HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09/23/2014 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Port Angeles, Washington
September 23, 2014
CALL TO ORDER SPECIAL MEETING:
Deputy Mayor Downie called the special meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Deputy Mayor Downie,Councilmembers Collins,Gase,Kidd and Whetham.
Members Absent: Mayor Di Guilio and Councilmember Bruch
Staff Present: City Manager McKeen,Clerk Veneklasen, C. Fulton,B. Olson,N. West and P. Lusk
WORKSESSION:
Public Works Director Fulton and Deputy Director Phil Lusk conducted a PowerPoint presentation regarding the
proposed Utility Cost-of-Service and Retail Rate Adjustments. Director Fulton spoke in regards to policy history
and current realities, defining cost-of-service as the amount of money required to fund operations including all
expenses and depreciation. He reviewed 2014 Council and UAC work and policy to date.
Manager McKeen spoke about the 2015 General Fund and Utilities Budgets. He explained that the City's major
sources of General Fund revenue are property, utility and sales taxes. He outlined the Senior Management team's
critical review of the proposed 2015 utility budget and the savings they found that will be realized in 2016. Council
discussion followed.
Chief Financial Officer Olson spoke about the residential customer assistance program for low income residents. He
also outlined the difference between utility costs vs. utility rates and talked about options including the great need
for Port Angeles to develop family-wage jobs in the private sector. Director Fulton spoke regarding utility and water
rate adjustment options. Council discussion followed.
Council directed staff to look at a 3-tier system with a standard, flat water rate for all tiers. If approved, staff will
provide quarterly reports to Council in regards to water rate adjustments and how they're affecting the budget.
Council further directed staff to bring back the base utility charges,as proposed,to its meeting on October 7,2014.
ADJOURNMENT: Deputy Mayor Downie adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
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