HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-12-02 Special MinutesDecember 2, 1992
5:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
COUNCILMEMBERS
OFFICIALS
SPECIAL ISSUES
Public Safety
Initiative.
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
COMMI r1EE OF THE WHOLE
MINUTES
Tukwila City Hall
Pub. Wks. Conf. Rm.
Council President Allan Ekberg called the Special Meeting of the
Committee of The Whole of the Tukwila City Council to order.
ALLAN EKBERG, COUNCIL PRESIDENT; JOE DUFFIE, JOAN
HERNANDEZ, DENNIS ROBERTSON, CHARLIE SIMPSON,
STEVE LAWRENCE, STEVE MULLET.
ROSS EARNST, Public Works; LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council
Analyst; ALAN DOERSCHEL, Finance; RON WALDNER/BOB
MCQUEEN, Police.
The Mayor commented that due to the City's
continued growth, it is evident that more funds
will be needed to accommodate the calls for various services and
responses by the City's Police and Fire personnel. He said he is
proposing a Public Safety Initiative with dedicated revenues as a
means to compensate for the present and future growth of the City.
He stated he has looked at various approaches such as an
entertainment tax, utility tax and has even looked at funding from the
CIP. However, drawing out of the CIP will impact other areas that
need attention. He said a Utility Tax appears not to burdensome on
the citizens at a 2% rate and requested the Council give this initiative
careful consideration. He praised the Council for the indepth manner
they've scrutinized this issue. The Mayor stated he's sure the Council
doesn't want to see a tax increase and neither does he; but at this time
he sees no other alternatives.
A discussion followed with each councilmember commenting on the
most effective ways to resolve the City's personnel and other public
safety needs while minimizing undue burden on the citizens.
Some councilmembers stated that the best approach would be to
implement the utility tax; some members commented that the City
should tap into the revenues dedicated to the CIP; while others
suggested utilizing the Criminal Justice funding on a temporary basis
or invoke an entertainment tax.
The Council agreed that if the citizens are going to make an intelligent
decision, more information will have to be made available and an
opportunity for public discussion and public input will have to be
provided.
The Council recognized the imperative need for more citizen
participation; and thus agreed that a comprehensive and detailed
format should be worked out by the Finance Director to be used as
handouts as follows:
1. Summary sheet on Public Safety Positions.
2. Summary sheet on possible Utility Tax which
will include:
a. Estimated total allocation of each 1% as
it applies to dollars and percentages.
b. Estimated cost to typical apartment /condo resident
(energy) for each 1
c. Examples of typical monthly /annual cost in detail for
apartment /single family residents.
d. Reiteration of revenue generation, i.e. options 1, 2 and
combinations.
3. Admission Tax:
a. Include revenue summary.
b. Show comparative da,“ nearby cities which would
include: what they tax (if any at all); amount of tax;
amount of revenue collected.
Special Meeting/Committee of Whole
December 2, 1992 (5:30 p.m.)
Page 2
Public Safety Initiative (Con't)
ADJOURNMENT
7:15 p.m.
The Finance Director, Alan Doerschel, agreed that this information
would be available in handout form prior to the December 7, 1992
Regular Council meeting.
MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY ROBERTSON, THAT
THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE
WHOLE ADJOURN. MOTION CARRIED.
Allan Ekberg,`Council President
C°Llia Square,?f'guty City Clerk