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12/01/2001 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APROVED MINUTES Budget Workshop Saturday, December 1, 2001 The Special Edmonds City Council budget workshop was called to order at 9:01 a.m. by Mayor Gary Haakenson in the Council Chambers, 250 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, followed by the flag salute. ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT Gary Haakenson, Mayor Dave Earling, Council President Thomas A. Miller, Councilmember Michael Plunkett, Councilmember Lora Petso, Councilmember Dave Orvis, Councilmember Richard Marin, Councilmember Deanna Dawson, Councilmember STAFF PRESENT Tom Tomberg, Fire Chief David Stern, Chief of Police Duane Bowman, Development Serv. Director Stephen Clifton, Community Services Director Peggy Hetzler, Administrative Services Director Noel Miller, Public Works Director Brent Hunter, Human Resources Director Arvilla Ohlde, Parks and Recreation Director Steve Koho, Wastewater Treatment Plant Mgr. Sandy Chase, City Clerk Jana Spellman, Senior Executive Council Asst. Jeannie Dines, Recorder Council President Earling suggested the Council begin by reviewing revenues that had become available since the Mayor's budget proposal, followed by a review of Councilmembers' proposed additional revenues with the goal of reaching some consensus on how much would need to be cut from the budget to balance it. Council President Earling reviewed the potential cuts submitted by Mayor Haakenson including $137,500 for the Vehicle Wash Station. In response to Councilmember Orvis, Administrative Services Director Peggy Hetzler explained the 5-year forecast distributed this morning included a 3.5% property tax increase and the increase in the Woodway fire contract. Council President Earling inquired whether Councilmembers wished to withdraw any of their suggested cuts. Councilmember Petso deleted her suggestion to eliminate two patrol positions. Councilmember Marin inquired whether the Council Contingency Fund had adequate moneys to fund the request from the Edmonds Stakeholders. Council President Earling responded the Council Contingency Fund had a balance of more than $250,000 for 2002. Council President Earling urged the business community to raise the funds they had committed to in their proposal before renewing their request for funds from the City. Councilmembers agreed the Council Contingency Fund was an appropriate funding source for the Stakeholders' request. Councilmember Miller withdrew his request to fund a code enforcement position. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 1, 2001 Page 1 Following an explanation from Fire Chief Tomberg, the additional amount needed to fund the battalion chiefs for the full year was reduced from $200,000 to $91,000. Council President Earling pointed out Chief Tomberg had indicated the battalion chief program would likely not be in place until late January. It was the consensus of the Council to deduct one month's financing or $15,000 from the $91,000, reducing the additional funding to $76,000. Councilmember Dawson requested a forecast with a 1 % property tax increase with the increase in the Woodway fire contract and funding for battalion chiefs. Councilmembers briefly discussed the history of funding battalion chiefs. Councilmember Plunkett described his proposed amendments to the Animal Control chapter of the Edmonds City Code, which would require funding of approximately $4,000 to establish an Animal Benefit Fund. Councilmembers discussed the ability of the Animal Benefit Fund to accept donations, a suggestion to review the program after one year, and PAWS' intimation they may be willing to provide some funding. In response to concern expressed by Councilmember Marin, Councilmember Plunkett emphasized this program would only impact surrendered and stray animals adopted from Adix. The Council agreed to move this funding request forward to the Council meeting. Public Works Director Noel Miller reviewed suggested reductions submitted by Councilmember Petso that had been funded in 2001 and could be removed from the 2002 budget including the notary License Renewal ($80), asphalt hot box ($11,000), hand tool replacements ($1,220), disc sander ($1,400), and band saw ($1,300). In response to Councilmember Petso's suggestion to eliminate the Mayor's 5% discretionary salary increases, Human Resources Director Brent Hunter estimated the cost savings would be $54,000. Councilmember Petso addressed her suggestion to eliminate the Mayor's 5% discretionary salary increase, noting the L5 policy should address any longevity increase. At Councilmember Petso's request, Mr. Hunter described the history of the L5 policy and provided examples of salaries paid in cities similar in size to Edmonds. It was the consensus of the Council to advance this item to the December 11 Council meeting. Mr. Hunter requested a $2,900 balance be maintained in the Medical Self-insurance Fund for short-term disability insurance, allowing a transfer of $5,700 to the General Fund from the Medical Self Insurance Fund. Regarding Councilmember Petso's suggestion to eliminate tuition reimbursement ($5,000),'Mr. Hunter explained this was covered in labor agreements and could not be removed. Following an explanation from the Development Services Director regarding the Building and Engineering Divisions overtime, it was agreed these would remain in the budget. The Council next addressed Councilmember Petso's suggestion to eliminate the Parking Study from the budget. Councilmembers discussed using the funds in Fund 124 to establish additional parking versus further study, and the other aspects to be addressed in a parking study such as on -street and off-street parking requirements. Mayor Haakenson suggested the Public Safety Committee consider a policy to direct the Police Department regarding enforcement. It was agreed to advance this item to the December 11 Council meeting. Following a brief discussion regarding Councilmember Petso's suggestion to eliminate Edmonds Alliance matching funds ($25,000), it was agreed this item would be retained in the budget. The request to eliminate funding for WRIA 8 ($11,570) was withdrawn. Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 1, 2001 Page 2 Fire Chief Tom Tomberg and Public Works Director Noel Miller described vehicle replacement funds. Chief Tomberg offered to provide Councilmembers a copy of the fire vehicle replacement schedule. Following discussion, it was agreed the $225,000 for fire vehicle replacement would remain in the budget. Councilmember Petso withdrew her suggestion to eliminate $3,360 that Public Works budgeted for a floor scrubber indicating Mr. Miller had provided sufficient justification for its purchase. In response to Councilmember Petso's suggestion to add interest from Employee Parking permits to the General Fund, Ms. Hetzler described restrictions on independent revenue sources. It was agreed this item would remain as budgeted. Next the Council reviewed the budget reductions suggested by Councilmember Orvis. Councilmember Orvis withdrew his suggestion regarding Administrative Services — IT: decision packages and his suggestion to freeze all new automobile purchases. He withdrew his request to eliminate funding to the Snohomish County Economic Development Council. Regarding the cuts suggested by Mayor Haakenson, it was the consensus of the Council to retain funding for the Fire Department Reserve in the budget. Councilmembers agreed to retain funding for the Sprinkler and Alarm Inventory. Following an explanation from Police Chief David Stern, Council agreed to make the reductions proposed for $3,900 (software training), $5,000 (training), and $5,000 (miscellaneous expenditures) for a total reduction of $13,900. Councilmembers agreed not to eliminate funding for Police Department microfilming as it was a mandated program that had already been delayed. Regarding the proposed transfer of funding for prisoner care and SnoCom fees to the Criminal Justice Fund (Fund 007) Councilmember Miller expressed concern with funding ongoing expenditures such as these from the 007 Fund because if insufficient sales taxes were collected in the future, these items would need to be funded via the General Fund. He noted in the past, one time purchases had been funded from the 007 Fund. Following discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to fund prisoner care and SnoCom fees from the Criminal Justice Fund. Councilmember Petso reported the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee met this month and made some changes to the budget. Further, she noted Mr. Clifton indicated there may be funds available from the Public Facilities District for that account. She requested the updated budget reflect those changes. Councilmember Dawson inquired about freezing or slowing down vehicle purchases. Mr. Miller explained retaining a vehicle could potentially drive up the cost due to required maintenance and repair. Council President Earling declared a brief recess to allow staff to compile the reductions/additions Council suggested be made to the budget. (Councilmember Petso left the meeting at 10:55 a.m.) Ms. Hetzler summarized the potential cuts to be forwarded to Council for further discussion included reductions to the Police Department Budget of $13,900 and reducing the Mayor's discretionary 5% increase estimated at $60,000 for a total of $73,900. Additions to the budgets include $76,000 to hire battalion chiefs beginning in February 2002 and $4,000 for the Animal Control Ordinance for a total of Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 1, 2001 Page 3 $80,000. Revenue from Medical Self Insurance of $5,700 was added to the General Fund. The potential elimination of the parking study (funded via the In -Lieu -of Parking Fund) was also identified as a budget item requiring further discussion. She concluded the deletions and additions to the General Fund were nearly balanced. Council President Earling observed the Council would resolve the above issues at the December 11 meeting and take final action on the budget at the December 18 meeting. With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned at 11:07 p.m. V�i — S MAYOR SANDRA S. CHASE, CITY CLERK Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes December 1, 2001 Page 4 I 1