12/02/1996 - Special - MinutesPort Orchard, Washington
December 2, 1996
Council of the City of Port Orchard, Washington, called to Special Session by Mayor
Leslie J. Weatherill at 7:30 P.M. Councilmembers present: Clauson, Wyatt, Geiger,
Powers, Van Zee and Grable. Councilman Morrison excused. Staff Present: City
Treasurer Tompkins, Engineer Curles, Police Chief Mathews, Fire Chief Snow and City
Clerk Parks.
Mayor Weatherill informed those present the purpose of this Special Session is to
hold a Public Hearing to discuss the City of Port Orchard's proposed 1997 Budget.
On motion by Councilmembers Van Zee and Powers, seconded by Councilman Grable,
Council excused Councilman Morrison from this meeting.
Mayor Weatherill opened Public Hearing and ask Councilman Geiger, Chair of Finance
Committee, to review proposed 1997 budget allocations.
Councilman Geiger requested City Treasurer Tompkins outline the major change since
the November 25, 1996 Study Session.
City Treasurer Tompkins confirmed all changes from the November 25th Study Session
have been incorporated into the budget information distributed to Council at this
meeting, including a $703,750 increase in the Water Sewer Fund. The original
allocation for the McCormick Water System was only for the down payment. However
for bookkeeping purposes, the total purchase price of the McCormick Water System
must be shown with an offsetting difference on the revenue side of the budget.
City Treasurer Tompkins responded to various questions on line item revenue and
expenditure items.
Mayor Weatherill called for public input and as there was no response from the
audience, he closed public input portion of the Public Hearing and referred proposed
budget to the City Council for consideration.
Councilman Van Zee stated he would like to see more funds allocated to repair and
maintenance of sidewalks and streets. Engineer Curles briefed those present on RCW
stating sidewalks are the responsibility of the abutting property owners. However,
in reality few people can afford or are not willing to pay for sidewalks. .
Councilman Powers questioned memo dated November 27, 1996 from Fire Chief Snow
requesting $1,000 be added to the Fire Department budget (line item 001-526.80.41).
The Kitsap County Chief's Association entered into a consulting agreement with Lazar
Jensen Goebel of Portland, Oregon to analyze Fire/EMS cost and to preform a system
review. Basic Life Support providers will pay $1,000 and Advance Life Support
providers will pay $8,000.
On motion by Councilwoman Powers, seconded by Councilman Geiger, Council approved
including $1,000 to fund Fire/EMS study.
Councilman Van Zee questioned the benefits to salary ratio for the Parking
Enforcement position. Currently part-time positions working 20 hours a week are
receiving full benefits. The Council wants this reviewed and options addressed with
input from the City Attorney.
December 2, 1996
Page Two of Two
Councilman Geiger posed the question to Councilwoman Powers (as Parks Committee
Chair) on how she felt about reallocating Parks Reserve dollars to landscape the new
City Hall grounds. Ms. Powers stated she reluctantly agreed because City Hall
grounds are projected to be a "people place" with benches, etc. After discussion on
the City Hall project it was agreed that if the bids come in low, and the dollars
which are being reallocated from Parks Reserve to Cumulative Reserve for Municipal
Facilities are not needed to fund the landscaping, the money will go back to the
Parks Reserve.
Mayor Weatherill called for additional input from Councilmembers or staff. As no
further input was offered Mayor Weatherill closed Public Hearing.
On motion by Councilman Geiger, seconded by Councilman Clauson, Council authorized
preparation of an ordinance to adopt the 1997 City of Port Orchard Budget in the
amount of $15,357,959. This ordinance will be presented for consideration at the
December 9, 1996 regular City Council meeting.
Special Budget Public Hearing meeting adjourned at 8:01 PM
r ,! f
Patricia Parks, City Clerk
Leslie J. Weatherill, Mayor