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HomeMy WebLinkAbout100917CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF OCTOBER 9, 2017 CALL TO ORDER The Port Townsend City Council met in workshop session on the 9th day of October 2017 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor Deborah Stinson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, David Faber, Robert Gray, Amy Howard, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve Gross, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, Finance Manager Sheila Danielson, Public Works Director Greg Lanning, Library Director Melody Eisler, Special Assistant to the City Manager Ken Clow, Senior Planner/Planning Manager Judy Surber, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. 2018 BUDGET DISCUSSION Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell briefed Council on the budget process and schedule. She explained the fact sheet related to the Council reserve, property tax increase, and Council benefits. Discussion ensued about the Council Reserve and there was a desire to leave those funds uncommitted or earmarked for a specific use, such as City Manager recruitment. Staff noted that Council discusses and authorizes the use of the funds and that the Contingency Fund is also available for unfunded needs. Staff acknowledged Council's direction to calculate the 1 % reserve amount without presuming any particular use for those funds. Regarding the property tax increase, Ms. Mitchell and City Manager David Timmons led a discussion of whether to plan for the 1 % statutory increase. They recognized there are competing local initiatives and special levies (state, school, Port, and fire annexation). It was noted that revenues from new construction are estimated to be roughly $60,000 in total. City Manager David Timmons said the City could comply with its financial policies without taking the 1 %, however if the 1 % property tax was deferred for a year, it would impact the amount needed in subsequent years. There was discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of providing Council benefits. City Attorney Steve Gross explained the paths for approving benefits. Options include an appointed salary commission reviewing and making recommendations versus Council authorizing the benefits which would only benefit future Councilmembers elected to office. Health savings or flexible spending City Council Workshop Meeting October 9, 2017 Page I of 2 accounts were mentioned as additional alternatives. There was interest in addressing this in 2018. HOWARD STREET/SIMS WAY SUBAREA PLAN UPDATE Wayne Carlson of AHBL presented an overview of their work on the subarea planning process. The presentation covered project objective and scope, initial community engagement, concept alternatives (Makers/Artisan Gateway, Live/Work/Shop), community feedback, and the working concept. Mr. Carlson and Special Project staff Belinda Graham explained the completion of a gap analysis, which was described as a process that expands flexibility on what could be done versus limiting those possibilities. They explained the sub -area planning process as similar to the comprehensive plan in that it encompasses capital facilities, transportation, land use, and housing as well as the regulations to go with the plan. There would be an opportunity for the Planning Commission and Council to discuss any potential changes in uses. At 8:23 p.m., Council recessed for the purposes of a break. At 8:24 p.m. the meeting resumed. CRITICAL AREAS UPDATE Senior Planner/Planning Manager Judy Surber presented an overview of the process for updating the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO), including its purpose, five critical area types, and goals. On October 16, Staff would be bringing forward an item to split the Critical Areas Ordinance apart from the Howard Street Subarea Plan. Both are part of the 2017 comprehensive plan docket and may extend into 2018 before approval. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Workshop Meeting October 9, 2017 Page 2 of 2