HomeMy WebLinkAbout090814CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend City Council met in workshop session the 8th day of
September 2014 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 Pamela Adams, Robert Gray, David
King, Kris Nelson, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah
Stinson.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, Finance Director
Nora Mitchell, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Community Services Director
Rick Sepler, City Attorney Steve Gross, Human Resources Manager Pam
Kolacy, Chief of Police Connor Daily, and Deputy City Clerk Joshua Stecker. .
There were none.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
2013 AUDIT RESPONSE
Finance Director Nora Mitchell gave a report on the recently completed
financial and accountability audits. Neither audit resulted in management letter
comments or reportable findings.
Ms. Mitchell and City Manager David Timmons elaborated on some the
recommendations that resulted from the audit. In response to some of the
recommendations, staff will create a new travel pre -approval form, refine the
City's electronic payment processes and look into processing code revisions
more quickly.
Mr. Timmons also reported that the City was billed approximately $31,000 for
the audit, of which approximately $6,300 was paid to cover specific citizen
inquiries.
2015 BUDGET DISCUSSION
Draft Ordinance 3113 and Proposed Ballot Measure for Levy Lift Bonds
for Mountain View and Facilities Improvements
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City Manager David Timmons presented Council with a draft ordinance that
would create two ballot measures for a February 2015 special election. The
first ballot measure would authorize repairs to the Mountain View facility to
be paid out of Proposition 1 funds. The second ballot measure would
authorize capital improvements to the Carnegie Library and other facilities
that would be paid for by a property tax levy.
Mr. Timmons also informed Council of the YMCA's intention to seek funding
to improve the pool, gym, cafeteria and parking lot areas at Mountain View.
The City could delay improvements to these areas up to three years in order
to allow the YMCA to pursue their options. A meeting is scheduled with City
staff, the YMCA and the school district. In response to Council inquiry,
Community Services Director Rick Sepler noted that there were no imminent
failures identified in the facilities that the YMCA is interested in renovating.
Councilmembers weighed the merits of bringing forward two ballot measures
or combining all of the projects into one. Council also discussed the idea of
including specific projects in the title of the proposed second ballot measure.
David King expressed a desire for Council to state its intention to limit a
special levy to 13 cents over 15 years. Mr. Timmons stated that a decision
should be reached in October to allow time to educate and inform citizens
about the measures.
Compensation Policy for Non -Represented Staff
Human Resources Manager Pam Kolacy introduced a draft Compensation
Policy based on ICMA Best Practices. The policy was developed to produce
fair and competitive wages for the City's approximately 25 non -represented
positions and assist with the City's succession planning.
Mr. Timmons asked Council to consider how to proceed with the adoption
and implementation of the policy. David King suggested that it may be time
to reactivate some committees to start considering items coming before
Council. It was suggested that the General Services Committee could be
tasked with developing the Compensation Policy.
System Development Charges
Mr. Timmons advised Council of the Finance and Budget Committee's
recommendations for revising the existing System Development Charges by
waiting to assess the fee until the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy and
increasing the fee rate after the first of the year.
Council discussed charging the fee at the sale of the property, but there is
currently no reporting procedure for property sales to City staff. Public Works
Director Ken Clow advised Council that the rate is based on the size of the
meter installed and redevelopment or building additions would not require
meter changes and therefore would not trigger a rate increase. Mr. Sepler
City Council Workshop Meeting September 8, 2014 Page 2 of 3
indicated that an effective date of around January 15, 2015 would ease staff
workload.
The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, CMC
City Clerk
City Council Workshop Meeting September 8, 2014 Page 3 of 3