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HomeMy WebLinkAbout072015CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF JULY 20, 2015 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on July 20, 2015. Mayor David King called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Robert Gray, David King, Kris Nelson, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson with Pamela Adams excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve Gross, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Finance Director Nora Mitchell, City Engineer David Peterson, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Items C., D., and E. were moved from the Consent Agenda into New Business. An Executive Session was added related to potential litigation. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Waste Water Treatment Facility and Biosolids Awards Presentation with the Department of Ecology Pat Bailey of the Washington State Department of Ecology recognized the City with 2014 Outstanding Performance Awards for both the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Bio -Solids Wastewater Treatment Plant. This is the 17th year she has presented this award reflecting 100% compliance. Recognized were Operations Manager John Merchant and Treatment Plant Operator Mike Bartkus. She then recognized Bio -solids and Compost Treatment Plant Operators Jim Freitas and Bliss Morris. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Todd Wexman read from his written remarks about his concerns on City projects. City Council Business Meeting July 20, 2015 Page 1 of 6 Bernie Arthur spoke about the Comprehensive Planning process and the need to relax regulations on housing and the ability to rent rooms. Jim Todd urged the City to paint the edge of the elevated portion of the roundabout. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 151366 through 151442, Voucher 505 and Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of $3,295,343.81. Approval of Minutes: June 8 and June 15, 2015 Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve the consent agenda (as amended removing Items C., D., and E. to New Business). Kris Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NONE NEW BUSINESS Resolution 15-026 Accepting Donations from the Port Townsend Public Library Foundation and Naming Areas of the Library in Recognition of the Donations City Attorney Steve Gross gave the staff presentation. He responded to questions about the need for clearer documentation on naming rights and donations. President of the Library Foundation Susan Hargleroad spoke about items purchased with the Wallis Grant. There was no public comment. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 15-026 Accepting Donations from the Port Townsend Public Library Foundation and Naming Areas of the Library in Recognition of the Donations (as amended to reflect the $33, 000 grant versus $50,000 in the fourth whereas clause). Kris Nelson seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Approval of Interlocal Agreement for Prosecution Services Mr. Gross reviewed Staffs recommendation for creating a formal agreement with the City of Poulsbo for mutual prosecution services. City Council Business Meeting July 20, 2015 Page 2 of 6 There was no public comment. Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve the Interlocal Agreement for Prosecution Services. Kris Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Resolution 15-025 Authorizing the City Manager to Award and Execute a Contract with Seton Construction for the Port Townsend Water Treatment Facility Site Work and Offsite Utilities Installation City Manager David Timmons reviewed that a revised resolution was presented to Council. The amendments provide more flexibility to authorize awarding and executing a contract with a contractor to meet grant and construction windows while still evaluating the bids. There was no public comment. Mr. Timmons reported the engineers estimate was $2.4 million and the low bid is $1.4 million. Motion: Kris Nelson moved to approve Revised Resolution 15-025 Authorizing the City Manager to Award and Execute a Contract with the Lowest Responsive Responsible Bidder for the Port Townsend Water Treatment Facility Site Work and Offsite Utilities Installation. Deborah Stinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Authorization for the City Manager to Execute Wayfinding Contract Phase VI - Visitor Information Relocation Signage Mr. Timmons reported that the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee was unanimous in their support for approving the contract and for a supplemental budget appropriation of $8,000 from the late tax revenues received from the Public Development Authority. Council questions and comments related to sign placement. It was mentioned that downtown and uptown signs could be better utilized and improvements made so that the public can locate the listed businesses. Mr. Timmons agreed to look into the possibilities. Teresa Verraes and Lorna Munn of the Chamber of Commerce spoke about the desire for improved signage as the last step in their relocation effort to improve visibility and safety. They reported statistics showing a decrease in the number of visitors since the relocation. City Council Business Meeting July 20, 2015 Page 3 of 6 Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve authorizing the City Manager to Execute Wayfinding Contract Phase VI - Visitor Information Relocation Signage. Robert Gray seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3131 Declaring an Emergency Related to Water Supply and Fire Hazards City Manager David Timmons gave the staff presentation on the reduced flows in the river resulting in drought conditions. He talked about the joint operating agreement of the Water Works between the City and Port Townsend Paper Corporation (PTPC). The State Health Department considers PTPC a joint operator. He noted the City has considered banking up to the allow 5 million reservation, but would have to utilize the reservation and store the water within City limits. An executive session would be held to discuss potential liability. There is increased potential liability with fire danger due to the severe dry conditions in the City and County. He noted that on the Draft Response Plan. Periodic updates amendments and adjustments would be made to the plan. He also noted comments were distributed from the State Department of Health and Ecology. Comment would also be made from the Department of Commerce. He then reviewed maintenance of flow levels to serve the City and the standards established accomplish this. Contingency funds would be used for any abatement or emergency measures (abatement and to reduce fire risk and exposure). Current information would be placed on the City website. Fire wise promotion efforts are also planned. A weekly briefing to Council is also planned. The City is currently drawing on Lords Lake but is still taking a small amount from Big and Little Quilcene rivers. Greatly impacting minimum levels in Lords Lake is the mill and the City. Public Comment: Kevin Street of Port Townsend Paper Corporation and Bruce Lund with the Department of Commerce (Local Government Section) expressed concern about the potential closure of PTPC. David Goldman spoke about drought concerns and urged aggressive measures to protect the City's interest. Francesco Tortillici requested more aggressive conservation measures now with residents, golf course. There does not appear a trigger for stage 4. Believes there are three stages. Jim Todd agrees with other comments about being more aggressive. City Council Business Meeting July 20, 2015 Page 4 of 6 Ted Shoulberg spoke about his concern on using a floating target depending on other factors and instead urged a fixed target. Mr. Timmons noted a discrepancy between meter readings of PTPC and the City and said there would be a calibration of the water meter. At 7:38, Council recessed to Executive Session for 15 minutes pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(iii) (iii) Litigation or legal risks of a proposed action or current practice that the agency has identified when public discussion of the litigation or legal risks is likely to result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency. At 7:59 p.m., the Council came back into open session. Joan Cole spoke in support of early action conservation as an opportunity to bring the community together. There was consideration of amendments to the plan and questions about water storage within City limits. One of the principle concerns was about fire danger. Mr. Gross reviewed provisions in PTMC Chapter 1.20 related to nuisances for overgrown vegetation and fire hazards. He also noted that Section 3(b) makes reference to abatement of fire hazards. There was agreement about the need for a coordinated plan with East Jefferson Fire and Rescue. Mr. Timmons noted the City has some clearing of vegetation to do in rights of way and that Extreme Fire Danger Signs are ready to be placed following Council action. Prior to considering amendments to this ordinance and plan, there was a desire to have the Mill agree to a plan. A suggestion was to combine stages 1 and 2 (removing stage 2) into a more aggressive conservation approach. Another suggestion was to alert everyone to voluntary measures now, so that when mandatory measures are necessary, citizens have received notice. There was Council support for Staff working on more aggressive conservation measures in the form of a revised drought contingency response plan, communicating the plan to the public, and working on a fire prevention plan to bring back to Council as soon as possible. Additional suggestions were that Staff investigate water leaks at Fort Worden and work with Ecology on reclamation of water and grey water resource recovery. Mayor King announced that levels of precipitation are consistent with prior years. What has changed is the lack of snow pack in the mountains, assisting with water storage. It was noted that Fort Worden may also have substantial water leaks to investigate. City efforts on water retention of 5 million gallons within City limits and urging Ecology to work on reclamation of water and grey water resource recovery. Motion: Kris Nelson moved to approve waiving Council Rules and approve Ordinance 3131 Declaring an Emergency Related to Water Supply and Fire City Council Business Meeting July 20, 2015 Page 5 of 6 Hazards (with amendments to combine items 1 and 2). Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor reported on the following: - Met with Colleen Byer of Senator Murray's office - Attendance at the Drought forum - Upcoming meeting with Port and Peninsula Trails Coalition on trail amendments for a new spur trail off Larry Scott Trail CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons reported on the following: - Focus on capital projects and Howard Street Corridor. Council action may be needed on condemnation proceedings - Sheridan Street sidewalk bid results reflect Lakeside as the responsible bidder - Landes Street sidewalk progress - Scott Studeman is new Public Works Inspector - Police officer candidate testing this week - Finishing work on the Mountain View roof - a Space planning consultant would be hired to assess Mountain View - Revenue and expenses are coming in as budgeted - The audit is complete with no letters or findings SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION There were none. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting July 20, 2015 Page 6 of 6