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HomeMy WebLinkAbout081417CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF AUGUST 14, 2017 CALL TO ORDER The Port Townsend City Council met in workshop session on the 14th day of August 2017 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor Deborah Stinson called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, David Faber, Amy Howard, Robert Gray, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, Deborah Stinson, and Assistant City Engineer Samantha Trone. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Assistant Public Works Director City Engineer David Peterson, City Attorney Steve Gross, Finance Manager Sheila Danielson, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. BRIEFING MID -YEAR FINANCIALS/BUDGET CALENDAR Finance Manager Sheila Danielson gave the staff financial report (reviewing sales tax, real estate excise tax, and utility revenues). She noted a minor expense correction and alerted Council that Staff is preparing a list of items for a supplemental budget request related to police vehicles, expenses associated with police overtime, and other re -appropriations. City Manager David Timmons reviewed the budget schedule, pointing out the local construction projects impacting projected revenues. He had some concern over any reliance on those revenues other than for one time capital expenditures. The budget would be similar to 2017 with a review of long-term funding for parks, library, and fire annexation continuing into 2018. During discussion, there were some concerns about the fire annexation timeline and interest in receiving information about the Clallam County streets levy. REVIEW OF 2016 AUDIT Ms. Danielson reported that Council received the audit, FIT reports, and scorecard for financial policies. There were no concerns to be noted in the 2016 audit and resulted in only minor coding changes. AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASKING Mr. Timmons introduced options for Council consideration, including the type of Council committee or advisory body to discuss the housing topic as well as how Council might move forward. The County housing levy ballot measure and the draft City Council Workshop Meeting August 14, 2017 Page 1 of 3 housing resolution were presented. He also reported on his contact with a consultant about housing financing. Questions and discussion by Council centered on the following: two issues in the same ballot measure, membership composition on the Home Opportunity Fund Board, desires to review the ballot measure resolution alongside past recommendations, report of City's efforts to date in support of affordable housing, review of short-term rentals allowed in the County, review of potential city/county properties, consideration of a declaration of a housing emergency in the City, and concern over separating City efforts too much from what the County is trying to achieve. There was some support for creating a committee to bring forth recommendations on the listed tasks, review the resolutions, and develop recommendations for Council to task the Planning Commission. Alternatively, there were comments in support of dividing the City's resolution into two -- one with matters to address immediately with a committee and a stand alone resolution in support of the County's efforts. Mr. Timmons agreed staff would bring forth two resolutions, splitting the current resolution into two for consideration by Council. At 7:42 p.m., the meeting recessed for the purposes of a break. At 7:45 p.m., the meeting resumed. LED STREET LIGHTING Assistant Public Works Director and City Engineer David Peterson gave the staff report reviewing the staff memo on the Street Light Policy on sodium vapor versus LED lighting. He noted the PUD has adopted LEDs as their lighting standard and preferring not use sodium vapor when making replacements. For the City, there would be savings in reduced power consumption. He recognized there is debate on the health effects of LEDs such as to sleep disruption and best practices to address these concerns through lowering and shielding. Staff addressed Council questions about the proposal for 3000K programmable and dimmable LEDs with diffusers if available. Mr. Timmons reviewed the history of the switch from Puget Sound Energy to the PUD. If the City were to own and maintain street lights, it could be more expensive. An option is to contract for services with the PUD to maintain lights. An interim light policy would be brought forward for Council adoption on August 21. Staff would later bring back changes to the Engineering Design Standards. TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT BOARD GRANT SUBMITTAL FOR STREET/SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS Mr. Peterson reported on the application for Discovery Road (sidewalk and streets) as written in the staff memo from Howard/Rainier Street to Sheridan Street. The resolution to be brought forward on August 21 would ratify the decision. If Council does not approve it on the 21st, the application could be withdrawn. DM DISPOSAL CUSTOMER AUDIT AND NOTIFICATION City Council Workshop Meeting August 14, 2017 Page 2 of 3 Public Works Director Ken Clow reported on the audit and letters to be sent by DM Disposal to occupants advising them of the PTMC requirement for mandatory garbage service in the City. No Council action is needed and this is for Council's information only. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, CMC City Clerk City Council Workshop Meeting August 14, 2017 Page 3 of 3