04/17/2012 - Work Study - MinutesCity of Port Orchard
Council Meeting Minutes
Work Study Session of April17, 2012
7:00p.m. Call to Order
Mayor Matthes called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m. Mayor Pro-Tem Jerry Childs and
Councilmembers Fred Chang, John Clauson, Cindy Lucarelli, Jim Colebank, Carolyn
Powers and Rob Putaansuu were present. Public Works Director Mark Dorsey,
Development Director James Weaver, Planning Associate Jennifer Haro, City Clerk
Brandy Rinearson, Office Assistant Jenine Dennison and City Attorney Greg Jacoby were
also present.
Mayor Matthes led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. Update: Master Shoreline Plan (MSP) Process
Planning Associate Haro presented to the Council a Draft Shoreline Master Program
(SMP) document, stating the first half of the SMP was adopted by the Planning
Commission on March 19, 2012, and the second half of the SMP is from 2010, which is the
inventory characterization.
Development Director Weaver explained that the Department of Ecology (DOE) sets up
the process for the SMP and, upon their review and a resolution, they will send the City a
response letter listing (if any) the items not acceptable; the items they may accept with
modifications; and/ or items they will not comment on. Then at that point, the City can
change the SMP document to reflect the DOE comments, and then pass an ordinance
approving the corrected document.
Council Direction: Council directed staff to bring forward the draft SMP to the April 24,
2012, Council meeting for further discussion.
2. Update: Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs
Briahna Taylor, Lobbyist with Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs, updated
the Council on the legislative session stating the following:
• Legislation began last October and ended the week of April9, 2012;
• Legislation approved a $1.1 billion jobs package, which the City was awarded
$soo,ooo for the Bay Street Pedestrian Path project; in addition to the $700,000
that was appropriated last year to the Dekalb Pier;
• Transportation project funding opportunities were not allowed this past session,
meaning the Tremont Widening Project was not awarded any funds;
• The City received the following appropriations from the State in November:
-Municipal Criminal Justice Funding: $18,964;
-Liquor Profit Funding: $77,920; and
-Liquor Taxes: $50,871.
• The final version of the budget impacted the Liquor Excise Taxes by no 2012
October distribution, diverts all liquor excise taxes to the general fund in 2013, and
a $10 million a year statewide reduction in perpetuity (does not start until after
April17, 2012, Work Study Session Minutes
Page 2 of 4
2013); and liquor profits starting 2013 and onward receive 2011 amounts plus $10
million statewide, which means the City:
-No 2012 October liquor taxes distribution (a 10-12,000 reduction in 2012
budget;
-No 2013liquor taxes (reduction of $so-6o,ooo in 2013 budget;
-Receives $77,920, plus around $10,000 additional from the $10 million;
and
-2014 and onward receive $40-50,000 in liquor taxes (reduction of $10
million state-wide) and $77,920 in liquor profits.
• Public Facility District was part of an ongoing effort to have the Kitsap County
Public Facility District fund a new project in Port Orchard; however the bill did not
move forward; and
• Public Records Act Reform would give jurisdictions the authority to go the court
and seek an injunction against public record requests that are harassing in nature;
however, this bill did not move forward.
In addition, Ms. Taylor urged the Council to start thinking about their 2013-2015
proposed legislative priorities and ask themselves is this a legislative priority for the City;
what priority level is it; and are there any additional ideas for legislation/funding requests.
In closing, Ms. Taylor asked the Council to renew the contract with Gordon Thomas
Honeywell Governmental Affairs for an additional18 months, which will align the contract
timeline with the legislative session.
Council Direction: No direction was given to staff.
3· Update: Mayor's Report from Department Directors and Achieving
Council's Goals
Mayor Matthes and staff provided a brief update on a few of the Council's top Short-Term
Goals stating the following:
• Development Director Weaver and Public Works Director Dorsey have met with
the Port of Bremerton staff regarding a joint agreement for a Waterfront Master
Plan timeline;
• The City is applying for a $6oo,ooo ALEA Grant and a $314,000 Grant for the
bridge regarding the Bay Street Pedestrian Pathway project;
• The redesign for the Port Orchard Library roof will go out for bid at the end of
May;
• The City's Financial Policy and the Bethel Corridor Finance Plan should be ready
for discussion at the May 15, 2012 Work Study Session; and
• Staff is working with the Economic Development Committee to update the City's
website to today's terminology and make it more user friendly.
Council Direction: No direction was given to Staff.
April17, 2012, Work Study Session Minutes
Page 3 of4
4· Discussion: Hotel/Motel Lodging Tax "Carry-Over'
Councilmember Chang informed the Council that there is a Hotel/Motel Lodging Tax
carry-over of $16,ooo and explained that the City has the following options for
consideration:
• Keep the carry-over amount in the hotel/motel funds;
• Allocate the carry-over amount to the recipients who have already be allocated
funding for 2012; or
• Open the carry-over funds to new applicants.
He further informed the Council that Mr. Terry Bontrager submitted an application on
behalf of the Saints Car Club for the 2012 Cruz, which was not received in the same time
frame as the others in 2011; and Mr. Bontrager is asking the Council to consider allocating
$2,700 for advertising and promotional materials for the 2012 Cruz.
City Attorney Jacoby confirmed that any new request for funds must be considered by the
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee before going to Council for final approval.
Council Direction: Council directed staff to bring the Saint's Car Club Lodging Tax
Application to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee to bring forth a recommendation to
the Council; and to not open the carry-over funds to new applicants, rather have it stay in
the lodging tax fund for re-allocation in the next distribution process.
5· Discussion: Format and Public Comments of Council Meetings
Councilmember Chang asked the Council if they are interested in changing the public
comments process during Council meetings, as currently there are public comments
allowed at the beginning and at the end of every Council meeting for items not included on
the agenda; but doesn't address when they can speak to the business items as it has varied
in the past.
After a brief discussion, the Council agreed that there can be too much discussion between
the Council, staff, and the citizen, which is creating debates and encouraged the Mayor to
monitor the conversation and keep the meeting moving forward; and when appropriate
allow the citizen to comment.
In addition, the Council discussed they will make more of an effort responding to citizen's
requests by stating either they will take it under advisement or give direction to staff to
look into the matter further; and that the intent of the Work Study Sessions were for the
Council to discuss items with staff, and typically are not available for public comments.
Council Direction: No direction was given to staff.
April17, 2012, Work Study Session Minutes
Page 4 of 4
6. Discussion: Change Order/Purchase Order/Contracts Authority
Clarification
Public Works Director Dorsey asked fo r clarification on the intent of his authority to issue
purchase ord er s, change ord er s, and contracts. He questi ons that if it i s a lre ady a line item
in the budget a nd the amount is over $15,000 (his ch ange order authority) then why does it
need to be brought to the Counci l for their approva l?
Council Direction: Council d i rected staff to bring this topic to the Finance Committee
for further discussion.
Next Work Study Session-Tuesday, May 15, 2012
At 9:22p.m. the meeting was adjourned.
~
Brandy Rinearson, CMC, City Clerk Timothy d."Matthes, Mayor