HomeMy WebLinkAbout101215CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF OCTOBER 12, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend City Council met in workshop session on October 12, 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, City Attorney Steve
Gross, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Finance Director Nora Mitchell, City Clerk
Joanna Sanders, and Finance Manager Sheila Danielson .
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Water Status Update
A Water Status Update was given by Public Works Director Ken Clow. River flows
are up and the City has been diverting 12 million gallons a day from the river. With
no additional rain, Port Townsend Paper Corporation (PTPC) would be able to
continue their operations about three more weeks. There is roughly 250 million
gallons remaining in Lords Lake. Current City use has been running about 800,000
gallons per day. City Manager David Timmons reported that regular meetings with
PTPC (Mill) continue. There were some Council questions and discussion about
PTPC maintenance work and their conversion to natural gas. Mr. Timmons noted
there are also discussions about extending the water line.
2016 Budget Discussion
Finance Director Nora Mitchell reviewed assessed valuation projections and levy
rates, property tax allocations, and budget allocations. Following an explanation
of non -voted and general voted debt capacity, Staff addressed questions about
refinancing options, levy rates and sales tax. Mr. Timmons indicated these
valuations would put the City in a good position for a bond rating upgrade. The
assessor's valuation is based on a 60% review with final numbers coming in
January.
Ms. Mitchell led a review of the historical FTE staffing level summary. Some
discussion ensued about level of service needs and calls for service during
City Council Workshop Meeting October 12, 2015 Page 1 of 2
the tourist season. There were noted differences in Engineering, Police
and Development Services staffing compared to pre -recession levels. A question
was whether a fee adjustment is warranted for cost recovery. Mr. Timmons stated
that currently the number of permits processed does not warrant adding staff.
There was recognition that there have been many code changes and
significant interaction between Development Services and Public Works on
City infrastructure. A LEAN training scheduled for November 6 may help address
inefficiencies. Staff noted that minimal increases in total tax revenues are
available to address some of the advisory board staffing, code enforcement, and
police staffing needs.
Ms. Mitchell explained cost allocation impacts to the General Fund (down
$126,000 in 2016 over 2015). Records and agenda bills are some of the
indicators for cost allocation model and there is volatility by Department from year
to year. The 2016 charges reflect 2014 cost allocation statistics.
City Manager Timmons reviewed funding options of a transportation benefit
district car tab fee to address street needs versus a sales tax increase. It was
noted that Council could decide to form a district and then go back to voters to
charge the car tab fees. A stormwater surcharge option would provide $3 capital
maintenance fee per water and sewer account to be used for targeted
improvements. Money could be used for contractor or City labor, plus design and
project management. It was noted that money could be used for leveraging other
money. Sewer outfall pipeline replacement was discussed as a 2020 project.
Staff also led a review of the list of unmet needs and department requests
unfunded in the 2015 budget as well as new funding requests for 2016. Fleet
funding options such as leasing versus buying are being considered. There
was Council interest in maintaining these reports and bringing them back in future
budget discussions and for the City Manager's proposed budget to highlight any
of these items.
Staff noted that meeting schedules have been modified to accommodate a few
more meetings. Mr. Timmons also reported on Howard Street and water
treatment plant progress.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, CMC
City Clerk
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