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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-11-24 Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 24, 1997 7:00 p.m. CONVENE: COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: OFFICIALS: SPECIAL ISSUES: NON REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION STUDY: 7:05 p.m. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES Excused Absence: Council President Jim Haggerton. Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Councilmembers Allan Ekberg, Joe Duffle, Joan Hernandez, Steve Mullet, Pam Carter, and Pamela Linder. Mayor John Rants, City Administrator John McFarland, Assistant City Administrator Rhonda Berry, Administrative Services Director Viki Witschger, City Clerk Jane Cantu, Public Works Director Ross Ernst, Council Analyst Lucy Lauterbach, Assistant Fire Chief Mike Alderson, Chief of Police Ron Waldner, Fire Chief Tom Keefe, Parks and Recreation Director Don Williams, finance Director Alan Doerschel, DCD Director Steve Lancaster, and Recording Secretary Valerie Gow. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS: Ron Lamb, 4251 S. 139 Street, Tukwila commended the City for its recent accomplishments. Mr. Lamb referred to a 1961 article in the Foster High School newspaper in which the school advisory council requested the t+t-r-frovide sidewalks on 42 Avenue South. He noted the historical significance of the request and the fact that sidewalks are now in place on 42 Avenue South. He thanked the City for its efforts in providing sidewalks for the safety and comfort of Tukwila citizens. Dwight McLean, 13015 38 Avenue South, Tukwila referred to surface water and some recent improvements on some streets pertaining to storm water drainage. He suggested the City concentrate efforts in improving the Macadam Road in relation to storm water drainage. He said water washes down from the west side of the hills and onto the road, which freezes, creating a vehicle hazard. He suggested the City review the situation. Director Witschger referred to her memo dated November 16 clarifying the discussion at the November 10 City Council meeting concerning the Non represented employee salary study. Councilmembers said the memo helped clarify some of the issues. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes November 24, 1997 Page 2 Councilmembers discussed approving and adopting the Fox/Lawson study. Consensus was reached by Councilmembers to adopt the Fox/Lawson salary study with additional provisions to work some specific issues separately. Councilmember Duffie opposed the adoption of the plan citing employee opposition to the plan. Councilmembers reviewed and discussed decision items as outlined in the memo. Consensus was reached on the following issues: 2Q. Should the steps above MID -POINT be based on performance (merit) or on steps (longevity)? Council Consensus: Steps should be based on performance 3D. It is suggested that the following steps be taken: 1) Place all employees on the schedule and give 90% COLA effective 1/1/98. 2) Change all current employees to a 1/1-anniversary date. 3) Develop the performance system during 1998. 4) Give a 90% COLA on 1/99. 5) Start the employee performance evaluation period on 1/1/99 for the entire year of 1999. 6) Award the first performance dollars on January 1,2000, based on 1999 performance. Council Consensus: (1) Place all employees on the schedule and give 90% COLA effective 1/1/98. (2) Change all current employees to a 1/1- anniversary date. (3) Develop and implement performance -based system in 1998 for merit increases in 1999 based on 1998 performance. (4) No COLA on 1/99. (5) Start the employee performance evaluation period on 1/1/99 for the entire year of 1999. (6) Award the first performance dollars on January 1, 1999, based on 1998 performance. Director Witschger requested clarification regarding the Fox /Lawson study involving a two -year cycle for employees to advance through the steps. Councilmember Ekberg suggested working through the remaining issues and revisiting the issue later in the meeting. 5Q. Should all the non represented employees be on a performance system, if selected? 5D. The `B" Band positions are more similar to union positions and are exempt from the union due to the confidential nature of the work they do. It is suggested these positions move through the system automatically each year rather than basing their increases on performance. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes November 24, 1997 Page 3 Council Consensus: 5Q No, based on Director Witschger's recommendation. 5D. Concur with staff recommendation to exempt "A" and "B" band positions from performance based increases and allow the positions to move through the system automatically each year rather than basing the increase on performance. "C" through "F" positions will be performance based mid- point and above. 6Q. Should the City adjust the market every two years as the Lawson study suggests or continue with the 90% of COLA each year? Council Consensus: No automatic COLA. Conduct market study every two years to stay "current." Conduct first market analysis in early fall 1999 for implementation in January 2000. 7Q. What about the Administration aspect of the Lawson study? Councilmember Ekberg recommended tabling the item for future discussion. 8Q. What about employees below the MID -POINT of the salary schedule who anticipated getting a 5% step increase in 1998. Council Consensus: Concur with staff's recommendation to adjust specific positions, as necessary. Director Witschger revisited the issue of performance based step increases and the recommendation of the Fox/Lawson salary study to give an employee (based on above standard performance) the difference between the two steps and in the second year (based on above standard performance), the employee would be awarded the next step. Council Consensus: Concur with staff's recommendation. Mayor Rants said staff would prepare the appropriate resolutions for Council action. Assistant Fire Chief Mike Alderson referred to the internal equity issue and said with the adoption of the new salary plan, Council has indicated internal equity has been maintained within like job descriptions. He said there is a proposal to lower and separate the police and fire assistant chief positions into two or three pay scales below the assistant chief pay scale. He said his experience has shown that fire and police assistant chiefs have job parity and to segregate the positions, as recommended in the Fox /Lawson salary study, would be a mistake and requested Councilmembers consideration and further review of the issue. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes November 24, 1997 Page 4 Administrator McFarland said staff is reviewing the positions and salary study data within each City department. Appropriate adjustments will be recommended for approval. He said the City continues to refine and tailor the salary study to the specific needs of the City. Director Witschger reiterated that she would continue to review positions to insure they are listed in the correct banding. Mayor Rants stressed that any salary study requires a period of time to validate and that staff is working to insure the study is applied fairly. Director Williams encouraged the administration to continue to look at some of the individual positions. He said the decision to use the position -based banding method will include the Assistant Parks Recreation Director and that market information for the position reflects the position as currently underpaid. He hopes the administration will review that particular issue. He noted that the bands group all department heads together and indicated that the positions vary in authority and responsibility and the salary schedules should reflect those differences. Director Witschger said she has reviewed the current salary schedule against the Fox /Lawson salary schedule and compared the Mid -Point and the top step. The only positions reflecting a lower salary for the top step were the senior engineer and police data technician positions. She said it may take the employees more time to reach the top step, but the end result is that the top step is higher than the current salary schedule. The middle step of the Fox/Lawson schedule (used for recruiting purposes) is higher than the middle step currently in effect. The City has been able to recruit qualified employees with the existing mid -point salary schedule. Mayor Rants said he will present the resolutions for review at the next Committee of the Whole meeting on December 8, with approval scheduled for the December 15 City Council meeting. ORDINANCE INCREASING FOSTER GOLF LINKS GREEN FEES: Councilmember Mullet reviewed the Community and Parks Committee review of the green fees increase and said the request follows the long -term plan for fee increases. He explained the delay in constructing a new clubhouse. Director Lancaster said the new clubhouse could not be built until the existing maintenance building is vacated. With numerous City departments sharing the maintenance building, space has become a problem. Adequate maintenance facilities are needed for the City and the plan was revisited to begin design of a new maintenance facility in 1998 with construction scheduled for 1999. As golf course revenues cover the capital costs, design and construction of a new clubhouse would begin in 1999. It is anticipated that move -in to a new clubhouse Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes November 24, 1997 Page 5 would occur in late 2000. Director Lancaster said he believes it is an appropriate use of the enterprise fund to build a new maintenance building for Public Works and Parks and Recreation maintenance needs. Councilmember Ekberg recommended the item be included on the Council agenda for Council action. ORDINANCE INCREASING GENERAL PROPERTY TAXES FOR 1998: Director Doerschel said the property tax rate for 1998 is required by December 1, 1997. He said the worksheet amount will not be ready until Monday, December 1, and suggested moving the item to the December 1 Council meeting. Councilmember Carter asked for clarification regarding the Special Tax Levy amount of $.08 (total of $14,000) as listed in the budget book versus the amount of $.01 ($25,000) listed in the draft ordinance. Director Doerschel explained the special levy amount is assessed on Tukwila and not on annexed areas of the City. He will correct the amount. RECESS: Councilmember Ekberg recessed the meeting from 8:20 p.m to 8:33 p.m. REVIEW OF PROPOSED BUDGET AND C.I.P. A review of the CIP was recommended since the proposed budget will continue to be reviewed at the committee level and at Council meetings in December. The review followed the table of contents. Review and concurrence of each review item is listed below: Capital Improvement Plan Policies No changes recommended. Attachment A Total Revenues Expenditures Director Doerschel said its difficult to sort through the financial figures without knowing the funding dynamics related to the General Fund. Some shortfalls have occurred that will affect the ending fund balance. Delays in grant funding, project overruns, and other issues reflects a funding deficit of approximately $250,000. He indicated that the City has approximately $250,000 in savings to offset the deficit and keep the planning model intact. Director Doerschel said the hotel /motel tax was not included since it will be treated as a separate revenue fund. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes November 24, 1997 Page 6 Attachment B Notes to Operations Maintenance Expenditures The vehicle excise tax and how its allocation is factored to cities was discussed. Mayor Rants said the state continues to increase the tax, but cities don't realize any additional tax revenue resulting from the tax increases. CIP Project Cost 1998 2003 (Attachment C) Residential Streets Councilmembers reviewed transportation projects. Mayor Rants responded to a concern expressed by Councilmember Ekberg concerning the 150 Street project. The project is listed due to the City's commitment to the schools for sidewalks around elementary schools. Councilmember Ekberg said staff should consider putting some emphasis on improving the area of 152 between 42 Avenue and Pacific Highway. CIP Project Cost 1998 2003 (Attachment C) Parks and Trails Councilmember Mullet indicated funding for the small boat ramp would be adequate. The location has yet to be determined. Councilmember asked why the Trails Master Plan which was included in the 1997 CIP, wasn't listed in the 1998 CIP. Director Williams indicated the previous plan had never been completed. The current park plans ends in September 1998 and the intent is to apply for a state grant and develop a parks plan in January 1998. The City is not eligible for a state grant unless it has a current parks plan. He said the trails are a sub element of the parks plan. The Interagency for Outdoor Recreation distributes approximately 30 million grant dollars for park and recreation development within the state. Councilmember Linder asked about the status of restrooms located on the trails. Director Williams said that part of the hotel /motel tax revenue would be used to develop a recreation/facilities guide that will identify location of restrooms. He indicated the budget includes funding for a porta potty on the trail. Councilmember Carter asked if there was any grant funding available for developing the Cascade Park. Director Williams said an application had been submitted for property acquisition and that the grant was not approved. Councilmember Carter said other grant sources should be pursued for funding. Director Williams said a Community Block Grant might be a possible funding source. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes November 24, 1997 Page 7 Director Williams responded to a question regarding school sports field funding of $200,000 and said the funding will be used in a coordinated effort between local youth organizations and the school district to utilize existing properties to continue the program of improved or new sport fields. The $200,000 would be used for regrading the Tukwila Elementary School and correcting some drainage problems with an existing backstop area. Mayor Rants referred to the funding allocation of $200,000 for the Cascade Park and said the item remains in the CIP in the event appropriate properties become available. He said the funding allocation should also be matched with grant funding. Director Williams said Mr. Wilcox donated four riverfront properties to the city in the Foster Point area. Parts of the parcels have eroded away by the Green River. Currently, the parcel serves as a greenbelt buffer. At some point in the future, developing the parcels will be considered for a park and recreation use. Bridges Councilmember Carter referred to the Pacific Highway Bridge project and said the total cost of the project is over 800 million. Tukwila will assume 10% percent of the project costs. Additionally, the City is applying for more grants to cover the City's share of the project costs. Commercial Streets Councilmember Carter indicated the Transportation Committee has reviewed half of the commercial street project list. Director Ross reviewed transportation project grants. Councilmember Linder requested clarification on the S 168 Street (Andover Park W Southcenter Parkway) project. Director Ross said development is occurring south of the project location and the City is in the process of determining what mitigation costs will assessed. Project funding is included in the event the opportunity to expand the street occurs. Some design work has been completed on the project that involved a signal on Southcenter Parkway. Currently, it is not scheduled for construction, but the design has been completed. Staff has completed some design studies in the event development occurs. Director Ross said he doesn't anticipate the street being constructed within the next two years. Director Ross said the worksheet map would be corrected to show that the street is not completed. General Improvements Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes November 24, 1997 Page 8 Councilmember Carter indicated that a listing of the minor facilities improvements is included on the last page of the 1998 Proposed Budget. They include: City Hall Replace Roof /Gutters HVAC Replacement Network Improvements Council Chambers Carpeting Miscellaneous Improvements Fire Stations Station 52 Roof Shoring Equipment Emerg. Mgmt. Fire Truck Replacement 107 Fund Library Roof Replacement George Long Building Structural Improvements Recreation Community Center Painting Community Center Misc. Councilmember Carter said the petroleum tanks at the old community center would be removed next year. Painting for the Community Center is for exterior only. Facilities No projects are scheduled for facilities until 2000. City Hall expansion is planned beyond year 2003. Attachment D Water /Sewer Director Doerschel pointed out that the financial statement includes all water related revenues and expenses. Councilmember Carter asked if the project New Water Supply (Well and other) included the $10,000 from the Cascade Water Alliance. Director Ross said it's not included since its under $25,000. The $10,000 is included in the proposed 1998 budget. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes November 24, 1997 Page 9 Director Ross said most of funding for the Minkler Boulevard Looping project is from mitigation. Director Ross explained the project and future work phases. Sewer Councilmember Ekberg referred to the South City Limit Sewer Extension project for 1999 and asked if the sewer would be extended to property not currently annexed to the City. Director Ross said some current properties located within the City limits are experiencing some problems with their sewer systems. Several warehouses are on septic systems and that in the long -term the septic systems need to be replaced with City hookups. Funding is available for design of Southcenter Parkway extended south. It makes planning sense to include the sewer line extension in with the design work. The project could be funded by mitigation or as an LID. Discussion continued on City funded infrastructure development and how development pays for such improvements. Councilmember Ekberg said he would prefer to spend the $600,00 on Highway 99 to encourage development. Director Ross indicated the source of the $600,000 was from mitigation and not from the sewer utility fund. Councilmember Ekberg suggested that the CIP projects include columns to designate City funds and impact /mitigation funds. Councilmembers concurred with the request. Surface Water Councilmember Carter referred to the 1997 CIP which listed a project involving Longacres Phase I that included part of the Expo Center and whether it had been completed or deleted from the CIP. Director Ross said staff had originally anticipated construction to be completed by end of 1997. The permits have been issued but it is unlikely that it will be completed by year -end. It will be a carryover project. Councilmember Carter requested correction of the project title relating to the Riverton Creek Water Quality Management Plan. Director Ross said the project totals also need to reflect the grant amount of $75,000. Director Ross clarified two similar projects listed on page 106 and page 109 and explained the differences between the two projects and that they are funded by FEMA grants. Councilmember Cater noted a possible typing error on page 117 under justification and said 47 Avenue should probably be changed to 42" Avenue. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes November 24, 1997 Page 10 Councilmember Carter referred to the project on page 124 and asked about the status of Phase II work. Director Ross said work is currently being done on the project and the CIP should reflect some funding for 96/97. Golf Course Councilmember Carter asked where funding was for the Golf Master Plan. Director Ross said the funding is included in the 1998 Proposed Budget. Director Williams referred to the Foster Golf Links Tees and Greens project and said the project description title was misleading as it includes parking lot and drainage related improvements. He referred to 1998 project costs for engineering services and construction and indicated they will most likely be revised. The existing clubhouse, the maintenance building, and the surrounding area will have increased activity to some degree. To insure adequate drainage of the area, the area will be surveyed and a preliminary engineering plan will be developed of those planned improvements around the existing clubhouse and maintenance areas that also may include a shoreline analysis. As a result, the Foster Golf Links Tees and Greens project will be expanded to include the additional work. Director Williams said during 1998 a preliminary plan would be developed to reflect design work for the area, which will be incorporated into the Golf Course Master Plan. He indicated that engineering costs would be more than the current allocation of $30,000. Councilmember Carter suggested including a separate project listing for the Golf Course Master Plan. Director Williams agreed to the request and said he would also change the project title to more adequately describe the project. Director Williams referred to project listings on page 132 and 133 and explained some of the funding process and work plan. Councilmembers will have substantial input on the process. Councilmember Linder referred to page 132 (Club House Replacement) and noted the assumption that greens fees increases will pay for the building and the new maintenance facility. Director Williams said the previous CIP plan included an annual greens fee increase of $2.00 every other year. As an enterprise fund, the golf course needs to pay for any improvements. Over the years, most of the construction improvements on the course have been completed. The next major costs will be the construction bonds for the clubhouse and the maintenance facility, which will be outlined in the Golf Course Master Plan. Councilmember Carter recommending switching the diagrams on pages 132 and 133. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes November 24, 1997 Page 11 REPORTS: MAYOR: Mayor Rants referred to an upcoming affordable housing seminar. The day long seminar will focus on "Affordable Housing for Great Neighborhoods" and will be held at the Seattle Sheraton on December 12. The seminar is sponsored by the Washington Department of Community Trade and costs $75. COUNCIL: Councilmember Mullet referred to funding issues involving the Allentown sewer system and whether to delay funding from the CIP, include it in the General Fund, or make a decision in 2001 to increase the funding level. Councilmember Mullet indicated Director Doerschel is working on funding options. Mayor Rants said as a result of state actions concerning legislation and economic development, the CIP project list is greatly reduced from years past. Unless funding sources such as sales tax and property tax stabilizes, budgeting will become increasingly difficult. In order to have a cash flow in 1997; the City will be using some funds from savings to maintain a cash flow. Pay back to savings will occur in early 1998. Mayor Rants reported on the City's recent media outreach activities. They include: Seattle Post Intelligencer Seattle Times Daily Journal of Commerce Puget Sound Business Journal Seattle Sidewalk KIRO Radio KOMO Radio Highline Times KVI Radio API/UPI Wire King TV KOMO TV The Mountain Radio Mayor Rants attended the Foster Improvement Club meeting and gave a presentation on future economic development plans the City will be undertaking to increase commerce within the City. The response to the presentation was very positive. Councilmember Hernandez attended a housing conference on November 17 and 18. She also attended a Human Services Roundtable on November 20 and another housing conference sponsored by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials on November 21 at Mt. Vernon. Some new information relating to housing included a Governor's Task Force on financing for senior Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes November 24, 1997 Page 12 housing and how some land -use incentives are being used to promote senior housing within other jurisdictions. The City of Auburn has proposed development of a senior housing development complex comprised of 296 units. The project site plan provides for 166 parking spaces. The housing conference held in Mt. Vernon was well represented by non profit agencies. Many of the presentations focused on financing alternatives used to fund projects. The Human Services Round Table presented its legislative two -tier agenda for 1998 which will focus on childcare issues, welfare reform, housing stability, support programs and increasing capital funding to maintain existing housing. The second tier will include family violence, food bank, property tax exemption for shelters, the basic health plan, federal uninsured children's funds, and Prevention Work's Coalition to fight crime and violence through a prevention program. Councilmember Ekberg attended a Transit Advisory Committee. The Committee is moving forward in submitting recommendations for alternative routes for LINK. Commuter rail alternatives were discussed and the Committee will be recommending three alternatives for commuter rail station locations. Councilmember Mullet reported that he attended a Part-150 Airport Mitigation Study meeting. A consultant has been hired to oversee the study for approximately one million dollars. Representation consists of a Community Group and a Technical Advisory Group. Councilmember Mullet recommended the City contact the group to insure Tukwila is represented on the Technical Advisory Group. The study involves existing and future airport noise and control issues. Councilmember Carter recently attended a SCKATBd meeting on transportation funding issues. She indicated that it's unlikely a gas tax increase will be passed. A breakfast meeting is being scheduled with legislators regarding SCKATBd legislation. The Transportation Committee reviewed the 1998 -2003 CIP along with a review and approval of contract supplements for the Pacific Highway bridge project. An additional agenda item concerned the approval of a sole source vendor for replacement of a DARE van. Councilmember Linder attended the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee meeting. A public meeting is scheduled which will include representatives from the hotel /motel industry. The meeting will cover how hotel /motel tax is distributed and used. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes November 24, 1997 Page 13 cce I j m Hag y i, Council President Valerie Gow, Recording Secretary Councilmember Linder also attended a Duwammish Improvement Club meeting. The last opportunity to sign up to take advantage of a 10 percent discount is February 1, 1998. STAFF: Administrator McFarland announced that Volunteer Tukwila is now on the Internet. Mayor Rants said he recently surveyed an entire class of sixth graders at the Showalter Elementary School on the number of computers in the home. Of the 186 students surveyed, 50% percent have home computers. Councilmember Duffie asked for volunteers to assist in conducting mock job interviews with students on November 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Councilmember Carter commended staff for keeping the Tukwila Internet page up -to -date. ADJOURNMENT: Councilmember Duffie moved, seconded by Councilmember Ekberg to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 p.m. All in favor. Motion carried.