Finance Committee

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Finance Committee Information: 360.753.8447 Tuesday, June 30, 2015 5:00 PM Room 207 Special Meeting 1. ROLL CALL Committee member Selby particpated in the meeting by telephone. Present: 3 - Chair Jim Cooper, Committee Member Nathaniel Jones and Committee Member Cheryl Selby 2. CALL TO ORDER Chair Cooper called the meeting to order at 5:19 p.m. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.A 15-0656 Approval of June 10, 2015 Finance Committee Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. COMMITTEE BUSINESS 4.A 15-0649 Continued Discussion about the Proposed Olympia Metropolitan Park District (OMPD) Chair Cooper introduced this topic and thanked the park advocates for their feedback and participation in the development process of the OMPD proposal. He thanked Joe Hyer for facilitating two negotiation meetings between the Finance Committee and the Coalition of Park Advocates (COPA). Chair Cooper stated he will ask City Council to waive attorney-client privilege on July 7 to reveal the Bond Counsel's comments on COPA's draft ordinances and interlocal agreement for the OMPD. Chair Cooper gave an overview of the City's draft ordinances that would establish an OMPD, its role, and finances. Ordinances must go to the July 7 Council meeting for first reading unless suspension of the rules is granted by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the Councilmembers present on July 21, to allow the ordinances to go forward on the agenda as first and final reading. He noted the City's debt capacity is currently $28 million. If the OMPD is approved by voters, the City could use all of the capacity available. The capacity will increase with increased assessed value and payment of prior debt. The first ordinance establishes the OMPD as a body. The second ordinance City of Olympia Page 1 Finance Committee Meeting Minutes June 30, 2015 establishes the roles of the City and Board through an Interlocal Agreement (ILA). The ILA is an attachment to the ordinance. Within the Interlocal Agreement there is language that binds future Councils to annual spending for the OMPD. There is a concern about the legality of this commitment and the City awaits a legal opinion from the Bond Counsel. Chair Cooper asked park advocates in attendance to summarize their thoughts. Bonnie Jacobs and Karen Messmer of COPA said their group was formed to get more money for parks. They think the OMPD is a powerful system that will enable the City to meet expectations, acquire land, and perform maintenance. Committee member Selby asked for an update on a possible Thurston County Metropolitan Park District. Chair Cooper believes their participation would be a liability at this point. Their MPD discussion meeting was cancelled due to lack of interest. Committee member Selby asked how the OMPD board would interact with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. Chair Cooper said details would come later but consideration will definitely be given. Mr. Hyer noted that COPA and the Finance Committee are missing an important outcome of an OMPD. An OMPD can create jobs and industry in our community. He believes it should be presented as a jobs measure because of the great economic potential. Ms. Cristiana Figueroa of COPA stated that expectations are important and she believes it is important that any communication crafted for the OMPD emphasizes the long-term commitment. Ms. Messmer said the OMPD will serve as a huge lever. Once you have a commitment of funds, it becomes easier to obtain other funds such as grants. City Manager Steve Hall listed the pros and cons of the OMPD proposal: Cons - complex issue - unprecedented to grant a percentage of the budget to a single department - obligates future Councils - consumes a majority of councilmanic debt capacity Pros - plugs gaps in Parks maintenance and major repair - focus on acquisition - does not take from other City services - avoids short-term cuts Mr. Hall said he believes it's worth it to take the chance and recommends moving forward with a ballot measure on November 3, 2015. Committee member Selby moved, seconded by Committee member Jones, to City of Olympia Page 2 Finance Committee Meeting Minutes June 30, 2015 recommend for approval the Olympia Metropolitan Park District proposal and refer it to the full City Council for consideration at its meeting on 7/7/2015. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Chair Cooper, Committee Member Jones and Committee Member Selby 5. ADJOURNMENT Chair Cooper adjourned the meeting at 6:03 p.m. UPCOMING The Committee cancelled the meeting scheduled for July 24 at noon. City of Olympia Page 3