HomeMy WebLinkAbout012023 Financial Sustainability Meeting MinutesFINANCIAL SUSTAINABILLY TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES
DATE: January 20, 2023, START TIME: 1:00 p.m. LOCATION: City Hall (In person and virtual)
VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT: Catharine Robinson, Rick Jahnke, Earll Murman, John Nowak
NON-VOTING MEMBERS PRESENT: Berk Consulting Staff: Project Manager Katherine Goetz, Lead Facilitator and Analyst Julia
Tesch,
MEMBERS EXCUSED: MEMBERS ABSENT:
CITY STAFF PRESENT: City Manager John Mauro, Finance Manager Ron Logghe, Director of Finance and Technology Services
Connie Anderson, Public Works Director Steve King, Director of Parks and Recreation Strategy Carrie Hite, Planning and Community
Development Director Emma Bolin and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues.
Topic
Action
Welcome and Meeting Overview:
Motion: Earll Murman made a motion to
City Manager John Mauro called the meeting to order at 1:05pm. He made an
approve the November 18, 2022, meeting
addition to approve the November 18 meeting minutes. In addition, Mr. Mauro
minutes Catharine Robinson seconded.
announced that Troy Surber is unable to be a member of the Financial
Vote: Motion passed unanimously.
Sustainability Task Force Meeting going forward and they do not plan to do
replace his position.
BERK Consulting Lead Facilitator and Analyst Julia Tesch provided a
presentation which included the Meeting Overview, Project Schedule, Meeting
Arc, Community Engagement Plan, Engagement Overview, Suggested
Modification to Approach, Communication and Engagement Methods,
Financial Strategy Options Workshops, and Outreach Channels.
Review and Finalize Community Engagement Plan:
Director of Finance and Technology Services Connie Anderson presented
feedback from Finance and Budget committee which included asking the
taskforce to consider people that live, work, and own a business in Port
Townsend as part of the engagement audience. Discussion ensued around
how to identify audience in survey and doing the survey after the educational
process.
Ms. Tesch explained she is not concerned about extending the scope of
Topic
Action
audience and it should not be difficult to do. The taskforce went onto discuss
the process of providing a workshop and following up directly with a survey. In
addition, they discussed why the Golf Course Open House was successful
which was due to the buildup of information and using all avenues from various
processes.
Discussion ensued around including the BIPOC community members. The
taskforce brainstormed the following list to engage: Food Bank, OlyCAP,
Habitat for Humanity, DSHS, ECT Team Jefferson, Catholic Church, JCIRA,
Black Lives Matter, and BIPOC Student Union.
Discussion ensued around property tax education.
Review City's Long -Term Financial Forecast:
Ms. Anderson and Finance Manager Ron Logghe presented the Long -Term
Financial Forecast which included the DRAFT Long -Range Finance Model,
Finance Model Assumptions, Operating Revenues and Expenses for Tax
Supported Funds, Ending Fund Balances for Tax Supported Funds, Operating
Revenues and Expenses for Streets Fund.
Discussion ensued around utility tax transparency on bills.
Ms. Anderson and Mr. Logghe continued on with presentation which included
Scenario Analysis, Scenario Analysis Example, Finance Model Assumptions.
Mr. Logghe noted the information does not include Library funds. Ms.
Anderson explained the City's current bond situation.
Discussion ensued around adding a percentage/projection to reflect growth to
maintain public trust. Mr. King and Mr. Logghe stated they will look at expense
curve in relation to growth. The taskforce discussed looking at FTE per
population regarding service and growth.
Mr. King explained the need for staff to complete the mandatory projects.
Topic
Action
Summaries of City Priority Initiatives:
BERK Consulting Project Manager Katherine Goetz presented the City
Priorities for 2023 and Key Initiatives. Director of Parks and Recreation
Strategy Carrie Hite presented on the Envision Golf Course and Mountain View
Commons as well as the Community Health and Wellness Center. Discussion
ensued around the history of Golf Course engagement as well as
misinformation. Ms. Hite explained she is working on the Parks and Recreation
Strategy vision and the need for staff in order to meet this vision.
Mr. King presented on Comprehensive Streets. Discussion ensued around
looking at everything as a whole.
Ms. Bolin presented on Housing. Discussion ensued around affordable
housing, tax, and debt.
Next Steps and Adjourn:
Ms. Tesch reviewed Next Steps.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:59pm.
Next Regular Meeting: March 17, 2023, at 1:00 p.m.