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HomeMy WebLinkAbout120307CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF DECEMBER 3, 2007 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the third day of December 2007, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend City Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Mark Welch presiding. ROLL CALL Council members present at roll call were Frank Benskin, Laurie Medlicott, Catharine Robinson, George Randels, Michelle Sandoval and Mark Welch. Geoff Masci was absent. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Finance Director Michael Legarsky, Planning Director Rick Sepler, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Police Chief Conner Daily, Library Director Theresa Percy, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mr. Benskin asked for an update on the City Manager's evaluation. Mayor Welch noted he would report on this during the Presiding Officer's report. PROCLAMATION Mayor Welch read a proclamation declaring the week of December 9-15 as Arbor Day. Public Works Director Ken Clow accepted on behalf of the Tree Committee. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (consent and non-agenda items) James Fritz regarding attracting tourists to Port Townsend without ferry service and the oil crisis. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Ms. Robinson moved for approval of the following items on the consent agenda with two corrections to the minutes of November 26: 7) note that Mr Masci was present by telephone, not in person; 2) motion (page 2) to approve agenda as proposed carried 6-7, not 6-0. Mr Wetch seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting Page ? December 3, 2007 Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 103238 through 103349 in the amount of $548,34764 Vouchers 1120071 through 1120079 in the amount of $100, 837.35 Approvaf of Minutes: October 22, 2007 November 19, 2007 November 26, 2007 November 27, 2007 Resolution 07-038, designating the City Manager as applicant agent for the Sfate of Washington Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program applications to seismically refit the Port Townsend Carnegie Library building. Authorize City Manager to execute necessary documents with Jefferson Land Trust and Recreation and Conservation Office fo acquire parcels (according to map included in the packet). Mayor Welch asked if the Council had any objections to moving New Business - Landlord Tenant Regulation up the agenda to accommodate the citizens present for that issue. There were no objections. NEW BUSINESS BUSINESS LICENSING; LANDLORD TENANT REGULATION -ADDING, "JUST CAUSE" REQUIREMENT FOR TERMINATION OR EVICTION OF TENANCY City Attorney John Watts reviewed the packet materials. Public Comment: John Estes encouraged the council to adopt an ordinance that would prohibit the possible pending evictions from Victoria House. He stated that Victoria House is required to provide eight units of housing for low-income residents. Sue Estes stated she is the regional long-term care ombudsman for Jefferson and Clallam Counties. She stated that patients have had their contracts cancelled rather than being discharged, which she believes is a violation of law. Doug Campbell spoke on behalf of the residents affected. Leatha Smith stated her mother has been affected; she would like the City to take action and not renew the Victoria House permit. Nick Harper thanked the Council for taking up the issue. City Council Business Meeting Page 2 December 3, 2007 Don Rose stated he is an employee at Victoria House but does not speak for Victoria House management. He noted that Victoria House has been in bankruptcy and must be aware of costs; he stated that 24-hour nursing care is not available and that the staff cares about the residents. He supported pursing the issue with the state and county and also suggested that a dialogue be initiated with Victoria House management. Kelly Dodson stated the staff and caregivers were great to his mother. Mr. Watts noted that counsel for Victoria House planned to attend the meeting but was unable to get here because of the weather. Mr. Welch stated that the issue could use further study to determine the ramifications of the alternatives suggested; he suggested that it be assigned to the CDtLU Committee. Mr. Watts stated it is not clear whether an action taken by the City soon would trigger a legal defense for landlord/tenant action; he stated that it is uncertain whether a new law would affect the process underway or the business license status. Further discussion centered on whether or not the City is in a position to take any action that would affect the current situation. Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved that the council write a very strong letter to the facility operators, the state agency, and state representatives regarding the situation and urge everyone in the community to write as well. Mr. 8enskin seconded. Amendment: an amendment by Ms. Robinson to include the local DSHS office was accepted without objection. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. Mr. Randels offered to assist Mr. Watts in drafting the letter. Motion: Mr. Benskin moved that a draft be circulated to the Council for comment and a final letter be adopted on December 77. Mr. Welch seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. Motion: Mr. Welch moved to refer the issue to the CD/LU Committee and the Housing Action Plan group for further study. Ms. Sandoval seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. RECESS Mayor Welch declared a recess at 7:45 p.m. for the purpose of a break. City Council Business Meeting Page 3 December 3, 2007 RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 8:03 p.m. UNFINISHED BUSINESS ORDINANCE 2958 2008 BUDGET Mr. Timmons reviewed the most recent budget information, including the following: Increase of $100,000 to long-term maintenance for essential facilities such as the pool and parks Assumption that pool user fees will increase revenue by $21,000 Savings of $10,000 in pool payroll to reflect actual current scheduling of the pool against FTE resources Estimates for cost to re-establish School Resource Officer and backfill Police Department to maintain level of service. Effect on fund balance of the above changes. Need for a greater fund balance because of the effect on sales taxes and lack of new construction on City revenues. Suggestion of 6 or 6.5%. Continue to pursue potential revenue from other entities such as County and School District. There was no public comment. Mrs. Medlicott noted that she believes revenue losses due to the ferry situation will require a fund balance greater than 6%. Mr. Timmons said that there is a 2% contingency in the current budget ($104,000). He also noted that the City should pursue mitigation funds from the state. Mr. Benskin spoke in favor of the School Resource Officer. He suggested cuts to the City Council budget (for Hearings Examiner services) and asked about income and projected revenues in DSD and whether current staffing levels are appropriate. City Council Business Meeting Page 4 December 3, 2007 Mr. Randels strongly urged pursing funding from the county and school district for the School Resource Officer. Ms. Robinson suggested setting aside the funding for School Resource Officer, but not yet adding it to the Police budget until conversations are held with the School District to see what they may be willing to contribute. If the first quarter goes well, implementation could take place as the year goes on. Motion: Mr Benskin moved to direct the City Manager to bring forward recommendations for the 2008 budget, including re-instating the School Resource Officer, backfilling the Police service level affected, potential internal cuts and reallocations, increasing the fund reserve, and other items discussed to date by the Council. Mr Welch seconded. Mr. Randels noted that he agrees with Ms. Robinson that the School Resource Officer funding should be put in reserve and authorized if revenue sources are found. Ms. Sandoval stated that she wanted to reaffirm that the utility tax funding will be used for roads as stated prior to enacting the tax and that that fund will not be raided for another purpose. Motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. Council consensus to schedule a special business meeting for 6:30 on Monday, December 70 to discuss the City Manager's budget recommendations and review the letter regarding Victoria Nouse. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mr. Welch stated that he and Mrs. Medlicott had met to discuss the City Manager's evaluation process and information will go out to the Council this week. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons reported on the City's partnership with the Northwest Maritime Center. This included the possibility of construction financing passing through the City and working together on a grant for 10 moorings. More information will be forthcoming, Mr. Timmons introduced Planning Director Rick Sepler, who reviewed his memo to the Council dated November 29, regarding the Keystone -Port Townsend ferry route steel electric status and replacement ferry process. He reviewed the staff recommendations for further Council discussions. Regarding the recommendation to "overcome Tourist Route perception" Mr. Randels stated that the value of a tourism route to the entire state should not be downplayed. City Council Business Meeting Page 5 December 3, 2007 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance & Budget Committee Motion: Mr. Welch moved that the Council send a letter to the Jefferson County BOCC requesting them to waive their Transportation Benefit District as soon as possible and no later than December 31, 2007. Ms. Sandoval seconded. The motion carried, 5-1, by voice vote, Medlicott opposed. Staff will forward information supplied to the Finance & Budget Committee regarding the Transportation Benefit District to the Council. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at. 9:34 p.m. Attest: ~a~~~~~~ Pam Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Councii Business Meeting Page 6 December 3, 2007