HomeMy WebLinkAbout121415CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING OF DECEMBER 14, 2015
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in special session on December 14, 2015.
Mayor David King called the meeting to order at 5:30 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, City Attorney Steve
Gross, Finance Director Nora Mitchell, Public Works Director Ken Clow, City Clerk
Joanna Sanders, and Finance Manager Sheila Danielson .
There were none.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Ordinance 3142 Related to Utility Rates; Amending the Water, Sewer, and
Stormwater Rates; Adopting a Capital Surcharge on Stormwater Rates, and
Amending Chapters 13.02 and 13.05 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code,
and Establishing an Effective Date
Finance Director Nora Mitchell gave the staff presentation and responded to
Council questions.
There was no public comment.
During discussion, there were comparisons between this program and the
allowed income amounts in the free and reduced lunch program. It was suggested
that the qualification process might be streamlined and grouped with the school
program. There was interest in exploring consistency across School, County, Public
Utility District and City low income programs. There were also comments that
without a fund to support this program, the impact falls to the remainder of the rate
payers. Staff noted they are reviewing the application process and that this
ordinance implements a simplified formula to calculate the rates. To change the
rates, Staff would need to review and bring a proposed code amendment before
Council.
City Council Special Business Meeting December 14, 2015 Page 1 of 4
Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Ordinance 3142 Related to Utility
Rates; Amending the Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Rates, Adopting a Capital
Surcharge on Stormwater Rates, and Amending Chapters 13.02 and 13.05 of the
Port Townsend Municipal Code, and Establishing an Effective Date. Deborah
Stinson seconded.
During discussion of the motion, Robert Gray moved to amend the ordinance to ask
staff to bring back the results of a study to adjust, if necessary, the eligibility criteria
for low income determination. Following a discussion of procedures, Robert Gray
withdrew his motion. Staff agreed to bring this matter back after the first of the year
to explain the formula for setting the rates and to discuss a tasking resolution for
staff to explore other local programs and possible rate adjustment.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Ordinance 3143 Related to Public Utility Taxes; Amending the Tax Rate
Imposed on the City's Water, Sewer, Stormwater, and Garbage Utilities, and
Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Section 5.84.030
Ms. Mitchell gave the staff presentation on the recommended 3 -year increase in the
utility tax rate.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Kris Nelson moved to approve Ordinance 3143 Related to Public Utility
Taxes, Amending the Tax Rate Imposed on the City's Water, Sewer, Stormwater,
and Garbage Utilities, and Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Section
5.84.030. Deborah Stinson seconded.
Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed.
Ordinance 3139 Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend,
Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2016
Ms. Mitchell and City Manager David Timmons gave the staff presentation
reviewing the changes and updates to Fire and EMS fund and budget message.
Staff also provided a list of written responses to Council questions.
There were several comments in support of the budget format and the work done to
summarize and address Council concerns.
Pubic Comment:
Rick Jahnke reminded that Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) funds could be used to
support Parks and recommended using these funds for developing a dog park.
Motion: Kris Nelson moved to approve Ordinance 3139 Adopting the Budget for the
City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2016.
Catharine Robinson seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
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NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 15-044 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute
Agreements for Services
Mr. Timmons gave the staff presentation on the recommended authorization of
recurring contracts as outlined in the resolution.
There was no public comment.
Motion. Deborah Stinson moved to approve Resolution 15-044 Authorizing the City
Manager to Negotiate and Execute Agreements for Services with a revision to
Exhibit A as noted to separate from the Lodging Tax contracts, the Hazard
Mitigation Plan coordination. Michelle Sandoval seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Resolution 15-045 Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Sign the Grant
Agreement from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board for
the Water Street Overlay — Ferry Terminal to Taylor Street Project
City Manager Timmons gave the staff report. Public Works Director Ken Clow
addressed specific questions.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve Resolution 15-045 Authorizing the City
Manager to Accept and Sign the Grant Agreement from the Washington State
Transportation Improvement Board for the Water Street Overlay — Ferry Terminal to
Taylor Street Project. Michelle Sandoval seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
EXECUTIVE SESSION TO REVIEW THE PERFORMANCE OF A PUBLIC
EMPLOYEE PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110(1)(G)
At 6:30 p.m., Council went into Executive Session for 15 minutes pursuant to RCW
42.30.110(1)(g) to review the performance of a public employee and then into closed
session for 15 minutes pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(2) for a collective bargaining
discussion. At 7:03 p.m., the City Attorney announced the extension of the Executive
Session for an additional 25 minutes.
At 7:23 p.m., Council came back in open session.
Resolution 15-043, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Collective
Bargaining Agreement with Local Union No. 589 of the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters for General Government Employees Effective
January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018 in substantially the same form as
presented to Council on December 14, 2015.
City Council Special Business Meeting December 14, 20115 Page 3 of 4
City Manager Timmons noted that the terms of the contract authorized by this
resolution are primarily status quo.
Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve Resolution 15-043, Authorizing the City
Manager to Execute a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Local Union No. 589 of
the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for General Government Employees
Effective January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018 in substantially the same
form as presented to Council on December 14, 2015. Pamela Adams seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve amending the City Manager's
employment agreement to reflect 1) establishing a retirement date of December 31,
2018; 2) fixing his base salary at its current rate, subject only to cost of living
increases through December 2018; 3) increasing the City's contribution to his
retirement account through 2018 and, 4) clarifying the provisions requiring the city
to provide a cell phone. Pamela Adams seconded.
Vote. motion carried, 5-2 by voice vote, Robert Gray, and Kris Nelson opposed.
Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve the City Manager's proposal that his
emphasis through December 31, 2018 shall be affordable housing, renegotiating
the Port Townsend Paper Mill Water Supply Agreement, the Howard Street and
Upper Sims Way Subarea Plan, and Succession Planning, and stating the Council's
intent to establish annual intermediate goals in these areas as provided for or
modified by Section 12 of the City Manager's Employment Agreement and in
Section 5.5 (5) of the City Council Rules of Procedure. Pamela Adams seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
ADJOURN
There were brief remarks about outgoing Mayor King and Deputy Mayor Nelson.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, CMC
City Clerk
City Council Special Business Meeting December 14, 2015 Page 4 of 4