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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW 2003-03-24 Item 4B - Review - Compensation for the MayorCOUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS Initials ITEM NO. Meeting Date I Prepared by I Mayor's review I Council review 1 March 24, 2003 1!'m 1 14.4 1.1 C I I I I I I 1 I I 1 1 I ITEM INFORMATION CAS Number: 03-040 I Original Agenda Date: March 24, 2003 Agenda Item Title: Review of Mayor's Salary Original Sponsor: Council Admin X Timeline: Sponsor's Summary: The Mayor's Office has proposed a modification to the existing salary schedule for the Mayor. The proposal would allow for an increase to $80k per year, effective 2004 with CPI increases consistent with that provided to the non represented employee group. Recommendations: Sponsor: Committee: Other alternatives were identified, but the Committee reached no consensus. Administration: Cost Impact (if known): Fund Source (if known): Meeting Date 1 Meeting Date 3/24/03 RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION Action APPENDICES Attachments Memo from Mayor's Office dated 3/18/03 Finance Safety Omte. minutes (3/17/03) and information packet (including draft ordinance) v, TO: City Council FROM:. John McFarland RE: Mayor's Salary DATE: March 18, 2003 Background: The Council identified the Mayor's Salary as an item of interest during the last retreat. In reviewing the TMC it appeared that the salary progression ended with the rate in effect in 2003. The ordinance, which provides more detail, actually allows for annual cost of living increases (set at 90% of the CPI) after 2003, with a minimum of 3% and a maximum of 5 At the time the ordinance was written, it was reasonable to assume that this "floor and ceiling for COLA increases would be well within the range of the actual rate of inflation. As we know now, this is not the case. The 2003 CPI increase for non- represented employees was 1.71 Mayor' Recommendation: The Mayor has suggested a new ordinance that would bring the salary to $80,000 per year effective 2004, with cost -of- living increases equal to that provided to non- represented thereafter. Under the existing ordinance the salary would automatically increase to $80,340 in 2004. Committee Recommendation: The Finance and Safety Committee considered the proposal from the Mayor's office at the March 17 meeting. While no consensus was reached, two additional options were discussed: 1. Freeze the salary at the existing level to deter unqualified candidates filing for the position of Mayor, and in recognition of the current economic situation. 2. Allow the existing ordinance to stand (annual minimum 3% maximum 5% COLA increases beginning in 2004). The Committee asked that the three options be forwarded to the full council for further discussion. Finance and Safety Committee March 17, 2003 Present: Joe Duffle, Chair; Jim Haggerton, Pam Carter Alan Doerschel, John McFarland, Steve Lancaster, Rhonda Berry, Lucy Lauterbach; Dennis Robertson 1. Mayor's Salary One of the Council goals from their retreat was to look at the mayor's salary, and the administration had responded by drafting an ordinance to give a slight increase to the salary for one year. John said the Mayor was comfortable with receiving annual 90% of the cost of living (COLA) increases similar to those given non- represented employees. He said Steve has been busy going to meetings both day and night for four or five nights a week. Jim said he wanted to separate the person from the office. He said he didn't want the salary to attract people to run just for the money. With the recently passed utility tax, he said people want the utility tax to be used for basic government services, not for increases in elected officials' salaries. Jim had looked up the ordinance goveming the current mayor's salary, and it runs through 2004, giving a small increase in that year. He did not want an increase in the current salary. Pam said a COLA increase should not be an issue. She said the job has grown over the past years, and now deserves a higher pay. John likened the position to that of the CEO of a $38 million corporation. He agreed he did not want the salary to attract candidates who were not qualified for the office. Of the three other cities with strong mayors, all were getting COLAs after 2003, and all had much larger salaries. Pam said she wanted to do something with future salaries before the filing period this summer. Joe said in light of the bad economy and with so many unemployed people he thought the mayor shouldn't get an increase. Pam favored the draft ordinance, which raised the salary from $78,000 to $80,000 in 2004, with COLAs in years after. Jim did not support any increase in the salary. They agreed that three options could be given to the COW: no increase; the "old" ordinance with an increase and a floor /ceiling; or an increase, and then COLA's. Refer issue to COW with a split Committee decision. 2. Increase in Change Fund Currently the pool and community center share a "bank" of change money. Because the fund is small, it involves many extra trips to the bank. Alan recommended increasing their change funds. If it is increased to $300, the pool can have $125 and the community center $175 in change. That should satisfy the needs of both facilities. Alan noted the change funds need to be updated regularly. Recommend resolution to Regular Meeting. 3. Electronic Sign Moratorium At the last meeting of Community and Parks, DCD had raised the issue of using a moratorium to get time to address the changing technology of the sign business. One business has bought an expensive sign that is capable of the flashing and moving signs that annoy people on I -5 near Fife, though this sign is smaller than that billboard. The current City language in the sign code has not stopped businesses for wanting signs that flash and dance with changing scenes every few minutes. Sign companies all want to sell the more expensive flashy signs. A moratorium will give the staff time to research various approaches to regulating the newest kinds of signs. Recommend moratorium ordinance to that evening's Regular Meeting. To: Finance Safety Committee From: Mayor's Office RE: Mayor's Salary Date: March 20, 2003 As you may recall, the salary schedule for the Mayor expires in December 2003. The attached ordinance has been drafted to establish a new rate effective January 1, 2004. The existing rate of compensation would remain unchanged for the remainder of 2003. Because the existing ordinance is currently in effect, it is necessary to repeal it to create a successor ordinance. The ordinance proposed that the Mayor's salary be raised from its current level of $78,000 per year to $80,000 in 2004 (2.5% increase). Thereafter, the salary would be increased automatically at the rate identical to that which is provided for the non- represented employees. This would preclude from having to routinely review the salary in the future. For comparison purposes listed below are the 2003 salaries for the elected Mayors in South King County: Auburn $101,619 with annual COLAs after 2003 Renton $108,270 plus a 2% annual deferred company and COLAs after 2003 Kent $101,376 (increase to $125,000 has been proposed and is under review) Tukwila $78,000 mo in ha s been up dated to. reflectadditional fonnat z` oncermng K ent May salary (see p a r enthetica l text) and D AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, SETTING THE MAYOR'S COMPENSATION; REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 1919, AS CODIFIED AT TMC 2.08; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, RCW 35A.12.070 provides that elective officers' salaries are to be set by ordinance; WHEREAS, the City is continuously impacted by regional and statewide issues as a full-service urban area, requiring the full attention of the Mayor; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to set the Mayor's salary at a level that fairly compensates the Mayor for work that is performed for hours and efforts approximating those of a full-time position; and WHEREAS, the current salary for Tukwila's Mayor was set in 2000, and reflected only increases in salary between then and 2003; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Compensation. Pursuant to the provisions of RCW 35A.12.070, the person holding the position of Mayor shall be compensated at a yearly rate set forth by ordinance, payable in equal monthly installments. Section 2. Salary. Beginning January 1, 2003, the °diary for the Tukwila Mayor shall be set at $78,000 per year. Beginning January 1, 2004, that salary will be increased to $80,000 per year. Beginning January 1, 2005, the salary will be adjusted annually at the same rate of inflation as determined by the current method prescribed for the non-represented employees. Section 3. Benefits. Subject to any applicable restrictions, the Mayor shall be eligible to receive the same or an equivalent benefit package as is given to department heads in the City of Tukwila and established from time to time by resolution. Section 4. Repealer. Ordinance No. 1919, as codified at Tukwila Municipal Code 2.08, is hereby repealed. Section 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance or its application to any person or situation should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this ordinance or its application to any other person or situation. Section 6. Effective Date. This ordinance or a summary thereof shall be published in the official newspaper of the City, and shall take effect and be in full force and effect five (5) days after passage and publication as provided by law. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of .2003 ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED: Jane E. Cantu, CMC, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Office of the City Attorney Mayor's comp '03.doc Filed with the City Clerk: Passed by the City Council: Published: Effective Date: Ordinance Number Steven M. Mullet, Mayor