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HomeMy WebLinkAbout111510CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE BUSINESS MEETING OF NOVEMBER 15, 2010 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the 15th day of November 2010 in the Port Townsend City Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Michelle Sandoval presiding. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David King, Laurie Medlicott, Kris Nelson, George Randels, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Mark Welch. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Finance Director Michael Legarsky, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Development Services Director Rick Sepler, Police Chief Conner Daily, and Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Under Special Presentations, adding a Proclamation for Small Business Saturday and under New Business, adding Interlocal Agreement with Jefferson County for Court and Jail Service SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S): Proclamation: Concerts for the Community Chorus of Port Townsend and East Jefferson County Peggy Albers accepted the proclamation. Proclamation: Jefferson County Community Foundation Anne Schneider accepted the proclamation. Proclamation: Small Business Saturday Mari Mullen and Susan Windle of Main Street accepted the proclamation. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC There was no public comment. CONSENT AGENDA City Council Business Meeting November 15, 2010 Page 1 of 5 Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Motion: George Randels moved to approve the consent agenda as follows: Vouchers 112921 through 112939 in the amount $1,379.10 and Vouchers 112940 through 113045 in the amount of $490, 296.35. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ordinance 3049, Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2011 City Manager David Timmons reported that the budget ordinance was amended to reflect election results. The next item addresses nonprofit service contract issues, including recommendations for a nonprofit evaluation process and authorization to execute short term contracts with service providers. There is also a recommendation authorizing individual contracts and County interlocal agreements for court, jail, substance abuse, and animal control. These agreements would be brought back before Council. Through an agreement with the Joint Oversight Board and Fire District, the City would contribute $831,000 to fire service in 2011 and cover debt service beginning in 2012 so the District can move forward with their capital initiatives until annexation or establishment of a regional fire authority occurs. The City would bank that portion of Proposition 1 funding not obligated by the county interlocal agreement. Finance Director Michael Legarsky explained amendments to the budget ordinance and the budget to reflect changes in the liquor excise taxes. Fund budgets for Community Services (for Jefferson County parks and facilities in the City) and East Jefferson Fire and Rescue each show increases of $125K. Liquor excise taxes flow through the Council and Police Department budgets, so these schedules also reflect changes. Mr. Timmons reminded that outstanding items include interlocal agreements, the general government contract, and utility matters. The operating budget is primarily status quo and would reflect continuation of the capital initiatives for another three years. The bond rating should be available prior to December 6. Pursuant to the agreement, the Fire District would do a bond issue to pay off the balance on the fire station. Approximately $477K would go into the City's debt service fund to pay off the 1991 and 1999 debt issues and bond funds would also make up for the Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) dollars for a two year period. There was no public comment. Council discussion ensued regarding the balance owed to the Fire District beyond Proposition 1 proceeds. It was noted that Proposition 1 would cover 80% of the requested funding with about $300K lacking. Concern was expressed about the increased level of service received with no increased cost. Mr. Timmons noted City Council Business Meeting November 15, 2010 Page 2 of 5 that currently the City contributes $832K compared with the 2011 proposal to fund at $1.455M. The Fire District is trying to build their operational reserves and address long-term maintenance. In response to a question about how conservative the estimate is on the Proposition 1 revenue, Mr. Timmons said if the estimate of Proposition 1 revenue is inaccurate, the City could choose to move forward with amid-year adjustment. There was Council support for including in the final budget narrative an acknowledgement that our general fund balance is slightly above our policy, while our contingency fund is below our policy. Motion: George Rande/s moved to approve Ordinance 3049, Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2011. Laurie Medlicott seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Council Direction on Contracts with Non-Profit Entities City Manager Timmons reviewed the agenda packet. Questions addressed by Staff during Council discussion were about flexibility for short-term contracts, clarification of the quasi-governmental criteria, and explanation of City support for the school district. Public Comment: There were no comments. It was suggested that completion of a needs assessment precede any request for proposal and evaluation processes. While there was some support for this idea, there was a desire for flexibility in not holding up action until an assessment is completed. It was noted that there should also be consideration of different needs arising such as affordable housing. Council also discussed the possibility of Council committees splitting the tasks of discussing funding and assessing the needs of reviewing nonprofits. Mr. Timmons pointed out some other processess to be accomplished in the first quarter to evaluate nonprofits. There was a desire for clarity in how the City offers grants and, if so, how to apply for funding. There was also a concern about how executing short- term contracts might negatively impact the planning processes for these organizations. Mr. Timmons noted that for the YMCA and Boiler Room there are defined processes. Contracts with Main Street and the Chamber for the Visitor Center could also be turned around fairly quickly. More definition is needed on the scope of services the City is seeking. A major grant for the Dove House has a fairly well identified scope already. Ms. Sandoval noted the nonprofit issue started when Council discussed liquor excise tax and what we are getting for those dollars. She reminded Council of the upcoming youth services assessment and town meeting and suggested that there City Council Business Meeting November 15, 2010 Page 3 of 5 be further discussion about how to achieve the assessment at the Council retreat. She noted that services received under substance abuse are not explained. Currently, there are no proposed interlocals with the County for 2011. Motion: George Randels moved to approve 1) referring matters relating to non-profit service contracts to the Finance and Budget Committee for recommendation and to review and recommend needs and processes for the City to evaluate and approve non-profit provider service arrangements, 2) holding new proposals for services pending Council adoption of evaluation process, and 3) authorizing the City Manager to enter into short-term interim contracts with service providers to maintain ongoing funding consistent with the approved budget pending action on evaluation process. David King seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3051 removing Public Works Department fees in PTMC 3.36.020 and 12.16.060 from the Municipal Code and amending 2.76.031 on fees, and adopting and amending Public Works Department fees and adding to and amending Development Services Department fees in Resolution 10-035; and Resolution 10-035 on permit and development fees. City Manager Timmons reviewed the agenda packet materials. Motion: George Randels moved to approve Ordinance 3051 removing Public Works Department fees in PTMC 3.36.020 and 12.16.020 from the Municipal code, and amendment 2.76.031 on fees, and to adopt Resolution 1 D-035 adopting and amending Public Works Department fees and adding to and amending Development Services Department Fees. Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 10-037, Establishing the Peninsula Housing Authority City Attorney John Watts reviewed packet materials. He distributed a new recital to include in the resolution to clarify that the City does not currently operate a housing authority and would not share in assets or liabilities if the Clallam County Housing would cease to exist. Pam Tietz of the Clallam County Housing Authority provided background and explained the proposal for the joint effort to find solutions to increasing affordable housing stock. Motion: George Randels moved to approve Resolution 10-037, Establishing the Peninsula Housing Authority with the additional recital. Kris Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Interlocal Agreement with County for Court and Jail Services City Council Business Meeting November 15, 2010 Page 4 of 5 City Manager Timmons noted materials were distributed this evening for this item. The recommendation is to authorize him to execute an Interlocal Agreement for Court and Jail Services for 2010. The portion for court costs is fixed at $199,570 (which is the same amount for 2009). Jail costs would rise from $73.25 per day in 2009 to $76.40, an amount approved in the 2010 budget. The lengthy contract negotiations with the County only concluded today and the City is awaiting proposals from the County on animal services and substance abuse. PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT Ms. Sandoval thanked everyone for their efforts on the successful ferry celebration. Due to a power failure during a wind storm, the meeting was concluded. CITY MANAGER REPORT SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION EXECUTIVE SESSION There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Minutes by: Joanna Sanders, Deputy City Clerk Attest: ,~__,, ~ --~- i Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting November 15, 2010 Page 5 of 5