HomeMy WebLinkAbout052013 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF MAY 20, 2013
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session the 20th day of May 2013 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, Kris Nelson, David King,
Catharine Robinson, Deborah Stinson, and Mark Welch with Michelle Sandoval
absent.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts,
Public Works Director Ken Clow, and Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
The Finance and Budget Committee report was moved from Comments from Council
to New Business, Item B.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
There was no public comment.
CONSENT AGENDA
Bills, Claims and Warrants
Vouchers 120593 through 120610 in the amount of$38,553.06
Vouchers 120611 through 120642 in the amount of $442,053.10
Vouchers 120747 through 120749 in the amount of$9,400.35
Vouchers 120739 through 120746 in the amount of$93,502.29
Approval of Minutes: April 15, April 22, April 25, and May 6, 2013
Appointments to Committees/Advisory Boards:
Climate Action Committee
Cindy Jayne (Citizen at Large)
Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board
Rosemary Sikes (Position 1, Term expires May 1, 2016)
Danny Milholland (Position 2, Term expires May 1, 2016)
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
Cindy Hill Finnie (Collector Position 8, Term expires May 1, 2016)
City Council Business Meeting May 20, 2013 Page 1 of 4
Robert Birman of Centrum (Recipient Position 4, Term expires May 1, 2016)
Arts Commission
Nancy Rody (Position 7, Term expires May 1, 2016)
Dan Groussman (Position 8, Term expires May 1, 2016)
Corrections were made to the minutes: For April 15, page 1, first paragraph, should
read "would like to hear discussion...." For April 25, the last page, first paragraph,
correct spelling of infrastructure.
Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve the consent agenda. Deborah Stinson
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Library Foundation Agreement
City Attorney John Watts gave the staff report. He reviewed the project scope and
timeline associated with Council's adoption of Ordinance 3089 and reviewed the
listed key elements of the supplemental agreement with the Library
Foundation. The agreement details the roles and responsibilities of the City and
Foundation on certain funding matters. He highlighted milestones and those items
coming back to Council.
Mr. Watts, City Manager Timmons, and Public Works Director Ken
Clow responded to questions from Council on the following: if project cannot be
accomplished within available funding, timing of National Endowment for the
Humanities (NEH) grant disbursements, and details of the Section 106 review
process. There were also explanations of the budget page and discussion of the
need for NEH to approve modifications to the challenge grant. Mr. Clow responded
to where funds would come from if there were a shortfall in Foundation fundraising
for furniture, fixtures and equipment. There was some council interest in the City
requesting an answer from NEH on the extension to October 31 and approval on
the revised scope before the design money is spent. There was also interest in
reports to Council on the meeting of the deadlines and milestones. Ms. Percy and
Mr. Timmons responded to questions about the City's accounting of City services
to the Foundation. There was also clarification of restrictions on City campaigning
for the ballot measure. Mr. Timmons agreed to review with the Public Disclosure
Commission the use of the Next 100 Years Carnegie Library signs.
Chelcie Liu thanked City staff for their efforts on the agreement and offered
to answer questions.
Council then discussed possible changes to the agreement: On page 8, there was
support for removing from the first paragraph "to cover other grants and pledges."
On Page 9 (7e), add before the last sentence in the second paragraph "because at
least 60 percent of the voters would have endorsed the preferred alternative,
...." Mr. Watts noted the blank for a date on page 3 was to allow for the insertion of
City Council Business Meeting May 20, 2013 Page 2 of 4
Foundation board action. He asked for the motion to include authorizing City staff
to revise the agreement to reflect the Board's approval process.
Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to authorize the City Manager to execute an
agreement with the Library Foundation consistent with the agenda bill(with the two
changes on page 8 and page 9 (7e) as discussed) and pertaining to the blank at
the bottom of Page 3, that City administration could revise the agreement as
necessary to reflect how the Board undertook their approval process. Deborah
Stinson seconded.
Vote: motion carried, 4-2 by voice vote, Robert Gray, and Mark Welch opposed.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 13-017, Authorizing an Interfund Loan for Temporary Financing of
the Ultraviolet Water Treatment Project Design
Mr. Timmons reported that this resolution would authorize an interfund loan from
the trust fund rather than using cash reserves from the utility. The term is not to
exceed 3 years at 3% interest. The loan will be refinanced when we complete the
project and the utility issues a revenue bond to fund the balance of the CIP project
(s). Mr. Clow and Mr. Timmons reviewed other projects for which these funds are
used and responded to questions.
There was no public comment.
There was an answer to the question whether borrowing $1 M at 3 percent affects
our general obligation debt, but counts as an outstanding utility loan. Trust fund
loans do not count against the City's debt limit.
Motion: Mark Welch moved to approve Resolution 13-017, Authorizing an
Interfund Loan for Temporary Financing of the Ultraviolet Water Treatment Project
Design. Robert Gray seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
Finance and Budget Committee Report
Mr. Timmons reported sales tax, construction permit, real estate excise, and utility
revenues have increased compared to the first quarter last year. He noted that there
was increased police overtime due to the mail fraud case.
Deputy Finance Director Corena Stern reviewed the narrative report through the first
quarter 2013, noting that this report is a comparison with the prior year, not a
comparison against budget. Other reports available for Council were year-to-date
revenue versus expense, expenditure summary by department and revenue
analysis.
Review Council Meeting Schedule for June
City Council Business Meeting May 20, 2013 Page 3 of 4
Mr. Timmons noted that the topic of transient accommodations might be brought
forward to the Council Community Development and Land Use Committee after the
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee reviews in July. Following a brief discussion, there
was Council support for scheduling committee meetings on a case by case basis. It
was noted that it is important for the public to receive adequate public notice.
PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT
Mr. King will make a presentation to the Washington State Transportation Commission
on behalf of the City this week. This presentation will be placed on the website.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Mr. Timmons reported on the following:
- Waterfront Esplanade project
- Received Washington Department of Transportation certification authority on the
Hastings Avenue Sidewalk Discovery Road to Sheridan Street
- Pool operating equipment challenges
- Sims Way road repairs are complete
- April financial report delay due to deadline for annual report preparations
- July 2014 budget priority work sessions
SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR
STUDY SESSION
None
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
EXECUTIVE SESSION
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
Attest:
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Pamela Kolacy, MMC 0 .
City Clerk
City Council Business Meeting May 20, 2013 Page 4 of 4