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CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF NOVEMBER 5, 2004
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this first day of
November, 2004, at 4:00 p.m. in the Olympic Room of the Waterman & Katz Building,
Mayor Catharine Robinson presiding.
ROLL CALL
Council members present at roll call were Frank Benskin, Kees Kolff, Laurie Medlicott,
and Catharine Robinson. Freida Fenn, GeoffMasci and Michelle Sandoval were
excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, Fire Chief Mike Mingee,
and City Clerk Pam Kolacy
PRELIMINARY BUDGET
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Mr. Timmons said that Councilors have received the preliminary 2005 budget but that
there are still many figures outstanding, including liability insurance, rate of retirement
fund contributions to the state, etc. He stated that this year the trend of consolidating
funds has been reversed. An example is the Library, which has been pulled from the
General Fund to its own fund because it will be more apparent what numbers are being
discussed if a special levy or district annexation is discussed. The Library is funded by
the General Fund by about 99%.
Mrs. Medlicott asked if there is a state requirement that the Council fund community
services. Mr. Timmons replied there is not.
He stated that the contingency fund is established by Council policy and should remain
stable at about 2% this year; if the fund were eliminated it could affect future bond
ratings. The amount of money will remain stable but the percentage may rise because of
the separation of the Library, etc. from the General Fund.
Ms. Robinson noted that the Council has discussed the contingency fund as a revenue
emergency fund which may need to be tapped due to the upcoming Hood Canal Bridge
closure.
Mr. Timmons noted the Street Fund includes money for the basic street program such as
pot hole repair without much discretion to take on other projects.
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City Council Special Meeting
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November 5,2004
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The L T AC fund will get a boost after the reconciliation by the state of collections at Fort
Worden which have not been returned to the city.
The FireÆMS has also been taken out of the General Fund and is discretionary under
state law because fire service is primarily provided through districts. A decrease of
$137,000 reflects a diminishing level of service. In response to Ms. Robinson's
question, Chief Mingee noted that the local private ambulance company is licensed for
interfacility transportation only and does not have a first responder license.
Mr. Timmons stated that the Stormwater Fund will be reimbursed with monies to be
received in 2005 from a grant which the City applied for in 1990.
Mrs. Medlicott asked for a list of mandatory vs. discretionary expenditures for the
Council to use during the budget process.
Mrs. Medlicott asked why the Fire Department was pulled from the General Fund but the
Police Department was not. Mr. Timmons explained that the city must provide police
service but is not mandated to provide fire service.
Mr. Benskin suggested that the rescission of the resolution identifying programs which
the Council intended not to fund ifthe tax levy doesn't pass be put on the Council agenda
for the 15th.
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FORMAT AND AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER 8 TOWN MEETING
Mrs. Medlicott asked who decided the format for the meeting. Mr. Timmons stated that
the Council gave some direction at their last meeting and that the Mayor and staff worked
out a structure which would be more deliberative. He noted there is both the immediate
issue of funding the 2005 budget and the long term process issue which is addressed in
the Council resolution.
Mrs. Medlicott expressed objection to the meeting format and stated she believes it is a
faulty process. She believes since the voters rejected the increased levy, the Council is
responsible for taking the public pulse at every opportunity and then making decisions as
a body elected to govern the community.
Further discussion ensued of format and Council's role in the process. The dot matrix
system was discussed and Mr. Kolffnoted he would have a hard time interpreting results
unless a dollar value is associated with the dots (rather than simply a "preference" rating.)
Motion: Mr. Benskin moved that during the November 8 town meeting, the dot matrix
consist of distribution of six green dots worth $100,000 each to all participants so they
can "spend" them any way they wish. Mr. KoljJ seconded The motion carried
unanimously, 4-0, by voice vote.
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City Council Special Meeting
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ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Attest:
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City Clerk
City Council Special Meeting
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November 5,2004