HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-16-2007
CITY OF '~
WASHINGTON
MINUTES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
APRIL 16, 2007
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Nancy Backus called the meeting to order at .6:30 p.m. in the
Council Conference Room at Auburn City Hall located at 25 West Main
Street in Auburn. Committee members present were: Chair Backus, Vice
Chair Roger Thordarson, and Member Gene Cerino. Also present during
the meeting were Mayor Peter B. Lewis, Finance Director Shelley
Coleman, City Attorney Daniel B. Heid, Human Resources and Risk
Management Director Brenda Heineman, Information Services Director
Lorrie Rempher, Community Development Administrator David Osaki,
Public Works Director Dennis Dowdy, and Deputy City Clerk Cathy
Richardson.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Minutes of the April 2, 2007 Finance Committee meeting.
Vice Chair Thordarson moved and Member Cerino seconded to
approve the April 2, 2007 minutes.
MOTION CARRIED. 3-0.
III. CONSENT ITEMS
A. Vouchers
1. Claims
F4.9.5
Claims check numbers 361357 through 361758 in the
amount of $2,786,827.33 and a wire transfer in the amount
of $4,064.84 and dated April 16, 2006.
2. Payroll
F4.9.2
Payroll check numbers 519157 to 519271 in the amount of
$633,810.37 and electronic deposit transmissions in the
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Finance Committee Minutes April 16, 2007
amount of $953,942.21 for a grand total of $1,587,752.58 for
the pay period covering March 29, 2007 to April 11, 2007..
Committee members reviewed
discussed claims voucher
361440, 361456, and 361524.
the consent items and briefly
numbers 361360, 361439,
Vice Chair Thordarson moved and Member Cerino
seconded to approve the consent items.
MOTION CARRIED. 3-0.
IV.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
A. Ordinance No. 6092
F3.21
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington
amending Ordinance No. 6066, the 2007-2008 Biennial Budget
Ordinance as amended by Ordinance No. 6086 and authorizing
amendment to the City of Auburn 2007-2008 Budget as set forth in
Schedule "A"
Finance Director Coleman briefly reviewed revised Schedule "A" to
Ordinance No. 6092 transmitted via agenda modification.
Vice Chair Thordarson moved and Member Cerino seconded to
recommend approval of Ordinance No. 6092.
MOTION CARRIED. 3-0.
B. Resolution No. 4176
03.1
A Resolution establishing August 21, 2007 as the date of a Special
Election on the question of annexation to the City of Auburn, of an
unincorporated area known as the "Lea Hill Annexation Area"
(See Item IV.C below for action on this item.)
C. Resolution No. 4177
03.1
A Resolution establishing August 21, 2007 as the date of a Special
Election on the question of annexation to the City of Auburn, of an
unincorporated area known as the "West Hill Annexation Area"
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Finance Committee Minutes April 16, 2007
City Attorney Heid stated that Resolution Nos. 4176 and 4177
place on the ballot for the August 21, 2007 elections the
annexation areas to the east and west of the Auburn city limits.
City Attorney Heid reviewed language which requests that Council
empower the Mayor to transmit the names of the volunteers to
serve on the voters' pamphlet committees to write the statements
for or against the proposed annexation ballot measure in a
subsequent communication to King County Auditor as we have not
received confirmation of the volunteers names.
Vice Chair Thordarson moved and Member Cerino seconded to
recommend approval of Resolution No. 4176 and Resolution No.
4177.
MOTION CARRIED. 3-0.
D. Resolution No. 4178
A3.16.6, A3.16.10
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington
authorizing an Agreement for Professional Services with Olympic
Security Services Inc for security services at the Auburn Municipal
Court
Vice Chair Thordarson moved and Member Cerino seconded to
recommend approval of Resolution No. 4178.
MOTION CARRIED. 3-0.
V. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Ordinance No. 6084
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Auburn,
Washington, adding a new Chapter 13.52 to the Auburn City Code
and amending Section 13.06.210 of the City Code prohibiting
deceptive and fraudulent practices related to third party billing for
master metered or other un-metered utility services provided to
multi-family and multi-dwelling unit buildings
City Attorney Heid distributed revised Ordinance No. 6084 which
incorporates changes made in other Council committees. Some of
the changes include language regarding timely responses to tenant
complaints and posting by the landlord of the process for billing
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Finance Committee Minutes April 16, 2007
practices, registering complaints, and the provisions of the
ordinance.
Member Cerino commented on various impacts to tenants in
facilities that are master-metered.
B. Monthly Utility Billing
Director Coleman reviewed Auburn City Code changes required for
implementation of monthly versus bi-monthly utility billing. Director
Coleman also reviewed assessment of late fees and the process
for shut-offs due to non-payment. Director Coleman reported on
comparisons of other municipalities regarding additional fees
assessed related to utility billings.
C. Solid Waste Fund
Director Coleman reviewed excess cash in the solid waste fund
and recommended that Committee members consider aone-time
increase in the current utility tax rate on gross revenues for a
twelve month period.
D. Five Percent Cable Utility Tax
Terry Davis stated that he is the Franchising and Government
Affairs Director for Comcast Cable Communications, Inc. Mr. Davis
reported that it has come to the attention of Comcast that the City
of Auburn is considering an imposition of a cable utility tax in the
amount of five percent. Mr. Davis presented a letter of protest
addressed to the Finance Committee members dated April 16,
2007.
Mr. Davis stated that Comcast currently pays the City of Auburn
five percent of its gross revenues as a franchise fee pursuant to its
cable franchise agreement. Historically, the City has credited
Comcast's five percent franchise fee against the five percent utility
tax that is imposed on other private utilities serving the City. If the
City imposes a five percent cable utility tax, then Comcast would be
taxed at a rate of ten percent, which is twice what other private
utility providers are required to pay.
Mr. Davis indicated that any additional tax burden would be passed
on to the consumer, causing many customers to disconnect
service. Mr. Davis stated that an imposition of an additional five
percent tax is an unfair burden on Comcast. Mr. Davis requested
that the City consider imposing an additional one percent utility tax
for all utilities in lieu of imposition of an additional five percent cable
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Finance Committee Minutes April 16, 2007
utility tax. Mr. Davis indicated Comcast's willingness to work with
the City of Auburn to find a solution to this issue.
Member Cerino indicated that the letter of opposition distributed by
Mr. Davis was not received by the Municipal Service Committee
this evening.
Committee members agreed to review the issues related to
imposition of an additional five percent cable utility tax.
E. Public Works Full Time Employees (FTE's)
Director Heineman reviewed the need for additional staff to
improve customer service levels and accommodate the demand for
increased developer related developments within the City. Director
Heineman requested support of the budget amendment presented
this evening.
F. Veteran's and Mausoleum Buildings
Director Coleman reported on additional costs for the Mountain
View Cemetery mausoleum building due to change orders for
unforeseen problems with regard to installation of power to the
building and also additional right-of-way.
Director Coleman also reported that the contractor for the Veterans
Memorial Park building submitted change orders in the amount of
$50,000 for additional costs related to sewer issues, project
administration issues, and thefts occurring at the site. Of those
additional change orders, $30,000 has been denied and $20,000 is
still in dispute.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Committee, the
meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
APPROVED THE 7~ DAY OF MAY 2007.
Nancy c s, Chair Cathy Rich son, Deputy City Clerk
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