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Home My WebLink About12092004 . . . CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION OF DECEMBER 9, 2004 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in workshop session this ninth day of December, 2004, at 6:30 p.m. in the temporary Council Chambers, Room 204, Fort Worden, Mayor Catharine Robinson presiding. ROLL CALL Council members present at roll call were Frank Benskin, Kees Kolff, Geoff Masci, Laurie Medlicott, Catharine Robinson, and Michelle Sandoval. Freida Fenn was excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Finance Director Michael Legarsky, Fire Chief Mike Mingee, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. Fire Chief Mike Mingee outlined the pending proposal to consolidate operations between the City and Fire District #6. City Attorney Watts stated that the agreement will be placed on Monday's (December 13) agenda; if Council is comfortable with the terms, they may authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement subject to agreement by the District #6 Commissioners at the Tuesday (Dec. 14) meeting of the General Government Committee/District #6 Commissioners. In answer to questions from Ms. Sandoval, Chief Mingee clarified the following: The relationship between Fire District #6 and the City of Port Townsend is currently a functional consolidation; the proposed agreement would result in an operational consolidation. Employees would remain with their respective entities but would rotate through the various stations so they are aware of the needs of various downtown buildings and can be well equipped to fight fires. Chief Mingee added he would prefer that firefighters take responsibility for fire inspections so they can learn the building floorplans and meet the business owners. Bringing two organizations, both with pride in their traditions, is not simple; everyone must feel they are getting a fair deal. However, there is a great deal of interaction and cooperation at this time; two of the career employees at District #6 are former Port Townsend volunteers. City Council Workshop Page 1 December 9,2004 . . . Liability should decrease with this plan, as a fully staffed station would be located just south of Port Townsend; personnel from that station will be able to respond more quickly to that area of town than personnel coming from the Lawrence Street location. Personnel and equipment belong to their own respective entities. In the future, there are many models to examine if the entities want to proceed to another step, such as merger or annexation. The desired goal is to work these issues out throughout the next year and bring forward a recommendation by the end of September; the proposed agreement is not expected to continue more than a year or two. Fire District #6 has a different hiring process but their employees are trained to the same standard and undergo most of the same hiring tests as the City. Currently, each fire entity is on a separate tone frequency; it is proposed that one tone will be created for Port Townsend/District 6. This will alleviate some time and confusion at the dispatch center as well. Ms. Robinson asked for confirmation that this is not seen as a final step. Chief Mingee stated that it does leave a lot up in the air, as certain policies are different for the City and District; also joint purchasing will be somewhat complicated. He confirmed that this is seen as an interim step. Ms. Robinson asked if the addition of a firefighter EMT and assistant chief at District #6 and a paramedic/firefighter at the city would result in the needed level of service for the entire area. Chief Mingee replied that the level of service provided by two staffed stations is closer to the needed level of service than the current situation. Mrs. Medlicott clarified that Station 62, proposed for joint staffing, is on Jacob Miller Road and is a location which will provide better service to both the City and District 6 with the same amount of funding currently being spent. She stated this will better utilize our resources. Chief Mingee added that most fire service in Washington is provided by fire districts and that the national trend is also in that direction. Ms. Robinson asked how the process would work since only three of the six joint board members are City Council members and whether loss of control is a key issue for both entities. Chief Mingee replied that the governance issue is a key part ofthe process. Mr. Masci noted that the General Government Committee has made it clear to the District #6 Commissioners that any substantive decisions must be approved by the entire City Council. City Council Workshop Page 2 December 9, 2004 . . . Mayor Robinson stated that first reading of the 2005 budget adoption ordinance took place last Monday. Tonight's meeting was set to allow discussion of any items that Council may want to discuss prior to adoption. She asked if there were additional issues besides the fire department issues just discussed. Mr. Benskin suggested an additional $10,000 for the Drug Enforcement and Education Fund. He noted that the $5,000 currently in the budget for EDC could be reallocated. Mr. Masci suggested that the money could be allocated to the Police Department and that Council could give the City Manager and Police Chief discretion to allocate the funds to existing resources for the purpose of drug education. Mr. Benskin suggested cutting the Arts Commission funding to $3,500 to gain another $5,000. Mr. Timmons and Mr. Clow clarified that the $36,000 funding for Fire Station exhaust extractors differs from the total $45,000 because the chases are already included in the capital budget. Mr. Benskin suggested removing any city contribution to Fort Worden parking in 2005 and leaving the funding to the potential partners who did not participate in 2004. Mr. Masci suggested that the Arts Commission funding be set at $5,000 since they have some plans in progress. Extra money could fund playgrounds. Mr. Timmons confirmed that $15,000 is currently earmarked for playground equipment in the budget. Mr. Masci suggested committing to reviewing or revisiting the YMCA agreement with the goal of expanding the City's support. Mr. Timmons stated that the County contracts total approximately $650,000. The only change noted at this time is the transfer of animal control from the Health Dept. to the Sheriff s Dept. Mr. Timmons added that the alcohol tax allocation which is give to the County for support of substance abuse programs is $33,000 for 2004. Otherwise the contracts will be rolled forward; he added that there have been no requests for additional funding to support County Health services. Mr. Kolff expressed support for $10,000 funding for drug education; this could be accomplished if the LTAC reserve reimbursing the General Fund for $5,000 of Fort Worden parking money. In addition, $9,000 of the $25,000 commitment to Fort Worden parking contribution could be reimbursed by the L T AC reserve to help fund the County Health Department for programs such as "best beginnings." City Council Workshop Page 3 December 9, 2004 . . . Mr. Masci noted that the L T AC fund is not a slush fund for the General Fund. Mr. Timmons noted that the School Resource officer expense is covered by grant funding and that the Police Chiefhas not made any request for additional money for this program. Mr. Timmons stated that if the $5,000 EDC money were placed in the drug enforcement and education fund rather than the general fund, it would then be dedicated by law to such projects. Another $5,000 could be allocated in 2005 at a later date. RECESS Mayor Robinson called a recess at 8: 1 0 p.m. for the purpose of a break. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 8:20 p.m. Ms. Sandoval stated she believes the budget has been examined thoroughly through the committee process, there seems to be general consensus about drug education, and she has no further comments. Mrs. Medlicott stated she needs a great amount of clarification from staff regarding Mr. Kolffs proposal to transfer LTAC money to the General Fund. She believes this is not legal, and there must be some constraints. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at4f:15 p.m. ~CÞ<~ Pamela Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Workshop Page 4 December 9,2004