HomeMy WebLinkAbout120913 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING OF DECEMBER 9, 2013
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met for a special business meeting on December
9, 2013 in the City Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. The meeting was
called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor David King.
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, Interim Finance Director Bob Jean, Deputy Finance Director Corena Stern,
Public Works Director Ken Clow, Public Services Director Rick Sepler, City
Engineer Dave Peterson, Interim Library Director Beverly Shelton, Police Chief
Conner Daily, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy.
PUBLIC HEARINGS (CONTINUED)
Ordinance 3099, Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend,
Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2014
Interim Finance Director Bob Jean reviewed the process to date and the changes
to the 2014 budget which have been incorporated since the last discussion.
He added that the Budget Message will be finalized by noon tomorrow, so any
further comments should be forwarded right away. City Manager Timmons
stated that the budget is adopted on a fund basis so there are many
opportunities for the Council to make changes during the year, with formal
amendments needed only to change fund amounts.
Mr. Jean and Mr. Timmons answered several clarifying questions on the budget
and budget message from Council members. It was generally agreed that the
portion of the Budget Message regarding property tax rates should be clearer
and more user friendly to readers.
Public comment
Rick Jahnke spoke about the regressive nature of taxation in Washington State
and stated he hopes that a "progressive/regressive" tax analysis will be part of
the City's budget process.
Discussion ensued about the budget and budget message. There was further
discussion about the property tax explanation in the budget message, City-wide
City Council Special Business Meeting December 9, 2013 Page 1 of 4
goals, and the status of reserve funds. It was noted that the amount in reserves
has been increasing but a more substantial reserve is desirable. Mr. Gray
expressed concern about the City being pro-active regarding ADA compliance.
Mr. Gray moved to restore whatever funding was proposed by staff(as reported
by Mr. Clow) to review and correct ADA issues. There was no second.
Motion: Mark Welch moved to approve Ordinance 3099, Adopting the Budget for
the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December
31, 2014. Catharine Robinson seconded.
Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed.
Ordinance 3100, Adopting 2013 Supplemental Budget Appropriations and
Making Findings and Declaring an Emergency
Mr. Timmons and Mr. Jean stated that there were no changes to the ordinance
since the first reading on December 2. Mr. Jean noted that the declaration of
emergency contained in the ordinance is required by state law.
There was no public comment.
There was no further discussion.
Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Ordinance 3100, Adopting 2013
Supplemental Budget Appropriations and Making Findings and Declaring an
Emergency. Mark Welch seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Ordinance 3102 amending the Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 3.04
to Create a Separate Real Estate Excise Tax Fund, and to Close Out the
2008 and 2010 Bond Funds
City Manager Timmons stated the Council approved first reading of the
ordinance at the December 2 business meeting. The ordinance establishes a
separate Real Estate Excise Tax Fund and closes out the 2008 and 2010 bond
funds.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Kris Nelson moved to approve Ordinance 3102 Port Townsend Municipal
Code Chapter 3.04 to Create a Separate Real Estate Excise Tax Fund, and to
Close Out the 2008 and 2010 Bond Funds. Catharine Robinson seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Resolution 13-040, Adopting the City of Port Townsend Water Use
Efficiency Goal for the Period 2014-2019 and Incorporating the Goal into the
City's Water Use Efficiency Program
City Council Special Business Meeting December 9, 2013 Page 2 of 4
Public Works Director Ken Clow reviewed the resolution, noting that the Water
Use Efficiency Goal for the period 2014- 2019 was discussed at the November
25 meeting when the topic was open to the public for comment. The proposed
program includes updated customer goals for the next six years and adopts
eleven conservation measures under the categories of public education,
technical assistance, system measures, and incentives and other measures.
Brief discussion followed regarding some details of the document and the effect
of conservation measures and reduction of use on rates.
There was no public comment.
It was noted that although this is a six-year plan it can be amended by the
Council.
Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve Resolution 13-040, Adopting the City
of Port Townsend Water Use Efficiency Goal for the Period 2014-2019 and
Incorporating the Goal into the City's Water Use Efficiency Program Robert Gray
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Resolution 13-032, Requesting the Library Advisory Board to Undertake
Certain Tasks
Mr. Timmons stated that the resolution regarding tasks assigned to the Library
Advisory Board has been reviewed by the Board and referred back to the Council
for adoption as presented. He noted that it was felt a resolution would be
appropriate since the Board is reporting directly to the Council and this would
give clarity to their initial assignment.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 13-032, Requesting
the Library Advisory Board to Undertake Certain Tasks Michelle Sandoval
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 13-039, Endorsing a Community Forum Process for Mountain
View Commons as a 2014 First Quarter Priority
Mr. Sepler and Mr. Timmons reviewed the resolution and discussed the
community forum process proposed. Mr. Timmons commented that Mountain
View is a beginning to a larger process regarding cooperation on community
facilities and programs.
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Mr. Timmons stated that actions by resolution provide a better public record of
decisions.
After discussion, it was agreed that #1 under "be it resolved" should be changed
to "The City Council determined a need for a process of community
meetings...." In addition, Council agreed to add "and Hospital District" to #3.
Public comment
Steve Oakford commented on the importance of maintaining these facilities.
Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 13-039, Endorsing a
Community Forum Process for Mountain View Commons as a 2014-First Quarter
Priority with amendments proposed during discussion. Catharine Robinson
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Mayor King and the members of the Council recognized Mark Welch at his last
meeting for his many contributions over the years to the City, and particularly for
his service on the Council.
City Manager Evaluation
The Mayor referred this issue to executive session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION - PERSONNEL
Mayor King declared a brief recess prior to an executive session at 8:26 p.m. The
subject of the executive session was to review the performance of a public
employee. He stated the session would last about 20 minutes and no action
would be taken on the item this evening.
RCW 42.30.110(g) to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public
employment or to review the performance of a public employee.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
Attest:
1
Pamela Kolacy, MMC
City Clerk
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