Councilmembers present:  Dwight Thompson, Mayor pro tempore; Alan Kiest, Carolyn Armanini, Mary Jane Goss, Nate Herzog, Roger Olstad, Ed Sterner (6:37 p.m.)

Staff present: Karen Haines, City Administrator; John Hawley, Finance Director; Sarah Phillips, Community and Government Affairs Manager; Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; Susan Stine, City Clerk

Others present:  Jeff Brown, Sound Resource Management Group

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor pro tempore Dwight Thompson called the study session meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.   He noted that Mayor Hutchinson would not be present at tonight’s meetings.

Adoption of Agenda

Thompson requested the addition of a report from Chief Dennis Peterson regarding awards presented to the city at the Association of Washington Cities conference.  There being no objection, the agenda was adopted as amended.

Introduction of New Employees

City Administrator Karen Haines introduced Anita Goddard, permit technician for the planning and building department and provided information regarding her work experience.  In response to questions from councilmembers, Goddard discussed her previous work experience and her recent relocation to Washington.

Haines introduced Dawn White, who has joined the staff in the position of human resources analyst.  Haines discussed White’s qualifications and her previous work experience in the public sector.  In response to questions from councilmembers, White discussed her educational and professional background and noted that the half-time position works well for her.

Association of Washington Cities Award

At the request of MPT Thompson, Chief Peterson provided a brief description of the awards presented by the Association of Washington Cities.  He noted that the award was given in recognition of the interlocal cooperation agreement with a coalition of small police agencies to develop a training program.

At the request of Thompson, Chief Peterson agreed to provide additional information on the awards received from the Association of Washington Cities at the council regular meeting.

AGENDA ITEM/DISCUSSION

Solid Waste Contract Update

Community and Government Affairs Manager Sarah Phillips said that the council had received a previous report regarding the city’s solid waste contract.  She noted that the current solid waste contract with Rabanco runs through December 31, 2006.  The rates in the contract were highly competitive at the beginning of the contract term but have now escalated to be among the highest of the contract cities. 

Phillips said that the possibility of renegotiating the contract is being studied, and she noted that the city could benefit from recent negotiations completed in Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland which resulted in reduced rates and increased levels of service.  She noted that the city has an opportunity to increase services and to reduce costs for residents by renegotiating the current contract now.  She said that renegotiating the contract could also save the city the cost of a competitive process at the end of the contract term.

Jeff Brown, Sound Resource Management Group, said that his experience in contract negotiations indicates that the incumbent service provider has the competitive edge due to routes, services and equipment already in place.

Cmbr. Armanini expressed her concern that staff is negotiating prematurely with Rabanco prior to a council discussion of policy matters.  She advised staff that King County Solid Waste Division provides funding support for technical assistance for a competitive bid process. Armanini also noted her interest in a survey of residents to determine customer satisfaction with the current provider and what service enhancements would be helpful.  She questioned how the council could be assured that this is such a unique opportunity for the city to renegotiate the contract.

Brown said that the opportunity exists only while the 2004 rates from the cities of Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland are still current, and he said that the city would not have the same leverage if it waited two years.

Cmbr. Kiest noted that both Waste Management and Rabanco should have an interest in serving Lake Forest Park due to nearby contract cities.

In response to a request from Haines, Armanini noted that identifying policy issues would not be possible since the council had just received the information from staff.

Cmbr. Herzog said that the technology issue should be considered and the value of any potential improvements.

Cmbr. Sterner arrived at the meeting at 6:37 p.m.

Kiest noted his interest in a more pro-customer approach to make-up or missed collection service.

Herzog suggested that the council consider identifying comparable cities for rate comparison and review if the city’s rates reached 105 percent of other contracted rates.

In response to a question from Cmbr. Goss, Brown said that participation in an organics program would be voluntary.

Armanini expressed her concern that the city had not taken advantage of the special collections for bulky yard waste identified in the contract.  She noted various policy issues that were brought to the council during negotiations of the current contract. 

In response to a question from Armanini regarding the effort to renegotiate the current contract, Phillips said that the staff motivation is to save the citizens money on their garbage pick-up service and to provide better service. 

Cmbr. Sterner thanked the staff for being proactive and reminded council of the “bird-in-hand” adage.  He noted that the city could benefit from the negotiations of other cities to provide better service and lower rates for its residents.

Goss expressed her interest in solid waste contract rates in place for the cities of Kenmore and Shoreline.

Initiative 864 Planning

Haines said that the staff is continuing to develop a response to Initiative 864 and noted that July 2 is the deadline for signatures for the Initiative 864 ballot measure.

Finance Director John Hawley provided a brief overview of Initiative 864 and its potential impacts.  He reviewed the recommended response to the initiative and the timeline for a levy reauthorization tax measure. Hawley discussed two options for a possible ballot measure. 

Discussion followed regarding implications of the proposed options.  Kiest suggested a third option and discussed the revenue amount if I-864 is not approved by voters.

Adjournment

There being no objection, the study session meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m.

Susan Stine, City Clerk

Dwight Thompson, Mayor pro tempore

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