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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-20 Finance and Safety MinutesFINANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes April 20, 2010 5:00 p.m.; Conference Room #3 PRESENT Councilmembers: De'Sean Quinn, Chair; Allan Ekberg and Kathy Hougardy Staff: Shawn Hunstock, Dave Haynes, Christy O'Flaherty and Kimberly Matej Guest: Chuck Parrish CALL TO ORDER: Chair Quinn called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. I. PRESENTATIONS No presentations. City of Tukwila Finance and Safety Committee II. BUSINESS AGENDA A. Resolution: Council Committee Meeting Schedule Staff is seeking Council approval of a resolution that formally adopts the Council Committee meeting schedule. Christy O'Flaherty, City Clerk, recently identified adoption of the Council Committee schedule via resolution as an efficient way to provide notice to the public of Council related meetings. In adherence to the Open Public Meetings Act and transparency in government, it is a best business practice for the City to provide this information through formal legislation. The legislation will be updated annually as needed. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO APRIL 26 COW FOR DISCUSSION. B. New Travel Policy As an information only item, Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director, gave the Committee an overview of a new travel policy for City employees which is anticipated to be implemented in June. The new policy is a complete replacement of the previous policy. Highlights of the new policy include: Allows for a per diem. Decreases costs involved in preparing claim for expenses. Refines procedure requirements and adds clarity (i.e: travel status and meal reimbursement) Clarifies lodging expenses when not in travel status During review and discussion of policy specifics, Committee members acknowledged the purposes of the policy relative to providing structure and cost containment issues. Although the goals of the policy are good, the Committee has requested additional information as to how this policy compares to that of other cities as well as practical application (i.e.: can the policy be changed if other processes are determined to be more efficient The Committee also noted that this is not solely an operational policy issue, since there is an intricate link between the effects this policy has on Councilmembers and related travel. Specifically, the Committee expressed concern over how this policy may or may not be applied to legislative- related travel to higher priced areas (i.e.: Washington, DC) as well as the issue of compensable wages as a fringe benefit. INFORMATION ONLY. STAFF WILL RETURN TO A FUTURE FINANCE SAFETY MEETING TO DISUCSS THIS ITEM FURHTER. C. Animal Control/Services Uodate As an information only item, Shawn Hunstock, Finance Director, returned to the Finance and Safety Committee to provided updated information on the animal control services (also see Finance and Safety Finance Safety Committee Minutes Aoril 20, 2010 Paae 2 minutes dated March 16, 2010). He will provide the same information to full Council at the April 26 Committee of the Whole. A substantial amount of work has been conducted since the inception and as a result of the weekly meetings of the Joint Cities County Work Group (includes the County and seven King County cities). Milestones to date include: a reduction of approximately $800,000 in the system wide cost of County services delivery for the animal control and services program, and continuing conversations regarding improvements to costs and service delivery. Additionally, the County has indicated a willingness to continue to engage in these types of conversations during the operation of the County- focused regional model. Shawn reviewed the various options to provide animal control services to the Tukwila community. Of those options, staff currently recommends entering into a 2Y2 year contract with King County for a County- focused regional model that will provide these services. Although this is not the least costly option, it will give the City an opportunity to evaluate the services provided by the County as well as create our own sub regional model, if necessary. Interested cities have been requested to return to their respective Councils to determine if there is an interest from the Council to pursue participation in the County- focused regional model. Currently, Burien is the only city who has expressed an interest to pursue providing their own services, and not participate in the County model. If too many cities opt out of the regional model, the County will be faced with significant cost and operational issues. INFORMATION ONLY. III. MISCELLANEOUS Meeting adjourned at 6:23 p.m. Next meeting: Tuesday, May 4, 2010 5:00 p.m. Conference Room #3 Committee Chair Approval Minutes by KAM. Reviewed by SH.