HomeMy WebLinkAbout050508CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF MAY 5, 2008
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the fifth day of
May 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend City Council Chambers of City Hall,
Mayor Michelle Sandoval presiding.
ROLL CALL
Council members present at roll call were Brent Butler, David King, Laurie Medlicott,
George Randels, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval and Mark Welch.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John
Watts, Planning Director Rick Sepler, Library Director Theresa Percy, Public Works
Director Ken Clow, DSD Director Leonard Yarberry, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy.
PROCLAMATION
Mayor Sandoval read a proclamation in observation of Police Week and Peace
Officers' Memorial Day. Sergeant Ed Green accepted on behalf of the Police
Department.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were no changes proposed to the agenda.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (consent and non-agenda items)
Joshua Bennun regarding code enforcement
David Goldman regarding concept of "designated persons"
Ted Shoulberg regarding spending priorities
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion: Mr. Welch moved for approval of the following items on the Consent
Agenda. Mr. Randels seconded with corrections to the minutes as follows. Motion
carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote.
April 19, 2008: page one, 5~" paragraph, third line, change "racking" to "tracking';
page two, first line, remove "at"after "more"
City Council Business Meeting Page 7 May 5, 2008
April 21, 2008: Page 2, second paragraph, first line, replace "this" with "the
homelessness" before "issue" page 4, second line, change "to" took" prior to "action';
page 6, first paragraph, clarify whether zoning referred to in Mr. l~dener's comment
should be "our two" rather than "R-ll"
Approval of Bills. Claims and Warrants
Vouchers 104646 through 104756 in the amount of $313,489.40
Vouchers 104763 (& EFTS) through 104771 in the amount of $134,536.99
8. Approval of Minutes (as corrected) April 19, 2008; April 21, 2008
C. Resolution 08-014, authorizing the City Manager to sign all necessary
documents and contracts for the construction of the Discovery Road sidewalk,
Hastings Ave to Sheridan Street and San Juan Ave sidewalk, Lopez Ave to
47th Street Project.
D. Resolution 08-015, authorizing the City Manager to sign all necessary
documents and contracts for the construction of the Historic Downtown
Streetscape Project.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
TOWN MEETING RESULTS
Planning Director Rick Sepler reviewed the final summary of results of the second
Town Meeting. He stated that the majority of meeting participants favored exploring
the development of additional funding sources to support continued services rather
than a reduction in the City's adopted levels of service.
Mr. Timmons stated that various funding options can be presented at the next
workshop meeting. If a ballot measure is proposed, staff suggests that August
rather than November would be the preferred timing. He also noted that a legal
opinion has been received that a levy cannot supplant currently supported services;
however, additional funding for an existing service can be earmarked.
Public comment:
Fran Post, representing 2008 Library Campaign Committee, stated the Committee is
ready to begin work on a ballot measure that will help provide restoration of Library
hours and increased services; she asked the Council for support.
Bill Maxwell, Chair of the Library Advisory Board, asked the Council to move in the
direction of a voter approved levy; he added the Board, the Friends of the Library,
and other Library supporters are ready to go to work to advocate passage of a voter
approved levy which would result in sustainable funding for the Library.
City Council Basiness Meeting Page 2 May 5, 2008
Andrew Reding spoke in support of the dedicated levy lid lift; he also noted that the
demographic of the attendees at the Town Meeting is not necessarily the
demographic of the town.
Mr. Butler stated that he is uncomfortable making a budgetary decision without
regard to the affordable housing issue.
Mr. King stated he would like the staff to bring forward a proposal that includes a
sustainable source of funds for the Library; he expressed a preference for the
August ballot rather than November.
Mr. Randels asked for confirmation that a general levy lid lift with a specific
allocation does not have to be limited to a single allocation. Mr. Timmons
confirmed.
Ms. Robinson stated that her desire is to propose the simplest, clearest, and most
direct question to the voters that will result in funding for the Library.
Ms. Sandoval noted that the Council must still put infrastructure at the forefront; her
preference is to have staff prepare at least two different options for the Council's
consideration. She noted that it has been painful for the Council to continue to take
money from social services, parks and the library but that the long term neglect of
infrastructure has been a pressing need. She also noted that there is a great need
for outreach and education to the citizens.
Mr. Welch stated he would like to relieve the general fund from a competitive
situation, so for example, the Library and Parks are not competing for funding.
Mr. King stated it may be premature for a specific measure for Parks without a better
plan in place but he would not want to close the doors to a subsequent effort.
Mr. Randels asked if a ballot measure can be designed to provide a "stepped"
version of funding so that there can be both immediate and deferred relief.
Mr. Timmons replied that is a possibility.
Motion: Mr. Welch moved that staff be directed to proceed to develop an
appropriate funding strategy to address the budgetary issues identified and
discussed at the Apri! 77 Town Meeting; and that they prepare options for a ballot
measure that would include Library funding, a combination of Library and Parks
funding and/or a stepped measure over the course of the next few years. Mr.
Randels seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-t), by voice vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
City Council Business Meeting Page 3 May 5, 2008
Motion: Mrs. Medlicott moved to accept the Mayor's recommendation and confirm
the following appointments. Mr Welch seconded. The motion carried unanimously,
7-0, by voice vote.
Design Review Advisory Committee
Guy Hupy (Position 5, term expires May 1, 2011)
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
Robert Little - at large position (Position 3, term expires May 1, 2010)
Historic Preservation Committee
Michael Colbert (Position 2, term expires May 1, 2011)
Mayor Sandoval stated that the ferry reservation system is about to go into place;
educational sessions are being scheduled by the Chamber of Commerce and
others. She noted that extra sailings are also beginning.
Mayor Sandoval stated she has started a conversation with the Taylor Street
business owners regarding closing Taylor on Sundays for a few hours in the
afternoon. She said she has had heard many citizens over the years express a
desire fora "town square" where people can mingle and meet. The Taylor Street
closure might provide such a venue. She also added that it will not happen if the
downtown business owners don't want it. Initial comment from business owners
has been that the street should not simply be closed but that some other activities
should be promoted to draw people in and encourage them to stay but those
activities should not be "events" which would draw people away from the
businesses.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Timmons said that a sonar detection company is in town looking at sidewalks
and determining which may be at structural risk because of underground tunnels.
He stated there will be Japanese guests in town from our sister city during Rhody
weekend.
A grant for $37,000 for engineering and design has been received to convert the
Cotton Building (current Police station) to a visitors center.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Attest:
Pam Kolacy, MMC
City Clerk
City Council Business Meeting Page 4 May 5, 2008