HomeMy WebLinkAbout091415CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 14,
2015
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend City Council met in workshop session on September 14, 2015.
Mayor David 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, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson with Catharine Robinson
excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, Public Works Director
Ken Clow, Finance Director Nora Mitchell, City Attorney Steve Gross, City Clerk
Joanna Sanders, Finance Manager Sheila Danielson, and Senior Planner/Planning
Manager Judy Surber.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Climate Change Preparedness Plan for the North Olympic Peninsula
Kate Dean Coordinator of North Olympic Development Council (NODC) gave the
background on the plan. She noted that the Department of Commerce might
provide funding to assist with implementation and the NODC might also be able to
assist with grant funding. A link to the final report would be sent to Council and
she suggested the City could use the report as best available science.
Cindi Jayne Project Manager for the North Olympic Peninsula
Resource Conservation and Development Council (NOPRCD) reviewed climate
change projections for the North Olympic Peninsula, key impacts to critical
infrastructures, top ten strategies for critical infrastructure, and related key action
steps. Ecosystem and water supply key impacts and strategies were also detailed.
She pointed out potential impacts to City plans, offered sample Comprehensive
Plan language, possible strategies most relevant to the City, and suggested the City
of Olympia provides an example of a work plan.
During Council discussion, there was recognition of the importance of the report. It
was felt that precision data is lacking from Ecology although a range of possibilities
was provided. City Manager David Timmons reviewed a list of City projects focused
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on protecting facilities and critical infrastructure in the event of a disaster. Ms.
Stinson noted that consistent with Phase II of Climate Action Committee, Taming
Bigfoot (carbon footprint reduction competition) is a proposal that would
come forward for Council consideration.
At 7:30 p.m., the meeting recessed for the purpose of a break.
At 7:42 p.m., the Council meeting resumed.
2016 Budget Goals and Priorities
Finance Director Nora Mitchell and Finance Manager Sheila Danielson reported
there were no findings in the Federal Single Audit. Council discussed the
recommendations for documentation of third party transactions and the cash basis
accounting method used by the City. Staff responded to questions.
Ms. Mitchell then reviewed priorities outlined at the budget retreat. Administrative
technology priorities would be folded into the budget as it moves forward. The
budget survey would be postponed so as not to conflict with the school bond vote.
Mr. Timmons proposed the creation of a task force to work on plans for funding.
Some discussion ensued about how to address long-term priorities such as
affordable housing and code enforcement while attempting new initiatives like
climate action. There was concern about the lack of planning staff to address
current initiatives. Mr. Timmons explained there would be a kaisen assessment of
the planning department to uncover issues and assess code enforcement needs.
There was also some discussion of liability exposure in the use of volunteers for
code enforcement. A suggestion was to compare past and current planning staffing
levels.
Mr. Timmons and City Attorney Steve Gross provided a summary of steps involved
in creating a transportation benefit district. Senate Bill 5987 enables a City that has
previously formed a district to absorb it back into City government and assume a
district's rights, powers, functions and obligations. This might provide working
capital to do general maintenance and address street repairs. It was felt that most
citizens are not aware of the past funding impacts such as Initiative
695 and an explanation of how the City is attempting to fix the problem would be
beneficial.
2015-2016 Revenue Forecast
Ms. Mitchell provided an overview of forecasted revenues. Projected revenues
reflect only a slight increase and there is a list of deferred items from 2014 that remain
to be funded. There was discussion of the Mill's investigation of a switch from propane
and fuel oil to gas as a cost savings measure.
ADJOURN
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There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, CMC
City Clerk
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