Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout110512 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF NOVEMBER 5, 2012 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the 5th day of November 2012 at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend City Council Chambers of City Hall at 540 Water Street, Mayor King presiding. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Robert Gray, David King, Kris Nelson, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, Deborah Stinson, and Mark Welch. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, Public Works Director Ken Clow, City Attorney John Watts, Public Services Director Rick Sepler, Library Director Theresa Percy, City Engineer Dave Peterson, Deputy Finance Director Corena Stern, and Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Item C from the Consent Agenda was moved to Unfinished Business. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Anita Edwards spoke about the pool and thanked Council for their support and efforts. Ken Dane spoke about the library and urged Council to move forward with bringing a vote on the library before the voters. City staff response There was none. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Proclamation Arbor Day Rosemary Sikes, Chair of the Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board accepted the Arbor Day proclamation. ` CONSENT AGENDA City Council Business Meeting November 5, 2012 Page 1 of 6 Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 119005 through 119216 in the amount of$224,675.88 Vouchers 119006 through 119089 in the amount of$437,072.05 Vouchers 119099 through 119107 in the amount of$93,455.36 Voucher 119108 in the amount of$4,544.63 Vouchers 119109 through 119130 in the amount of$26,012.38 Vouchers 119218 through 119220 in the amount of$1,843.76 Vouchers 119131 through 119203 in the amount of$138,308.78 Voucher 119204 in the amount of$243.59 Voucher 119217 in the amount of$11,753.13 EFT in the amount of$43.65 Contract Authorizations with Public Library Foundation for Phase 2.5 and Phase 4 of the Overall Library Seismic Retrofit and Expansion Project, and related Contract Amendments with the City's Contractor on the Project (Hoch), as Outlined in the Agenda Bill Approval of Minutes: September 26, October 1, and October 15 Business Meeting, and October 15 Workshop Motion: Kris Nelson moved to approve adopting the consent agenda without Item C. Contract Authorizations with Public Library Foundation. Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING Ordinance 3084, Fixing and Adopting 2013 Property Tax Levies with an increase of one percent (1.00%) for the General Levy, and an increase of zero percent (0%) for the Emergency Medical Services Levy Mayor King read the rules of procedure for the public hearing. No council members had any financial or property interests to disclose in connection with the matter. City Manager David Timmons reviewed the agenda materials and explained the levy rates for the General Levy (increasing by 1%) and the Emergency Medical Services Levy (increasing by 0%). The 2013 General Levy would be $3,693,363 and the Fire/EMS Levy would be $732,267. He noted that two parts of the General Levy are special purpose for Library and Fire. The balance of the General Levy rate is for General City purposes. The EMS levy is subject to a 1% limitation but because of the valuation, there is another trigger that caps it at its maximum 50 cent authorized rate. Once estimates are calculated the General tax rate would be about $2.53 which is below the maximum rate of$3.60. He reviewed Attachment 2 for the explanation of the calculation. There was no public comment. City Council Business Meeting November 5, 2012 Page 2 of 6 Mr. Timmons responded to Council questions about the specific library allocation and Fire/EMS levy. There was an error noted on Attachment 2 where the second column heading under EMS should say 2013 rather than 2012. He further explained the effect to the City's banked capacity if the City and Fire District annexation takes place. Mayor King asked if there was a table that might describe these limitations or scenarios. Mr. Timmons said Staff would look at this impact in the context of other decisions to be made. Mayor King closed the public hearing. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3084 Fixing and Adopting 2013 Property Tax Levies with an increase of one percent(1.00%) for the General Levy, and an increase of zero percent (0%) for the Emergency Medical Services Levy. Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Contract Authorizations with Public Library Foundation for Phase 2.5 and Phase 4 of the Overall Library Seismic Retrofit and Expansion Project, and related Contract Amendments with the City's Contractor on the Project (Hoch), as Outlined in the Agenda Bill Public Works Director Ken Clow gave the staff report reviewing the project phases and costs. He recommended Council approve the contract authorizations as stated in the agenda bill with the correction that authorization for Phase 4 be limited to signing design contracts. Once Staff has the design and cost estimates, Staff would return with a request for authorization to proceed to construction. Mr. Clow and Mr. Timmons responded to questions about the project timeline, foundation fundraising goals, and grant deadlines. They noted that FEMA requires completion of Phase 2 by the end of the year which is on track. They also responded to additional questions about the definition of limited interior repairs and future grant opportunities. Mr. Timmons indicated that Council would need to discuss options regarding moving back into the Carnegie building after Phase 2.5 completion. Public Comment: There was none. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve authorizing the City Manager to sign funding agreements between the City and the Port Townsend Public Library Foundation for Phase 2.5 and Phase 4 of the overall Library Seismic Retrofit and Expansion Project, and related contract amendments with the City's Contractor on the Project(Hoch), as outlined in the agenda bill (with the stipulation that Phase 4 is limited to design only). Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS City Council Business Meeting November 5, 2012 Page 3 of 6 Ordinance 3085, Amending the Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapters 5.04A (Business and Occupation Tax) and PTMC 5.0413 (Administrative Provisions for Business and Occupation Taxes) Consistent with State Law Requirements Mr. Timmons presented the staff report on this ordinance to bring the City into compliance with state law. Mr. Timmons and City Attorney John Watts responded to Council questions and noted certain corrections in the ordinance and exhibits. Mr. Watts stated that the Association of Washington Cities approved the changes to the model ordinance which are mirrored in the draft ordinance before Council. There was Council interest in how business owners would be notified of these changes. There were no public comments. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3085, Amending the Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapters 5.04A (Business and Occupation Tax) and PTMC 5.04B (Administrative Provisions for Business and Occupation Taxes) Consistent with State Law Requirements. Deborah Stinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Public Infrastructure Funding (PIF) Agreements - Esplanade - Building 202 Mr. Timmons provided background on the City's application for Public Infrastructure Funds for two City projects in order to free up City funds for needed pool repairs. The projects for which the City is now seeking funds are $450,000 for the Esplanade project (2012) and $150,000 for Fort Worden Building 202 (in 2014-2015). With the PIF Board's recommendation today to grant these funds, he sought Council authorization to prepare the agreements by the end of this fiscal year. He noted the pool repairs are not currently in the budget so the City would need a bridge loan until receipt of the PIF funding. Mr. Timmons and Mr. Watts responded to Council questions. Discussion ensued about the projects listed on the original PIF request. There were also questions about the discussions the City had with the County about Proposition 1 funding and the perception of these communications by the public. There was significant discussion about a concern raised by Mr. Gray about the postponement of the Castle Hill park project in lieu of prioritizing funding for the Waterfront Esplanade project (paving, parking, and adding rain gardens). In response to an additional question about PIF funds to be used for Fort Worden and Building 202, Mr. Timmons explained that if funds were not able to be used for that project, Council would need to consider other eligible projects such as Sheridan Street or the Howard Street corridor. City Council Business Meeting November 5, 2012 Page 4 of 6 There was no public comment. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve authorizing the City Manager to enter into grant or other agreements with the County for the PIF funding for the Esplanade and Building 202 projects consistent with the PIF Board's recommendation. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed. There was interest in discussing funding for the Castle Hill park project during budget discussions. PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT Town Meeting Schedule Mr. King explained his recommendation to postpone the scheduled December Town Meeting until January following the budgeting process. There was no objection. Council Committee Meeting Schedule Given other projects and priorities, Mr. King suggested postponing Council committee meetings through the end of the year. He would also be revisiting Council committee assignments and asked Councilmembers to let him know of their interests. There were no objections. CITY MANAGER REPORT 2013 Budget Presentation Mr. Timmons gave a detailed explanation of the budget structure and said there would be further reconciliation and updates to the Capital Projects schedule. He then reviewed some of the City's accomplishments and areas of progress as well as recent budget challenges. He believes the City is in a good position for 2012. Looking at the 2013 Department Summary, Mr. Timmons explained the need to balance payroll costs using a status quo budget with fewer revenues. He then presented his budget memo covering the following areas: 2012 Emerging Issues, 2012 General Fund Revenue, Balance our Engineering Staffing, Adjusting 2013 Budget for Utilities, Budget 2013 Initial Assessment, Actions to Address the Initial Assessment, General Fund, Water and Sewer Fund, Operations, Reduction in Capital Projects, Five-Year Capital Budget Plan, and Equipment Rental and Replacement Fund. He suggested Council use the bullet points under Summary of Initial Pro Forma to come up with its 2013 work plan. Mr. Timmons then listed elements to address in a 2012 Supplemental Budget. He reminded the Council that the budget is adopted on a fund basis, so once the City Council Business Meeting November 5, 2012 Page 5 of 6 bottom-line figure is established there is flexibility within that fund for changes. He then moved to a review of the items requiring further staff investigations, mentioning that the schedules in the back of the budget help provide an explanation. He urged Councilmembers to submit their questions to him in writing so that he has time to respond in time for the November 13 budget workshop. Councilmembers requested copies of the transfer summary and the ten-year tax revenue history as distributed at the Finance and Budget Committee. There was no public comment. Council Committees and Advisory Bodies Council discussed the Committees and Advisory Bodies Guidelines document dated October 29, 2012. Given the desire to balance staffs need to focus on priorities and challenges facing the City with not wanting to discourage volunteers working on committees, Council agreed that committee meetings would be postponed until the end of the year rather than the end of the first quarter, and the matter would be revisited in January. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Ms. Robinson suggested there be a future Council workshop detailing the Library project. Mr. Timmons also suggested the November 13 budget workshop be divided into two sections: one to discuss the budget and the remainder to review work plan items and scheduling. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Mayor King reminded all citizens to vote. EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting November 5, 2012 Page 6 of 6