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Home My WebLink About11/12/2008 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES = 81.9Z008 i DIGITAL RECORDING Wednesday, November 12, 2008 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, Washington, Wednesday, November 12, 2008, at 5:30 PM, with Council President Will Maupin presiding. Council Members present were Nick Wofford, Carol Arends, Dianne Robinson, Mike Shepherd, Roy Runyon, Adam Brockus, Cecil McConnell, and Brad Gehring. Also present were City Attorney Roger Lubovich; City Clerk Carol Etgen; and Legislative Assistant Lori Smith. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Brad GehrinQ followed by the invocation provided by Pastor ROQer Henniqan of Apostolic Life Tabernacle. President Maupin announced that a Briefing Session to discuss General Council Business was held from 5:00 to 5:30 PM in Council Conference Room 603. MAYOR'S REPORT · Urged the Council to maintain the current course regarding the 2009 City Budget; · Reported on a recent conversation he had with Congressman Norm Dicks regarding the possibility that Congress may soon pass a major economic stimulus package for jobs and infrastructure that may include money for local governments especially for infrastructure and housing, and that he asked Gary Sexton to be the City's point person to secure funding for Bremerton because of his long-time relationship with Congressman Dicks; · He also had a conversation with the Government's Office regarding a State economic stimulus package that will focus on low-income housing, construction, and jobs; and lastly · Listed the employers who have brought approximately 1200 new good jobs to the downtown area in the last several years. PUBLIC RECOGNITION & ANNOUNCEMENTS Adam Brockus reminded the public that due to annual inspections by WSDOT, the Manette Bridge will be closed from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily from November 17 to 20; encouraged attendance at Manette Fest, which will be held on Friday, December 5; and announced that he was recently laid off by his employer Art Anderson & Associates, but will continue to represent the citizens of District 3 for as long as he can. CONSENT AGENDA A. Check Numbers 328276 through 328290; and EFT-8271 through EFT-8279 in the amount of $1,672,113.80; and Regular Payroll in the amount of $843,518.14 for the pay-period ending October 31 , 2008 (#AB08-241) 05:38:44 M/S/C/U (Runyon/Brockus) Move to approve the CONSENT AGENDA as presented. GENERAL BUSINESS SA - ORDINANCE NO. 5065, AMENDING BREMERTON MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 3.50 AND INCREASING UTILITY TAXES FOR WATER, WASTEWATER, AND STORMWATER UTILITIES (#AB08-242): Laura Lyon, Financial Services Director, explained that the proposed ordinance increases the utility tax rate for Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater from 8.5% to 9.5%. This brings the tax rate for City owned facilities in line with Solid Waste utility tax rate while also providing additional revenue support for the City's general governmental operations. There were no comments from the public. . . 05:41 :25 The Main Motion was made and seconded, as discussion by the Council was opened... City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes Wednesday, November 12, 2008 Page 2 of 4 Mr. McConnell asked if sub-section "(i)" on page 2 of the proposed ordinance was meant to be included. Ms. Lyon confirmed that sub-section (i) was included by error and asked that it be removed from the ordinance. A friendly amendment was made and seconded to strike it. Mr. Wofford if this action would have a direct impact on the taxes paid by citizens. Ms. Lyon responded that it was not a direct tax, but it was indebted and would be a tax on the rates charged by the utilities. Mr. Runyon asked what would be required to balance the budget if this increased was not approved. Ms. Lyon explained that it would cause a deficit of approx. $250,429.00 for 2009. Mr. Gehrinq reiterated that this was not a tax increase on the general citizen but was basically taking funds from one pocket of the City and placing it in another to meet the needs of the Department. Mr. Shepherd pointed out that if a tax is placed on a utility it then generates an increase in the rate structure that is then passed on to the rate payer; and also stated that the Council would be considering rate increases as well, and thought it was premature to increase the tax on the rate payer when the Council has not completed discussions on possible cuts in other areas of the budget that might make up the deficit. Ms. Lyon stated the reason the Council is asked to act on the revenue requirements ahead of time is so if revenue adjustments are necessary they can take place before the final adoption process for the budget. 05:50:55 M/S/C (McConnell/Wofford) Move to approve Ordinance No. 5065, amending Chapter 3.50 of the Bremerton Municipal Code relating to utility taxes for water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities; and striking sub-section (i) [on page 2]. Voted in favor of Motion: McConnell, Brockus, Runyon, Shepherd, Arends, Wofford, Gehring, and Maupin Voted opposed to Motion: Robinson Motion carried: 8-Yes; 1-No PUBLIC HEARING 6A - PUBLIC HEARING ON REVENUE SOURCES FOR THE 2009 BUDGET; AND ORDINANCE NO. 5066. LEVYING PROPERTY TAXES FOR COLLECTION IN 2009 (#AB08-243): Laura Lyon, Financial Services Director, stated that the City's property taxes are levied on an annual basis through passage of an ordinance. The proposed ordinance will implement a general property tax levy and a voted EMS levy at the statuatory rate limit as well as a bond redemption levy at a rate adequate to provide funds necessary to meet debt service obligations. In addition, a PowerPoint@ presentation was made to provide further details on "Significant Items of Note" for the proposed 2008 Budget; Expenditures by Fund Type; General Fund Revenues; the Property Tax Levy; and a Property Tax Overview. In conclusion, Ms. Lyon summarized that Ordinance No. 5066 provides for the formal levy for property taxes for 2009 in the maximum amount allowable for the regular and EMS Tax Levy (as limited by law), plus amounts sufficient for annual debt service on the 2002 Public Safety UTGO Bonds. This public hearing on the 2009 Budget and Property Tax Levy is required prior to Council action tonight. President Maupin opened the Public Hearing to allow comments from the public...No comments or questions were received so the Hearing was then closed to the public.. . 06:32:08 The Main Motion was made and seconded as discussion was opened to the Council 06:49:18 M/S/C/U (Runyon/Wofford) Move to approve Ordinance No. 5066 levying property taxes for collection in 2009. City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes Wednesday, November 12, 2008 Page 3 of 4 President Maupin announced that the Council would reconvene in the 6th Floor Council Conference Room for a STUDY SESSION to hear presentations on upcoming agenda items. It was further announced that this Study Session was open to the public, but there would be no opportunities for input or participation; that no action will be taken, and the content of these items is subject to change. With no further business, President Maupin adjourned the regular Council Meeting at 6:50 PM; and reconvened the STUDY SESSION at 7:00 PM. A. NO DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Acceptance of COPS Universal Hiring Program 2008 Grant Award - Police Chief Craig Rogers; and Brad Gehring, Public Safety & Parks Committee Chair Consent 2. Acceptance of 2008 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant - Police Chief Craig Rogers; and Brad Gehring, Public Safety & Parks Committee Chair Consent 3. Proposed Resolution temporarily extending Cable Television System Franchise with WAVE- DIVISION HOLDINGS LLC - Carol Etgen, City Clerk; and Nick Wofford, Finance Committee Chair Consent 4. Proposed Ordinance amending Bremerton Municipal Code Chapter 13.04.060 relating to "Discharging Firearms in City Parks" in order to comply with RCW 9.41.300 - Ken Bagwell, Assistant City Attorney; and Brad Gehring, Public Safety & Parks Committee Chair Consent 5. Approval of Letters of Engagement with MORRIS & TARADAY, P.C. and GORDON DERR for Legal Representation - Roger Lubovich, City Attorney; and Brad Gehring, Public Safety & Parks Committee Chair Consent 6. Contract Award to CONSTRUCT Co for the Cambrian Avenue Sewer Replacement Project - Michael Mecham, City Engineer; and Cecil McConnell, Public Works Committee Chair Consent 7. Approval of Professional Engineering Services Agreement with CAMP DRESSER & McKEE to Perform a Biogas Vehicle Fuel Study - Phil Williams, Public Works & Utilities Director; and Cecil McConnell, Public Works Committee Chair General Business 8. Proposed Ordinance amending Bremerton Municipal Code Chapter 3.01 and amending Rates and Fees for 2009 - Laura Lyon, Financial Services Director; and Nick Wofford, Finance Committee Chair (This item was discussed at the Budget Workshop on October 29. ..) General Business B. FULL DISCUSSION ITEMS 9. Proposed Ordinance amending Bremerton Municipal Code Chapter 15.06 and adopting 2009 Utility Rates and General Facilities Charges - Laura Lyon, Financial Services Director; and Nick Wofford, Finance Committee Chair (This item was discussed at the Budget Workshop on November 10...) General Business A 5-minute break was held from 7:55 to 8:00 PM...Council Member Mike Shepherd left at the start of the break and did not return for the remainder of the meeting. . . City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes Wednesday, November 12, 2008 Page 4 of 4 10. Proposed Ordinance approving the Voluntary Separation and Reduced Work Week Program - Laura Lyon, Financial Services Director; and Nick Wofford, Finance Committee Chair Consent 11. Proposed Resolution approving a change in hours of public access to City offices - Laura Lyon, Financial Services Director; and Nick Wofford, Finance Committee Chair General Business President Maupin adjourned the Study Session at 8:25 PM. P~d SUbmitte~ ~~ LORI SMITH Legislative Assistant Attest: WM:CE:ls:cg