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HomeMy WebLinkAbout051707 MINUTES OF THE JOINT WORK/STUDY SESSION OF MAY 17, 2007 PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in workshop session the seventeenth day of May, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 540 Water Street, Port Townsend, Washington, Mayor Mark Welch and BOCC Chair Phil Johnson presiding. ROLL CALL Council members present at roll call were Frank Benskin, Geoff Masci, Laurie Medlicott, George Randels, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Mark Welch. Commissioners present were John Austin, Phil Johnson, and David Sullivan. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, County Administrator John Fischbach, members of County Planning Staff Brent Butler and Karen Barrows, City Clerk Pam Kolacy SCHEDULE FOR FUTURE MEETINGS Consensus to schedule a joint meeting every other month; next meeting to be held in July or August. DISCUSSION ITEMS Contractual Agreements Group agreed it is important that all are operating from the same terminology and knowledge base. Municipal Court Jail Dispatch Health & Human Services Animal Services Mr. Timmons stated that most of the expense issues relate to court, jail and dispatch - areas where the City has a statutory requirement to provide services and has chosen to provide them by contracting for services with Jefferson County. He noted that from the City's perspective there have been several years in which there have City Council BOCC Workshop Page 1 May 17, 2007 been "hits" to the General Fund due to a large increase in billings and there was no revenue base to cover them. He stated he is interested in getting direction from the legislative bodies about how to deal with these issues as well as possible joint venture opportunities. Mr. Fischbach stated that jail expenditures are on third of the Sheriff's budget; the City does receive directly any City-related fines and fees from the Court. He added that the County uses the Federal formula for cost allocation billing and that as the jail population goes down, the costs go up since the substantial overhead expenses are fixed. Mr. Sullivan noted it makes sense in that respect to use the local facility rather than transporting prisoners out of County. Ms. Sandoval noted that the City's decision to house prisoners out of the County was based on financial implications of multiple day stays. Mr. Welch said that there is a perception that citizens of the City are being subjected to double taxation since they pay taxes as County residents and then pay again for County services through the City's general fund expenditures. . Mr. Sullivan noted this is a legal framework decided by the state. Ms. Robinson asked that the County Administrator provide materials he referenced that had been provided to the Commissioners to the City Council as well. She then wondered if staffs could be asked to work on a new paradigm that would make things more predictable in this area. Mr. Randels said it would make more sense to charge on a per capita basis than per misdemeanors of felonies. Mr. Fischbach stated that unpredictability is a problem to both entities; perhaps setting a fixed fee would make sense. He said he believes that staff could come up with several alternatives. Mr. Timmons noted that from the City administration's point of view it is more difficult to deal with a sudden jump than with incremental rising costs; the entities need legislative leadership to address the issues. He added that the court system is becoming more strict on longer sentencing; however, the court can add court costs to the prisoner's fine for example. He believes that the problem may be better solved by finding revenues to help recover costs than by unit pricing. Mr. Sullivan noted that there are big costs associated with medical and dental expenses; he stated there is a need for the City and County to act as allies and lobby the state legislature on these issues. City Council BOCC Workshop Page 2 May 17, 2007 Regarding dispatch services, Mr. Fischbach noted that the fire districts are currently being "carried" by the other dispatch partners due to the original formula that was set. He stated that all are aware of the problem and that a solution is necessary. Mr. Timmons noted the problem with the formula is there is no fixed base rate based on capacity to serve with a volumetric rate for use. In answer to Mr. Masci's question, Mr. Fischbach stated that he and Mr. Timmons wanted to begin dividing the costs proportionately but the others on the board wanted to wait a year. The smaller entities on the board currently have equal representation with the City and County representatives. Mr. Timmons stated that the consolidation of the fire districts unmasked the problems with the allocation system. He stated he advocates cost of service allocation. Mr. Randels stated that weighted voting according to use of the service would make sense. Regarding the antiquated infrastructure, Mr. Fischbach noted that bonds have been sold which will be repaid from the sales tax revenues as there was not enough money in the reserves to cover the cost of a new system. Regarding public health issues, Mr. Masci stated that Counties are filling a hole in public health created by the elimination of much state funding. He stated this is another area where lobbying should be undertaken. Mrs. Medlicott stated she would like numbers showing a breakdown of dispatch calls for service and charges. JOINT COOPERATIVE EFFORTS Climate Protection Resolution Mr. Johnson spoke in favor of supporting a climate protection resolution. Ms. Barrows noted that a joint resolution would be similar to the Clallam County resolution; she stated the resolution has been altered somewhat to reflect the specifics for Jefferson County. Mr. Timmons noted that from the City administration's perspective, some of the tweaking served to establish the County as the lead agency (similar to the housing task force) and make sure it dovetailed with the City's other energy discussions and task force so they work together rather than in competition. Mr. Butler noted that the resolution would come before the Commissioners on Tuesday, May 29. Mr. Masci requested language changes. City Council BOCC Workshop Page 3 May 17, 2007 Mr. Timmons stated he would like the County to take the initiative and appoint committee members with input from the City. Mrs. Medlicott stated this is not the City's usual process and asked that Councilors have the resolution to study before they simply adopt another entity's version. Mr. Butler agreed there could be two separate resolutions instead of a joint resolution. Mr. Timmons noted that the Council had expressed concerns about workload and staffing in relation to the issue. HOUSING NEEDS Questions were asked regarding the nature of involvement of government agencies in conjunction with other agencies working for affordable housing, such as Habitat for Humanity and Kitsap Housing Authority. Ms. Sandoval noted that the Housing Needs group is having discussions about a coalition or alliance including these groups and the governments to work toward the common goal of providing affordable housing. PARKSfRECREA TION Mr. Fischbach listed several documents and studies he has provided to the Commissioners in regard to parks and recreation options. Mr. Welch asked if this same information could also be provided to the City Council. It was suggested that staffs provide inventories of what types of recreational and park facilities each entity has; this might be a topic for a single meeting. Mr. Timmons noted that the City is under pressure to decide what to do with the existing swimming pool. He noted that the Quimper Foundation has offered to facilitate discussions about this issue with emphasis on a consolidated approach and bringing forward a community, rather than a political perspective. The Foundation may be able to provide private funding to support the discussion. ARTS FUNDING Ms. Sandoval stated that the City's Arts Commission has asked to fund events outside the City limits and invited the County to join with the City to support and fund the arts in Jefferson County. Mr. Randels noted that assisting the development of art is a way for the government to provide economic and other opportunities for its citizens. Mr. Austin spoke in support of considering the proposal. City Council BOCC Workshop Page 4 May 17, 2007 ADJOURN At 8:43, there was consensus to move the remaining agenda items (revenue sharing, land use/water/transportation, roundabout at Mill Road, economic development, ag food economy, library, public infrastructure fund) to the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:45 p.m. Attest: VIlrn cp{~ Pam Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council BOCC Workshop Page 5 May 17,2007