MINUTES OF THE METRO COUNCIL BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE

Wednesday, December 13, 2000

Council Chamber

Members Present:  Susan McLain (Chair), Bill Atherton (Vice Chair), David Bragdon, Rod Park, Ed Washington

Members Absent:   Jon Kvistad, Rod Monroe

Chair McLain called the meeting to order at 1:45 P.M.

1.  Consideration of the Minutes of November 29, 2000 Committee Meeting.

2.  Ordinance 00-883 An Ordinance Amending the FY 2000-01 Budget and Appropriations Schedule for the Purpose of Transferring $19,425 from the Zoo Operating Fund to Personal Services and Authorizing an Additional Program Assistant 2 Position at the Oregon Zoo.

Kathy Kiaunis, Zoo Deputy Director, reviewed the ZAP (Zoo Animal Presenters) program. Chair McLain noted that one of her speech students took part in the Zoo Teen program. The student used her experience at the Zoo to prepare a class assignment debating the benefits of environmental protection. She felt the document was very well prepared and promised a copy for Zoo files.

3.  Fiscal Year-end Report

Tony Mounts, Administrative Services Department (ASD) Financial Planning Manager, reviewed his memos, FY99-00 Year-End Results and Council Involvement in Fund Balance Carryover. Copies are included in the public record of this meeting. Chair McLain applauded staff for the close match between estimated and actual figures. She felt it was important to have closure on Actuals as quickly as possible after quarter close. Mr. Mounts noted that 98% of the year’s expenditures were made by the September preliminary report on the year-end close for all funds other than the Planning Fund.

4.  Budget/Finance Committee Annual Calendar

Mr Mounts spoke to his memo, Annual Calendar for the Budget & Finance Committee. A copy is included in the public record of this meeting. Councilor Bragdon suggested that Budget Note updates might be noted two to three times/year rather than just once, depending on issues. He found it very helpful this year.

5.  Submittal Dates for 2001-02 Budget

Mr. Mounts said there was no paperwork on item 5. The second quarter report would be ready to present at the first Budget meeting held on or after January 31. Chair McLain clarified that the lack of specific dates was due to the fact that committee meetings would not be set until January 4, 2001 when the organizing resolution sets committee dates.

6.  Budget Note Follow-up

Mr Mounts spoke to a memo responding to Regional Environmental Management (REM) Budget Note 7, concerning fees charged at Household Hazardous Waste events and at facilities. A copy is included in the public record of this meeting. Scott Klag, Solid Waste Planner, added that a comprehensive education program to inform the public about the service and alternative products that could be used instead would soon be installed at facilities and round-ups. Councilor Washington said these events were an excellent public relations opportunity to educate the public and help rid neighborhoods of hazardous waste in a safe manner. Councilor Atherton said that in the long term a fee must be charged. He asked if any other regions had tried to build in a charge when such products were purchased. Mr. Klag responded that British Columbia had initiated a fee on paint that contributed to its recycling efforts. It was, however, difficult to implement such fees.

Councilor Park noted that a task force was working on the issue of pesticides and possible fees to be used to implement a data collection system. Mr. Mounts requested direction from the Committee regarding the waiver of fees at facilities; it could be done by administrative waiver, or by ordinance through Council. Councilor Bragdon and Chair McLain supported waiver of the fees by Council action as public policy. Mr. Mounts noted that there were two more REM Budget Notes and one from Parks on volunteer hours due March 1, 2001.

Chair McLain asked to include a memo from Bruce Warner, Executive Chief of Staff, Request to Restore 1.5 FTE in Current Budget Year, as response to Budget Note 1. A copy is included in the public record. Mr. Warner said a copy was sent to AFSCME Local 3580.

7.  Councilor Communications

Chair McLain adjourned the meeting at 3:05 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Pat Weathers

Council Assistant

ATTACHMENTS TO THE PUBLIC RECORD FOR THE MEETING OF DECEMBER 13, 2000

The following have been included as part of the official public record:

i:\minutes\2000\budget&finance/12130bdm.doc