HomeMy WebLinkAbout061217CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF JUNE 12, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend City Council met in workshop session on the 12th day of June
2017 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Deputy Mayor Catharine Robinson
called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, David Faber, Robert Gray,
Amy Howard, Catharine Robinson, and Michelle Sandoval with Deborah Stinson
excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, Finance and
Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, Parks Recreation and Community
Services Director Alex Wisniewski, Library Director Melody Eisler, and City Clerk
Joanna Sanders.
RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING OPTIONS FOR THE PROVISION OF FIRE
SERVICES WITHIN THE CITY AND THE POSSIBLE TAX IMPLICATIONS OF THOSE
OPTIONS
City Manager David Timmons introduced the four subject areas for which the City
would be seeking long-term funding options. Related to Fire Services, he
recommended waiting until the new fire chief transition before considering whether to
establish a joint task force to discuss the long-term tax implications and governance
structure. Calculating the initial levy rate would be one of the biggest challenges and
he described two calculations (new maximum levy rate and a fire district equalization
adjustment), the latter of which is the more complex.
Mr. Timmons noted that the Parks and Recreation Functional Plan lays out the
framework for the future, including a regional funding solution. Absent a Library
service functional plan, Staff needs to determine the core needs of a library in a policy
framework before discussing funding options for ongoing operation and maintenance.
RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING LEVELS OF SERVICE AND OPTIONS FOR
FUNDING CAPITAL, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONAL COSTS —
TRANSPORTATION
Mr. Timmons noted that the Transportation Functional Plan contains the level of
service and policy framework. A variety of taxation may be needed to implement the
plan estimated at $1 million a year. He recognized the need for a parking enforcement
strategy. These items would be brought back after a new public works director is in
place.
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RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING LEVELS OF SERVICE AND OPTIONS FOR
FUNDING CAPITAL, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONAL COSTS — PARKS
Parks, Recreation and Administrative Services Director Alex Wisniewski talked about
the vision included in the plan which he described as focused on five key cost areas.
Some discussion ensued about volunteer coordination and a review of the past
process and funding options associated with a parks district process.
RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING LEVELS OF SERVICE AND OPTIONS FOR
FUNDING CAPITAL, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONAL COSTS -- LIBRARY
Library Director Melody Eisler reviewed library goals including defining level of service
standards for community engagement, calculating costs to sustain services, staffing
budget, service expectations, and facility needs.
Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell talked about the
current levy as being the sole revenue source supporting salaries, benefits, and
regular supply costs. Staff is working on a forecasting model to review with Council's
Finance and Budget Committee. She reviewed levy forecasts provided in the packet
and responded to questions about forecasted versus projected growth. Mr. Timmons
noted that Staff would be focused on looking at other library functional plans and
developing a strategic plan. Staff would plan to bring forward to Council formal level of
service resolutions for adoption.
INBOX REVIEW
Mr. Timmons briefed Council on the need to have a structure and system for vetting
new ideas or suggested agenda items.
There was support for both of the diagrams provided as well as making a nominating
form available for Council and Administration. As far as how InBox topics would be
presented to Council, suggestions were to have the Special Projects Committee or
the full Council review quarterly. Mr. Timmons spoke in favor of a process similar to
that for establishing the agendas where items come forward from the Mayor, City
Manager, and/or recommendation by the majority of the Council. Similar to tracking
citizen concerns, the InBox process was established to allow Council to consider new
items not already a part of the budget or a strategic planning priority.
There was recognition of the need to respond citizens ideas and Mr. Timmons agreed
to continue to work on this process and bring it back for further consideration.
HOWARD STREET SUBAREA PLAN
Mr. Timmons gave a project update, noting that to address technical issues with plan
development, there would be two advertised community meetings with task force
meetings ahead of time. The administrative task force meetings are staff -driven
workgroups made up of staff and property and business owners in the benefitting
area. No Council or Planning Commission members would be present.
ADJOURN
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There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, CMC
City Clerk
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