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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11182002CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF NOVEMBER 18, 2002 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this fourth day of November 2002, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Kees Kolff presiding. ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmembers present at roll call were Freida Fenn, Joe Finnie, Kees Kolff, Geoff Masci, Michelle Sandoval, and Alan Youse. Geoff Masci was excused. Catharine Robinson planned to arrive late. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attomey John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGESTOTHEAGENDA There were no changes to the agenda requested. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Kolff recognized American Indian Heritage Month with a reading. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons announced that the City's plans are again available on the MRSC website, with a link from the City website. They were briefly unavailable while being reformatted. Ms. Robinson arrived at 6:40 p.m. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (Consent and Non-agenda items) James Fritz: encouraged the Council to bring back "pea patches" and plant more edible landscaping associated with public works projects. Nancy Dorgan: commented on the city's continuing efforts to finalize the water service area. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved for approval of the following items on the consent agenda. Ms. Fenn seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 83897 through 84029 and 84038 through 84056 in the amount of $401,357.02 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 November 18, 2002 Approval of Minutes October 28 Special Meeting November 4 Regular Meeting November 12 Special Meeting Action Set Public Hearing on Kelly/Jefferson Transit SEPA Appeal and Comp Plan Amendment for December 11, 2002 NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTION 02-052 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A REAL ESTATE SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH THE NOMURA FAMILY FOR PURCHASE OF PROPERTY ALONG SAN JUAN AVENUE FOR RIGHT-OF- WAY IMPROVEMENTS Public Works Director Ken Clow stated that the City Manager has negotiated with Carl Nomura to purchase a section of property along San Juan Avenue to allow the city to move the roadway for better alignment and obtain right-of-way to create a new trail to the west of San Juan Avenue. The staff seeks ratification of the purchase so the City can proceed with the completion of the sidewalk pathway down San Juan. Public Comment: Mr. Nomura recommended that rather than making an asphalt sidewalk the city make the sidewalk cement like the rest of the "F" Street sidewalks. Mr. Clow answered that staff is looking at the comparisons, and the determining factor will be cost. It is anticipated that bids will go out for both asphalt and concrete. He added that asphalt generally can be 30-50% cheaper but that concrete would last longer. Mr. Youse reiterated the need for curbs wherever sidewalks are placed. Motion: Ms. Robinson moved for adoption of Resolution 02-052. Mr. Youse seconded The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. RESOLUTION 02-053 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POART TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON SCHEDULING ACTION ON ANNUAL AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN City Council Business Meeting Page 2 November 18, 2002 Mr. Watts stated that the Port Townsend Municipal Code provides that the Council shall adopt any annual amendments to the Comprehensive Plan by the second Council meeting of November of each year. Because of the pending Kelly SEPA appeal, adoption of the annual Comprehensive Plan amendments is not feasible by the end of November. The ordinance would allow delay of the date of adoption. Public comment None Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved for adoption of Resolution 02-053. Mr. Youse seconded In answer to a question from Ms. Fenn, Mr. Watts stated that it is within the council's purview to change the date of adoption as it is a local statute rather than a state law. Mr. Kolff asked what will happen if the appeal is not resolved. Mr. Watts replied that the council has set December 11 as the date for council consideration; if the appeal is denied, the council may take action immediately. If not, the adoption of the amendments could be deferred,even past the beginning of 2003. Ms. Fenn asked if is an option to proceed in this year's cycle with the amendments which have already been decided upon. Mr. Watts stated it makes sense to keep on with consideration of them all in one package even though there are tentative agreements on the other amendments as the Growth Management Act does require consideration of the amendments in relationship to one another. Vote: motion carried 5-1, by voice vote, with Ms. Fenn opposed RESOLUTION 02-054 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN A JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR WATER RESOURCES INVESTIGATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (USGS) Mr. Timmons stated that the cost of measuring and monitoring daily flows on the Big Quilcene River is a mandatory, budgeted expense which is funded through the water/sewer operating budget. There was no public comment. Motion: Ms. Fenn moved for adoption of Resolution 02-054. Ms. Sandoval seconded The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 2003 BUDGET DISCUSSION City Council Business Meeting Page 3 November 18, 2002 Mr. Timmons presented general unresolved budget issues for the council's information. These issues were listed on the spread sheet "City of Port Townsend Budget Uncertainties FY 2003" distributed during the meeting. Some highlighted issues as yet unresolved include the following. L&I increase in insurance rates of $40,000. Firefighter Union agreement status is not known yet, funds will be set aside. 1-790. Based on best estimates, the city may expect a potential impact of $85,000. Approximately $20,000 is earmarked for market adjustments for non-union employees. Street subsidy: the overlay program is not funded at $200,000 ($200,000 funding is allocated for street operations and maintenance). City Council budget: Finance Committee has approved levels of funding for non-profits. BCD Currently discussing scope of work for consultant services and comparing to adding staff. At this point, addition of staff would be an additional $11,000. Adoption of International Building Code request for $20,000. Mr. Timmons has advised dealing with this internally and regionally to take advantage of economies of scale. Funding for part-time plan review consultant has not been added; recommendation that this issue be dealt with in house. Police Miscellaneous proposed expenses of $3,330 not included in budget. Recommendation that volunteer funding could be addressed internally. New digital cameras with support computers not funded for this year; waiting until technically ready and there are some issues with acceptable evidence procedures. Training: recommend exploring cost savings of working with the County. Overtime budget reduced by $6,000, pending review of options. Miscellaneous $15,650 not recommended for funding; again, would like to look at things we are ready for and which can be met through regional partnerships. Parks Maintenance: Chetzemoka Park Office (request $21,000). Mr. Timmons stated the office needs to be coordinated with the overall plan for the park. He added it is nice to have a facility there but that may not be the building we want to invest in. City Council Business Meeting Page 4 November 18, 2002 Fire/EMS The Fire Department has requested funding of approximately $80,000 for an additional deputy chief; the request is proposed in relation to other actions. The funding is not in the preliminary budget as many details need to be worked out. The defibrillators in use can no longer be serviced and new ones will cost $50,000 which is a new budget item. A new medic unit has been proposed, amount budgeted will be an annualized cost from the Equipment Rental fund of approximately $20,000. Public Works Engineering: A new position for Development Review Engineer is not included in the preliminary budget as a fee analysis is pending; however the position is seen by staff as needed and feasible. A miscellaneous $9,500 has not been included.. Library: has proposed funding for off site storage but it should be looked at as a city- wide need. Other proposed enhancements proposed for staffing; some are pending exploration of resources available to match up through work programs for the developmentally disabled. City Facilities: A request which came forward through the Arts Commission to repair pilings at the Wave Gallery is not in the budget but will have to be dealt with in the future. PTTV: Neither enhancement is included at this time (increase in Station Manager contract amount, additional funding for more staff), placeholders in discretionary fund. Mr. Timmons stated the focus tonight is on priority decisions and time lines. He listed priority items as the rise in the L&I rate; Firefighter Union contract costs, and the projected cost of 1-790. He recommended budgeting for the items up front and if they don't materialize, the money can be used in some other way. The money can be unencumbered when the answers are final. Ms. Sandoval asked if there is a sinking fund that addresses deferred maintenance. Mr. Timmons noted that some facilities have gone to the point where we are looking at replacement, not deferred maintenance. There is not a specific fund although the line item for city facilities has been increased by $35,000 Mr. Timmons agreed that the council should discuss the creation of a long term capital maintenance fund. Public Comment Michael Hyland inquired about the impact of 1-790. City Council Business Meeting Page 5 November 18, 2002 Mr. Legarsky noted that the impact is uncertain by at this time his best guess is the city will need to budget $140,000 more in 2004 to cover the costs. Mayor Kolff then noted that it is clear the council did not have enough budget information at the last meeting to determine a property tax levy. With the new information the council will be better able to make a recommendation. Ms. Sandoval stated she is most concerned with city facilities which are currently not really addressed in the budget; she noted the city has an obligation to protect the investments for the taxpayers. Mr. Finnie asked when the council wants to calendar the discussion on the 2003 levy. Mr. Kolff noted most of the committee recommendations on various funds should be received by the end of the week and the discussion can be scheduled at that time. Ms. Fenn noted that other ad hoc committees may have budget impact, for example, Jefferson Transit needs a tech support person and have expressed interest in sharing a person with another entity. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS Mr. Kolff stated that a letter from the County BOCC has been received regarding the Glen Cove LAMIRD and this will be an agenda item once the Glen Cove negotiating team has looked at the document. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 8:15 p.m. the Mayor announced an executive session regarding personnel issues, estimated time of 15 minutes, with no action anticipated. RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 8:30. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m.. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, CMC, City Clc~k City Council Business Meeting Page 6 November 18, 2002