the largest single one was with Public Works related to Pacific
Hwy project. Raplee asked if there was anything in the future we can do to eliminate the
write-offs and collect In response, Nachlinger noted the city bills $75 million a year and we
are writing off $50,000 or 2/3 of 1%, which is a good write-off list. Thomas asked what last
year's write-offs were and Nachlinger stated that last year's were lower $25,000-$30,000 a
year
Perry moved to recommend that the Operations Committee authorize the write-offs of
miscellaneous accounts receivable, utility billing and permit charges totaling $47,342.55 for
accounts from 2009. Raplee seconded the motion,which passed 3-0.
6. SUMMARY FINANCIAL REPORT DATED NOVEMBER 30, 2009
(INFORMATIONAL ONLY)
Nachlinger reviewed the summary financials dated November 30, 2009 The estimated
General Fund was down $725,000 from estimation. He explained where the shortfalls were
and where we can possibly make up the 8 1% reserve expected for 2010. Further discussion
continued after Thomas and Raplee expressed concern with the high amount and why the
noted costs weren't anticipated.
Thomas questioned if there were any anticipated layoffs for 2010 and the Chief Administration
Officer, John Hodgson, explained how the City is going to avoid layoffs is through lag hiring
positions and reviewing/cutting maintenance and operation costs. There is no intention of
using the $1 million reserved for flooding unless it's for adding to the reserve to make it 100/0
or create the Rainy Day Fund.
Perry questioned Electric Natural Gas Tax and if it will remain low. Nachlinger responded that
there will be an electric increase and anticipates that fund being on budget for 2012.
Raplee disputed under Other Funds, the change in the fund balance for the Medical Insurance
Fund. Nachlinger verified no monies were being taken to be applied to the budget.
Hodgson closed by noting the City will come back to the Operations Committee in March with
the December month end and the final shortfall if there is one with the reserve and what
efforts are being taken to fix it.
Mayor Cooke clarified that financial impact of lay-offs is through the ranks which affects the
rate of pay out at the time of separation.
The meeting adjourned at 4:35pm by Les Thomas.
Pamela Clark
Operations Committee Secretary