HomeMy WebLinkAbout01102000 PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE STUDY SESSION OF JANUARY 10, 2000
Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Forrest Rambo at 7:30 p.m. Council members
present at roll call were Joe Finnie, Allen Frank, Syd Lipton, Geoff Masci, Forrest Rambo, and
Alan Youse. Veto Garrison was excused. Staff members present were City Manager Dave
Timmons, Interim City Attorney Steve Olsen, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy.
Work Plan 2000
The subject of the study session was initial discussion of the council's work plan for the year
2000. Mr. Timmons made a brief introduction, noting that he has also asked staff for their year
2000 priorities. He stated that the council's primary policy resource is the budget and the budget,
by showing what the city can afford, necessarily drives the work plan. He previously provided a
general outline of the budget and city departments for the councilors to use as a guide in their
deliberations. He noted that the work plan will have two aspects - policy and administrative,
which will be applicable for each issue.
It was agreed that the meeting would be a brainstorming session to record the councilor's ideas,
suggestions, and would not include in-depth analysis or prioritization.
Suggestions included:
Mr. Frank:
Initiative and referendum
Mr. Rambo:
Initiation of a task force to address a downtown civic center which might include City Hall, the
American Legion property, a parking structure, meeting rooms in common with the NW
Maritime Center, and possibly a performing arts center.
Mr. Masci:
Re-establish the Transportation Committee as a standing committee
Contract Hearing Examiner services for all quasi-judicial hearings; free the Planning
Commission to concentrate on long-range planning consistent with the vision of the community.
Make the committee system integrative instead of separate.
Mr. Frank:
Streamline city rules and regulations and plans to make more citizen friendly and less
City Council Study Session Page 1 January 10, 2000
bureaucratic whenever feasible. Design should allow for minimum conflict and duplication
among the regulatory and planning documents.
Mr. Finnie:
Set departmental standards so a reporting system can be developed showing that the city is
providing consistent service; make the rules, regulations and plans as accountable systems
(accountable to the public, the council and the city organization). This may necessitate funding
allocations for items such as project tracking software.
Look into the city/county library services and pursue the most cost-effective means of providing
service.
Mr. Masci:
Use current parks to the maximum, establish new parks to support recreation activities,
particularly for young people and seniors. Strive to separate parks and recreation. Include Fort
Worden in the park plan. Generally reexamine the service delivery models we have.
Mr. Youse:
Don't close any options for intergovernmental cooperation. Develop systems that meet
neighborhood needs.
Mr. Masci:
Improve customer service image in the police department with a more officer friendly focus;
improve customer service and satisfaction to citizens. Promote a more visible presence outside
of patrol cars. Consider dropping the DARE program. Fund more citizen-sensitivity training,
less military-type training.
Improve quality of service and service standards for Fire/EMS. Continue valid discussion to
assess fire district structure for most cost effective structure for service delivery. Establish fire
advisory group along the lines of police advisory board. Provide a public forum and link to
policy/administration
Mr. Youse:
Promote more interactive forums for citizen input. Schedule a town meeting early in the year.
Mr. Lipton:
Assess a new budget model. Evaluate land requirements, including stormwater requirements.
Review wastewater plan impacts.
Reevaluate solid waste program service delivery model.
Develop a systematic approach to grants.
Develop a program to implement code revisions
Develop a five-year plan for street maintenance; develop a manpower allocation program.
Require a more systematic approach to grants.
Assess privatization potential in various departments.
Long range plan for transmission line.
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Complete legal review of city's position regarding the tri-area water line, assess economic value
and develop a better accounting system.
Review economics of the biosolids operation
Review the equity of water tap billing
Review wastewater plan impacts
Assess revised contract/bidding procedure using unit cost pricing.
Impacts of 4(d) rule on shorelines, CIP, master plans
Mr. Frank:
Develop, clarify and affirm city's policy position on Glen Cove UGA
Mr. Rambo:
Develop and initiate program to help downtown building owners/tenants accomplish seismic
reinforcement of buildings so the upper floors can be occupied; including a loan program.
Mr. Finnie:
Review surplus property and possible use of funds that may be acquired from disposition of
certain properties.
Mr. Timmons stated that he will work on integrating council and staff priorities and budget
realities into a draft work plan for further review.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Attest:
Pamela Kolacy, CMC
City Clerk
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