HomeMy WebLinkAbout02112002 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 11, 2002
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in special session this eleventh day of
February, 2002, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend City Council Chambers of City Hall,
Mayor Kees Kolff presiding.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were Freida Fenn, Joe Finnie, Kees Kolff, Geoff
Masci, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Alan Youse. Staff members present
were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director
Ken Clow, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy.
WASHINGTON CITIES INSURANCE AUTHORITY (WCIA PRESENTATION)
Lewis Leigh of the Washington Cities Insurance Authority spoke on various liability
issues affecting elected officials and discussed the city's insurance profile.
SOLID WASTE CONTRACT
Mr. Timmons related the history of the solid waste contract negotiations. The process
has been ongoing for some time. The solid waste provider for the City has changed in
the process and the new contract will provide a total privatization of the garbage contract
so the City will no longer handle billing and customer service on behalf of the solid waste
company. The Finance Department has already experienced staff cuts through attrition
in anticipation of the billing and customer service being transferred to the contractor.
He also noted that the contract negotiations have taken longer than anticipated and so
affected the budget and fund balances last year. The funds have now been reconciled.
Public Works Director Ken Clow presented a summary of the issues which have been
negotiated. This included a summary of changes in service; a contract comparison and a
budget data summary. He also addressed questions from council members in regard to
low income customers, mandatory garbage pickup, and impacts on the city staff.
General consensus of the council was to direct staff to bring forward a resolution to
authorize the City Manager to execute the contract and then various housekeeping
ordinances which will bring the contract and the City Code into conformance.
PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Kolff noted that a meeting of the Community Development/Land Use Committee
will be scheduled later in the week to review a proposed Comp Plan amendment process.
He stated he has spoken with Jerry Spieckerman, Acting Chair of the Planning
Commission, and agreed to postpone filling the Planning Commission vacancies until a
City Council Special Meeting/14Zorkshop Page 1 February 11, 2002
the scope of work the Planning Commission will be taking on has been established.
Applications for vacancies on the Commission will be accepted until February 22 with
the possibility of appointments being made at the February 25 special meeting.
AJOURN
There being no further business, the special business meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
WORKSHOP MEETING
A workshop meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Kees Kolff in the
City Hall Council Chambers at 8:39 p.m. All council members were present.
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Mayor Kolff stated that the Marine Resource Committee is meeting on Wednesday night
and no council member has agreed to represent the Council on this committee. Mr.
Youse stated that he thinks it would be a lot to pick up for a councilor and that perhaps
staff or citizen representative would be sufficient. Mayor Kolff said he will try to find
out if there is a need or desire by the County to have a Council member representative to
the committee.
Ms. Fenn noted that the EDC retreat is coming up on February 16 and that she cannot
attend but that each EDC board member may designate an alternate. Mayor Kolff agreed
to be the alternate and attend the retreat.
MEETING SCHEDULE
Mr. Masci commented that a large number of council meetings have been scheduled for
the beginning of the year. He stated he would prefer amending the Council Rules to
remove the 9:30 ending time and tackle more substantial agendas with fewer meetings.
He suggested a target of two meetings per month.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the workshop meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
Attest:
Pamela Kolacy, CMC, City Clerk
City Council Special Meeting/Workshop Page 2 February 11, 2002