HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-15-2003 Item III-A.pdfWASHINGTON
CITY OF AUBURN
MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
MINUTES
September 2, 2003
CALL TO ORDER - 5:00 PM, CONFERENCE ROOM NO. 3
Chair Singer called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM in Conference Room 3
located on the second floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 W. Main Street, Auburn, WA.
Members included: Chair Sue Singer and Vice Chair Rich Wagner, Member
Stacey Brothers and Mayor Pete Lewis. Staff members present included: Police
Chief Jim Kelly, Fire Chief Bob Johnson, Planning & Community Development
Director Paul Krauss, Finance Director Shelley Coleman, Parks & Recreation
Planning and Development Manager Dan Scamporlina, Cemetery Coordinator
Arnie Galli, Planner Shirley Aird. Other guests in attendance included: Bill
Peloza. The meeting was tape recorded.
II. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
There were no agenda modifications.
III. CONSENT ITEMS
Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the August 18, 2003 Municipal Services Committee Meeting.
Vice Chair Wagner moved and Member Brothers seconded to approve the
Consent Agenda.
MOTION CARREID UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0.
IV. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
A. Ordinances
There were no Ordinances submitted for Committee review
B. Resolutions
There were no Resolutions submitted for Committee review.
Municipal Services Minutes
V. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Cemetery Pre -Need Agreement
September 2, 2003
Finance Director Shelley Coleman submitted a memorandum and
attachments to the Committee for clarification of questions raised at the
last meeting. In her memo she stated that American Funeral & Cemetery
Trust (AFCTS) collects a 1.97% management fee off of the earnings only.
If there are no earnings, they do not get paid. Earnings on the trust have
ranged from 2.7% to 8.2% over the past 18 months, due to their "ladder"
method of investing. She also clarified that AFCTS has 20 clients in
Washington (listed on attachment B). AFCTS is located in 16 states and
serves 250 funeral homes and 50 cemeteries. She noted that Attachment
C is a Key Bank Account Statement (July 1, 2003 — July 31, 2003)
reflecting a market value of $9,327,526.67. Member Brothers asked how
long AFCTS has been in business and Director Coleman advised they
have been in business since 1993.
In response to a question raised by Councilmember Backus at the last
meeting, Director Coleman reported that earnings on the trust are reported
by providing 1099's to all participants at year-end, with interest earned.
Cemetery Coordinator Arnie Galli distributed fee schedules for services
presently offered at Mountain View Cemetery. Mr. Galli reported that at
present funeral homes provide plans that only cover burial costs. So far
this year, there have been 60 inquiries about what plan the cemetery
offers. It is anticipated there would be 50-75 inquiries and/or purchases if
the cemetery does offer a plan. He noted that payment is usually within
24 hours.
Chair Singer inquired about the next step. Director Coleman requested
that this item be recommend by the Municipal Services Committee for
approval of the City Council. The Committee concurred.
B. CDBG Funding Recommendations, 2004.
Planner Shirley Aird submitted a memorandum, along with several
attachments to the Committee. The memorandum outlines the
requirements for funding. The project of focus is to replace the outdated
and leaking wading pool at Les Gove Park with a more water -wise and
interactive spray pool. The recommendation to City Council is funding at
$100,000, with the remaining $65,000 of the $165,000 estimated cost
coming from other sources. A suggestion was made to look into water
conservation funds, because of the condition of the present pool. The
Rotary Club has expressed an interest in contributing. Ms. Aird advised
the Committee that there is a video of existing pools if interested.
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Municipal Services Minutes
September 2, 2003
One of the attachments to the Aird's memo was a survey that collected
answers to specific questions and miscellaneous comments from the
public. Responses indicate that this project would be a welcomed one.
Parks & Recreation Planning and Development Dan Scamporlina provided
illustrations of similar pools already constructed and noted that there was
definitely room for expansion at the present site. The issue of vulnerability
to vandalism was raised and Mr. Scamporlina said the pools have been
designed with that in mind and assured them that what they are looking at
should be relatively safe from vandalism.
Ms. Aird stated that the Action Plan will be drafted and released for a 45 -
day public review period by September 9, 2003. During that time the City
Council will hold a public hearing on the Action Plan, before submitting it
to HUD for final approval the first week of November.
VI. ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 P.M.
Approved this day of September, 2003.
Sue Singer, Chair Prepared by: Sara Shao-McVay
Police Department Secretary
Investigations/Professional Standards
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