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Kent City Council Special Meeting Minutes
November 4, 2014
The special meeting meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. by Council President
Ralph.
Councilmembers present: Ralph, Boyce, Fincher, Higgins, and Thomas.
Councilmember Ranniger was excused and Councilmember Berrios arrived at 4:09
p.m.
Council President Ralph introduced the topics of the meeting.
Animal Control Services Update —Jeff Watling, Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Director discussed the present contract with King County Animal Control. He
noted that the City has been using them for the past five years and the current
contract expires December 31, 2015. He communicated that King County is in favor of
an extension through December 31, 2017 and the City has budgeted $250,000 -
$300,000 per year for this. He noted that the City has shelter credits because the
shelter is located here in Kent and this agreement would extend those credits for
2016 and 2017. He stated that there is a determination that needs to be made of
whether or not the 26 or 27 cities that are a part of this contract want to continue. He
communicated that the County is desirious of a letter of intent by mid -November. He
added that the City of SeaTac is leading discussions on whether it is feasible to have
an alternative, but it is highly unlikely because there needs to be a shelter.
Councilmember Boyce pointed out that the cost of building an alternative shelter
would be quite high, as confirmed by Watling.
Councilmember Boyce confirmed that the extension letter to continue with King
County would be a non -binding letter and King County subsidizes the animal services
program by 50 percent.
Councilmember Higgins confirmed that the animal licenses sold in Kent would be
credits and they offset the cost of the program. Watling added that 18 -20 percent of
all pets in King County are licensed. He added that each year of the contract the City
of Kent has gotten a credit back because of the number of animals licensed and the
subsidy provided by King County. Watling also added that there are discussions on
how to get licensing animals incentivized.
Councilmember Berrios confirmed that the City has encouraged responsible pet
ownership by having your pet licensed.
Councilmember Fincher highlighted that a way to market licensing your pet would be
to have it printed on utility bills.
2015 - 2016 Biennial Budget Update -Derek Matheson, Chief Administrative
Officer discussed the schedule for adopting the 2015-2016 biennial budget.
Aaron BeMiller, Finance Director communicated the 2015-2016 Preliminary Budget
Questions/Requests document. BeMiller communicated that question #2 would not be
addressed until there is more direction from the Mayor concerning which proposed
Kent City Council Special Meeting Minutes November 4, 2014
revenue option would be chosen. Matheson added that whether or not the B&O and/or
the banked property tax is proposed there won't be a way to determine how much it
affects a property owner.
BeMiller discussed question #14 and highlighted that the chart in the packet named
"Additions to Baseline Budget General Fund" respond to the question which asks
where the impact to each revenue increase is. Secondly, he responded to question
#21 and stated that the $1.6 million of General Fund streets/transportation costs
would go dirrectly to arterials and streets, thus freeing up the General Fund.
Councilmember Thomas communicated that he would like to see the current $1.6
million and the revenues from the $20 car tabs, another $1.6 million, going into
roads. Thus, there would be $3.2 million for roads.
Councilmember Berrios added that having a $20 car tab fee go back into the General
Fund doesn't seem right. He communicated that he struggles with taxing residents
more to add more revenues into the General Fund.
Councilmember Higgins said he is surprised that the Mayor's proposal is to have funds
go back into the General Fund to cover expenditures on roads.
BeMiller communicated that if the funds aren't realized from a $20 car tab fee, then
there will be a $1.6 million gap in the General Fund.
Councilmember Higgins stated that the County is thinking about having a
transportation benefit district and if the City doesn't already have one in place the
County could potentially use all of the dollars from a King County transportation
benefit district for regional transportation projects.
Council President Ralph stated that in a transportation forum meeting attended by
both the Mayor and herself, it was discussed that ces looking for transportation
funding need to utilize all current options available before going back and inquiring
about alternates. The $20 car tab fee being one of those current options.
Councilmember Pincher inquired if the County determined how much could be raised
from a transportation benefit district and Councilmember Higgins stated that they
hadn't.
BeMiller referred back to the bronze spreadsheet and stated that the revision to the
four employees on the tax division would be to have one of the four be an addition to
T. He further explained about the radio expenditures and the need to do a study.
Councilmember Thomas confirmed that the lump sum allocation of $300,000 for the
police has been deleted from 2015 and allocated in a different manner. He also
confirmed that this information is what the Police Department communicated to
Finance for the Council.
BeMiller discussed question #22 which asked that modifications could be made in
financial policies concerning reserve funds and he responded that the policies aren't in
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Kent City Council Special Meeting Minutes November 4, 2014
stone and are targets, not mandates. He continued and discussed question #24 to
extend the utility repayment period to four years instead of three. He referred to the
responses sheet and stated that the repayment amount would be lower and pointed
out the amount on the document. Question #28 was discussed and noted that the
cost to increase the parking enforcement position to full time is $13,532. BeMiller also
discussed question #29 and stated that the net cost to create a benefitted .75 FTE
police volunteer coordinator is $107,871. Council President Ralph communicated that
question #29 is no longer an issue and said she spoke to the Police Chief about it.
BeMiller discussed question #30 and noted that without the tax division positions the
City will continue to fall behind in this responsibility. He added that these positions are
funded through additonal B&O collections, not with General Fund revenues.
BeMiller highlighted question #31 and responded that there are 18.28 vacant
budgeted FTEs in the City. He communicated that the City, based on the year to date
numbers, is on track to save $1.1 million in salaries and benefits.
Councilmember Boyce inquired if the positions that have been vacant for a number of
years are still necessary. Watling communicated that the one that hasn't been filled
since 2011 is workload related and hasn't been a necessity.
Councilmember Berrios verified that it is costing the City money not to have these
positions filled because of the amount of overtime that is occurring. Therefore, the
savings of $1.1 million isn't a true number. He stated that the overtime needs to be
added to this number. There was discussion concerning the filling of the police
department vacant positions.
BeMiller communicated that the net cost of the Senior Center for 2014 was $955,645.
He communicated that the graph on the sheet that was handed out is from 2011 -
2016. Watling verified that the Senior Center was included in the GreenPlay study and
it is experiencing a 37 - 40 percent cost recovery which is pretty good.
Councilmember Thomas asked for a breakdown on expenses and revenues for the
Senior Center from 2011 through 2013 from Watling.
Councilmember Berrios confirmed that the Senior Center is running a little under
budget for expenses with Barbara Lopez. Lopez stated that $1.4 million is a tad under
budget, and that revenues are very conservative as well. Watling confirmed that he
would work with the Senior Center to dial down on a more defined budget.
BeMiller verified that the $913,888 in the Administration budget doesn't only consist
of membership and dues; $141,417 is for those civic affiliations.
BeMiller communicated that question #34 was about the increase in insurance funds
in 2015 - 2016 and he stated that $481,020 was for estimated claims and
administration fees. Basically, he stated that if there are less claims that number will
go down.
The final question on the list, BeMiller stated, was what the cost would be to change
the 0.6 FTE non -benefited Administrative Secretary I position in Economic and
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Kent City Council Special Meeting Minutes November 4, 2014
Community Development Department to a benefited 0.75 FTE and he noted it would
be $32,500.
Councilmember Boyce clarified discussed question #22 and verified with Demmer that
having a "rainy day" fund is important, but policies don't need to be revised for the
Council have the authority to use one-time revenues to reduce fund balances.
The meeting adjourned at 4:56 p.m.
` Ronald F. ore, MIMIC
1
City Clerk
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