HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-10 City Council Minutes Approved City Council Minutes—November 10, 2014
At 7:00 p.m. Mayor Laurie Gere called the continued Anacortes City Council meeting of
November 10, 2014 to order. City councilmembers Eric Johnson, Ryan Walters, Erica Pickett, Brad
Adams, Liz Lovelett and John Archibald were present. Councilmember Matt Miller was absent.
Mayor Gere advised that the November 17, 2014 City Council meeting would include an approximately 45
minute executive session for two items. Mayor invited councilmembers to consider whether they wanted
to start that meeting earlier than 7:00 p.m., possibly at 6:30 p.m.
Council Discussion of 2015 Budget
Mayor Gere referred to the letter presented by Mr. Miller at the November 3, 2014 regular meeting
presenting questions about the budget. She advised that she, Finance Director Steve Hoglund, and
Administrative Services Director Emily Schuh had prepared a response which had been handed out to
Council at the beginning of the meeting and been made available to the public. Mr. Hoglund reviewed that
response with Council in detail. As part of that response Mayor Gere reviewed the new staff positions
proposed in the preliminary budget and provided the rationale for each. The mayor explained why she
proposed in house city attorney, reported staff feedback on that proposal, and suggested including the
position in the budget but continuing the discussion on the need for and optimal configuration of the
position before filling it.
Mr. Hoglund advised that the preliminary budget would be adjusted to provide a full $1.1 M of funding in
Fund 104 for street maintenance, using additional Real Estate Excise Tax.
At approximately 7:28 p.m. Mayor Gere invited any additional public comment. No one present wishing to
speak, Mayor Gere closed the public hearing on the 2015 budget.
Ms. Lovelett supported the increase in the pavement management program and the proposed legal
department adjustments.
Ms. Pickett commented on past studies of the structural integrity of City Hall and noted the potential for
earthquake damage to the building. She said she would like to see funding in the budget for tying the
floors to the walls. Councilmembers and mayor discussed past cost estimates for structural revisions to
City Hall. Mr. Walters and Mr. Archibald supported pursuing a cost estimate during 2015 so that the topic
could be addressed in the 2016 Capital Facilities Plan and budget.
Mr. Archibald supported retaining funding for the City Attorney position in the budget and hiring during
2015. Mr. Johnson agreed. Mr. Adams supported that approach and urged moving forward to fill the
position sooner rather than later. Ms. Pickett consented to leave the funding in the budget but said she
was not convinced of the need for a full time attorney. Mr. Adams, Ms. Lovelett and Mr. Walters shared
their arguments in support of the need. Mr. Walters suggested that the City might be able to hire a full
time attorney for less than the amount budgeted.
Mr. Walters commented that the sea level rise study being deleted from Line 1781 of the preliminary
budget was something the City should be looking at even if not at the originally budgeted amount. Mayor
Gere indicated that Public Works Director Fred Buckenmeyer planned to pursue the matter in 2016. Ms.
Lovelett added that City infrastructure other than the Wastewater Treatment Plant would be affected and
suggested consulting with the Swinomish who had completed a similar analysis.
Mr. Johnson summarized the general agreement to leave the City Attorney position in the budget for
2015.
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Mr. Walters referred to the Washington State Rating Bureau presentation at the November 3, 2014
regular City Council meeting and asked if the fire department needed additional resources budgeted to
improve the City's rating. He said additional training, specifically BNSF oil train training, was the most
critical and asked if funding for that training was included in the budget. Mr. Archibald suggested that the
Public Safety Committee analyze this question further outside the 2015 budget discussion. Mr. Walters
concurred. Ms. Lovelett urged focusing on the public's safety concerns rather than the WSRB rating.
Mr. Walters asked for more information on salary line items that make up the bulk of the budget. He
reiterated his support for a cost of living adjustment (COLA)for employees and he said that COLA should
be tied to a specified index. He also asked to know how much if any COLA was included in the
preliminary budget and asked that 2015 salary schedules, at least for non-bargaining unit employees, be
included in the budget presented for Council review and approval. He urged not adopting the budget until
final salary schedules were attached. Mayor Gere indicated staff would address that request.
Mr. Johnson inquired how the in house public defender would be selected. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Walters
each suggested that a public defender might be found for less than the amount budgeted.
Councilmembers discussed at length with Mayor Gere, Ms. Schuh and Police Chief Bonnie Bowers the
historical and projected public defender case loads and how additional public defender services would be
procured if the case load limits were to make that necessary.
Ms. Lovelett asked if the $1.1 M to be budgeted for street maintenance was sufficient to complete the D
Avenue project. Mr. Walters recalled that Mr. Buckenmeyer had advised that some portions of that project
would be funded using utility funds.
Mr. Walters requested that staff bring back a summary of changes from the preliminary budget when the
budget was next presented on November 17. He asked if the City Council training budget had been
increased as had been discussed.
Mr. Walters asked about imposing fees for payments made using credit cards. Mr. Hoglund advised that
staff had researched that in the past and would look at it again during 2015 but said there are limitations
on how such fees can be applied. Mr. Walters asked that during 2015 all City fees be reviewed to be sure
they were appropriate prior to creating the 2016 budget.
Mr. Archibald confirmed with Mayor Gere that the final budget ordinance would include the full time in
house city attorney, the in house public defender, and $1.1 M for street maintenance.
Regarding the November 17, 2014 regular City Council meeting start time, Ms. Lovelett advised that the
Parks and Recreation Committee was scheduled to meet at 5:45 p.m. that evening. Mayor Gere
concluded that the City Council meeting would start at its regular time of 7:00 p.m., beginning with a 45
minute Executive Session.
There being no further business, at approximately 8:25 p.m. the continued Anacortes City Council
meeting of November 3, 2014 was adjourned.
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