HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-18-2003WASHINGTON
FINANCE COMMITTEE
AUGUST 18, 2003
MINUTES
II.
II1.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Fred Poe called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Council
Conference Room located on the first floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West
Main Street, Auburn, WA. Chair Poe, Vice Chair Gene Cerino, and
Member Nancy Backus were present. Others present included Mayor
Peter B. Lewis, Finance Director Shelley Coleman, Human Resources
Director Brenda Heineman, City Attorney Daniel B. Heid, and City Clerk
Danielle Daskam.
Mr. Bill Peloza and Ms. Virginia Haugen were also in attendance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Minutes of the August 4, 2003 Finance Committee meeting.
Vice Chair Cerino moved and Member Backus seconded to
approve the August 4, 2003 minutes.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0.
CONSENT ITEMS
A. Vouchers
Claims
F4.9.5
Claims check numbers 323301 through 323662
amount of $1,145,978.08 and dated August 18, 2003.
in the
Payroll
F4.9.2
Payroll check numbers 505216 to 505395 in the amount of
$594,791.52 and electronic deposit transmissions in the
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Finance Committee Minutes August 18, 2003
IV.
amount of $896,893.56 for a grand total of $1,491,685.08 for
the pay period covering July 31, 2003 to August 13, 2003.
Surplus Property
F4.6.1
Fire Department
City Council to authorize the surplus and disposal of the
following equipment no longer of use to the City:
8 lengths - 2.5" #759A, 7510A, A69A, 758A, GSA 34, 37, 38, 39/50 foot
hose
6 lengths - 1.75" #82 48A, 82-13AA, 86-100, 86-100, 86-106, 773~ 50
foot hose
C. Call for Public Hearing
2004 Budqet
F3.18
City Council to call for a public hearing to be held on
September 15, 2003 to receive public comments and
suggestions with regard to development of the 2004 Budget,
including revenue estimates and possible increases in
property taxes.
Vice Chair Cerino moved and Member Backus seconded to
approve the consent items.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
There were no items under this section for Committee consideration.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Resolution No. 3631
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington,
authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an Agreement
between the City of Auburn and American Funeral and Cemetery
Trust Services for the purpose of administering and managing
client funds paid to the City pursuant to pre-arrangement sales
contracts for collective investment in a master trust.
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Finance Committee Minutes August 18, 2003
Finance Director Shelley Coleman reported that Resolution No.
3631 was also reviewed in Municipal Services Committee.
Resolution No. 3631 authorizes the City to enter into a contract for
pre-need cemetery trust services with American Funeral and
Cemetery Trust Services (Agent). The Agent provides
management of the trust fund for a very Iow percentage of the fund
balance. The funds are invested with Key Port, which is part of
Key Bank, in accordance with Washington State law. Several other
cemeteries in Washington and some municipal cemeteries in
Oregon are contracted with the Agent, which has been in business
for approximately twelve years. Director Coleman reviewed City
standards related to insurance requirements. The Agent will
provide monthly statements to all plan participants. There is a
tremendous need for the type of services provided by the Agent.
Each account is set up as an individual trust.
Committee Members reviewed cost of services, investment
practices, compensation to the Agent and the City, and services
provided to the customer.
Director Coleman indicated that additional information regarding
Resolution No. 3631 would be brought to the next Committee
meeting.
Port of Seattle
Director Coleman reported on the agreement with Port of Seattle
related to wetlands construction, community development, and
property transfer. There is $542,000 outstanding on the balance of
the agreement which was originally $642,000. The City received
$100,000 from the Port of Seattle in 1998. The required zoning
changes have been approved and the grading permit application is
now in review. The Port of Seattle anticipates putting the project
out to bid in December, 2003. Construction permits will be applied
for at a later date by either Port of Seattle or the contractor. Under
the terms of the agreement, the City is required to complete
specific improvements. Funds will be tracked and any funds not
used will require repayment including interest.
Connections Proqram
Director Brenda Heineman reported that one of Mayor Lewis' goals
this year was to develop a customer service program that is unique
to Auburn. Staff developed a program from an attitude perspective
relating to the way employees interact with customers and people
that they interface with every day versus the traditional customer
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Finance Committee Minutes Auqust 18, 2003
service training such as reflective responses and handling irate
customers. The idea is to focus more on the City's culture and
value system as in what Auburn City employees want to project
and how they serve the community. The program includes the
introduction of the three "C's" Pledge which consists of the
following:
City Service (service, respect and caring to co-workers)
Customer Service (service, respect and caring to citizens - exceed customer
expectations)
Care in Service (treating people as you might a favorite relative or family
member)
Director Heineman stated that there are many projects and
improved services that the City provides. These things are the
City's culture and value system. The Connections Program will
include various interactive exercises. The cornerstone of the
program is integrity and commitment. Director Heineman displayed
a short film introducing the Connections Program.
In response to questions from Councilmembers Backus and Poe,
Director Heineman stated that the three "C's" will be integrated into
employee performance evaluations and criteria for new hires.
Director Heineman reviewed the exercises that will be implemented
in the Connections Program. The incentive of the program is to
improve the work environment and improve public perception and
satisfaction.
Treatment Release Pro,qram
Director Heineman introduced Court and Probation Services
Manager Greg Bockh and distributed a handout on the Treatment
Release Program.
Director Heineman explained that the program provides treatment
release services versus incarceration. Director Heineman referred
Committee Members to page 2 of the handout which shows a
listing of treatment agencies used by the City.
Mr. Bockh reported that Highland Courte Treatment Center is an in-
patient facility. Feedback from participants indicates that they
provide a positive environment and good treatment. The City
formerly contracted with Cedar Hills Treatment Center for treatment
release services. Mr. Bockh reviewed services offered by Highland
Courte Treatment Center. Since May, 2001, the program has
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Finance Committee Minutes Auqust 18, 2003
VI.
facilitated the release of 275 offenders to a variety of treatment
programs. Of this total, 49 have re-offended in Auburn. A total of
89 have re-offended in other jurisdictions, including 25 of those that
re-offended in Auburn. This equates to an 82% success rate for
the City of Auburn and a combined 59% success rate overall. By
utilizing the resources the release program has at its disposal, the
program is very cost effective, averaging $853.64 per treatment
release participant. The treatment release program represents a
tremendous savings in incarceration costs to the City. Since the
program's inception, the City has saved over $1,000,000 in
incarceration costs had the offenders served their full sentences.
Director Heineman reported that 'the City of Auburn is the only
jurisdiction offering treatment release services. Other jurisdictions
have expressed interest in obtaining information on the operation of
the City's program.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Committee, the
meeting adjourned at 7:26 PM.
APPROVED THIS ~ ~ DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2003.
Cathy Rich~)(~son, Deputy Ci[-Y ~lerk
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