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HomeMy WebLinkAbout041612 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF APRIL 16, 2012 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session on the 16th day of April 2012 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 540 Water Street, Mayor David King presiding. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Robert Gray, David King, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson with Kris Nelson, and Mark Welch excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Finance Director Michael Legarsky, Public Services Director Rick Sepler, and Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Presentation from the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board on the Yellow Archangel Work Plan was postponed to a future meeting. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board -- Yellow Archangel Work Plan (Postponed to future meeting) Presentation Role of 4-H Programs in the Community Pam Roberts, faculty at the WSU Extension Office, was present to provide a 4-H program update. She provided printed materials and encouraged the City to work in closer partnership with 4-H in the future. She responded to Council questions about 4-H programming. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Jim Todd spoke about signatures collected in support of an ordinance to ban plastic bags. Jude Rubin (Bag Monster) reiterated the need for Council to address the topic of City Council Business Meeting April 16,2012 Page 1 of 7 banning plastic bags in Port Townsend. Earll Murman thanked Council for listening to concerns about closing the pool and adjusting the repair schedule. Rose and Tanner, students on the Port Townsend swim team, thanked Council for re-funding the pool and keeping the pool open. City staff response There was none. CONSENT AGENDA Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: April 2, 2012 Resolution 12-018, authorization to Apply for Washington State Department of Health Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Loan Program for the mandated Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Facility project. Advisory Board Appointments - Climate Action Committee: Brian Goldstein (Resource Conservation Manager), Michael Tweiten (Local 20/20), Pinky Feria Mingo (Jefferson County Public Health—Green Business), Steve Tucker (Industry - Marine Trades) Larry Crockett, Alternate, Tammi Rubert (Jefferson Transit), Valerie Johnstone ( Faith-based) with all terms to expire December 31, 2014. Assign Repairs and Maintenance Funding Policy to Finance and Budget Committee Authorization for City Manager to seek Requests for Qualifications for a Financial Consultant to Assemble a Long Term Rate and Capital Funding Model for the CIP (Capital Improvement Program) Authorization to Expend Funds from Council Professional Services Fund for Resource Conservation Management Services Rhody Parade - Non-Motorized Board Entry - Council Approval Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve the consent agenda with the removal City Council Business Meeting April 16,2012 Page 2 of 7 of two items to Unfinished Business: Item F. Authorization for City Manager to seek Requests for Qualifications for a Financial Consultant to Assemble a Long Term Rate and Capital Funding Model for the CIP (Capital Improvement Program) and Item G. Authorization to Expend Funds from Council Professional Services Fund for Resource Conservation Management Services. Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Authorize Supplemental Appropriation for Drug Fund City Manager Timmons explained that funds collected from drug seizures and other enforcement measures can only be used for purposes of enhancing the Police Department. He requested Council pre-approval for the fund transfer to cover the cost of Devin McBride's basic law enforcement training. This item would be brought back when Council considers the supplemental budget. There was no public comment. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve authorizing the City Manager to transfer$3,288.33 from the Port Townsend Police Department(PTPD) Drug Enforcement fund to the PTPD training budget to cover half the cost of Devin McBride's Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA). Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Agreement with Fire District - Funding (Fire Truck) City Manager Timmons reported that the Fire District Board approved the agreement extension with the City for another year. This new agreement prevents an overlapping commitment with Parks and Recreation for public safety funds. If the City finds funds from other sources, it can prepay these monies. There was no public comment. Authorization for City Manager to seek Requests for Qualifications for a Financial Consultant to Assemble a Long Term Rate and Capital Funding Model for the CIP (Capital Improvement Program) Responding to a question about the estimated cost involved, City Manager Timmons said depending on whether the City ends up working with an individual or a team, the cost may differ. Monies need to be budgeted to complete the rate analysis for the capital improvement program -- particularly for secondary disinfection. Funding models such as a utility improvement district, limited City Council Business Meeting April 16,2012 Page 3 of 7 improvement district, or transportation benefit district need to be explored. Also a safety net policy will be needed for those who may be unable to pay an extra assessment. After the selection process involving two council members, a budget could be built most of the cost for which would come out of the 2013 budget. This action does not authorize any expenditure of funds. There was no public comment. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve authorizing the City Manager to seek Requests for Qualifications for a Financial Consultant to Assemble a Long Term Rate and Capital Funding Model for the CIP (Capital Improvement Program). Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Authorization to Expend Funds from Council Professional Services Fund for Resource Conservation Management Services. In response to a question of how the energy assistance program and the resource conservation management services overlap, Mr. Timmons explained that this action would simply release professional services funds bundled under the City Council budget to pay for the previously approved contract. These services are specific to day-to-day operations versus the energy assistance program for capital investment and implementation. Ms. Stinson reminded that although the resource conservation management work has limitations in scope consistent with the RCM funding grants, some of the work would provide a foundation for the work to be done through Honeywell. There was no public comment. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve authorizing the City Manager to Expend Funds from Council Professional Services Fund for Resource Conservation Management Services. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Ordinance 3072, relating to contracting indebtedness; providing for the issuance of not to exceed $6,000,000 par value of Limited Tax General Obligation Refunding Bonds, 2012, to refund certain outstanding general obligation bonds of the City; and delegating authority to the City Manager or Finance Director to approve the final terms of the bonds. City Manager David Timmons introduced Alan Dashen of Alan Dashen and Associates and Nancy Neraas of Foster Pepper, the City's bond counsel. He explained the proposal to delegate the timing and pricing of the bond to the City City Council Business Meeting April 16,2012 Page 4 of 7 Manager for flexibility in obtaining the most favorable rates in selling the bonds to refinance the City's debt. Alan Dashen explained the roles of the financial advisors in this bond issue. He distributed a handout titled Summary of Proposed LTGO Refunding Bonds reviewing corrections to the schedule of events, the list of the City's debt, and the potential savings scenario. He explained how advanced refunding works. Following clarifying questions, Mr. Dashen and Ms. Neraas said approving the ordinance would allow the Finance Director and City Manager to decide which bonds to finance and when rather than coming back to Council after the sale to approve the final terms. By refinancing now, savings can begin as early as 2012 providing a needed infusion of cash. There was Council discussion about waiving Council rules and adopting the Ordinance tonight. There was no public comment. In reviewing the mixed savings scenarios, there was discussion of establishing a policy on banking the savings in early years to address the debt repayment bump in 2016. Council could decide to set aside the savings in the general fund for the purpose of addressing the bump in payments in 2016. Mr. Timmons noted that already reflected in the scenarios is the attempt to address the bumps in 2016 and 2023. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve waiving Council rules and adopting Ordinance 3072 relating to contracting indebtedness;providing for the issuance of not to exceed$6,000,000 par value of Limited Tax General Obligation Refunding Bonds, 2012, to refund certain outstanding general obligation bonds of the City; and delegating authority to the City Manager or Finance Director to approve the final terms of the bonds. Deborah Stinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve directing the City Manager to prepare a policy resolution on allocating the savings of the bonds to future bond payments. Deborah Stinson seconded. Vote: motion carried, 4-1 by voice vote, Michelle Sandoval opposed. Ordinance 3073, modifying PTMC 10.28.010 to extend the 30 mph speed limit zone on SR20 in the vicinity of Howard Street westward to milepost 10.12 to provide better speed limit transition on the approach to the roundabout at Howard Street. Public Works Director Ken Clow noted this is a housekeeping measure to address the speed limit signs to account for the placement of the roundabouts. This move is to address confusion over the 40 mph to 30 mph transition farther City Council Business Meeting April 16,2012 Page 5 of 7 to the west. There was no public comment. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve waiving Council rules and approving Ordinance 3073, modifying PTMC 10.28.010 to extend the 30 mph speed limit zone on SR20 in the vicinity of Howard Street westward to milepost 10.12 to provide better speed limit transition on the approach to the roundabout at Howard Street. Robert Gray seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT Mr. King reported on the following: - Meeting on Monday with the County on Glen Cove LAMIRDs - Meeting with the Public Development Authority and Commissioner Phil Johnson regarding County support of Building 202 at Fort Worden - Presenting proclamations for Angel of the Arts (Bill Mawhinney) and Patron of the Arts (George Randels) CITY MANAGER REPORT Community Video Program (CGI Communications) City Manager Timmons explained the Community Video Program. Videos would be produced and then published through a link from the City website to promote individual businesses for the purposes of economic development. There being no Council objection, he agreed to sign up for this program. Mr. Timmons also reported on the following: - Weekend vandalism - South Taylor Street sidewalk changes in construction materials - Receipt of$375,000 from the State for the Carnegie Library. Staff is looking into addressing sidewalk deterioration on Lawrence Street - Award of the City Lake Water reservoir contract - project to begin next month - Interviews continue for a Payroll and Benefits Specialist - Low building and construction permitting levels - Parking issues at Fort Worden associated with the July 4 Fireworks celebration - Waterfront esplanade sidewalk project to begin next week. By May 7, alternatives should be available for finishing the project - The City lost approximately $65,000 this year in liquor excise tax revenues. Next year, the loss is expected to be $132,000. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING City Council Business Meeting April 16,2012 Page 6 of 7 AND/OR STUDY SESSION COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Ms. Sandoval reported on her attendance at a Washington State Tourism Alliance meeting which helps promote tourism in Washington State. She congratulated staff and the tunnel lid construction crew for the positive comments mentioned in the newspaper. In response to a request for the status of the Bell Tower repairs, Mr. Clow noted that the project is to be complete by next week. Much of the work has been weather (wind) dependant. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m. Attest: �g j 4 Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting April 16,2012 Page 7 of 7