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HomeMy WebLinkAbout112106 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE JOINT SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING OF NOVEMBER 21, 2006 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in workshop session with the Jefferson County District #1 Fire Commissioners this twenty-first day of November, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. in the Port Townsend Fire Station conference room, Mayor Mark Welch presiding. ROLL CALL Council members present at roll call were Frank Benskin, Geoff Masci, Laurie Medlicott, Michelle Sandoval, Catharine Robinson, and Mark Welch. Mr. Walker arrived at 6:28 p.m. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Fire Chief Mike Mingee, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. Chair Rich Stapf called the roll for the Fire Commissioners: Jefferson County Fire District #1 Commissioners present: Jess Bondurant Jr., Zane Wyll, Sr., Virgil See, Rich Stapf. Absent, excused: Terry Heineman District #1 staff present: District Secretary Lonibeth Harbison STAFF PRESENTATION City Manager David Timmons summarized the history of City Council actions on the matter. He reviewed the answers to various questions that have been raised and highlighted the major points of the agreement. He characterized the action as a productive, cooperative venture that will benefit all parties. Fire Chief Mike Mingee presented a summary of the history of the issue and outlined the benefits already derived from the cooperative agreement. He noted that this is not a taxing decision, but a decision to complete a consolidation that has been ongoing for many years. Chief Mingee noted that when he was hired as Port Townsend Fire Chief, one of his assigned tasks upon arrival was to complete the consolidation that had already begun. He presented a list of fifteen different City Council resolutions and 8 General Government Committee actions that have moved the issue forward to tonight, also noting these have all been done in public forums, not behind closed doors. Twenty-three separate public meetings have been held which included City Council Joint Business Mtg Page 1 November 21,2006 discussion about the consolidation. In 2006, the discussion was continued with the Joint Oversight Board consisting of three Fire District Commissioners and three City Council members. He then reiterated the ways the consolidation would meet goals for increased levels of service as well as cost savings through the cooperation of the entities. Mr. Walker arrived at 6:28 p.m. Ms. Robinson questioned the structure and interaction of the Joint Oversight Board and the District #1 Board of Commissioners in light of the new level of consolidation. Chief Mingee noted that the Joint Oversight Board approves the budget and expenses beyond the Chief's authority and will also approve operating procedures. Any affirmative votes must include a majority of both Commissioners and Councilors. Chief Mingee stated that with the merger of Fire Districts #1 and #6, the total number of commissioners will be reduced to a total of three and this will be accomplished at the end of two more election cycles. At that point there will be three district commissioners and three city council members on the joint oversight board. Mr. Watts stated that the Chief is officially hired by the Board of Commissioners with recommendation from the Joint Oversight Board. The Chief ultimately answers to the District Board of Commissioners. He noted that protection was added to the agreement providing that vehicles cannot be surplused without action by the Joint Oversight Board and in order for action to be affirmed, there must be two votes from the City as well as two votes from the District. Ms. Sandoval asked if the consolidation continues to the point of an annexation vote, whether the District would have representation from the City. Chief Mingee noted that if an annexation occurs, then citizens within the City are eligible to run for Fire District Commissioner. At that time the number of Commissioners could be increased to five. Mr. Bondurant added that increasing from three to five commissioners does require a vote of the people and that candidates can come from anywhere within the district. Mr. Stapf noted that it would be logical to include an increase in number of commissioners at the same time as an annexation vote is taken. Mr. Watts agreed that should the Council determine to put the proposition of annexation to the voters, the Council could negotiate agreements ahead of time with the District to provide safeguards such as making an increase to five Commissioners a condition of the vote. Mr. Timmons noted that Chief Mingee was brought in to facilitate the process, but not tasked with starting it as it had been started previously. He added that the local fire service providers have long standing history and traditions that need to be City Council Joint Business Mtg Page 2 November 21,2006 respected; change is never easy but the career firefighters and volunteers have worked together collectively to support the consolidation so that the community will benefit. PUBLIC COMMENT The following speakers expressed strong support for the consolidation and urged the Council and Commissioners to adopt the Resolution: Conner Daily, Port Townsend Police Chief Randy Manus, career firefighter (lieutenant) April Owen, former Fire Dept. employee Colleen Rodrigues, EMT Ed Edwards, former PT Fire Chief (submitted written remarks) Ed Davis, former Fire Commissioner Jason MacDonald, career staff union president RESOLUTION 06-028 (City of Port Townsend) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE FIRE CHIEF, TO EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH JEFFERSON COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO.1 FOR FIRE CONSOLIDATION, TRANSFER OF EQUIPMENT AND ASSETS AND TRANSFER OF EMPLOYEES; TO EXECUTE A LEASE AGREEMENT FOR FIRE HALL, AND TO EXECUTE A USE AGREEMENT FOR PINK HOUSE Motion: Mr. Masci moved for approval of Resolution 06-028, directing the City Manager, in consultation with the Fire Chief, to execute agreements with Jefferson County Fire District 1 for transfer of equipment and assets, lease and transfer of fire hall, and transfer of employees, and Pink House, in the form presented to Council. Mrs. Medlicott seconded. Ms. Robinson offered a friendly amendment to remove the term "transfer" from the phrase "lease and transfer of fire hall" and this was accepted, as it does not reflect the terms of the lease document. In response to Mr. Benskin's question, Mr. Watts reviewed the terms in the packet regarding the terms of the Pink House lease. He confirmed that this would not interfere with future capital planning for the Library. In answer to Ms. Sandoval's question regarding replacement of vehicles, Mr. Timmons noted that the equipment may be used as a trade-in or sold to another agency; the book value is based on depreciation and is a best estimate. A number based on the depreciated value is included in the equipment rental fund. He added that these situations would be dealt with on an individual basis. City Council Joint Business Mtg Page 3 November 21,2006 Ms. Sandoval asked for a definition of an "other adjustment" in 11.4 of the Interlocal Agreement. Mr. Watts stated that this essentially says that in the event the agreement doesn't cover a certain situation with a funding formula, the parties can negotiate different terms upon mutual agreement. This could be pursuing a levy lid lift or a decision about how to fund a purchase through grants, general fund contribution, LID formation, impact fees, or some other means. Ms. Sandoval stated that since the City's general fund is less than adequate, she wants to be assured that the consolidation agreement does not change (for example, guarantee an increased level of funding from the general fund) if the City increases the general fund through initiating new revenue sources. Mr. Watts stated that the City's contribution is fixed according to a formula and if the City chooses to raise taxes, use banked capacity, etc., that does not change the agreement except on the approval of the City Council. There is no automatic re- opener that requires any additional revenues to be used for the Fire service. Ms. Robinson asked for clarification of insurance responsibility. Mr. Timmons noted that the City would maintain the equipment on its general liability and casual loss policies through the WCIA risk pool; this is done on the advice of WCIA and will allow higher coverage of the assets than the District could provide. Mr. Watts added that WCIA says that it is appropriate for the City to maintain coverage on the building even though it is leased to the District; the coverage comes at a relatively modest cost for the City. Mr. Timmons added that the lease is calculated at 120% of the debt and that covers the cost of insurance. Mr. Timmons also clarified in answer to Ms. Robinson's question that all Fire Department employees will become employees of the District. Vote: motion carried, 6-1, by voice vote, Benskin opposed. RESOLUTION 06-019 (Fire District #1) Motion: Mr. Wyll moved for adoption of Resolution 06-019. Mr. Bondurant seconded. Mr. Bondurant asked if #18 in the Interlocal Agreement means the Chief has to advise the Joint Board every time any piece of equipment is moved from one location to another. Chief Mingee stated that the provision was primarily for the City Council Joint Business Mtg Page 4 November 21,2006 ladder truck and would not affect rolling stock not assigned to a permanent location (example: ambulances). Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0, by voice vote. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m. Attest: q:~,Ji~ City Clerk City Council Joint Business Mtg Page 5 November 21, 2006