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Home My WebLink AboutDraft Council Minutes - Mar 15, 2010Draft CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF MARCH 15, 2010 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the 15th day of March 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David King, Laurie Medlicott, Kris Nelson, George Randels, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Mark Welch. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, and Ken Horvath Grants Manager . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There was consensus to move Resolutions 10-006, 10-007, and 10-008 from the Consent Agenda to New Business. SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S): Proclamation: Child Abuse Prevention Mayor Sandoval read a proclamation declaring April 2010 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Kelly Matlock was present to accept the proclamation. Proclamation: 2010 Census Representatives from the U.S. Census were unable to be present to accept their proclamation. Mayor Sandoval stated that the City is committed to partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau encouraging all residents to cooperate fully with those who are charged with the responsibility of conducting the census. Jefferson County Health Department Report Board of Health member Sheila Westerman and Health Department Director Jean Baldwin provided background on the expertise available at the Health Department and the services and programs offered. She encouraged Council's support of Health Department programs. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment City Council Regular Business Meeting March 15, 2010 Page 1 of 6 Draft Ned Schumann asked for Council support of Googlefiber. City staff response City Manager David Timmons said he would provide a summary under his report. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Motion: Catharine RoBinson moved to approve the consent agenda items as follows: Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants: Vouchers 110665 through 110681 (plus EFTsJ in the amount of $187,307.49 Vouchers 110704 through 110831 in the amount of $338, 837.03 Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING(S): There were none. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Shared Resource Conservation Manager Program Grants Administrator Ken Horvath presented the staff report. The program goal is to reduce the consumption of utilities and consumable resources throughout the partnership. Council authorized approval of the interlocal agreement at its last meeting. The Port of Port Townsend elected not to participate, so the agreement was rewritten for the five (5) remaining partners. Mr. Timmons noted the County would be the lead agency. Ms. Nelson asked to ensure all partners sign the same document. Mr. Randels commented that the time share arrangement of 20% for each entity seems efficient for time management. Mrs. Medlicott asked about the cost to the City. Mr. Horvath reported the City share is just over $30K spread over three years (Year 1-$5,563, Year 2-$9,708, Year 3- $14,934). There is an expectation of net savings from utilities (10-15%) so the position becomes self supporting. There would be monthly, quarterly and annual reports to grant administrators and regular reports to the partnership. Ms. Sandoval asked for a report back to Council on the expected savings. City Council Regular Business Meeting March 15, 2010 Page 2 of 6 Draft Motion: George Randels moved to authorize the City Manager to sign an interlocal agreement for Shared Resource Conservation Management services. Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 10-009, Adopting the Jefferson County -City of Port Townsend Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Grants Administrator Ken Horvath gave the staff report and noted the 2009 update has been provided to Council. Ms. Nelson confirmed that the title of the Council committee is General Services and asked what in-kind support the City would provide. Mr. Timmons said the in-kind support is Mr. Horvath's time drafting the plan. The City also houses the back up facilities at the fire station for the Emergency Operating Command (EOC) and the emergency dispatch center. Mr. King asked how citizens can access the plan. Mr. Horvath indicated a copy should be available at the library and through the Department of Emergency Management website (through the County website). Mr. Timmons noted the City hopes to work with Bob Hamlin on developing an information toolkit for the public that would include a hot button link to helpful websites. The plan itself contains primarily response protocols. Mr. Horvath acts as the City liaison to get the City's EOC started. Ms. Robinson noted the plan was approved unanimously by the General Services Committee. At the Committee meeting, Chief Daily spoke glowingly of a recent emergency exercise utilizing the Emergency Management Plan. Mr. Welch thanked everyone for their work on the new and comprehensive plan. Motion: Mark Welch moved to approve the recommendation of the General Services Committee and adopt the Jefferson County -City of Port Townsend Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 10-010, Amending the City Council Rule on Standing Committees to Provide for an Information and Technology Committee Mr. Timmons reminded that at the retreat Council wanted to create a committee to discuss information technology and updates to the website to get the community better connected to City activities. City Council Regular Business Meeting March 15, 2010 Page 3 of 6 Draft There was no public comment. Motion: Mark Welch moved to approve Resolution 70-010, Amending the City Council Rule on Standing Committees to Provide for an Information and Technology Committee as amended (revising the Mission Statement on page 2, paragraph 8 to add the word "information" before technology..... Action 2: Move to accept the Mayor's appointments of Councilors Welch, King and Nelson to the Information and Technology Committee. David King seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 10-006, Authorizing Interfund Loan to the Capital Improvement Fund (Fund #301) from the OGWS Transmission Pipeline Trust Fund (Fund #417) in the amount of $125,000. Resolution 10-007, Authorizing Short Term Interfund Loans to the General Fund from the OGWS Transmission Pipeline Trust Fund (Fund #417) and/or the Equipment Rental and Revolving Fund (Fund #500) as needed for Current Operations Resolution 10-008, Authorizing Interfund Loan to the Capital Improvement Fund (Fund #301) from the OGWS Transmission Pipeline Trust Fund (Fund #417) in the amount of $185,571 City Manager David Timmons reported that Council authorization is needed to advance funds to the Community Service Fund to take advantage of opportunities to work on the maintenance facility at the golf course and for the property acquisition of park land in the Castle Hill neighborhood. During the budget cycle, particularly on the capital improvement projects there was discussion of using interfund loans to cover those costs rather than wait several years for the cash reserves to build. Resolutions 10-006 and 10-008 reflect these two projects. Resolution 10-007 does not state a specific amount because the needs are unanticipated and would depend on revenue and expenses. Revenue and expense are on track for the first two months. Ms. Robinson noted different repayment schedules on Resolutions 10-006 and 10- 008. She asked for a range on Resolution 10-007 expressing concern about tapping into a fund to be used for long-term water system upgrades. Mr. Timmons responded that when these costs were projected, the higher priced item was thought to take longer to pay off. The range for Resolution 10-D07 depends on property tax income forthcoming in April. The number would vary from month to month. Ms. Nelson asked if the Finance and Budget Committee reviewed and recommended approving the resolutions and if it is common to borrow to balance the general fund. Mr. Timmons confirmed that the Finance and Budget Committee reviewed these. It is common in many communities to avoid keeping a cash reserve, but evidently keeping even a 5% balance is inadequate. Because we are fronting 100% of the property tax collection to the library, the general fund is still phasing in and is carrying City Council Regular Business Meeting March 15, 2010 Page 4 of 6 Draft the burden. It is hard to avoid this situation with the cash reserves where they are. Mr. Randels suggested adding a maximum amount borrowed of $150K. In the event we find ourselves needing $200K, then Council would require additional authorization. Mr. King noted that Council knew reserves would be low. There was no public comment. Motion: George Randels moved to approve en bloc Resolution 10-006, Authorizing Interfund Loan to the Capital Improvement Fund (Fund #301) from the OG WS Transmission Pipeline Trust Fund (Fund #417) in the amount of $125,000; Resolution 10-007, Authorizing Short Term Interfund Loans to the General Fund from the OG WS Transmission Pipeline Trust Fund (Fund #417) and/or the Equipment Rental and Revolving Fund (Fund #500) as needed for Current Operations as amended (capping the loan at $150,000); and Resolution 10-008, Authorizing Interfund Loan to the Capital Improvement Fund (Fund #301) from the OG WS Transmission Pipeline Trust Fund (Fund #417) in the amount of $185,571. David King seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Ms. Sandoval noted there would be a meeting tomorrow about unveiling of the ferries. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT A new marketing program surrounding the launch of the new ferry Chetzemoka. A proposal might come to Council to initiate this effort under a contract with Hill and Knowlton. The Fire Station station floors are not buckling. It is an aesthetic not a structural issue. He distributed a summary of upcoming funding requests -- capital priorities in the City's work plan. The largest projects are water system improvements (filtration and water reservoir storage facility) the outfall project, and work at City Lake. Council's schedule for the next couple of months will include an April work session on the transportation plan and might include discussion on the fire district annexation. The Public Development Authority has their first meeting tomorrow. An anonymous donor provided $25K for the start up program and project support. Google has issued a request for information and proposal with respect to bringing broadband to every household. They want demographic information, but also more technical information that is not readily available as well as timing and costs for permitting. The City is attempting to provide information. Ned Schumann has offered to put together information from the perspective of a community member. The broadband City Council Regular Business Meeting March 15, 2010 Page 5 of 6 Draft group is working to bring service to government units, but Google may be able to offer broadband to the community. He worked with Jeffcom to contribute access to their towers and authorize a change order to put in conduit in preparation for fiber connection to the towers. The Library has made it through the first round in their grant application with the State Department of Information Systems. Google would give even more opportunity for fiber access. There have also been discussions with Mobilisa on providing wireless connection. He requested Council authorization to pursue broadband access and then assign the new committee to follow up on the process. He would develop a recommendation for Council on achieving broadband access via either broadband or Google. Motion: Mark Welch moved to authorize the City Manager to pursue broadband access opportunities for the community, to put in the Request for Information as necessary, and to develop a recommendation for Council. George Randels seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS Mrs. Medlicott clarified that the April 12 workshop would be on the topic of annexation. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Ms. Nelson noted the unusual number of downtown burglar alarms going off on a regular basis. Mrs. Medlicott reported attending the Northwest Maritime Center's launching of the badarka. There is not a General Services Committee tomorrow. EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Regular Business Meeting March 15, 2010 Page 6 of 6