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HomeMy WebLinkAbout120516 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF DECEMBER 5, 2016 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 5th day of December 2016 in the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor Deborah Stinson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, David Faber, Robert Gray, Deborah Stinson, and Amy Howard with Catharine Robinson, and Michelle Sandoval excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve Gross, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Finance & Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, Finance Manager Sheila Danielson, Senior Planner/Planning Manager Judy Surber, Police Chief Michael Evans, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There was consensus to move New Business Items A and B ahead of the public hearings. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Karma Tenzing Wangchuck spoke about his concerns about homelessness and read a poem. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 155536 through 155570, Voucher 533 and Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of$765,039.43. Approval of Minutes: November 14 and November 21, 2016 Civil Service Commission Reappointments of Gail Ryan (Position 1, Term Expires December 31, 2019) and Jewel Atwell (Position 2, Term Expires December 31, 2019) City Council Business Meeting December 5, 2016 Page 1 of 6 Motion: David Faber moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Amy Howard seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Reappointment of Bill James (Position 1, term expires October 24, 2019), Jeff Jackson (Position 2, term expires October 24, 2019), Norm Tonina (Position 3, term expires October 24, 2019) and Bill Brown (Position 4, term expires October 24, 2019) to the Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Center Public Development Authority (PDA) Board Mayor Stinson gave an overview of the nomination process and responded to Council questions. Motion: Amy Howard moved to approve the reappointment of Norm Tonina, Jeff Jackson, Bill Brown and Bill James to the Fort Worden Lifelong Center Public Development Authority Board. Robert Gray seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Resolution 16-051 Sponsoring the Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Center Public Development Authority Request to Join the Association of Washington Cities Employee Benefit Trust City Manager David Timmons gave the staff report on the request for the City to sponsor the PDA's membership in the AWC Employee Benefit Trust so they have access to benefits for their employees. PDA Executive Director Dave Robison spoke in support of this sponsorship for the cost savings and their ability to recruit and retain qualified employees. He noted that this benefit would support 50 full-time employees. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 16-051 Sponsoring the Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Center Public Development Authority Request to Join the Association of Washington Cities Employee Benefit Trust. Amy Howard seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING Ordinance 3162 Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2017 Mayor Stinson read the rules of procedure for the public hearing. Mr. Timmons noted that because Council adopts on a fund level basis as shown on Exhibit A, Council approves only maximum expenditures for each separate fund. Finance Director Nora Mitchell then reviewed those items updated since the November 21 public hearing as detailed in the agenda bill. Numerically, the only item changed was a $3,500 increase in the appropriations to the Affordable Housing City Council Business Meeting December 5, 2016 Page 2 of 6 Fund. She noted this does not fund System Development Charges or other permit fees. Staff would need to work on how those fee waivers would be administered. In response to Council questions, Staff provided further explanation on the following: payments to the Public Development Authority, transfers toward debt payments, restructuring of the debt and bond approval, and Council authorization of$50,000 for the Visitor Center design phase. Staff then explained the list of unmet needs and deferred items. Mr. Timmons noted that recent grant awards would address some of the ADA and other sidewalk repairs. Other long-term funding needs still to be addressed by Council relate to streets, parks, and the library. During Council deliberations, there was some concern about borrowing for the Visitor Center project versus focusing first on the unmet needs such as improving road conditions. Mayor Stinson closed the public hearing. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Ordinance 3162 Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2017. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3163 Related to Interim Land Use Regulations in the Vicinity of 6th and 10th Streets and Howard Street and Discovery Way; Re-Enacting and Extending Ordinances 3150, 3137, 3130, 3124, 3116 and 3111 (which Amend Chapters 17.18 and 17.20 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code) for a Fifth Additional Six-Month Period or Until the City Finishes the Process of Code Review and Amendment Relating to Zoning in the Affected Area Mayor Stinson read the rules of procedure for the public hearing. There were no Councilmember disclosures financial or property in connection with this matter. There being no public comment, the public testimony portion was closed. Senior Planner Judy Surber gave the staff report as detailed in the agenda bill. She noted that an additional six months is needed to allow Belinda Graham and Hannah Burn to finish their assessment report to implement the Howard Street Corridor Economic Feasibility Study. Their report when completed would be presented to the Planning Commission. Motion: David Faber moved to approve waiving Council Rules and adopting Ordinance 3163 Related to Interim Land Use Regulations in the Vicinity of 6th and 10th Streets and Howard Street and Discovery Way, Re-Enacting and Extending Ordinances 3150, 3137, 3130, 3124, 3116 and 3111 (which Amend Chapters 17.18 and 17.20 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code) for a Fifth Additional Six-Month Period or Until the City Finishes the Process of Code Review and Amendment Relating to Zoning in the Affected Area. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Resolution 16-052 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute Agreements for Services City Council Business Meeting December 5, 2016 Page 3 of 6 Mr. Timmons detailed the scope of the contracts to be renewed for 2017 as part of the resolution. There was no public comment. Motion: Pamela Adams moved to approve Resolution 16-052 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute Agreements for Services. Amy Howard seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Resolution 16-053 Adopting the Final Draft of the 2016 Jefferson County Solid Waste Management Plan Public Works Director Ken Clow introduced Tom Bowman, Jefferson County Solid Waste Manager. Mr. Clow then reviewed the summary provided in the agenda bill on the plan update. The plan addresses the solid waste system and high priority recommendations for waste reduction, recycling, and organic food waste disposal. Before the plan is submitted to the Department of Ecology, the Board of County Commissioners would provide their approval. Questions from Council related to what mediums would be used for public education and about recycling of plastics and cardboard. Motion: Pamela Adams moved to approve Resolution 16-053 Adopting the Final Draft of the 2016 Jefferson County Solid Waste Management Plan. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3164 Releasing a Utility Easement (at 57th and Landes Streets) and Amending Ordinance 1783, Vacating Portions of Garfield, Scott, Gaines, Landes and 2nd Streets Mr. Clow gave the staff report on the street vacation Ordinance 1783 that reserved an unspecified easement and the request by an abutting citizen to reduce the width of the utility easement consistent with PTMC 12.30. Rather than narrow the easement, staff recommends releasing the easement. There was no public comment. Motion: Pamela Adams moved to approve waiving Council Rules and adopting Ordinance 3164 Utility Easement (at 57th and Landes Streets) and Amending Ordinance 1783, Vacating Portions of Garfield, Scott, Gaines, Landes and 2nd Streets. David Faber seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Resolution 16-054 Reaffirming the City Council's Commitment to Human and Civil Rights Mr. Timmons noted that given the recent election outcome, there was a desire for the City to take action to establish a policy discouraging fear and harassment in the City to protect immigrants. City Attorney Steve Gross explained existing policies outlined in the proposed resolution to reaffirm the City's commitment. There was also consensus City Council Business Meeting December 5, 2016 Page 4 of 6 by Council to add to the resolution clauses about self reporting on the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index and about employees receiving mandatory anti- discrimination training. Public comment: Kate Franco spoke about the concern over the fear citizens were experiencing and urged that there be publicity about the resolution. Libby Palmer urged the City to educate citizens on this matter to soothe fears that exist and reassure citizens wherever possible. Mr. Timmons said that with Council support, Staff could prepare a press release, giving citizens guidance of where to go and placing the same in the City newsletter and on the City website. Additional comments by Council were supportive of the resolution and soothing fears and reassuring citizens through a press release and newsletter article as mentioned. Motion:Amy Howard moved to approve Resolution 16-054 Reaffirming the City Council's Commitment to Human and Civil Rights (as amended). Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Resolution 16-055 Related to Personnel, Adopting Classification Schedules for Represented and Non-Represented Employees Ms. Mitchell reviewed that the resolution adopts a 1.8% increase for represented and non-represented employees. The budget also included some wage increases. Questions from Council related to raising the minimum wage and adding the position of executive assistant to the police chief versus a deputy police chief position. There was no public comment. Motion: Pamela Adams moved to approve Resolution 16-055 Related to Personnel, Adopting Classification Schedules for Represented and Non-Represented Employees. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolution 16-050 Adopting a State Legislative Agenda Mr. Timmons briefed Council on Sequim and Port Angeles legislative agendas. There was agreement from other jurisdictions to forward recommendations to Port Angeles to prepare an overall framework to present to the state legislature. Council questions related to MRSC funding. There was no public comment. Motion: Pamela Adams moved to approve Resolution 16-050 Adopting a State Legislative Agenda. Amy Howard seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting December 5, 2016 Page 5 of 6 PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Stinson reported on the following: -Attendance at Main Street's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony - Attendance at Whidbey Island Naval Air station and request for Council to consider signing a comment letter along with neighboring counties CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons reported on the following: - Reported on a year in review - Howard Street update - Transportation Improvement Board grant awards: sidewalk construction of Taylor down Jefferson to Washington and Quincy and a Complete Streets award nomination (ADA plan and other identified priority projects) SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Mayor Stinson reviewed the upcoming meeting schedule. Pam Adams reported on the meeting of the County Accessible Communities Advisory Committee. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting December 5, 2016 Page 6 of 6