Item 2C: Ratif. of IGR Actions - Laserfiche WebLink

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LOCAL PROPERTY TAX MEASURE MAY BE SUBMITTED TO GENERAL ELECTION IN EVEN-NUMBERED YEAR AND SPECIAL ELECTION IN MAY OF ANY YEAR (Priority 1 - Support) Ms. Bettman questioned why staff is of the opinion that removing the March and September special elections from consideration outweighs the positive benefit to pass money measures. Ms. Cutsogeorge opined that the elimination of double majority voting requirements will ease passage of property tax measures. Ms. Taylor opined that important measures should not be put before the voters in March and September as historically those elections result in low turnout; additionally, special elections are more costly. HB2476 MODIFIES HOURS OF LABOR AND OVERTIME REQUIRMENTS ON CERTAIN PUBLIC CONTRACTS (Priority 2 - Monitor) Ms. Pomes explained that this bill is housekeeping in nature as it deletes language regarding labor requirements and the payment of overtime on public contracts and replaces it with new language and requires the City to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act. Ms. Bettman asked if there was any change in the compensation. Ms. Pomes explained that the bill provides for consistency in the standard practices of compensating employees only. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to support the bill as it articulates what is already noted in law and provides no harm. The motion passed 3-0. HB 2545 PROHIBITS PUBLIC BODY FROM INCLUDING COST OF LEGAL SERVICES IN FEES ESTABLISHED FOR DISCLOSING PUBLIC RECORDS. EXCEPT WHEN PERSON REQUESTS DISCLOSURE OF PUBLIC RECORDS IN MANNER OTHER THAN MANNER IN WHICH PUBLIC BODY MAINTAINS PUBLIC RECORDS, PROHIBITS PUBLIC BODY FROM INCLUDING LABOR COSTS IN FEES ESTABLISHED FOR DISCLOSING PUBLIC RECORDS.- (Priority 2 - Oppose) Ms. Taylor, seconded by Ms. Bettman, moved to change the status of the bill to Support, Priority 1. Ms. Pap~ commented that it should not be made more difficult for the public to obtain public records. Ms. Bettman commented that providing public records to the public, which is a constitutional right, should not be connected to the raising of revenues. Ms. Taylor commented that funds should be spent to ensure that the public's rights to access are protected. In response to a question from Ms. Taylor, Mr. Lidz replied that the City gains access to "trade secret" information from businesses that submit proposals. Additionally, he pointed out that confidential information regarding taxation is also accessed by the City. Mr. Lidz voiced his concern that people have a tendency to request that City staff provide MINUTES--Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations March 24, 2005 Page 3