Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout010218CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF JANUARY 2, 2018 OATH OF OFFICE City Clerk Joanna Sanders administered the ceremonial oath of office to Michelle Sandoval and Ariel Speser. The official oath of office was administered previously so that Councilmembers (including Pam Adams) could take office on January 1. CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session on the 2nd day of January 2018, in the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m. There being no presiding officer, the City Clerk opened the meeting. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Robert Gray, Amy Howard, Michelle Sandoval, Ariel Speser, and Deborah Stinson with Pamela Adams excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve Gross, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: MAYOR AND DEPUTY MAYOR Mayor City Clerk Joanna Sanders reviewed the procedure for election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor and called for nominations from the floor for the position of Mayor. David Faber nominated Deborah Stinson. Robert Gray nominated Michelle Sandoval who declined the nomination. The vote was called and Deborah Stinson was elected Mayor by unanimous voice vote, 6-0. Deputy Mayor Mayor Stinson asked for nominations from the floor for the office of Deputy Mayor. Michelle Sandoval nominated David Faber. There were no further nominations. The vote was called and David Faber was elected Deputy Mayor by unanimous vote, 6-0. There were none. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC City Council Business Meeting January 2, 2018 Page] of 3 CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 158528 through 158721 and Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of $1,466,420.68. Approval of Minutes: November 13, 20 and December 4 and 11, 2017 Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve the consent agenda as written. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Council Committee Assignments Mayor Stinson asked members to submit their committee preferences. Until those desires are known and before the appointments are made on January 16, all members would assume positions as listed with Ariel Speser sitting on those committees formerly filled by Catharine Robinson. Motion. Deborah Stinson moved to approve appointing Councilmembers Adams, Gray, and Speser to an ad hoc committee to make recommendations to Council regarding adoption of the Stormwater Management Plan. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Motion: Amy Howard moved to approve filling the vacant Council Committee and Outside Committee Assignments positions with newly elected Councilmember Ariel Speser until another roster is established. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Confirm Work Session January 8 and/or Schedule Council Retreat Mayor Stinson noted that the workshop is scheduled for January 8. At that meeting, there would be a review of 2018 work plan objectives, succession planning, annexation, and strategic planning. That discussion might lead to future scheduling of a strategic planning retreat. Councilmembers received a handout of AWC legislative priorities and 2017 legislative priorities. Mayor Stinson urged Councilmembers to submit their suggestions to the City Attorney Steve Gross. These topics would be confirmed by Council at the January 16 meeting. She then announced that the legislature has until January 15 to repeal the taxation strategy for the McCleary decision. The tax impact to the City is expected to be fairly significant. Mr. Timmons explained how the levy rate is set (approximately .90 cent tax increase county wide per $1,000 assessed property valuation over the current rate). There was interest in better understanding the impact as the City moves forward on the fire annexation. City Council Business Meeting January 2, 2018 Page 2 of 3 There was consensus to authorize the Mayor to write a letter before the January 15 deadline urging reconsideration of the decision to levy additional property tax related to the McCleary decision. There was a comment urging that the tone of the letter be in support of education. Mayor Stinson reported on the following: - attendance at the retirement celebration of Chief Pomeroy and the hiring of a new chief. - the need for a special Council meeting to discuss the topic of fire annexation. There was support for a January 22 meeting. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons reported on the following: - December 31 retirement of Ken Clow and new Public Works Director Greg Lanning - His preparation of an organizational year-end report of staff accomplishments - 2017 year-end revenues higher than anticipated and expenses were under budget - Plans for reporting at the January 8 work session and subsequent retreats - Water Street enhancement project is underway and would last until May - Jefferson and Washington Streets project would follow Water Street Enhancement, then the Visitors Plaza, SR 20 repaving, breakwater for Port Hudson, and completion of Grant Street School. - Council rules and committee structure would also soon be scheduled for discussion SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Mr. Gray asked for a discussion of street repairs in general. Mr. Timmons said this would come forward in second and third quarter discussions. The Fire Annexation would have a large impact on the City's ability to fund streets. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m,. Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting January 2, 2018 Page 3 of 3