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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/20/2017 - City Council - City Council Meeting Minutes - Wayne BarnhartCITY OF EAST WENATC14EE NICK A. GERDE, FINANCE DIRECTOR 271 9TH STREET NE • EAST WENATCHEE, WA 98802 PHONE (509) 886-4507 • FAX (509) 886-6109 Council Workshop Meeting Minutes Thursday, July 20, 2017, 5:30 PM Location: Council Chambers The meeting was called to order by Councilmember Wayne Barnhart at 5:30 PM. Those in attendance included: Councilmembers Tim Detering, Harry Raab and Sandra McCourt; staff members Lori Barnett, Community Development Director, Greg Pezoldt, City Engineer, and Nick Gerde, Finance Director. Two members of the public also attended. An agenda had been provided prior to the meeting and was used by the moderator, Councilmember Barnhart, for the discussions, as follows: 1. Approval and process for obtaining/installing a new consolidated telephone system for City Hall: Finance Director Gerde provided information from Assistant Chief Coble that indicates an urgent need for replacing the City's phone systems. The normal competitive bid process has been undertaken to determine cost and availability. Councilmember consensus was to provide recommendation to Council for approval, recognizing that a budget amendment would be necessary to cover the costs. 2. Status and discussion of the elements for security enhancements in City Hall: Greg Pezoldt, City Engineer, provided information about the services that Keyhole Security could provide. The determination and scoping of additional security elements requires expert advice from our insurer or others who could provide the specifications for metal detection equipment and location. Consensus of Councilmembers was to continue gathering information. 3. Planning Department discussion of proposed revisions to urban growth density standards and regulations: Community Development Director, Lori Barnett, provided information and explanations on the framework and implementation of the proposed changes for development of residential real estate. Several examples of development factors to implement and satisfy the standards in projects of different sizes and topographical characteristics were discussed. Consensus was that a better understanding by attending Councilmembers had been achieved. 4. City Engineer issues: A. City Hall Interior Painting — Staff's desire to increase the scope of the original project beyond the $5,000 for 2017 was discussed. City Engineer Pezoldt provided an estimate of the entire project with delineation of three stages (Hallways and Council Chambers $11,000; Offices $6,400; and Police Offices $16,000), at a total estimated cost including tax of $36,138.80. After much discussion, consensus of Councilmembers was to gain a more specific recommendation of project phases from staff in order to proceed further. B. Sidewalk Maintenance and Liability Considerations: City Engineer Pezoldt provided background information on the City's responsibilities, and those of the homeowner. Different situations and examples were discussed. Councilmember consensus was that the liability are would require a policy recommendation from staff. C. Re -Construction of loth Street NE — Scope, Grant Funding and City Financial Considerations: City Engineer Pezoldt noted that the project cost would total approximately $6 million. His informal discussions with TIB indicated they would only grant $2.5 million. Phasing the project was discussed briefly. After some discussion, Finance Director Gerde indicated that the $3.5 million of City responsibility would include a combination of City cash and a Municipal Bond Financing. Councilmember Barnhart noted that the Gateway Project cost needed to be considered. Councilmember Detering noted that the Public Works Area of the City campus was also a very high priority for public perception of the City and need to be considered. Councilmember consensus was to instruct staff to develop a financing plan that would provide the opportunity to complete a TIB grant request prior to the deadline of August 18th. 5. Consideration of a change to the City's Dental Coverage for employees: Finance Director Gerde described the primary purpose for the change in providing additional capacity for use of the annual maximum at a monthly cost of $2 to $3. Gerde also noted that the City will be required to change medical plans in 2018 that generally will increase co -pays. Councilmember consensus was to include the new plan in 2018. 6. Brief review of financial results for the first six months of 2017: Finance Director Gerde provided a brief discussion of revenues and costs for the first six months of 2017, and indicated that the June Financial Report is included in the packets for the meeting on July 25th. 7. Review of 2018 Budget Schedule: Finance Director Gerde deferred this discussion for the August 17th Council Workshop. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:40 PM. Respectfully submitted: 4. Nick erde Finance Director