2014-05-12 Salary Commission MinutesCITIZENS COMMISSION ON COMPENSATION OF
ELECTED OFFICIALS
Meeting Minutes
May 12, 2014
5:30 p.m. Public Safety Training Room (Police Department)
250 Fifth Avenue, Edmonds
Meeting & Public Hearing
PRESENT
Commissioners: Brent Hunter
Co -Chair Dilys Rosales
Co -Chair Mike Hathaway
Norma Middleton
Staff: Carrie Hite, Reporting Director for HR
Mary Ann Hardie, HR Manager
Public: None
CALL TO ORDER
Co -Chair Dilys Rosales called the meeting to order at 5:31 pm. Commissioner Mike Meeks was unable to
attend the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Commissioner Norma Middleton made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from March 26,
2014 and April 3, 2014. Commissioner Brent Hunter seconded the motion. The motion carried.
It was noted that with the cancellation of the 4/17/14 meeting, that there were no meeting minutes
to approve from that meeting.
OTHER
Reporting Director for HR Carrie Hite explained that, based on an interpretation of the Citizens'
Commission on the Compensation of Elected Officials' City Ordinance (by the City Attorney),that,
unfortunately, Evelyn Wellington's appointment to the Commission had been nullified and that she was
unable to serve on the Commission.
The Ms. Hite explained that since Ms. Wellington was a member of the Economic Development
Commission (already serving in an "official" capacity for the City) that she was ineligible to serve on the
Commission and that she had been notified of this unfortunate situation.
Ms. Hite further explained that the Citizens' Commission ordinance was in the process of being updated
for compliance with state code as well. Additionally, given the vacancies to the Commission, Ms. Hite
stated that the notice of the vacancies was posted again (for the third time) for applicants to apply and
that hopefully these vacancies could be filled soon as any appointments (under the new ordinance) were
appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Council.
Ms. Hite also stated that with the new ordinance (in compliance with State code), with the change to the
appointment process for the Commission (in compliance with State code) to reflect that: 1) the Mayor
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appoints all members of the Commission and the Council confirms the appointments, 2) the Mayor had
interviewed and appointed citizen Mike Meeks to serve on the Commission at the very end of April 2014
and, 3) Council had confirmed his appointment to the Commission at Council at the beginning of May
2014.
CORRESPONDENCE
HR Manager Mary Ann Hardie disseminated copies of the updated Citizens' Commission term
appointments and contact list to the members.
There was some discussion that followed by the Commission about how many members the Commission
needed in order to pass a vote. Ms. Hardie clarified that it was a majority [Note: A simple majority is what
is noted in the updated Citizens' Commission Ordinance. A simple majority requires more affirmative
than non -affirmative votes of the current total members of the Commission].
NEW BUSINESS
Co -Chair Rosales stated that she wanted to discuss what the process should or would be (going forward)
if there is an issue that the Commission may have if a member is unable to follow the Commission's rules
and the Boards and Commissions' Ground Rules.
There was some discussion that followed by the Commission as to what sanctions or actions the
Commission may take in this situation. Co -Chair Rosales stated that it would be important to discuss the
rules of conduct at the start of the Commission meetings [for the year the Commission is meeting] and
also when new members come aboard. Commissioner Hunter stated that he agreed that this would be
important to convey upfront and that the Chair should have the authority to address any member who
may be "out of line." Ms. Hardie stated that the Commission always had the option of going to the Mayor
should there be an issue with a member, given the Mayor's appointment role.
After further discussion by the Commission, Co -Chair Rosales requested that Ms. Hardie provide the
Commission in writing with some information from the City Attorney as to what the options would be
should a situation arise that required the Commission to take further action.
There was additional discussion by the Commission about contacting Commissioner Meeks to help
provide a Commission orientation to help provide a better understanding of the function, process and
goals of the Commission prior to the next meeting on 5/20/14. Co -Chair Rosales stated that she would
reach out to Commissioner Meeks to see if he was able to set up a brief time to do so before the next
meeting.
DISCUSSION/CONTINUED DISCUSSION
Feedback from Elected Officials
Ms. Hardie provided the Commission with a copy of the feedback that she had received from the
Commissioners (from their elected official interviews on salary and benefits, etc.). Commissioner Hunter
shared his feedback from his final interview with the elected officials he had spoken to. The feedback
provided was as follows:
1. There seemed to be an issue about the need for part-time staff to assist Council.
2. There seemed to be a misunderstanding or miscommunication as to how many hours the Council
members would need to work [in order to effectively perform their official duties].
3. There was a concern about not being vested in the employer contribution portion of MEBT if an
elected official serves their term (4 years) and the MEBT vesting requirement (for 100% vesting)
is 7 years.
4. Could there be an option for Council members to opt out of participating in PERS (which is not
required) and instead put their money into a 457 account? A previous Mayor opted out of
participating in PERS.
There was some discussion that followed by the Commission as to who the Commission should or could
express the feedback information with and how the Council Members could best communicate their
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concerns to. There was also further discussion about if training on benefits information for Council
Members.
Commissioner Hunter proposed that the Commission compose a letter to be given to the Mayor about the
feedback and concerns the Commission has received from Council (when the Commissioners interviewed
them).
Judge's Salary
There was some discussion that followed by the Commission as to whether or not the Commission should
or could look at changes to the Judge's compensation due to the amount the state sets (that impacts and
ultimately sets this position's) salary and whether or not this position was on a contract. Ms. Hardie
pointed out that the Commission could still look to make changes to the benefits, regardless of the salary.
After further discussion the Commission decided that they would provide some reference in the
presentation to Council (with their binding recommendations) that unless something changed with the
way that the Judge's salary was determined (such as by contract) that the Commission did not feel that
there was an ability to make a proposal to any changes to the salary piece.
Mayor's Salary
There was some discussion that followed by the Commission about the Mayor's salary and benefits
information. The Commission decided that they would further consider/discuss the Mayor and Council's
salary and benefit(s) information at the next meeting.
GOALS FOR THE NEXT MEETING
The following items were determined for the next meeting's agenda:
1. Discussion/review of the Mayor and Council' salary and benefits information; evaluate best
information.
2. Further discussion about the professional development budget/options. Commissioner Hunter
proposed that if there is a budgeted amount, to specify the amount and then have the Mayor in
charge of a committee formed to determine the professional development courses authorized for
payment.
3. Review of the 2012 presentation; discussion of 2014 presentation.
4. Discussion of the content for the 2014 memo accompanying the presentation.
OTHER
Upcoming Critical Dates:
5/20/14
5:30
Second Public Hearin — CITY HALL (3 Id Floor, Fourtner Room
6/5/14
5:30
Meeting
6/12/14
5:30
Final Meeting
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