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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09152004 . CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 15, 2004 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in special session this fifteenth day of September, 2004, at 6:45 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, Mayor Catharine Robinson presiding. ROLL CALL Council members present at roll call were Frank Benskin, Geoff Masci, Laurie Medlicott, Catharine Robinson, and Michelle Sandoval. Freida Fenn participated by telephone. Kees Kolff was excused. Staff members present were City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director (Acting City Manager) Ken Clow, Finance Director Michael Legarsky, Deputy Finance Director Corena Stern, Police Chief Kristen Anderson, Fire Chief Mike Mingee, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. . With consensus of the Council, Ms. Fennjoined the meeting by telephone at 6:50 p.m. RESOLUTION 04-052 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION OF A PROPOSITION TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AT AN ELECTION, NOVEMBER 2, 2004 FOR THEIR RATIFICATION OR REJECTION, PROVIDING FOR AUTHORITY TO INCREASE THE PERMANENT REGULAR PROPERTY TAX BY 100 CENTS PER THOUSAND OF ASSESSED PROPERTY VALUE NOT TO EXCEED $2.945 PER $1000 OF ASSESSED PROPERTY VALUE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS TO MAINTAIN CURRENT LEVELS OF SERVICE; SETTING FORTH THE BALLOT PROPOSITION; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO CERTIFY TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION; PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS PROPERLY RELATED HERETO RESOLUTION 04-053 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON IDENTIFYING PROGRAMS THE COUNCIL INTENDS NOT TO FUND AS PART OF THE 2005 BUDGT (IF THE BALLOT PROPOSITION DOES . City Council Special Meeting Page 1 September 15, 2004 . NOT PASS) AND ESTABLISHING A PROCESS TO ESTABLISH CORE CITY FUNCTIONS City Attorney John Watts reviewed the packet information, stating that the Finance and Budget Committee has recommended (3-0) a property tax levy "to fund deferred maintenance in order to maintain level of service" at their July 26, 2004, meeting. At the September 11, 2004, Council retreat, the City Manager discussed the need for a levy based on funding shortages. First, there are estimated City revenues for 2005 of approximately $7,900,000 and estimated expenditures based on current level of services and programs of $8,400,000 leaving a deficit gap of $500,000 (rounded). In addition, if in 2005 the street fund is funded at $500,000 (the amount estimated to fund needed street maintenance and improvements), instead of$300,00 funded in 2004, the deficit gap grows to approximately $717,000. Mr. Watts noted that Resolution 04-052 has options for language within the body of the resolution. The Council discussed three different levy plans for a permanent lid lift at the Council retreat: a general levy, a level with bundled items targeted for funding, and a levy proposed through five separate ballot measures, one for each of five discretionary programs. Finance Director Michael Legarsky gave an overview ofthe City's finance projections and the effect on the 2005 budget if additional funding is not found. . In answer to Ms. Sandoval's question, he stated that a senior exemption would continue to be provided if the levy is passed. There was discussion about the effect of revaluation on the distribution of property tax rates among homeowners. Mr. Legarsky indicated that County Assessor Jack Westerman will be invited to discuss the specific impacts of revaluation and distribution and the effect of new construction on the city's revenues. Another topic Mr. Westerman can address is junior taxing districts. Public Comment: Larry Crockett voiced concerns as a landlord and stated he will be forced to raise his rental rates if the levy passes, thereby making his rental unaffordable for families. Gerald Kania stated revenues should be raised by encouraging business rather than additional taxes. Mimi Henley supported a ballot measure to give the voting public a chance to decide whether they are willing to pay more money to maintain current levels of service. She expressed her wish that the City continue to fund the swimming pool and suggested a review of pool entry fees . City Council Special Meeting Page 2 September 15, 2004 · Keith Marzan stated the city should cut programs first and reinstate them if the public demands it. Al Frank spoke in opposition to proposing the ballot measure. Police Chief Kristen Anderson discussed increased demands for police services, noting that Port Townsend is ninth out of eleven comparable cities in the ratio of officers to citizens, and this does not take into consideration the large transient tourist population. Fire Chief Mike Mingee gave statistics about the increase in calls for service the Fire Department is dealing with; he noted that about ten percent of the time, the department cannot respond to a second call. Mayor Robinson stated that if a proposition is to go on the ballot, it must be delivered to the County by Friday. Mr. Masci stated he would only support option #3, which lists separate items for voter consideration and also will support the option only if the non-profit entities are broken out further for separate consideration (Chamber, EDC, Main Street, Arts Commission, Domestic Violence, Farmers Market). He stated that individual program voting is the only way citizens will know what is going to happen. He also suggested cutting funds for intergovernmental agreements with Jefferson County, but not in public service areas. · Mr. Benskin supported the separate item list approach, and suggested adding the library to the list. Ms. Sandoval stated that some services which are discretionary are amenities to many citizens and help encourage young families to live in Port Townsend. She added that most cities have various taxing districts for services such as parks, libraries, and fire. She said costs have not gone down even thought tax rate has decreased. She stated she would support a simple levy, which she says is more understandable and added that had the city done incremental raises over the years, the increase would not be such a shock now. She said the reason the voters changed the form of government was to put a professional manager in place and that manager is telling us we need to do this. Ms. Robinson stated that the listing of separate items can become very confusing and she is inclined to support a simpler ballot measure that asks one question and leaves it to the voters to decide if they are willing to pay for maintaining current levels of service and addressing deferred maintenance. She added that even if people could afford to live here they might not choose to do so if safety and activities for kids aren't available. She said the real question the elected representatives have to answer is whether the voters are willing to pay more property taxes for the services we have now. · Mrs. Medlicott stated she does not want to pay any more taxes and assumes few citizens do; however as a Councilor she knows that the city cannot be run on the amount of money which is currently coming in. Salaries have gone up, the city's income has not. City Council Special Meeting Page 3 September 15, 2004 . She stated the city provides a level of service that is extraordinary in contrast with other Western Washington cities. She added the effects of deferred maintenance are obvious to anyone who drives on the city's streets. She stated she would support a levy measure that increases taxes but only if the voters have a list to choose from. She would like an up or down on the entire amount but would like voters also to have the opportunity to indicate which programs they will or will not support. Ms. Fenn stated that the question is about more than line items in a budget; it is about the kind of community we want to live in the future. She said the Councilors have spent many hours studying the City's finances; all citizens do not have that opportunity. She stated her support for the recommendation of the Finance and Budget Committee to put a general levy before the voters in November, as there is little time to make a case for each element which might be proposed as a separate funding decision. She stated she does not want to set the precedent of asking the voters to balance the budget as that is the Council's job but supports a broad public discussion of the issue prior to the ballot. . Motion: Mr. Masci moved to approve Resolution 04-052 in version #3 with a correction on page 2 of the bulleted list to add a bullet saying "City streets and infrastructure have deteriorated to intolerable levels due to unfunding and underfunding" and to add that "current staffing levels are higher than in 2002; in (3) change $500,000 to $700,000 and change the deficit from $717,000 to $919,000 and add 5) Chamber of Commerce; 6) Economic Development Council; 7) Main Street; 8) Arts Commission; 9) Farmers Market; and 1 0) Domestic Violence program as separate items on the ballot. Mr. Benskin seconded. Ms. Sandoval stated she prefers a simple levy with increases for the purpose of keeping the level of service status quo; she stated she considers the suggested ballot proposition too lengthy and complex. Mr. Masci stated it is imperative that the items be voted on individually so that the individual items funded may be protected in perpetuity. Ms. Fenn stated that given the time frame of this vote it would be almost impossible to get the appropriate amount of statistical data to voters for educational purposes; she will not support what appears to be a laundry list. Mrs. Medlicott noted that having non-profits separately on the ballot because they are currently funded would preclude others from applying for funding; the list would be incomplete as to possible funding recipients. Amendment: Mr. Benskin proposed to amend the motion to replace the original language in version #3, with non-profits listed as one general item in #5 (remove proposed items 6 through 10). Mr. Masci seconded. Motion to amend carried, 4-2, by voice vote, Masci and Fenn opposed. . City Council Special Meeting Page 4 September 15, 2004 · Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved to strike all changes proposed in former amendments and consider the original resolution, version #3. Ms. Fenn seconded. The motion carried, 4-2, by voice vote, with Benskin and Masci opposed. Mr. Watts stated that Mrs. Medlicott noted that the Chamber does not receive general fund money; therefore it would be appropriate to strike "Chamber" and add another example, such as "Domestic Violence." Consensus: "Chamber" will be removedfrom the example list. Amendment: Mr. Benskin offered a friendly amendment to substitute "programs that provide community service." This was not accepted by the Council. Amendment: Mr. Benskin moved to amend the motion to remove all specific organization names and just leave the sentence with a period after "community services." Ms. Sandoval seconded. The amendment failed, 2-4, Fenn, Masci, Medlicott and Robinson opposed. Amendment: Ms. Sandoval moved to insert "domestic violence" to the list. Mr. Masci seconded. Motion carried, 4-2, by voice vote, with Benskin and Medlicott opposed. Vote on main motion, version #3 with "Domestic Violence" replacing "Chamber". Motionfailed, 2-4, by voice vote, with Fenn, Medlicott, Robinson and Sandoval opposed. · Motion: Ms. Fenn moved for adoption of Resolution 04-052, version #1 with Option B language ("to fund deferred maintenance projects and in order to maintain level of service "). Ms. Sandoval seconded. Vote: motion failed on a 3-3 tie by voice vote, Benskin, Masci and Medlicott opposed. RECESS Mayor Robinson called a recess at 9:05 p.m. for the purpose of a break. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 9:15 p.m. Motion: Mrs. Medlicott moved for adoption of Resolution 04-052, version one, removing options A and B and substituting "to maintain essential public services." Ms. Robinson seconded. Mrs. Medlicott clarified that the intent was to give the City the money to operate the essential services of the city such as police, fire, streets, etc. and leave the frills out; this would also serve to keep the ballot very simple. · City Council Special Meeting Page 5 September 15, 2004 · · · Mr. Masci suggested a change in wording to substitute "to maintain current levels of service. " Amendment: Ms. Robinson offered afriendly amendment to make the change "to maintain current levels of service." There were no objections. Vote: motion as amended carried, 4-2, by voice vote, Benskin and Masci opposed. Motion: Mr. Masci movedfor approval of Resolution 04-053. Ms. Sandoval seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Attest: ()~cK~ Pamela Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Special Meeting Page 6 September 15, 2004