HomeMy WebLinkAboutSigned Minutes 06-01-20 Council RetreatMinutes of the Arlington
City Council Zoom Retreat
Council Chambers
110 East Third Street
June 1, 2020
Councilmembers Present Remotely: Mike Hopson, Marilyn Oertle, Debora Nelson, Don
Vanney, Jan Schuette, Jesica Stickles and Michele Blythe.
Council Members Absent: None.
Staff Present Remotely: Mayor Barb Tolbert, Paul Ellis, James Trefry, Kristin Garcia, Bryan
Terry, Dave Kraski, Jim Kelly, Dave Ryan, City Attorney Steve Peiffle, and Wendy Van Der
Meersche.
Also Known to be Present Remotely: 14 YouTube viewers.
Mayor Barb Tolbert called the retreat to order at 3:00 pm, and the Pledge of Allegiance and
roll call followed.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tem Jesica Stickles moved to approve the agenda as presented. Councilmember
Debora Nelson seconded the motion, which passed with a unanimous vote.
DISCUSSION ITEM
Regional Fire Authority (RFA)
City Administrator Paul Ellis opened the discussion reviewing the slide deck distributed to
Councilmembers. City Attorney Steve Peiffle acted as facilitator.
• Today's goal - an indication from Council whether or not to proceed with RFA
annexation discussions
• Assumptions - what an RFA is and why Arlington considers this an option
• Financial Reality Check - there is no path forward in the RFA where there is no
additional cost to the taxpayer without a significant cost to the City's General Fund.
Taxpayer costs go up because labor costs go up.
• Financial Scenarios were reviewed, with costs to the average taxpayer for the RFA.
• Impacts of the Ambulance Utility Fee (AUF) were discussed, with increased costs
projected to keep up with labor costs.
• Bottom Line - taxes will increase with or without the RFA.
• Asset Puzzle Pieces - debt on fire stations, book value on vehicles, employee
liabilities, administrative support, and reserves.
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop June 1.2020
• Governance Structure - the committee is initially recommending appointing three
Arlington representatives by the Council and from the Council to the six member RFA
board, which would transition to five districted, elected positions (including two in
Arlington) and two at -large positions, which could occur in 2024 or 2026.
City Council was united in staff continuing conversations with North County Regional Fire
Authority to move forward with the RFA, agreeing that transparency in city government
and Fire and EMS sustainability are top priorities. Staff will continue to provide monthly
check -ins with more information to Council.
Mr. Ellis stated that in September when Council returns after summer break, a formal
action will have to be reached on whether or not to put this item to voters on the February
2021 ballot.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 4:33 p.m.
Barbara Tolbert, Mayor
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