MIN 05-17-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The Finance Committee met earlier tonight and considered two matters. One was legislation to propose increasing the City's minimum fair wage level(Ord. 15-2021) and the second was a communication proposing a particular form ofbudgeting in which the public can be involved. The Committee talked at length. It was a good discussion with a lot of consensus among Council members and the administration on the ordinance which was recommended for adoption tonight upon third reading. I really appreciate the analysis from Director Rancatore and Mayor George providing an estimate of budget impacts of the proposed change. It is modest. There are five part-time employees that will benefit from the increase. President O'Malley made persuasive arguments that this is affordable, aligns with our values and will help those employees invest back into the City of Lakewood. The Committee agreed to support that ordinance tonight and recommended adoption. The second matter is something that we partly discussed and that is the proposal by Councilman Rader on participatory budgeting. We will continue that when he is able to join us. We got a report from Mayor George and the administration on the anticipated criteria from the federal government for the American Rescue Plan Funds which are coming. We may know by early July with better clarity the rules, requirements, and obligations of those funds. I understand we probably have around$47 million. We had some good preliminary discussion about timing and things to keep in mind about the rules there and we expect to resume that at a future Finance Committee meeting. Motion by Councilmember Bullock, seconded by Vice President Litten, to receive and file the report. All members voted in favor. Motion passed. Report received and filed. 3. ORDINANCE 15-2021 -AN ORDINACE to take effect immediately provided it receives the affirmative vote of at least two thirds of the members of Council, or otherwise to take effect and be in force at the earliest period allowed by law, amending Section 113.02, Fair Employment Wage of the Lakewood Codified Ordinances to increase the living wage to $15.00 per hour. (P"read and referred to Finance 4119121) (pg. 2) Motion by President O'Malley, seconded by Vice President Litten to adopt Ordinance 15- 2021. President O'Malley thanked the administration and the Finance Committee for its support. He noted that the workers impacted by this legislation perform important work and that the City has an obligation to ensure they are compensated at a base level. He remarked that the ordinance is written to be re-evaluated annually by the Fair Employment Wage Board. He expressed confidence that this is a step in the right direction. Motion by President O'Malley, seconded by Vice President Litten to adopt Ordinance 15- 2021. All members voted in favor. Motion passed. Ordinance 15-2021 adopted. 2