HomeMy WebLinkAbout040819 Workshop CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF APRIL 8, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend City Council met in workshop session on the 8th day of April 2019
in 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, David Faber, Robert Gray,
Amy Howard, Michelle Sandoval, Ariel Speser, and Deborah Stinson.
Staff members present were Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora
Mitchell, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Public Works Director Greg Lanning, and
City Clerk Joanna Sanders.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Review Solid Waste Proposal Terms and Alternative Options
Public Works Director Greg Lanning reviewed the solid waste questions from the
Finance and Budget Committee's review of the topic at their last meeting, including
discounting the 9% administrative and 22% utility fee. DM is looking into costs of
providing two 32 gallon instead of one 64 gallon, rollout service, and also a smaller
yard waste container than 96 gallon. He then presented the benefits of a new
contract under Option 1 showing the residential rate comparison compared to the
state utility trade commission option. Moving forward with a new contract would
allow the new truck purchase before the new rates go into effect in March 2020.
Ms. Mitchell explained the utility tax comes back into the Water/Sewer Fund and
gets transferred out to the General Fund with 50% going to the General Fund and
half going to Police and 42% to Streets, and the rest to Community Services and
Parks. Taxes are collected by DM and remitted to the City in monthly payments.
There was discussion of the tax on the utility revenue collected by DM Disposal and
the rate increase from 20% to 22% and impacts of dropping to 18 or 19%. Mr.
Lanning responded to questions about the Big Belly trash containers over summer
operation and automated notification systems. He noted the next steps are to bring
back a resolution granting authority to execute a contract with DM.
Mayor Stinson summarized Council's interest in staff proceeding with smaller
containers, dropping the utility tax to make the impact revenue neutral, pursuing
Option 1 , and keeping existing recycling and yard waste services.
When asked about pursuing a public utility option, Ms. Mitchell explained the longer
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time needed to get a public utility running, staffing up a new department, including
hiring, and truck purchases.
INBOX REVIEW
Mayor Stinson led a Council discussion of the table of InBox items. Items suggested
for future Council discussion were tasking the Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory
Board with providing suggestions for improving existing leash law signage and/or a
communication plan for leashing dogs on beaches. It was noted that Ellen O'Shea's
concern about aerial herbicides received a response from Mr. Timmons and is
an issue that appears to be resolved. Mr. Lanning responded with additional
information about water quality testing. Staff would be asked to bring forward the U.N.
resolution in support of abolishing nuclear weapons. The Mayor and City Manager
would inquire with the County about the justification for the City to pay a higher
amount for Conservation District services than County residents. There was a brief
explanation that Inbox items moving forward for future action are tracked by staff as
Work Plan items.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Committees
Amy Howard reported on Finance and Budget Committee for which minutes were
provided.
Michelle Sandoval reported on meetings of the Joint Oversight Board regarding
the facilitator. She reported the Jefferson County Community Foundation is
having a housing providers meeting and she also met with Mr. McCarron
regarding plans for OlyCap's Castle Hill property. Minutes of the Ad Hoc
Committee were provided.
Ariel Speser reported on recent activities of the Ad Hoc Committee on
Committees (now the Rules Committee) for which minutes were provided..
Intergovernmental Committees with Councilmember Representation
Councilmembers reported on the activities and their involvement in the following
outside committees:
Amy Howard noted her position is not yet ratified on the OlyCap board.
Ariel Speser reported on the Jefferson County Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Advisory Committee and the Peninsula Reginal Transportation organization.
David Faber reported on Jefferson Transit and LEOFF 1 Board.
Pam Adams reported on Fort Worden Advisory Committee, Board of Health, and
Main Street HUD Loan Committees.
Michelle Sandoval reported on Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and the Higher
Education Committee.
Robert Gray reported on PEG Access Committee and Library Advisory Board.
Deborah Stinson reported on North Olympic Development Council, Jefferson
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County Clean Water District Advisory Council, Climate Action Committee, Fire
Rescue Oversight Board
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, MMC
City Clerk
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