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HomeMy WebLinkAbout112111 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE BUSINESS MEETING OF NOVEMBER 21, 2011 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the twenty-first day of November, 2011, in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. with 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, Finance Director Michael Legarsky, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY Mayor Sandoval read a proclamation declaring November 26, 2011, as "Small Business Saturday" which was accepted by Sue Arthur. United Good Neighbors Executive Director Carla Caldwell presented a plaque to City Attorney John Watts in honor of his years of service on the UGN Board. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC There was no public comment. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants: Vouchers 116157 through 116250 in the amount of $186,316.33; Electronic Funds Transfer in the amount of $14,0096.18; Vouchers 116140 through 116156 in the amount of$4,915.20 Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve the consent agenda. George Randels seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinance 3066, 2011 Supplemental Budget Adoption City Council Business Meeting November 21, 2011 Page 1 of 5 Mayor Sandoval reviewed the procedure for legislative public hearings, which will apply to both hearings. No Council member had any financial or property interests to disclose in connection with either matter. City Manager David Timmons reviewed the packet materials. Finance Director Michael Legarsky reviewed the Budget Analysis spreadsheet. There were no comments from the public. Questions and Council discussion ensued. It was noted that employee retirement fund costs are increasing significantly. The IT and Fleet replacement accounts are showing fewer expenditures and Mr. Timmons stated that the city is planning to extend the life span on equipment. This affects transfers to the Equipment Rental fund from each department. The Conservation Manager costs were addressed as well and it was noted that several partners contribute to the cost and the program will be reviewed. Other topics addressed included General Fund overhead changes, the potential long term effect of cutting funding to Equipment Rental, and location of vehicle charges for the Police Department. Staff will bring back a revised budget and plan, including an explanation of the numbers and/or equation for the Equipment Rental and IT funds. Mayor Sandoval declared the 2011 Supplemental Budget public hearing closed. Motion: David King moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3066 appropriating the sum of$75,072 to the General Fund; $13,990 to the Drug Enforcement and Education Fund, $54,996 to the Contingency Fund, $179,996 to the Fire and Emergency Services Fund; $17,973 to the Community Services Fund; $165,610 to the General Obligation Debt Service Fund, $657,511 to the Capital Improvement Fund; $233,281 to the Transmission Line Replacement Fund, $62,980 to the Equipment Rental and Revolving Fund; and making findings and declaring an emergency. George Randels seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3068, Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2012 Mayor Sandoval announced that the public comment portion of the hearing would be extended to December 5 because changes to the 2012 budget are still pending and will also be affected by the final count on the tax levy measure. Mr. Timmons reviewed the 2012 budget, noting that the discussion is still predicated on the preliminary budget previously presented to the Council. Councilors requested that all information that has been presented to the Finance and Budget Committee be shared with the rest of the Council. The new budget document should be available in the next week. City Council Business Meeting November 21, 2011 Page 2 of 5 Public Comment Robert Gray stated that the cuts under consideration, particularly those in the Police Department, need further discussion. Although the City is decreasing activity in many areas, no one has said that the rate of crime is decreasing. He asked that any possible alternatives be reviewed by the Council. He also said that social programs are an important part of our community and that alternative options should be considered by the Council that area as well. Mr. Timmons responded to Mr. Gray's comments. Mr. Timmons clarified that the City will not contribute utility excise tax funds to Main Street in 2011, but will contribute in 2012 which will result in a credit for 2013. The amount could be up to $132,000 and may require a supplement to the 2012 budget. The Council will need to decide how much to contribute based on the Main Street work plan. This could affect next year's cash flow. A list of options for the Council was requested and it was noted that it is important to be clear about what the Council chooses not to do as well as what they choose to do. A Council budget policy resolution with benchmarks will be presented. The future of Mountain View and the City/ School District relationship will impact 2012; a joint meeting between Council and School Board may be scheduled for early 2012. There was further discussion about other ways the entire Council (rather than just one committee) could participate in the budget process in future years. Clarification of the debt schedule was requested. Mr. Legarsky noted that the schedule gives a history and a reconciliation to the Council regarding debts. Options for potential restructuring or refinancing of debt were discussed. More discussion ensued about the budget process. It was suggested that the Council as a committee of the whole meet quarterly to review finances. This concept can be further explored at the Council retreat. Mayor Sandoval declared a recess at 8:13 p.m. for the purpose of a break. The meeting was reconvened at 8:26 p.m. Mr. Welch posed several questions related to the preliminary line item budget and received clarification regarding the pool utility expenses and office and operating supplies, breakdown of professional services line item in the LTAC budget, line item expenses for repairs and maintenance and miscellaneous expenditures in the Clerk's budget, expense for fireworks in the Police Administration budget, training budget expense in the Police budget and lack of IT equipment funding in the Planning budget. The relationship of affordable housing fee waivers and the community services fund City Council Business Meeting November 21, 2011 Page 3 of 5 was discussed. Although a separate housing trust fund has been set up, there is no money in it. A transfer from community services to DSD for the amount of waived fees is desirable. Motion: George Randels moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3068, Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012. David King seconded. Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Laurie Medlicott opposed. The mayor declared that the public comment portion of the hearing will remain open for the December 5 meeting. OLD BUSINESS Ordinance 3067, Fixing and Adopting 2012 Property Tax Levies Mr. Timmons and Mr. Watts reviewed the ordinance, noting further revisions have been brought forward tonight based on input from the County Assessor. The changes include very minor adjustments to the dollar and percentage amounts. It was noted that the ordinance title should reflect 22.99% rather than 22.98% as the increase if the levy passes. Mr. Watts also stated that the City consulted outside counsel who is a specialist in levy issues and she recommended a single ordinance covering the different outcomes. The County Assessor has agreed this is acceptable. The current ordinance incorporates this advice. There was no public comment. Motion: George Randels moved to amend Ordinance 3067A by substituting Ordinance 3067, and move to approve Ordinance 3067 Fixing and Adopting 2012 Property Tax Levies for the General Levy with an Increase of One Percent (1.00%) if the City's Fire and Emergency Levy Lid Lift does not pass and twenty-two and ninety-nine hundredths percent (22.99%) if the City's Fire and Emergency Levy Lid Lift passes and for the Emergency Medical Services Levy an Increase of One Percent (1.00%) David King seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS - NONE PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT It was noted that the City is opening Mountain View as a temporary homeless shelter until the American Legion shelter opens. CITY MANAGER REPORT Mr. Timmons noted that the City is still working on getting the Public Infrastructure Fund money released. City Council Business Meeting November 21, 2011 Page 4 of 5 The Library has received a $25,000 grant for furnishings for the Pink House. A small grant has been received to install flashing lights in the school zones. He noted the City has received an extensive request for public records. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION The subject of the 2012 Council retreat schedule was discussed. A tentative plan is to have a mini retreat with the two new Councilors to bring them up to speed, work on committee assignments and discuss town meetings. After town meetings have been held, the Council could have another retreat to work on major issues. Discussion of dates for the first retreat will take place at the first or second Council meeting. EXECUTIVE SESSION There was no executive session. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting November 21, 2011 Page 5 of 5