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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-04 Finance and Safety Minutes City of Tukwila Finance and Safety Committee FINANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes September 4, 2013 5:30 p.m.; Conference Room #3 PRESENT Councilmembers: Dennis Robertson, Chair; and Kathy Hougardy (Absent: Verna Seal) Staff: David Cline, Derek Speck, Katherine Kertzman, Ashley Comar, Kristina Thorne, Noelle Cueto, Mike Villa, Gail Labanara, Peggy McCarthy, Vicky Carlsen, Laurel Humphrey Guests: Andrew Ciarrocchi, Westfield Southcenter CALL TO ORDER: Committee Chair Robertson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. I. PRESENTATIONS No presentations. II. BUSINESS AGENDA A. Satellite Visitor Center Lease Staff is seeking Council approval to lease space at Westfield Southcenter to operate a satellite visitor information center (VIC). Seattle Southside Visitor Services (SSVS) would lease the space from Westfield and operate the VIC, funding for which would come from the lodging tax fund balance and require a budget amendment. The total lease cost would be $1 a year, and the estimate for the staffing and operation of the VIC for one year is up to $100,000. The VIC is being proposed as a pilot project with an initial duration of one year, after which the City and Westfield could renew the lease if the project is considered successful to both parties. Policies and procedures will be developed in accordance with industry standards. Staff indicated that the proposed agreement is not in final form and that terms relating to operating hours, insurance language, and termination rights are still being negotiated with Westfield. Committee members agreed that the lease agreement should not be forwarded to the entire Council until it is in its final form. In addition, they agreed that the lease agreement can move forward to a Regular Meeting, bypassing FORWARD TO SEPTEMBER Committee of the Whole, as long as the lease agreement is in final form. 16 REGULAR MEETING IF TERMS OF AGREEMENT ARE SETTLED. B. PERS/LEOFF Rates and Trends As information only, staff presented an update on City contribution rates for the Public Employees Retirement Systems (PERS) and Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters (LEOFF). These plans are established by the Department of Retirement Services and managed by the State of Washington, exceed 100% funding, and are nationally among the top four pension plans in funding status. Each plan is INFORMATION ONLY. program is 5.05%, not the 8.41% as shown in the informational memo. C. Revenue Enhancement Option Transportation Benefit District Staff provided an overview of Transportation Benefit Districts (TBD) as a mechanism available to Washington State cities for revenue enhancement. Pursuant to RCW Chapter 36.73, TBDs are quasi- municipal corporations with independent taxing authority, including the authority to impose property taxes and impact fees for transportation-related purposes. The governing body of a TBD is the legislative authority of the city that created the district serving in an ex-officio capacity. Formation of a TBD is done by ordinance, requiring a public hearing and a finding of public interest. Funding options available through a TBD include an annual motor vehicle fee (up to $100, requiring voter approval, or up to $20, Finance & Safety Committee Minutes September 4, 2013 Page 2 requiring an ordinance), sales and use tax, property tax, development fees, and gifts/grants. Staff distributed to Committee members an AWC informational publication about TBDs including achart of active TBDs in the state. Committee members and staff discussed TBD revenue options. The Committee requested that staff provide data on the number of registered vehicles in the City. As indicated on June 18, staff will return to Committee with details on false alarm fees and charges for clean-up following motor vehicle accidents as INFORMATION ONLY. part of the ongoing exploration of revenue sources. III. MISCELLANEOUS Committee Chair Robertson requested that staff provide data comparing jail costs before and after the South Correctional Entity (SCORE) multijurisdictional misdemeanor jail opened in September 2011. This information will be included in a future City Administrator report. Committee Chair Robertson asked the Committee for consensus to remove a future agenda discussion relating to a multi-department look at crime prevention initiatives. This item was planned for the October 8 Finance and Safety agenda and then expected to come before the full Council in the form of a work session. The Council Analyst will communicate the removal of those discussions to the City Clerk. Committee Chair Robertson Councilmembers can ask clarifying questions of one another on any topic of their choosing. No positions would be taken and no advance work from staff would be needed. This meeting could take the place of the original crime prevention work session noted above. Committee members were supportive of the idea. Meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m. Next meeting: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 5:30 p.m. Conference Room #3 Committee Chair Approval Minutes by LH. Reviewed by DS & PM.