HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-09-2014 ([Date/Time])A CITYOF
URN
WASHINGTON
CALL TO ORDER
A. Roll Call
Council Operations Committee
July 9, 2014 -10:00 AM
council Conference Room - City Hal
MINUTES
Chair Wagner called the Council Operations Committee meeting to
order at 10:04 a.m., in Room 2 at Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main
Street in Auburn.
Members in attendance included Chair Rich Wagner, Vice Chair Bill
Peloza and Member Largo Wales. Also in attendance were Mayor
Nancy Backus, City Attorney Daniel B. Heid, Community
Development and Public Works Director Kevin Snyder, Assistant
Director of Engineering Services / City Engineer Ingrid Gaub,
Assistant Director of Public Works Services Randy Bailey and
Deputy City Clerk Shawn Campbell.
B. Announcements
There was no announcement.
C. Agenda Modifications
There was no agenda modification.
II. CONSENT AGENDA
A. May 30, 2014 Minutes
Vice Chair Peloza moved and Member Wales seconded to approve
the May 30, 2014 meeting minutes.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3 -0
III. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Transition to Study Sessions
The Committee discussed the June 26th Special City Council
Meeting where SeaTac Mayor Mia Gregerson presented the City of
SeaTac's transition from council committees to study sessions.
Member Wales stated she does not want the study sessions and
Council meetings on the same night. The Committee proposed the
study sessions be held at 5:00 p.m. the second and fourth Monday,
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Council meetings at 7:00 p.m. the first and third Monday; and
Committee of the Whole at 5:30 p.m. on a fifth Monday of the month.
The Committee noted the Committee of the Whole meetings will be
regular standing meetings but may be canceled if there is no
business. The Committee asked for a time estimate for each item to
be added to the study session agenda. The time allotted for each
item will be set by the Mayor. The study sessions will be chaired by
the Mayor. The only remaining standing Council Committee will be
the Council Operations Committee. The finance claims and payroll
vouchers could be emailed to the whole council prior to the study
session. If a Councilmember has a question regarding a voucher
they can either email the Finance Director or ask at their
question study session.
The Committee discussed the ad -hoc committee format. The Mayor
will appoint a chair and committee members to an ad -hoc
committee. Chair Wagner stated he believes volunteers should be
solicited but the Mayor will have the final say on who is appointed to
an ad -hoc committee.
The Committee discussed the committee matrixes provided in the
packet. City Attorney Heid stated a matrix is useful for long term
planning. Director Snyder stated he believes the City of SeaTac
receives updates on City business via e-mail updates. Chair Wagner
requested this item be placed on the next Council Operations
Committee agenda for further discussion.
The Committee discussed the pro / con list provided in the packet.
Vice Chair Peloza requested the reduction in printing costs be
added to the pro list. He also stated he did not agree with the con
regarding councilmember involvement. Chair Wagner and Member
Wales both agreed that some councilmembers may have a difficult
time speaking up in a larger group setting.
The Committee discussed the procedure for issuing right -of -way
permits and leak adjustments. The Committee stated staff could
issue right -of -way permits and leak adjustments. Vice Chair Peloza
stated citizens need to have the ability to appeal the staff decision.
The Committee decided a citizen could appeal to the Mayor, the
Mayor would inform Council when an appeal is requested.
The Committee discussed the Mayor signing authority limits without
Council approval. Member Wales expressed concerns regarding
raising the limit. Mayor Backus stated some other cities use a
formula similar to $1,000.00 per thousand citizens. Vice Chair
Peloza requested staff poll the surrounding cities for their policies.
Deputy Mayor Wagner noted the current code allows the Mayor to
sign a contract for items already approved in the adopted budget
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without additional Council approval.
Chair Wagner stated he believes the Council needs to be involved in
the setting of design standards. The enforcement could be handled
at the administration level.
Chair Wagner stated the Committee would need to pare down the
committee matrixes. Vice Chair Peloza said he did not think they
would be necessary under the new system. Member Wales
expressed a desire to have the capital projects matrix remain the
same. Director Snyder said he understands many jurisdictions give
this information as updates via email to Council. He will develop
samples for the next meeting.
The committee requested the July 28, 2014 meeting be rescheduled
from 2:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:17 a.m.
Approved this D� day of July, 2014.
Rich Wagner, Chair Shawn Campbell, Deputy City
Clerk
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