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HomeMy WebLinkAbout101915CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF OCTOBER 19, 2015 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on October 19, 2015. Mayor David King called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, Robert Gray, David King, Kris Nelson, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson. Staff members present were City Attorney Steve Gross, Community Services Director Lance Bailey, Public Works Director Ken Clow, and Deputy City Clerk Joshua Stecker. . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Item VIII. A. on the agenda was moved to Unfinished Business after item VII. A. Public comment There was none. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 152236 through 152446 and Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of $939,964.68. Approval of Minutes: October 5, 2015 Resolution 15-034 Authorizing the City Manager Services Agreement with HDR Engineering Inc Assessment and Structural Analysis of Existing Snow Creek to Execute a Professional to Perform a Condition Aerial Pipe Line Crossing City Council Business Meeting October 19, 2015 Page 1 of 5 Referring the review of Personnel Policies Manual update to the General Services and Special Projects Committee for discussion and possible action. Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve the consent agenda with a revision to the action of Item D - City staff is directed to bring recommended revisions to full Council. Robert Gray seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING Ordinance 3133 Relating to the Acquisition by Eminent Domain of a Certain Portion of Property in the City of Port Townsend Necessary for Construction and Maintenance of the Howard Street Extension Project; Describing the Public Convenience, Use and Necessity of Such Property; Providing for the Condemnation, Appropriation and Use of the Property; Providing the Mode of Payment of Cost of Acquisition of the Property; and Directing the City Attorney to Prosecute Such Action in Jefferson County Superior Court Mayor King reviewed the rules of procedure for the public hearing. No Councilmembers declared any financial or property interests in the matter. City Attorney Steve Gross introduced the ordinance and outlined the process for a potential lawsuit, noting that the procedure was unlikely to be put into effect. He reported that several of the subject properties already had right of way agreements in place. Public Works Director Ken Clow clarified that all agreements must be in place by the end of the year. Mayor King called for public testimony. Margaret Lee commented on the omission of parcel identification an earlier draft of the Ordinance. There being no further public comment, the public hearing was closed. Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to Waive Council Rules and adopt Ordinance 3133 Relating to the Acquisition by Eminent Domain of a Certain Portion of Property in the City of Port Townsend Necessary for Construction and Maintenance of the Howard Street Extension Project, Describing the Public Convenience, Use and Necessity of Such Property, Providing for the Condemnation, Appropriation and Use of the Property, Providing the Mode of Payment of Cost of Acquisition of the Property; and Directing the City Attorney to Prosecute Such Action in Jefferson County Superior Court. Kris Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting October 19, 2015 Page 2 of 5 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Water Status Update Ken Clow updated Council on the current water supply status, noting that Lord's Lake continues to drop with no rain last week and with the mill resuming full operations. Ordinance 3135 Relating to Comprehensive Planning; Clarifying a 2014 Comprehensive Plan Map and Text Amendment and Amending Ordinance 3119 Steve Gross noted that the proposed changes provide clarification to Docket Item #1 on the 2014 Comprehensive Plan update and are consistent with Council's decision on the matter. Robert Gray and Catharine Robinson recused themselves from the vote due to their association with the Jefferson Transit Authority. There was no public comment. Motion: Kris Nelson moved to waive Council rules and approve Ordinance 3135 Relating to Comprehensive Planning; Clarifying a 2014 Comprehensive Plan Map and Text Amendment and Amending Ordinance 3119 Deborah Stinson seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Resolution 15-035 Requesting the City Manager to Prepare Legislation Related to Short -Term Rentals (Clerk note: Topic formerly referred to as Transient Accommodations and Vacation Rentals) Community Services Director Lance Bailey gave a brief overview of the history of Council's deliberations on the issue of short-term rentals, including recent discussions at the Council Community Development and Land Use Committee which recommended bringing the matter before Council. He noted that the proposed Resolution asks Council to task staff with compiling existing short-term rental code into a new chapter and provide Council with a starting point for consideration on new code provisions. He provided examples of potentially effective legislation from Durango, Colorado, and Canon Beach, Oregon. He recommended that any new policy on the matter be implanted on a three year trial basis. Mr. Bailey identified several issues to be addressed, including code enforcement, assessment of taxes and fees to offset administration costs, parking requirements, capacity limits, residency requirements, and land use permits and business license requirements. City Council Business Meeting October 19, 2015 Page 3 of 5 Public Comment: Tess Taft commented on confusion regarding guest house regulations. Birgitta Onnemyr commented on not being able to have a long-term rental on the same property as a short-term rental. Carl Youngmann commented on the idea of first-come, first -serve issuance of permits and non -monetary exchanges. Michelle Sandoval clarified that CDLU doesn't necessarily endorse the proposed Resolution and clarified that these measures will not help address the affordable housing issue. She also clarified the existing rules on short-term rentals and the 1989 "grandfathered" properties. Kris Nelson and Deborah Stinson identified the need to balance providing places for people to come and stay with the need for affordable housing. Catharine Robinson stressed that need for code enforcement priority on the issue. Steve Gross noted that Council directs code enforcement priorities to staff. Council reached concurrence on the need for proposed revisions to reorganize the code. David King would like to see draft legislation for consideration, not necessarily for approval. Deborah Stinson expressed concern about prioritizing staff time in setting a deadline. It was agreed that draft legislation would be brought before CDLU when ready and then to Council for consideration before referral to the Planning Commission. Motion: Kris Nelson moved to approve Resolution 15-035 Requesting the City Manager to Prepare Legislation Related to Short -Term Rentals. Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Item VIII. A. under New Business was moved to after item VII. A. under Unfinished Business. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT David King reported that the Joint Growth Management Steering Committee approved population projections as expected. City Council Business Meeting October 19, 2015 Page 4 of 5 COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Pamela Adams reported that Fort Worden had met its requirement for Discovery Pass sales. Deborah Stinson reported on a MRSC seminar on the Future of Local Government at the University of Washington and an informative AWC Citywise article on the importance of addressing climate change. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting October 19, 2015 Page 5 of 5