City Council

City Hall City of Olympia 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Information: 360-753-8447 Meeting Minutes City Council Monday, June 10, 2013 6:30 PM Council Chambers Potential City Council Meeting - Meeting with Coalition of Neighborhood Assns 1. ROLL CALL Present: 5- Mayor Stephen H. Buxbaum, Councilmember Jim Cooper, Councilmember Julie Hankins, Councilmember Steve Langer and Councilmember Karen Rogers 2. BUSINESS ITEM 2.A 13-0475 Budget Training Presentation to Coalition of Neighborhood Associations The Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (CNA) invited the Olympia City Council to attend their June meeting and discuss public involvement in the 2014 budget. The meeting was an opportunity for the City to present information and to get feedback from the neighborhoods. The meeting was discussion only; no decisions were made. Councilmembers discussed the current financial outlook and potential programs at risk. Mayor Buxbaum also discussed potential revenue increases. He then outlined the budget process and opportunities for the public to be involved. The Coalition asked the Council to be more transparent in their decision making. For example, in the recent decision to take money from Ward Lake to help pay for the Isthmus property what criteria was used in selecting that project? What were the challenges/questions the Council addressed before making the decision? What implications does the decision have for Ward Lake? In regards to the budget, the Coalition asked the Council to have meetings with the neighborhoods. Identify what issues need to be decided and when the decisions need to be made. “The neighborhoods need a direct source. We need to know who to go to with questions." The Coalition said the public needs to feel that input matters and the input is at least considered. The Coalition gave feedback on the budget information previously provided. “Many people do get input fatigue.” Provide information on total revenues and total expenditures. Provide links to more detailed information. Give some quantification of potential cuts and prioritize the cuts. Identify where citizens can plug in. Distinguish where there is an opportunity for change compared to fixed or uncontrollable costs. The discussion was completed. City of Olympia Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes June 10, 2013 3. ADJOURNMENT This portion of the meeting ended at 8:15 p.m. City of Olympia Page 2