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HomeMy WebLinkAbout020518CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 5, 2018 CALL TO ORDER The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 5th day of February 2018 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, Michelle Sandoval, Ariel Speser, and Deborah Stinson. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve Gross, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, City Engineer David Peterson, Public Works Director Greg Lanning, City Clerk Joanna Sanders, and Library Director Melody Sky Eisler. SPECIAL PRESENTATION FOR TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL WEEK PROCLAMATION David Faber joined the meeting at 6:32 p.m. Kyle Hall and Jean McDonald of the Jefferson County Club of Toastmasters International accepted the proclamation. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Bernie Donenberg requested Council's support of Seattle's effort to move a tax equity structure along by preparing an amicus brief. Justine Gonzalez Berg spoke about Seattle's movement to pursue a progressive tax structure and urged Council to prepare an amicus brief in support. Arthur Rochester expressed support for Tax Equity Port Townsend and a personal income tax to address many growing social issues. Paul Maghid spoke about the tax equity initiative and urged support of the Seattle initiative. City Council Business Meeting - February 5, 2018 Page 1 of 5 Christine Jacobsen spoke about the regressive tax structure and urged creating an ad hoc committee in support of Seattle's tax initiative. Pat Teal, as a member of the Non -motorized Transportation Advisory Board and Disability Awareness Starts Here (DASH) representative, urged adding Walk Your Wheels tiles in the new sidewalks downtown. She recommended consulting with DASH on creating a website that is accessible to individuals with disabilities. She also spoke in favor of creating an amicus brief for a better tax structure. Kevin Coker provided an update on the Homeward Bound Cherry Street project regarding waterline, engineering, and permitting process. City staff response Council Stinson responded that Council has spoken with state legislators regarding the tax issue and Council would need to consider other comments and suggestions. Mr. Timmons noted that ADA compliance is part of website design and DASH could be part of the website review. He recognized 50 families would be impacted by the Cherry Street water line project. Staff is also looking into the street markings as part of the Water Street enhancement project. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 158879 through 159023 and Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of $1,466,986.51. Approval of Minutes: January 16 and January 22, 2017 Motion: David Faber moved to approve the consent agenda. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NONE NEW BUSINESS Ordinance 3194 Amending Ordinance No. 3144 and the Certificate of Determination Pursuant to Ordinance No. 3144, to Extend the Maturity Date of the City's Water and Sewer Revenue Bond Anticipation Note, 2016 City Council Business Meeting - February 5, 2018 Page 2 of 5 Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell reviewed the proposal to extend the City's Water and Sewer Revenue Bond Anticipation Note. She reviewed projects the line of credit would fund and responded to questions about the terms of the line of credit. There was no public comment. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve waiving Council Rules and adopting Ordinance 3194 Amending Ordinance No. 3144 and the Certificate of Determination Pursuant to Ordinance No. 3144, to Extend the Maturity Date of the City's Water and Sewer Revenue Bond Anticipation Note, 2016. Robert Gray seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 18-006 Adopting an "Overdue Fine Free" Policy for the City of Port Townsend Public Library and Authorizing the Forgiveness of Outstanding Overdue Fees Library Director Melody Eisler reviewed the recommendation and proposal for a "fine free" policy. She explained fines as a barrier to access and a lifetime love of reading. Writing off bad debt for late fees would total less than $7,000. Responding to questions about the annual amount of late fee revenue, staff noted it was $9,500 (lost and damaged). Once the Library moves to auto renewal, this figure is expected to drop to $4,500 a year. She also introduced new youth service librarian Hilary Verheggen. There was no public comment. Motion. Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 18-006 Adopting an "Overdue Fine Free" Policy for the City of Pon` Townsend Public Library and Authorizing the Forgiveness of Outstanding Overdue Fees. Amy Howard seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 18-007 Related to the Construction of the Big Quilcene Diversion Dam Repair Project; Authorizing the City Manager to Advertise for Bids, to Award a Construction Contract to the Lowest Responsive Responsible Bidder, and to Sign all Necessary Documents and Contracts for the Project City Engineer David Peterson briefed Council on the project which is a critical component of the Olympic Gravity Water System. Council authorization would take the project through construction. He addressed Council questions related to the use of the water sewer fund and transmission line fund. There was no public comment. City Council Business Meeting - February 5, 2018 Page 3 of 5 Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve Resolution 18-007 Related to the Construction of the Big Quilcene Diversion Dam Repair Project; Authorizing the City Manager to Advertise for Bids, to Award a Construction Contract to the Lowest Responsive Responsible Bidder, and to Sign all Necessary Documents and Contracts for the Project. David Faber seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Stinson reported on the following: - She and Amy Howard attended AWC legislative days last week. The Ruckelshaus Center "Roadmap to the Future Project" was discussed. - She particpated as downtown concierge for the Water Street project this week. - Continued discussions on fire annexation topic. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT David Timmons reported on the following: - Attendance at the AWC legislative conference - Congratulated Public Works staff and merchants on their work in support of the Water Street project - Sidewalk and street tiles are an additive feature that could be considered in the future - Formal text amendment received from the Port of Port Townsend - Two appeals of director's interpretation are being referred to the hearings examiner - Consideration of website proposals and a contract would come forward for approval - Year end financials came in ahead of projection. Staff hopes to present a plan for one-time expenditures to Council Finance and Budget Committee - Off leash area on Umatilla and concerns by neighborhood property owners and possibility for using the MountainView fenced area instead - Council Work Session next week on the topic of Council Rules and the InBox SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Schedule Reports from Ad Hoc Committees on Housing Ms. Sandoval noted that recommendations are ready to be brought forward. There are additional areas where the Committee would like to expand their work. David Timmons agreed to send the Gates Foundation report related to comprehensive tax reform. Regarding to the suggestion for an Ad hoc Committee on the Amicus Brief, City Attorney Steve Gross proposed that Council discuss this matter further City Council Business Meeting - February 5, 2018 Page 4 of 5 as potential litigation. Mr. Gray requested a project status briefing on items in process (subarea, housing matters, and Cherry Street). Ms. Sandoval asked staff for clarification on discussing the Port text amendment which staff indicated is a legislative action. She expressed interest in Council taking action to comment on the military expansion on the peninsula (Indian Island, trainings on local beaches, as well as commenting on Senate Substitute Bill 6456). Ms. Stinson noted that she did speak with legislators expressing community concerns about increasing military activity. EXECUTIVE SESSION RELATED TO QUALIFICATIONS OF AN APPLICANT FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110(1)(G) At 7:40 p.m., the Council adjourned into executive session for 30 minutes returning at 8:10 .m. At 8:10 p.m., Council came back into open session. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.. Attest: o Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting - February 5, 2018 Page 5 of 5