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04/13/2010 Finance CommitteeFINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES April 13, 2010 6:40 PM Present: Councilmember Bernheim Councilmember Buckshnis Councilmember Wilson Councilmember Peterson Councilmember Orvis Councilmember Fraley-Monillas Staff: Al Compaan, Chief of Police Noel Miller, Public Works Director Stephen Clifton, Community Services Director Sandy Chase, City Clerk Debi Humann, Director of Human Resources Lorenzo Hines Jr., Director, Finance and Information Services Gerald Gannon, Assistant Police Chief Leonard Yarberry Building Official Leif Bjorback, Assistant Building Official Kernen Lien, Associate Planner Brian McIntosh, Director, Parks and Recreation Department Mary Ann Hardie, Human Resources Assistant Public: Ron Wambolt Don Hall Roger Hertrich Councilmember Bernheim called the meeting to order at 6:40 PM. A. Upcoming Labor Negotiations Councilmember Bernheim invited Ronald J. Knox, Attorney, Garvey, Schubert, Barer and Laurence Shapero, Principal, Riddell Williams P.S., to discuss attorney utilization for labor negotiations. This discussion covered the different roles an attorney can play during labor negotiations. Debi Humann, Director of Human Resources informed the Finance committee that the City has historically utilized attorneys for labor negotiations, most recently current City attorney, W. Scott Snyder, Ogden Murphy Wallace P.L.L.C. The meeting relocated from the Council Chambers to the jury room. For information only, no further action required. B. Health Insurance Transition Debi Humann briefed the committee on the purpose and activity timeline of the City's efforts to secure health insurance after its current policies expire on December 31, 2011. Her overview/timeline has been incorporated in these minutes. For information only, no further action required. 04-13-10 Finance Committee Minutes, Page 2 Item C: Discussion concerning potential cost cutting measures There was general discussion regarding budget reduction possibilities. Councilmember Buckshnis requested information regarding attorney expenditures from City staff. For information only, no further action required. Item D: General Fund Report for March, 2010 Lorenzo Hines, Director, Finance and Information Services, presented revenue and expenditure trends for the General Fund and current forecasts for the City's major revenue sources. For information only, no further action required. Item E: Public Comments Comments were presented by members of the public that were present. Ron Wambolt stated that he supports labor negotiators and that our largest problem is the trade and labor unions. He said the papers are daily bringing this issue up. He stated that according to the press the Sheriff of Snohomish County makes less money than our police chief. He was totally opposed to the 5.8 percent increase granted last year. He said he fought it and his voice was not heard. He also stated that in regards to the second floor, he felt there must be too many planners because of much less construction going on; many ADB meetings have been cancelled. He suggested retaining a labor negotiator and not because salaries have to be reduced, but increases should be less. Mr. Wambolt also stated we should look into an internal vs. external attorney and that because of all the lawsuits, he believes the City paid $600K in 2009 and some funding went to firms outside of Mr. Snyder's. He agreed with Ms. Buckshnis in that the code rewrites are an expensive use of an external attorney. Roger Hertrich stated the City Council needs to be bold and show leadership in regards to labor negotiations. He said there are plenty of unemployed people willing to work just for health insurance. He brought up the hearing examiner and why we are still paying them huge fees when no work is being done. He also said that the city attorney seems to lose when it comes to citizens involvement and that the City Council should look into an internal attorney, as if you look at Mr. Snyder's firm, a lot of the work is "farmed out" to other attorneys. Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:00 PM.