HomeMy WebLinkAbout120715CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF DECEMBER 7, 2015
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on December 7, 2015. Mayor
David King called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, Robert Gray, David King,
Kris Nelson, Catharine Robinson, and Deborah Stinson with Michelle Sandoval
excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve
Gross, Finance Director Nora Mitchell, Public Works Director Ken Clow, City Engineer
David Peterson, Finance Manager Sheila Danielson, Library Director Melody Eisler,
Interim Police Chief Michael Evans, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders .
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Addition of an Executive Session to review the performance of a public employee and
then a closed session for labor negotiations.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Jim Todd suggested that the City consider divesting from oil, coal and gas
investments. Staff responded that the City does not directly invest but goes through
the State Investment pool.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Vouchers 152690 through 152797, Voucher 510 and Electronic Fund Transfers in
the amount of $978,534.10.
Approval of Minutes: November 9 and 16, 2015
Appointment of Nan Evans (Position 5, Term Expires December 31, 2018) and
Paul Rice (Position 1, Term Expires December 31, 2018) to the Planning
Commission and Sidonie Wilson (Position 5, Term Expires May 31, 2017) to
the Library Advisory Board.
City Council Regular Business Meeting December 7, 2015 Page 1 of 5
Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve the consent agenda as written with a
modification to page 3, paragraph 4 of the November 9 minutes. The discussion of the
motion should be revised to reflect "General Levy" increase versus "General Fund"
increase. Pamela Adams seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Ordinance 3141 Related to a Water Supply Emergency; Rescinding the
Declaration of Emergency Related to Water Supply and Amending Ordinances
3131, 3132 and 3134
Public Works Director Ken Clow gave a water status update and recommended
rescinding the water conservation measures. In the last week, there has been 13
inches of rain in the watershed with more rain predicted. In response to a question
about future water conservation, Staff noted that the drought contingency plan
remains in effect.
The Mayor and staff recognized Port Townsend Paper and citizen water
conservation efforts as well as fire hazard protection measures.
There was no public comment.
Motion. Catharine Robinson moved to approve waiving Council Rules and
approving Ordinance 3141 Related to a Water Supply Emergency, Rescinding the
Declaration of Emergency Related to Water Supply and Amending Ordinances
3131, 3132 and 3134. Deborah Stinson seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
Ordinance 3138 Adopting the Capital Improvement Plan for 2016 through 2021
City Engineer David Peterson gave the staff report explaining that Exhibit A, page 3
is the same as approved during first reading with the addition of the Water Street
repaving project. The City recently received a Transportation Improvement Board
award for this project. Staff also responded to questions about other listed projects
and addressed concerns about whether matching funds needed for the Water
Street repaving project would be diverted from other priority projects.
There was no public comment.
Motion. Robert Gray moved to approve Ordinance 3138 Adopting the Capital
Improvement Plan for 2016 through 2021 with the addition of the Water Street
repaving project. Pamela Adams seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
City Council Regular Business Meeting December 7, 2015 Page 2 of 5
Ordinance 3140 Adopting 2015 Supplemental Budget Appropriations and
Making Findings and Declaring an Emergency
Finance Director Nora Mitchell reviewed the ordinance and the impacts to each of
the funds. City Manager David Timmons reported on the lodging tax revenue
increase of 27% due to contributions by the Fort Worden Public Development
Authority.
In response to questions, Ms. Mitchell reviewed changes to ending fund balances.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Ordinance 3140 Adopting 2015
Supplemental Budget Appropriations and Making Findings and Declaring an
Emergency. Kris Nelson seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
Ordinance 3139 Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend,
Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2016
Finance Director Nora Mitchell and City Manager David Timmons reported on
changes in the budget detail. Ms. Mitchell noted that Staffs responses to Council
questions were provided in a written summary as part of the packet.
Staff responded to additional questions regarding the following: Parks and Facilities
staffing, Equipment Rental and Replacement Fund, regional stormwater solution for
Howard Street versus what might be addressed through a utility limited
improvement district to repay an interfund loan; the decrease in police fines and
forfeitures, additional staffing for code enforcement, and the affordable housing
focus in the Comprehensive Planning process. There were several suggestions for
editing the budget update.
Public comment:
Deborah Pedersen spoke about her concerns on planned adjustments in staffing.
At 8:21 p.m., the Council recessed for 10 minutes for the purposes of a break.
At 8:38 p.m., the Council meeting resumed.
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance 3142 Related to Utility Rates; Amending the Water, Sewer, and
Stormwater Rates; Adopting a Capital Surcharge on Stormwater Rates, and
Amending Chapters 13.02 and 13.05 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code,
and Establishing an Effective Date
City Manager David Timmons gave the staff report on the proposed implementation
of a Stormwater surcharge. Revenues generated would provide an earmarked
City Council Regular Business Meeting December 7, 2015 Page 3 of 5
source of funds for stormwater repairs similar to water and wastewater. Part of the
funds are to be used to update the Stormwater Plan and create working capital to
prevent road erosion. Ms. Mitchell explained the reduction in the utility rates for low
income customers.
Council had questions about low income criteria and suggestions for improvements
to the application process.
There was no public comment.
During Council discussion, there was concern about a tax increase and comments
about the need for an improved stormwater management system and better
structure for low income residents.
Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3142
Related to Utility Rates; Amending the Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Rates;
Adopting a Capital Surcharge on Stormwater Rates, and Amending Chapters 13.02
and 13.05 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code, and Establishing an Effective
Date. Deborah Stinson seconded.
Vote: motion carried, 5-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed.
Ordinance 3143 Related to Public Utility Taxes; Amending the Tax Rate
Imposed on the City's Water, Sewer, Stormwater, and Garbage Utilities, and
Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Section 5.84.030
Mr. Timmons gave the staff report, noting that a key element of this ordinance
would address deterred maintenance on interim basis in facilities and in
parks. Alternative funding would need to be identified for permanent funding prior to
the end of 2018. The reason for the tax is the high service demand and to balance
inequity of funding City services. In explaining the rate analysis of the rates, there
was recognition of the future need to recover tenant costs at Mountain View.
In response to concerns about tax increases with the Mountain View bond,
property, and utility taxes, Mr. Timmons noted that by failing to act, the City would
create a larger liability in the future. There were also comments that the regressive
state tax forces the City to take these actions.
Motion: Kris Nelson moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3143 Related to
Public Utility Taxes; Amending the Tax Rate Imposed on the City's Water, Sewer,
Stormwater, and Garbage Utilities, and Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code
Section 5.84.030. Deborah Stinson seconded.
Vote: motion carried, 5-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed.
There was none.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Council Regular Business Meeting December 7, 2015 Page 4 of 5
City Manager recognized the following individuals for their years of service: Joe
Fields 30 years, Jim Murray 10 years; Jason Greenspane 20 years, Ken Clow 15
years, Michael Evans 15 years, and Jamie Kench 10 years.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 9:27 p.m., Council recessed into Executive Session for 20 minutes to review the
performance of a public employee pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) for 20 minutes.
Council would then move into a closed session related to labor negotiations pursuant
to RCW 42.30.140(4)(b). No decision would be taken after returning into open
session.
At 9:58 p.m., the Council came back into open session.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, CMC
City Clerk
City Council Regular Business Meeting December 7, 2015 Page 5 of 5