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HomeMy WebLinkAbout051210CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND EAST JEFFERSON FIRE RESCUE JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF MAY 12, 2010 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David King, Laurie Medlicott, Kris Nelson, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Mark Welch with George Randels excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Chief Gordon Pomeroy, and City Clerk Pam Koiacy . East Jefferson Fire District Commissioners present were Rich Staff Jr., Zane Wyll, and Jess Bondurant. PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE FOR GOVERNANCE OF FUTURE FIRE SERVICES Council member King updated the Council on the latest discussion of the Joint Fire Oversight Board, which included review of the can-ent interlocal agreement and options for going forward. It was agreed that the current interlocal was a good agreement and a good start toward a Regional Fire Authority form of governance for the district if that is the option pursued. Commissioner Stap arrived at 6:41 p.m. Mr. King noted that by the end of the meeting the group was grappling with what to do during the interim to deal with the City's shortfall created by adoption of the general fire levy in the County. They ended up discussing the possibility of a limited purpose, limited term levy lid lift for city residents while governance issues are sorted out. He stated it will be good to inform the citizens of the city that the financial impact of annexation or a Fire Authority is the same. if we proposed a limited purpose limited term lid lifk in the interim, on any early ballot, which would make funds available to the District at the same time as their levy takes effect, then the financial consequences are on the table at that time and the governance model can be a separate issue. This would allow the citizens a thorough look at the district and consequences of the different governance models. Ms. Sandoval stated it is apparent what we want to do about the funding, but her concern is the governance model. That is what the citizens are focused on. The money will be raised but the city still does not have a vote on the budget for the district for future years at least in the interim before a governance model is City Council East Jefferson Fire Rescue Joint Special Mtg May 12, 2010 Page 1 of 3 selected. She would like the citizens to be a part of that discussion now. Mr. King noted that the Fire District is already in deficit and probably will not be interested in holding aff on collecting and using any funds which become available through the levy. Mr. Stapf stated it sounds as though the council is leaning toward a Regional Fire Authority (RFA). He stated you could potentially have a swing vote in the County that would raise the City's tax rates as a result of adopting that governance model. Ms. Sandoval stated that is what has happened. Mr. Stapf said that if an RFA goes on the ballot, City residents may say no, County may say yes, and County may impose a $1 levy rate on the City residents. There was more discussion about governance models. Mr. Watts stated that Centralia set up a board with three commissioners and three council members and in accordance with their plan they have moved into a five member board voted at large throughout the entire district. Mr. Timmons stated that developing background data and level of service analysis and support will fall on the district. Public process will be shared but if we have a year timeline rather than a crash course of three months that might relieve some of the stress of providing an appropriate public process. He noted the law states you must have public process prior to the govemance vote but it does not define what constitutes that public process. If a temporary lid lift were in place prior to the vote on the governance mechanism the tax issue would be out of the equation. Ms. Nelson and Ms. Sandoval stated they would like to see further discussion on a utility tax option. Mr. Timmons stated he prefers an RFA because of the service delivery model; he believes it is more likely there will be territorial disputes with an annexation. Ms. Sandoval said there is not as much transparency and scrutiny to the fire budget process as to the city's. Each must be open, engaged and informative toward the community. The city has many other irons in the fire. The advisory presence of the Council members on the Joint Board is helpful but most other Council members didn't see the budget nor did the greater community. Ms. Robinson thinks the governance issue is important and is leaning toward an interim lid lift. Mr. Watts asked if the resolution should specify the use of the banked capacity. Mr. Timmons stated it would help answer the question about intent and although you can't bind a future council, our biggest need now is for streets and capital and that would be a means of dealing with our biggest liability. He stated that staff could bring forward options that may include timelines. He noted that the transportation plan requires a $30 million investment that will need to be City Council East Jefferson Fire Rescue Joint Special Mtg May 12, 2010 Page 2 of 3 addressed at some point, probably about three years away. Motion: David King moved to authorize the City Manager to prepare a resolution for the City Council for a limited purpose, limited term lid lift to match the action taken by the citizens of the district for ire services; including provisions for how to bank the difference between what we currently support the fire services with and what the new support would be; and to begin to develop a governance plan with the lid lift to sunset upon adoption of a governance plan; and task the Joint Board to presenf a governance plan to the district and Counci! by November of 2090. Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, M C City Clerk City Council East Jeffersoan Fixe Rescue Joint Special Mtg May 12, 2010 Page 3 of 3