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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 12/03/19932617 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Port Angeles, Washington December 3, 1993 CALL TO ORDER - Deputy Mayor Sargent called the special meeting of the Port Angeles City Council SPECIAL MEETING: to order at 4:35 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Deputy Mayor Sargent, Councilmen Braun, Hulett, Ostrowski, Schueler and Wight. Members Absent: Mayor Hallett. Staff Present: Manager Pomeranz, Attorney Knutson, Clerk Upton, S. Brodhun, L. Glenn, K. Godbey, S. Ilk, J. Pittis, B. Titus, Y. Ziomkowski, G. Thomas, and S. Roberds. Public Present: C. McKeown, L. Doyle, and J. Honnold. Work Session - 1994 City Manager Pomeranz opened the meeting with a discussion of proposed fee Proposed Budget' increases. Commencing with Planning fees, Manager Pomeranz distributed a proposed fee schedule and noted that current Planning fees have been in place for approximately 15 years. City costs are significantly greater than the fees charged, and Manager Pomeranz directed attention to a comparison of fees from other area municipalities. Councilman Braun inquired as to why some of the fees were not recommended for change, and Planning Specialist Roberds explained that some of the existing fees were close to the actual cost incurred. Councilman Ostrowski asked if the local developers/builders were aware of the possible increases. Ms. Roberds indicated they have not been so advised; however, it should be noted that even with the proposed increases, Port Angeles fees are more than competitive with those of other municipalities, as well as Clallam County. Ms. Roberds emphasized that the City of Port Angeles is not covering its costs, and therefore, it is subsidizing the local developers who seek special use permits. Councilman Hulett stated that Ennis Creek Estates was an example of this, and asked Ms. Roberts to inform the Council as to the level of fees paid by the developer as compared to the costs incurred by the City. Ms. Roberds indicated that the developer was charged $150.00. The PRD process took two years, 12 public hearings, and hundreds of staff hours. Highland Communities is another example of the fees not covering the actual cost to the City. Deputy Mayor Sargent wanted to know if it was possible to develop a sliding scale, so that PRD's like Ennis Creek Estates are charged proportionately more than a small, simple PRD that doesn't require as much time and energy. Ms. Roberds felt this was addressed in 'the handout, as a PRD can also be a plat and if the two fees are added together, the fees paid are somewhat closer to actual cost. Councilman Hulett questioned why fees are not based on units rather than lots. A multifamily unit would then cost more than a single family which would appear to be more equitable. Ms. Roberds stated that there is no more staff work involved in a multifamily residence as compared to a single family residence. However, Councilman Hulett suggested that multifamily developments required more public hearings, and the fees, therefore, should be higher. Ms. Roberds reiterated that in these cases, there are usually plat fees involved which makes for a higher fee. Discussion ensued on the time element involved in planning issues, and the equity of current and proposed fees. Manager Pomeranz informed the Council that the fees could be adopted by resolution as part of the budget process, and no public hearings would be required, except as part of the budget adoption. Manager Pomeranz then distributed a list of proposed fee changes for Parks and Recreation. Initial consideration was given to membership fees for the Senior Center. Councilman Schueler felt the proposed differential between 'City and County members was not great enough. Deputy Mayor Sargent felt that, as this is a new fee for County residents, it should not be too high and next year it can be raised if necessary. - 1 - 2618 CITY COUNCIL MEETING December 3, 1993 Work Session - 1994 Concerning pool fees, Manager Pomeranz informed the Council that the lockers at Proposed BUdget (Cont'd) the pool were in need of replacement. He recommended that new lockers be purchased, with locker, fees increased to help defray the expense. Brief discussion followed, and the Council members agreed that new lockers were necessary. The Council discussed swimming pool fees and agreed not to differentiate between City and County residents in that particular fee schedule. Consideration was given to City Pier moorage fees, and the Council was reminded of the $200,000 grant which is paying for new pier floats. A $10.00 per day moorage fee was determined to be reasonable. Vern Burton Memorial Community Center fees were discussed, specifically relating to adult basketball, on which a fee of $1.00 had been implemented. This particular fee had been discussed at great length by the Reinventing Government Committee, and Councilman Schueler requested that discussion be held on the matter at this time. Parks & Recreation Director Brodhun explained that the proposed fee is $1.00 per day, or a prepayment of 25 visits for $20.00. The funds generated would be utilized for the refinishing of the floor, as well as for the purchase of portable basketball hoops. Councilman Schueler addressed the need to support the efforts of the Wellness Committee and, in addition, he expressed fear that this could be the first step in eliminating the use of the VBMCC as a gym for community use. Deputy Mayor Sargent indicated that when discussions first commenced with regard to the Vern Burton renovation, the committee stressed the importance of maintaining the gym for traditional purposes. In addition, she supported the concept of using portable hoops for basketball. With regard to the proposed kitchen fee, Deputy Mayor Sargent suggested a different fee to be based on one-half day use versus full- day use. In conjunction with the cemetery fees, Manager Pomeranz indicated that a marketing program is being developed for the cemetery, as recommended by the Reinventing Government Committee. Proposed Medic I fees were reviewed by Fire Chief Glenn in that Advanced Life .Support would be increased from $250 to a level of $350, and Basic Life Support would be increased from $160 to a level of $225. Discussion ensued, and Chief Glenn recommended that consideration be given to increasing the Medic I fee paid by City residents, possibly for the 1995 budget. Olympic Ambulance has contracted with Fire District 2, and it may be advisable for the City to enhance its services to the citizens of Port Angeles. With regard to other possible sources of revenue in the area of Medic I, such as charges to third party carriers, Chief Glenn advised the Council that the City would not be allowed to charge just insurance companies - everyone must be billed. In a review of the Police Department budget, Manager Pomeranz reviewed the Departmental Summary and reminded the Council that a Records Specialist position is being eliminated due to the purchase of computer software that will decrease the workload in the records division without decreasing efficiency. It was noted that Enhanced 9-1-1 will be completed in 1994, not 1993. Manager Pomeranz explained to the Council that the Public Works Department had an increase in its 1994 budget due to the Comprehensive Traffic Plan. Eighty-six per cent of this will be paid for through State grants. The Health and Community Services section includes what is now called City Human Services funding, formerly referred to as Local Government Initiative funds, or Human Services funds, which were administered by Clallam County. Recently the City Council made the decision to have the United Way administer these funds. Manager Pomeranz pointed out an error on Page 128, Expenditure by Program, Human Services should be $125,410. There is an inflationary increase of 3 % in the budget for Health Services. With respect to the funds to be administered by United Way, Councilman Schueler, the City's representative to the Allocations Committee, reviewed for the Council the process utilized in formulating funding recommendations. At this time, Manager Pomeranz distributed copies of proposed funding levels just submitted to the City. Councilman Schueler cited specific examples of the recommendations he made as compared to the overall recommendation of the committee. He noted that, as the City's representative, his recommendation was not given any preference in spite of the fact the funds were coming forth from the City. In certain areas, Councilman Schueler was in disagreement with the funding levels, and he felt the City should have more control in the entire process. After lengthy disCussion, it was agreed that Councilman SChueler would prepare his recommendations for funding levels to be provided to the City Council for consideration. It may be appropriate to request certain revisions. -2- 2619 CITY COUNCIL MEETING December 3, 1993 Work Session - 1994 On the matter of the old Senior Center, Manager Pomeranz informed the Council Proposed Budget (Cont'd) that he had received a call from the EDC expressing an interest in the facility. The EDC, VCB, Port Angeles Downtown Association and Woodnet would like to establish an Economic Development Center in the building through a property lease. A proposal will be forthcoming; however, Manager Pomeranz noted the City may wish to place the property on the market, as the library has expressed an interest also. Councilman Wight asked that the Council be cautious in determining the disposition of the old Senior Center, particularly in view of the property owned by the City down Lincoln Street, which includes the Library and the Library parking lot. Manager Pomeranz referenced Facility Maintenance and informed the Council that the major items in the budget were utility expenses and insurance, which are inflexible. This particular account is for the maintenance of City Hall and also includes the elevator and ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) contract. The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, December 4, to consider the special agency requests. The next public hearing will be held on Tuesday, December 7. The Council will meet for another budget review meeting on Wednesday, December 8, at 5 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:05 p.m.