HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-09-09 Committee of the Whole MinutesSPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL
September 9, 2002
Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers
COMMITTEE OF WHOLE MEETING 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Calling the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. was Richard Simpson, Council President.
COUNCIL ATTENDANCE:
Present were Council President Richard Simpson; and Councilmembers Joe Duffle, Joan Hernandez,
Pam Carter, Jim Haggerton, Pamela Linder and David Fenton.
OFFICIALS:
Steven M. Mullet; Mayor; John McFarland, City Administrator; Rhonda Berry, Assistant City Administrator;
Bob Baker, Acting City Clerk; Alan Doerschel, Finance Director; Keith Haines, Chief of Police; Peter
Lukevich, Municipal Court Judge; Bruce Fletcher, Director of Parks and Recreation; Steve Lancaster,
Director of Community Development and Jim Morrow, Director of Public Works.
City of Tukwila Observances and Commemorations 9 -11 -01
Mayor Steven Mullet announced that during a candlelight vigil, a proclamation shall be read and
presented at the Tukwila Community Center on 9 -11 -02 at 6:30 p.m. Members of the Rainier Symphony
will perform.
Mayor Mullet also noted each of the City's four fire stations will do a truck "roll -out" with light only at 6:45
a.m. with all flags being raised and then lowered to half mast (for the remainder of the day) at 7:05 a.m.,
and then silence until 7:28 a.m. Fire staff will be on hand until approximately 10 a.m. in the event
community members show for a presentation (due to a misprint in the most current edition of the
Recreation brochure).
City of Tukwila Police Honor Guard members will be in attendance at the Lieutenant Governor's program
at Emerald Downs, beginning at 7:00 p.m., on 9- 11 -02.
The Foster Presbyterian Church will hold a special service at 7:00 p.m. on 9- 11 -02.
Finally, Mayor Mullet reported the Museum of Flight will configure, create and photograph a human
American flag. Interested participants may go to the museum at 11:00 a.m. Formation is anticipated by
Noon, with aerial photographs to be taken by 12:05 p.m.
CITIZEN COMMENT /CORRESPONDENCE: None.
SPECIAL ISSUES:
UPDATED 2002 -2007 FINANCIAL PLANNING MODEL
Mayor Steve Mullet introduced this issue by informing Council that a 3.5% reduction goal in the 2003
financial planning model exists. This will involve "losing some people" by shifting some positions and /or
taking additional losses of position attrition. In conjunction with proposed increased revenues, via 6%
utility tax, parity may exist within the budget in the coming years.
Alan Doerschel, Finance Director, reminded Council of the public meeting schedule for the 2002 -2007
Financial Planning Model. The first formal presentation for this item is September 16, 2002. This will be
followed by presentations on September 24 and September 30, 2002. City Administration believes it
important to hold such a presentation on the 30 (5 Monday of the month) to ensure enough response
time for citizen comment/correspondence.
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City Council Committee of Whole Minutes September 9, 2002
Mr. Doerschel then reviewed the City of Tukwila Total Revenues and Expenditures analysis matrix with
Council (as presented with Council packet). Mr. Doerschel, touching upon an earlier question (from
Finance Safety Committee) explained the Ending Fund Balance and the impacts thereon.
Councilmember Fenton stated what he believed to be a known list of major expenses for 2002, including:
$500,000.00 for Tukwila Village
$200,000.00 for Connectivity Issues
70,000.00 for Legal Issues
30,000.00 for Police Car replacements
Mr. Doerschel clarified the Tukwila Village monies will be borrowed and are not to be included in the total
known expenses. The same holds true with the connectivity issues expense. Both will be repaid through
debt service (short-term borrowed monies).
The beginning fund balance for 2002 is $17,341,000.00. This number represents the "cash that's being
carried over from 2001." That money is comprised of general and capital program carryovers. After
general, capital and overhead expenditures, a remainder of approximately $8.203 million remains. This
amount diminishes quickly and the 2002 -2007 Financial Planning Model shows an increase (over
previously figured amounts) in the negative balance in 2007 from $13.3 million to $13.9 million.
The changes exist from previously provided figures as a result of:
1. The impact of Operations and Maintenance reductions of 3.5% in 2003 and 4.0% in 2004.
This 4% figure is less than the originally anticipated 5% figure. This change increased the
six -year total deficit by $1.2 million.
2. A partial offset to the above increases in the deficit is a reduction of the estimate for leased
space in Tukwila Village of $.590 million, through 2007.
3. All other items that might affect the beginning fund balance for 2003 offset each other. This
includes the 2002 proposed budget adjustments presented to the Finance Safety
Committee on September 3, 2002. Therefore, no change is made to the beginning fund
balance for that year.
The 2003 Financial Planning Model does not include funding for the Tukwila Schools Collaboration
program or the Fire Shift Commanders. Mr. Doerschel went on to explain budget shortages will continue
at the rate of $2.5 million to $3 million per year. In 2003, the accumulated total (balance by year's end)
will be approximately $5.583 million.
Mr. Doerschel reported that even if the City completely eliminated the C.I.P., a $5 million deficit would
exist at the end of 2007. Therefore, if the utility tax passes, the City will be able to reduce the deficit and
slowing down the C. I. P. "a little bit."
The bottom line is by 2007, the City needs $4 million in expenditure reductions and more revenue
increases, or the budget will not balance. By planning now, we can begin to deal with the overall
problem. Waiting could only spell disaster.
Councilmember Carter asked that each of the public meeting dates appears on some sort of banner or
public notice portion of the City's website. Mr. McFarland responded to that request in the affirmative.
Councilmember Hernandez sought an answer to her inquiry on whether or not a 6% utility tax would
indeed generate $4 million each year, post implementation. Mr. Doerschel answered in the affirmative
and stated that in order to have a reasonable C.I.P. it is essential to have a utility tax.
Councilmember Haggerton noted discretionary items within the C.I.P. must be reviewed carefully. Both
Mayor Mullet and Mr. Doerschel responded to that statement. From there, he spoke of bond ratings
being the "lowest ever" right now.
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City Council Committee of Whole Minutes September 9, 2002
Council President Simpson reminded Council and the audience of the September 16, 2002 public
meeting date.
REPORTS:
a. MAYOR
Mayor Mullet reported an October 16 Highline Community College Economic Development Round Table
event. He also reported the continued need for host families for the visiting Japanese delegation on
September 26, 2002.
b. CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Duffie had no report.
Councilmember Hernandez attended a tour of the Fatigue Technology building on September 6, and
the September 7 reception wherein she had the opportunity to meet the new Director of the Rainier
Symphony.
Council President Simpson had no report.
Councilmember Carter plans to attend a Transportation Policy Board meeting of the Puget Sound
Regional Council, and will begin approving vouchers.
Councilmember Haggerton attended a September 4 Airport Communities Coalition Executive
Committee meeting and the September 6 Fatigue Technology tour.
Councilmember Linder attended the September 6 tour of the Fatigue Technology building, the
September 7 reception to meet the new Director of the Rainier Symphony, and the September 9
Transportation Committee meeting.
Councilmember Fenton attended the September 4 Utilities Committee meeting.
c. CITY ADMINISTRATOR
John McFarland reported the continued need for host family housing for the upcoming Sister City visit.
He also noted a September 12 orientation meeting for those host families, at 7:00 p.m., at City Hall.
d. CITY ATTORNEY
Neither the City Attorney nor a designee was present.
e. LEGISLATIVE ANALYST
Lucy Lauterbach was not present.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Councilmember Hernandez asked if City staff has responded to written correspondence from the
homeowners of Laurel Estates Condominiums. Mr. McFarland reported the issues raised in the
correspondence were with contractors and not City staff, yet responses have been made.
8:19 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Council President Richard Simpson called for a 5- minute break to be followed by an
executive session, slated to last approximately 20 minutes, for personnel issues,
pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g).
8:22 p.m. Executive session began.
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City Council Committee of Whole Minutes September 9, 2002
8:42 p.m. CARTER MOVED; FENTON SECONDED; TO EXTEND EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR 5
ADDITIONAL MINUTES. The motion carried 7 -0.
8:47 p.m. Executive session ended.
ADJOURNMENT:
8:47 p.m.
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FENTON MOVED; HERNANDEZ SECONDED; TO ADJOURN THE EXECUTIVE
SESSION; RECONVENE AND ADJOURN THE COMMITTEE OF WHOLE.
The motion carried 7 -0.
Richard Simpson, Council Presid
Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk
Date minutes signed: September 16, 2002