Item 6: Ratification of IGR Minutes and Direction on Legislative Policy

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Ms. Bettman believed the bill would dictate policy to local elected representatives and require them to make policy decisions at the behest of a bargaining unit. Ms. Bettman and Mr. Pryor indicated support of the staff recommendation. Mr. Pryor thought the sentiment behind the bill good but it was too broad. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Mr. Pryor, moved to support the staff recommendation to oppose the bill. The motion passed unanimously. SB 424 Ms. Wilson noted the instructions she had received regarding the City Manager precluding committee consideration of bills related to personnel and collective bargaining. SB 2557 Ms. Bettman moved forward on the agenda and asked for consideration of . Ms. Wilson indicated there would be more public hearings due to the complexity of the issue, and committee members had been asked to form a work group. Testimony favoring the bill suggested it would draw a clear bright line while testimony against suggested it was so vague it could result in nothing but litigation. Mr. Weinman said the bill applied to the State prevailing wage. The City supported prevailing wages but th the bill redefined what a public works project was to the degree it might make projects as West Town on 8 impossible in regard to financing. City Attorney Lauren Sommers said the bill further confused an already confusing area. Ms. Wilson said the bill exempted certain projects but did not define what a public works project was. The opposition to the bill was because of the lack of clarity in the bill, hence the request for the working group. The bill also gave broad rule making authority to the Bureau of Labor and Industry, and such rules should be made by the legislators rather than administratively. Mr. Pryor said he was unable to support the bill because he did not understand it, and he lacked sufficient information to oppose it. He preferred to take a neutral position on the bill. Ms. Bettman asked if the bill would increase the costs and the number of projects that fell into the category where a prevailing wage was required. Mr. Weinman said yes and Mr. Lidz was not sure. Ms. Taylor indicated support for monitoring the bill. Ms. Wilson noted she would be involved in the work group formed to create rules for the legislation. Ms. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Pryor, moved to change the status of the bill to Monitor. The mo- tion passed unanimously. Ms. Bettman asked staff to return with more information and possible amendments to the bill. Ms. Wilson agreed. Ms. Sommers noted that the City must request determination from BOLI for each project, so no way to determine which projects would or would meet that determination. MINUTES—Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations February 22, 2007 Page 4