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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations Committee - 10/02/1996 OPERAATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 2, 1996 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jon Johnson-Committee Chair, Leona Orr, Tim Clark for Jim Bennett COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Connie Epperly STAFF PRESENT: Tom Brubaker, John Hillman, Anh Hoang, Brent McFall, Kelli O'Donnell MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Paul Morford UNIDENTIFIED MEMBERS OF AUDIENCE: Two The meeting was called to order at 4:38 p.m. by Chairperson Johnson. Approval of Vouchers: Committeemember Orr moved to approve the vouchers for September 30, 1996. Acting Committeemember Clark seconded the motion. All claims for the period ending September 30, 1996 in the amount of$4,281,831.51 were approved for payment by a vote of 3-0. Request for Proposal for Local Improvement District(LID)Bond Underwriting Services - Information Item Acting Finance Division Director John Hillman stated that this is an information item for the Committee. He continued that the city's current underwriter, Lehman Brothers, does not wish to handle the LID business anymore. LID 345 is coming up so an RFP has been developed to select a new underwriter for the city's smaller bond sales. He noted that there are a number of companies that specialize in smaller bond sales. In response to Chair Johnson's inquiry of any action required, Hillman explained that this is for the Committee's information now and that the item will be brought back to the Committee next month with a recommendation. McFall clarified that the intent is to come back in early November with a recommendation as to the proposed underwriter, and have Committee recommendation to Council to select that underwriter to then put together a bond issue. Mayor's Salary Change Proposal Committee Chair Johnson stated that this is a proposal that would change the current Mayor's salary which is $50,000. Johnson read the proposal distributed with the agenda to the Committee. Johnson asked for comments from the Council Members to be followed by any members of the audience who wished to speak. At the request of the Committee, Johnson asked for input from the public. Paul Morford, Post Office Box 6345, Kent, WA 98064, stated he is a concerned citizen and reviewed the history of this item stating it seemed like it was two months before the primary when the previous Mayor, who was outgoing as a part- time mayor, had selected a committee to recommend to Council on what the salary would be when it went to full time. Morford stated that committee did their research and recommended to, what he thinks was still called the Operations Committee, and he thought Ms. Orr and Mr. White were on it with another member. Morford noted that he was in the audience at the time because he was considering running for Mayor. He continued that the committee recommended $75,000 to the Council Committee based on the study of other cities around. Morford stated that as he remembered Mr. White said, "That is way too much money. I would take that job for a dollar, but in any case it is not worth over $50,000." Morford stated as he recalls, Mr. White made the motion to set the salary at $50,000 and Ms. Orr seconded the motion. Morford continued that the issue came up a couple of years ago when Mr. McFall presented a case for $75,000 and Mr. Morford spoke against it, at that time. He stated that this primarily a credibility and ethics problem when a man that proposed that salary and made two statements: he would do it for a dollar, and in any case it shouldn't be more than $50,000. After further comments Mr. Morford urged the Committee not to do it, and stated that since the box was opened, it should not only for a raise but for a dollar, and to write an ordinance for$1. He concluded that this job was created with a full time mayor without a full time administrator. An ordinance did away with the City Administrator but Mr. McFall was brought in as the Operations Director but functions as the administrator. Morford suggested that a committee be established OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES, CONT. OCtc��er 2�, 1 ""h for the next election to look at salaries as well as what they do. After Mr. Morford concluded his comments, Acting Committeemember Clark asked if this was an action item. Upon Chair Johnson's response that it was, Clark moved to propose that the Mayor's salary be raised effective January 1, 1997 to $60,000 a year; and, effective January 1, 1998, the Mayor's salary be raised to $75,000 with no COLA's and deferred compensation included in the $75,000. Johnson seconded the motion. Committeemember Orr asked if deferred compensation had to be additional. McFall responded that it could be either way with it currently being offered as a before tax deduction. Orr stated that she agreed with Clark that she could not support proposal as distributed with a salary that totals $94,000 plus a COLA. She further stated that she could and would not support raising the salary during the current administration. Orr stated that it was a political issue during the campaign and agreed that it was an ethical issue. Orr proposed a salary increase with the next election to $60,000 with$5,000 a year increases until it reaches $75,000. Clark reviewed the salaries of cities with similar populations and noted that Mr. Morford's concern regarding the City Administrator was irrelevant as the City Council sets policy and did agree with the need for an administrative position during Mayor White's reorganization. Clark continued that employees have shown a revived moral under Mr. McFall and he has been pleased with his professionalism and restored confidence of the staff. Clark noted that the Meridian Annexation has had a great impact on the city. After reviewing other improvements over the past three years, Clark outlined the future impacts on the city including the RJC, RTA, hardrail, impact of the port, etc. He noted that all of these issues take coordination of all departments. He concluded that the salary needed to be at least $60,000 and that his proposal would only increase the last year of the term. Johnson questioned the current benefits of the Mayor. McFall replied that the Mayor receives the same benefit package as other employees. During discussion he noted that the Mayor does have the use of a city vehicle for official use which was less expensive that paying mileage for use of his personal vehicle. Mr. Morford asked to comment. He stated that the Mayor's salary is not comparable to Auburn as there are two salaries in Kent and only one salary for Auburn since they do not have an administrator. Morford added that he was concerned that one Council Member believes that campaign promises have meaning and Councilmember Clark does not. Morford suggested that an independent group review the issue and look at the rest of administration's costs. Clark responded that he felt that the Council has spent time looking at this issue and stated that it is a policy issue. Johnson added that it has been debated numerous times and he was not sure that a task force or committee would come to any other conclusion. Johnson stated that if you put the personality aside that the pay for the Mayor should be paid for what they do. Each individual Mayor may be different. Johnson stated that he supported Clark's proposal noting that the Meridian Annexation had added additional responsibility from 40,000 citizens to 60,000. Orr disagreed stating that the city knew the annexation was coming and that when you are running for office and say you'll do it for $1 and then you are not happy with$50,000 she could not support this proposal. Committee Chair Johnson called for the vote which passed 2-1 with Johnson and Clark voting aye and Orr voting nay. Johnson stated that the item will go under Other Business of the agenda for the next City Council meeting at which time the public may comment further. Committee Chair Johnson asked if there were any additional items to the agenda. There being none the meeting was adjourned at 5:12 p.m. Page 2