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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-07-14 Committee of the Whole MinutesTUKWILA CITY COUNCIL July 14, 2003 7:00 p.m. Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers COMMITTEE OF WHOLE MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Calling the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. was Pam Carter, Council President, who also led the Pledge of Allegiance. COUNCIL ATTENDANCE: Present were Council President Pam Carter; and Councilmembers Joe Duffle, Joan Hernandez, Jim Haggerton, Pamela Linder, David Fenton and Richard Simpson. OFFICIALS: Steven M. Mullet, Mayor; Rhonda Berry, Acting City Administrator; Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst; Bob Baker, Deputy City Clerk; and Pat Brodin, Operations Manager, Public Works. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: a. Treasures of Tukwila Bob Joanne McManus Mayor Steven M. Mullet spoke of the "great work" performed by the McManus' in the areas of traffic control, Neighborhood Resource Center volunteering, Meals on Wheels, as well as other senior activities and programs. He then presented Bob and Joanne McManus with a glass plaque commemorating the award. Each Councilmember then stated their thanks and appreciation to the McManuses. The resounding message was that Bob and Joanne have "caused things to happen" in the Tukwila area and are very deserving of the award. The couple, "a tremendous asset," was described as "two people working in separate directions toward the same goal." CITIZEN COMMENT /CORRESPONDENCE: None. SPECIAL ISSUES: a. Cascade Water Alliance Update Proposed City of Seattle (Water) Supply Contract Pat Brodin, Operations Manager, provided an overview of the proposed contract between the City of Seattle and the Cascade Water Alliance (CWA). Mr. Brodin reported CWA recently completed contract negotiations to purchase a wholesale block of water from the City of Seattle. The 50 -year, declining block water supply agreement provides for the purchase of water transmission to serve the needs of member agencies. For approval, the contract must be reviewed by the legislative body of each (CWA) member, and the CWA Board (as a whole) and ultimately by the City of Seattle. This is a block contract, which means an entity sets a block amount (volume of water) and pays for the privilege of that block "take or pay." Nearby entities (Water District 125 and Highline Water District) have signed full service contracts with the City of Seattle, which means the City of Seattle meets their needs in terms of water quality, future source development, conservation and any existing /future transmission capacity. In return, the Districts pay for those programs that the City of Seattle deems necessary. In contrast, the block contract is only a block of water where an entity pays for the water and the transmission needs required to move the water to customers. The CWA/Seattle block has gone through many transformations from a 25- year full block to what is now proposed a 50 -year declining block. The proposed declining block starts at about 33 millon- gallons per -day and declines over the life of the agreement (50 years). This is geared primarily to lower the reliance on the City of Seattle and allows the City the ability to pursue other potential sources. Other sources include the agreement in principal with the City of Tacoma and in perhaps 2020, the region may begin seeing Lake Tapps water flowing into the region's system. After reviewing some of the caveats of the contract, Mr. Brodin announced CWA must develop their own conservation programs and shortage management plans. Additionally, each member City must perform their own internal water sampling and quality testing. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Minutes Page 2 of 4 July 14, 2003 Mr. Brodin reported the contract boils down to determining what level of control the Council wants over water planning and future costs: if Council wants to see the City of Seattle set the direction or to set a course with the region by maintaining alliance with other (CWA) member agencies. Jim Haggerton reported "good, positive" newspaper articles recently which explain (in laymen's terms) "what all this means." He noted that Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has diverted water out of the White River to Lake Tapps. PSE has a dam coming out of Lake Tapps where the water is used to generate electricity. From the dam, the water goes into the Puyallup River. That diversion (to the Puyallup River) will be changed. CWA represents a future source of water that CWA members feel may be necessary as the City of Seattle's water supply may not always be able to meet user demands. This contract contains operating verbiage for the parties, yet no dollar amounts /cost impacts are contained. Those figures will come later and must be reviewed by all member cities. A large part of the funding for pipeline building, according to Mr. Haggerton, shall be received from RCFC charges (the hook up of new meters). Thus, growth will pay for growth. Discussion ensued among Council. All agreed this is a large policy decision, and that growth must pay for growth especially with declining financial times. Council must decide whether or not the agreement is in the best interests of the City, even though it may /may not be good for other member cities of the region. Mr. Brodin relayed the Washington State Department of Ecology has approved the Lake Tapps water right and CWA will proceed to finalize settlement arrangements with Puget Sound Energy. Councilmembers praised City staff members who have taken the time to commit to this project, attend meetings, and keep the Council informed on the status thereof. Council will review this item again when potential cost impacts are made known. b. Proposed Ordinance Setting the Amount of Future Citv Council Compensation AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, FIXING THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION FOR COUNCILMEMBERS THROUGH 2007, REPEALING ORDINANCE NOS. 1942, 1955 AND 1956; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst, reported that after hearing from attorneys in Seattle and receiving a legal opinion from David St. Pierre, Tukwila's Assistant City Attorney, the City Council's medical benefits are not counted as salary and therefore may be increased mid -term. That being stated, Council President Carter asked why the proposed ordinance shows projected figures for 2006 and 2007. Additionally, she questioned the difference in figures between various position numbers for reimbursement of medical expenses. As a matter of equitability, Ms. Carter suggested the dollar figure should be the same for all Councilmember positions. To that end, Ms. Carter spoke in favor of leaving the reimbursement figures as they are for 2003 and waiting for a fixed dollar amount for 2004, forthcoming from Alan Doerschel, Finance Director. Alternatively, Ms. Carter noted that if Council chose to wait for a figure from Mr. Doerschel, they should at least put a dollar figure of $3,400.00 in for 2004 and amend it later. If the proposed ordinance is adopted at the next Regular meeting, it will repeal related (past) ordinances 1942, 1955 and 1956. Councilmembers Fenton, Linder and Duffle and Council President Carter agreed to leave the 2003 figure at $3,400.00 and wait until January, 2004, to amend the ordinance by inserting the rate for 2004. Additionally, it was agreed all Councilmember positions should receive the same amount of reimbursement each year, regardless of position number. Ms. Linder stated concern over the dramatic increases in healthcare costs in the United States. To that end, she cannot see how the City can afford to continue adding 10% every year, for every employee, for health care costs. She fears the City may ask its employees to pay a portion of those benefits. Council President Carter stated that should that happen (employees are asked to pay for a portion of medical premiums), Council, too, should be expected to do the same. Councilmember Hernandez has not and does not support an increase in stipends. Conversely, she is supportive of making all position numbers equal in terms of compensation and reimbursements. She does feel they (part-time Councilmembers) are entitled to a complete benefit package as regular, full -time employees are. Councilmember Simpson agreed. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Minutes Page 3 of 4 July 14, 2003 For clarification to Councilmembers, Mr. Fenton noted this reimbursement program exists to cover costs which are not met by a Councilmember's primary insurance provider. Some may use just a portion of the benefit and some may use it in its entirety. Councilmember Haggerton spoke in support of freezing the salaries /benefits of Council in 2004 in a show of support and understanding of the hard, financial times facing the City of Tukwila. It's in 2004 that all Councilmember positions will receive the same salary and benefit amounts. This point was debated with no resolve or conclusion. Anna Bernhard. 14241 42' Avenue South. Tukwila. asked for clarification on the use of reimbursement funds. Mr. Fenton provided said clarification. Lucy Lauterbach will make the suggested amendments to the proposed ordinance and Council consensus existed to forward this item to the July 21 Regular meeting for action. c. Proposed Ordinance Establishing City Council Operating Procedures AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, SETTING COUNCIL MEETING PROCEDURES AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NUMBERS 1311, 1345, AND 1421; AND SECTION 1 OF ORDINANCE 1770; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst, led Council on a review of the proposed ordinance. Councilmembers Linder, Haggerton, Hernandez and Council President Carter provided input on necessary corrections and /or clarification to particular portions of the proposed ordinance. Among other, minor amendments, highlights of the proposed amendments include: 1. maintaining the contract approval rate of $25,000.00 for Committees (opposed was an increased approval amount of $30,000.00); 2. including a statement that committee chairs must be notified before canceling a committee meeting; 3. including the heading of Citizen Comment/Correspondence for COW meeting agendas; 4. amending existing word of Chairman or Chairmen to Chair or Chairs; and 5. including uniformity with times stated in the chapter to 12:00 p.m. Noon, with no exception Councilmember Haggerton raised the issue of including the "review of all new contracts" entered into by the City. Speaking out of concern over specific contracts, Mr. Haggerton stated Council should review all contracts, not just those over $25,000.00, as is currently the policy. Rhonda Berry, Acting City Administrator reported (to date) 115 new contracts have been signed in 2003; not to mention many amendments to those and older agreements. Councilmembers Linder and Fenton suggested that in an effort not to micro manage, City Administration could keep Council informed on all contracts of importance. Council President Carter asked for a listing of all contracts entered into in 2003, as well as the average dollar amount for those contracts. City Clerk's Office staff was assigned that task. The issue continued in debate with no consensus to include it in the operating procedures. Lucy Lauterbach will make the suggested amendments to the proposed ordinance and Council consensus existed to forward this item to the July 21 Regular meeting for action. REPORTS: a. Mayor Mayor Mullet attended last week's Suburban Cities Association meeting as well as a meeting with Port of Seattle. The Mayor also attended the Tukwila Days events and "cannot say enough" about City of Tukwila staff who worked so hard to bring such a great event to the community. He gave "many kudos" to all involved. The Mayor then announced he would be away from City Hall (on business) July 18. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Minutes b. City Council Page 4 of 4 July 14, 2003 Councilmember Duffle reported a rat infestation in his neighborhood and sought help in that area. He also attended the Tukwila Days events. Councilmember Hernandez attended the July 9 Highway 99 Action Committee meeting. She also attended the July 11 Luau at the Tukwila Community Center; the July 11 Chamber of Commerce Luncheon and Artists' Reception. Council President Carter attended the July 9 Suburban Cities Association meeting; the July 10 Transportation Policy Board Meeting; the July 11 Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Councilmember Haggerton participated in the July 9 performance evaluation of Michael Gagliardi, Cascade Water Alliance Director. Additionally, he attended Tukwila Days events on July 12 and asked for a staff report on the success of the event. Councilmember Linder attended the July 9 Southwest King County Economic Development Committee as well as various events during Tukwila Days. Councilmember Fenton had no report. Councilmember Simpson attended tonight's Transportation Committee meeting. Additionally, he reported his 95- year old father is gravely ill, which will require him to travel to California. c. Staff Rhonda Berry had no report. d. City Attorney Neither the City Attorney nor their representative was present. e. Legislative Analyst Lucy Lauterbach noted a lunch date is being planned for Councilmembers and State legislators in the coming weeks. ADJOURN: 9:00 p.m. FENTON MOVED; CARTER SECONDED; TO ADJOURN THE COMMITTEE OF WHOLE, The motion carried 7 -0. az.&) Pam Carter, Council President Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk Date Minutes Signed: July 21, 2003