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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10092000CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE STUDY SESSION OF OCTOBER 9, 2000 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met for a study session this ninth day of October, 2000, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Geoff Masci presiding. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmembers present at roll call were Joe Finnie, Allen Frank, Vem Garrison, Geoff Masci, Alan Youse, Syd Lipton and Bill Wolcott. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. Mr. Masci added item #6 to the agenda - Developmentally Disabled (DD) Hiring CITY MANAGER UPDATE Suggestion boxes are to be placed in each city department. Suggestion forms will be distributed to all city employees with October pay checks. A companion piece for city residents will be designed after the employee suggestions system is up and running. Mr. Timmons also noted that he has received the notice or renewal for the county services agreement. The amount billed for next year is $559,000, an increase of $223,000 from last year's number. This has serious budget implications. The letter will be copied to council members. He then clarified information on funding of the city library and noted that the recommendation to cut service hours was a recommendation by the Library Board and the Library Director, not the City Manager. He stated that some misinformation about past and proposed library funding has been circulating and he has prepared an itemization of the library budget for the last six years for informational purposes. ELECTED OFFICIAL - SUMMIT AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Masci, Mr. Finnie and Mr. Frank will represent the council at the elected officials summit October 26, hosted by the Port of Port Townsend. Each entity has been asked to submit three agenda items for discussion. Suggestions from the round table discussion included: Economic Development Interlocal Agreements Transportation Law and Justice Health & Human Services Shared Services Budget City Council Study Session Minutes October 9, 2000 Page 1 Mr. Frank noted that in light of the county's funding shortage and the apparent trickle- down effect to the city, an over view of budget issues would be his first choice as a topic. Mr. Finnie added that financial affairs, including interlocal agreements and other opportunities which would result in cost savings are paramount. He also suggested transportation issues, with a regional approach which would include walk-on ferries. Mr. Youse agreed that shared services should be examined. Mr. Garrison also said that potential shared services emerges as a critical issue, adding that taxpayer dollars shouldn't be spent on duplicated services. Public Comment: None Consensus of the council, initiated by Mr. Frank, was to forward a single item to the agenda which would be finances and financial impacts. The issue will be refined at the upcoming Finance Committee meeting. POLYSTYRENE PACKAGING Mr. Watts introduced the issue and referred to the information packet distributed for the study session which included: 1) current city ordinances regarding polystyrene; 2) information including the status of Bainbridge Island's legislation; and 3) material regarding technical aspects of the current methods of manufacturing the packaging. Public Comment Mr. Bob Giesler discussed the problems he encounters using plastic trays for meat packaging at the Port Townsend Safeway store. He listed inability to use an automatic meat wrapper, cost factors, and health and safety concerns. He requested that the polystyrene ban be lifted or at least modified to allow the use of foam containers for meat packaging. Nancy Dorgan: agreed that this is a difficult issue with no clear solution. Stated that more information regarding the effect on the landfill would be helpful. Also expressed concerns about a total lift of the ban because other businesses, particularly fast food stores, may begin to use foam products. Discussion by the council then centered around whether or not to support lifting the ban just on meat packaging, or on meat packaging and egg cartons, or lifting the ban entirely. Mr. Watts will research the matter and bring ordinances to the first regular meeting in November, which will give the council a choice of removing the ban completely, or removing the ban for certain applications. City Council Study Session Minutes October 9, 2000 Page 2 DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED (DD) HIRING Mr. Masci informed the council that the Development Disability Board will challenge the city to hire developmentally disabled individuals within the city structure. He noted that the county has operations in which developmentally disabled individuals work, most notably the landfill and recycling center. He characterized the announcement as a first touch to make the council aware he will be sponsoring a discussion on the issue. Representatives of the board will be invited to a study session when they are ready to make their proposal. BUDGET SCHEDULE AND COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS Mr. Timmons noted that the preliminary budget for the year 2001 as it currently stands shows a shortfall of $500,000 - $600,000. A major factor in the figure is a bill for county services that exceeds last year's bill by more than $200,000. He stated that he will bring forward strategic policy initiatives and a menu of choices for the council. Escalating costs with a flat revenue base result in budget shortfalls in the General Fund and the Street Fund. His suggestions for committee assignments included: Finance Committee Interlocal agreements, general administration and set capital budget Public Works Committee Capital plans for utility funds and highway; also water, solid waste, wastewater Public Safety Committee Police, Fire, EMS Community Development Library, Parks, BCD, capi Capital Facilities Commit City Hall capital planning Committee tal transportation plans :ee It Was acknowledged that council members would be ready to meet on accelerated schedules and plan special commlttee meetings to deal with these issues so that budget adoption can proceed on schedule. / City Council Study Session Minutes October 9, 2000 Page 3 Public Comment Nancy Dorgan: spoke on the importance of relating new actions of the city to the adopted Comprehensive Plan. Karen Long: spoke in support of Library funding. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Attest: ,.----., ,. / P~ela Kolacy, CMC City Council Study Session Minutes October 9, 2000 Page 4