HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-28-1995sp CITY Of AUBURN
AUBURN CITY COUNCIL
1996 BUDGET WORK SESSIONS
NOVEMBER 28, 1995
Preceding the City Council 1996 Budget Work Session scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM,
the Auburn City Council met in a special meeting that lasted until 6:59 PM. Mayor
Booth convened the budget session at 7:00 PM immediately following the Special City
Council meeting.
Those in attendance included Councilmembers Pat Burns, Rich Wagner, Virginia
Haugen, Trish Borden, Jeanne Barber, Stacey Brothers, and Don Kurle.
Coun¢ilmembers Elect Sue Singer and Gene Cerino were also in attendance.
Department representatives in attendance included Personnel Director Brenda
Kennedy, City Attorney Mike Reynolds, Assistant City Attorney Judy Ausman, Planning
& Community Development Director Paul Krauss, Public Works Director Frank Currie,
City Engineer Dennis Dowdy, Utilities Engineer Dwight Holobaugh, Police Captain Bill
Pitzl, and Fire Chief Bob Johnson, Parks & Recreation Director Len Chapman,
Enterprise Fund Accountant Sherri Crawford, Financial Analyst Alice Strand, Assistant
Finance Director Arlene Mempa, and Senior Planner Al Hicks, and City Clerk Robin
Wohlhueter.
1996 BUDGET OVERVIEW
Mayor Booth gave a brief overview of the proposed 1996 Budget by using an
overhead projector to illustrate the City of Auburn's Vision for the Future,
Mission Statement, 1996 Budget Calendar, Recomended 1996 City of Auburn
Goals, Total Revenue: 1996 by fund, Revenues Uncertain, 1996 Expense By
Function, General Fund Summary, General Fund Revenue and Expense 1993-
1996, 1996 General Fund Expenditures By Fund, Reserves, 1996 Program
Improvements, Change in Staff, Capital Budget, Capital Projects, Enterprise
Fund Ending Working Capital, and Enterprise Ending Working Capital.
Councilmember Wagner raised a concern with regard to transportation
improvements being included as part of the 1996 City Goals. It was decided
this concern would be looked at as a possible mid-year adjustment.
Mayor Booth presented the Mayor/Council 1996 budget. The budget provides
for day-to-day operational expenses of the Mayor, Council and support staff.
II.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Alice Strand presented the Finance Department's budget. The basic functions
include budgeting, utility billing, telephones, printing services, accounting,
payroll, and purchasing. Ms. Strand noted an additional employee was added
1996 Budget Work Sessions
November 28, 1990
Page No. 2
III.
IV.
during 1995 from the Maintenance & Operations division, and beginning in 1996
departments will be charged for printing services. Ms. Strand summarized other
changes to the 1996 budget by line item.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
Judy Ausman presented the Legal Department budget for 1996. Ms. Ausman
explained the duties of the Legal Department and noted some of the changes
reflected in the proposed 1996 Preliminary Budgett. Noted are a decrease in
Professional Services because the public defense costs are reflected in
Personnel; the City Clerk's cost center moved under the Legal Department, and
a City Prosecutor was hired full time in 1995. Other budget issues centered
around the computers for the law library, a 2nd laser printer, a fax machine to
ensure confidentiality, and printing charge backs for next year. Judy Ausman
also presented the City Clerk cost center which reflects elections costs, print
shop charges for 1996, and code book expenses.
PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
Personnel Director Brenda Kennedy presented the Personnel Department's
proposed 1996 Budget which includes personnel functions and includes the
Municipal Court Division. Ms. Kennedy explained this budget reflects addition of
the public defender contract to prevent an appearance of a conflict of interest
which added approximately $20,000 to the professional services line item. Ms.
Kennedy answered questions with regard to interview selection process. Ms.
Kennedy stated the budget includes costs for civil service, tuition reimbursement
program, and adds printing charges for 1996. Ms. Kennedy reported the Court
purchased Video Arraignment Equipment in the amount of $7,500, originally
proposed as a program improvement in the amount of $25, 000. The Video
Arraignment Equipment allows for a video link between the jail and courtroom to
eliminate the need to transfer prisoners from the jail to the court and also allows
for video taping from the City's jail.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Police Captain Bill Pitzl briefed the Council on the Police Department's
proposed budget. Captain Pitzl highlighted increases to the 1996 budget which
are reflected in salaries, benefits, and communications with the addition of six
patrol officers in 1995. The communication line item reflects $45,000 user fee
for Valley Com. Capital outlay proposed for next year include a jail van,
furniture, update to the computer system including laptop computers and 12-
personal computers, and 5-radios. Mr. Pitzl discussed program improvements
in the amount of $125,000 for a watch commander, staffing a 24-hour police
service, seven days per week, a police specialist, and corrections officers.
At 8:10 there was a 10-minute break.
The meeting reconvened at 8:20 PM.
1996 Budget Work Sessions
November 28, 1990
Page No. 3
VI.
VII.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire Chief Bob Johnson presented his budget to the Council and staff.
Additions to the Fire Department budget include two new employees, added in
1995, and three in 1996. It also includes $20,000 for radio services with Valley
Com, and $18,000 added for print shop services for a total difference of
approximately $144,000.
PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Planning & Community Development Director Paul Krauss indicated there is a
significant cut in the Planning Department's budget as a result of King County
Health funding. Mr. Krauss discussed social services funding and department
line item expenses. A new Associate Planner is proposed and included as part
of a program improvement. The additional position is needed as a result of the
review process required to meet goal requirements of the Regulatory Reform
Act. He anticipates an increase in processing environmental review
applications, and hopes to expedite hearing processes.
Mr. Krauss presented the Airport's budget. No additional funding is requested
for 1996 because of the City's success in obtaining federal grants for
improvement~ to runways and lighting. Next year approximately $100,000 will
be used to construct additional airport hangers and work will begin to replace
airport hangar roofs along with a direct increase in hangar rates.
Councilmember Brothers questioned the number of Airport take-off and
landings. According to the Master Plan there are approximately 170,000
movements (take-off and landings) per year. Currently, there is a waiting list of
approximately 100 people to rent hangars.
Discussion centered around human services as various Councilmembers
questioned the detail presented for Human Services funding levels. In the line
item for professional services, Councilmember Wagner questions whether or not
a modification is required if City accepts a $9,000 increase over the Mayor's
recommendation for funding. Mr. Krauss pointed out the Human Services
Committee recommended $243,000 in funding for human service programs.
Mayor Booth stated the funding recommendation is based on the General Fund
Expenditure and is presented on page 105 of the 1996 Preliminary Budget. A
budget page will be added to the budget summary section reflecting social
programs funding support. Councilmember Brothers urged to reallocate human
services funding by taking 4% from each program for additional funding for
Child Care Resources. Councilmember Kurle felt the total funding levels for
social service programs are fine as recommended. Councilmember Wagner
expressed concern for the work and time the Human Service Committee did in
making a recommendation for funding.
1996 Budget Work Sessions
November 28, 1996
Page No. 4
VII.
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Len Chapman reviewed the budget responsibilities for the Parks & Recreation
Department. He stated they are responsible for administration and development
and maintenance of the City's parks, cemetery, golf course, and other City
recreational and cultural activities including senior programs. Mr. Chapman
indicated the Library was place under the Parks and Recreation Department in
1995 for administration and management which is reflective of the change in the
total budget amount. Mr. Chapman reviewed each line item and explained each
change. Highlighted were programs that include teen programs, providing for
the a plan at Olson Canyon, Bravo series, utilities, printing services, and capital
purchases for playground equipment for use in the city parks. Other plans
include construction of Mill Pond Park and continuing the White River Trail, and
purchase of public art for the Game Farm Park.
Councilmember Brothers asked about construction of a skateboard park. Mr.
Chapman reported the Planning & Community Development Committee
reviewed this issue six months ago. At this meeting the committee did not
recommend any direction for staff. Discussion centered around other
communities that have skateboard parks. Some of the Councilmembers
expressed interest in studying the issue for mid year review. Councilmember
Brothers urged funding of $10,000 for a study and design of a skateboard park
in Auburn.
Other Councilmembers brought up issues of funding for a third fire station and
planning for Olson Canyon. Councilmember Borden requested an additional
$10,000 to expand the late night program. Councilmember Wagner urged Mr.
Chapman to position funding level for the late night program should grant
money become unavailable.
Mr. Chapman discussed the Auburn Public Library. He stated the Mayor's Task
Force will recommend joining King County's Library system which is detailed
their report. Councilmember Wagner suggested staff revisit the Library budget
at mid year with regard to staff and facilities.
The Cemetery cost center was reviewed. Mr. Chapman reported the Cemetery
is self-supporting. Revenues are derived by providing burial services. Planned
for next year is Phase 1 of Section #8. Mr. Chapman mentioned that Maple
Valley will open a federal cemetery free to veterans.
Mr. Chapman presented the Golf Course proposed budget. He reported plans
are to rebuild the 16th green, fountains will be added to the ponds, Phase II of
the irrigation system will be installed, and cart paths added to holes #1, #5, #6,
#7, and #9. Further discussion centered around the golf course snack bar and
plans for a new clubhouse.
1996 Budget Work Sessions
November 28, 1996
Page No. 5
IX.
Mr. Chapman discussed recommended program improvements for the Parks &
Recreation Department to install and update a computerized registration system
because the current system is ready to crash. An additional $50,000 is added
to cover in house printing services.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Frank Currie presented the entire Public Works Department budget that
includes the Engineering Division, Maintenance & Operations, and the Building
Division.
In the Building Division, Mr. Currie reported the increase reflected in the 1996
Preliminary Budget is entirely due to a 1/2 position and inflation. He discussed
the increase in the supplies line items are a result of the remodeled building
across the street from City Hall, capital expense reflects a decrease of 14%. He
stated engineering costs reflect an increase in salaries for 27 full-time
employees and project temporary positions funding. Mr. Currie stated fourteen
program improvements were tied for tenth place fourteen times. He indicated
there is a need to expand full time staff to include a full time traffic technician.
Dennis Dowdy discussed the Arterial Street Fund account (Fund # 102) that is
used to transfer federal grant assets. Frank Curries presented the Maintenance
& Operations division budget includes a 16% overall increase for 1996.
DISCUSSION
Alice Strand reiterated changes to the 1996 Preliminary Budget. In summary
changes include better wording to goals II1. F regarding traffic flow; $90,000
added to Arterial Street Fund for the Chip seal program; wording change on
page 36 regarding fire equipment under Cumulative Reserve policy; reduce
personnel cost center by $20,000 for the video arraignment equipment; change
the Planning Department cost center to reflect the Planning & Community
Development Committee recommendation for human services; look at why the
Parks Department benefit salaries are increased; and add the design of a
skateboard Park; and add Library Budget to budget issues;
Councilmember Wagner requested staff look at fee support page to see if
figures are accurate, anticipate water rate increase, and reimbursement of utility
rate.
Discussion centered around the budget theme and perhaps looking at Jim
Shimmel's role in making Supermall inspections on a bike; timing of when
program improvements are funded throughout the year; request for $15,000 to
be added to provide for a skateboard facility to come out of Ending Fund
balance.
Councilmember Wagner favors revisiting these issues at mid-year.
1996 Budget Work Sessions
November 28, 1996
Page No. 6
IX.
Mr. Chapman indicated the City is looking at approximately $50,000 to construct
a skateboard park, and $15,000 for design work. Councilmember Kurle
supports funding 10% of the $50,000 for design of the skateboard park. It was
agreed to add $10,000 for the late night program, and $10,000 for design work
on a skateboard park.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 PM.
File: Council Minutes, 1995
d:\council\95M9-281