HomeMy WebLinkAbout100515CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF OCTOBER 5, 2015
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on October 5, 2015. Mayor
David King called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were Robert Gray, David King, Catharine
Robinson, and Deborah Stinson with Pamela Adams, and Michelle Sandoval excused
and Kris Nelson absent.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, Finance Director Nora
Mitchell, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Human Resources Manager Pam Kolacy,
and City Clerk Joanna Sanders .
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Addition of Item D. Ordinance 3134 Related to Fire Hazard Emergency; Rescinding
the Declaration of Emergency.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Mental Illness Awareness Week Proclamation
NAMI representative Darlene Grunke Sanders accepted the proclamation.
NAMI President Valerie Phimister spoke about NAMI's 10th anniversary and their
goals, including looking for office space.
Presentation of New Police Officers - Brandon Farstad, Mark DuMond, and
Terry Taylor
Interim Police Chief Michael Evans introduced new officers.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment
Rick Jahnke thanked NAMI for their efforts.
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City staff response
City Manager David Timmons said NAMI's request for space at Mountain View
coincides with the City's interest in a unified response by first responders when in
contact with individuals in the community who have mental health issues.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Vouchers 152198 through 152320 and Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of
$859,479.40.
Approval of Minutes: September 14 and 21, 2015
Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Robert
Gray seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Water Status Update
Public Works Director Ken Clow gave the staff report. Lords Lake is at 19'6". The
City is still diverting water from the Big Quilcene River (1.68 million gallons a day)
with the remainder coming out of Lords Lake. No water is being diverted from the
Little Quilcene River. Current City use is down 13 percent against a reduction goal
of 10 percent. Golf course, Fort Worden, City parks, and Memorial Field use is
down significantly, although warmer temperatures and tourist traffic is keeping
water use steady at roughly 958,000 gallons/day. Port Townsend Paper is currently
undergoing maintenance and is using roughly 8 million gallons a day. They are
considering investing in pumps in Lords Lake in order to rely on continuity
of operations.
Staff responded to Council questions about reservoir use, rainfall levels, cost of
pump installation, and increasing the reservoir capacity.
Non -Bargaining Employee Compensation Study - Implementation
Finance Director Nora Mitchell and Human Resources Manager Pam Kolacy
reminded that Council formerly adopted a Compensation Plan and salary
schedule for non -represented employees. They explained the need to move
existing staff into the correct range in the schedule based on longevity and skill level
City Council Business Meeting October 5, 2015 Page 2 of 4
and the 2015 and 2016 budget impacts. Following adoption, the changes would be
incorporated into an update of the City's Personnel policies and Staff would also
update the classification schedule. Ms. Mitchell provided background on the
Prothman study to review city's exempt positions and how non bargaining
employees would move through the wage range. The procedure and classification
schedule was reviewed by Council General Services and Finance and Budget
Committees.
Questions from Council were whether the policy would incorporate cost of living
adjustments. Staff clarified that if the annual budget approves a cost of living
adjustment, then a revised schedule would be brought forward for approval. The
policy recommends a compensation study every five years. Staff also
explained performance evaluations and noted that with City Finance Director and
City Attorney there are contractual obligations. The City Manager position would
also be placed in the range based on years of service although that contract and
salary is subject to negotiation. A history of staffing levels would be brought forward
next week.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve the compensation policy and direct
staff to include in the next update of the Personnel Policies and to adopt the
classification schedule and direct staff to include resulting expenditures in the 2015
supplemental budget and the 2016 budget. Deborah Stinson seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote.
Current 2015 Revenue Estimates and Projected 2016 Revenue Estimates
Finance Director Nora Mitchell reviewed 2016 revenue projections and responded
to questions about changes in projections that would be updated in the areas
of retail sales tax. To be brought forward are a list of deferred items and overhead
cost recovery figures. September revenue figures appear strong and would be
reported in the next few weeks.
There was no public comment.
Ordinance 3134 Related to a Fire Hazard Emergency; Rescinding the
Declaration of Emergency Related to Fire Hazards and Amending Ordinances
3131 and 3132
City Manager Timmons noted that this ordinance would lift the emergency fire ban
along with the burn bans lifted by the State and East Jefferson Fire and Rescue.
There was no public comment.
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Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve waiving Council Rules and Adopt
Ordinance 3134 Related to a Fire Hazard Emergency, Rescinding the Declaration
of Emergency Related to Fire Hazards and Amending Ordinances 3131 and 3132.
Robert Gray seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS - NONE
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
Mayor reported:
- Attendance at Film Festival
- City Manager evaluations in process
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager David Timmons reported on the following:
- Discussions at International City Managers Association Conference on marijuana
legislation
- Howard Street Eminent Domain proceedings in October
- Water Treatment Facility and Reservoir groundbreaking and Larry Scott trail
connections
- Upcoming Comprehensive Plan and 2016 Budget items
- Sheridan Street sidewalk update
- Grant application updates
SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR
STUDY SESSION
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Mr. Gray reported on McPherson tree trimming by the Jefferson County Public Utility
District.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
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There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, CMC
City Clerk
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