HomeMy WebLinkAbout12041998 Port Townsend City Council
Minutes of the Continued Meeting (from November 30, 1998) of December 4, 1998)
The meeting was called to order at 10:12 a.m. by Mayor McCulloch. Council members present:
Finnie, Rambo, Shoulberg, Jenks, Keith, Badame. Mr. Welch was excused. The purpose of the
meeting was continuation of budget deliberations.
Pool and Recreation
Financial Analyst Gary Leaf stated to the council that about 40% of the city-paid staff time at the
pool is devoted to the Port Townsend Swim Team at a cost of about $28,000 per year. The Swim
Team has exclusive use of the city staff about 3 hours per day, 5 days per week. He noted that
the swim team is a non-profit, private organization, and that when they are using city resources,
these resources are not available to the public.
Frank Casella, Pool Director answered several questions about membership and funding of the
PT Swim Team. It was determined that approximately $23,000 of support goes from the city
directly to support of the swim team.
Mr. Keith moved that the fee to the Port Townsend Swim Team for use of the pool facility
be increased to $13,500 per year total for the current level of use of the pool at the time of
contract renewal (in June). Mr. Shoulberg seconded. The motion carried 5-1, with Mr.
Rambo opposed.
Mr. Finnie moved to impose a percentage differential fee on non-swim club non-city
residents using the pool service with an objective of achieving an increase in revenue of
$6,000 per year with the collection method to be developed by staff. Ms. Jenks seconded.
There was discussion regarding cooperation with the county and whether they should be
approached first as we look at all shared services and that equity. Mr. Keith noted that the county
is discussing the creation of a recreation district.
The motion carried 4-1, with Keith opposed and Shoulberg abstaining.
Mr. Badame moved that the Park, Recreation and Property Committee of the City Council begin
an evaluation of the pool and recreation program as well as beginning to develop a policy
regarding cost recovery, Mayor McCulloch ruled the motion out of order. Ms. Jenks appealed
the ruling; the ruling was upheld 4-2, with Badame and Jenks voting against ruling out of order.
Mr. Keith moved for tentative approval of the recreation budget with a net additional revenue of
$5,150 ($28,000 additional cost for WSI instructor, with additional revenue from PT Swim Team
pool use contract, additional out-of-city resident fees, increased Swim Team dues, and other pool
fees). Mr. Finnie seconded. The motion carried 4-2 by voice vote, with Mr. Rambo and Ms.
Jenks opposed.
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Mr. Keith moved for tentative approval of the Swimming Pool budget as amended. Mr.
Finnie seconded. The motion carried unanimously 6-0.
Capital Improvement Program
City Engineer Dave Peterson began a presentation about work schedules and projects for the
coming year, given the implications of the approved staffing reductions.
The meeting was recessed at 12:20 and reconvened at 1:10 p.m.
Mr. Welch arrived at 1:45
Mr. Badame moved for elimination of Tier I engineering in water and sewer. The motion died
for lack of a second.
Mr. Finnie moved to rescind the 1.3 FTE labor cuts within the Engineering Division and
restore the budget to the Mayor's recommended budget and to clearly instruct the Interim
City Manager to prioritize addressing the Public Works Organizational Study and to look
at and consider the constrictions of the labor and time resources required to implement the
work plan. Ms. Jenks seconded.
Ms. Jenks proposed a friendly amendment to eliminate the Civil Engineer position and
restore the Development Review Engineer position (with qualification to include P.E.) Mr.
Finnie accepted the amendment.
Mr. Badame proposed a friendly amendment to reduce Tier I Engineering for water and sewer
which would pay for $20,000 of the $55,000 General Fund portion of the general ledger system
and keep that rate increase to a minimum. The maker did not accept the amendment.
Mr. Rambo offered an amendment to the main motion to refer the matter to the City Manager
rather than the Interim City Manager. Mayor McCulloch ruled the amendment out of order as the
council cannot bind future councils to decisions. Mr. Finnie proposed to add language making
the direction a "policy priority" of the council.
Vote on the main motion as amended: to rescind the 1.3 FTE labor cuts within the
Engineering Division and restore the budget to the Mayor's recommended budget and
state that it is the city council's policy priority to address the Public Works Organizational
Study and to look at and consider the constrictions of the labor and time resources
required to implement the work plan; and to eliminate the Civil Engineer position and
restore the Development Review Engineer position (with qualification to include P.E.)
The motion carried with 5 in favor, Mr. Badame opposed, and Mr. Shoulberg abstaining.
CIP
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Page 2 Dec. 4, 1998
Ms. Jenks moved to remove and 1999 construction costs for "F" Street projects until the
entire project is surveyed, planned and prioritized. Mr. Badame seconded. The motion
failed 2-5 with Ms. Jenks and Mr. Rambo in favor.
Mr. Shoulberg moved for tentative approval of the 1999 Capital Improvement Program.
Mr. Keith seconded.
Mr. Keith proposed a friendly amendment to add in $50,000 to the Parks CIP for land
acquisition. Mr. Shoulberg accepted.
Ms. Jenks proposed an amendment to remove $21,000 for the 35th Street Park Project.
Mr. Rambo seconded. The motion failed 2-4, with Ms. Jenks and Mr. Rambo in favor.
Mr. Badame moved to strike the narrative sentence regarding 35th St. Park that "it will
also provide Little League practice space." Ms. Jenks seconded. The motion carried 5-1,
with Mr. Keith opposed.
Mr. Badame moved to amend the motion to reduce Tier I Engineering by $10,000 each in
Water and Sewer. Ms. Jenks seconded. The motion failed on a tie vote, with 3 in favor, 3
opposed.
Mr. Badame proposed an amendment that the fee structure be revised so that applicants
who need engineering services bear those costs. Ms. Jenks seconded. The motion carried
5-1, with Mr. Keith opposed.
Mr. Keith proposed an amendment to move $100,000 for purchase of "pasture" property to
1999 if not used in 1998. Ms. Jenks seconded. The motion carried unanimously with 6 in
favor.
Mr. Keith moved to add $20,000 for completion of the Stormwater Master Plan. Mr.
Badame seconded. The motion failed 1-5, with Mr. Keith in favor.
Vote on the main motion as amended: Tentative approval of the 1999 CIP with addition of
$50,000 to Parks for land acquisition, changing 35th St. Park narrative reference to Little
League field, revising fee structure for engineering services, and carrying forward $100,000
for property purchase if not accomplished in 1998. The motion carried unanimously by
voice vote 6-0.
At 4:45, the meeting was continued to 2:30 on Monday, December 7, 1998.
Pamela Kolacy, City Clerk
City Council Page 3 Dec. 4, 1998