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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-07 Finance and Safety Minutes City of Tukwila Finance and Safety Committee FINANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes June 7, 2011— S: 00 p. m.; Conference Roona #3 PRESENT Councilmembers: Kathy Hougardy, Chair; Joan Hernandez and Dennis Robertson Staff: Don Tomaso, Shawn Hunstock, Nick Olivas Mike Villa and Joyce Trantina Others: Chuck Parrish CALL TO ORDER: Chair Hougardy called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. I. PRESENTATIONS No presentations. II. BUSINESS AGENDA A. Fireworks Permit: Annual 4"' of Julv Celebration As required by the Tukwila Municipal Code, staff is seeking full Council approval of a Fireworks Permit Application submitted by Mr. Tom. Whitacre for the fireworks display at the City's annual 4"' of July celebration at Fort Dent. Mr. Whitacre has provided the fireworks display for the past eight years without incident. Mr. Whitacre will be using a different fireworks supplier this year, but there is no concern regarding quality or level of service. The Fire Department will continue to utilize fire watch personnel as in previous years to ensure any fireworks debris that falls on the practice fields are dealt with promptly. In response to budgetary concerns, Committee Members recalled the amount of discussion this particular event received during budget review, and commented that savings as a result of budget reductions are /will be reflected in Parks and Recreation. This Committee requested staff report back on the total costs and related expenses for this event when possible. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO JUNE 13 COW FOR DISCUSSION. B. Uvdate: Revenue Generating Revulatory License (RGRL) Fee Based on previous Committee request, staff provided additional information regarding non profit organizations that are exempt from paying the RGRL fee, rental licenses and RGRL fees, and court interpreters and RGRL fees. Staff surmnarized other provisions that apply exceptions /exemptions for non- profit organizations, including an exemption of business license fees. Per staff calculations, if all businesses that hold non profit exemption status in the City were assessed the RGRL fee, the City would have received over $145,000 in additional RGRL fee revenue. Many of these businesses employ over 4,000 employees. The second largest employer in the City is included in this exemption and does not pay the RGRL fee. Staff reminded the Committee that one of the primary purposes of Council implementation of the RGRL fee was to fund, in part, transportation related expenditures. Many of the non profit businesses impact transportation related infrastructure in the City by their large number of employees, peak hour trips, and generated traffic volume. After discussion, the Committee requested additional information from staff regarding estimated fee impacts on implementing employee thresholds to define RGRL exemptions for non profit businesses. Specifically, they requested threshold calculations when these exempt organizations have more than 20, 50, 75 or 100 employees. Additionally, based on information provided by Court staff, Committee members would like to see an RGRL exemption included in the ordinance for language interpreters. In response to how RGRL revenues are utilized by the City, Committee Chair Hougardy stated that Council previously discussed utilizing a shareholders group to recommend /identify fund /project use of Finance Safety Committee Minutes June 7, 2011- Page 2 RGRL revenue. The Committee felt this issue should be referred to the Transportation Committee for further discussion. Currently, RGRL revenue is deposited into the City's General Fund. Staff will return to a future Committee meeting (late summer /early fall) with a draft ordinance reflecting suggested changes above. INFORMATION ONLY. III. MISCELLANEOUS Meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Next meeting: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 5:00 p.m. Conference Room #3 4 q Committee Chair Approval Min _es 15y JT KAM. Reviewed by SH.