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HomeMy WebLinkAbout99-049Resolution No. 99- O~ c~ RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND ENDORSING THE VISIT TO PORT TOWNSEND BY THE H.M. BARK ENDEAVOUR, AND WAIVING CERTAIN LICENSE, PERMIT APPLICATION, AND ADMINISTRATION FEES The City Council of the City of Port Townsend, Washington, does resolve as follows: WHEREAS, the H.M. Bark Endeavour, a replica of Captain James Cook's historic Eighteenth Century marine vessel, is conducting a world-wide tour, sponsored in part by the National Geographic Society; and WHEREAS, the Endeavour Foundation has selected Port Townsend as its main port of call in the State of Washington. The Endeavour will be moored in Port Townsend, and available for public tours and special events from September 6 through September 12, 1999; and WHEREAS, the Endeavour Foundation has selected Port Townsend as its main Washington port of call, due to Port Townsend's unique heritage as a historic seaport which supports the preservation of historic vessels, and which has an international reputation for wooden boat building and rehabilitation. Additionally, the Endeavour Foundation has selected Port Townsend due to its ability to attract and accommodate a large number of visitors who are interested in historic marine vessels; and WItEREAS, the H.M. Bark Endeavour will be visiting Port Townsend during the Wooden Boat Festival, and based upon experience in other West Coast communities, is expected to draw an additional 1,000 to 2,000 visitors to Port Townsend for the duration of its visit; and WHEREAS, Port Townsend's City administration has been working with representatives of the Endeavour Foundation and the Wooden Boat Foundation, in coordinating hosting and promoting the H.M. Bark Endeavour and providing all necessary support services. With the cooperation of the Wooden Boat Foundation, the City administration has formed a task force which includes various City departments, a maritime surveyor, and representatives from the following organizations and agencies: the Port of Port Townsend, Washington State Ferries, U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy, Jefferson Transit, the Jefferson County Economic Development Council, the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce, the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, and the Main Street organization. Individuals from these organizations and agencies are working to resolve all logistical problems associated with hosting the H.M. Bark Endeavour and accommodating the vessel at City Dock; and WHEREAS, in accordance with the Port Townsend Municipal Code, the Endeavour Foundation may need to acquire a temporary business license, a street vendor license, sign permits, and special event permits: Various City departments are working with The Wooden Boat Foundation, as a representative of the Endeavour Foundation, in the timely issuance of all such licenses and permits; and WItEREAS, the proposed use of City Dock for the H.M. Bark Endeavour, including tours and hosted events, is sponsored by nonprofit organizations which will support and promote Port Townsend's unique maritime heritage. The use of City Dock for the Endeavour Foundation promotes the City's policy decision that the Wooden Boat Foundation's use of City Dock facilities during the Wooden Boat Festival is an important public purpose; and WHEREAS, this event will promote Port Townsend and its unique historic and maritime character and heritage, and will support and advance the world tour of the H.M. Bark Endeavour, which is of great significance. This event will be a maritime and historic event of broad community value and interest; and WHEREAS, specific benefits to Port Townsend include, without limitation: tourism promotion; generation of sales tax revenues by the patrons and visitors to Port Townsend; promotion and public education of maritime and world history; and the enhancement and encouragement of Port Townsend's maritime history and character. The event will provide significant economic development opportunities for Port Townsend, and will continue to advance Port Townsend's emerging international profile as a destination for visitors and investors; and · WHEREAS, the City Council finds that as a consequence of the many benefits, both tangible and intangible, derived by the City of Port Townsend and the community as a whole from this event, and in order to encourage and facilitate sponsorship of this event by nonprofit organizations, it is appropriate for the City of Port Townsend to waive all license and permit fees payable by the Endeavour Foundation and/or the Wooden Boat Foundation. The City Council finds that the income generated to the Port Townsend community, as well as other benefits, clearly outweighs any potential loss of revenue associated with City permit and license fees, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council for the City of Port Townsend hereby endorses the visit to the City of Port Townsend by the H.M. Bark Endeavour and commits City resources to the successful logistical planning, promotion, and hosting of this important marine vessel. In the furtherance of this public purpose, and based upon the above recitals, the City Council directs that all license and permit fees payable for any aspect of this event shall be waived, in exchange for the substantial public benefits derived by the City of Port Townsend. on this ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend and signed by the Mayor t (e day of 0~vt~v~-t'- , 1999. Attest: Pam Kolacy, City Clerk Approve ~i~nc h~ to Form: ~ ff/Mahan, City Attorney -" 8/10/99 [99-09] CA§Res{Endeavor.res} 3 Res. 99- t9 qq