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HomeMy WebLinkAbout110119CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF NOVEMBER 4, 2019 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 4th day of November 2019 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor 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 John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, Deputy Public Works Director David Peterson, Accountant Tony Hillman, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. There were none. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA CITY MANAGER OATH OF OFFICE City Clerk Joanna Sanders administered the oath to City Manager John Mauro, COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Scott Walker spoke about his concern over the removal of the pine tree from the Visitor Plaza. He also spoke about concerns of the 2 -way cycle plan on Discovery Road. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 163961 through 164144 in the amount of $767,939.87 Voucher 600 in the amount of $99.00 Electronic Funds Transfer in the amount of $526,885.32 Approval to Waive Council Rules and Authorize David Faber to Participate and Vote by Teleconference During the November 18, 2019 Meeting and Michelle City Council Business Meeting November 4, 2019 Page 1 of 6 Sandoval to Participate and Vote by Teleconference During the November 12 and November 18, 2019 Meetings Motion. David Faber moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING Resolution 19-086 Amending the City's Wastewater Plan by Replacing the Outfall Section of Chapter 7 of the Wastewater Comprehensive Plan and All of Chapter 8 of the Wastewater Facilities Plan with the 2019 Facility Plan Amendment for a New Off -Shore Outfall Mayor Stinson reviewed the rules of procedure for the public hearing. There were no Council financial or property issues to disclose in connection with this matter. Deputy Public Works Director David Peterson gave a presentation on the amendments to the wastewater plan to cover the new outfall. He also gave a detailed description of the outfall construction alternatives and how the City arrived at the cut and cover method. He also addressed questions and comments received in response to SEPA comments and reviewed additional permitting processes once approved. Public Comment: Nam Siu (member of the Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee) asked for more time to consider the amendment for full consideration of alternatives as required by SEPA and for consistency with the Shoreline Master Program. Frank Handler agreed with Mr. Siu's comments. As marine biologist, he would like to see more studying of alternatives. Paul McCollum, the natural resource director of the Port Gamble S'Klallam tribe spoke in support of a membrane treatment system. Scott Walker urged exploring the Arcada, California treatment facility and other design alternatives. Mr. Peterson responded to comments referring to options considered and studied by the consultants. He noted a better diffuser and mixing would provide improvement and said grants are difficult to get. He noted this is the most cost efficient solution to the provided alternative. Staff fielded Council questions about reopening the permit as well as possibilities for an upgrade or additional treatment of water. Questions were asked of Nam Siu to clarify what alternatives were being proposed. Mr. Siu noted he was seeking an alternative to an outfall in its entirety. He added that reuse and reclamation are not being considered. He recommended a comprehensive study. City Council Business Meeting November 4, 2019 Page 2 of 6 Mr. Peterson went on to explain the NPDES permit requirements for the facility plan amendment for outfall replacement. Given the compliance order due to the outfall leak, the City could proceed and would not be precluded from exploring future alternatives. He noted that there is typically a shellfish closure a half mile around the outfall. He is uncertain if Class A water was discharged whether there would be a removal of the closure to shellfish harvesting. There was mention of the consideration of the impact to rate payers. In a response to requests for clarification for the public based on Council discussion, Paul McCollum noted that if the City built a Class A system, it could continue to use the older outfall. Nam Siu noted that there are a lot studies about the nutrient loading despite any regulatory closure. Public testimony was closed. There was council interest and discussion about obtaining comparable figures to plan alternatives including reuse of the existing pipe. Motion: Robert Gray moved to approve postponing action for two weeks and reopening public testimony on Resolution 19-086 Amending the City's Wastewater Plan by Replacing the Outfall Section of Chapter 7 of the Wastewater Comprehensive Plan and All of Chapter 8 of the Wastewater Facilities Plan with the 2019 Facility Plan Amendment for a New Off -Shore Outfall. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion failed, 1-6 by voice vote, with Pamela Adams, David Faber, Amy Howard, Michelle Sandoval, Ariel Speser, Deborah Stinson opposed. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 19-086 Amending the City's Wastewater Plan by Replacing the Outfall Section of Chapter 7 of the Wastewater Comprehensive Plan and All of Chapter 8 of the Wastewater Facilities Plan with the 2019 Facility Plan Amendment for a New Off -Shore Outfall. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed. Motion: Ariel Speser moved to approve holding a Council workshop within six months on alternatives for an off -shore outfall according to the resolution. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed. The public hearing was closed. Ordinance 3237 Adopting 2019 Supplemental #2 Budget Appropriations Mayor Stinson reviewed the rules of procedure for the public hearing. There were no Council financial or property issues to disclose in connection with this matter. Accountant Tony Hillman reviewed the supplemental budget amendment expenses as outlined in the summary. City Council Business Meeting November 4, 2019 Page 3 of 6 There was no public comment. Staff addressed questions noting expenditures approved in the first supplemental earlier in the year were for capital expenditures, Public testimony was closed. Motion: Robert Gray moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3237 Adopting 2019 Supplemental #2 Budget Appropriations. Amy Howard seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. At 8:17 p.m., Council recessed the meeting for purposes of a break. At 8:21 p.m., the Council meeting resumed. Ordinance 3238 Fixing and Adopting 2020 Property Tax Levies for the General Levy with a Total Increase of One Percent (1.00%) and a Voter -Approved Tax Levy for the Mountain View Commons Capital Improvements of $150,000 for the Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds Mayor Stinson reviewed the rules of procedure for the public hearing. There were no Council financial or property issues to disclose in connection with this matter. Ms. Mitchell gave the staff briefing as detailed in the agenda bill on the Mountain View Commons improvements of $150,000. The City would not be levying the Fire and EMS levy because of the vote to approve the fire annexation. She reviewed the one percent property tax calculation and explained the post annexation agreement whereby the City agreed to reduce the property tax levy by $908,000 in banked capacity for 2020 tax. She noted this is reflected in the calculations and this amount would instead be levied by East Jefferson Fire and Rescue. Public Comment: Debbie Jahnke spoke of her desire for funding the full-time volunteer coordinator in 2020. The public testimony was closed. Some discussion ensued about the impact to taxpayers of the 1 % property tax increase. Motion: David Faber moved to approve first reading Ordinance 3238 Fixing and Adopting 2020 Property Tax Levies for the General Levy with a Total Increase of One Percent (1.00%) and a Voter -Approved Tax Levy for the Mountain View Commons Capital Improvements of $150, 000 for the Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed. Public hearing was closed. City Council Business Meeting November 4, 2019 Page 4 of 6 Preliminary Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2020 Mayor Stinson reviewed the rules of procedure for the public hearing. There were no Council financial or property issues to disclose in connection with this matter. Ms. Mitchell reviewed the budget timeline and solicited Council questions before the hearing on November 18. She gave a detailed briefing of the City Manager's Budget message document, including department head budget requests, preliminary estimates of expenditures, and revenue projections. She recommended a discussion with the new City Manager on how to prioritize and address the unmet needs list. There were questions from Council about the Community Services and Street funds. Staff agreed to return with a specific list of what is included in the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee request. Regarding the $908,000 in banked capacity, staff agreed to check budget references to the dates of the agreement, noting that the promise to voters was shown as being through 2024 versus 2023. It was recognized that discussions on use of the funds needs to begin in 2020 related to streets, affordable housing, and utility tax funding topics. Mayor Stinson closed public testimony and the public hearing. Ordinance 3239 Adopting the Capital Improvement Plan 2020-2025 Mayor Stinson reviewed the rules of procedure for the public hearing. There were no Council financial or property issues to disclose, in connection with this matter. Accountant Tony Hillman reported that at the last Council workshop, there was a detailed presentation of the capital projects. He reviewed the 2020 project summary, including the cost breakdown by category. There was no public comment. There was Council discussion about Discovery Road Improvements and Visitor Center plaza completion (restroom and power station for electric cars). For the latter, there are no identified funding sources. It was noted that $850,000 was spent on the current project. Staff agreed to forward to Council the construction costs per mile for street pavement and sidewalks and the distance yet to be improved from Salish School to the roundabout. Mayor Stinson closed public testimony. Motion: Ariel Speser moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3239 Adopting the Capital Improvement Plan 2020-2025. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. There was no Council objection to continuing beyond 9:30 pm. City Council Business Meeting November 4, 2019 Page 5 of 6 UNFINISHED BUSINESS PTTV Station Operations Update City Attorney Heidi Greenwood provided the staff update as written. She reported that former school district employee Mark Welch has been solicited to provide a cost for a contract to continue to broadcast City meetings. Chair of the PEG Access Committee Mr. Gray expressed concern over the lack of broadcasting of Council meetings over PTTV and not updating the interlocal agreement with the school district. Ms. Greenwood responded that Channel 97 may still be broadcasting, but Channel 98 is not broadcasting. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Stinson reported on the following: - Attendance at Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) meetings - Attendance at Staff level meeting on YMCA options - Attendance at the UGN Give Jefferson kick off event - Participation in the dedication of public art "For Willene" sculpture CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro reported on his participation at local events and general excitement over the warm welcome. He extended appreciation to Interim City Manager Nora Mitchell for her efforts. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION There was some discussion about the citizen comment about speeding on Washington. Mayor Stinson reminded that the next Council meeting is on Tuesday, November 12. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting November 4, 2019 Page 6 of 6