City Council Committee of the Whole

CITY OF DUVALL CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES September 25, 2014 – 5:30 p.m. Duvall Visitor Center – 15619 Main Street NE Mayor Pro Tem Walker called the meeting order at 5:37 p.m. Council present: Dianne Brudnicki, Scott Thomas, Jason Walker, Gary Gill, Amy Ockerlander, Becky Nixon, Leroy Collinwood Staff present: Jodi Lee Wycoff, Lara Thomas, Police Chief Carey Hert, Jill Long Department of Natural Resources – Urban & Community Forestry Program Presentation Ben Thompson, Urban & Community Forestry Specialist, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, gave a PowerPoint presentation about the Urban & Community Forestry Program. He explained that Urban Forestry, in its simplest terms, is the forest we live in. He said that there should be an expectation and plan for future maintenance of urban forests just like there is for roads or sidewalks. He reviewed sample components of a municipal tree management program. Ben handed out a folder of information about the program including how to become a Tree City USA and a booklet on tree protection on construction and development sites. He said that the program is non-regulatory and reviewed their funding sources and granting opportunities. He introduced Kristen Linz, a Duvall resident who is their newest Board Member. Ben then reviewed some of their support services including a newsletter, hotline and webpage. He gave an overview of the Arbor Day Society’s Tree City USA program and showed a map of the 84 communities in Washington designated as Tree City USA communities. Ben then answered questions from Council. Current Year Revenue Estimate Report – Jill Long Jill Long, Finance Director, gave a PowerPoint presentation for the 2014 Revenue Report. She said that revenues are down from what was budgeted. The biggest impact to revenues is a delay in development. Departments were requested to find savings in their budgets and reduce costs where possible. Jill reviewed some of those examples including reducing attorney attendance at Council meetings, contracted services and travel/training were reduced, schedule changes to reduce overtime, and the IT Manager position was eliminated. Jill then reviewed the 2014 estimated revenue variances by fund type. She also showed a chart of where the City receives its revenue from. Jill then answered questions from Council. Good of the Order Mayor Ibershof handed out and reviewed a memo regarding the Councilmember’s city-issued cell phones. He said that some Councilmembers have said that the way the phones are currently set up make it very prohibitive to use them. He outline three options – get rid of the phones all together and go back to using personal cell phones; take the networking piece out which Committee of the Whole – September 25, 2014 currently networks the cell phones to the City’s phone server to capture voice mail; or purchase new smart phones for each Councilmember. He also outlined the costs associated with each option. Mayor asked Council to get back to him by the first meeting in October with their decision. Councilmember Nixon said that she attended a recent Flood & Farm meeting. She said the Upper Valley was represented, but she was the only representation for the Lower Valley. They discussed granting and flood improvement projects. Councilmember Nixon reminded everyone that the Senior Center steak dinner is this Saturday night and the Quilt Show and Heritage Festival are also on Saturday. Councilmember Ockerlander said that the Snoqualmie Valley Governments Association meeting was last night and it was well attended. She said they had a Candidate Forum for congressional and legislative candidates directly following the SVGA meeting which was also well received. She said there was no campaigning and it was just policy discussion. Mayor Pro Tem Walker said that he attended the Watershed Forum meeting last week. They will be renegotiating the cost share agreement with Department of Natural Resources next year. Adjournment The Committee of the Whole adjourned at 6:55 p.m. ATTEST: Jason Walker, Mayor Pro Tem Jodi Lee Wycoff, Deputy City Clerk Committee of the Whole – September 25, 2014