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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 12/11/1990 1763 CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSESSION Port Angeles, Washington December 11, 1990 I CALL TO ORDER Mayor Sargent called the meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to order at 6:00 P.M. II ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Sargent adjourned the meeting to executive session at approximately 6:01 P.M. to discuss labor negotiations for approximately 30 minutes. III RETURN TO OPEN SESSION The Council returned to open session at approximately 6:50 P.M. IV CALL TO ORDER Mayor Sargent called the budget worksession to order at 6:51 P.M. IV ROLL CALL Members Present: Mayor Sargent, Councilmen Cornell, Hallett, Lemon, Nicholson, Ostrowski, Wight. Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Manager Pomeranz, AttorneyKnutson, Clerk Upton, S. Brodhun, M. Cleland, B. Collins, L. Glenn, K. Godbey, J. Pittis, B. Titus. Public Present: E. Hansen, K. Noonan, C. Cervinski, S. Gunderson, J. Pukatt, C. Alexander, P. Downie, L. & L. Lee, E. Veltkamp, J. St. Claire. V - VII SUSPENDED VIII ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION A. Continued review and consideration of Special Agency requests for funding Mayor Sargent submitted for review her written evaluation of the need to enhance the tourism industry in Port Angeles, inclusive of objectives and the requirements for accomplishing those objectives. The Mayor expressed the opinion that the City is currently lacking attractive meeting rooms and the City Council should establish certain priorities, such as upgrading the Vern Burton Community Center, supporting tourist attractions, advertising for shoulder months, and continuing support of the Visitors' Center. Additionally, Mayor Sargent emphasized the need to pursue the Canadian marketplace, particularly the area of Victoria. In the ensuing discussion, Mayor Sargent presented for Council consideration the possibility of utilizing the funds in reserve from the Hotel/Motel taxes in order to proceed with an upgrade of the Vern Burton facility in terms of additional meeting rooms, a kitchen, and improved acoustics. The amount presently available in the reserve fund is approximately $207,000. Councilman Hallett agreed it is time that action be taken in a proactive rather than reactive fashion. Further, it was generally agreed any effort to improve meeting facilities would only serve to enhance the efforts of private industry in providing convention facilities in the Port Angeles area. Councilmembers considered the possibility of a bond issue for purposes of financing a convention center total upgrade. However, Councilman Nicholson pointed out it would be difficult to maintain two bond issues due to the consideration being given to a bond issue for the Senior Center. After further lengthy discussion, Councilman Nicholson made a motion for Mayor Sargent to appoint a committee to formulate a recommendation as to what can be -1- 1764 CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSESSION December 11, 1990 accomplished with up§rading the VernBurton Convention Center with current funds available. The motion was seconded by Councilman Hallett. Councilman Lemon endorsed the motion by indicating the reserve fund was intended to fund convention center facility upgrades and if the monies are not expended for the intended purpose, the money should be returned to the Hotel/Motel tax fund for distribution. A vote was taken on the motion, which carried unanimously. Parks & Recreation Director Brodhun agreed the 1991 budget request for Vern Burton improvements should be postponed pending a recommendation from the Committee. Discussion followed concerning the lack of continuity in the amounts granted - to special agencies over the years. The need for a policy was considered in terms of providing agencies with certain criteria that will be used in the future determinations of the amounts to be granted. Council then directed its attention to reconsidering the amounts to be granted to special agencies from the Hotel/Motel taxes. After lengthy discussion, Councilman Lemon presented specific figures for consideration. Councilman Hallett moved to approve the figures presented, as follows: Of $147,000 available, 25% or $36,750 would be directed to the reserve funds; $47,735 to the Chamber of Commerce; $1,000 to the Olympic Peninsula Travel Association; $37,048 to the North Olympic Peninsula Visitors and Convention Bureau; $5,000 to Derby Days; $2,500 to the Symphony; nothing to the Symphony trip; $9,432 to the Marine Lab; $1,500 to Friends of the Fine Art Center; $10,000 to the Museum; and $535 for Chamber dues. Councilman Ostrowski seconded the motion. Discussion ensued, with Councilmembers in agreement the special agencies should be advised of the intent to formulate criteria in this regard; all future agency requests will be subject to the criteria established. The criteria can be established after the recommendation is received from the committee appointed by the Mayor concerning the Vern Burton upgrades. A vote was taken on the motion which carried unanimously. BREAK Council recessed for a break at 8:00 P.M. and reconvened the meeting at 8:12 P.M. B. Budget Review, including the Public Information Program In considering the Public Information Program, City Manager Pomeranz offered the correction that $24,000 has been budgeted for Public Information for the year 1991. Costs presently incurred in publishing the newsletter include $17.50 per hour for the Public Information Officer, approximately $5,000 per year for postage, and $6,000 per year for printing expenses, based on six newsletters per year. Councilman Wight reported there appears to be a great deal of confusion as to the job description for the Public Information Officer in that the individual gets involved in projects that might not be considered appropriate for the position. Carl Alexander was present and offered clarification as to the Public Information Committee's perspective of the purpose of the Public Information program. He expanded on the need to obtain additional funding in order to increase the number of newsletters, possibly add inserts, increase the time of the PIO, and concentrate on upcoming issues to be confronted by the City. Discussion ensued, with the suggestion made that $6,000 be added to the Public Information budget. Councilman Lemon expressed his dissatisfaction with the program and the fact that any increases suggested for the Public Information Program could be reconsidered in the form of an employee to accomplish the same purpose. Manager Pomeranz and Administrative Services Director Godbey reviewed various means by which a cost savings could be realized: assign City staff members to prepare the newsletter with desk top publishing software, and enclose the newsletter with the utility statements. Certain assignments previously given to the Public Information Officer could be reassigned to staff members. -2- 1765 CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSESSION December 11, 1990 In that the Public Information contract expires as of December 31, 1990, Councilmembers agreed it is timely to reconsider the nature of the contract and the requirements to be fulfilled. A motion was made by Councilman Hallett to increase the Public Information budget to $30,000 and to direct the City Manager to work with the Public Information Committee in formulating a recommendation as to the specific requirements of the Public Information Contract/Officer, with a complete and concise proposal to be returned to Council for consideration. The motion was seconded by Councilman Wight. Lengthy discussion ensued concerning the appropriateness of increasing this particular budget. City Manager Pomeranz reported on the possibility of the City obtaining its own radio station (1610> at a one-time expenditure of $5,000. The radio station could be utilized for purposes of public information, an area that could be considered an enhancement to the public information efforts. A vote was then taken on the motion which carried by a majority vote, with Councilman Lemon voting in opposition. C. Chamber of Commerce Request for Fireworks funding Consideration was given to a request submitted by the Chamber of Commerce for City funding in the amount of $3,000 for 4th of July fireworks. After limited discussion, a motion was made by Councilman Lemon and seconded by Councilman Nicholson authorizing matching funds to the Chamber of Commerce for the 4th of July fireworks in the amount of 25% of the total amount raised by the Chamber, with a maximum payment of $2,500. A vote was taken on the motion which carried by a majority vote, with Councilmen Hallett and Wight voting in opposition. D Review of Issues Pertaining to Humane Society Council reviewed in depth certain issues concerning the Humane Society, as set forth in a communication from Robert Hause and Larry Haas. Concern was expressed concerning the lack of internal controls, the lack of complete audits having been performed, and the possibility of poor care being provided the animals in custody. The history of the current contract was discussed and the fact the Council had previously awarded the contract under the sole source provision because other entities were either not capable of providing the services or were not interested in such a contract. Police Chief Cleland responded to an inquiry by indicating he has never been advised of poor care for the animals. On the contrary, the Animal Control Officer has observed very good care of the animals and has had a very good working relationship with the Humane Society. The possibility of requiring an audit on a regular basis was considered, and also the possibility of having a City representative serve on the Board of the Humane Society. By consensus, Council agreed to have the City Manager discuss Council's feelings about the need for an audit, as well as Board representation, with the County Commissioners before any action is taken. This matter is to be addressed again by Council in the near future. E. Review of Medic I Utility Billing Discussion was held concerning the fact that apartment buildings in Port Angeles have one meter and, therefore, make one singular payment toward Medic I. This is considered inequitable and by motion of Councilman Hallett, which was seconded by Councilman Cornell, the matter is to be referred to the Medic I Advisory Board for consideration of possible resolutions, with a recommendation to be returned to Council for consideration. A vote was taken on the motion, which carried unanimously. F. Unfunded Capital Improvement Program Director of Administrative Services Godbey distributed an informational sheet on the Capital Improvement Program, noting several projects are funded in the upcoming budget while others are not. -3- 1766 CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSESSION December 11, 1990 Councilmembers were in agreement some items are obviously more critical than others and, as such, it would be important to prioritize the list. City Manager Pomeranz was directed to formulate the prioritized list and to establish potential funding sources as well. It was noted the Public Works Trust Fund might serve as a funding source on some of the projects. IX ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 P.M. CC.195 -4-