HomeMy WebLinkAbout091216 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 12,
2016
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend City Council met in workshop session on the 12th day
of September 2016 in the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor Deborah
Stinson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, Amy Howard, Robert Gray,
Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson. Councilmember David
Faber arrived at 6:37 p.m.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve
Gross, Finance Director Nora Mitchell, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Parks and
Facilities Manager Alex Wisniewski, Assistant City Engineer Samantha Trone,
Finance Manager Sheila Danielson and Deputy City Clerk Joshua Stecker.
Agenda Item VII. Management of the Port Townsend Swim Team was moved to the
beginning of the agenda.
MANAGEMENT OF PORT TOWNSEND SWIM TEAM
Alex Wisniewski introduced the possibility of the City taking over management of the
Port Townsend Swim Team (PTST), a non-profit organization run by volunteer
parents. The City would hire two swim coaches, arrange for facility use and perform
other administrative duties. The fees collected from participants would cover the City's
costs. David Timmons noted that the management of the PTST is a natural extension
of the pool's current activities.
In response to Councilmember questions, Alex Wisniewski noted that recruitment of
participants would be handled by the pool and by the current PTST Board which
would continue to function as a booster club. Ken Clow added that this would become
a City program and subject to the City's standards for conduct.
David Timmons identified the next step as bringing forward a Resolution for Council's
consideration.
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
David Timmons introduced the topic of developing a legislative agenda to present to
state legislators to identify the City's goals. He presented a copy of the City of
Sequim's legislative agenda and the Association of Washington
Cities' (AWC) recommendations, which emphasizes focusing on the McCleary
Decision. Councilmembers expressed interest in pursuing Peninsula transportation
City Council Workshop Meeting - September 12, 2016 Page 1 of 2
issues along with the other secondary issues identified by AWC.
City Staff will prepare a Resolution and could possibly arrange for a joint meeting with
the Cities of Sequim and Port Angeles.
BUDGET CALENDAR
Nora Mitchell presented the 2017 Budget Calendar. Planning for the budget is
currently underway and Department Heads are working on their budget requests. The
current goal is to adopt the budget before the end of November. David Timmons
added that budget topics will likely be brought to full Council for consideration, rather
than being presented to the Finance & Budget Committee first. The Finance & Budget
Committee could be tasked with special budget review assignments by Council, if
necessary. He also noted that the City is looking at potential one-time investments to
take advantage of current revenue growth.
2015 AUDIT REPORT
Nora Mitchell reported on a successful audit with no comments or findings issued by
the Auditor. Two exceptions were noted regarding the timing of Council's Executive
Sessions and accuracy in following travel advance/travel reimbursement reporting
procedures. She also introduced a new Financial Intelligence Tool (FIT) prepared by
the Auditor's office that could be beneficial for the budget process.
WATER STREET OVERLAY PROJECT DESIGN CONCEPTS
Samantha Trone presented the conceptual drawings of the Water Street Overlay
project. The project has potentially grown from pavement overlay to include new curb
cuts, replacement of the 100-year-old water line, replacement and expansion of
sidewalks and the addition of medians and pedestrian features. David Timmons noted
that the funding approved by the Transportation Improvement Board has been
extended to allow the City to delay the start of construction until January of 2018.
David Timmons reported that the cost to the City could exceed $2 million, as currently
proposed. He noted that completion of this project will complete about 90% of the
revitalization of the downtown area and would allow the City to then shift its focus to
other arterials. The PUD is also looking at potentially undergrounding their utilities and
replacing transformers as part of the project.
Staff will bring forward a Resolution to approve the design concept and direct staff to
seek funding options.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m,
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, CMC
City Clerk
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