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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-07 Finance and Safety MinutesCity of Tukwila Finance and Safety Committee FINANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes September 7, 2011— 5: 00 p.m.; Conference Room #3 *Wednesday due to holiday PRESENT Councilmembers: Kathy Hougardy, Chair; Joan Hernandez and Dennis Robertson Staff: Shawn Hunstock, Mike Villa, Nick Olivas, Marty Grisham, Jack Pace, Jennifer Ferrer -Santa Ines and Kimberly Matej CALL TO ORDER: Chair Hougardy called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. I. PRESENTATIONS No presentations. II. BUSINESS AGENDA A. Grant Acceptance: Washington State Militarv/Homeland Securitv Staff is seeking Council approval to accept funding from the Emergency Management Performance Grant in the amount of $82,207 from the Washington State Military Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to support and enhance the City's emergency management program. This grant requires a 50150 match (every $1 of grant funding needs to be matched by a $1 from the City). This match can be met through current salaries, which means there is no additional unbudgeted cost to the City. This is an ongoing grant that the City can apply for annually. Funds can be used for a number of emergency management program needs. Specifically, if accepted, staff will use the funds primarily to pay for an additional .25 FTE added to an existing .5 FTE emergency management position which will focus on public education and community emergency response training; other plans for funding opportunities include enhancements to the emergency operations center as well as department operations center. Committee Members requested a summary of the items, positions and/or programs that Emergency Management staff intends to enhance with the utilization of these grant funds. This information will be included in the memo that goes to full Council. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO SEPTEMBER 12 COW FOR DISCUSSION. B. Business License and Revenue Generating Regulatory License Update Last year Council passed two ordinances, one that created and implemented the Revenue Generating Regulatory Licensing (RGRL) fee and another that adopted a new business license fee structure. After one cycle of implementing and collecting these fees, Finance staff has evaluated the effectiveness of the license and fee process and is recommending the Committee consider one of two changes to the ordinances, as outline below, to take forward to Council for discussion. These options will allow the fees to be restructured for ease of application, uniformity and proportionality. Option 1: Implement a combined business license and RGRL fee of $67 per full -time equivalent (FTE) Option 2: Continue calculating the RGRL based on the number of full -time equivalent employees and calculate the business license fee in the same way, based on the number of full time equivalent employees Staff reminded the Committee, that they always have the opportunity to make no changes. The options listed above will more equitably share the assessment of fees across all size businesses. Option 1 is revenue neutral. Finance Safety Committee Minutes September 7, 2011— Paoe 2 After discussion, Committee Members determined that they would like staff to return to Committee with a draft ordinance outlining and implementing Option 1 above. Staff anticipates returning with a draft in late October. Per Committee request, and additional discussion, staff will begin outreach with businesses this month to explain the potential change and invite public participation and comment. Committee Members emphasized the importance of outreach regarding business licenses and the RGRL. DRAFT ORDINANCE OF OPTION 1. RETURN TO COMMITTEE. C. DRAFT: Chronic Nuisance Ordinance Staff is returning to Committee with a draft ordinance regarding chronic nuisance properties, per the request of the City Council. The intent of the draft ordinance is to be used as a tool for the City to address issues with residential and commercial properties that consistently present life- safety concerns in the community. Chief Mike Villa distributed an updated draft ordinance at Committee which clarifies some definitions and RCW applicability. These changes will be included in the packet that goes forward to Council. Staff reviewed the following in relation to the draft ordinance: Definition of a chronic nuisance property Definitions of nuisance activities Opportunities for tenants and/or owners to abate nuisance activities The informational memo included in the Committee agenda packet also briefly outlined other options and mechanisms for addressing nuisance concerns within the community including the Urban Overlay District and Plan, the recently applied for Community Challenge grant (see Community Affairs Parks Committee minutes dated August 22, 2011) and other economic development issues. After a lengthy discussion regarding the definition and use of the term person in charge, staff will conduct an additional review of the document to ensure consistent use of the definition and term throughout the ordinance. Staff responded to questions regarding the funding resources that will be needed to enforce and implement this ordinance. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO SEPTEMBER 12 COW FOR DISCUSSION. D. Revenue Report: June Sales tax revenues continue to show a steady increase compared to the prior year. Receipts through June put the City at almost 10% above budgeted sales tax revenues year -to -date. Staff has renamed the report to Miscellaneous Revenue Report since it now includes gambling and admission tax revenues. Additionally, if one -time construction revenues are removed from the revenue total, the City is still ahead of budgeted revenues. INFORMATION ONLY. III. MISCELLANEOUS Meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m. Next meeting.- Tuesday, September 20, 2011 5:00 p.m. Conference Room #3 Committee Chair Approval MO t s by "M. Reviewed by SH.