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HomeMy WebLinkAbout100608CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF OCTOBER 6, 2008 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the sixth day of October 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, Laurie Medlicott and Mark Welch. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Finance Director Michael Legarsky, Senior Planner Judy Surber, Public Works Director Ken Clow, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA No changes were proposed to the agenda. PROCLAMATION Mayor Sandoval read a proclamation designating October as Disability Awareness Month. Anna McEnery and Carl Hanson were on hand to accept the proclamation. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (consent and non-agenda items) Janie Lammers, Manager of Admiralty Apartments, stated she is speaking for several downtown businesses regarding the problem of the mess on downtown buildings and sidewalks created by birds. She provided written material regarding the issue to be distributed to Council members. Sue Arthur, owner of Maricee, supported the comments of Ms. Lammers. Mr. Timmons stated the City understands this is an issue and that the city is trying to find ways to help. He will discuss the issue with Ms. Lammers personally. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Mr Welch moved for approval of the following items on the consent agenda. Mr. King seconded. Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants: City Council Business Meeting Pagel October 6, 2008 Vouchers 105944 through 106091 (plus EFTS) in the amount of $641, 720.16 Approval of Minutes: September 8, 2008 September 15, 2008 Mr. Randels noted the following corrections for the September 8 minutes: Page 3, second paragraph from bottom, first line, change "not" to "no" Page 5, second line, insert "for businesses located on" between "continue" and "side streets." These changes were accepted. Mrs. Medlicott suggested that Council members address typographical errors with the City Clerk prior to the Council meeting and make substantive changes to the minutes during the meeting. Vote: Motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2991 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND FIXING AND ADOPTING 2009 PROPERTY TAX LEVIES WITH AN INCREASE OF TWENTY SIX AND SEVEN TENTHS PERCENT (26.70%) FOR THE GENERAL LEVY AND AN INCREASE OF ONE PERCENT (1%) FOR THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES LEVY The Council agreed to postpone the public hearing until the next regular business meeting on October 20, 2008. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There were no items of unfinished business on the agenda. NEW BUSINESS ALTERNATIVE ELECTRIC MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE PRESENTATION ON THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC ELECTRIC UTILITY Senior Planner Judy Surber presented a report from the Alternative Electric Management Committee comparing two feasibility studies regarding establishment of a public electric utility. The Utilipoint study was commissioned by Puget Sound Energy and Hittle & Associates produced a study at the request of the Jefferson County Public Utility District, the City of Port Townsend, the Port of Port Townsend and Jefferson County. City Council Business Meeting Page 2 October 6, 2008 The Committee reviewed the draft studies at its September 18, 2008 meeting and Ms. Surber presented an overview of the two studies. The Committee's goal was to compare the factual content of the studies with a minimum of interpretation. The council had several clarifying questions which were addressed to Ms. Surber and to two members of the committee, Bill Wise and Crispin Hollinshead. Topics included the potential increase in the number of local employees that might result if a public utility were established. It was noted that the potential number of employees was calculated in the Hittle study by looking at other public utilities (examples: Clallam County, Mason County) and applying number of employees to number of customers. It is anticipated that the positions would include office, management and line workers. Discussion ensued about the ability of the City to become a municipal utility in the future. A vote authorizing the PUD to go forward would not prevent the City from such an undertaking although a ballot measure would be required. The example of Clallam County and Port Angeles was given and it was noted that cities have comprehensive utility programs and services which could be rounded out by an electric utility. Questions were raised about the potential rate increases which would occur if PSE retains the electric utility over the next decade. Potential increases in PSE rates were not addressed by the Utilipoint study. Mr. Wise responded to questions regarding the tier system with the information that a helpful fact sheet is posted on the BPA website. Another topic of discussion was the effect of the economy on the pending purchase of PSE and the potential of bond financing by the PUD. There was no pubic comment Ms. Surber noted that the Hittle report has not been finalized and if Councilors have additional comments regarding information they would like to see contained in the report, they can contact Jim Parker at the PUD. NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCE 2992 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNEND, WASHINGTON, RELATING TO LAND USE AND ZONING, ADOPTING INTERIM REGULATIONS CONCERNING PROVISIONS IN THE OVERLAY DISTRICT IN CHAPTER 17.26 AND THE SPECIAL HEIGHT OVERLAY DISTRICT IN CHAPTER 17.28, AND PROVIDING THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE OVERLAY DISTRICT City Council Business Meeting Page 3 October 6, 2008 ZONING APPLY IN THE EVENT OF CONFLICT WITH THE UNDERLYING ZONING EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN; AND PROVIDING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE CONTINUED MAINTENANCE OF THE INTERIM REGULATIONS, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY NECESSITATING IMMEDIATE ADOPTION OF INTERIM REGULATIONS City Attorney John Watts reviewed the packet material, noting that staff recommends waiving Council rules and adopting the ordinance at this meeting. He stated that the ordinance addresses an inconsistency in the zoning code with respect to height limits in the Special Height Overlay District. The inconsistency was brought to light by an application for development in a block within the overlay districts. Two blocks of private property and a number of publicly-owned sites are affected. Adoption of the ordinance would establish interim regulations that set height limits based on the more restrictive of the height limits, with an exception for the pending development proposal. If the ordinance is adopted, a public hearing on the matter will be held within 60 days. Discussion ensued about the Council policies for waiving the two reading rule for ordinance adoption and what items are appropriate for this action. Mr. Butler noted that he is not willing to waive rules without more policy direction than he believes is in place. There was no public comment. Motion: Mr King moved to waive Council rules for two readings and approve Ordinance 2992. Mrs. Medlicott seconded. Mr. Randels and Ms. Robinson noted the following corrections to the ordinance: Page 2 (10) 9`h line, change "thought" to "though" Page 2 (10) 10`h line remove "of' between "Regulations" and "set forth" Page 3 (11) 9`h line, remove paren after "property" Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by roll call vote, Butler opposed (per council rules, abstention is a vote in opposition). RECESS Mayor Sandoval declared a recess at 8:08 p.m. for the purpose of a break. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 8:20 p.m. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Sandoval thanked everyone who attended the town meeting on Saturday. City Council Business Meeting Page 4 October 6, 2008 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager David Timmons reviewed the following items briefly: Auditor's entrance interview is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. tomorrow. Insurance authority audit has been completed; focus this year was Public Works Department. Revenues are tracking well compared to last year. The following issues were addressed in more depth. Economic Investment -three year strate An overview of the three year strategy for implementing the City Council's economic initiatives was presented. Mr. Timmons reviewed capital projects, capital investment, and policy strategies and opportunities for the next three years which will contribute to position the community for sustained economic success. Post Office Project Mr. Timmons shared a presentation on the Post Office project and the City's role in addressing the issue. He said that at this point anon-binding letter has been signed which states that the US Postal service will fund a feasibility study on options for solutions to the issue of use of the Post Office Building. He reviewed several possible options but emphasized that the City's cost to pursue the issue has so far been negligible and the efforts have been to facilitate awareness and stimulate problem solving among the stakeholders. He noted that recent newspaper articles were inaccurate and the option of the City purchasing the building has never been a consideration. Mrs. Medlicott left the meeting at 9:30 p.m 2009 Budget Mr. Timmons distributed the Finance Director's draft budget and cover letter and gave the Council an overview of the 2009 budget process. Community Pool Mr. Timmons noted that keeping the pool open until the end of the year will require $30,000 above the contingency amount budgeted for 2008. He stated that the City has contacted other key players including the County, Hospital, School District, and Make Waves. He added that if each stakeholder would contribute $5,000, pool City Council Business Meeting Page 5 October 6, 2008 operations could continue. He added that if there is no other support offered he will not recommend that the Gity bear the burden alone. He noted the pool is a community resource, not a City resource. The facility is at the end of its life and it would not be advisable to make a major investment until there is a plan in place for the short and long term future of the pool. He stated he is hoping that plans will be worked out soon. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 6 October 6, 2008