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HomeMy WebLinkAbout020116 Minutes CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF FEBRUARY 1, 2016 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on February 1, 2016. Mayor Deborah Stinson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Robert Gray, Catharine Robinson, Amy Smith, and Deborah Stinson with Pamela Adams, and Michelle Sandoval excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve Gross, Finance Manager Sheila Danielson, Public Works Director Ken Clow, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were none. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Karma Tenzing Wangchuk spoke about organizing a tent city process and tiny house project. City staff response Mr. Timmons said the City would expect to participate and cooperate on these processes. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 153177 through 153237 and Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of $325.931.32. City Council Business Meeting February 1, 2016 Page 1 of 4 Approval of Minutes: January 19, 2016 Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve the consent agenda as written. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolution 16-005 Authorizing the Entry of a Contract with Kitsap Bank to Provide a Bank Line of Credit to the City City Manager David Timmons gave the staff report explaining this contract with Kitsap Bank to provide interim financing for the water treatment plant. Staff also described outside funding sources through which the City would receive reimbursement. There was no public comment. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 16-005 Authorizing the Entry of a Contract with Kitsap Bank to Provide a Bank Line of Credit to the City. Robert Gray seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Ordinance 3145 Related to Utility Rates and Billing Procedures; Clarifying Eligibility for Low-Income Rates; Clarifying the Purposes and Procedures for Utility Billing, Stating the City's Intent that these Clarifications be Retroactive, and Amending Chapters 13.02 and 13.05 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code Mayor Stinson and City Manager Timmons provided background on the intent to clarify and re-affirm current practices related to the City's low-income utility program and temporary water shut offs. City Attorney Steve Gross explained that a modified rate analysis would be needed if Council wanted to change the policy. The changes proposed in the ordinance are for clarification of the practices consistent with implementing the water rate model on which the rates are based. In response to questions, he further explained the cost of service analysis and agreed to investigate the inconsistent terminology used in Exhibit A versus Exhibit B "utility rate" versus "utility fees" as well as provide clarification of"water service" on page 20, Item B. Regarding revising the low income rate structure to increase the level of discount, there was some desire to consider an option for an exemption from paying the base City Council Business Meeting February 1, 2016 Page 2 of 4 rate and modifying the eligibility criteria. Some discussion ensued about the number of low income rate payers, number of shutoffs, and procedures for low income eligibility. One question was why we would not exclude the base rate fee for all similarly affected accounts following the hearing examiner's decision. Public Comment: Patricia Jones urged Council to reconsider the water rate and low income rate structures. Rowen Atkins spoke in support of the low income rate structure, but expressed concern about the qualification timeline. She encouraged creating a task force. Mr. Gross explained that the initial application can be made anytime during the year. Gretchen Brewer spoke about her concerns and urged calling for a task force to work on the issue. Mr. Timmons explained the City had planned to update the rate study in 2017 upon completion of the water project. He noted the Port Townsend Paper Corporation (PTPC) contract expires in 2020 and pointed out that PTPC is responsible for costs associated with operating and maintenance of the water system. There was Council consensus to direct staff bring back a separate ordinance to temporarily suspend some conditions (including a subsidy in the amount of roughly $21,000) to allow time for more analysis and input related to low income accounts. He would be concerned about doing the same for seasonal accounts. During deliberations there was some concern about this being a significant rewrite of the chapter and a suggestion to allow time for additional input. Others commented that this is not a change in policy or rates, but clarification. Shortening the timeline before shutoff and intervening sooner allows the customer to seek outside assistance before delinquent amounts grow too large. Putting the discussion on Speak Up might provide a forum to discuss what level of subsidy should be provided and give the City an opportunity to explain the policies in place. There was hesitancy to move forward with an exemption without more consideration of the work done to date to keep the rates as low as possible for all customers. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve First Reading of Ordinance 3145 Related to Utility Rates and Billing Procedures; Clarifying Eligibility for Low-Income Rates; Clarifying the Purposes and Procedures for Utility Billing, Stating the City's Intent that these Clarifications be Retroactive, and Amending Chapters 13.02 and 13.05 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code. Amy Smith seconded. Vote: motion carried, 4-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed. Ordinance 3146 Creating a Separate Stormwater Capital Fund and Amending Chapter 3.04 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code City Council Business Meeting February 1, 2016 Page 3 of 4 City Manager David Timmons explained this ordinance would establish a Stormwater Capital Fund for tracking revenues and expenses. There was no public comment. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve First Reading of Ordinance 3145 Creating a Separate Stormwater Capital Fund and Amending Chapter 3.04 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code Robert Gray seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Stinson and Ms. Robinson reported: -Attendance at AWC legislative action days and coming up with legislative action plan to present in the fall. -Attendance at dinner with legislators hosted by City of Sequim CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager: - Strategic Planning topic for the next workshop agenda - Future work on creating a legislative agenda - Wendy M. Davis is new Police Officer - Movement of staffing to support Human Resource functions - January revenues - Electric fast charging station (Type 1) at the Visitor's Center - Water Treatment Plant construction - City's routine testing for lead ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Attest: AT Joanna Sanders, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting February 1, 2016 Page 4 of 4