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HomeMy WebLinkAbout070708CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF JULY 7, 2008 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the seventh day of July 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, Michelle Sandoval, George Randels, Catharine Robinson, and Mark Welch. Laurie Medlicott was excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Safety Analyst Ken Horvath, Public Works Director Ken Clow, DSD Director Leonard Yarberry, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA City Manager David Timmons requested that Consent Agenda Item D (Authorize City Manager to execute loan application documents for $5M "float loan" in connection with Hastings Redevelopment) be removed from tonight's agenda. He stated that staff has requested postponement of consideration until the July 21 meeting. There were no objections. PROCLAMATION Mayor Sandoval read a proclamation recognizing Aqua Chautauqua Days. Several members of the group were on hand to receive the proclamation. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (consent and non-agenda items) Barb McColgan Pastore expressed concern that Port Townsend is no longer a designated Port of Entry for customs and appointments with customs can be made only Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. She noted the negative impact of this on the local economy and marine trades; she requested that the Council contact Federal representatives about the issue. (Mr. Timmons noted that this issue will be addressed later on the agenda in conjunction with the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee recommendation.) Jim Fritz spoke regarding the oil and gas crisis and related international issues. City Council Business Meeting Page T July 7, 2008 CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Mr Welch moved for approval of the following items on the consent agenda. Ms: Robinson seconded (with corrections to the minutes noted below). Motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. Corrections: June 16 page 6, fourth line down, change "amendable" to "amenable" June 23 page 3 (8) change "our" fo "out" Page 5 change "Randals" to "Randels" Page 6 - 6t`' full paragraph, change "in the County" to "owned by the County" Approval of Bills Claims and Warrants Vouchers 105188 through 105203 in the amount of $1,173.89 Voucher 105203 in the amount of $335.25 Vouchers 105193 through 105202 in the amount of $89,124.27 Vouchers 105204 through 105205 in the amount of $1,061.13 Vouchers 105206 through 105220 in the amount of $3, 273.29 Vouchers 205221 through 105305 in the amount of $296, 804.75 Vouchers 105309 through 105318 in the amount of $186, 686.95 Vouchers 105306 through 105307 in the amount of $80.00 Voucher 105308 in the amount of $4, 500, 000.00 Approval of Minutes as corrected: June 16, 2008 June 23, 2008 Authorize City Manager to execute grant agreements and related documents with the State and agreements with Habitat for Humanity for the Nabitat CDBG Grant. Appointment of John Watts as City representative to nonprofit OPeN Media Board of Directors PUBLIC HEARING RESOLUTION 08-023 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, APPROVING THE 2009-2014 SIX-YEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT THIS TO THE STATE Mayor Sandoval read the rules of order for public hearings. No Council members stated they had any interests, either financial or property, in the outcome of the hearing. Public Works Director Ken Clow reviewed the packet materials. He noted that the City Council is required by the state to annually adopt a six year transportation City Council Business Meeting Page 2 July 7, 2008 improvement program (TIP). The process of a public hearing and adoption of a resolution is necessary ih order for city projects to be eligible for state and federal assistance. The TIP defines where our state and federal dollars will be spent and what the city's transportation priorities are, depending on securing project finances. Mr. Clow reviewed the changes made since last years' adopted TIP. He stated these were due primarily to: assigning higher priority to projects which have secured funding in the past year with grant assistance; adding Downtown Historic Streetscape Projects funded by the 2008 bond; and breaking out an additional, unfunded segment of the overall Downtown Historic Streetscape project. The City Clerk stated that no written materials have been received from anyone wishing to comment on the TIP. There was no public comment In response to Mr. King's question, Mr. Clow stated that the city can amend the TIP at any time during the year by Council action. In response to Mr. Butler, Mr. Clow noted that design details for low impact and non- motorized amenities are considered after the project is funded, during the design phase. The TIP is a much broader picture of the city's proposed transportation projects. He added that SEPA is done on individual projects, not on the overall transportation program. Ms. Sandoval noted that the Tree Committee has requested input regarding the Historic Streetscape projects. Mr. Clow stated this would also be part of the project design process. There were no clarifying statements from the public regarding any staff or Council comments. Mayor Sandoval closed public testimony at 7: 05 p.m. Motion: Mr Welch moved for adoption of Resolution 08-023. Mr Randels seconded. Motion: Mr. Randels moved to correct a typographical error in the title of the resolution (change "2008-2013" to "2009-2014'). Ms. Robinson seconded. Motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. Vote on main motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS UPDATE ON PROPOSED MORGAN HILLTOWER City Council Business Meeting Page 3 July 7, 2008 Public Safety Analyst Ken Horvath reviewed the packet material regarding a proposed 100 foot emergency communication tower on Morgan Hill. Jeff Comm 9-1- 1 began the permit application process in 2004; however permission from Canada was required to allow the fire and law frequencies at the proposed height. This permission has now been received and the permit process will be reopened. Mr. Horvath noted that the tower would help rectify the problem of significant "dead zones" due to topography where emergency communications disappear. New public hearings will be scheduled on the project. There was no public comment. PURCHASE AGREEMENT - KOSEC FUNERAL HOME/POLICE STATION Mr. Timmons reviewed the packet material. He stated that he has been negotiating a possible lease for the Kosec Funeral Home property, which would include tenant improvements estimated at $350,000. The Council requested staff to review the option of purchasing the property. Options for leasing and purchasing were discussed by the Finance and Budget Committee and resulted in a recommendation to pursue purchasing the property if a favorable contract could be negotiated. Mr. King asked if there are any additional expenses associated with purchasing rather than leasing; Mr. Timmons said there were no additional costs. Ms. Robinson stated that she has some concern over the assumption that part of the repayment funds will be available from anticipated jail and court cost savings which may not be permanent. Mr. Welch stated that the Finance and Budget Committee discussed this issue at length and concluded that purchasing rather than renting makes good sense. The only downside was that the property would be taken off the tax rolls but the advantages are thought to far outweigh any negative impacts. In response to a question from Mr. King, Mr. Timmons stated that purchasing rather than leasing expands the number of potential funding sources. Motion: Ms. Rohinson moved to authorize the City Manager to negotiate terms for the purchase of Kosec Funeral Home on terms outlined in the agenda packet, with final agreement subject to Council approval at a future meeting. Mr. King seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. PURCHASE AGREEMENT -''/z ACRE PARK OFF SIMS WAY (SOUTH SIDE) Mr. Timmons reviewed the packet material regarding whether to pursue an option to purchase approximately one half acre of vacant property from the owner of Kosec City Council Business Meeting Page 4 July 7, 2008 Funeral Home for a neighborhood park. He stated that funding would be available if the library levy passes. There was no public comment. Motion: Mr Randels moved to authorize the City Manager to negotiate terms for a purchase option of one half acre of vacant land adjacent to Kosec Funeral Home on terms outlined in the agenda packet, with final agreement of the option subject to Council approval at a future meeting. Actual property purchase would only occur with further Council approval (depending on the outcome of the levy). Mr Welch seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. PURCHASE OPTION OF VACANT PROPERTY NEXT TO JEFFERSON TRANSIT -NEIGHBORHOOD PARK Mr. Timmons reviewed the packet material, noting that this would be another potential for a City park in an underserved area. Ms. Robinson asked whether she and Mr. Randels would need to recuse themselves from discussions and actions on this matter because they both serve on the Jefferson Transit Board and Jefferson Transit would be deliberating on the advisability of selling the property to the City. City Attorney Watts stated that because this is a legislative rather than aquasi-judicial issue, there would be no basis to disqualify a Councilor who serves on the Transit Board from participating in the Council decision. There was no public comment. Motion: Mr Randels moved to authorize the City Manager to negotiate terms for a purchase option of vacant land adjacent to Jefferson Transit, with final agreement of the option subject to Council approval at a future meeting. Mr Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, ti-0, by voice vote. ORDINANCE 2980 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 2.64 CONCERNING VACATION, SICK, AND OTHER LEAVE POLICIES FOR CITY EMPLOYEES Mr. Watts reviewed the packet material, noting that staff is in the process of updating the City's personnel policies and that several housekeeping changes to the code section were identified during that process. In addition, there was no separate classification for employees working less than half time (20 hours per week). Part time employees working less than 20 hours per week would not receive leave benefits under the proposed amendments to the code. This is in line with other cities' provisions and would eliminate time-consuming tracking of pro-rated leave accumulations by the Finance Department. City Council Business Meeting Page 5 July 7, 2008 Mr. Butler expressed concerns about removing the benefit, citing creation of an economic hardship. Motion: Mr. Welch moved for first reading of Ordinance 2980. Mr Randels seconded. The motion carried, 5-7, (Butler's abstention counted as a vote in opposition per Council rules) by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Sandoval asked Council members to remember to notify the City Clerk of any Council meetings they will not attend in the next months so it can be noted on the schedule. She also asked Council Committee Chairs to notify her if they cancel committee meetings. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons called the Council's attention to a rule change notice from the Department of Health, regarding new requirements for water use efficiency; he noted that this mandate will be added to the City's work plan. Mr. Timmons stated that the County Public Infrastructure Fund has allocated $500,000 for Upper Sims Way engineering. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS Mr. Welch noted that Port Townsend has a long and colorful history as a Port of Entry and that should be noted in the proposed letter to Homeland Security regarding the customs rules. Motion: Mr. Butter moved to accept the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee recommendation to prepare a letter to Homeland Security requesting positive action on more reasonable customs rules, as the majority of our travelers travel here on the weekend. Mr. King seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m. Attest: ~ f ~Y~ /. ~ r~ Pam Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 6 July 7, 2008