CITY OF
SHORELINE CITY
COUNCIL
SUMMARY
MINUTES OF DINNER MEETING
PRESENT: Mayor Jepsen, Deputy Mayor Grossman, Councilmembers Chang, Gustafson, Hansen, Montgomery and Ransom
ABSENT: None
STAFF: Steve Burkett, City Manager; Robert Olander,
Deputy City Manager;
Mayor Jepsen convened the
meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Steve
Burkett, City Manager, discussed the format for tonight’s budget presentation
for Economic Development, Planning and Development Services and Public
Works. He also briefly reviewed the
proposed health benefits policy for 2004, which includes proposed changes in
order to control costs. He explained
that due to continued steep increases in health benefit coverage costs, he had
asked a group of employees to look at various ways to reduce costs while still
providing competitive benefits and allowing employees to make choices. The changes recommended by the employee group
would reduce costs by $1.3 million over the next four years.
Mr.
Burkett also presented information about the proposed market adjustment for
2004 of 1.54 percent and the basis for the recommendation.
Additionally,
Mr. Burkett mentioned the impact on the 2004 Proposed Budget as a result of
Initiative 776 being found constitutional.
In 2003, the budget used $200,000 in one-time funds to maintain pavement
management funding at $700,000 after I-776 passed. The 2004 Proposed Budget includes leaving the
$200,000 supplement in the budget for this purpose, which will keep $700,000 in
the budget to maintain our street assets.
Councilmembers discussed the amount of money going into the sidewalk program. Several Councilmembers
mentioned that funding sidewalks near schools was one of the issues that arose
most often in the City survey as important.
Mayor
Jepsen also mentioned that he would host the Annual
Employee holiday party at his home on December 8. Councilmember Ransom noted that he and
Councilmember Chang will not be able to attend because they will be leaving
that evening for the National League of Cities Conference.
Mayor
Jepsen adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
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