HomeMy WebLinkAbout100713 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE BUSINESS MEETING OF OCTOBER 7, 2013
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session the 7th day of October
2013 in the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. The meeting was called to
order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor David King.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were Robert Gray, David King, Kris
Nelson, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, Deborah Stinson, Mark
Welch, and Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John
Watts, Public Services Director Rick Sepler, and Special Projects Assistant
Bob Jean.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were none.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
Proclamation: Mental Illness Awareness Week
Darlene Grunke Sanders, representative of the National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI), accepted the proclamation on behalf of the organization.
Resource Conservation Management (RCM) Program Review
Brian Goldstein, Jefferson County Shared Resource Conservation Manager
(RCM), gave a presentation. His final report covered the program goals,
results of the three-year project, information about the utility database, and
about continued monitoring.
Questions from Council were about project costs versus
maintenance cost. Public Services Director Rick Sepler noted that there are
savings that would make continued project expense worthwhile. He hopes to
return with a cost proposal in the future. There was Council interest in seeing
how to continue monitoring into the future.
City Council Business Meeting October 7, 2013 Page 1 of 5
Mr. Timmons spoke favorably about the project and about sustainable
funding options to keep this valuable program going especially given the
focus on Mountain View. There were also questions and discussion about
possible partnerships.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment
Robere LeHuquet spoke about safety at the Visitor Information Center.
Steve Oakford spoke favorably about the coordination that is occurring
between the City and Board of County Commissioners on Mountain View.
Pat Teal, a representative on the Disability Awareness Starts Here Committee
(DASH), spoke about Sheridan Street sidewalk improvements. She urged that
the City find additional funding for landscaping for pedestrian safety and urged
prohibiting bikes on sidewalks in that area.
Jolly Wahlstrom of the Non-motorized Transportation Advisory Board urged
having a budget for gravel and other material for trail maintenance.
City staff response
City Manager David Timmons gave an update on City work to date at the
Visitor Center explaining some of the delays that occurred in installing a
second door and a panic alarm. Mr. Timmons responded about design
alternatives discussed with the hospital.
CONSENT AGENDA
Bills, Claims and Warrants
Vouchers 121573 through 121590 in the amount of$13,649.55
Vouchers 121591 through 121686 in the amount of$287,373.14
Vouchers 121697 through 121701 in the amount of$20,046.87
Vouchers 121688 through 121696 in the amount of$101,930.81
Vouchers 121702 through 121764 in the amount of$143,567.18
Vouchers 121705 through 121708 in the amount of$2,170.94
Electronic Fund Transfer in the amount of$21,366.16
Vouchers 121765 through 121774 in the amount of$249,908.86
Vouchers 121775 through 121776 in the amount of$85.41
Approval of Minutes: September 16, 2013
City Council Business Meeting October 7, 2013 Page 2 of 5
Authorization for the City Manager to award the contract for a hosted
VoIP (voice over internet protocol) telephone system to Hanson Electric
Networks
Authorization for City to purchase the Police In-Car Video System and
Replacement Parts from Coban Research and Technologies
Motion: Mark Welch moved to approve the consent agenda. Catharine
Robinson seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 13-027, a Joint Resolution of the City Council of the City of
Port Townsend Washington and the Jefferson County Board of County
Commissioners Approving the September 10, 2013 Recommendations
of the MPD Steering Committee and Providing Direction For Its
Continued Work
Mr. Timmons noted two minor changes in the resolution to be consistent with
the version approved today by the Jefferson County Board of
Commissioners. Public Services Director Sepler gave background on the
decision not to proceed with the Metropolitan Parks District (MPD) at this
time. The MPD committee would plan to reconvene after the first of the year
on the second part of their recommendation as outlined in the resolution. Mr.
Timmons pointed out that May 1, 2015 is the deadline for using Proposition 1
funding.
There was no public comment.
Council questions were about whether the County is considering turning
programs over to the YMCA and the cost of the MPD work to date.
Councilmember Sandoval asked about the continued time frame and the
process. She understood part of the committee's directive was to consider an
approach for interim funding before the development of an MPD. Mr. King
concurred and explained the group's concerns and repositioning of their
recommendation. Given the upcoming discussions and decisions on
Mountain View, there was some concern about the short timeline for the City
and County to work together to give the committee a series of alternatives
for consideration.
Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 13-027, a Joint
Resolution of the City Council of the City of Port Townsend Washington and
the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners Approving the
September 10, 2013 Recommendations of the MPD Steering Committee and
City Council Business Meeting October 7, 2013 Page 3 of 5
Providing Direction For Its Continued Work (as amended). Robert Gray
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT
David King reported attending a youth bicycle training at Blue Heron Middle
School.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Mr. Timmons provided updates on the following projects: Sheridan Street
sidewalk, Walker Street repavement, and Parkside Drive Park improvements.
2013 and 2014 Preliminary Budget Estimates
Mr. Timmons reported on staffs work to provide revenue estimates. On
Monday, the 2014 budget will be discussed by Council. He explained the
budget undergoing an audit, the current budget, and next year's budget are
all part of the budget discussion. He reported on the two 2012 audits,
including responding to concerns that the City does not have a financial plan
and about the City's debt. The auditor accepted the City's critiques and
issued a corrected report.
Special Projects Assistant Bob Jean gave an overview of the 2013
Supplemental Budget and 2014 Preliminary Budget. He
explained the calculation of property tax and reviewed property tax revenue
estimates. He noted that revenues are tracking similar to last year and the
budget would need to remain fairly constant. He also spoke about his future
work to develop financial policies for Council approval.
Aside from budget questions addressed by Mr. Timmons, Council comments
were as follows: concern about the lack of public process in developing the
budget, decreased real estate excise tax revenues due to the government
shutdown, impact to the local real estate market, and about how a more
public friendly budget might be addressed as part of the job description of
a future finance director. There was a suggestion that the budget workshop
format include budget presentations from department heads.
SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING
AND/OR STUDY SESSION
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
EXECUTIVE SESSION - PERSONNEL (COLLECTIVE BARGAINING 42.30.140
(4)(B)
City Council Business Meeting October 7, 2013 Page 4 of 5
At 8:51 p.m. Council went into Executive session on the topics of collective
bargaining and to review the performance of a public employee with no action
to be taken.
At 9:20 p.m., Council came back into open session.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Attest:
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Pamela Kolacy, MMC
City Clerk
City Council Business Meeting October 7, 2013 Page 5 of 5