HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-08 Finance and Safety MinutesCity of Tukwila
Finance and Safety Committee
FINANCE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
November 8, 2011— 4:00 p.m.; Conference Room #3 *NOTE: Special Start Time
PRESENT
Councilmembers: Kathy Hougardy, Chair; Joan Hernandez and Dennis Robertson
Staff: Peggy McCarthy, Craig Zellerhoff, Mike Villa, David Cline, Bob Giberson, Gail Labanara,
Derek Speck, Katherine Kertzman, Rick Still and Joyce Trantina,
Others: Chuck Parrish and Ellen Gengler
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Hougardy called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
I. PRESENTATIONS
No presentations.
II. BUSINESS AGENDA
A. Rock `N' Roll Marathon Sponsorship
Staff is seeking Council approval to enter into a sponsorship agreement with Competitors Group for the
2012 Rock `N' Roll Seattle Marathon and half- marathon in the amount of $50,000. The Competitors
Group has changed the route for the Marathon, giving them an opportunity to grow the size of the event.
The City received good visibility from the event, as well as good practice for emergency management
activities, however, the marathon will no longer originate in the City of Tukwila.
'The sponsorship agreement is a joint marketing project by Seattle Southside Visitors Services, shared
between the cities of Tukwila, SeaTac, Kent and Des Moines. The Tukwila portion of the cost is $16,500
which will be funded from the lodging tax fund. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO
NOVEMBER 14 COW FOR DISCUSSION.
B. Resolution: Procurement Card Process
Staff is seeking Council approval of a resolution that adopts the City's Procurement Card Program
(PCard). The purpose of the PCard program was to increase efficiencies by streamlining the purchasing
process, and reduce purchase orders and the use of petty cash. The City also receives a rebate from the
bank of approximately $48,000 per year. Based on a recent audit, it was discovered that City Council
needs to approve the PCard process. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO NOVEMBER 14
COW FOR DISCUSSION.
C. Ordinances: 2012 Tax Levv
Staff is seeking Council approval of an ordinance increasing the City's Regular Property Tax Levy from
the previous year and an ordinance levying the General Taxes.
During the discussion regarding the tax levy, it was suggested that staff consider combining these two
ordinances next year. Committee Member Robertson requested that staff investigate how much the
assessed valuations would have to decrease before the City would experience declining tax revenues in
the future, since the property assessments have not increased in recent years. UNANIMOUS
APPROVAL. FORWARD TO NOVEMBER 14 COW FOR PUBLIC HEARING AND
DISCUSSION.
Finance Safety Committee Minutes
November 8, 2011— Pace 2
D. Ordinance: 2011 -2012 Budget Amendment
As required by the Revised Code of Washington, staff is seeking Council approval of an ordinance
amending the 2011 -12 Biennial Budget. The amendment includes many items that have been discussed
and addressed throughout the year.
After some discussion, the City Administrator clarified that the Council has the legal authority to approve
city funds and appropriations. The responsibility to transfer dollars within a fund is an Executive function.
Committee Member Robertson asked for specific details regarding the origin of the "surplus" funds from
the Public Works Department, Mayor's Office, and Parks Recreation. Chair Hougardy noted that we
seem to be consistently over budget in the City Attorney's office. Committee Member Hernandez
wondered if the City should at some point consider hiring an in -house attorney. Committee Member
Robertson suggested that staff review the history of budgeted versus actual costs, to improve estimates for
expenditures in the future.
Discussion continued regarding the subsidies for Foster Golf Course. Committee Member Robertson
requested that staff provide a summary of what the General Fund will need to subsidize for the golf
course during the next six years, since it has been difficult to get a clear understanding of the costs related
to the golf course. He also suggested a detailed walk- through of this summary with Councilmembers at
the November 14 COW meeting. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO NOVEMBER 28
COW FOR DISCUSSION.
E. Memorandum of Understanding with Washington Cities Insurance Authority
Staff is seeking Council approval of a memorandum of understanding with Washington Cities Insurance
Authority (WCIA) which will reduce the City's liability insurance deductible from $100,000 to $25,000.
Interim Finance Director Peggy McCarthy explained that this change in deductible could reduce the
City's overall costs related to insurance. The Committee requested that staff consider reformatting and
simplifying the data and analysis for presentation to the Council. It was also suggested that staff look
specifically at the number and types of claims when this analysis is done next year. UNANIMOUS
APPROVAL. FORWARD TO NOVEMBER 14 COW FOR DISCUSSION.
F. Proposal: Additional Police Staffing
Chief Villa explained that the City had a bicycle patrol on Highway 99 in the mid 1990s. The patrol was
an effective tool in crime mitigation, but was discontinued several years later due to competing interests
and demands in the Department.
The recent closure of the Neighborhood Resource Center has resulted in increased reports by citizens
regarding panhandling and prostitution. The Police Department continues to do whatever it can to create a
safe neighborhood environment in the TIB area, and is looking into re- instating a bicycle patrol.
However, the patrol cannot be staffed with the current number of officers. Funding for the three additional
positions needed, will come from savings from the 2011 budget and with adjustments to the 2012 budget.
UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO NOVEMBER 14 COW FOR DISCUSSION.
III. MISCELLANEOUS
Meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Next meeting: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 5:00 p.m. Conference Room #3
9� q Committee Chair Approval
Min Y Y b JT and KH. Reviewed b PM and K4M.