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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 11/20/1992 2369 CITY COUNCIL MEETING Port Angeles, Washington November 20, 1992 CALL TO ORDER - Deputy Mayor Sargent called the special meeting of the Port Angeles City Council SPECIAL MEETING: to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Deputy Mayor Sargent, Councilmen Braun, Nicholson, Ostrowski, and Schueler. - Members Absent: Mayor Hallett and Councilman Wight. Staff Present: Manager Pomeranz, Attorney Knutson, S. Brodhun, B. Collins, L. Glenn, K. Godbey, J. Pittis, B. Titus, Y. Ziomkowski, and M. Campbell. Public Present: None. 1993 Budget Manager Pomeranz provided an overview of the proposed 1993 Budget. He listed Review the capital improvements in progress and those planned for. In reviewing revenue estimates, he said they were conservative, especially with respect to sales tax. Balanced budgets - i.e., where expenses match revenues, are important in that it is not necessary to dip into reserves. The future is fraught with potential problems, primarily the Landfill. The Federal Aviation Agency has given the City five years and then it will be necessary to make other arrangements for our solid waste. Self-Insurance continues to be a challenge to the City, although there is improvement over last year. The funds to Self-Insurance are increased in excess of 50% in order to stabilize the financial condition of the Fund. Reserves have grown over the past several years as a result of expenditure control and revenue enhancements. The present reserve of $1.7 million represents 20% of the General Fund expenditures and it should be maintained or increased. Significant efforts have been made to get the City rated by Moody's. We now have an "A" rating, which has been proving itself in reduced interest rates on bond issues. Manager Pomeranz acknowledged the efforts of the Finance Department staff, which spent many hours compiling the proposed 1993 Budget. Manager Pomeranz called the Council's attention to the recommended goals of the City. He asked the Council to review the recommendation and provide input to finalize the Goals. All employees will be provided with a copy of the Goals in order to remain apprised of the road to be taken in various areas. The proposed General Fund budget indicates a nominal excess of income over expenditures, resulting in an increase to the reserves. Manager Pomeranz reviewed the proposed changes in taxes and services. The proposed utility taxes of 7 % are still below the State average. Gambling taxes are proposed to be increased to get the taxes approximately in line with the State average. Police service charges are being increased to cover reasonable estimates of current costs to provide service. He continued to review the proposed revenue enhancements and capital expenditures as illustrated in the proposed 1993 Budget. Finance Director Godbey explained some of the allocations of employees, resulting in a reduction in the City Manager's Budget. Manager Pomeranz summarized the remainder of the proposed budget, explaining the budget changes over 1992 occurred and the justification for them. -1- [ r l~ 237O CITY COUNCIL MEETING November 20, 1992 1993 Budget Council took a five-minute break. Review (Cont'd) When the Council reconvened, Manager Pomeranz continued his explanation of the changes in the proposed budget. As questions arose, answers were provided by the Finance Department. There was extensive discussion on funding from the County for senior services, and funding from the City for Human Services. ISTEA Project Intermodal Surface Transportation E~ciency Act (ISTEA) Project Prioritization Prioritization Director of Public Works Pittis presented for Council's consideration the need for a coordinator of the ISTEA Project prioritization process within Clallam County. ~-- With the new ISTEA funding program, agencies are required to compete for funding and, in that regard, it is necessary to establish a coordinator. Agencies eligible to be lead funding agencies are: Port Angeles, Forks, Sequim, Clallam Transit, and Clallam County. It is staff's recommendation that Clallam County be given this designation. It was noted the City will still be actively involved in the project nomination and selection process. Councilman Ostrowski moved to authorize the Deputy Mayor to sign the certificate approving the Clailam County Long Range Transportation Planning Office as the coordinator for the ISTEA prioritization process for Clallam County. The motion was seconded by Councilman Braun and carried by a majority vote, with Councilman Schueler abstaining. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. -2-