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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 05/08/1990 OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES May 8, 1990 COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Christi Houser Jon Johnson Paul Mann STAFF PRESENT: Ed Chow Sandra Driscoll Jim Hansen Charlie Lindsey Tony McCarthy Jim Miller Kelli O'Donnell Sue Viseth MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Lyle Price Sharon Richards APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS All claims for the period ending April 30, 1990 in the amount of $909, 224.83 were aproved for payment. AWARDING OF CITY BANKING SERVICES Finance Director McCarthy gave an overview of the request to award city banking services. Four proposals were received from Seafirst Bank, U.S. Bank, Security Pacific Bank and Puget Sound Bank. Review of these responses showed that U.S. Bank of Washington, our current bank, provided the required services at the lowest cost to the city, showing an annual savings of about $2,356. Staying with U.S. Bank would also eliminate wasted time and expense converting over to a new bank system. In addition, U.S. Bank had the capabilities and was willing to work with the city in: o expanding credit card services o Safe Keep of Investments o Direct Payroll Deposit o Utility Payments Telecommunication o Employee Accounts For these reasons it was recommended the city banking services be awarded to U.S. Bank for a three year contract. The Operations Committee recommended this to Council by a vote of 3-0. COUNCIL CHAMBER CARPET AND SOUND Assistant City Administrator Hansen discussed with the Committee the modifications to the Council Chamber and Courtroom meeting rooms proposed by Customer Services Manager Lindsey. The recommendation was to recarpet both rooms, remove some benches to create two aisles, and to upgrade the sound system as recommended by a consultant. The total cost of these improvements would be $18, 000. It was pointed out that the original carpet was becoming a safety hazard due to holes and ripples. The discussion also noted that the aisles would facilitate people moving in and out of the benches which would improve public access to address the Council. Customer Services Manager Lindsey noted that the consultant had pointed out that the current sound system could be upgraded to improve the public's ability to address the council. He suggested a moveable microphone in the middle of the chamber as well as improving the overall sound system by adding new microphones for the Councilmembers and improvement of the basic sound equipment. He also noted that the new carpet would be patchable to facilitate any change in seating arrangements needed at a later date. Assistant City Administrator Hansen proposed a three year plan to finish improvements to the Council Chamber and Courtroom in order to break up the cost and assure compatibility with future improvements. The Operations Committee recommended approval on a 3-0vote and asked Councilmember Houser submit a report to Council at the next meeting. ATTORNEY STAFFING REQUEST City Attorney Driscoll addressed the membership regarding the urgent need for additional staffing in the City Attorney' s office. The additional workload of the office includes the increased complexity of DWI cases with more coming to trial and the breathalizer test becoming a less effective tool for prosecution. The office has no time for follow through on domestic violence cases. The addition of the new Complaint for Citation form requiring staff to fill out 150-200 forms per week. The City Attorney' s staff has spent 872 hours on forefeitures since last May. More appeals are being filed requiring more time. The law requires 90 days to bring a case to trial or it will be dismissed. This time constraint compounded with the increased workload is causing the City Attorney's office to deal more cases; is not allowing victim/witness overview; and is not allowing discovery to be given in a timely manner. It was requested that a full-time attorney and half-time support staff be added to the Legal Department. The Legal Department was willing to forego the $14 , 000 budgeted for outside prosecutors so these monies would be available for funding the full-time position. City Attorney Driscoll informed the committee that the Public Safety Committee directed the Administration and Law Departments to examine the need for additional staffing of an attorney and half-time support staff person. Judge Phillipson of Aukeen District Court had raised concerns of the impact the work overload on the Legal Department was having on the Aukeen District Court. She also noted that this overload was impacting the police department. Finance Director McCarthy raised the possibility of funding the additional staff through the seized assets program. There is currently a negative balance of $250K but this amount should be recouped as soon as property is sold. Councilmember Mann pointed out that the seized assets fund must be used on new projects that are related directly to drug enforcement. Captain Miller pointed out that Chief Fredrickson supports a grant from these funds to the Legal Department. Councilmember Houser asked about the possibility of hiring a half time support person with the $14, 000 budgeted for a half-time attorney. City Attorney Driscoll stated that without a new attorney full time, those funds will be needed for cases pending. After discussion Councilmember Mann moved that the City Attorney and the Finance Department should look into the possibility of allocating funds to an attorney devoted to drug activity to be funded by the seized assets fund in order to free up general budget for additional staff. It was also moved that if a solution had not been reached by the end of June the City Administrator should come back to the Operations Committee with the issue. The motion passed 3-0. MUNICIPAL COURT FEASIBILITY STUDY City Attorney Driscoll asked that the Municipal Court Feasibility Study be recommended to Council. The agreement would have a lid of $8, 000 to be equally shared with Auburn. The report would be due by July 16, 1990. After discussion of the purpose of the court and other cities progress in this area, it was recommended for the consent calendar. CONCESSIONS BY THE PARK DEPARTMENT Finance Director asked the Operations Committee to recommend to the Council a line of credit to the Park Department for purchase of concessions. Interest would be charged on the monies at the going rate. A discussion followed whether the city should be involved in concessions. It was agreed that a decision should be made by 1993 as to whether the city should remain in the business. Councilmember Johnson moved that the request for a line of credit should be put on the consent calendar. The motion passed 3-0.