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Home My WebLink About120312 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF DECEMBER 3, 2012 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 3rd day of December 2012 in City Council Chambers at 540 Water Street, Mayor David King called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Robert Gray, David King, Kris Nelson, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, Deborah Stinson, and Mark Welch. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Public Services Director Rick Sepler, City Engineer David Peterson, Deputy Finance Director Corena Stern, and Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were none. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Tod Wexman spoke on his concerns about City spending. Bernie Arthur commented on the budget article in the City newsletter, comparing budgets of various jurisdictions to the City budget. Gee Heckscher commented on the water rate structure. City staff response There was none. CONSENT AGENDA Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 119328 through 119344 in the amount of$5,065.53 Approval of Minutes: November 13 and November 19, 2012 Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve the consent agenda with a change to City Council Business Meeting December 3, 2012 Page 1 of 4 the minutes of November 19. On Page 4, paragraph 1, third line, the word "without" should be "with." Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ordinance 3086, Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2013 City Manager David Timmons noted that Council wanted complete line item detail before considering ordinance adoption at the December 17 meeting. He noted that the packet included a list of changes to the budget. He also reviewed changes to the budget ordinance fund appropriations. Mr. Timmons responded to Council questions on the following topics: Landes and Walker Street projects, suspending two City layoffs, Visitor Center and Chamber relocations, possible ballot measures and upcoming Council workshop, Customs House, Jefferson Transit, property valuations at City Lake, status of utility rate analysis, cloth bags, Taylor Street reconciliation, ending fund balance for engineering services, Parkside Drive Park, 1% for the Arts, source of funds for the City Lake outlet pipeline replacement, and Howard Street Extension. There was also discussion about funding for Parkside Park and 1% for the arts, setting budget goals for 2013, and outlining a budget process and calendar possibly aligned with the work plan and Comprehensive Plan goals. Mr. Timmons confirmed the updated 2013 budget would be available by December 17. Earll Murman, President of the Jeffco Aquatic Coalition, distributed his proposal to keep the pool open and talked about variable and fixed costs. Ms. Sandoval noted that fuel costs should be listed as variable. Chris Hanson commented on the desire for the Jeffco Aquatic Coalition to continue to work with City staff on pool improvements to keep the pool operating. Barney Burke spoke about perceived errors in the City utility newsletter, specifically that taxes have grown at about the same rate as inflation. Mr. King explained that he attempted to distinguish between property tax rates, total property tax revenues, and what individuals pay. Janet Johnson spoke about her concerns about the budget. Mr. Watts explained the State requirement on declaring an emergency when changing the budget. Vern Garrison spoke about his concerns about the City budget and spending. Motion: Kris Nelson moved to approve directing staff to prepare a revised line item budget and overview consistent with the budget ordinance and schedule adoption at the December 17 business meeting. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting December 3, 2012 Page 2 of 4 Ordinance 3087, appropriating the sum of$6,157 to the general fund; $3,233.00 to the library fund; $11,244.00 to the community services fund; $29,000 to the streets capital improvement fund; and making findings and declaring an emergency. City Manager David Timmons gave the staff report. He explained that the unemployment claims and unreserved balances were reviewed. There was no public comment. Motion: Mark Welch moved to approve Ordinance 3087 appropriating the sum of $6,157 to the general fund, $3,233 to the library fund, $11,244 to the community services fund, $29,000 to the streets capital improvement fund, and making findings and declaring an emergency. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT Mr. King reported the following: - attending a workshop at the Northwest Maritime Center and about the Port Townsend School District maritime education program, - welcoming Santa for the Main Street Tree Lighting ceremony, - accident resulting in lost internet and phone and cell service on Saturday. Ms. Nelson attended a meeting of Western Washington Mayors to craft a common approach to find reliable funding for transportation improvements. She and Mr. King would attend the December 10 meeting of the Jefferson County Commissioners to describe the funding options. Status of Proposition 1 Funding with County Mr. King spoke of the need to renew the interlocal agreement (ILA) with Jefferson County on the Proposition 1 funding. He spoke about the steering committee of City and County staff and elected officials working on the recommendations from the Exploratory Regional Parks and Recreation Committee for a Metropolitan Parks District (MPD). Public Services Director Rick Sepler then provided an update on MPD discussions and an overview of how to proceed with the MPD process that is bipartisan and community driven. Following a Council background briefing to be scheduled in early January, he proposed there be a joint meeting with the County to discuss an ILA and consider a preliminary MPD process and schedule, including creating a formal steering committee. CITY MANAGER REPORT Update on City-Port Kah Tai Agreement City Council Business Meeting December 3, 2012 Page 3 of 4 Mr. Timmons reported that City Attorney John Watts is working on the legal documents. Pool Update Mr. Timmons reported on the pool repair progress (pump room is dry, volunteers are working on refurbishing, and the lighting repair bid has been awarded). The deck repairs would be next. Discussions would be held with Jefferson County on Proposition 1 funding and with hospital district on supplemental funding. Miscellaneous Update Mr. Timmons reported on the following: - need for cable redundancy and undergrounding of utilities - suspension of two employee layoffs: one in the water department (for the Long- Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment) and one in engineering (financial reporting assistance) - Subrecipient agreement with Library Foundation on award of National Endowment for the Humanities - Direction to Library Director and Public Works Director to modify and reduce library expansion cost by $1 M - Recent rumors and mistatements about the City budget and his personal life - Howard Street infrastructure investments SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION There were none. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL There were none. EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting December 3, 2012 Page 4 of 4