COMMITTEE CHAIR ROUNDTABLE
BUDGET/FINANCE, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, SOLID WASTE
MEETING NOTES
March 5, 2002
Present: Carl Hosticka, David Bragdon, Bill Atherton
Excused absence: Rex Burkholder
Also Present: Susan McLain
The meeting was called to order at 1:05 p.m. in the Council Conference Room. Chair Hosticka outlined three topics for discussion: transition recommendations in the budget; the proposals for Solid Waste funding for Parks; and, the regional drinking water initiative.
1. Transition Recommendations in the Budget – The Transition Task Force intends to conclude its work at the meeting on March 6, 2002. Mr. Condit will be requested to formally submit the task force report to the full Council on either March 14, or 21, 2002. The Council will then have time to study the report before Mr. Condit joins the Council at an Informal on March 26, 2002. It will then go to the Government Affairs Committee to process the specifics. Councilor Bragdon suggested the task force be thanked for their work and efforts. The task force has made recommendations that have budgetary implications. The 2002-03 budget presently being developed will reflect the current system with a half-year saving of the presiding officer’s salary. Structural decisions having budget implications could be made before the finalization of the 2002-03 budget. The Budget Committee will take final action on the budget at its April 10, 2002 meeting, forwarding to Council at Council’s April 25, 2002 meeting for approval to forward to TSCC.
2. Proposals for Solid Waste Funding for Parks - The Natural Resources Committee will meet back-to-back with the Solid Waste Committee on March 6, 2002 for, among other reasons, to hear public testimony regarding funding options. Chair Hosticka suggested discussing the Parks Department’s implications first, and the submitted proposals for funding, second. Mr. Burton will explain his proposal for funding, and Councilor Atherton will present his proposal for funding. Councilor Atherton said there is a need for detailed dialogue with all regional partners to determine what constitutes a regional system. Chair Hosticka said it appeared as though Metro had two decisions: 1. Whether or not to raise the excise fee; and 2. Where to spend the money if the excise fee was raised. Although politically linked, there is not a procedural link that is necessary because theoretically it could be decided in one piece of legislation to raise the excise fee, and it could be decided in the budget process where to allocate the money. Or, it could be decided all at once. The legislation as currently written does not presuppose exactly what the money will be spent on. The staff report outlines how Mr. Burton’s budget would allocate the funds, but the legislation does not make any specifications, other than its use for parks. Councilor Atherton said this is clearly a short-term strategy, and a long-term strategy was needed. Chair Hosticka said a “sunset clause” could be added. The option to structure the expenditure of the funds could be possible through the budget process to make the draw down smaller. Chair Hosticka proposed the portions of funding regarding the revenue and general purpose of the funding be placed on the Council agenda on either March 21 or March 28, since both committees will meet again and can make a recommendation on March 20, 2002. The specific expenditure questions can be resolved at a later date. Chair Hosticka suggested not accepting any new proposals that offer other figures or other purposes after tomorrow’s Natural Resources/Solid Waste Committees. Councilor McLain asked that the Solid Waste Advisory Committee be notified of the meetings.
John Donovan said Mr. Hitchcock had inquired about a meeting of the Green Ribbon Committee, and a tentative meeting had been arranged for the evening of March 12, 2002.
3. Regional Drinking Water Initiative – Chair Hosticka briefly reviewed the latest meeting with Councilor Erik Sten who said full participation in the consortium would cost $15,000. Varied utility providers have participated so far. Mr. Burton is still considering whether or not he would sign an intergovernmental agreement (IGA). In-kind services have not been suggested, only the IGA. Chair Hosticka said he would like to see Metro as a full participant. Councilor McLain added that water issues are a part of the Metro Charter. Councilor Bragdon said Metro should definitely participate. The general consensus was that it would be better to become involved on the groundfloor, rather than joining the group later.
Councilor Communications
Councilor Atherton suggested it was appropriate for Metro to become involved in resolving the taxi situation.
Each Councilor will be receiving a copy of the directions provided department heads regarding the scope and content of their budget presentation.
The next scheduled committee meeting will be April 2, 2002.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Mannhalter
Council Assistant
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