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HomeMy WebLinkAbout082117CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF AUGUST 21, 2017 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 21 st day of August 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, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Finance Manager Sheila Danielson, Police Chief Michael Evans, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Mark Cooper urged Council to pursue health insurance for councilmembers. City staff response City Manager David Timmons explained the decision points and conditions to providing insurance. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 157604 through 157731, Vouchers 551 through 552, and Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of $1,202,950.45. Approval of Minutes: August 7 and August 14, 2017 Resolution 17-039 Fixing the Time for Hearing on a Petition for a Street Vacation Motion: David Faber moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Pamela Adams seconded. City Council Business Meeting August 21, 2017 Page 1 of 5 Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Ordinance 3178 Related to Engineering Design Standards; Adopting Interim Standards for Street Lighting Public Works Director Ken Clow gave the staff report explaining the ordinance to adopt an interim street lighting policy and allow current projects to be completed while continuing to explore LED lighting options. He spoke about the energy savings and lower system maintenance benefits of LED and reviewed new technology allowing for dimmable and programmable lighting as well as defusers. With Howard Street moving toward completion, staff recommended waiving Council rules and adopting the interim policy. During this continued testing period, staff could publish information and allow additional public input. Mr. Timmons explained that a master improvement permit agreement would be negotiated with the PUD. Previously, there was a franchise ordinance with Puget Sound Energy. Once light standards are in place after project completion, the PUD assumes ownership, but the City can help establish guidelines for placement and location. Recent public comments can be incorporated into the policy and allow staff to weigh advantages and disadvantages. Mr. Clow explained the difference between a diffuser and shield and said staff would consider the cost when negotiating with the PUD as they set the rates for the fixture, maintenance and electricity. The lowest kelvin the PUD has seen used is 3,000K. Although WSDOT uses 4,000K as its standard for highway/streets, the PUD wants the system to work for citizens and the City would go with a warmer color and temperature. He and Mr. Timmons reviewed that Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) funding might be available for street lighting. A certain energy cost savings would need to be realized. There was continued discussion about the priorities listed on Exhibit A. There was no public comment. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve waiving Council Rules and approving Ordinance 3178 Related to Engineering Design Standards; Adopting Interim Standards for Street Lighting. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3179 Consenting to the Transfer of Control of a Franchisee, Wave Division I LLC, from Wave Holdco LLC to Radiate Holdings, L.P. Mr. Timmons explained the action to transfer control of the franchise. He recognized neighborhood concerns associated with their facility in a residential zone and said a landscaping plan was recently approved to attempt to address the concerns. Those issues fall under their already -approved conditional use permit but the City might be able to address safety issues under code enforcement action. The City has found no basis to deny the transfer of the franchise to continue their City Council Business Meeting August 21, 2017 Page 2 of 5 operations within the City. There was no public comment. Motion: David Faber moved to approve waiving Council Rules and approve Ordinance 3179 Consenting to the Transfer of Control of a Franchisee, Wave Division 1 LLC, from Wave Holdco LLC to Radiate Holdings, L.P. Amy Howard seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 17-038 Tasking Various City Offices Regarding Affordable Housing Mr. Timmons gave the staff report explaining options for approving the tasking resolution in whole or in parts. Regarding the draft financing plan, he agreed to provide Council the financing model and a list of the City's contributions to housing directly and through nonprofits. When asked whether funds raised through the property tax could be used such as for bonding, he agreed to verify conditions with bond counsel and believes this would be a tax anticipation bond. During deliberations, the following suggestions were made: schedule a joint Council and BOCC meeting on housing as well as on the public infrastructure fund board to further this topic, create an ad hoc committee to discuss ways to generate living wage jobs, and urge the County to waive permit fees similar to the City and then discuss how those fees are used. Public Comment: John Collins suggested the Homeward Bound project be listed on projects to pursue. Mr. Timmons responded that Council has previously stated its desires and sees that project rolled into task four. There were several comments about the focus of the ad hoc committee. Mayor Stinson recommended that target dates be established to the tasks. Regarding the funding plan included in the ballot measure, she noted the plan is draft and there would be an opportunity for input if the ballot measure passes. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 17-038 Tasking Various City Offices Regarding Affordable Housing with changes to the tasks to assign Task #1 and #7 to a Council Ad hoc Committee on Housing and include a review of the County's home fund financing plan, and add #9 to task the Mayor to contact the BOCC chair to plan a joint meeting with BOCC to discuss Affordable Housing. Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve appointing a Council Ad Hoc Committee on Housing comprised of Councilmembers Faber, Sandoval and Howard. Robert Gray seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting August 21, 2017 Page 3 of 5 Resolution 17-039 Expressing the City Council's Support for Jefferson County's Proposition 1, a Bond Measure to Levy an Additional Property Tax to Provide Funding for Very Low -Income and Low -Income Housing Mr. Timmons explained the resolution of support to place the ballot measure before the voters. Public Comment: John Collins, Habitat for Humanity board member, stated support for the ballot measure and moving toward a goal of permanent affordability. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 17-039 Expressing the City Council's Support for Jefferson County's Proposition 1, a Ballot Measure to Levy an Additional Property Tax to Provide Funding for Very Low -Income and Low - Income Housing (with an amendment changing the date in the first whereas to November 7). David Faber seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 17-040 Authorizing the City Manager to Submit a Grant Application to the Transportation Improvement Board for Discovery Road Improvements Public Works Director Ken Clow gave the staff report on resubmitting the application previously denied for funding. He reviewed past scoring criteria.. There was no public comment. During discussion, Mr. Timmons said, if granted, matching funds would be needed at the end of 2018. Motion. David Faber moved to approve Resolution 17-040 Authorizing the City Manager to Submit a Grant Application to the Transportation Improvement Board for Discovery Road Improvements. Amy Howard seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Proposal to Improve Business Tax & Licensing Structure Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell reviewed suggested changes intended to clarify the code, improve administration of licensing, and the processing of taxes for small business owners. Finance Manager Sheila Danielson reviewed her analysis on the administrative staff time associated with processing business licenses. Under the proposal, the City would forgo revenue from businesses with gross receipts of less than $100,000. Compared with staffing costs, the City would forego $60,000 in revenue from businesses going into a non -reporting status and the change would be revenue neutral. Staff would next discuss the plan with representative members of the business community for input before bringing it back to Council for action. There was no public comment. City Council Business Meeting August 21, 2017 Page 4 of 5 Mr. Faber disclosed he has a businesses that would be affected by this and believes this is a business -friendly change. There was no objection to the recommendations presented. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Stinson reported on the following: - Joined Sister City students at a potluck - Meeting with the County assessor and EJFR on fire annexation - Attended the Water Treatment Plant ribbon cutting ceremony with Robert Gray - Attended the Howard Street Open House at Towne Point CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons reported on the following: - Attendance at the State City Manager's Conference - Budget news is coming forward - Economic development and encouraging businesses to locate here - Homeward Bound financing options, series of meetings organizing their board of directors, their permitting for Cherry Street is moving forward - Library project did not have any construction bids - NWMC and Port of Port Townsend strategy meetings - Howard Street Subarea Planning Process moving forward SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Mr. Faber voiced support for considering health insurance possibilities and compensation for Council in the future. Mr. Gray suggested considering compensation for volunteers and advisory boards members. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned 9:09 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting August 21, 2017 Page 5 of 5