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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11251997 . . . PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING NOVEMBER 25, 1997 A special meeting to discuss the 1998 proposed budget was called to order by Mayor Julie McCulloch at 7:05 p.m.on November 25, 1997, at the Port Townsend Community Center. Council members present at roll call were Bill Davidson, Kate Jenks, Ian Keith, Diane Perry Thompson, Ted Shoulberg, and Mark Welch. Jean Camfield was excused. Staff members present were City Administrator Michael Hildt, Finance Director Michael Legarsky, Public Works Financial Analysis Gary Leaf, Library Director Linnea Patrick, Operations Manager Charlie Simpson, Public Works Director Bob Wheeler, John Merchant, Bob LaCroix. Mr. Hildt distributed calculations and information in response to Mr. Shoulberg's questions on the solid waste contract and rates discussed last evening. The subject of "subsidizing" customers who do not recycle was discussed. It was noted that in the current contact, there was not much incentive to the solid waste vendor to get a customer to shift from weekly pickup to alternate week pick up; in the proposed contract the incentive will be much higher. Ms. Jenks noted that yard waste collecting is beneficial to the city because of the unique nature of the composting facility. Mr. Merchant noted that the facility has not had any problems to this time receiving enough yard waste from other cities to balance the amount of sludge. Mr. Keith suggested that citizens were still likely to haul their own waste away rather than leaving it at the curb; he stated he would prefer eliminating that service and charge. He also noted he had not heard any citizens supporting a need for yard wastc pickup, and the compost facility doesn't need it, but added that if a bum ban is put into effect it may affect the amount of yard waste that needs to be taken away. Mr. Shoulberg suggested using the 60 cent yard waste pickup fee as a subsidy for low income citizens who can't pay for the utility. Ms. Jenks noted that the yard waste issues has a long history, and was initiated when the biosolids program begun. A commitment was made years ago that the city would eventually make an effort to do yard waste pickup. She supported the yard waste component as the culmination of a long term policy decision. Mr. Keith noted that yard waste pickup and bum ban don't necessarily need to be linked, and stated he is highly supportive of a bum ban. Ms. Perry-Thompson agreed that this is part of a long term policy issue. She believes citizens will use it who don't yet realize they need it, and noted it will be especially critical when a bum ban is initiated. Port Townsend City Council Page 1 November 25, 1997 . . . MOTION: SECOND VOTE: Mr. Keith moved that the yard waste recycling component be removed from the solid waste proposal. Mr. Welch Motion carried with four in favor, Perry-Thompson and Jenks opposed There was extensive discussion of the way charges were assigned, primarily whether or not it is appropriate to increase costs substantially for those who have already chosen every other week pickup with recycling. A reduced rate for low income citizens was supported. More discussion centered around whether the rates penalized those who are already doing their best to recycle and conserve. It was stated that some people with large families may have a harder time reducing the amount of waste they produce. It was suggested finally that the rate model be run again, shifting the subsidy so it is less onerous to current alternate week customers. It was suggested that the same classes of people who currently qualify for low income subsidies for other utilities qualify for lower garbage rates. Staff was directed to return on Tuesday, Dec. 2 with information on the new rate suggestions. The Council agreed to proceed with provisional "straw" votes on remaining items in the budget. MOTION: SECOND: VOTE: Mr. Shoulberg: provisionally approve all contract services. Ms. Jenks Motion carried unanimously, 6 in favor The City Hall budget was discussed by Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Simpson, who noted changes in the figures: The total budget figure changed from $47,137 to $56,497, with an increase of$9,360 in Line 41, total services, for janitorial service, and a decrease of $6,460 to public restrooms. This reflects a change to contracted services from employee services. A contract for services will be put out to bid. MOTION: SECOND: VOTE: Mr. Shoulberg moved for provisional approval of the City Hall budget as amended. Mr. Keith Motion carried unanimously with 6 in favor. The Public Restrooms budget was also proposed with amendments: adding Line 41, Total Services, to $2,550, changing total salaries to $9,200, benefits to $3,067, supplies to $5,000, maintenance to $1,000, resulting in a total of $20,817. MOTION: SECOND: VOTE: Ms. Welch: Provisionally approve the Public Restrooms budget as amended. Mr. Shoulberg The motion carried unanimously with 6 in favor. Port Townsend City Council Page 2 November 25, 1997 . . . The Arts Commission budget was proposed with an additional $600 in advertising, bringing the advertising total to $1,100 and the grand total to $3,600.00 MOTION: SECOND: VOTE: Mr. Shoulberg moved to provisionally approve the Arts Commission budget as amended. Mr. Davidson The motion carried unanimously with 6 in favor. The function of the Safety committee was discussed briefly. MOTION: SECOND: VOTE: MOTION: SECOND: VOTE: Mr. Keith moved to provisionally approve the Safety Committee budget. Ms. Perry-Thompson The motion carried unanimously with 6 in favor. Ms. Perry-Thompson moved to provisionally approve the Civil Service Commission budget. Mr. Keith The motion carried unanimously with 6 in favor. Revisions to the Public Access TV budget were discussed. A recommendation had been made that the 5% franchise fee (approximately $42,747) be included in the budget with the access fee of approximately $13,500. The new grand total would be $56,247. MOTION: SECOND: VOTE: Mr. Shoulberg moved to provisionally approve the Public Access TV budget as amended. Mr. Welch The motion carried unanimously with 6 in favor. Mr. Wheeler discussed various aspects of the proposed Streets expenditures including salaries based on improved estimates of actual time spent on streets as opposed to water and sewer; he noted this was discussed at the Transportation Committee. Gary Leaf noted that the fund balance is dropping as a net result of the changes. MOTION: SECOND: VOTE: Mr. Shoulberg moved to provisionally approve the entire Streets budget (Street Fund, Street Maintenance, and Street Fund Capital) Mr. Keith The motion carried unanimously with 6 in favor. Port Townsend City Council Page 3 November 25, 1997 . . . MOTION: Mr. Keith moved to provisionally approve the Drug Enforcement and Education Fund. Ms. Perry-Thompson The motion carried unanimously with 6 in favor. SECOND: VOTE: Revisions to the Hotel Motel Transient Tax Fund were noted, including the reduction of 1998 collections, elimination of the Larry Scott Trail Restrooms, a reduction in custodial services to $20,817, and a change in the McCurdy Pavilion Debt Service to $21,416.with an end balance of $186,321. MOTION: Mr. Shoulberg moved to insert proposed advisory budget from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee listing expenditures to be withdrawn from the Hotel-Motel Transient Tax Fund and include the tax fund in the city budget as amended. Ms. Jenks SECOND: DISCUSSION: Mr. Keith noted the budget should be approved with the understanding that there is an assumption further revenue will be generated in 1999 due to the increased efforts ofthe advisory committee. AMENDMENT (FRIENDLY): Mr. Keith proposed that the amended budget be provisionally approved with the understanding that for the 1999 budget there will be increased revenue for this budget. MAKER AND SECONDER: Agree to accept amendment. VOTE: The amended motion carried unanimously with 6 in favor. Mr. Davidson made brief comments about the proposed Northwest Maritime Center, noting that the Wooden Boat Foundation will come forward with a funding request for this project in 1998. He noted he believes there would be many advantages in supporting the center, including tourist attraction, furthering the goals of the Point Hudson Master Plan, strengthening the city as a working seaport, and providing mentorships for young people interested in the maritime trades. He added that support from the city would enhance the ability of the WBF to obtain other grants and funding, and that he will be present as a member of the public with wholehearted support. Ms. Jenks then noted that the city should look toward adoption ofthe Point Hudson Master Plan in 1998. Capital Improvement Fund: Ms. Jenks noted she would like to have all members of the council present for the provisional vote on the Capital Improvement Fund, suggesting that capital improvement fund be deferred and have a discussion of all funding mechanisms at one time. Consensus was to defer the discussion until the next meeting. Port Townsend City Council November 25, 1997 Page 4 . . . MOTION: SECOND: VOTE: Mr. Keith moved for provisional approval of the Community Development Block Grant Fund. Ms. Perry-Thompson The motion carried unanimously with 6 in favor. Mr. Legarsky clarified questions regarding the Local Improvement Districts MOTION: SECOND: VOTE: MOTION: SECOND: VOTE: Mr. Keith moved for provisional approval of the Local Improvement District No.1, PT Local Improvement Guaranty and Local Improvement District No. 2 items Mr. Welch The motion carried unanimously with 6 in favor. Ms. Jenks moved for provisional approval of the Public Works Administration Budget. Mr. Welch The motion carried unanimously with 6 in favor. The next Fund was Engineering. Mr. Leaf made clarifications about the funding sources. MOTION: SECOND: VOTE: Mr. Shoulberg moved to remove two full time equivalents from the engineering group and to instruct the Public Works Director to prioritize staffing and remove two full time equivalents from within the salary structure of the Engineering Division. Ms. Jenks The motion was defeated, with 2 in favor (Shoulberg, Jenks) and 4 opposed. MOTION: Mr. Shoulberg moved to instruct the Public Works Director not to fill the Development Review Engineer position in 1998. SECOND: Ms. Jenks DISCUSSION: Mr. Shoulberg noted his rationale would be to put the salary money toward capital, reassign duties to current assistants and the City Engineer, with inspections covered by the special projects coordinator. He suggested that a position from the Equipment Rental Dept. cross train in public works inspections. He noted this would save money and result in a development team to be reassessed in six months. Ms. Perry-Thompson stated this would result in stretching the staff so thin we could not look at all projects in the list of capital improvements for 1998. Port Townsend City Council Page 5 November 25, 1997 . . . Mr. Davidson asked what staffs perspective was on not filling the position in 1998. Mr. Wheeler stated he has not seen any slack time in the engineering group and is concerned about filling the Development Engineer position and getting a person up to speed to deal with items in the capital budget, oversizing, and tracking engineering design standards. He said he would be very concerned about losing that staff person and redistributing the load. Mr. Keith stated it does not seem to make sense to expect the City Engineer to handle an additional workload in addition to the project management duties already assigned. Mr. Shoulberg reiterated the need to shift operations and maintenance money to capital expenses. Ms. Jenks stated her opinion on how much time it would take to bring a new Development Engineer up to speed. She noted the Public Works budget is huge and feels a need to economize on salaries or projects. She stated her willingness to entertain any and all innovative proposals. Mr. Keith noted that the council has fairly recently approved the creation of the engineering group; perhaps it should have more time to get started before we start changing it. With job costing coming on line, it would be good to free people up for that. He suggested letting them operate for a year and consider changes after there has been time to see how the group will operate. CALL FOR THE QUESTION: VOTE: VOTE ON MOTION: Mr. Keith Unanimous in favor The motion failed with 2 in favor (Shoulberg and Jenks) and four opposed. MOTION: Mr. Shoulberg moves that the council instruct the Public Works Director over the next three years to remove three full time equivalents from the total Public Works budget with two of those positions coming out of the Engineering Division. Ms. Jenks SECOND: Ms. Jenks questioned whether the maker of the motion would entertain a higher level of specificity about what the positions would be. Mr. Shoulberg declined. CALL FOR THE QUESTION: VOTE: VOTE ON THE MOTION: Mr. Keith No dissenting votes The motion failed with 2 in favor (Shoulberg, Jenks) and 4 opposed. Port Townsend City Council Page 6 November 25, 1997 . . . MOTION: Mr. Keith moved for provisional approval of the Engineering Division Budget. Ms. Perry-Thompson The motion carried with 4 in favor, Shoulberg and Jenks opposed. SECOND: VOTE: The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 p.m. ~ I Y \,-...._j¡/f.z'/I.'} , '//., . -", v.- Pamela Kolacy City Clerk. , I , ~: / I' '~""'i" '! ;,',t_/":t"--- Port Townsend City Council Page 7 November 25, 1997