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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11041998 PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF NOVEMBER 4, 1998 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in special session this fourth day of November 1998 at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City Hall. Council President Ted Shoulberg called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. Councilmembers present at Roll Call were Ted Shoulberg, Ian Keith, Kathryn Jenks, Mark Welch, Peter Badame, Joe Finnie, and Forrest Rambo. Also present were City Clerk Pam Kolacy, City Attorney Tim McMahan, City Administrator Michael Hildt, Interim Police Chief Jake Evans, Acting Fire Tom Aumock, and Public Works Financial Analyst Gary Leaf.. Mayor McCulloch arrived at 6:45 p.m. The purpose of the meeting was to accept public testimony on the 1999 Budget, all departments except Public Works. Public Hearing: Mayor McCulloch opened the hearing to public testimony at 6:50. Chris Johns, a member of the Library Board, noted that it was unfortunate that the library's materials budget had to be cut in 1999 and asked that the council consider reallocating the materials budget to the library in future years. There was no one else wishing to speak, so the public hearing was closed. Gary Leaf, Public Works Financial Analyst, presented written material regarding debt funding options for the council's discussion and consideration. After discussion and questions, the following requests were made: Create Option #2, reducing the software upgrade (Y2K) by $200,000 (Mr. Finnie) Create Option #4, also with reduction of $200,00 in software upgrade. (Mr. Finnie) Create Option #3, reducing software component to $100,000, but fund over 5 years. (Mr. Keith) Provide column totals, explain interaction between general obligation bonds and utilities, and create a parallel scenario for existing utility debt (Mr. Rambo). Of the council members expressing some preference for an option, Mr. Finnie, Mr. Welch, Mr. Shoulberg, and Mr. Keith favored some form of option #3. Mr Shoulberg expressed a desire to see more information on the relationship between utility funds and the stress on transferring back and forth - a total comparison of the two sides of the debt stream. Ms. Jenks preferred to let the new council take the question up in February. City Council Page 1 November 4, 1998 Mr. Badame requested that each project proposed for funding through a bonding mechanism be presented in the form of the 1998 CIP Amendment (with projects, total funding needed, work plans, etc. for each project). The 1998 budget was then discussed. Items noted: The 1999 City Council budget does not list 1998 accomplishments and 1999 objectives. Mr. Shoulberg agreed to draft those. Other proposals: fund part time support position for council either through the city council budget or the Clerk's budget; add $15,000 for February election; increase council salaries; make mayor's salary higher. Suggestions for mayor's salary included $100 more per month than council salaries, and double council salaries. Also consider budgeting for an annual state of the city document as a joint project between the council and city manager. After discussion, no vote was proposed for the Council budget. Mr. Shoulberg moved for tentative approval of the Police Department budget. Ted moves for tentative approval of the Police Department budget. Mr. Finnie seconded. There was considerable discussion regarding process for the meeting and whether or not budgets should be tentatively approved this evening. The meeting was recessed at 9:10 and reconvened at 9:18. After further discussion, primarily on process, the question was called and the motion carried by voice vote, 4 in favor, Ms. Jenks and Mr. Rambo dissenting. Mr. Badame abstained. The Fire Department budget was then introduced. After more discussion on process, Mr. Keith moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Shoulberg seconded. The motion failed with 2 in favor (Mr. Shoulberg and Mr. Keith) and 5 opposed. Mr. Rambo moved that the council go on to discuss the fire department budget. Ms. Jenks seconded. The motion carried unanimously with 7 in favor. Mr. Shoulberg moved for tentative adoption of the Fire Department budget. Mr. Finnie seconded. It was noted that on page 58, the amount of $22,784 is debt service on the loan from the Equipment Rental Fund. Mayor McCulloch stated that although the term of the debt may be shortened because of a possible FEMA grant, the 1999 budget was not altered to reflect that as it has not been officially approved. Mr. Leaf noted that it does show up in the account balance for the Equipment Rental Fund. A voice vote was taken on the motion and it carded 6-1, with Mr. Rambo opposed. Mr. Shoulberg moved for tentative approval of the EMS Budget. Mr. Welch seconded. The motion carded by voice vote, with 5 in favor, Mr. Rambo opposed, and Mr. Badame abstaining. City Council Page 2 November 4, 1998 Mr. Shoulberg moved for tentative approval of the Library Budget. Mr. Welch seconded. During discussion, Mr. Badame requested the corresPonding FTE for the 800 hours of service listed in the table as "substitute employee coverage." The motion carded by voice vote with 4 in favor, Mr. Rambo and Ms. Jenks opposed, and Mr. Badame abstaining. Ms. Jenks also requested that the library be positioned elsewhere in the budget as it is currently in the middle of Public Works departments. The City Attorney was questioned about work load and the effect of cutting the assistant city attorney's hours from 25 to 20 per week. Council members expressed concern that the department is under funded. Mr. Shoulberg moved to tentatively adopt the City Attorney's budget with an increase of approximately $10,744 to add five hours per week to personnel for assistant city attorney hours. The motion carried by voice vote, with five in favor, Mr. Rambo opposed. Mr. Badame abstained. Mr. Rambo requested that a category for "anticipated changes" be added for next year in budget narratives. At 10:55, the meeting was continued to 4 p.m. on Monday, November 9, in the City Hall Council Chambers. Pamela Kolacy City Clerk City Council P a~e 3 November 4, 1998