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Home My WebLink About111609 CC Draft MinutesDraft CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF NOVEMBER 16, 2009 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David King, Laurie Medlicott, George Randels, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Mark Welch with Kris Nelson excused. Staff members present were City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, City Manager David Timmons, Police Chief Conner Daily, Administrative Sergeant Ed Green, Parks and Recreation Manager Jeremy Bubnick, and Legal Assistant Joanna Sanders . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Sandoval asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of PUD No. 1 Commissioner and community member, Dana Roberts who passed away this last weekend. PROCLAMATION: COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WEEK Ann Schneider and other members of the Community Foundation Board accepted the Proclamation recognizing Community Foundation Week. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Julie Jablonski requested that the Jefferson County Community Tennis Association be involved in future planning meetings for the playfield and the tennis court space at Mountain View. City Manager David Timmons reported that a Parks Facility Plan update would occur in 2010. The City is also looking for Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board members. Public Works Director Ken Clow introduced the City's new Parks and Recreation Manager Jeremy Bubnick. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 109429 through 109546 (plus EFTs) in the amount of $477,426.38 Vouchers 109579 through 109693 in the amount of $567,133.01 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 5 Draft Approval of Minutes: November 5, 2009 Corrections to page 1, Ms. Robinson should be removed from the roll call and City Attorney John Watts should be recorded as present. On Page 2, paragraph 6, the first sentence should read "There were additional comments by the Commissioners...." Authorization to Award a Contract for Technical Support Related to Pilot Studies to Determine the Effectiveness of Filtration Technologies for the City's Surface Water Sources Verizon Cell Tower Lease Interlocal Agreement with Washington State Department of Licensing to Provide Business Licensing Activities as the City's Agent Motion: George Randels moved to approve the consent agenda. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING(S): Ordinance 3028, Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2010 City Manager David Timmons reviewed his Budget Memo included in the agenda packet. There was no public comment. Ms. Robinson asked whether the fund balance percentage of 5.6% should be for 2010 versus 2009. Mr. Legarsky confirmed this correction. Mrs. Medlicott complimented staff for their work on the budget. Mr. King inquired about the $200K increase in the community services budget as reflected in the ordinance. Mr. Timmons noted there is additional work to be done by Council to that budget. The increase is to amortize the park acquisition and golf course maintenance facility and account for increased staffing levels and costs at Mountain View. Mr. Welch asked about any City liability on fire flow fees with the Supreme Court decision on fire protection areas. Mr. Timmons said this is being analyzed, but often the utility tax is adjusted to offset the costs. City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 5 Draft Mr. Welch asked if the budgeted police department overtime is realistic. Mr. Timmons noted that some of the overtime is offset by federal program dollars for enhanced enforcement. The remainder is due to case management and scheduling challenges. Mr. Randels noted that the combined reserve and contingency funds reflect 7.3°I° whereas the minimum policy level is 7%. Mr. Timmons agreed and added that both funds require Council approval to move into the budget. In response to a question by Mr. Randels, Mr. Timmons explained the history of allocating 100% of liquor excise tax funds for County drug and alcohol prevention programs. This arose from a settlement of claims against the City for jail costs. Recently, the Finance and Budget Committee asked him to look into alternatives for creating one oversight committee. Mr. Randels asked if the status quo budget in the Development Services budget is based on the 2009 budget or 2008. Mr. Timmons responded that the 2010 budget has some reserved capacity for growth when the economy recovers. Mr. Randels asked about the golf course maintenance facility. Mr. Timmons said this facility was tied to a capital investment program and was dependent on land being surplused, which did not occur. Mr. Randels asked about increases in information technology. Mr. Timmons explained that beginning in 2007, the City found it was underfunding equipment replacement. Other technology investments were the Coban system, Granicus, and new servers to manage increased records management. Mrs. Medlicott asked for clarification on the fire cost for water service. Mr. Timmons explained that if a new hydrant is needed, the City would have to pay the differential cost for maintaining a 10-inch versus 8-inch line to serve that hydrant. Mrs. Medlicott asked how EMS services are budgeted. Mr. Timmons explained new construction was underestimated in 2009. This amount has been rolled into the 2010 budget. Mrs. Medlicott asked for the amount for East Jefferson-Fire Rescue to buy out their lease for the fire station. Mr. Timmons indicated this would need to be calculated. There is a call-in provision on the bonds. Mrs. Medlicott asked if the Police Department is currently staffed for a three platoon system. Mr. Timmons responded that if an administrative vacancy occurs, the City would hire an officer providing this staffing level. Mr. Randels asked what the Community Development Block Grant comprises. Mr. Timmons explained this revolving fund for building restoration. Mr. Welch asked about the increase of $7,000 in the Clerk's budget and what amortization schedule was adopted for Granicus. Mr. Timmons said hardware is City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 5 Draft amortized on a four year cycle and the Clerk's budget pays the annual software maintenance costs. Ms. Sandoval asked about the debt for bond repayment and how budgeting for equipment replacement works for equipment purchased with grants. Mr. Timmons said it would be good to begin discussions about maintenance and replacement liability especially for roads. While the grant picks up the initial capital, equipment is added to the inventory and then replacement cost is assessed annually. Any grants for replacement would increase the equipment replacement reserves. Ms. Sandoval requested a Tidal Clock update on a future agenda. Given the lack of a full Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and Tree Committee, she proposed starting community meetings on the new Parkside area park. Mr. Timmons said a utility bill survey might also be appropriate. He suggested including in a Council retreat a review of capital programs and County policy issues. Ms. Robinson suggested that Council receive a full accounting from the County on its current use of liquor excise tax funds before discussion. Motion: David King moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3028,- Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2010. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. At 8:06 p.m., the Mayor called a recess for the purpose of a break. The meeting reconvened at 8:16 p.m. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ordinance 3027, Fixing and Adopting 2010 Property Tax Levies with an increase of one percent (1.00%) from the previously voter approved levy lid lift for the General Levy and an increase of two point three three one five percent (2.3315%) for the Emergency Medical Services Levy Mr. Timmons noted Council had a hearing at its last regular meeting. This incorporates the second phase of the authorized levy increase and also sets the EMS levy for emergency services. He reviewed the breakdown listed in the ordinance. There was no public comment. Motion: George Randels moved to approve Ordinance 3027, Fixing and Adopting 2010 Property Tax Levies with an increase of one percent (1.00%) from the previously voter approved levy lid lift for the General Levy and an increase of two point three three one five percent (2.3315%) for the Emergency Medical Services Levy. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 5 Draft NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Ms. Sandoval noted Council would be discussing options for non profit funding at the next meeting. Future collaborations should also be considered. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT The County has scheduled a public hearing on the airport re-zone. The City will have some upcoming opportunities to collaborate with the Fort. He met this week with the National Trust and a major corporate donor asked that Port Townsend be added to the National Trust. One consent agenda item approved tonight was an interlocal agreement with the State Department of Revenue to streamline the business license process. Council should consider some specific meetings in January to address capital initiatives. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS Mr. Randels asked for a briefing before implementing the Verizon Cell Tower lease approved tonight as part of the consent agenda. Mr. Watts agreed to schedule this meeting. ADJOURN Minutes prepared by Joanna Sanders, Legal Assistant. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 5