03/08/2011 Finance Committee MinutesFINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
March 8, 2011
6:00 p.m.
City Council Present: Councilmember Petso
Councilmember Bernheim
Staff Present: Al Compaan, Police Chief
Debi Humann, Human Resources Director
Others Present: Jeff Taraday, City Attorney
James A. Feldman (Public Defender)
Bruce Witenberg
Ron Wambolt
Roger Hertrich
Committee Chair Petso called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Jury Meeting
Room.
Review and approval of the Agreement for Legal Representation of Indigent
Defendants.
Ms. Humann led discussion of the proposed public defender contract covering the term 1-
1-2011 through 12-31-2014. Ms. Humann and Mr. Feldman discussed the proposed
monetary terms of the contract and the fact the contract could be based on a per case
charge (as is the case with the expired contract) or can be based on an all-inclusive
monthly retainer fee. Finance Committee decided to move the contract to full council as a
regular agenda item, and Ms. Petso requested that staff provide public defender costs for
comparable cities to assist with the discussion.
Discussion of Woodway Police Services Contract.
Terms of the current agreement (valid through December 31, 2012) were discussed, as
well as the 90 day termination clause. Finance Committee determined they wished to
move forward with further discussion of this contract along with various options for
change in terms. That sentiment was based upon opinions expressed by full Council at
the February 4 and 5 Council Retreat that the current terms may need to be changed so
that Woodway pays more of their fair share of the cost of police services. Chief Compaan
agreed to meet with Councilmember Petso to develop some equitable contract terms
scenarios with the intent to discuss the Woodway contract again at the April Finance
Committee meeting.
Monthly General Fund Update.
No representatives from Finance Department were in attendance. This item postponed
until the April Finance Committee meeting.
03-08-11 Finance Committee Minutes, Page 2
Requesting authorization to salvage surplus and obsolete parts and equipment for
the Wastewater Department.
No staff representatives from Public Works were present. Finance Committee asked
whether a public hearing was necessary in order for property to be declared surplus. The
city attorney said that because it is utility property, there does need to be a public hearing
as well as City Council approval for surplus. Councilmember Petso expressed concern
that some of the equipment recommended for surplus appeared to be new and would
appreciate an explanation. Finance Committee requests that Council President Peterson
set the surplus matter for a public hearing.
Amend Equipment Rental Fund Ordinance to allow Fire asset transfers.
This matter was approved for consent agenda and the city attorney was asked to remove
the incorrect ordinance summary (referring to bicycle lanes) that appeared in the Finance
Committee packet and replace it with the correct ordinance summary.
Public Comments
Mr. Wambolt suggested the city may wish to review contract terms regarding Fire
District #1 and the Town of Woodway to see whether a similar formula could be applied
for police.
Mr. Witenberg asked about how legal fees that are awarded during the course of litigation
may impact the city attorney contract. The city attorney and Finance Committee members
were of the consensus that attorneys fees awarded to the city during litigation would flow
back to the city.
Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.