HomeMy WebLinkAbout043018 Joint MtgCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL JOINT BUSINESS MEETING WITH
JEFFERSON COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 1 BOARD OF FIRE
COMMISSIONERS OF APRIL 30, 2018
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in special joint session with Jefferson County
Fire Protection District No. 1 Board of Fire Commissioners on the 30th day of April
2018 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 Robert Gray, David Faber, Amy Howard,
Michelle Sandoval, Ariel Speser, and Deborah Stinson with Pamela Adams excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve
Gross, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders.
Fire Commissioners Rich Staph, Jr., Fire Commissioner Zane Wyll, Sr. and Fire
Commissioner David Johnson. Fire District staff were Fire Chief Jim Walkowski and
Public Information Officer Bill Beezley, and District Secretary Terri Ysseldyke-All.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Fire Annexation Discussion
City Manager David Timmons reviewed items included in the agenda packet and
the guidance provided by Counsel Alice Ostdiek on an approach to addressing
provisions in the current interlocal and the additional banked capacity. He reviewed
the terms of the memorandum of agreement with the District and recommended
assigning certain tasks to the Joint Board and soliciting specific recommendations.
Council shared concerns on the impact to the City's General Fund if relied on
to make up the $300,000 shortfall. Alternatives would be to lower levels of City
services or seek revenue from other sources.
Commissioners voiced concerns about the City being able to update the eleven
year old interlocal agreement. Portions of the agreement are no longer relevant,
including the funding disparity between the City and fire district (an increase of .20
per $1,000 of assessed property valuation). Other considerations were how the
District and City could be contractually bound on the use of the banked capacity
such as through the District providing additional services.
There was significant discussion of the pros/cons of moving forward toward
Joint City Council and Jefferson Co. Fire Protection District No. 1 Special Meeting April 30, 2018 Page 1 of 2
equalization through passing an increase to the special purpose levy, and then later
addressing annexation. Comments were in favor of building a coalition and ensuring
there is a successful campaign in place long before the December deadline for a
February ballot. It was suggested that there be plans for both a pass and a fail of
the ballot measure. If the measure were to fail, the District wants to review the
interlocal and the funding mechanism for equalization.
There was also Council interest in better understanding a Regional Fire Authority
model as an option to annexation and pros and cons of each. Regarding
the election timeline, the discussion shifted to whether to use a joint fire district
board meeting to come up with a plan and recommendation and outreach strategy
on what to do with the banked capacity.
In response to questions, Commissioner Johnson reviewed the number of calls for
service and there was interest in having these figures for future discussions. There
were suggestions for employing all resources for outreach including Kiwanis, PT
Rotary, and town meetings and streamlining the information to reflect a specific
timeframe for the minimum levy increase.
Public Comment:
Rick Jahnke spoke about the possibility for a maintenance and operations levy in
February by the Port Townsend School District.
Phil Dinsmore urged splitting out the issue of the banked capacity. He spoke about
the regressive taxing structure and urged the City filing an amicus brief.
Mayor Stinson summarized the intent to convene the Jefferson County Fire
Protection District No. 1 Joint Oversight Board with developing a public outreach
strategy and timeline for moving forward with a ballot measure for annexation. The
recommendation would include whether to increase by the minimum of $.20 per
assessed property valuation or move toward a multi-year levy approach. It was
suggested their work include a strategy for explaining to the community the
Fire/EMS issue and paying for those services. Council effort would be needed
to discuss options on the banked capacity of $900,000.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, MMC
City Clerk
Joint City Council and Jefferson Co. Fire Protection District No, 1 Special Meeting April 30, 2018 Page 2 of 2