HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/01/96TAPE #1375
UNAPPROVED DRAFT
COUNCIL
APPROVED
MAY 16 1996
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MAY 1, 1996
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The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton
was called to order in the City Council Chambers, 239 4th Street,
Bremerton, Washington, Wednesday, May 1, 1996, at 5:30 P.M., with
Council President John Law presiding. Council members present were
Bob Winters, A1 Colvin, Cecil McConnell, Carlos Montgomery, Sherril
Huff-Menees, Richard Neville, and Lon Overson. Councilman David
Farr was absent. Also present were City Attorney Ian Sievers and
City Clerk Kathy McCluskey.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council
President Law and Invocation given by Councilman A1 Colvin.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes -- April 10, 1996
#AB96-087
B. Minutes -- April 17, 1996
#AB96-088
M/S/C/U(Neville/Montgomery) to approve Consent Agenda as presented.
CLAIMS/CHECK REGISTERS
Vouchers audited and certified by the auditing officer as required
by RCW 42.24.080, and those expense reimbursement claims certified
as required by RCW 42.24.090, have been recorded on a listing that
had been made available to the Council.
M/S/C/U(Colvin/Montgomery) on May 1, 1996, the Council does approve
for payment those vouchers included and further described as
follows: 197359 through 197519 in the amount of $228,364.38.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Mr. Overson announced Concerts on the Boardwalk will commence July
12 and conclude on August 16. More information will be forthcoming
on the performing groups and specific dates.
Mrs. Huff-Menees reminded everyone of the upcoming Armed Forces
Festival events and the Olympic Torch Run, which will be coming
through Bremerton on May 7. In anticipation of the Torch Run and
Armed Forces Day Parade, a coordinated effort is underway to make
sure the City looks as good as possible. Such activities will
include asking building owners to clean up store fronts, and the
hanging of banners and flower baskets. In addition, sponsors are
being sought to place some flower tub planters on street corners,
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and anyone wishing to get involved with this project can contact
her through the City Council office. Those interested in helping
with the clean up/beautification effort are welcome to attend a
meeting on Thursday, May 2, at 8:30 A.M., at the Old Bank Antiques,
located on Pacific Avenue. It is rumored that CBS news crews will
be in Bremerton filming both the Torch Run and the Armed Forces
activities.
Mr. Montgomery reported he attended the Harrison District meeting
on Monday evening, which was well attended and the public provided
a lot of input to City staff towards the development of the
Harrison District Plan. Council will be hearing more on this
subject at future Study Sessions.
Mr. Colvin announced the next District #1 Neighborhood Meeting will
be held May 16, 7:00 P.M., at the Parks and Recreation Center. The
guest speaker at that meeting will be Mayor Horton giving her State
Of The City message. At that meeting written concerns/suggestions
will be given priority. He thanked Mayor Horton for her effort in
getting rid of the Scotch broom at the north end of the Warren
Avenue bridge. He introduced Hoyt Keeney, Dean of Student Services
at Olympic College. Hoyt Keeney stated Olympic College has
programs that work with a variety of students, but one of the most
important is the program that works with students of color. The
person holding that position previously left for a promotion and
when they recruited for the position they had in excess of 90
applicants. The College is extremely fortunate to have chosen Mona
Pitre, who was doing multicultural work at Seattle University and
is working on her Masters Degree at the University of Washington.
Mona has a great deal of experience and has jumped into the
activity full speed ahead. They are excited having Mona as part of
Olympic College to work with a student group that they know are
coming to Olympic College in increasing numbers, but as the rest of
the State, they are not finishing college in increasing numbers.
He and Mona will be helping those individuals reach their goals and
maintain with Olympic College until they obtain their degree. Mona
Pitre, Multicultural Affairs Specialist, stated she is pleased and
honored to be introduced to the City Council. She is originally
from Seattle, so Bremerton is a new area for her. Looking at the
work of the Multicultural Center, this is really going to be one
that is student centered in that they are looking to help students
come on board to transition on to the institution. And, helping
them to avail of whatever services are provided, not only within
the Olympic College system, but also within the community, so that
they can persist and then graduate either with a certificate or an
Associate Degree, and perhaps go onto a 4-year institution. She is
pleased to be part of this community and looking at and finding
about a number of resources already available for not only students
of color, but for all students at Olympic College. Mr. Colvin
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concluded his report with a special congratulations to all of the
YWCA Women of Achievement recipients, who were recognized at a
luncheon on April 30.
Mr. Winters echoed the thoughts of Councilman Huff-Menees regarding
the arrival of the Olympic Torch. He noted television coverage has
been given to the Torch Run along the various routes and he also
feels it is important that we put on our "Sunday best" when the
torch comes through Bremerton because we need to shine for many
reasons and most of all for our own self-esteem and pride of our
community. Lastly, he urged those in the community 18 years and
older to please register to vote, so that they can have a voice in
our nation's decisions as well as our community's.
MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Lynn Horton announced three students have been selected to
represent Bremerton as Exchange Students to the City's sister city
in Kure, Japan. The students are: Ethan Lust, Junior, Bremerton
High School; Alfred Montoya, Senior, and Laina Diamond, Junior,
both from Olympic High School. The City is seeking three host
families for three Japanese students, who will arrive July 27 and
depart on August 25. She asked anyone interested in becoming a
host family to please call her office.
Mayor Horton read a Proclamation proclaiming the FIRST WEEK OF MAY,
1996, AS YOUTH WEEK.
Mayor Horton reported as a result of the recent incident at the
Eastside Tavern, several arrests have been made involving the
management of the operation, and their Liquor License has been
pulled by the Liquor Control Board for 30 days, with the
possibility of other repercussions to follow. The City is seeking
all avenues to make sure that kind of occurrence does not happen
again.
Fire Chief Mick McKinley introduced five new Firefighter/Paramedics
- Darren Rivers, Anna Sproles, Joel Wulf, Robert Ashmore, and
Ricardo Valdez. Mayor Horton administered the Oath of Office, and
congratulated each of them on their accomplishments and welcomed
them aboard.
PUBLIC RECOGNITION
Chuck Laubach, Bremerton Central Lions Club, announced the
Bremerton Central Lions Club and Bremerton Rotary Club will co-
sponsor the Armed Forces Parade. He encouraged everyone to attend
the Lions Club Pancake & Oatmeal Breakfast - May 18, starting at
7:00 A.M., on 4th Street.
Emily Moshay reported on Christmas In April activities held April
27, which involved an army of volunteers undertaking various home
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repairs and landscape work on nine homes within Kitsap County.
They are already soliciting applications for the 1997 Christmas In
April program; and applications can be picked up at Mayor Horton's
office or at the Home Builders Association office.
President Law Congratulated Mrs. Moshay and all the other women
selected as one of the YWCA's Women Of Achievement.
Carol Atkinson, Bremerton Main Street Association, talked about the
Olympic Torch Run and the caravan attached to that body. The Torch
Run will travel down 4th Street and then onto the boardwalk prior
to boarding the ferry to Seattle. She extended a special "thank
you" to the USS Rainier for hosting the Bremerton Main Street Board
Of Directors at a dinner aboard ship.
Gina Olds, representing Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD),
shared a letter sent to Sheriff Pat Jones from their current
President Marshal Masters addressing the issue of public drinking
of alcohol in parks, urging the law enforcement agencies to enforce
the no-drinking law for the safety of the public.
Gene Hart reported on Tuesday he attended a conference titled "A
Working Puget Sound - Meeting the Welfare Challenge". On the
surface it may not seem relevant to the City of Bremerton, but in
his view it does have relevance in that we all want the same thing
and that is make Bremerton a better place to live. The information
they received reveals the nonsense continues and that is the
squandering of human resources like the recent incident at the
Eastside Tavern. He presented documentation from that workshop for
Council's review.
7A - BID AWARD RECOMMENDATION FOR KUBOTA TRACTOR FOR GOLD MOUNTAIN
GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE TO KITSAP FARM AND GARDEN, #AB96-089
A Call for Bids on one 4-Wheel Drive Kubota Tractor, Model L-2900
GST for Gold Mountain Golf Course was prepared, advertised,
distributed, and received in accordance with accepted Call for Bid
procedures.
Two bids were received. Low bidder was Kitsap Farm & Garden with
a base bid of $13,847.00, plus sales tax of $1,121.61, for a total
cost of $14,968.61.
Pat Westhoff, Parks and Recreation Department, noted the low bid
came in $5,000 under budget. The Kubota is a mid size tractor and
what they call a light weight tractor with muscle. This tractor
has a PTO that runs approximately 20 different pieces of equipment
and after having demonstrations of other tractors available, the
Golf Course staff felt the Kubota was the best of those being
considered. The City currently owns a 1986 Kubota tractor, which
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is still running strong and the compatibility with the other pieces
of equipment make it a good bid.
Public comment - none.
Mr. Neville asked the terms of the tractor warranty? Mr. Westhoff
explained most industrial equipment they purchase for the golf
course come with a one-year warranty. Mr. Neville questioned the
amount of service left in the City's older Kubota tractor? Mr.
Westhoff stated it is anticipated the older Kubota tractor will
last 4-5 more years. He believes Kubota makes a superior tractor
to John Deer. So far they have purchased 22 pieces of equipment
for the Olympic Golf Course, which is the new course, and have
three remaining pieces of equipment to purchase, at a cost of
approximately $800.00 each. He emphasized that once all of the
identified pieces of equipment are purchased, they will still be
under budget.
M/S/C/U(McConnell/Colvin) to approve and accept the purchase of the
Kubota Tractor from Kitsap Farm & Garden for the bid price of
$14,968.61, including sales tax.
7B - DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION BUDGET ADJUSTMENT FOR
PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS, #AB96-090
A thorough survey of all Park play areas was recently completed by
the Department of Parks & Recreation Playground Safety Inspector.
The results of this survey identified areas of concern that need
attention in order to bring the play areas into compliance with
National Safety Standards. This adjustment will allow the use of
the savings realized from insurance premiums that came in under
budget, for use on the necessary Playground improvements. It is
expected that these improvements will reduce the potential injury
to children and the related claims and litigation expenses to the
City.
Mayor Lynn Morton explained the Administration has undertaken a
City-wide review of areas of risk in order to reduce claims and
litigations. The Parks and Recreation area is one piece of the
broader spectrum and other areas besides playgrounds being
addressed are: restoring the sea wall at Evergreen Park, rewiring
the Senior Center, and in 1995, the dock at the end of Lebo Field
was refurbished. Those areas were cited in the report provided by
the independent consultant, who reviewed the City's Risk Management
system. In addition, the City has removed trees by Ivy Green
Cemetery because of potential tripping hazards caused by exposed
roots; stairs were removed and replaced at Kiwanis field,
refurbishment of the tennis courts in Manette, exterior lighting
improvements at Jarstad Aquatic Center. The Administration has
also appointed a safety person to review what is being done in
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terms of making sure employees carry out proper procedure on job
sites as well as increased the number of training programs that
promote safety. A Claims and Litigation Review Committee was
established, which has proven to be very beneficial in lowering
claims and litigation costs. The City is undertaking a geological
assessment of Casad Dam and will develop an action plan in the case
of an emergency. Mayor Horton shared the following statistics: in
1995, the City's payoffs in judgement, settlements or litigation
was in the area of $36,000, the year previous was $3,540.000.00.
She noted 3 million dollars of that amount the West Hills lawsuit.
She emphasized all of this effort is saving taxpayers dollars as
well as saving people within the community a lot of pain and
suffering by addressing some of the conditions that might cause an
accident. She wanted Council to have this update report because
she believes staff has been doing a superb job in identifying those
things and trying to be responsive in correcting those issues as
they are discovered.
Jim Spencer, Parks and Recreation Director, thanked the City
Council for appropriating funds in the 1996 budget to allow all of
the improvements pertaining to the Parks Department, as mentioned
by Mayor Horton.
The requested Budget Adjustment of $35,000 is broken into two
components: (1) equipment; and (2) improvements of the fall zone.
Four new toys are being purchased for $25,000, and the $10,000
remaining will be spent on improving fall zone areas under those
toys. The Risk Manager was also thanked for her part in this
process.
Steve Mutek, Service Specialist for the Parks Department, stated he
obtained training in safety as it pertains to playgrounds. As part
of that training, he learned the potential for entrapment, which is
one of the most serious problems that could happen, and that some
of the current fall zones are not adequate.
Public comment - none.
Mr. Winters asked if there are any intentions to sell or give away
and of the old equipment? Mr. Spencer stated no, because there are
problems with the equipment, that is why it is being replaced. Mr.
Winters asked if this is possibly a litigation issue? Mr. Sievers
stated there have been several lawsuits in the past related to
faulty equipment, but those were settled before they went to court.
Mr. Winters stated he brought this issue up for the public so they
would know the City does have pretty good playgrounds and just want
to make them better and a little bit safer.
Mr. Oolvin stated he was thankful the Parks Department was being
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pro-active, and taking action on an issue BEFORE litigation.
Mr. Neville clarified that the money identified for this use was
not coming from the Parks's budget, but rather from Risk
Management? Mr. Spencer stated that was correct, in turn insurance
companies will take notice of the improvements, and the City will
receive lower insurance premiums. Mr. Neville thanked Mr. Spencer
for providing this special training for his staff.
Mr. Overson congratulated Parks Department staff and offered
compliments, but questioned the disappearance of swings? Mr.
Spencer stated swings are less desirable, but there will still be
some swings, if fact some are being installed at the park on Arvon.
Swings do require a much larger fall zone, and great care must be
taken when installed.
M/S/C/U(Overson/Winters) to approve Budget Adjustment Request 96-11
for Playground Equipment improvements.
8A - ORDINANCE (FIRST READING) AMENDING THE SELECTION PROCESS,
BENEFITS, AND STARTING COMPENSATION FOR DEPARTMENT HEADS,
MANAGEMENT, AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF; AND AMENDING CHAPTERS 2.49 AND
2.50 OF THE BREMERTON MUNICIPAL CODE, #AB96-080
A review of the Management and Professional Staff Compensation
Program has been completed. The proposed ordinance will change the
plan in three areas: 1) Recruitment flexibility; 2) Rate
increases based on satisfactory performance; and 3) Equalize basic
benefits with those received by represented employees. Council
Action is required to amend the Bremerton Municipal Code to
implement these changes.
Jim Meith, Human Resources Manager, stated in regard to recruitment
flexibility the recommended change would no longer make it
necessary to go through a formal recruitment process if a uniquely
qualified individual is already known as a potential candidate for
the position. He cited two instances where that process was used
in the recent past, the hiring of Gene Sampley as Public Works and
Utilities Director, and Jim Spencer as interim Parks and Recreation
Director. This change would make it part of the B.M.C. and using
that option would require the Mayor's recommendation and City
Council approval. The second area of change in recruitment
flexibility is the Mayor may recommend for Council approval
additional hiring benefits beyond those specifically listed in the
B.M.C. Such benefits could include transition relocation expenses,
additional six leave consideration, etc. Such additional benefits
have been granted in past hiring practices.
The second area of change is "rate increases" and what is being
proposed is that before anyone within this plan is eligible for
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their rate increase, they would have to meet expectations for that
position. Those expectations would be based on discussions
identifying what is expected of a particular position and whether
or not those expectations have been achieved over the year.
The third area of change is equalizing benefits with represented
employees, i.e., adding a floating holiday, adding the sick leave
retirement payment and adding the payment of sick leave upon death.
Mr. Meith stressed once these changes are made to the Management
and Professional Staff Compensation Plan, it will bring it into a
more viable position and that it does equalize those benefits and
gives some additional flexibility in recruitment.
Mr. Overson raised a point concerning recommended changes to the
rate structure of the plan. Mr. Meith explained the changes being
proposed did not include any change to the rate structure of the
plan. He noted when this item was first brought to the Fiscal and
Budget Committee it did contain a proposal to compress the rate
structure; however, when it was again brought before Committee the
recommendation was to retain the current rate structure.
Public comment - none.
Mr. Overson questioned making significant changes to managements
situation based on benefits negotiated to represented employees on
the concern that the very staff now getting the new benefits
negotiated those benefits to the represented employees? He found
that to be a concerning precedent. Mr. Meith explained part of the
management staff do negotiate contracts and something Council
should be aware of when management staff brings a proposal to
Council in regard to a represented unit is the affect it will have
not only for that represented unit but for non-represented and
represented employees. It is a part of the process usually seen
over a period of time where there is some equalizing of benefits
between all groups. The recommended changes have been in the
represented groups' contracts for a period of several years and not
something that has been recently negotiated and now management
staff is coming to Council requesting the same. Based on a review
of the Management Compensation Plan that was undertaken several
months ago, those were the only areas of significant basic benefits
that differed. Mr. Overson stated he endorsed the satisfactory
performance evaluation requirement.
Mr. McOonnell referenced Section 2(b) -"To receive an In-Range Rate
Adjustment, the employee must be evaluated as "Meets Expectations"
(or equivalent) on his or her work performance evaluation...". The
term "Meets Expectations" bothered Mr. McConnell since different
people may have different expectations. He asked if written
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standards had been created to measure the employee's performance?
Mr. Meith explained the training the City has instituted and will
continue to stress with City managers and supervisors is that
expectations are arrived at by positions standards, standards that
could be quantified to that employee and that employee should be
well aware of those expectations. There should be discussion
between the managers and their subordinate managers about what is
expected, what is to be achieved within the year, etc. It is an
area that will be subjective, but hopefully that subjectiveness
will be quantified through discussions between the employee and
their supervisor. Mr. McConnell questioned for clarification the
statement: "The adjustment, if in excess of one rate, shall be
determined by recommendation of the Department Head and Mayor, with
the approval of the City Council." Mr. Meith explained anything
over one rate would have to come through the Mayor's office and
before the City Council for their approval. He believed this
element would only be used for some exceptional reason that the
Mayor and Department Head felt additional advancement was
warranted. Mr. McOonnell asked if all employees, outside of the
management and professional staff receive payout of their sick
leave upon retirement as well as an additional "floating holiday"?
Mr. Meith stated yes. Mr. McConnell stated he could not support
this proposal as long as it contained the statement "as meets
expectations". Mr. Meith found it difficult to understand how
something could be contained in an ordinance that would apply to 40
different positions as to what those standards would be. He
emphasized managers are trained to take their job descriptions and
classification specification and use them as a basis when
discussing with their employee what they expect in the way of
performance of those duties. Mayor Morton pointed out she is
responsible for evaluating the performance of all department heads
and additionally, everyone under the department heads, who they
review, receives her approval signature on their performance
evaluation. Mr. M~Oonnell stated he had no concern as long as
Mayor Horton was in office. He asked the number of people this
proposal would affect. Mayor Hortcn stated 40.
Mr. Colvin asked if the City was having a problem keeping employees
because they were not getting raises in pay in a timely manner?
Mr. Meith stated he was not aware of any employees leaving the City
because they had not received a rate increase in a timely manner.
The proposed change would only affect raises for an employee that
did not meet expectations in their performance. Mr. Colvin again
raised the issue if "expectations" were identified in writing? Mr.
Meith explained it is written in the form of their classification,
which details the duties of their position. Since each member of
the management and professional staff basically have a unique job
description, their job description is a standard for that position.
Mr. Oolvin asked what is wrong with the present system that
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requires this change? Mr. Meith stated the present system moves
someone from one rate to another rate based on the fact that was a
step increase for that year of employment. It was felt there
should be some tie between performance and expectation and that
step increase.
Mrs. Huff-Menees stated she was pleased to see the proposed
ordinance and felt it addressed some issues that did needed to be
addressed in the Management and Professional Staff Compensation
Program. She had difficulty understanding Councilman McConnell's
concern over "meets expectations", it is still going to be an
subjective review of one person by another and it exists in any job
classification from any level up and the supervisor of an employee
is making that determination. Mr. Meith stated the reason they
selected the term "meets expectations" was because the current City
evaluation system uses the same term. Mrs. Huff-Menees stated she
was also pleased to see the flexibility and salary increases based
upon performance and is something that has been lacking and is
critical for employees to have goals to strive for.
Mr. McConnell stated he could support the ordinance if "meets
expectations" was not used. Mrs. Muff-Menees pointed out Council
had been advised that the expectations or standards relate to the
job description.
Mr. Overson asked if all of the 40 people affected had employment
contracts and are at will employees? Mr. Meith stated yes, there
is a provision in each contract that for cause there is no
severance pay and without cause there is a severance pay package.
He believes a merit increase is still warranted with this group
because there may be times when someone, who is an at will
employee, may need a little incentive to get that boost. Mr.
Overson stated Councilman Huff-Menees' point is accurate, it is a
subjective point. In the past, the City did not have the current
contracts and bonus were given out, which later went away. He also
doubted there was any problem as raised by Mr. Colvin's concern
that employees left City employment due to lack of timely pay
increase. Mr. McConnell's intent to find an objective way to
assess someone' performance is lost to him; however, Mr. McConnell
could pursue the issue if he so desired.
Mr. Winters stated the step where the Mayor felt strongly about
implementing a rate increase greater than one rate to bring it to
Council for approval clarified the process for him and one he could
support.
M/S/C(Montgomery/Huff-Menees) to approve ordinance on first
reading, amending the confirmation standards, salary, and
compensation plans, work schedules, and leave benefits for
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department heads, management and professional staff; and amending
Chapter 2.49 and 2.50 of the Bremerton Municipal Code.
Vote on motion:
Motion carried.
In Favor: Overson, Neville, Huff-Menees, Law,
Montgomery, Colvin, Winters
Opposed: McConnell
President Law announced Council will hold a Study Session on
Monday, May 6, 1996, 5:30 - 7:20 P.M., in the Council Conference
Room.
With no further business meeting adjourned at 7:00 P.M.
KATHLEEN Clerk
LAW, Council President
City of Bremerton
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