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HomeMy WebLinkAbout081312 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING OF AUGUST 13, 2012 CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in workshop session the thirteenth day of August 2012 at 6:30 p.m. in the third floor conference room of City Hall, Deputy Mayor Kris Nelson presiding. ROLL CALL Council members present at roll call were Robert Gray, Kris Nelson, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, Deborah Stinson, and Mark Welch. David King was excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, Public Services Director Rick Sepler, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Library Director Theresa Percy, Planning Director Judy Surber, Sgt. Troy Surber, Public Safety Analyst Michael Evans, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy TOWN MEETINGS/ COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS Ms. Nelson and Mr. Sepler reviewed suggested formats, approaches and desired outcomes in regard to the proposed series of town meetings proposed for this fall. Council members were polled as to their thoughts on important aspects of the meetings. Several methods of notifying the public of the meeting were suggested. Other potential ways to boost attendance were suggested such as having child care available and working with Jefferson Transit to extend hours of operation on the evenings of the meetings. EMERGING BUDGET ISSUES City Manager Timmons gave an overview of the issues and challenges faces in the City in developing the 2013 budget. STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS (SWOT) Mr. Sepler facilitated a "SWOT" exercise for the Council. Both verbatim results of the exercise and a summary are attached. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Attest: Pam Kolacy, MMC, City Clerk City Council Special Meeting Page 1 August 13, 2012 STRENGTHS -Strong Community Engagement Aging Demographics (But Do We hear from all?) Strong, creative can do entrepreneurs -Beauty of built environment Mild climate -History Local food & beer .Solid institutions—non-profits+ Natural beauty—access to Volunteerism Anchor store coming *Communities That Care Hike & Bike Youth work Safe—good to raise kids *YPN —Young Professionals Network Open to alternate ways—willing to try new things *Library Entrepreneurial Bus system Well educated citizenry— talented Rural Broadband People important Parks Highly visible (Granicus) Unbalanced attention WEAKNESSES Aging demographics Limited Diversification in job opportunities Climate refugees? Lack of ethnic diversity Retail leakage (lack of anchors) Rural Limited employment opportunities/low wage jobs High housing costs—housing affordability gap Consistent intergovernmental cooperation Gentrification/displacement Increased demand for service coupled w/desire to not pay any more Crumbling infrastructure Communication sharing Students on assistance Desire for historic homes has decreased Loans for historic home mortgages difficult to get OPPORTUNITIES *Familiarity w/state legislators *Unique role in region *High level of visibility &. much loved *Lots of activities we're known for Well connected/involved regionally *Artistic reputation *Creative solutions gaining national reputation Magazine recognition Library has national reputation School district changes—Collaboration opportunity School Staff fabulous NWMC—Academy—put us on the map! Historic District Film reputation THREATS *The economy/$/Wall Street *The ferry *WA State Parks Board *State budget-No income tax *Cost up; income down *Heavier competition for grant money *Initiatives & referendums *Aging demographics *Health care *Overwhelming lack of opportunity for youth Global warming—climate refugees Lack of Heiniken *Lack of high education funding *Have & have-nots—widening gap *fuel>_transportation costs/energy *Costco WT Who We Are Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Strong Community Well Engagement connected/involved regionally *High level of visibility & much loved Well educated/talented Lack of ethnic diversity *Artistic reputation *Lack of high education citizenry funding Students on assistance *Creative solutions gaining national *Have & have-nots— Aging Demographics reputation widening gap Gentrification/displaceme *YPN—Young nt Professionals Network People important *Overwhelming lack of (Volunteerism/Communit opportunity for youth es That Care/Youth work) *Aging demographics Open to alternate ways— *Unique role in region willing to try new things Where We Live Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Natural beauty—access High housing costs— Magazine recognition to housing affordability gap Mild climate Climate refugees? *Lots of activities Global warming-- we're known for climate refugees Rural Rural *fuel>_transportation costs/energy Beauty of built Desire for historic homes *State budget-No environment has decreased income tax Loans for historic home mortgages difficult to get Safe—good to raise kids History Crumbling infrastructure Historic District *Heavier competition for grant money Increased demand for service coupled w/desire to not pay any more Hike & Bike Parks Library Library has national reputation Solid institutions—non- NWMC—Academy- profits put us on the map! Film reputation Bus system *The ferry How We Make A Living Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Strong, creative can do Limited Diversification in Familiarity w/state *Cost up; income down entrepreneurs job opportunities legislators Limited employment opportunities/low wage *Health care jobs Broadband Communication sharing Local food & beer Retail leakage (lack of *The economy/$/Wall anchors) Street (Anchor store coming) *Costco Government Matters Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Strong Community But Do We hear from all? Engagement Unbalanced attention on City City meetings Highly visible government (Granicus) Consistent School district *WA State Parks Board intergovernmental changes— cooperation Collaboration opportunity School Staff fabulous *Initiatives & referendums