HomeMy WebLinkAbout07142003CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF JULY 14, 2003
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in special session this fourteenth day
of July, 2003, at 5:00 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, Kees Kolff, Catharine Robinson,
and Michelle Sandoval. GeoffMasci arrived at 5:15. Alan Youse arrived at 5:40. Joe
Finnie was excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City
Attorney John Watts, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 5:05, Mayor Kolff announced the Council would go into executive session in regard to
a personnel matter. Special counsel Steve DiJulio attended the session via telephone.
The session was expected to last 30 minutes and the Mayor announced possible action at
the conclusion.
At 5:45, Mayor Kolff announced the Council would remain in executive session for
another 20-30 minutes.
RECONVENE
The meeting was reconvened at 6:05.
Motion: Mr. Masci moved to endorse and release to the public the report of P. Stephen
Didulio, independent counsel for the Port Townsend City Council, dated duly 11, 2003, in
the matter of the complaint of firefighter Greg Walsh against the City Manager and City
Attorney, finding those complaints groundless in fact and not appropriate for Council
action at this time and to hereby waive the Council's attorney-client privilege solely in
relation to the release of this report dated duly 11, 2003. Ms. Robinson seconded The
motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote.
RECESS
Mayor Kolff recessed the meeting for the purpose of a break.
RECONVENE
The meeting was reconvened at 6:30. Additional City staff present were Public Works
Director Ken Clow, Building and Community Development Director Jeff Randall, Police
Chief Kristen Anderson, Library Director Linnea Patrick, and Finance Director Michael
Legarsky.
City Council Special Session 1 July 14, 2003
PROJECT TRACKING UPDATE, SECOND QUARTER
Mr. Timmons discussed the City's project tracking system and provided examples in the
packet of its various iterations over the last five years. He stated that he and Mayor
Kolff have devised a new system which will show progress of major projects with the
end of the timeline as the driver. This system will be in place prior to the budget
discussions.
Each department director presented an update on the major projects of the year as of the
end of the second quarter.
Clarifying questions from the council included the status of the dispute resolution
program, the possibility of information technology services assistance, either through
contract or additional employees, and status of the stormwater plan adoption.
Public comment
None
Ms. Fenn noted that the project tracking system dovetails with the committee priorities
lists and will provide a visual, multi-year format.
RECESS
Mayor Kolffrecessed the meeting at 7:55 for a break.
RECONVENE
The meeting was reconvened at 8:01 p.m.
2004 BUDGET PRIORITIES
Mr. Timmons noted that the 2003 supplemental budget would be presented to the Finance
and Budget Committee this week and to the council in early August. He stated it appears
that there will be a net gain in revenue in the supplemental budget.
Mr. Timmons then went through the various funds as a brief review. He said that
generally speaking the city's expenditures were well under control but increasing revenue
will be the challenge for 2004. Some possible enhancements to be considered include:
raising property taxes 1%, tapping the banked capacity property tax, reinstating the EMS
levy to 50 cents per thousand, creating an ambulance utility with revenue restricted to
EMS, admission tax, and user fees.
Mr. Timmons stated the funding for street maintenance is still the primary outstanding
concern in the 2004 budget, as the streets have no dedicated funding source.
City Council Special Session 2 duly 14, 2003
He stated that a utility rate study will be completed this year and it is almost certain that
an increase in rates will be recommended because of the major projects on the horizon,
including replacement of substandard lines, and necessary fire flow improvements. He
added that stormwater rates would not be included in the rate study since the plan has not
yet been adopted.
Public comment
Jim Hagan had no comments but posed questions about the street fund and the capital
fund for the annex construction and City Hall restoration.
Mr. Timmons replied that money was never diverted from the street fund but the street
fund has always been subsidized from the General Fund rather than having its own
dedicated source of funding. He added that the subsidy could be increased either by
expanding the revenue base or by reducing expenditures in other areas or categories to
provide a source of funds. The problem is what other programs will be sacrificed in
order to support street maintenance.
He also stated that within the city hall annex/remodel fund, individual activities would be
accounted for separately so it will be clear which funding is spent on annex construction
and which on City Hall restoration.
Mr. Timmons noted that a street levy could be placed on the November ballot; deadline
for proposing a ballot measure is September 19.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Attest:
Pamela Kolacy, CMC dj
City Clerk
City Council Special Session 3 duly 14, 2003