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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-09-29 Special Minutes 2September 29, 1975 TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL 7:30 P.M. SPECIAL MEETING CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS ADOPTION OF THE COUNCIL POLICY STATEMENT FOR THE 1976 BUDGET M I N U T E S 13 59' Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Mayor Todd called the Special Meeting to order at 7:50 P.M. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney stated the items of business did not appear in a legal advertise- ment, but were included in an article in the September 28 issue of the Record Chronicle. GARDNER, STERLING, TRAYNOR, DAVIS, HARRIS, JOHANSON Councilwoman Harris stated the notice for this meeting is legal since only 24 hours notice is required with notification to the press. She stated she delivered the notices in person on Sunday prior to 7:30 P.M. Councilman Johanson read the letter dated September 24, 1975 addressed to Administration, copies to department heads. The following goals were set by the Council: 1. City Hall /Police Station 2. Land acquisition (parks, trails, community center) 3. Underground wiring program 4. RAYS Youth Counseling E Crisis Center and /or Youth Conference Committee 5. Bookmobile King County Library 6. Water storage /pressure 7. Principal on the Strander Bridge signal at 58th Ave. So. and Interurban Ave. 8. Citizens Public Safety Review Board In addition, it is the intent of the Council that the City will remain status quo regarding addition of any full -time personnel, but creation of certain administrative /management positions will be considered. All capital equipment will require justification. With the exception of utilities, vehicle fuel and special projects authorized by the Council, there shall be no general increase in operating expense of Depart- ments. It is proposed that 75% of the sales tax revenue be allocated for uses to include capital outlay and equipment, with the remaining 25% for general operat- ing costs of the City. Attached to the letter is the format for justification for capital expenditures. Mayor Todd stated the policy letter from the Council has arrived two weeks late; the Departments have already submitted their budget requests to the City Clerk and they are now being prepared for administra- tion. Councilman Sterling stated it is not too late for the Mayor's consideration. Mayor Todd stated the Council has conveyed the message that any budget we give them will not be satisfactory. Over the past few years, we have developed several miles of streets, water lines and sewer systems which must be maintained. The Council will see his position when he submits the budget to them. There is no need to deprive the citi- zens of services just to save 75% of the 1/2 cent sales tax revenue. Councilwoman Harris asked for audience comments. Mr. Burton Lutes stated he could not see any reason to ask for public comments because the comments will just fall on cold ears and it won't do a bit of good. MOVED BY HARRIS, SECONDED BY JOHANSON, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT THE BUDGET POLICY STATEMENT FOR THE 1976 BUDGET.* Mr. Bill Moore stated he related a policy to be a general course and not an exact situation which cannot be altered. There may be factors come up to necessi- tate some alterations. A policy is more of an TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING September 29, 1975 Page 2 BUDGET POLICY Cont. /36o intention than an absolute requirement. Some of the goals the Council has indicated for next year will require additional manpower sooner or later. For example, if the acquisition of the Foster Golf Course is approved by the voters, there will be a considerable difference in the City's requirements. Councilman Traynor and Councilman Sterling agreed the policy is not rigid. Mayor Todd stated his disappointment with the state- ment inasmuch as it shoots down his effort to decrease the ad valorem real property taxes this year again. He had plans for the sales tax revenue in the general operating budgets of the City, and in that way, the City could give a break to the property owners and renters. Councilwoman Harris stated it is very bad financial planning to build in excess of $750,000 for the gener- al operating cost of the City. If we become financi- ally dependent upon that kind of revenue and if the State Legislature decides to redistribute the sales tax on a few dollars per capita, this City will be in serious financial condition. It is foolish to build our budget on a somewhat unstable revenue source. *MOTION TO ADOPT POLICY STATEMENT, CARRIED. FORMAT FOR THE Councilwoman Davis stated the forms should include 1976 PRELIMINARY all expenditure figures for 1974 for comparison. BUDGET She stated she called City Clerk Shirlee Kinney regarding this requirement as it is provided in the R.C.W. The City Clerk provided a copy of a break- down for 1974 on a separate sheet. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney stated the 1974 figures she distributed will be included as a part of the 1976 preliminary budget; this arrangement does meet the requirement of the law as the information is set forth by depart- ment and to the separate fund levels. She stated the preliminary budget forms are already printed and the typing on the forms has already begun. Shirlee Kinney stated information as far back as 1972 has also been included. Councilman Traynor suggested the City Attorney provide an opinion as to whether the present forms comply with State law or not. Councilwoman Harris stated she did not see the necessity of that. The R.C.W. clearly indicates there should be another column on those forms and all the information should be on one page. Mayor Todd stated the examiner from the State Auditor's Office has never commented on these forms. Discussion continued on the proper format. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney stated at this point, it would mean a complete re -draft of the forms and a great deal of extra typing. She stated she could provide a copy of the ending expenditure report off the com- puter which shows all details for all Council Members. Mr. Bill Moore suggested a copy of the 1975 prelimin- ary budget be provided. Councilman Traynor suggested since we are quite a ways into the budget already this year, the City Clerk could be instructed to have revised forms printed next year. City Clerk Shirlee Kinney stated she wanted the Council to understand she would provide any information she could to assist in their review of the budget. The present format was approved by the City Attorney, but if the City Council wants it to be included at this time, she would request some extra labor funds for the prepara- tion. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING September 29, 1975 Page 3 PRELIMINARY BUDGET FORMAT Cont. WATER STORAGE /PRESSURE STUDY *CARRIED. EXECUTIVE SESSION DEPARTMENT HEADS SALARIES /3bI MOVED BY HARRIS, SECONDED BY DAVIS, THAT A SEPARATE SHEET BE PREPARED LISTING ACTUAL EXPENDITURES IN THE DEPARTMENTS FOR 1974 AND BE INSERTED IN THE 1976 PRELIMINARY BUDGET.* Councilman Traynor asked if this included a provision for extra labor. Councilwoman Harris stated she does not want to bail that office out for their mis- take in not following the provisions of the State law. Councilman Johanson stated he will be happy with any- thing he got. We have operated that way in the past. Mr. Ed Bauch stated a few months ago, there was no questions as to where the money was to come from to redecorate the Council Chambers and now you are talk- ing about furnishing the information to the public on computer read -out sheets. Councilwoman Davis stated she felt some money should be provided for the extra labor. Councilwoman Harris stated the City Council authorized a study be done regarding the water pressure problem in the residential area of the City, including steps to improve the pressure and supply to an acceptable level. Several engineering companies have submitted the results of their studies and we are considering, in- house, getting into the engineering phase in 1976. Copies of the studies were distributed to the Council by Steve Hall, Public Works Director. Councilman Gardner stated the matter will be continued in Public Works Committee. 8:45 P.M. 9:10 P.M. MOVED BY TRAYNOR, SECONDED BY STERLING, TO CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. CARRIED. MOVED BY STERLING, SECONDED BY DAVIS, TO ADJOURN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE COUNCIL. CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT Council President Traynor, presiding, called the regular meeting back to order. He referred to a letter submitted by the six department heads request- ing an Executive Session with the Council on October 6, the next regular meeting. The Council concurred. 9:13 P.M. MOVED BY JOHANSON, SECONDED BY DAVIS, THAT THE SPECIAL MEETING ADJOURN. CARRIED. e))(",it,C Vrank Todd, Mayor Attest: Shir Yee A. Kinney, City Clerk .W.M.C.