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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-11-25 Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 25, 1974 TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL 7:30 P.M. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS BID OPENING So. 180th St. Sanitary Sewer Interceptor PRELIMINARY BUDGET DISCUSSIONS Mayor's Budget M I N U T E S 9316 Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Councilman Traynor called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order. GARDNER, STERLING, TRAYNOR, DAVIS, HARRIS. Council- man Johanson arrived at the meeting at 7:40 P.M. Steve Hall, Public Works Director, gave a brief back- ground of the project and explained the bids would not be awarded at this time; staff will review the bids and make its recommendations at the next Regular Council meeting, December 2. Councilman Traynor opened and read bids from the following bidders: Burke Robinson, LDL Land Develop- ment, Collucio Const., Ryker Const., Lundberg Const., R. L. Alia, Tri -State Const., and DiOrio. Apparent low bidder is Tri -State with $70,200 for Alternate 1 and $61,050 for Alternate 2. The engineer's estimate was read. Councilman Traynor stated the smaller Departments would be discussed tonight. Mayor Todd stated he was requesting $1,500 per month based on the average mayor's salary of several Wash- ington cities. He pointed out the average was $1,630 per month in these cities and $1,804 per month for the cities with city managers, $1,674 per month for cities with city supervisors. He stated this infor- mation was taken from the 1974 Association of Washing- ton Cities handbook, Washington City and County Employee Salaries and Benefit Survey for 1974. The figures used were those from the list of cities with populations of 10,000 25,000. He stated the bulk of increases in all other catagories consists of inflation expectations with the exception of capital outlay for office furniture provided in case office space for City Hall was approved on a lease plan. He stated the $1,500 salary requested is in some cases less than Department Heads are now receiving even though the final administrative authority and respon- sibility lies in the Mayor's office. Mrs. Eleanor McLester stated she protested the salary increase of the Mayor proposed by the Mayor. During Mr. Todd's campaign and during the coffee hours held in her neighborhood, he had stated at that time to serve as a full -time Mayor for a part -time salary. She felt this was the reason some of the citizens voted to elect him. She stated she believed that campaign promises should be honored and suggested that a professional business manager might be a sen- sible alternative. The City of Spokane was given as an example. Mrs. McLester stated that she felt the City of Tukwila should have a full -time city manager who is a professional financial manager and leave the office of Mayor open part -time to all the citizens. Mrs. Nancy Moore stated in a two -day period some time during last February, she had gathered over 300 sig- natures supporting a full -time Mayor, adding that several of the people she spoke to were not aware that the Mayor was part -time. By comparing other cities with Tukwila, she felt Tukwila should have a full -time Mayor and that she does not see that this budget request is unreasonable. She stated Frank Todd would not always be Mayor and this should be provided now and for all future Mayors holding the office. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 25, 1974 Page 2 PRELIMINARY BUDGET DISCUSSION Cont. 937 Mayor's budget Cont. Mrs. Rena Holloway stated that our population should be a consideration also. We have approximately 3,200 residents and this should be a factor in determining the Mayor's benefits. Mayor Todd stated in reply to Mrs. McLester's state- ments regarding the City of Spokane that the total cost of paying a mayor and city manager by the tax- payers is $3,500 per month. He stated his request is not only less than that, but less than the average of what is paid to the mayors of surrounding areas. Mrs. McLester stated that Mr. Todd knew at the time he ran for the office that it was part -time and ran for it on that basis as part of his platform. She stated the surrounding cities are four to five times bigger than Tukwila. In regard to a city manager, a person in that position would have a professional back ground to command the kind of salary expected; a person running for the office of Mayor may not have that kind of background regardless of the office be- ing part- or full -time. There is a lot of financial responsibility in this City for administration to handle. The City of Seattle's revenue represents about $191 per citizen while Tukwila's revenue repre- sents over $1,000 per citizen. Mayor Todd stated the Mayor of the City of Seattle also has 33 professional assistants in his office. Councilman Gardner stated the Mayor's figures of average mayors' salaries is the average of the three cities in that group who have full -time mayors. Councilwoman Harris asked if the Council should try to determine the amounts in the Council Allocation columns tonight before the public hearing begins next week, particularly those figures pertaining to sala- ries. Councilman Traynor stated he felt the Council should not be making that decision at a work meeting, but that we should wait for the input from the public next week. Councilwoman Harris stated if we wait on all of this, the public will not be prepared to res- pond to what the ideas of the Council are. Council- man Traynor stated he felt the Council should hear from the Departments tonight and discuss their bud- gets only. Those members of the audience should also comment tonight. Councilmen Sterling and Johanson agreed that the Council should discuss but take no formal vote. Councilwoman Davis stated she felt the Council should wait to discuss salaries, but other costs and expenses could be informally formalized for the public to comment on during the public hearing. Councilman Traynor also suggested the Council consid- er, when making budget cuts, informing departments how much money to cut and not where to make the cuts. Let the Department Head determine how to adjust his budget and then come back to the Council with that proposal. Councilwoman Harris stated it would be of benefit to the Council and to the public to have these Council Allocation line items filled in before the public hearing. Councilwoman Davis added these fig- ures would not be final, but would be open to adjust- ment by the public. Councilman Traynor stated he disagreed with the idea of voting before the public hearing on these items. Councilwoman Harris stated she would like to stress that it is all right for the Council to make some preliminary decisions at the Council of the Whole meeting because it would not constitute a final action or a vote on any ordinance, etc. Councilman Sterling suggested the Council move ahead with the discussion regarding the budget. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 25, 1974 Page 3 PRELIMINARY BUDGET DISCUSSION Cont. City Treasurer's budget Municipal Court budget City Attorney budget 9sy City Treasurer Mae Harris briefly explained the re- quests of her budget for 1975. Councilman Sterling asked about the position of part -time accountant. Mae Harris stated she would hire professional assis- tance on an hourly basis as needed for reports, etc. Councilman Traynor asked if she felt we needed a C.P.A. in the City. Mae Harris replied no, that this part -time accountant would be in that catagory. Councilwoman Harris brought up the matter of advertis- ing, stating that some of the other Departments felt this expense should be charged against each Depart- ment rather than have it charged against the City Clerk. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney stated it does take time to match the affidavits with the billings and by putting all advertising into one account is an efficient way to streamline the accounting system. There would never be a problem with charging the wrong department for a certain advertisement. Coun- cilman Sterling stated by breaking the expense back into the Departments, each would get a truer picture of their expenses. Shirlee Kinney stated it could also go into non departmental expense rather than the City Clerk's budget. Mayor Todd stated the City Clerk should have some control over the ads placed to assure that these ads are legally worded, etc. City Treasurer Mae Harris stated she was using up what is left this year in office supplies account to estab- lish a larger supply at a cheaper purchase price for next year and that is why her office supplies request for next year is less. Councilwoman Harris asked if the City Treasurer expects to spend most of what is requested for 1975 in 1975. Mae Harris replied yes. Mae Harris stated she would like to make an additional request to the Council to replace "Moria the City car provided for administration. She stated it has now completely worn out to the point where she feels it is too dangerous to drive. She stated there is daily use of the car and it is shared by the City Clerk, Court and Treasurer. Councilman Sterling suggested the Council consider one of the cars Chief Sheets is turning over for replacement next year because this car would not have to be brand new, just dependable transportation. Mrs. McLester stated once those Police cars are turned in for replacement, they are no longer good reliable transportation. Council- man Sterling stated that a car that is no longer de- pendable for the Police Department could be dependable for occasional use. Mae Harris stated the Police cars are very expensive to operate, they are gas hogs. She suggested the Council consider something a little more economical. Court Clerk Kathy Johnston stated there should be an increase in the repair and maintenance account to reflect the bid for typewriter repair at $95.00. She then explained her request for an additional storage cabinet and air conditioner under capital outlay. Councilman Sterling commented the budget was well presented. Mayor Todd pointed out that the Court Clerk's salary request was $950 per month which he cut back to $900 because the request was a two -step increase. City Attorney Wayne Parker explained his budget in three parts. He stated court and court reporter expenses are down and additional legal expenses are less due to fewer appeals of cases. He stated his request for an increase in his monthly retainer is the same amount requested and denied last year. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 25, 1974 Page 4 PRELIMINARY BUDGET DISCUSSION Cont. City Attorney budget Cont. City Clerk's budget 931 He stated that in 1971, $1,450 per month was allowed as the City Attorney's retainer while his own request is for $1,250. He stated since the Municipal Court has been granted jurisdiction over shoplifting and bad check types of crime, he has cut down expenses to the City for time spent in Superior or District Court. He stated for each hour spent in Municipal Court, he spends 20 minutes in preparation and re- viewing the cases. He stated he felt that the City and County in 1971 were paying $1,750 per month for they are now getting from him and he respectfully requested a retainer of $1,250 per month for those services. Councilwoman Harris asked how the Munici- pal Court could handle the shoplifting and bad check crimes when they are classified as felonies, not mis- demeanors. Attorney Parker stated these cases can be filed both ways depending on the amount of money in- volved; also the Prosecuting Attorney may decide not to handle some of these cases for one reason or ano- ther so it is handled in the Municipal Court. Mrs. McLester asked if a case is filed as a felony with the Prosecuting Attorney and he refers it to the Muni- cipal Court, is it then automatically filed in Tukwila as a misdemeanor. Attorney Parker replied yes. Councilman Traynor asked about the position of part time clerk- typist. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney stated that very recently the Neighborhood Youth Corps pre- sented its proposal to the City to provide high school students for part -time jobs at no expense, so she and the City Treasurer are sharing a clerk typist at the present time and hope to continue to do so. This budget request may now be eliminated. Regarding the transportation account, Shirlee Kinney stated she often drives her own car for City business and takes advantage of the fact that the City Attor- ney is frequently at King County Courhouse to have him transport recordings, etc. Councilman Sterling asked about the communications expense. Shirlee Kinney replied the account is in the red due to in- creased postage and telephone expense. Shirlee Kin- ney stated the professional services account is new to her budget and distributed information to the Coun- cil regarding Municipal Code review by the Book Pub- lishing Co., the City's codifier. Councilman Traynor asked about the increase in the account for seminars, etc. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney stated she included a request for expenses for the I.I.M.C. conference in Denver, the first out -of -State meeting expense she has ever requested from the Council. Also includ- ed is money for accounting and secretarial and finan- cial seminars for herself and staff. She stated next year she will have completed the course and be certi- fied as an International Municipal Clerk; as such, she would be representing the State on the Board of I.M.C. in Denver and may be able to fund the trip through the Board. Councilman Traynor stated that the City staff is spending quite a bit of money on these meetings and seminars and the Council is not getting the comments from the Departments as to the benefit to the City as a result of this expense. He stated he was not directing his comments at the City Clerk, but that the discussion brought this to mind. Councilwoman Harris agreed that the Council should take a closer look, perhaps allocate a certain amount to each Department and leave it up to that Department Head to determine its use. Discussion continued on the value to the City and that it should be proven to the Council to justify the expenses. Mrs. McLester stated that she hoped Tyee students would be considered for these employment programs TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 25, 1974 Page 5 PRELIMINARY BUDGET DISCUSSION Cont. 95 City Clerk's with the City as she knows several students from budget Cont. less privileged families that would qualify. Non Departmental Miscellaneous services budget RECESS 9:40 P.M. 9:50 P.M. General budget Discussion continued on breaking out the advertising expenses to each Department. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney reviewed the items of operations expenses in this account. Council discuss- ed having a professional firm conduct a salary and job description survey. Councilman Sterling stated he felt the Council and Department Heads could do this themselves. Councilwoman Harris stated there are other sources of help from the Civil Service people or King County at less cost. The Department Heads and their employees should be able to come up with something definitive. Shirlee Kinney explained the purpose of putting all vehicles into an equipment rental and revolving fund. In this way, the actual expenses and costs can be better determined. City Treasurer Mae Harris further explained the fund, stating that it will soon be re- quired when the City goes to double entry bookkeeping. Councilman Traynor called for a ten minute recess. Councilman Traynor called the meeting back to order with all Council Members present as previously listed. Councilwoman Harris advised the Council to look closely at the unexpended amounts in the Departments and compare them to the amounts of the total budget minus salaries. If there is quite a bit left over, then we should look realistically at what is being requested for 1975. She stated she was not happy with this budget and could not see budgeting all our revenue for expenses just because it is there. There is nothing budgeted for capital outlay, in fact some of those accounts are requested to be closed out. She stated it does not make financial sense to close out the land acquisition fund. We have been trying to set aside money for community projects. This is a way to avoid the bond issues be setting aside money with realistic budget trimming to provide capi- tal outlay. We have a desperate need for a city hall, parks and recreation facilities, etc. Councilman Traynor stated in his opinion the public safety budgets should be back to 52% according the the State's average. We should be able to get our budget back to that average. He stated he felt the Council should not nit pick at the budget, but tell the Departments how much to cut back and leave the decision to that Department Head on where to cut back. Councilman Johanson asked about the beginning cash balance. City Treasurer Mae Harris stated it is $420,000 approximately and this includes personel property tax, the excess of the contingency fund, building and land acquisition and others. Councilwo- man Harris asked how much is allowed for the contin- gency fund. City Treasurer Mae Harris replied this year it is about $29,000 maximum. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney stated the formula is 37(f per $1,000 of asses ed valuation. Councilwoman Harris pointed out only $12,000 is budgeted in that fund next year. Councilman Sterling stated the Council should consider what population figure to apply to the budget and salaries in this City. He stated we all realize that TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 25, 1974 Page 6 PRELIMINARY BUDGET DISCUSSION Cont. General budget Cont. 3,500 population is too low, but that 10,000 20,000 figures used by the Departments was too high in his opinion. City Clerk's budget Mayor's budget Council budget General budget Mrs. McLester asked what constituted a 36% increase over last year in the City Clerk's budget. Council- man Sterling replied that the advertising expense amounted to about $8,000 more. Mr. Bill Toon stated he felt as a citizen that the Mayor's salary should be commensurate with the duties and that it should be at least what the average of the other cities the same size or per capita is. The amount of revenue we have per year per capita is very high and we should have a mayor that is consider- ed full -time and we should consider a salary that is fair. He stated he knew that Mayor Todd puts in full time hours plus overtime work. Mrs. Rena Holloway stated if the people feel we need a full -time mayor then let the people vote on it. Mr. Toon stated he tries to associate as much as he can with the people in town and has heard from many that they felt our mayor was being paid full -time all along. They were very surprised to hear he is not, and that he only makes $400 per month. Mrs. Holloway stated the mayor was voted in as a part time mayor and it would be deluding the people who voted to change it now. Mr. Toon stated the times have changed and the role of the mayor has also changed with the times. Mrs. McLester stated she felt Mayor Todd should at least serve out the term as he was elected to do. She stated she felt he earns more than $400 per month but that it would be better to change the ground rules at the next election for that office. She felt it would not be fair to change under these circumstances now. Councilwoman Harris stated several of the Department Heads are requesting raises, but no one has ever mentioned raising the salaries of the Council. This A.W.C. book indicates that several of other Councils are making more in the 10,000 to 25,000 population catagory the same population catagory the staff and administration is basing their requests on this year. Mrs. McLester stated the Council's budget request is down 5 3/4% from last year. Mayor Todd stated he wanted to point out that $3.8 million is not the total amount of money being spent or allocated, that $1.9 million is the total operating budget for the City next year. Councilman Sterling stated we are using the total of that for the opera- tions of the City. Mayor Todd stated if the Council feels we are taking in more money to run the govern- ment than we should, then we should be reducing some taxes. Councilman Sterling stated it was his opinion that it is costing too much to run the City govern- ment. Discussion continued regarding income vs. expenses of the City. Mrs. McLester questioned whether the services to the residents have improved in relation to the increasing amount of revenue; she stated she felt they had not. Councilwoman Harris agreed that in the last year, there have not been many tangible improvements for the citizens. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 25, 1974 Page 7 PRELIMINARY BUDGET DISCUSSION Cont. General budget Mr. Bill Toon stated he felt over the last 10 years, the City has improved all conditions fantastically. People are now wanting to move here to raise their families because they know it is a good place to live now. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY HARRIS, SECONDED BY TRAYNOR, THAT THE 10:45 P.M. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURN. CARRIED. Doris Phelps, Deputy C ty Clerk