HomeMy WebLinkAbout110507 WorkshopCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in workshop session the fifth day of
November 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Port Townsend City Council Chambers of City Hall,
Mayor Mark Welch presiding.
ROLL CALL
Council members present at roll call were Laurie Medlicott, George Randels, Michelle
Sandoval, Catharine Robinson and Mark Welch. Geoff Masci and Frank Benskin were
excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts,
Finance Director Michael Legarsky, DSD Director Leonard Yarberry, Public Works
Director Ken Clow, Police Chief Conner Daily, Planning Director Rick Sepler.
2008 BUDGET
City Manager David Timmons reported that Enterprise and Utility funds are pertorming
well and advancing projects and priorities. The general fund supports other areas of City
operations, and refinements or changes are necessary in order to sustain levels of
service with the available income. Capital maintenance is also a consideration. Work
continues on capital project commitments. A concern is that priorities could be shifted in
January after the Council has its annual retreat. With reconciling and closing out the
present capital budget, there would be additional changes and impacts to the 2008
budget. Another issue is how to schedule projects with significant permitting or
engineering.
The City has received State approval for seismic retrofit upgrades to the police station
and a request has been forwarded to the Federal government for consideration. The
City would also look for legislative support and funding for continuation of Upper Sims.
WSDOT would like the City to bring matters forward legislatively. The Library capital
campaign is ready to begin. A seismic retrofit application similar to the police station
would be submitted. To help the street fund, the legislature has created a new option to
add funds for road improvements, but this would take more time to discuss. Utility tax is
included and staff has earmarked $200K for general maintenance and $149K for capital
improvements, which will leverage outside funding for the sidewalk projects.
Discussion then ensued about what revenue options might help close the $130K gap in
the General Fund budget to maintain the fund reserve and balance revenue to expense.
City Council Workshop Page 1 November 5, 2007
In response to Council questions, Mr. Timmons reviewed projected sales tax, B&O tax,
and business license fee revenues. Potential fee increases were discussed in the areas
of park rentals and pool use.
Mr. Timmons noted that Public Safety, Parks, and the Library cost centers have the
largest impact to the general fund. Discussions are occurring with the School to
consider how to defray the costs of reinstituting the school resource officer. The ongoing
impact of jail and dispatch costs is also a concern. There is also work to reduce law
enforcement overtime associated with special events. Parks are accumulating a lot of
deferred maintenance. The Library has limited opportunities for new fees, but could
institute a fee for interlibrary loans and/or late fees. If a vacancy or retirement were to
occur, Departments would review rather than automatically filling the position.
In response to questions, Mr. Timmons explained the option of using interest earnings
to pay off current year debt or using cash flow to meet needs. If the Police, Public
Works and Parks did not take equipment replacement costs, the budget would balance,
but it would negatively impact future budgets.
There was further discussion of the possibility of programmatic changes such as PTTV,
YMCA and the pool. There was some Council support for staff researching cutbacks in
the areas of Library, Parks and Police since those were not passed in the levy.
Council directed staff to return in two weeks with budget savings recommendations,
including estimated revenue projections as a result of new or increased user fees in the
areas of Parks and Pool. There was support for staff entering discussions with the
hospital and school district on possible financial support of pool operations. Mr.
Timmons agreed to try to produce a table of consequences and actions.
There was Council interest in holding a January Council retreat for an in-depth
discussion of sustainable revenues and budget stabilization measures.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
Minutes prepared by:
Joanna Sanders, Legal Assistant
Attest:
Pam Kolacy, MMC
City Clerk
Cify Council Workshop Page 2 November 5, 2007