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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-01-03 Regular MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL January 3, 1983 Tukwila City Hall 7:00 P.M. Council Chambers Regular Meeting FLAG SALUTE AND CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS REPORTS Mayor CONSENT AGENDA OLD BUSINESS Discussion on the 1983 Budget Current Fund Street Fund Water Fund Sewer Fund M I N U T E S Mayor Van Dusen welcomed the audience to the first Council Meeting of 1983 and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. He called the Regular Meetong to order at 7:00 P.M. GEORGE D. HILL, MABEL J. HARRIS, LIONEL C. BOHRER, Council President, DORIS E. PHELPS, JOE H. DUFFIE, EDGAR D. BAUCH, WENDY A. MORGAN. OFFICIALS IN LAWRENCE E. HARD, City Attorney; MAXINE ANDERSON, City Clerk; ATTENDANCE BRAD COLLINS, Planning Director; ALAN DOERSCHEL, Finance Director; HUBERT CRAWLEY, Fire Chief; PAT LOWERY, Police Chief; BYRON SNEVA, Public Works Director; DON WILLIAMS, Recreation Director. Mayor Van Dusen reported that: (1) There is a major water line break in the line that crosses the river at Southcenter South. The City is using the emergency intertie with Kent. (2) The water line on 58th separated and flooded the basement of the house at the foot of the hill. (3) The operation agreement for the Golf Course has been extended through January to allow time to revise that maintenance and operation procedure. A. Approval of Minutes: December 20, 1982 B. Approval of Vouchers Claims Fund Vouchers #13641 #13748 $14,415.75 1,533.02 220.32 61.86 $16,230.95 MOVED BY BOHRER, SECONDED BY HILL, THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED.* Councilman Bauch asked to have the minutes removed. *MOTION CARRIED WITH MINUTES WITHDRAWN. 3R/6 Council President Bohrer explained that he was absent on December 20 when the motion was passed adopting the 1983 Budget. He spent Monday afternoon listening to the tape of the meeting and dis- cussing it with the City Attorney. Since then several memorandums have been written concerning the budget adoption process. He is concerned about this process and about the relationships developing within and between Council and Administration. His memorandum points out some imperfections in the adoption process at the meeting of the 20th. The memorandum from the Mayor indicates that he has a different interpretation of what was the the will of the Council expressed at that meeting. It is not Administration's province to interpret Council's intent; it should be clear. In one instance, the Mayor cast the vote that decided an issue which should have been decided by Council. MOVED BY BOHRER, SECONDED BY BAUCH, THAT COUNCIL RETURN AND CONSIDER THE FOUR UNRESOLVED BUDGET ISSUES THAT WERE PLACED BEFORE US BY THE MAYOR IN HIS MEMORANDUM TO THE COUNCIL DATED DECEMBER 20.* Councilman Phelps reminded Council that the only issue that was questionable had to do with staff reduction. It seems that the intent of the Council on the other three issues is perfectly clear. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING January 3, 1983 Page 2 OLD BUSINESS Cont. Discussion on the 1983 Budget (cont.) Councilman Hill noted that the minutes say, "MOVED BY HILL, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, WITH REGARD TO STAFF REDUCTION, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DIRECT ADMINISTRATION TO REDUCE PERSONNEL COSTS BY AT LEAST $40,000 AND COME BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL BY THE END OF FEBRUARY WITH A REPORT ON HOW IT WAS GOING TO BE DONE SO SERVICES TO THE CITY WILL NOT BE REDUCED." This is the motion that was broken by the Mayor. Further down the page, there is a motion, "MOVED BY HILL, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED AS READ WITH THE MODIFICATIONS MADE IN THE BUDGET AS A RESULT OF THE DISCUSSIONS ON THE MAYOR'S MEMORANDUM. MOTION CARRIED 5 to 1." It seems that the whole process was approved 5 to 1. There were four people at this table that showed their intent -to pass the budget as it was modified. Attorney Hard explained that the budget ordinance that was passed December 20, 1982, was validly passed by the Council; it is a lawful ordinance and does constitute the budget for the City for 1983. As part of the budget, it provides direction to Admini- stration to reduce personnel costs by at least $40,000 and come back to Council by the end of February with a report. If this is not what Council intended to pass, then the proper procedure is to amend the ordinance tonight. Councilman Morgan asked if Mr. Hill's motion of the 20th did not rescind the motion made the previous week which reduced personnel by two. Attorney Hard said when Council finally voted on the budget ordinance, it did not eliminate two personnel positions, but it did contain the directive to reduce personnel costs by $40,000. This was my impression having been at that meetingasto what Council was voting on at that time. It did not contain the provision that two specific people were cut. Councilman Harris noted that the Mayor broke a tie on a motion concerning the budget, and the law prohibits this. Is the ordinance legal? Attorney Hard said the budget ordinance was properly passed on December 20. The action taken by the Mayor was not on a motion to adopt or amend an ordinance. It was simply an issue, one of many Council considered during the budget process. Now, you need to decide if what you passed on December 20 was what you intended it to be. If it wasn't, you have the power to amend the ordinance. Council President Bohrer explained that his motion on the 13th deleted two people from the budget. There is nothing in the record that indicates that any further budget motion was passed to add back those two persons. It can't be both ways. It was either amended or not; if not, the old motion still applies. Councilman Duffie said his intention was that the Mayor and De- partment Heads should decide where the cuts should be. The motion was 5 to 1. He asked Attorney Hard if the Mayor cast an illegal vote. Attorney Hard said the Mayor cast a legal vote on December 20. Councilman Hill explained that this came up because Council was cutting staff, and it was felt that this is an administrative function. He was concerned about services to the City. In the past, the citizens have had to do without in order to develop the tax base we have today. My intention was that services to the citizens would remain the same, and that Administration would determine how they are going to cut the $40,000. It passed 5 to 1 so I thought everybody agreed. Councilman Bauch clarified that the Mayor cannot break a tie vote to amend the budget. 3 ;j7 TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING January 3, 1983 Page 3 OLD BUSINESS Cont. Discussion on the 1983 Budget (cont.) Attorney Hard explained that the solution to the problem is to ask the Council people here what it was they voted on on December 20. If they voted like I say they did, the issue is dead; if they didn't then we amend the ordinance. Council President Bohrer asked the Attorney if a change in the budget occurred. Two people were deleted from the budget on the 13th; have those positions been put back in the budget? If this did not happen, there was no change made to the previous motion. Attorney Hard explained that at the time the Council voted on the budget ordinance, there was a directive for Administration to cut personnel costs of $40,000 and have the Mayor submit a report by the end of February. The budget did contain a specific require- ment that two positions be cut. Councilman Bohrer asked what action Council took to return the two positions to the budget. Attorney Hard said he was present, and it was his impression that is what the Council did. The answer, if this is not correct, is to amend what was passed on the 20th. Councilman Harris said if she thought reducing staff by two people would reduce services, she would never have voted for it; but more does not mean better. Too many people can disrupt service. We owe it to the citizens to reduce staff if we can and use that money for programs to help people. We may have overstepped our bounds in telling Administration which people to reduce. In no way do I think our City is so closely staffed, two people cannot be reduced more could but and it would not modify services. Councilman Morgan noted there were many people in the audience that were called and asked to attend the meeting. You were told that a position from the Parks Department was going to be cut, and it would mean a loss of your Senior Citizen Program. This was never Council's intent to cut specific programs -that was made very clear. Councilman Duffie said he ran for office because he wanted the citizens to know what is going on. On the 13th Council voted to cut two employees. I voted against the motion. We did not cooperate with staff on this decision. Now is the time for the people to be heard. Do we want to save $40,000 or cut two staff members. You, the citizens, should have input on how you want your City run. Council President Bohrer said he did talk to the Mayor about cutting two staff members prior to making the motion. He asked the Mayor for a recommendation on who to cut. He received no reply. I believe we could cut 6 or 7 positions and still leave service to the City essentially unchanged. This is not an ad- ministrative decision -it is strictly a budget decision. The discussion here has been about cutting the most important programs. The suggestions we have heard on what programs are being cut are not from Council, but from representatives of administration. Councilman Phelps said it was her intention that the motions made on December 20 were to clarify the issues discussed before. One of those was Mr. Hill's motion regarding Councilman Bohrer's pre- vious motion on staff reduction. I have a problem identifying two specific positions. One of those is a direct benefit to the citizens of the City. We are also talking about taking over the Golf Course and with that we get a lot of broken down equipment and we'll need the mechanic that is proposed to be cut. If we are going to make personnel cuts, I would like input from administration. Council President Bohrer said he does not consider this an administrative process; he considers it a budget decision. He said he would like to see administration's proposal on how to cut programs. It can be done without decreasing services. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING January 3, 1983 Page 4 OLD BUSINESS Cont. Discussion on the 1983 Budget (cont.) Councilman Morgan noted that on the 20th the Finance Director, after all the discussion, gave a revised revenue statement. Council needs good information and she proposed that, with the New Year, any information relating to finance be presented to Council in writing and not done as it has been at previous meetings. 32/ Councilman Hill said he has a problem with cutting for the sake of cutting. He agreed that last minute information is disturbing. Councilman Phelps noted that figures show there has been a de- crease in the percentage of salaries as opposed to the total budget. Also, there is more square footage of commercial build- ings, retail space and a lot more area and population to serve in the business district. Councilman Hill said it has taken a long time to get a Recreation Department so I would rather see the programs expanded than some- body cut. Council President Bohrer said the City needs to respond to economic reality. Past figures show that personnel costs are increasing as a percent of out total revenues. As personnel costs go up, programs and projects go down. The Urban Form Study has been discussed several times in the past. Councilman Phelps wondered why the entire concept and explanation of what an Urban Form Study is and what it would do was not brought up at any time when Council was discussing the Preliminary Budget. Councilman Duffie said he is proud of our Parks Department and feels they are doing a good job. What do we want; to cut two employees for the sake of cutting or do we just want to save the $40,000? Councilman Harris said Council is not here to save anything. The City is to budget the money for services. We have budgeted $30,000 for a study to keep the City from being sued. We are putting the money that could be used for other things into people. She said she feels the City can cut two people and that does not mean the City will cut the Recreation programs. Councilman Bauch explained that Council took $75,000 out of new taxes to balance the budget. Council would have laid off four people if this hadn't been done. Mayor Van Dusen said there were several decisions made on the 13th that did not have input by citizens or administration. The four items I brought up in my memorandum of the 20th were: (1) The Recreation Director's salary; (2) Reinstatement of the Federal Revenue Sharing items; (3) Staff reductions and (4) Hold Urban Form Study until it could be fully understood. He said he wanted to work with Council on the reduction of $40,000. He will bring his suggestions to Finance and Personnel Committee. It looks like the Urban Form Study will be additional personnel costs. Since he has been Mayor he has tried to increase the effectiveness of personnel staff and start a good management process. The elements to this are: (1) Planning, (2) Organizing, (3) Directing, and (4) Controlling. Lady in audience asked why salaries aren't frozen if there is a money problem. Second lady said the citizens will really miss the senior pro- grams and the children activities if they are taken away. Mr. Richard Kirsop, audience, supported the Mayor's position that he is the Chief Administrator of the City. Council, Mayor and Administration should work together to get the maximum out of the employees. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING January 3, 1983 Page 5 OLD BUSINESS Cont. Discussion on the 1983 Budget (cont.) RECESS: 9:00 p.m.- 9:10 p.m. Mrs. Gylden, audience, asked what portion of the Recreation Department is being financed by King County. Mr. Don Williams said $4,600 per year. ,3i Man in audience asked about the Urban Form Study. Mr. Brad Collins explained that it is a futuristic study of the development in Tukwila. It has no connection with the Recreation programs; it is in competition for the dollars. A lady in the audience wanted to know where the money was coming from for the study. If the City is not growing, why do we need the study? Councilman Morgan explained that we are growing. When the land is laterally covered, developers will think about going up. This study would establish a basis for the Planning Commission and Council to guide development. We don't want to impede the possibility of developments coming in that will furnish additional revenue. Lady in audience said if you cut some employees, you could effect the quality of life. The seniors and children need these programs. Councilman Morgan explained that Council did not intend to cut direct services to citizens but were attempting to tighten up a department to provide more efficient services. Gentleman in audience noted that the parks are used constantly. If there are lay -offs, programs are going to die. Another gentleman suggested that Tukwila should have a swimming pool. Mr. Stemwell, Park Commission, said that the first thing to straighten out is how is the City going to be run. Our services are good. I don't think we need to cut people, but maybe we do. I think you can run the City on the budget if you cut some of the studies. Mrs. Cheryl Wheeler, audience, suggested getting the Department Head's together and let them cut the budget. She asked if the Greenskeeper position is in the budget. Mr. Dave Larson, said it seems the reason the cut is being made is because we are in a recession. Why are we spending money on a study during the recession? It is time to stop and hold things down. It is not a time to take things away from us. Let's wait until we can afford the study to have it done. Council declared a five minute recess. Mayor Van Dusen called Council back to order with all Council Members present. Mrs. Sharon Mann, audience, suggested that employees' hours could be cut to 32 per week to save the $40,000 instead of cutting people. *ROLL CALL VOTE: HILL NO HARRIS NO BOHRER YES PHELPS NO DUFFIE NO BAUCH YES MORGAN YES MOTION FAILED 4 NO; 3 YES TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING January 3, 1983 Page 6 OLD BUSINESS Cont. Discussion on the 1983 Budget (cont.) Amendment to Minutes EXECUTIVE SESSION: 10:00 10:35 p.m. MOVED BY BOHRER, SECONDED BY BAUCH, TO AMEND THE BUDGET TO REDUCE PERSONNEL COSTS IN THE CURRENT FUND BY $40,000 TO BE ACHIEVED BY A REDUCTION IN PERSONNEL AND THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BRING TO THE COUNCIL, BY THE FIRST MEETING IN FEBRUARY, A PLAN FOR ACHIEVING THOSE REDUCTIONS.* Councilman Bohrer said he interprets the $40,000 as a net re- duction in personnel costs. If there are expenses that go along with reducing personnel, it is still the net; once it is accomplished, it will be $40,000. *MOTION CARRIED WITH HILL, PHELPS AND DUFFIE VOTING NO. Councilman Hill said, why cut personnel. If we had to have the money to balance the budget, then I would be for it. Mr. Alan Doerschel clarified that the property taxes increase about 10% a year. It was alluded that Council was deceived by announcing the increase in the fourth quarter payment of sales tax at the end of the meeting, but Mr. Doerschel said he was acting in a professional manner. He discussed it with the Mayor and it was agreed to give it at the end of the meeting so that the Mayor's proposal could stand on its own merits. Mr. Don Williams said that he and his staff believe that recreation services are important to this community. They invited citizens to this meeting to become informed as to what was going on. He said he responded to Councilman Duffie's remarks indicating that they would have to reduce services. The employees belong to the union and there is a format on how they would be layed off in case of reduction in staff. Mayor Van Dusen said that he is responsible for the actions of the Department Heads. Council thanked the citizens for coming and invited them back. Mayor Van Dusen clarified the motion so that everyone understood it meant reduction in staff. No positions were identified. He will work with Finance and Personnel Committee on these reductions. Mr. Larson, audience, said he is concerend about cuts in personnel who are doing a good job just to fund a study. If you are going to cut people, whey not do a study and find out where the waste is and honestly see what you can get out of your employees to do the job right. Councilman Harris commented that the Mayor's budget was well done. MOVED BY BAUCH, SECONDED BY PHELPS, TO HAVE THE PORTION FROM THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 3 CONCERNING HIM ASKING THE ATTORNEY'S OPINION ON THE TIE VOTE INSERTED IN THE MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED. Council President Bohrer noted, in the minutes also, that Mr. Williams' report was to the I.A.C., not the citizens of the area. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT COUNCIL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION FOR AN OPERATOR FOR THE GOLF COURSE. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Van Dusen noted that Council came out of Executive Session with no recommendation. It was decided that it was an inappro- priate Executive Session subject. Mayor Van Dusen explained that he reviewed all of the appli- cations and then a committee interviewed five of the prospective candidates. They were all capable individuals that could run the Golf Course. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL, REGULAR MEETING January 3, 1983 Page 7 DISCUSSION Golf Course Contract ADJOURNMENT 10:55 P.M. Mayor Van Dusen recommended that Council award the contract and negotiate the details with Mr. Richard Haaland. MOVED BY HILL, SECONDED BY BOHRER, THAT COUNCIL CONCUR WITH THE ADMINISTRATION'S RECOMMENDATION* Mayor Van Dusen said that Mr. Haaland has a good apprenticeship; he has a good academic background; he addressed issues pertinent to the Golf Course; he has upward mobility ideas and he gave an appropriate answer on dealing with the Greenskeeper. Councilman Phelps asked Mr. Haaland why he was interested in submitting a proposal to operate the Golf Course. Mr. Haaland said he now operates a 9 hold golf course; within the profession they are not looked at very highly. It interests him to operate an operation the size of Foster. He has not dealt with one that big, but is very confident he can do it. It is an opportunity for professional growth. Mr. Haaland said he gets along with many people very easily. He further explained that he would like to encourage juniors to play. *MOTION CARRIED WITH HARRIS VOTING NO BASED ON MR. HAALAND'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE. MOVED BY HILL, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, THAT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL ADJOURN. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor City Clerk