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Home My WebLink About030716 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MARCH 7, 2016 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on March 7, 2016. Mayor Deborah Stinson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Robert Gray, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, Amy Smith, and Deborah Stinson with Pamela Adams excused. Staff members present were City Attorney Steve Gross, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Finance Director Nora Mitchell, Human Resources Manager Pam Kolacy, Interim Police Chief Michael Evans, Library Director Melody Eisler, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were none. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Gretchen Brewer spoke about utility billing concerns and her request for a payment plan. Julia Cochrane commented that city staff not working with property owner on a utility billing payment plan gives the appearance of retaliation. Jennifer James Wilson thanked Council for the Resolution in support of the Port Townsend School District Bond. Bob Heim urged Council to consider passing a resolution in support of the John Wayne trail. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants City Council Business Meeting March 7, 2016 Page 1 of 4 Vouchers 153338 through 153502, Vouchers and Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of$2,284,270.53. Approval of Minutes: February 8 and February 16, 2016 Approval of Minor Housekeeping Revisions to Adopted Ordinance 3145 Related to Utility Rates and Billing Procedures and Ordinance 3147 Related to Low-Income Rates; Exempting Low-Income Qualified Customers from Certain Utility Fees and Amending Chapter 13.05.160 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code regarding payment of base rate and surcharge — abandonment of service and removal of meter Finance Director Nora Mitchell briefed Council on work being done administratively to create as fair a system as possible on utility billing improvements for those qualifying as low income. Motion: Robert Gray moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NONE NEW BUSINESS Resolution 16-007 Related to the Quimper Wildlife Corridor, Accepting a Donation of Land Either Funded by the Jefferson Land Trust or Owned by the Jefferson Land Trust, and Ratifying and Confirming Prior Acts City Attorney Steve Gross gave the staff report. Sarah Spaeth of Jefferson Land Trust spoke about this Jefferson Land Trust donation with funds from the Conservation Futures Fund. Public Comment: Owen Fairbank thanked the City for their continued support. Rick Jahnke, as a member of the Conservation Futures Board, spoke in support of this donation. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 16-007 Related to the Quimper Wildlife Corridor, Accepting a Donation of Land Either Funded by the Jefferson Land Trust or Owned by the Jefferson Land Trust, and Ratifying and Confirming Prior Acts. Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting March 7, 2016 Page 2 of 4 Resolution 16-008 Accepting a Donation from the Port Townsend Public Library Foundation for Benches and Other Furnishings Library Director Melody Eisler briefed Council on the donation by the Library Foundation of the bench for the library. Polly Lyle and Susan Hargleroad of the Library Foundation spoke about their site donations in support of the library totaling $6,042.92. They expressed interest in their involvement in the strategic plan activities. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 16-008 Accepting a Donation from the Port Townsend Public Library Foundation for Benches and Other Furnishings. Amy Smith seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Resolution 16-009 Accepting a Donation from the Port Townsend Public Library Foundation for Lighting Fixtures Library Director Melody Eisler described the donations by the Library Foundation of lighting fixtures. Polly Lyle distributed photographs of the lighting fixtures to be replaced. She and City staff responded to questions about the lighting and installation. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 16-009 Accepting a Donation from the Port Townsend Public Library Foundation for Lighting Fixtures. Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Amendment to Non-Bargaining Unit Classification Schedule Finance Director Nora Mitchell explained staffs recommendation to approve amending the pay classification schedule to include a Human Resource Specialist. Human Resource Manager Pam Kolacy talked about the many functions and benefits of current human resource staff working to reduce liability for the City. Questions from Council related to other positions yet to be filled and the shift that would occur in administrative support. Council recognized the significant efforts of Ms. Kolacy in formalizing the human resource functions. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve amending the non-bargaining unit classification schedule to include a new position, Human Resource Specialist, as shown on Attachment 1. Staff is directed to include this new position in the next budget update. Catharine Robinson seconded. City Council Business Meeting March 7, 2016 Page 3 of 4 Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Stinson reported on the following: - accompanying City Manager, City Attorney and City to advisory board meetings and soliciting feedback on proposed changes - attendance at Chambers Business Leader award CITY MANAGER'S REPORT There was none. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Ms. Sandoval urged Staff to prioritize bringing forward the proposed code revisions concerning Vacation Rentals. She recognized the need for first hiring a code enforcement officer. There was consensus for bringing forward a resolution supporting the preservation of the John Wayne Trail. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Ms. Robinson asked about the status of recycling containers downtown. Staff agreed to follow up. EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Attest: �^"�ALN bL•-d"-._�_ G✓`Y" __✓ Joanna Sanders, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting March 7, 2016 Page 4 of 4