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Home My WebLink About02/01/2014 t COUNCIL DIGITAL RECORDING APPROVED CITY COUNCIL JOINT PLANNING SESSION MINUTES FEB � 9 ?014 Saturday, February 1, 2014 A Joint Planning Session between the City Council, Mayor, and Department Directors of the City of Bremerton was called to order in the Mayor's Conference Room of the NORM DICKS GOVERNMENT CENTER 345 6`" Street, Bremerton, Washington, Saturday, February 1, 2014, at 9 00 AM, with Council President Greg Wheeler presiding Council Members present were Eric Younger, Roy Runyon, Dino Davis, Jerry McDonald, Leslie Daugs, and Mike Sullivan Also in attendance were Mayor Patty Lent, City Attorney Roger Lubovich, Municipal Court Administrator Dawn Nelson, Parks & Recreation Director Wyn Birkenthal, Public Works & Utilities Director Chal Martin, Interim Financial Services Director Cathy Johnson, Police Chief Steven Strachan, Fire Chief Al Duke, and Community Development Director Andrea Spencer Lori Smith, Legislative Assistant and Christine Grenier, Council /Auditor Assistant were present to provide staff support The following is a summarized list of the subjects and key points that were discussed • Local Street Funding • Continue to fund by paying "ourselves" first • Possibly dedicate a set - percentage of REET amount in Reserve Funds (Finance Committee) • Mayor Road Projects • Develop checklist to ensure Mayor Road Projects are completed (PW Committee) • Do more work in -house to ensure no cost overruns (per PW, this is being done) • Keep Project Estimates by City Engineers as the benchmark to avoid overruns • ERR Funding Policy • Update /Revise the current ERR Funding Policy (Finance Committee) • Decide which practice will be used then develop a Funding Policy (Finance Department will provide options) • City Marketing, Planning, and Tourism • Lodging Tax Funding • Roles of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), City Council, and City Clerk were clarified through provisions in State Law (RCW 67 28) and Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC 2 38) • For selection of LTAC members, preference should be given to representatives for those organizations not applying for or receiving funds during the term of office • Established that LTAC Chair and all members will continue to observe appearance of fairness with respect to applicants • LTAC Chair will report to the Council following each meeting • City Clerks' Reports to the State will be shared with the Council • Council will deliberate on LTAC recommendations and take action prior to Budget process • Once recommendations are approved by Council, any further issues that may be discussed can be remanded to LTAC for review • Continue funding summer foot ferry between Bremerton and Port Orchard • No money to hire a marketing person • Find ways to communicate the positive side of Bremerton to outside markets • Business Development • Largest part of the equation is set by Fire Codes and Building Codes • Ensure codes /policies support small business growth • Enhance Business Climate • Improved Permitting Process City Council Planning Session Minutes Saturday, February 1, 2014 Page 2 of 2 • Rezoning • Annexation • Long -term goal to increase population 50,000+ • Focus on higher assessed values such as commercial areas • What is current vacancy rate and cost per sq ft • Look at how other Councils and Cities have done to increase comparables • Rely on work being done by Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) • Mayor will share reports from KEDA Executive Board • Link for "Starting a Business in Bremerton" • Explore ways to provide WiFi downtown and expand fiber optics to neighborhoods • Improving Financial Sustainability of City Parks o Continue to look at ways to fund Parks • Alternative Fuels • Council will be provided a list of what the City is currently doing to meet this goal • Utilize studies already being done by the State • PW is expected to receive an update in March • Contract Compliance • How to hold construction companies accountable to follow City Codes • Withholding permits • Work with neighbors /neighborhoods of East Park to ensure quality of life The final list of " 2014 to 2015 Goals & Priorities were determined to be as follows 1 Continue to look for ways to increase funding for the following • Streets • Annexation • Building Contingency Reserve Fund 2 Expand Communication with Citizens through Website & Social Media 3 Explore options for Marketing and Branding 4 Update Equipment Rental & Reserve (ER &R) Funding Policy 5 Encourage Business Development 6 Determine Sustainable Business Model for Parks & Recreation 7 Neighborhood Traffic Improvements With no further business, President Wheeler adjourned the Council Planning Session at 2 35 PM Prepared and Submitted by A9 W t LORI SMITH, Legislative Assistant SHAN ON CORIN, City Clerk �V GREG WHEEL , City Council President