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HomeMy WebLinkAbout100311 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF OCTOBER 3, 2011 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the third day of October 2011 in Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m., Mayor Michelle Sandoval presiding. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David King, Laurie Medlicott, Kris Nelson, George Randels, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Mark Welch. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Development Services Director Rick Sepler, Police Chief Conner Daily, and Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There was an addition of public comment during the City Manager's report. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Proclamation - Mental Illness Awareness Week Member of the local NAMI Board, Darlene Grunke Sanders, accepted the proclamation. Proclamation - National Disability and Employment Month Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board Co-Chairs Lesly Sheinbaum and Carl Hanson accepted the Proclamation. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Doug Milholland spoke about risks to the community of an explosion at the major weapons transfer depot at Indian Island. He distributed a handout of Indian Island detonation effects. Scott Walker spoke about the portion of the City budget dedicated to the police department and suggested the Council consider consolidation with the Sheriff's department. Peter Guerrero urged Council to follow up on their comments on the National Defense City Council Business Meeting October 3, 2011 Page 1 of 6 Authorization Act amendments concerning the citizens right to know issue. He also spoke about the explosion potential at Indian Island. Carol Gallup thanked Council for the letter on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). She shared a concern about the potential for an accident on Indian Island. City staff response None. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants: EFT in the amount of $13,034.00 Voucher 115720 in the amount of$705.93 Vouchers 115774 through 115781 and EFTs in the amount of$103,646.95 Vouchers 115782 in the amount of$11,965.41 Vouchers 115783 through 115807 in the amount of$4,293.17 Vouchers 115808 through 115880 in the amount of$115,158.47 Voucher 115881 in the amount of$490.50 Approval of Minutes: September 12, 2011 and September 19, 2011 September 12: Page 1, second paragraph from the bottom, last sentence should say "City" not "PDA." Page 4, second paragraph, second sentence should read "The $500,000 investment in Building 202 should help foster a self-sustaining model for Fort Worden and leverage public and private investments for other phases of development of Building 225 and 228." September 19: page 4, 1 st paragraph "revisionary" should be "reversionary." Appointments to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee: 1. Janette Force, Port Townsend Film Institute to Position 6 - Recipient. Term expires May 1, 2013 2. Jake Beattie, Northwest Maritime Center to Position 5 - Recipient. Term expires May 1, 2012 Approval of Letter of Support for HUD Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Authorization for the City Manager to sign loan agreements with the Public Works Trust Fund (PWTF) Loan Board for the Long Term 2 Enhanced Water Treatment Facility and the City Lake Repair projects. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve the consent agenda with the changes to City Council Business Meeting October 3, 2011 Page 2 of 6 the minutes as noted above and removing Item E to Old Business. George Randels seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. OLD BUSINESS Authorization to Apply for Washington State Transportation Improvement Board Grant for Howard Street Extension Mr. Timmons explained the City, County, and Port are working on setting economic development priorities. To be completed is an assessment that would provide information on whether Howard Street is considered a local or regional priority. Council's authorization would allow submission of a grant application as a placeholder for funding through the Transportation Improvement Board. U.S. Department of Transportation TIGER 3 grant funds would also be sought for this project. Motion: George Randels moved to approve Resolution 11-025 authorizing the City Manager to submit a grant application to the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board for the Howard Street Extension project. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Bell Tower Repairs Public Works Director Ken Clow gave the staff report on the findings of dry rot damage at the Bell Tower. The inspection and analysis report says the tower is a considerable liability and in need of emergency repairs. Funding for the repairs would come from the 2010 bond. Mr. Timmons pointed out that sections of the tower have been replaced over the years. This project is a complete replacement of the bracing timbers. Michael Sullivan, a historic preservation expert, was consulted about different methods of repair. A contingency reserve from the bond would cover the cost. Mr. Clow responded to questions from Council about the last time repairs and diagonal replacements were done. He also clarified that only capital project funds would be used. Public Comment: Scott Walker asked what a complete replacement would cost. Mr. Timmons responded that the City would need to meet the Historic Preservation requirements of replacement versus repair. Mr. Clow said there has not been a cost analysis on a complete replacement. City Council Business Meeting October 3, 2011 Page 3 of 6 Mr. Clow also responded to a question from Mr. King about other structural concerns. Aside from replacing some siding, gutters would be added and the City would conduct periodic structural inspections. Mr. Timmons spoke about the requirement to pay prevailing wage on Public Works projects. Motion: Mark Welch moved to approve Resolution 11-026 Declaring an Emergency and Ratifying the City Manager's Approval of all Applicable Documents to Allow for the Repair of the Port Townsend Bell Tower. George Randels seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT Ms. Sandoval reported that the City was honored to have a visit from Governor Gregoire over the weekend. She was involved in many community activities. CITY MANAGER REPORT First Touch - Issues Impacting the 2012 Budget Referencing a New York Times article, Mr. Timmons reviewed the financial challenges at all levels of government due to the drop in revenues. He then used a PowerPoint presentation to review some of the challenges dating back to 2007 with the pulling of the ferry service, the worldwide economic recession, and the 2009 Hood Canal Bridge closure. Also explained were local initiatives and leveraging of funding focused on economic centers of downtown, Fort Worden, and Upper Sims. He reviewed actions as part of the three-year strategy including the passing of the library levy to stabilize core services. While the shift to a dedicated library fund helped protect the library, the frontloading of funding for Community Services concurrent with the loss of revenue compounded the loss of reserves. He then reviewed real estate excise tax, sales tax, and business and occupation tax revenues and explained the delay in capital project overhead income. He also provided an explanation of the challenges with the City operating on a cash basis but managing on an accrual basis. Mr. Timmons went on to review problems created by the delayed resolution of issues pertaining to interlocal agreements, account receivables from grants, project delays, and capital projects income delays. Highlighted were the City efforts since 2007 to support community programs, maintain service agreements, and support nonprofits at Mountain View. He also explained the maintenance costs at the pool impacting the City budget. There were also investments in marketing and promotion to aid economic recovery as well as ferry and bridge closure efforts. Mr. Timmons then explained fund accounting and how the 29 separate funds the City manages are used for restricted purposes. At 8:05 p.m., the Mayor declared a recess for the purpose of a break. At 8:16 p.m., the meeting resumed. Mr. Timmons then reviewed the $900,000 General Fund gap between revenues and expenses. There is an expectation that the City will contribute an additional $625,000 City Council Business Meeting October 3, 2011 Page 4 of 6 to the Fire District for 2012. Payroll expenses would remain at status quo, but still increase by $415,000 due to increases in health care costs, pension and step or longevity increases. Actions being taken to offset this increase are a new health care plan for non-bargaining employees, decreased benefits, a wage freeze, and expected attrition. There are also plans to shift from cash to in-kind services for contract services. This would include coordinating with the County and other agencies on community outreach and programs such as animal control. There would be a deferral of capital equipment and replacement and a reallocation of personnel costs. Mr. Timmons then reviewed a proposal for restructuring the organization. Items for future review and discussion are a process for Council budget transfers to support allocations to other funds of non-program revenue, adopting a Council budget and finance reporting system and a management policy, and assessing long-term overhead costs. A draft budget would be presented to Council on October 17 based on the information presented. Public Comment: Todd Wexman presented his written comments about the 2012 budgetary shortfall. Beulah Kingsolver spoke about what potential cuts mean for Dove House. Jefferson County YMCA Strategic Development Director, Erica Delma spoke about their current efforts to provide programs and services for children and families in the community. Jack Range, investigator for the Public Defender's office, spoke about potential savings to the City for creating a pre-charging diversion program and/or re-licensing program. Patrick Moore asked questions about payroll and medical and vision insurance charges. Mr. Timmons responded. Gabriella Ashford spoke about the potential for a private public partnership to funnel mortgage interest payments to the City. She said there might also be rural loan options. Janet Palmer spoke in support of the YMCA programs, specifically the after-school program. Mr. Timmons responded to questions brought up during public comment. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION None. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL None. City Council Business Meeting October 3, 2011 Page 5 of 6 EXECUTIVE SESSION None. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting October 3, 2011 Page 6 of 6