Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout120114CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF DECEMBER 1, 2014 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on December 1, 2014 in the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor King called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, Robert Gray, David King, Kris Nelson, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, Finance Director Nora Mitchell, City Attorney Steve Gross, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders . There were none. There were none. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 124841 through 125013 and Electronic Funds Transfers in the amount of $609,174.90 Approval of Minutes: November 10 and November 20, 2014 Advisory Board Appointments: Planning Commission Reappointment of Monica MickHager (Position 2, Term Expires December 31, 2017) and Kirit Bhansali (Position 4, Term Expires December 31, 2017) and Civil Service Commission Reappointment of Ron Kosec (Position 3, Term Expires December 31, 2017) City Council Regular Business Meeting December 1, 2014 Page 1 of 7 Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ordinance 3121, Adopting the Budget and Capital Improvement Plan for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2015 The staff presentation was given by Mr. Timmons who reviewed that the largest budget items for 2015 are implementation of capital initiatives (Mountain View, Howard Street, and the Water Treatment Plant). Additional funding would be sought from Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) for Howard Street. Energy retrofit work and repairs at the Library are planned. While funding for Discovery Road did not come through, three sidewalk projects on Sheridan, Landes, and Howard Street are scheduled. Mr. Timmons also reported on additional employee transitions expected in 2015 and the list of deferred expenses. He noted that the street vacation fund was previously reported under capital funds and an error in the budget lists the south end sewer in two places in Section 6, page 2. Finance Director Nora Mitchell reviewed minor changes made based on feedback from Council at the November 17 meeting and the November 19 Finance and Budget Committee meeting. Mr. Timmons noted that the Library Fund did not change, but staff would continue to review and evaluate cost recovery impacts. Staff recommended approving the budget as presented. During Council discussion, there was concern about cost allocation impacting any Library programs; questions of how parking infractions totaling $24,000 in revenue are calculated/tracked and collected; utility shutoffs continuing to accrue charges and options for the homeowner. There was also a question about the source of the population data, which Ms. Mitchell agreed to check. Ms. Mitchell explained COLA increases for bargaining and nonbargaining employees. Responding to a question about the Prothman salary survey and whether Council has decided on the ranges, Ms. Mitchell said it was discussed at General Services Committee in terms of high, medium and low and there was support for more steps within the same range, so the new schedule reflects that direction. In 2015, Human Resources would work with departments on updating job descriptions. Mr. Timmons reminded that he approves and budgets staff salaries and that Council decides on his salary. Part of the $61,000 increase makes up for past wage freezes for City Council Regular Business Meeting December 1, 2014 Page 2 of 7 these positions and is spread across many funds. Another portion of the increase is related to hiring new employees into vacant positions at the previously approved wage scale. Staff have chosen to leave for better opportunities and as an employer and organization, the City needs to look at the organizations' health. Public Comment: Patrick Moore spoke about COLA raises, the Prothman salary survey, and concerns about insensitivity to citizens by giving raises to City employees. Motion. Robert Gray moved to approve the budget to give the 2% increase and those contract salary amendments with a proviso that City administration does not have the authority to expend $61, 000 in the salary schedule until given authority by Council in roughly six months. The motion failed for lack of a second. Council Deliberations: There were comments in support of approving a budget that incorporates the impacts of the compensation policy at this time of leadership transition. Ms. Mitchell and Mr. Timmons clarified the surcharge rate increase is earmarked for debt service on the utility, Mr. Timmons also clarified DM Disposal increases, Mountain View ballot measure impacts, and the impact of the compensation policy implementation on the budget. Others commented that it is harder to address one-time large increases in order to bring wages up to fair compensation than regular increases. Council approves the budget on a fund level and based on recently -approved financial and compensation policies. Paying people a fair wage and cost of turnover is more expensive than the increase being approved in this budget. It was noted that of the many items Council has already addressed from the three-year strategic plan, it is time to address the goal to be an exceptional employer to respond to citizen concerns. There were budget suggestions as follows: consider adopting the fee schedule with an automatic inflation adjustment, Page 11 Section 1, in the table under Community Services park maintenance FTEs should be shown in the ongoing versus one-time column; on page 33, the Reserve line item should be identified as "Council Reserve" to make it easier to find; on page 4 of the line item budget, remove one of the categories of miscellaneous under Mayor and Council. Mr. Timmons responded to the concern about impacts to the pool schedule with boiler replacement and a question whether the HVAC improvements would lessen staff maintenance. In response to whether the hiring of a Parks and facilities manager would impact the ability to hire seasonal parks help, Public Works Director Ken Clow noted parks and trail systems are impacted with the lack of staffing. Mr. Timmons addressed questions about lodging tax revenue receipts and noted that the budget reflects recommendations of the City Council Regular Business Meeting December 1, 2014 Page 3 of 7 LTAC Committee, plus funding for additional marketing by the Fort Worden Public Development Authority. Under the Capital improvement plan, there were questions about Mountain View and Library project funding. There were also comments in support of addressing the following: transient accommodations, surplus housing, shut off notices, and parking tickets through a Discover Port Townsend parking pass. It was noted that Main Street is addressing parking beginning with a survey. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Ordinance 3121, Adopting the Budget and Capital Improvement Plan for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2015. Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed. Mayor King reiterated other Councilmember comments about the conservatism of the budget and congratulated senior staff on the budget effort. In response to comments in support of encouraging more public involvement in future budget preparation, there was mention of the planned use of technology to encourage more public participation. There was also concern about waiving Council rules in approving Ordinances and in specific the ordinance approving the $1.5 million bond. There was also some interest in exploring moving to a biennial budget. Ordinance 3122, Adopting 2014 Supplemental Budget Appropriations and Making Findings and Declaring an Emergency Ms. Mitchell noted this supplemental includes minor changes since November 17. There was a decrease in expenditures in the Library Fund with the elimination of a debt service payment. Reduced expenditures and readjustment due to errors in overhead allocations made up the revenue shortfalls. The hospital indicated they would submit their permit application by December 21. Questions from Council related to the estimated ending fund balance compared to last year and about the supplemental request and whether there were trends. Ms. Mitchell noted payroll impacts due to unanticipated overtime. There was no public comment. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Ordinance 3122, Adopting 2014 Supplemental Budget Appropriations and Making Findings and Declaring an Emergency. Robert Gray seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. At 8:38 p.m., the meeting recessed for the purpose of a break. City Council Regular Business Meeting December 1, 2014 Page 4 of 7 At 8:48 p.m., the meeting resumed. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 14-062 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute Renewals of Contracts with Jefferson County for the Provision of Jail and Municipal Court Services Mr. Timmons noted this resolution would authorize negotiation of contract renewals and updates fee schedules to adjust for inflation. Otherwise it authorizes a renewal of existing terms. There was no public comment. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 14-062 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute Renewals of Contracts with Jefferson County for the Provision of Jail and Municipal Court Services. Deborah Stinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 14-063 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute Agreements for Services Mr. Timmons noted this resolution addresses recurring contracts with various entities, including an interlocal agreement with the Fort Worden PDA for marketing. This matter would not be coming back before Council. Chamber and Visitor Center contract arrangements are not yet available for approval. There was no public comment. There were questions about Main Street arrangements to received local B&O tax revenues. Ms. Nelson noted that Main Street was within roughly $6,000 of having received the maximum allowed. Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve Resolution 14-063 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute Agreements for Services. Kris Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 14-064 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute Use Agreements for Space at Mountain View Mr. Timmons noted most of the agreements have expired. KPTZ, while not impacted by proposed improvements, would keep their contract terms at City Council Regular Business Meeting December 1, 2014 Page 5 of 7 three years as well. Regarding leasing of space to non-profit agencies, a question was whether the City could be charging market rate for the space. Mr. Gross noted that these are one year contracts with two-year extensions. There was no public comment. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 14-064 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute Use Agreements for Space at Mountain View. Deborah Stinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 14-065 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Memorandum Agreement with the Jefferson County YMCA for Preparation of an Economic Feasibility Study Related to the Mountain View Campus Mr. Timmons explained the desire to partner with the YMCA through a Memorandum of Agreement on the preparation of an economic feasibility study related to the Mountain View Campus. There was discussion about the scope of study to include viability of the space and question of whether Council should take action on whether to lease to the YMCA. A suggestion was to allow public input on the YMCA site assessment. It was noted that all references in Attachment 2 to the YMCA should be consistent with the current name Olympic Peninsula YMCA. Public Comment: Holton Madinger urged supporting the YMCA feasibility study by Gro Development. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 14-065 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Memorandum Agreement with the Jefferson County YMCA for Preparation of an Economic Feasibility Study Related to the Mountain View Campus (as amended). Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor reported on the following: - Good to see the old boilers outside of Mountain View - US Navy will hold a public meeting on Growler operations. His major concern is the new baseline on further expansion and concern about electronic warfare equipment to be placed in the National Park. - He will attend a strategic planning meeting on Wednesday at the Port Townsend High School. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Council Regular Business Meeting December 1, 2014 Page 6 of 7 City Manager reported on the following: - Jon -Michael Stewart was sworn in as a new police officer this morning. - New Finance Manager Sheila Danielson started this morning - Alex Wisniewski, the new parks and facilities manager will start next week. - Interviews are tomorrow for the Library Director and open house tomorrow evening. - Fact sheet is being developed on Mountain View - Council meeting may be needed on December 15 SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION There were none. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL There was a brief discussion about whether Council should send a letter regarding the proposed expansion of U.S. Navy growler operations. In order to be substantive in comments, there was interest in better understanding the potential impacts, including economic. There was none. EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:42 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, CMC City Clerk City Council Regular Business Meeting December 1, 2014 Page 7 of 7