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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM081010S District No.1 Commissioner: Phil Johnson District No.2 Commissioner: David W. Sullivan District No.3 Commissioner: John Austin County Administrator: Philip Morley Clerk of the Board: Lorna Delaney MINUTES Special Meeting August 10,2010 Chairman David Sullivan called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Commissioner Phil Johnson and Commissioner John Austin were present. Discussion re: County Finances and Potential Ballot Measure: County Administrator Philip Morley explained that last night the City of Port Townsend adopted Resolution 10-029 with modifications to the originally proposed version that was presented for their consideration. Ilis recollection of the changes they made stated that during the first 4 years a portion of sales tax received would go to support and restore operations of Memorial field and the Port Townsend Recreation Center if the ballot measure passes. Chairman Sullivan stated that he felt that there was support in general from the Council for all the programs that are at risk and a real understanding of the issues. It's always di11icult when considering the impact of actions taken today. Those actions are setting the stage for future negotiations. The City came to the conclusion at the end of the discussion that the economy will playa major role. We already have the foundation 1'<Jr working together and we've got a commitment Li)r working on the issues that will be outlined in the inter/ocal agreement with some benchmarks and an understanding of how fast we want to get to certain stages and what order to do things. Philip Morley stated that it is important to note that of the 4 City Council members present last night there was a unanimous vote in support of placing the question in front of the voters and also in authorizing the City Manager to negotiate with the County to develop an interlocal agreement. They agreed with the County's point that there is urgency in adopting ,m interlocal agreement sooner rather than later so that the voters would know what they're getting. He then reviewed the wording for Section 3 of the County's resolution as follows: "'{'he proposed sales and use tax will also generate approximately $425,000 per year of additional revenue to the City of Port Townsend, one-third of which fund shall be used to fund City public safety programs, and the remaining revenue would be used for other City services; and the County intends to enter into an inter-local agreement with the City whereby a portion of the City's share would be dedicated for up to four years to Memorial Field and the Port Townsend Recreation Center to support and restore their operations and maintenance, restore youth after school programs, and provide capital funds flJr repairs ,md improvement; and," The ballot title itsclfwas then reviewed and will read with the changes suggested as follows starting at "If approved. . .": Page 1 Commissioners Special Meeting Minutes: August 10,2010 ~fi'\) ~;;-'~:-i) Proposition #1 would dedicate revenue to maintain certain sheriff~ prosecutor, other public safety services, youth programs, juvenile services, senior services, community centers, public health ;md basic government services. l3y law Port Townsend would receive 40% of the revenue. The City would use it for similar purposes including an agreement to dedicate a portion to support county parks and recreation for up to four years. At least one-third (1/3) of all revenue must be allocated for public safety purposes. Should this proposition be: Approved Rejected Commissioner Austin questioned what would happen if the amount of time was left of I recognizing that it is variable? It would just end with ". . .an agreement to dedicate a portion to support County parks and recreation." The implication of that wording could be read to imply, Philip Morley noted, that it is a permanent dedication. Chairman Sullivan noted that it could be read that it's an uncertain designation. It could be read either way depending on how a person projects their concerns. Even with 4 years it could be longer or shorter depending on the negotiations with the City. This wording gives the voters a ballpark for the length of time. The discussion continued regarding the City's support and what might go into the interlocal agreement. The meeting was recessed to allow time for the City to provide a copy of the final Resolution wording. The meeting was reconvened at 1 :30 p.m. with all three Commissioners present. County Administrator Philip Morley reported that a copy ofthe City's fInal resolution though it has not yet been reviewed or executed by the Mayor, was transmitted to us from the City Clerk based on her understanding and review of minutes from last night's meeting of the changes that the City was looking at in their resolution. He reviewed the wording changes from the City's resolution. The changes made to the County's draft resolution included section numbering (new added section 1 which repeals Resolution 31-10 that was passed at the August 9, 20 I 0 meeting) and a new numbered section 4 which now reads: "The proposed sales and use tax will also generate approximately $425,000 per year of additional revenue to the City of Port Townsend, one-third of which funds shall be used to fund City public safety programs, and the remaining revenue would be used for other City services; and the County intends to enter into an inter-local agreement with the City whereby a portion ofthe City's share would be dedicated for up to four years to Memorial Field and the Port Townsend Recreation Center to support and restore their operations and maintenance, restore youth after school programs, and provide capital funds for repairs and improvements; and," Deputy Prosecuting Attorney David Alvarez pointed out that the City dropped the specific reference to Memorial Field and the Port Townsend Recreation Center which now reads "support County parks and recreation, . . ." He asked ifthe County wants to change their resolution to say the same? Philip Morley Page 2 Commissioners Special Meeting Minutes: August 10,2010 (~~:)) answered that the County's resolution wording indicates the County's initial intent. Commissioner Austin stated that he agreed with Philip Morley that the City's wording is open and the County's wording is saying what the County intends. He then reviewed the ballot title which is the same as reviewed this morning. This resolution if adopted would repeal the resolution that was adopted yesterday (replaces Resolution No. 31-10) and replace it with this resolution. Commissioner Johnson stated that he feels that work needs to start immediately on the interlocal agreement so that the public has an understanding of what words like "a portion" mean. Philip Morley stated that he feels finalizing the interlocal agreement will spell out what the public's dollars will be buying and will help the public understand the ballot issue. A portion was in the County's original ballot language. Commissioner Austin moved to approve and adopt RESOLUTION NO. 32-10 as finalized during this meeting. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion. Commissioner Austin noted f()r the record that the 3 County Commissioners listened attentively to the City Council deliberations last night but they took no action and they did not speak with each other about what was going on. Very clearly last night was not a meeting of the County Commissioners. The Commissioners each attended the City Council meeting on their own. The Chair called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. The discussion continued regarding the interlocal agreement and Philip Morley asked how the Board would like him to proceed. The Board concurred that the County Administrator be the lead for the negotiations and keep the Board apprised ofthe progress since time is of the essence. NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Austin moved and Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 1 :51 p.m. until the next regular Monday meeting at 9:00 a.m. or spe~iaLmeeting as properly noticed pursuant to RCW 42.30.080. J F . L' \ ~ > ". . . l ; , .. ( ~J SEAL:;~~"" \t J. "'. \ it~'i ". \ 1 · : ;~, > \;y.. ~ ~ ( / 'i",i:. .'..) (;;. ~ J.., ,I ' A TTEST~,~'< \c..,." "," 'f ,,'..... , r~ \ ,l -" .... \.,I Y" ' ;~ JEfFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ".,...--'",,\ ,,'"'f ,II' : j /' , /1 ,.',/..."", "",// ,<,,'":>1 Daid t~11i~;11;Ct'if~li>t,.t" ,", L~-.-"', ~CL Phil JOhnso~r JOh~, Member T.orna Delaney, CMC Clerk 01" the Board Page 3