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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-05-26 Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 26, 1992 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER COUNCILMEMBERS OFFICIALS CITIZEN'S COMMENTS SPECIAL ISSUES Financial forecast 1993 -1998. An ordinance adding surcharges on water consumption. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES 09), Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Council President Ekberg called the Committee of The Whole Meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. ALLAN EKBERG, Council President; JOE DUFFIE, JOAN HERNANDEZ, DENNIS ROBERTSON, CHARLIE SIMPSON, STEVE LAWRENCE, STEVE MULLET. JOHN MCFARLAND, City Administrator; LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council Analyst; ROSS EARNST /RON CAMERON /DOUG MICHEAU, Public Works; DON WILLIAMS, Parks; RICK BEELER, DCD. Council President Ekberg read comments from a letter submitted by Mrs. Elizabeth Springer regarding the status of the City Attorney position. In it, Mrs. Springer recommended that the City consider hiring college graduates as opposed to veteran attorneys. The Mayor prefaced Alan Doerschel's Financial Forecast presentation by stating that in an attempt to keep the Council informed of the City's fiscal position, the report is intended to convey the relatively sound fiscal strength and decision making enjoyed by the City in the past. He said the need for careful planning and understanding of the long term implications of those decisions remain critically important. Alan Doerschel, Finance Director, gave presentation on the Financial Planning Forecast (1993 through 1998). It included a capsule look into Tukwila's financial future. He identified the operations and capital programs separately along with sources of funding. Doerschel informed the Council that it is imperative not to continue to increase the operations share of total revenues at the expense of the capital /infrastructure needs. The approach must be a balanced one. After a brief question and answer period, Councilmember Robertson recommended that the Council concur with the Administration's recommendation that Operations and Maintenance (O &M) and the Street Maintenance funds be combined; and that this process becomes an ongoing one. Council President Ekberg requested that the Mayor and Finance Director provide the Council with different alternatives regarding the cumulative shortfall for the period 1993 -1998. The Mayor agreed that the information will be provided. Ross Earnst, Public Works Director, distributed an information sheet on Water Shortage Restrictions. Earnst stated that water use restrictions have been placed by Seattle, Tukwila, and other purveyors in order to conserve water. A graduated surcharge and fine structure have been prepared consistent with Seattle's. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes May 26, 1992 Page 2 Water consumption surcharges (Con't) A resolution adding position of City Attorney to non represented salary schedule. Councilmember Robertson expressed concerns as to why residential consumption above 1600 cubic feet is calculated at $2.78 /ccf while commercial rates are at $2.26 /ccf. Robertson said he's bothered by the appearance, if nothing else, that commercial is being favored over residential by a rate of .52 cents per cubic foot. Councilmember Simpson suggested if the average household usage is approximately 500 cf during the emergency period, why not establish a lower rate for those using up to 400 cf as an incentive for conserving. Earnst stated that would be a matter to take up with the Finance Director Alan Doerschel who handles the billing. Councilmember Robertson agreed with Simpson's suggestion and added that this incentive should be offered to Residential and Multi Family customers only. MOVED BY ROBERTSON, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, TO LEAVE ALL OF THE FIRST RATES BOTH FOR RESIDENTIAL, MULTI FAMILY AND COMMERCIAL, PER 500 CUBIC FEET OR LESS AT THE CURRENT SUMMER RATE AND TO INCREASE ALL THE REST AS SHOWN IN THE TABLE OF SAID ORDINANCE.* Councilmember Lawrence commented that the City should focus on encouraging citizens to improve their behavior in water consumption. He said it's going to be more expensive in the long run if water saving measures aren't taken seriously during these crises times. Council agreed to accept amendments as follows and forward the Ordinance to the next Special Meeting of May 26, 1992 for adoption. "RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS -UP TO 400 CUBIC FEET. RATE PER EACH 100 CF-- $1.39: 500 1.000 CUBIC FEET, RATE PER EACH 100 CF-- $1.74...." MULTI FAMILY -UP TO 400 CUBIC FEET. RATE PER EACH 100 CF-- $1.39: 500 CUBIC AND ABOVE. RATE PER EACH 100 CF 1.74...." "COMMERCIAL /INDUSTRIAL -UP TO 400 CUBIC FEET. RATE PER EACH 100 CF. $1.81: 500 CUBIC FEET AND ABOVE. RATE PER EACH 100 CF-- $2.26...." Add a "Section 6" to the Ordinance that would read: "Section 6. Conflicting Laws. Whenever anv conflicts exist between federal. state. and local laws or other City ordinances or reaulations and this ordinance. the more restrictive provisions shall amply." *ORIGINAL MOTION CARRIED AS AMENDED. Council President introduced the resolution that would integrate the City Attorney's position into the existing Wage and Classification system as a regular, full -time position at the department head level. Councilmember Hernandez inquired that since the effective date of the classification action is set at February 1, 1992 and Mr. Kenyon's contract expired on January 31, 1992, will his salary be retroactive. Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes May 26, 1992 Page 3 City Attorney salary schedule (Con't) REPORTS City Administrator McFarland stated that the Council can choose to extend the existing terms of the Attorney's contract through the effective date of the draft resolution. His contract expired on January 31, 1992; he's been working under the terms and conditions of that contract. Councilmember Robertson commented that to his knowledge there was no expiration date noted in the contract that was signed by previous Mayor Gary Van Dusen. Councilmember Mullet suggested the resolution be effective on the date of passage. MOVED BY MULLET, SECONDED BY SIMPSON, THAT THE RESOLUTION ADDING THE POSITION OF CITY ATTORNEY TO THE NON REPRESENTED EMPLOYEE SALARY SCHEDULE BE AMENDED TO BE EFFECTIVE ON THE DATE OF PASSAGE, AND DELETING THE LAST PHRASE IN SECTION I--"EFFECTIVE RETROACTIVELY TO FEBRUARY 1. 1992." MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY ROBERTSON, SECONDED BY EKBERG, THAT THE RESOLUTION ADDING THE POSITION OF CITY ATTORNEY TO THE NON REPRESENTED EMPLOYEE SALARY SCHEDULE BE AMENDED AS NOTED, THEN FORWARDED TO THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL (JUNE 1, 1992) FOR APPROVAL. MOTION CARRIED WITH LAWRENCE VOTING NO. Lawrence explained that he was opposed to the motion because he feels that the administration plans on including the vehicle allowance as part of the previous salary to justify the basis for the next step increase. Lawrence stated he doesn't think the vehicle allowance should be a part of the salary because City vehicles are available to all employees. Mayor In response to a letter received from Councilmember Robertson regarding the salary analysis for non represented City staff; and where he stated he believes the current system does not work, Mayor Rants explained that the present system (with its COLA, steps, and bonuses) does work, but bonuses cannot be given until the Control point is reached. A COLA (cost of living adjustment) follows what the CPI (Consumer Price Index) dictates. The Mayor stated that that's what the City has done and that's what the Council approved. Albeit, adjustments can be made at the Council's discretion, he said he personally feels the salary raises should stay within the realms of City Growth. The Mayor continued that the new salary schedule format was adopted as a result of a consultant study. He said he agrees with Robertson that a "rolling" 5 year history-at -a- glance be prepared on all City employees. Regarding a new ordinance for the Finance Director, the Mayor said this already exist in the TMC. The Mayor continued as he asked the Council to give him their collective opinion on what they hope to accomplish with respect to the salary issue. He said he has come to expect each Monday a new task from Robertson. He perceives this as being a very Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes May 26, 1992 Page 4 REPORTS (Con't) Mayor Lai persistent and troubling problem. The Mayor concluded that Councilmember Robertson's May 21 memorandum has received wide distribution and has had a negative impact on staff. That's not good for the City. Neither he nor the Council can afford to have this kind of dissention in the organization. Councilmember Lawrence inquired if this subject is so touchy, why was it shared with everyone in the City. A councilmember should feel comfortable when making inquiries on City matters. The Mayor responded that he distributed a copy to each Department Head. Councilmember Robertson commented that the proposed changes he's suggesting in the duties of the Finance Director do differ from what's presently written in the TMC. Robertson stated the financial impact of the salary plan that was passed at the end of 1990 and in effect in 1991 came as a complete surprise to the Council. The Council had not the slightest idea of the impact, the size, or the way in which raises would occur. He stated there's nothing in the City's public records addressing this particular matter. Robertson suggested the following amendment to the Finance Director's duties: "Anv substantial financial action that occurs in the City or that is being proposed. the full impact has to be presented to the Council." Robertson said the Chief Financial Officer of the City is responsible for assuring that the policy makers are aware of the impacts of all budget matters. City Administrator McFarland stated that the administration provided a Council Agenda Synopsis (CAS) form on all the actions that have a fund source, or a fiscal impact on the City. There was a lot of discussion on this issue. This is done as a matter of course. The Administration try to determine what the costs will be when a plan is implemented. There should be normal, routine questions from the Council on all actions that go before them. Robertson reiterated that the only indication in public record was the cost impact of the COLA. It was the Council's understanding that going from one salary schedule to the next was a lateral change. which indeed it was not. Robertson stated he doubts very seriously that many of the Councilmembers would have approved raises resulting in 20 percent annual excess growth for some employees. That's incredible, Robertson said, given that nobody else was getting that, and certainly not in one year. City Administrator McFarland stated that the whole intent of the salary study was to find out where people were on the existing grid, look at where they would be on the proposed grid, and then place them there. Councilmember Robertson stated, that may have been knowledge to the administration but it wasn't knowledge to the Council. The Consultant Study was not adopted by the Council, in fact, no one on the Council even had a copy of it. This is the information he had been asking for and had not been able to obtain because it is not part of the City's records as the Mayor had indicated. McFarland stated the Consultant Study went forward after the Council had been informed of the problems in this area. The Council was informed that salary study experts were going to provide a Committee of The Whole Meeting Minutes May 26, 1992 Page 5 REPORTS (Con't) McFarland ADJOURNMENT 9:30 P.M. comparability analysis in 1989. McFarland stated that if Robertson is inferring that the Administration concocted some sort of plan of deceit, he's absolutely incorrect. Councilmember Duffie commented he was not ready to deal with this issue tonight at the COW meeting. He said this is a matter that should be discussed in the Finance and Safety Committee. Then, if necessary, forwarded to a future Committee of The Whole meeting for further discussion. It was the consensus of the Council that the Salary Analysis for Non Represented City Staff be forwarded to the next Finance and Safety Committee meeting with written response to the questions raised in Councilmember Robertson's May 21, May 25, 1992 memos that were addressed to City Council, Mayor and Department Heads. Councilmember Hernandez reported she had attended a conference in Boise, Idaho, and it was really quite compatible with some of Tukwila's Council work and decisions. She was able to attend a seminar on recycling sponsored by the City of Boise. She brought back informational brochure that she will share with the Utilities Committee. She also attended another workshop on recruiting, training and retaining volunteers. She has handouts from that workshop for those interested. Councilmember Ekberg announced that the Duwamish Improvement Club held its last meeting recently and will resume in September. At that meeting a presentation was given on the Duwamish corridor improvements, potentially planned by Boeing. Moira Bradshaw was also in attendance. Two weeks ago Ekberg said he visited Cascade View Elementary School and shared his Ikawa, Japan experiences with the sixty students who were in attendance. Councilmember Robertson commented that the Committee of the Whole Minutes of May 11, 1992 is a bit brief. In those minutes he stated that the Council made recommendations that were forwarded for action. Since he uses the minutes as a reference, he would like to see those recommendations added to the minutes. Robertson did, however, praise the City Clerk's office for the painstaking efforts it takes in transcribing and editing the minutes. Councilmember Lawrence commented that he will have a report on the Regionally Coalition on Airport Affairs' incorporation at a future meeting because Greg Prothman, who is the actual incorporator, has been absence on vacation for the past week and he was unable to talk with him. MOVED BY ROBERTSON, SECONDED BY LAWRENCE, THAT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING BE ADJOURNED TO THE SPECIAL MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. Alla erg,o`uricil Presid Cefla'Square, Deputy City Clerk