04/24/2015 - MinutesCity of Port Orchard
Council Finance Committee
A meeting of the Council Finance Committee was held at the Family Pancake House Restaurant
April 24, 2015 at 7:30 a.m.
PRESENT: Chairman John Clauson, members Rob Putaansuu and Jerry Childs, Community
Development Director Nick Bond, Associate Planner Elle Davis, Treasurer Allan Martin, and guest Port
of Bremerton Facilities Director Steve Sparks.
Chairman Clauson called the meeting to order at 7:30 am.
Port of Bremerton presentation
The Council Finance Committee heard a presentation by the Port of Bremerton Facilities Director, Steve
Sparks, regarding a proposed covered structure at the observation area at the Marina Park. The Port is
requesting $5,500 from the city to help in the cost of construction, which has been estimated to range
between $17,500 - $22,000. It is proposed that the Port will first obtain all necessary permits and
approvals. The Council Finance Committee felt the project was in keeping with the city's participation
with the Port regarding the waterfront, enhances the Bay Street Pedestrian Pathway, and provides a public
benefit to the citizens of Port Orchard.
The Committee directed that the request go to the council for further consideration.
Finance Report
Sales Tax Revenue was reviewed and it is nearly "spot on" projection. $1,276,149 has been collected to
date, 0.24% above projection for the first 4 months of 2015.
The committee was provided the 2015 1" Quarter Budget results for all departments as recorded in
SpringbrookTm. The report is read to consider the remaining percentage available. In other words, all
things being equal, 75% of the budget should remain available at the end of the first quarter. However,
some expenditures are one-time payments that take place in the first months of the year. Those items
should be noted when reading the report. All departments are within budget. Some line items that are in
the "red" are due to properly coding an expense using budget authority from a different BARS coded
item. Those items will be adjusted when reconciling the Final Amended Budget. Treasurer Martin
suggested that he was available to answer specific questions once members have reviewed the document.
Information Technology Request for Technical Services and Assistance. Treasurer Martin shared that a
request of assistance had been drafted regarding updating city information technology. As such, he was
seeking the Committees advice and direction on the scope of the assistance. It was the direction of the
members that the whole of IT be reviewed and the process identify various options on the operation and
management of IT. Including whether or not there is a benefit by partnering with other public agencies or
contracting for services.
Library Facilities renewal. The Committee learned that the city received a letter from Jill Jean of the
Kitsap Regional Library District, requesting the city's written consent to renew Agreement C048-14
between the City of Port Orchard and the Kitsap Regional Library District for use of the city owned
building, housing the Port Orchard Library, located at 87 Sidney Avenue. The Agreement provides for
automatic renewal annually upon written consent by both parties. City public works staff and finance
know of no controversy regarding the current use of the building. All provisions of the Agreement
remain unchanged.
Approval of a letter regarding the automatic renewal will appear as a Consent Agenda item at the April
28, 2015 council meeting.
HR / Community Development Trip Reduction program am Community Development Associate Planner,
Elle Davis, provided information regarding a purposed Trip Reduction program that would provide
employees reimbursement for transit passes when used to commute to work. The Port Orchard Municipal
Code, Chapter 10, defines commute trips and encourages strategies to reduce the number of employees
driving to work.
The 2015 budget contains $1,000 for trip reduction and monthly transit passes are $50.00. The
Committee discussed the public benefit of lowering traffic volumes, recognized that the state statute
directs that counties and cities plan for commute alternatives for large employers, and the likelihood of
city employee participation.
The committee considered 2015 budgeted funds for trip commute reduction and approved staff
implementing a trip commute program reimbursing employees the cost of a monthly transit pass.
Department of Community Development
Director Bond provided a memorandum and a map of current projects. The Committee heard that plan
review submittals and building permit activity are up greatly. Director Bond stated that building permits
are up 14% over last year. Many are complex permits needing specific review. There is an increase in
permits that require some type of concurrent review for land -use coach such a shoreline development,
flood plain elevation, view protection code requirements, & regulations. There are currently 23 building
permit applications in the process of being reviewed. Of those are three or four new commercial buildings
with a totally value evaluation of $3,115,000. The department is currently monitoring 75 issued permits,
23 of which are for new single-family home construction. There are a number of land -use projects, the
2016 comprehensive plan and 2015 annual comprehensive plan continues to be worked on taking a
significant amount of time. Certificates of occupancy are up by 40% over last year. The department
continues to work on code updates, transportation planning and seeking grants. The city has recently
approved two development agreements and it has received requests for three additional developments
which must be drafted and brought forward for consideration. One of these is the McCormick Woods
development agreement which is needed in order to bring traffic impact fees forward. Work continues on
the 640 Bay St. property acquisition and also on trying to resolve an ownership issue concerning the 100
Melcher property. Code enforcement has seen 62 new code enforcement cases since the beginning of the
year in addition to open cases carried over from 2014. FEMA is requiring the city to participate in Flood
Plain map upgrades, sign permits remain active and staff continues to respond to Council Committee
meetings and inquiries. Director Bond ended his presentation with eight additional department workload
issues, bullet points are outlined in the memorandum.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:49 a.m.
Next Meetine: June 3, 2015 at 7:30 a.m. Family Pancake House