HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-16-2009
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~WAS H I N GTO N NOVEMBER 16, 2009
MINUTES
1. 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. Chair Backus, Vice Chair Bill Peloza and Member Lynn
Norman were present. Present during the meeting were City Attorney
Daniel B. Heid; Finance Director Shelley Coleman; Human Resources
and Property/Risk Management Director Brenda Heineman; Public Works
Director Dennis Dowdy; Chief of Police Jim Kelly; and City Clerk Danielle
Daskam.
II. CONSENT ITEMS
A. Approval of Minutes
1. Minutes of the November 2, 2009 Finance Committee
meeting.
Vice Chair Peloza moved and Member Norman seconded to
approve the November 2, 2009 minutes.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0.
B. Vouchers
1. Claims
F4.9.5
Claims check numbers 390055 through 390463 in the
amount of $5,523,072.26 and dated November 16, 2009.
2. Payroll
F4.9.2
Payroll check numbers 527642 to 527749 in the amount of
$778,716.45 and electronic deposit transmissions in the
amount of $1,218,937.64 for a grand total of $1,997.654.09
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Finance Committee Minutes November 16, 2009
for the pay period covering October 16, 2009 to November
10, 2009.
Committee members reviewed the consent items and briefly
discussed claim vouchers 390235, 390055, 390057,
390067, 390074, 390077, 390288, 390304, 390305, and
390414.
Vice Chair Peloza moved and Member Norman seconded to
approve the vouchers.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0.
III. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
A. Ordinances
1. Ordinance No. 6274
F3.22
" An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Auburn,
Washington, authorizing the levy of regular property taxes by
the City of Auburn for collection in 2010
Finance Director Coleman presented Ordinance No. 6274
for consideration.
Chair Backus suggested setting the property tax levy at 101
percent plus $1 million. Director Coleman stated that at the
101 percent plus $1 million level, the increase in the property
tax levy would be $1,129,644 and the percent increase in
revenue from the previous year would be 8.7 percent. The
total levy would be $14,094,060.
Committee members discussed the effect of the property tax
levy and decreases/increases in property valuations.
Vice Chair Peloza expressed opposition to the increase in
the property tax levy above the 101 percent level. Vice
Chair Peloza stated that he is not convinced the Mayor has
scrubbed the budget and suggested activities could be
removed from the Parks Department. Vice Chair Peloza
stated he wanted to be assured that activity classes are self
supporting.
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Finance Committee Minutes November 16, 2009
Director Coleman advised that the City is facing a$5 million
budget shortfall. Department Directors have reduced their
budgets by $1.2 million.
Vice Chair Peloza inquired as to the effect of the increase in
property tax levy on a$200,000 home. Chair Backus
responded that the proposed increase in property tax is
approximately $50 to $60 per year for a$200,000 home.
Human Resources and Property/Risk Management Director
Heineman advised that even with the additional $1 million
increase in the property tax levy, every department will face
cuts and reductions in force.
Vice Chair Peloza stated that he is opposed to the 8.7
percent increase in the property tax levy; however, he will
not vote against the property tax levy ordinance. He stated
that he hasn't been assured that the City has made the
necessary budget cuts.
Member Norman moved and Vice Chair Peloza seconded to
approve Ordinance No. 6274 with the necessary changes to
increase the property tax levy to 101 percent plus $1 million.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0.
B. Resolutions
1. Resolution No. 4539
03.4.1.7, 04.4.13, F5.4.3.2
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Auburn,
Washington, authorizing the Mayor to submit an application
to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
for a Section 108 Loan to assist in the funding of the new
Community Center at the Les Gove Park Campus
Member Norman requested confirmation that if the Council
approves submission of the Section 108 loan application,
the City can still decline the loan at a later date. Member
Norman expressed concern with repayment of the loan
without taking a substantial amount of money from the
Community Development Block Grant funds each year.
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Finance Committee Milnutes November 16, 2009
Finance Director Coleman stated that the Resolution only
approves the loan application; the City can decline the loan
after the application.
Vice Chair Peloza moved and Member Norman seconded to
forward Resolution No. 4539 to the full Council.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0.
IV. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Transportation Benefit District
Public Works Director powdy reported on King County's meeting
regarding implementation of a Transportation Benefit District. The
County asked King County cities whether there was interest in
forming a Transportation Benefit District; only the City of Duvall
expressed interest. The County must have sixty percent of the
cities with 70 percent of the county population in order to proceed
with a county-wide Transportation Benefit District. The County is
looking for revenues to pay for their outstanding bonds issued for
County infrastructure. Additionally, the County has needs for
reconstruction of several bridges and pavement improvements.
The County has asked for a letter by November 18, 2009 from
each city to opt out of the Transportation Benefit District.
B. 2010 Budget - Executive Session
At 7:15 p.m., Chair Backus recessed the meeting to closed session
in order to discuss labor negotiations pursuant to RCW
42.30.140(4).
At 7:18 p.m. Chair Backus reconvened the regular meeting.
C. Utility Tenant Billing Process
Committee members reviewed the City's current utility tenant billing
process. Finance Director Coleman referred the Committee
members to the November 16, 2009 memo from Utilities and
Accounting Services Manager Rhonda Ewing regarding tenant
billing information.
(The utility tenant billing process was discussed immediately
following Item IV.E.)
D. Ordinance No. 6278
2009 Budget Amendment No. 3
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Finance Committee Minutes November 16, 2009
Finance Director Coleman distributed copies of proposed
Ordinance No. 6278 amending the 2009-2010 budget. Committee
members briefly reviewed the Ordinance.
(Ordinance No. 6278 was added to the agenda and discussed
immediately following Item IV.E, Resolution No. 4545.
E. Resolution No. 4545
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington,
authorizing the Mayor to provide notice of Council consideration of
an Ordinance authorizing condemnation of property to widen a
portion of South Division Street
Committee members reviewed Resolution No. 4545 which
authorizes the Mayor to provide notice of Council's future
consideration of an Ordinance condemning ten feet of property
along South Division Street for the purpose of the promenade
project.
(Resolution No. 4545 was added to the agenda and discussed
immediately following Item IV.B, the executive session.)
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Committee, the
meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
APPROVED THE DAY OF DECEMBER 2009.
Nancy Backus, Chair Danielle Daskam, City Clerk
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