Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout071717CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF JULY 17, 2017 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 17th day of July 2017 in 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, Amy Howard, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve Gross, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, City Engineer David Peterson, Civil Engineer Laura Parsons, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There was no objection to the Mayor's recommendation to move to the first item under Old Business Item C. Resolution 17-035 Approving a Request from Habitat for Humanity to Defer Building and Utility Connection Charges. There was consensus to hear the staff report on Ordinance 3177 Related to the Code of Ethics but to postpone any action to a future meeting. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Karma Tenzing Wangchuck read two poems related to housing,. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 157062 through 157437 and Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of $3,107,338.80. Approval of Minutes: June 12, June 19, June 29 and July 10, 2017 Resolution 17-032 Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Public Works Contract with Shold Excavating, Inc. for the Replacement and Installation of Sewer Mainlines and Maintenance Holes in the City's Wastewater Collection System City Council Business Meeting July 17, 2017 Page 1 of 5 Resolution 17-033 Authorizing the City Manager to Sign Professional Services Agreements with Valbridge Property Advisors and Integra Realty Resources to Provide On -Call Appraisal and Appraisal Review Services Motion. Catharine Robinson moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolution 17-035 Approving a Request from Habitat for Humanity to Defer Building and Utility Connection Charges City Manager David Timmons briefed Council on the request by Habitat to approve a deferral above the limit of four units allowed. Exceeding the maximum is subject to approval by Council and has a budget impact of $2,496.92 for which a supplemental budget adjustment is needed. Staff noted that the general fund allocates $10,000 annually for permit waivers. Public Comment: Jamie Maciejewski of Habitat for Humanity spoke in support of lifting the cap in order to request up to three additional deferrals for this calendar year. Jean Camfield, Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors member, spoke in favor of the deferral. There was interest in having a future discussion of raising the cap overall and addressing deferral requests by Habitat for Humanity as they are received. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 17-035 Approving a Request from Habitat for Humanity to Defer Building and Utility Connection Charges. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 17-034 Approving the Final Design Concept for the Water Street Overlay Project from Taylor Street to the Ferry Terminal and Authorizing the City Manager to Bid, Execute and Sign all Contracts for the Project City Manager David Timmons briefed Council on the background of the project including the grant, project scope, public process, and timeline. Recognizing some the proposed changes and comments received from the public, he noted that if Council chose a different plan, budget, and scope, it would result in foregoing this funding source. He also pointed out that property owner agreements such as that with U.S. Bank influenced the project design. City Engineer David Peterson gave the staff report reviewing the project timeline and design concepts (crosswalks, bulbouts, bus stops, water main replacement, stormwater improvements, streetlights, rain gardens, street trees, seat wall, and City Council Business Meeting July 17, 2017 Page 2 of 5 sidewalks). The Water Street design themes carry over to this project. In a detailed review of the cost estimate, he indicated where further revisions would be made, including a more accurate estimate of contributions from Jefferson County PUD and cable providers for under grounding of power. He displayed current bike striping concepts and explained City concerns about alternate striping proposals as well as citizen suggestions for angled versus parallel parking or a combination of the two resulting in narrower sidewalks. He urged Council to reaffirm the project and move forward with the existing design as shown in Exhibit A to the resolution. Ms. Sandoval disclosed she owns property on Water Street at Windemere Real Estate. Mr. Faber disclosed that he has two lease interests at Polk and Water Street. Councilmembers had no objections to their participation in the discussion. Significant discussion ensued with staff fielding questions and concerns from Council related to the following: removal of the center median; Transit's awareness of plans; grant funds to be lost/repaid with project delays; raised crosswalks; water main replacement and impact to rates; turn lanes and entrances at the ferry terminal, U.S. Bank, and Ichikawa restaurant; pedestrian safety; street lighting and tree well lighting; possibility for new regulations limiting store deliveries to side streets or morning only; traffic calming recommendations; speed limits and signage. Public Comment: David Thielk commented about the lack of adequate public process. Roger Anderson spoke in favor of vehicle free zones and more pedestrian friendly zones. Kyanne Anderson spoke in favor of widening sidewalk and more pedestrian areas. Rebecca Kimball spoke about changing existing plans to improve bicycle safety and more public involvement. Brenda McMillan spoke about planned trees and requested the Parks Recreation and Tree Advisory Board be asked to make recommendations. Scott Walker spoke about the Comprehensive Plan and Climate Action Plan references and alternatives that are more bike friendly. Debbie Jahnke urged soliciting the Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board for input on using diverse tree species. Margaret Lee expressed concern about public process. During deliberation, Council expressed concerns about the cost of utilities and potential water rate increases and delay in final design approval. There was some interest in seeking a recommendation from the Parks Recreation and Tree Advisory Board on street tree recommendations and a question whether the City could regulate street deliveries or move deliveries to side streets. Traffic calming and raised crosswalks at several locations were of interest. There were several City Council Business Meeting July 17, 2017 Page 3 of 5 comments with concerns about any proposed change toward angle parking. There was discussion of the different road projects at Upper Sims and F Street that involved significantly more public process. Staff explained the minor striping changes could be done without significant delays, however even minor changes could impact project costs. There were comments in support of the existing design with no use of angled parking in support of wider sidewalks. Some traffic calming was recommended on the entrance to town, and a desire to seek broader input on minor design or striping changes. Some argued that the public process to date was adequate for the project scope. Recognizing the project timeline, there was concern about the absence of a parking plan and questions about striping and whether raised crosswalks could be incorporated. Mr. Timmons reviewed the timeline and noted that building consensus at this point in the project and visioning the use of the limited space is problematic. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 17-034 Approving the Final Design Concept for the Water Street Overlay Project from Taylor Street to the Ferry Terminal and Authorizing the City Manager to Bid, Execute and Sign all Contracts for the Project (as later amended). Catharine Robinson seconded. Motion: Robert Gray moved to approve amending the main motion to postpone action on Resolution 17-034 to review the rate study and receive further public comment. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion failed, 2-5 by voice vote, with David Faber, Amy Howard, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson opposed. Motion to amend the resolution to defer enhancements (outlined in red on the project estimate attachment) for further discussion and decision. Moved by Robert Gray. The motion failed for lack of a second. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve amending the resolution to add a paragraph 3 to read "the City Manager is directed to hold a public meeting in sufficient time to provide input on non -hard scape elements (signage, striping, bike lanes) as soon as practicable. " David Faber seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Vote. motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed. Ordinance 3177 Related to the Code of Ethics; Adopting State Ethics Requirements and Amending Chapter 2.80 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code City Manager David Timmons briefed Council on the background of the development of the City's current code of ethics which goes beyond the state requirements. City Attorney Steve Gross reviewed a side-by-side comparison on the applicability of regulations and distributed a handout omitted from the packet summarizing enforcement options from other jurisdictions. Staffs recommendation is to not have a specific process in the code. City Council Business Meeting July 17, 2017 Page 4 of 5 Public Comment: Mark Cole commented on the desire for more and continued public comment before approving any changes. Tammy Markham spoke in favor of retaining the code and about the confusion over the ethics code. Motion: Amy Howard moved to approve postponing action on this matter. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Ms. Stinson reported on her attendance at the following: - AWC conference where the Fort Worden PDA received an award for innovation in arts and culture - change of command on Indian Island - meeting at Olympic Community College with Ms. Sandoval on higher education - Puget Sound Regional Council regarding a study on economic development in Jefferson and Clallam counties CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager reported on the following: - two citizen surveys on line related to City communications and the Howard Street Subarea Plan - need for a clarification of roles and responsibilities pertaining to Howard Street subarea plan - meetings with the Fire District on inspections, services, and annexation - City's six-month financials are favorable and completion of the state's audit SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION In response to a request, Mr. Timmons gave a quick briefing on the status of the state budget and local impacts for the PDA, the Fort, and school district. Ms. Sandoval announced the recent passing of former City Employee and YMCA Director Bill Kush. There was some Council concern about the informal car dealership on Upper Sims at the first roundabout. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:21 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting July 17, 2017 Page 5 of 5