Minutes - Council Work Session - 01/14/2014

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provided, and how each was funded. He recommended staff be directed to request new proposals for professional services in the Community Development Department (Building Code Administration, Electrical Code Administration, Long -Range Planning and Zoning Administration) at the end of 2015 to have new contracts in place in 2016. Councilmember Riley stated he assumes the City has been satisfied with the services provided. Development Services Manager Gladhill answered in the affirmative and explained that with Building Administration, there have been complaints with rates and charges, but the rates are set by the City. He acknowledged that during the summer there were some gaps in service due to higher than forecasted levels of activity. Councilmember LeTourneau asked if there is a likelihood of receiving higher rates should the City seek RFPs. Development Services Manager Gladhill stated the current rates are competitive but that could occur as the market is showing higher rates for some of the services. Mayor Strommen noted the recommendation is to stay with the three current firms until 2015 and asked if there was any objection to that recommendation. The Council expressed no objection. Mayor Strommen stated she found staffs report to include a thorough analysis of services provided along with a rate analysis to assure the City is receiving value for the dollars spent. Development Services Manager Gladhill stated each contract has a 30 -45 day cancellation clause, if needed. The consensus of the Council was to direct staff to request new proposals for professional services in the Community Development Department (Building Code Administration, Electrical Code Administration, Long -Range Planning and Zoning Administration) at the end of 2015 to have new contracts in place in 2016. 2.02: Review Proposed Charter Amendment Language related to Franchise Fees City Attorney Langel explained that based on Council input, language was "tweaked" for inclusion in Chapter 7, the taxation chapter, rather than a franchise fee chapter. He noted the first paragraph is original language with the exception of the underlined wording indicating the Council's authority is confined. The following paragraphs get into the actual restrictions discussed by the Council and Charter Commission. The first is a use restriction, using the funds solely for long -term street maintenance projects. He explained the important issue is that the Charter is clear on what the funds can be used for and what a long -term street maintenance project would include. That regulates the use of the funds. City Attorney Langel stated the duration is five years and the language coordinates the end of the period with the utility company's billing. He explained that the language also indicates that if there is a franchise fee, City Council Work Session / January 14, 2014 Page 2 of 9