09/11/2012 Finance Committee9/11/12 Finance Committee Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Diane Buckshnis, Phil Williams, Carrie Hite, Frances Chapin, Deb Sharp, Sarah Mager, Ron
Wambolt, Bruce, and Dave a representative Blue Star Gas Seattle.
Original agenda was amended to move the REET fund discussion to Item A instead of Item D, and the
rest to follow as originally placed.
The 9/11/12 Finance Committee Meeting started at 6:25 p.m., and adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Item A: Reet Fund Discussion — Take it to full Council with no recommendations from the Finance
Committee. Carrie Hite updated us on the legal requirements of REST, said we may miss out on Grant
funding if are not able to match funds. Carrie moves to leave the limits at $750,000 and break out as is.
Diane mentioned that is why we need the Metropolitan Parks District, and Phil said that they have no
Street Preservation Funds either. Carrie and Phil discussed 112 funding; Carrie inquired what the source
of 112 funding came from. Phil said that about $160,000 is moved into the 112 fund every year from
Gas tax; this money is used for Grant matching.
Item B: Art work donation - Frances Chapin discussed how the Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation would
like to gift two pieces to the City of Edmonds. These pieces are currently located at the Edmonds Center
for the Arts and would remain on display there. Frances discussed insuring the art with Shawn Hunstock
and how this will now be the City's responsibility. The City will need to sign an Interlocal Agreement
with the ECA. This will require a public hearing as the value of the pieces exceed $5,000.
Item C: Propane Conversion - Phil Williams and David from Blue Star Gas Seattle presented the
proposal to convert 17 City vehicles to use Propane. This consists of 16 police vehicles and one Public
Works truck. This would be the first groups of cars to convert. This would be another way to conserve
energy, resources, and funds for the City. The cost would be $5,995 per vehicle. The cars would still
have the ability to use both unleaded gasoline as well as Propane.
There was discussion about where the tanks were located; they are placed in the trunk. These
conversion kits can be moved from one car to another. The police have tested one vehicle so far and
were positive with the results. For this project, approximately $100,000 will be from the General Fund
for the 16 police vehicles. The funds will be coming from the General Fund as the expected cost savings
due to fuel savings will benefit the General Fund. The return on the investment is expected to be in 20-
21 months. There was also discussion about adding a Propane Tank (for re- fueling) up at the Fuel Tanks;
these funds will be coming out of the B fund. Diane told Phil to work with Strom to present before full
council.
Item D: Stormwater Exemptions - The Finance Committee recommends this goes to full council.
Finance recommends that past fees be waived. A policy needs to be developed that establishes the
percentage discount for storm water.
Item E: July 2012 Monthly Financial Report - Diane says Great Job Sarah. The July 2012 Monthly
Financial report does include the new "Risk Management Reserve Fund ". In August, we will see a
combination of the various reserve funds, rolled into one Contingency Reserve Fund. Things of note
were that the Telephone Utility Tax is trending above budget so far to date. Ron Wambolt mentioned
that his experience with telephone billings were that the company was behind in invoicing customers for
four months in his case.
Item F: Addition to 2013 Budget Document - Diane says Great Job again. She appreciates the addition.
She thinks the variety of pictures (graphs, charts) as well as written explanation is good for the variety of
users. Diane mentioned that this addition would be helpful information to have out there for the
passing of levies, etc. This should be put forward to full council for review and discussion. We need to
find out from Phil Williams if he would like to include the CIP information shown in the Draft. This will
be discussed with the budget presentations on 9/25/12.
Item G: 2013 Budget Schedule - Diane mentioned that she thinks this should be moved to consent or
full council; it is a good idea to have the citizens and full council notified.
Audience Comments: Ron Wambolt inquired whether there was difference in taxes between gas and
propane. As shown in the proposal from Blue Star Gas Seattle, it appears there is no difference in taxes.
Bruce inquired whether the conversion kits were able to move from one vehicle type to another. There
was discussion that these kits could move from one vehicle to another, but it was not clear whether for
example this could be moved from say a Crown Victoria to a Dodge Charger.