HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-21-2012 �crnroF: =�'* - Finance Committee
February 21, 2012 -5:30 PM
Annex Conference Room 1
' ',1NASHINGTON MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
ChairJohn Partridge called the meeting to orderat 5:30 p.m. in Conference Room 1
loca#ed on the second floor of the City HallAnnex located at One East Main Street in
Auburn.
A. Roll Call
Chair Partridge, Vice Chair John Holman, and Member Largo Wales were
present: Also present during the meeting were: Mayor Peter B. Lewis, Deputy
Mayor Nancy Backus, City Attorney Daniel B. Heid, Public Works Director Dennis
Dowdy, Fnance Director Sheiley Coleman, Chief of Police Bob Lee, Pianning and
Deyelopment Director Kevin Snyder, Financial Planning Manager Martin Chaw,
Shirley Partridge, and'CityClerk Danielle Daskam.
B. Announcements
There was no announcement.
C. Agenda Modifications
There was no change to the-agenda.
II. CONSENT AGENDA
A. February 6, 2012 Minutes
Vice Chair Holman moved and Member Wales seconded to approve 4he February
6, 2012, minutes.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0.
B. Claims Vouchers (Goleman) _
Claims check num6ers 411135 through 411529 in the amount of
$3,726,642.30 and dated Februray 21, 2012.
Committee members reviewed the claims vouchers and briefly discussed the
following claims vouchers 471137, 411145, 411144, 411165, 411454, 411482,
411215, 411237, 411244, 411.254, 411258, 411495, 411503, and 411241.
Member Wales moved and Vice Chair Holman seconded to approve the claims
and payroll vouchers.
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MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0.
C. Payroll Vouchers (Coleman)
Payroll check nu.m6ers532674 to 532708 in the amount of $844,851 .88
and electronic deposit transmissions in the amount of $1,220,923.56 for a
grand total of $2,065,775.44 for the pay period covering February 2, 2012 to
February 15, 2012.
Forapproval of payroll vouchers, see claims vouchers above.
III. DISCUSSION fTEMS
A. Amendment to Agreement WCC11-16-008 for the Auburn Environmental
Park Wetlands Boardwalk Trail Project (Snyder)
Committee to review proposed amendment to Agreement WCC11-16-008
between the City of Auburn and the Washington Conservation Corps
authorizing a project budget increase for construction of the Auburn
Environmental Park Wetlands Boardwalk Trail
Planning and Development Director Snyder explained that the proposed
amendment to the contract identified as WCC11-16-008 with Washington
Conservation Corps wili add $10,000 to the original $45,000 corrtract approved
under Resolution No. 4715. The contract is for the construction of a 1,200 foot
pedestrian trail through the Environmental Pa�lc that will connect West Main Street
with the bird and wildlife tower located on Western Avenue. The project will
include the construction of an approximately 1;100 foot elevated wooden
boardwalk.
The project is nearing completion but additional funding is needed to complete the
project. The primary �eason for the contract increase is due to unexpected
construction challenges resulting from significant wet conditions and the use of
new technology. The contract increase is accounted for in the project
contingency.
Director Snyder advised that the City has received approximately $12,000 in
donationsfor the project, but the majority of the donations are restricted and
designated for a specific purpose.
The project is anticipated to be complete by the end of March 2012.
The Planning and Community Development Committee approved the contract
amendment at their last meeting.
B. Resolution No. 4793 (Snyder)
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Aubum, Washington
establishing the City of Aubum Smail Business Development Assistance
Pilot Program and authorizing modifications specified herein of the City of
Auburn fee schedule -fees for city permits and actions
Planning and Development Director Snyder explained that Resolution Na 4793
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proposes a new economic development pilot program called the City of Aubum
Small Business Development Assistance. It is proposed to be in effect through
December 31, 2013. The proposed pilot program would provide relief for certain
types of fees (primarily related to building, land use, and engineering fees) up to a
fifty percent reduction in fees to support<small businesses to start, move or
relocate in the city of Au6urn. Small business are defined as businesses with 20
or fewer full time equivaleM employees. The proposal also provides the Planning
Director the ability to authorize up to a ten percent variance of the eligibility
requirement of 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
Administrative procedures will be put into place to track and monitor pertormance
of the program with reporting to the full Council.
Director Snyder commented that the proposal calls for a reduction of fees, but
there would be no further obligation.
ChairPartridge expressed concern with the impact of the program to the General
Fund.
There was discussion regarding business licensing and business licensing
statistics as well as disoussion regarding fee cost recovery. Chair Partridge
suggested that the Committee pursue a fee cost recovery study. Mayor Lewis
suggested recommending the subject far a Committee of the Whole meeting.
C. Resolutio.n No. 4802_ (Lee)
A Resolufion of the City Council of the City of Aubum, Washington,
approving and authorizing the amended Interlocal Gooperation Agreement
regarding the Valley Special Weapons and Tactics team (formerly Valley
Special Response Team)
Chief Lee presented Resolution No. 4802,which amends the interlocal agreement
for the Valley Special Response Team by removing the City of Des Moines from
membership and to reflect the change in name to Valley SWAT.
D. Resolution No. 3417 - Membership in Professional Organizations and Local
Civic and Service Organiiations (Heid)
Committee members reviewed'Resolution No. 3417 adopted by the City Council
on February 4,2002, The Resolution follows 3he opinion of the State Auditorin
terms of allowing the City to pay for City officialsto participate in civic antl
community organizations.
Member Wales expressed concern with payment of service organization dues and
meals for director-level officials and above. Member Wales spoke in favor of
paymeM of dues for business and professional organizations.
Mayor Lewis commented that the policy was implemented in order to engage
employees in their ci4y and with the citizens on a different level. Employees who
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do participate are expected to pursue leadership roles in those organizations.
Vice Chair Hoiman,indicated no objectiorrto employees participating in the
program, but expressed concern with Councilmembers taking advantage of the
same program.
Finance Director Coleman stated that the impact of the program is less than
$5,000 annually. Approximately ten Councilmembers and staff participate in the
program.
Due to time constraints, further discussion of the issue was postponed to the next
Finance Committee meeting.
E. Ordinance No. 6398 (Coleman)
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Aubum, Washington,
amending Section 3.80.040 of the Auburn City Code relating to tax levies on
bingo, raffles, punchboards, pull tabs and.amusement games
Finance Director Colemanpresented Ordinance No. 6398 relating togambling
tax. The ordinance amends the gambling tax on punchboard and pull tabs from
5.0% on gross receipts to 10.0%of net receipts. City Attorney Heid stated the
ordinance is consisterrt with the state statute. Net receipts is defined as gross
receipts less amounts awarded as cash and merchandise.
The proposed amendment would result in an estimated annuaf loss of
approximately$20,000.
Member Wales stated that the reduction in the tax will benefit nine different small
businesses in the city who have been impacted by the Muckleshoot Casino.
F. Utility Rate Study U,pdate (Coleman)
Discussion of the utility rate study was removed from the agenda.
G. December 2011 Fina.ncial Report (Coleman)
DirectorColeman briefly reviewed the monthly financial report for the period
ending December 31, 2011_ Total General Fund reyenues for the City at the end
of the year was$2 million higher than budget due to relatively stronger than
anticipated collections in property and sales taxes, electric utility taxes, and
building permit fees.
At the end of the year, the General Fund expenditures were 9.1% below budget,
primarily due to unspent budget for retirement and long term care along with
unspent budget for SCORE start up transition costs, savings due to staff
vacancies and under expenclitures in professional services.
Committees briefly reviewed the enterprise funds working capital statements.
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IV. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to aome before the Committee, the meeting adjourned
at 6:53 p.m.
ARPROVED the � day of ��� , 2012.
.� � � � ,�.�,��
John Partridge, Chair Danielle Daskam, City Clerk
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