HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-16-2001 CITY OF AUBURN
FINANCE COMMITTEE
January 16, 2001
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Barber called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Members present
included: Chair Jeanne Barber, Vice Chair Pete Lewis, and Member
Stacey Brothers. Others present included: Mayor Charles Booth, Finance
Director Diane L. Supler, Assistant Finance Director Shelley Coleman,
Utility Accountant Julie Salzman, Personnel Director Brenda Heineman,
Parks and Recreation Director Dick Deal and City Clerk Danielle Daskam.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Minutes of the January 2, 2001 Finance Committee meetina.
Motion by Vice Chair Lewis, second by Member Brothers to
approve the January 2, 2001 Committee minutes as distributed.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0.
III. CONSENT ITEMS
A. Vouchers
1. Claims
F4.9.5
Claims check numbers 158415 through 158693 in the
amount of $894,735.85 for Period 13 and dated January 16,
2001; Claims check numbers 158242 through 158414 in the
amount of $2,066,415.57 for Period 14 and dated January
16, 2001; and wire transfers in the amount of $773,398.08.
Committee members reviewed claims vouchers. Members
briefly discussed Claims Voucher Numbers 158467, 158473,
158495, 158500, 158511, 158565, 158253, and 158266.
Motion by Vice Chair Lewis and second by Member Brothers
to approve claims vouchers.
Finance Committee Minutes
for January 16, 2001
Page 2
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0.
IV. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
There was no Ordinance or Resolution for Committee review.
V. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Automatic Meter Reading
Utility Accountant Julie Salzman presented the Committee with
information on the available technology for automatic meter
reading. The City's current system of meter reading requires meter
readers to physically read the meter and then enter the reading on
hand held logicons, which are later downloaded to the utility
accounting system. Automatic meter reading technology includes
such systems as touch read, radio read meters with electronic data
entry, and wireless remote with internet access. Automatic meter
reading would eliminate potential for errors from manual reading
and more efficiently collect data. Automatic meter reading would
also eliminate the need for meter readers to enter confined space
vaults. The radio read system allows meter reading by walking or
driving by the meter box and receiving a radio transmission into a
hand held device. The wireless method transmits a signal from the
water meter to Puget Sound Energy's operations center via their
existing remote reading infrastructure. The approximate cost to
retrofit the City's meters to Puget Sound Energy's wireless system
is $2.8 million. Ms. Salzman proposed a combination phase-in
program to upgrade meters to radio read and purchase equipment
to begin reading electronically. The proposal would enable the City
to consider contracting with Puget Sound Energy for remote
reading within approximately five years.
The Committee recommended that staff pursue a Request for
Proposals for software and replacement of a minimum amount of
meters per year with an additional option to replace all 45 vault
meters.
B. 2001 Budget
Finance Director Supler presented the Committee with information
on the status of the General Fund and Capital Projects Fund 328
as of January 16, 2001. Ms. Supler reported that the General Fund
Finance Committee Minutes
for January 16, 2001
Page 3
has seen significant increases over the amounts projected for year
end in utility tax for electricity, sales tax, property tax, gambling
taxes, telephone business and occupation tax, and building permits
and plan review fees. In addition, various departments under spent
their budgets due to staff vacancies, decreases in pension
contributions, decreases in outside legal services, decreases in
professional services, and technology project delays.
Ms. Supler briefly discussed capital projects and Real Estate
Excise Tax (REET) 1 and 2 funds. REET 1 and 2 funds have been
designated for construction of the Senior Center and transportation
related projects. The balance of REET funds has been designated
to help towards any funding shortfall for the major street
construction projects.
The City has also committed $1.8 million for the downtown parking
garage which is partially funded using Downtown Revitalization
funds. Staff is researching other sources of funding for the project.
C. Energy Tax
Committee members and Finance Director Supler briefly discussed
the energy tax in light of Puget Sound Energy's increases in energy
rates. Finance Director Supler noted that the City 'of Enumclaw
recently decreased its energy tax. Committee members suggested
monitoring the actions of other cities before recommending any
change to the City Council.
D. Furniture
Finance Director Supler reported that staff training for the new
Eden System software conversion will begin in the next few weeks.
The Finance Department's library will be converted to a training
room to accommodate in-house training. Vice Chair Lewis
suggested that staff also investigate using Green River Community
College's computer lab for training.
E. Probation Assistant
Personnel Director Heineman presented a proposal to hire a
probation assistant for the Court due to the increased number of
probation clients served at the Auburn Court. Finance Director
Supler noted that the 2001 Budget did not include any program
improvements, and the additional personnel would need to be
Finance Committee Minutes
for January 16, 2001
Page 4
included as a budget amendment. Members of the Committee
recommended that staff proceed with adding a probation assistant
as soon as possible.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Committee, the
meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM.
Approved the _5 day of February, 2001.
Barrier, Chair Dans~,lle Daskam, City Clerk
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