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HomeMy WebLinkAbout070819 Special CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING OF JULY 8, 2019 CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in special session on the 8th day of July 2019 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, Michelle Sandoval, Ariel Speser, and Deborah Stinson with Amy Howard excused. Staff members present were Interim City Manager Nora Mitchell, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, City Clerk Joanna Sanders, Parks Recreation and Community Services Director Alex Wisniewski, and Assistant City Engineer Samantha Harper. EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110(1)(1) CURRENT OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.140(4)(B) PLANNING OR ADOPTING THE STRATEGY OR POSITION FOR PROFESSIONAL NEGOTIATIONS At 6:33 p.m., the Council went into Executive Session and then a closed session for an expected total of 30 minutes. At 7:05 p.m., the Council came back into open session. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Report on Status of City Manager Candidate Mayor Stinson and Interim City Manager Nora Mitchell reported that the City has received a signed offer letter from City Manager candidate John Mauro and staff would next be working to prepare an employment contract. There was no public comment. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 19-061 Allocating Additional Funding for the Mountain View Project and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Contract Change Orders within the Approved Budget Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Alex Wisniewski provided background on unforeseen circumstances which led to this proposed resolution for additional allocation of funds. The City code requires fire suppression into the found crawl space adding $25,000 for design, purchase and labor on the fire alarm sensor City Council Special Business Meeting July 8, 2019 Pagel of 2 system. Assistant City Engineer Samantha Harper noted that this figure also includes soft costs for the design and construction. There was no public comment. Motion: Pamela Adams moved to approve Resolution 19-061 Allocating Additional Funding for the Mountain View Project and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Contract Change Orders within the Approved Budget. Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Public Education and Government (PEG) Access Television[WAVE Franchise Agreement City Attorney Heidi Greenwood briefed Council on the impending expiration of the Wave franchise agreement and requested input on options for moving forward with the PEG station and renegotiation of the franchise agreement. Ms. Mitchell provided a report of operating expenses for station management and supplies. Payments to the station have been exceeding the limited pass through fees ($8,200) and are instead expended from the cable franchise fees (General Fund monies). She responded to questions about studio ownership, high school classes using the studio, number of viewers/subscribers, station manager/coordinator, obligation under the interlocal, viewership on Channels 97/98, educational benefits, high definition streaming, neighborhood right of way concerns about WAVE and their requirements for wiring of public facilities. Public Comment: Mark Welch commented on the original PTTV funding and City equipment. He also spoke about server costs, station programming, the changing demographics and move to streaming services, and high school learning opportunities provided by the station. He offered to assist on next steps. There was some Council interest in continuing the PEG station as least in the interim period. Suggestions were to explore options including an investment in an upgrade of chambers microphones and cameras, hiring third party station support, offering the station and equipment to the school district to operate, and doing a cost versus benefit analysis. Ms. Mitchell noted that it is uncertain what support the school district would or could contribute. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Special Business Meeting July 8, 2019 Page 2 of 2