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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/15/2007 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 00tIR ~ SEP 5 .2007 DIGITAL RECORDING VVednesday, August 15, 2007 The weekly meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton was called to order in the City Council Chambers, of the NORM DICKS GOVERNMENT CENTER 345 6th Street, Bremerton, VVashington, VVednesday, August 15, 2007, at 5:30 PM, with Council President VVill Maupin presiding. Council members present were Nick VVofford, Carol Arends, Dianne Robinson, Mike Shepherd, VVendy Priest, Adam Brockus, Cecil McConnell, and Brad Gehring. Also present were City Attorney Roger Lubovich; Deputy City Clerk Cherie Henry; and Legislative Assistant Lori Smith. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Cecil McConnell followed by the invocation provided by Pastor Christie Newbill of Saint Luke's United Methodist Church. President Maupin announced that a Pre-Council Session to discuss General Council Business was held prior to the meeting. MAYOR'S REPORT Elaine Valencia, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, brought forward Bob Battin of the Bremerton Central Lions Club who thanked Elaine, the Mayor, and all former Mayors for their support of this Sister City Program now in its 38th year. ,Appreciation was also expressed for the host families who open their homes to the student for a period of one month. Mr. Battin then introduced Exchange Students Mizuka Kawamoto, Saya Komatsu, and Rui Yamamoto, who are visiting from Bremerton's Sister City - Kure, Japan. A gift was presented to Council President Will Maupin, and he also thanked Mr. Battin for his 20-year involvement in the program PUBLIC RECOGNITION & ANNOUNCEMENTS Nick Wofford invited residents to participate on the panel that will be writing the pro and con statements for the proposed levy ballot issue. People may contact the Mayor's Office at (360) 473- 5266 for applications or more information. The deadline for setting appointments to the committee is next VVednesday, August 29. Adam Brockus asked citizens to mark their calendars for the "Manette Fest" sponsored by the Manette Business Association to be held on Saturday, September 8. Brad GehrinQ reminded the public about the upcoming Kitsap County Fair & Rodeo from August 23 ~2~. ' Helen Miller read a statement into the record that included her thanks to Kitsap County Sheriff Steve Boyer and Bremerton Police Chief Craig Rogers for attending a citizen meeting on Sunday, August 12 on their own time to examine possible sGllutions for the reported controlled substance activities within the community; and a request for anyone who has an old cell phone they no longer need to please donate it at Pioneer Services located at 3850 Kitsap VVay, Suite 104 and explained that the phones would be converted into calling cards to assist those calls home from our service men and women. Rick Cortez, an employee of the Bremerton School District, discussed reasons why the Kitsap County Board of Health should not cut the EI CentrQ de la Familia Program. CONSENT AGENDA A. Check Numbers 318791 through 318955; and EFT-7297 through EFT-7311 in the amount of $1,085,086.23 for the period ending August 15, 2007 (#AB07-193) B. Minutes of Meeting - August 8, 2007 (#AB07 -194) C. Appointments of Donald Bolles and Sarah Bolles to the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee (#AB07 -195) City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes Wednesday, August 15, 2007 ' Page 2 of 4 D. Resolution No. 3033, re-naming the new Police Headquarters 'The Art Morken Building" (#AB07- 196) E. Hiring of Court Services Manager at Band 15, Rate 3 (#AB07 -197) Helen Miller wanted to know if the rate of pay for the new Court Services Manager was comparable to the salary paid to the previous Manager. Dawn Nelson, Municipal Court replied that the pay is the same Pay Band. Laura Lyon, Director of Financial Services, added that the previous Court Services Manager was paid at a higher rate due to her number of years with the City. 05:49:50 M/S/C/U (Priest/Arends) Move to approve the CONSENT AGENDA as presented. GENERAL BUSINESS 6A - BUDGET ADJUSTMENT OF $19,000 (DONATED BY THE BREMERTON CENTRAL LIONS CLUB) TO PARKS DEPARTMENT TO CONSTRUCT A WALKING PATH AND PICNIC SHELTER AT LIONS PARK (#AB07-198): Wyn Birkenthal, Parks & Recreation Department Director, summarized that the Bremerton Central Lions Club has made a donation of $19,000 in cash to the Parks Department for the construction of a paved walking path in Lions Park and the purchase of an additional picnic shelter. The donation continues the Bremerton Lion's 48-year history of supporting improvements to Lion's Park through donations and volunteer labor. This agenda item would adjust the Parks 2007 Capital Improvement budget by $19,000 and authorize the department to proceed with the path and shelter projects. The funds for the expenditure have been received. Carol McClurken, President of the Bremerton Central Lions Club, expressed that it is always a pleasure of the organization to work with the City on these types of projects. Mr. Gehrina thanked the Bremerton Central Lions Club for their long term support of the park. Mr. Brockus asked what the cost would be to maintain these additions. Mr. Birkenthal responded that the cost would only amount to approximately $400 per month for sweeping the path and shelter. Mr. Maupin also thanked the Bremerton Central, Lions Club for their contributions to the City. 05:52:55 M/S/C/U (Robinson/Wofford) Move to approve budget adjustment in the amount of $19,000 to the Parks & Recreation Department for construction of a walking path and picnic shelter at Lions Park. 6B - ORDINANCE NO. 5021, AMENDING CHAPTER 3.36 OF THE BREMERTON MUNICIPAL CODE TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM FUND BALANCE REQUIRED IN THE CONTINGENCY RESERVE FUND TO $1,000,000 (#AB07-199): Laura Lyon, Financial Services Director, stated that the City's Chapter 3.36 of the Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC) establishes a Contingency Reserve Fund to protect the City's General Fund in the event of unforeseen and unfunded emergency requirements. The required minimum level expressed in this chapter of $500,000 was established in , 1995 and has not been revised since. The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 35.44.145 restricts the accumulation of monies in contingency funds to $0.375 per $1,000 of total assessed valuation (AV). The limit for 2007 based on the current AV for the City if $2,692,388.791 if $1 ,009,645.80, therefore the Contingency Reserve minimum of $500,000 is currently well below this maximum amount. It is the recommendation of the Director of Financial Services that the City revise the City's financial goals and policies and Chapter 3.36 of the BMC regarding the minimum balance required for the Contingency Reserve Fund - increasing the minimum level to $1,000,000. A POWER POINT presentation was made to provide further details in support of this Ordinance. Helen Miller asked for clarification between the terms of 37 and 43 days. Mr. Maupin responded that $500,000 combined with the ending fund balance of the General Fund equals 37 days and $1,000,000 plus the ending fund balance equals is 43 days. , City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes VVednesday,August 15, 2007 Page 3 of 4 Mr. McConnell asked if there was a higher authority or was this a rule of the City of Bremerton? Ms. Lvon explained that if the balance fell below the minimum level, a vote of the City Council would be needed to rebuild the balance of that fund. Mr. Brockus asked what the City would do if the Contingency Reserve Fund dropped to an amount under $1-million. Ms. Lvon stated that they would re-Iook at the Bremerton Municipal Code, and the Financial Goals & Policies. Mr. Wofford asked if the range for the fund is sufficient. Ms. Lvon answered yes and that any changes could be made during the next budget cycle. Mr. Shepherd offered a few observations, including how the process is more efficient than it was in the past. Mr. GehrinQ thanked Ms. Lyon for providing a sound plan which takes into consideration possible increased costs associated with emergencies and disaster recovery. Mr. Maupin asked if the City has ever tapped the fund. Ms. Lvon answered that the City has not tapped into the fund except for the amount over the cap of the fund, and that was done by proper process; and emphasized that when assets are sold those proceeds are placed into the Contingency Fund and expenditure of those funds require Council approval. 06:19:32 M/S/C/U (Priest/Shepherd) Move to approve Ordinance No. 5021 amending Chapter 3.36 of the Bremerton Municipal Code to increase the minimum fund balance required in the Contingency Reserve Fund to $1,000,000. 6C - RESOLUTION NO. 3034. ADOPTING UPDATED FINANCIAL GOALS & POLICIES FOR THE CITY OF BREMERTON (#AB07-200l: Laura Lvon, Financial Services Director, emphasized that the stewardship of public funds is one of the greatest responsibilities given to the City Council and the Administration of the City of Bremerton. The establishment and maintenance of sound fiscal policies is an important part of fulfilling that expectation. The City previously adopted financial goals and policies by Resolution No. 2963 on June 1, 2005. These guidelines have served the City well over the course of the past two years, however, it is important to periodically review these financial goals and policies to ensure they are continuing to meet the City's needs and are updated as needed. The proposed action repeals and replaces the existing financial goals and policies and with an updated version. Primary changes are to provide greater clarity on the internal service funds usage and expectations, and to increase the minimum balance target level for the Contingency Reserve from the current $500,000 to $1,000,000. A POWER POINT presentation was made to summarize the changes and to provide further details in support of this Resolution. There were no comments from the public... Mr. Maupin and Mr. Gehrin~ offered their comments of support. 06:25:55 M/S/C/U (Arends/VVofford) Move to approve Resolution No. 3034 adopting updated financial Goals & Policies for the City of Bremerton. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS Dianne Robinson thanked Ron Jensen, Anderson Cove Block VVatch, for his help in organizing a community picnic on Saturday. Mike Shepherd provided an update on various parking issues, and commented on the development of a flyer with detailed information about parking in the City. City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes VVednesday, August 15, 2007 Page 4 of 4 Adam Brockus thanked neighbors in Manette who participated in the first community work party. Brad Gehrina thanked Bremerton Police Chief Craig Rogers for his service to the community; welcomed Theresa Ewing, the newly hired Municipal Services Court Manager; and discussed the new VVarren Avenue off-ramp project which will be completed in October. He also asked If anyone has input on how to improve the area abutting the project site and Stephenson Canyon, they are encouraged to call him at the Council Office at (360) 473-5280. VVith no further business, President Maupin adjourned the Council Meeting at 6:35 PM. Attest: CJ~A.I~)~.-YI~ PAULA JOHNS ON, City erk {(~ , VVM:PJ:ls:cg