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CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING OF OCTOBER 26, 2006
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in workshop session this twenty-
sixth day of October 2006, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend temporary Council
Chambers in the Port Townsend Fire Station conference room, Mayor Mark Welch
presiding.
ROLL CALL
Council members present at roll call were Geoff Masci, Laurie Medlicott, Scott
Walker and Mark Welch. Frank Benskin, Catharine Robinson, and Michelle
Sandoval were not present.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, Finance Director
Michael Legarsky, DSD Director Leonard Yarberry, Library Director Theresa Percy,
Police Chief Conner Daily and Fire Chief Mike Mingee
2007 BUDGET
GENERAL FUND
SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS
Mr. Legarsky provided a chart showing the General Fund Department Expenditures
by percentage.
Mr. Masci noted that long-term care insurance will be an issue for the LEOFF I
retirees, as the City is responsible for long-term care. Staff is looking into insurance
and for retirees who don't qualify for long term care insurance; a fund will need to be
built up to cover expenses.
Council discussed upcoming process and the changes in terms of budget
preparation that have been initiated in the past few years.
Mr. Timmons noted he has tasked the Public Works Director to develop a revised
fee schedule for parks, facilities and pools.
Development Services Department
Director Leonard Yarberry stated that he is preparing a revised fee structure, with
emphasis on modifications to land use fees and development review engineering
which will enable a better level of cost recovery for the services of the department.
City Council Workshop
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October 26, 2006
Library
Library Director Theresa Percy reviewed the proposed Library budget; she noted
that because of several major staff positions taking extended leaves, the staffing
pattern has not been accurate for the last few years as support staff has increased
hours to backfill for positions.
She reviewed the significant changes over the past few years which have resulted in
greater expenditures for the library, including increased payroll and benefits,
updated technology, and the CLAN system. Mr. Timmons noted the increased
quality of Library programs.
Police
Police Chief Conner Daily reviewed the Police Department budget, noting the impact
of dispatch and jail fees and the difficulty of hiring and replacing employees as major
budget factors.
Mr. Timmons noted that although Port Townsend's wage structure is competitive in
comparison with other cities our size, the high cost of housing has an impact on our
ability to attract employees.
Alternatives are being explored which would increase the use of non or partially
commissioned officers to perform duties such as code enforcement and community
outreach; the success of the event coordinator position was noted. This would free
up the commissioned officers to do police functions.
Mr. Timmons noted that most agree the level of service needs to be raised;
however, a revenue base has not been identified; this in combination with other
needs will necessitate eventually going to the voters to ask them to fund the City's
needs.
Fire
Fire Chief Mike Mingee noted that the City's portion of the Fire budget is part of a
much larger fund covered by the consolidation agreement with Fire District #1. He
discussed the increasing need for service and the efficiencies which have been put
in place due to the agreement.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Attest:
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Pam Kolacy, CMC
City Clerk
City Council Workshop
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October 26, 2006