The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About112707CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF NOVEMBER 27, 2007 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in special session the twenty- seventh day of November 2007, at 6:30 p.m. in tine Port Townsend City Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Mark Welch presiding. OATH OF OFFICE Council member Catharine Robinson announced her resignation from Council Position #4 in order to take Position #2, to which she was elected in the recently certified election. City Attorney John Watts administered the Oath of Office to Catharine Robinson, elected to Council Position #2. Motion: Mrs. Medlicott moved to appoint George Randels to Council Position #4 for the remainder of the calendar year (based on Council motion from regular meeting of October 7, 2007). Mr. Welch seconded. Motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. City Attorney Watts administered the Oath of Office to George Randeis, appointed to Council Position #4. ROLL CALL Council members present at roll call were Frank Benskin, Laurie Medlicott, Catharine Robinson, George Randels, Michelle Sandoval and Mark Welch. Geoff Masci was present by telephone. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Finance Director Michael Legarsky, Planning Director Rick Sepler, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Police Chief Conner Daily, Library Director Theresa Percy, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Welch noted that, because of actions taken at the November 26 meeting, items c (Ordinance 2962), d (Ordinance 2958), and c (agreements) would be removed from the agenda. City Council Special Meeting Page T November 27, 2007 The Mayor also corrected misinformation published in the Peninsula Daily News today concerning the actions regarding banked capacity taken by the Council at the November 26 special meeting. ORDINANCE 2961 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND REPEALING PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 3.48 AND ORDINANCE 2781 CONCERNING BANKED REAL PROPERTY TAX CAPACITY -VOTER APPROVAL Mr. Timmons reviewed budget issues. He noted that the Finance and Budget Committee has proposed that a 2% across the board cut to General Fund Departments (not Library) be set aside as Council reserve funds. Allocation of the funds will be considered in 2008 on an individual request basis. This will amount to approximately $30,000. Public Comment Sam Shoen, representing Make WAVES, stated concern that his organization is being blamed for not supporting a tax increase. He noted that although the group had met with City Manager Timmons, the time frame was extremely short and the group could not be ready to make a commitment on the small amount of information and lack of time for discussion and review. Joanne Tyler speaking as an individual, expressed support for the ordinance and stated she would like the City to seek ways of funding services other than allowing formula stores. As Vice President of the Port Townsend Library Foundation, she stated the Foundation is very interested in considering any partnerships available with the City. David Hero stated he would support whatever action the Council feels needs to be taken. Motion: Ms. Robinson moved for approval of Ordinance 2961. Mr. Randels seconded. The motion carried, 4-3, by ro!I calf vote, Benskin, Masci and Medlicott opposed. ORDINANCE 2955 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND FIXING AND ADOPTING 2008 PROPERTY TAX LEVIES WITH AN INCREASE OF ELEVEN PERCENT (11%) FOR GENERAL LEVY AND ONE PERCENT (1%) FOR THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES LEVY; AND AMENDING ORDINANCE 2955 PASSED OCTOBER 15, 2007 City Council Special Meeting Page 2 November 27, 2007 Mayor Welch read the revised ordinance aloud for the benefit of Councilor Masci Motion: Mr. Randels moved that two textual corrections be made on the first page: in fifth "whereas" clause, insert "take" between `may" and "action" and in the sixth "whereas" clause insert 'deadline" after November 30." Mr Welch seconded. The motion carried, 6-1, Masci opposed. Motion: Ms. Robinson moved for adoption of Ordinance 2955. Mr. Randels seconded. The motion carried, 4-3, by roll call vote, Benskin, Masci and Medlicott opposed. Motion: Mr. Benskin moved that the City Attorney be directed to provide a second opinion on the legal sufftciency of providing the revised ordinance to the County Assessor prior to five days following the publication date of the ordinance; opinion can come from MRSC, AWC or private counsel. Ms. Sandoval seconded. Amendment by Ms. Sandoval that staff supplies information from the last few years regarding the dates when tax levy ordinances were adopted and subsequently delivered to the County Assessor compared to the dates of publication and effectiveness of the ordinances was accepted without objection. The motion carried, 4-3, by voice vote, Randels, Robinson and Welch opposed ORDINANCE 2958 2008 BUDGET Mr. Timmons distributed information on impacts to the budget for various scenarios, including across the board departmental cuts. Ms. Robinson and Mr. Welch reviewed some discussion from the Finance and Budget Committee meeting held just prior to the Council meeting. Discussion topics included the following: Liquor excise tax. Mr. Timmons noted that although the City's understanding was that the Liquor Excise tax remitted to the County funded a "Prevention Specialist" - the County's budget shows that no funds have been allocated for this position since 2005. Pending information from the County on this situation, Council may choose to appropriate the Liquor Excise tax funds to Domestic Violence and the Boiler Room (rather than to the County to fund the prevention specialist), which would free up about $35,000 to the General Fund. Mr. Timmons also noted that it appears the County has a considerable fund balance of 22% while the City is struggling to maintain a 5% fund balance. He added that it seems inequitable that funding continues to flow from the City to the County in light of the County's apparent ability to fund programs with their own resources. City Council Special Meeting Page 3 November 27, 2007 Council's concerns for funding prioritization also include the School Resource Officer position, library hours, and the swimming pool. Mr. Benskin suggested that a position be cut from the DSD staff in order to make up some of the funding for these programs. RECESS Mayor Welch declared a recess at 8:12 p.m. for the purpose of a break. Mr. Masci was excused from the meeting. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 8:20 p.m Further budget discussion centered on the pool. Mr. Timmons noted that a tiered user fee increase is proposed for 2008 that will bring in about $22,000. Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved to direct staff to prepare a letter to the Jefferson County Healthcare Commissioners, the Board of County Commissioners, and the School District asking them to participate in a financial partnership to sustain the operation of the community pool. Mr Benskin seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. Mr. Robinson stated she would be bringing the restoration of Library hours to the table at the next meeting. LETTER TO STATE LEGISLATURE REGARDING INITIATIVE 747, TAX LIMITS Motion: Mr. Welch moved to authorize the Mayor to send the letter in the packet to state and federal legislators regarding Initiative 747, Tax Limits. Ms. Robinson seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Attest: ~~ ~. ' >fti~c.c0 Pam Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Special Meeting Page 4 November 27, 2007