Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout092109CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2009 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David King, Laurie Medlicott, Kris Nelson, George Randels, Michelle Sandoval, and Mark Welch with Catharine Robinson excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, DSD Director Rick Sepler, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Noah Prince, the new manager of the Boiler room, introduced himself. CONSENT AGENDA Arts Commission Grant Authorization -Maritime Center Event Motion: Laurie Medlicott moved to approve the following items on the consent agenda: Approval of bills, claims and warrants: Vouchers 108991 through 109099 plus EFTS in the amount of $614, 298.53 Approval of minutes: August 17, 2009 Motion to authorize the City Manager to apply for a grant from the State Arts Commission on behalf of the City Arts Commission for the Arts Commission- Maritime Center event in Spring of 2010 and to accept the grant if awarded. David King seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING(S): There were no public hearings scheduled. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolution 09-035 affordable housing housing stock in - Establishing an for the purpose partnership with inventory of property suitable for of expanding the City's affordable public and/or private entities with City Council Business Meeting September 21, 2009 Page 1 of 7 expertise in designing, funding, developing and managing affordable housing. DSD Director Rick Sepler reviewed the packet materials. He stated that the County Commissioners met today and did not act on the resolution but they proposed a modification due to budget constraints: on page 2 of 3, second full paragraph after "now, therefore" remove language about pursuing a grant to retain a qualified consultant.. The BOCC will probably act on the modified resolution in about three weeks. Mr. Sepler added that it would not be inconsistent for the City to retain the language even though the County does not. In response to a question from Mr. Welch, Mr. Sepler stated that if the grant is successful, a qualified consultant would assess properties, assess constraints and produce an assessment of development potential for each site. In response to Ms. Sandoval, Mr. Sepler stated the County removed the grant language because they don't believe they have enough staff available to prepare a grant application. Public comment: There was no public comment. Mr. Randels proposed the following changes: add quotation marks around Policy 2.4 text; d delete "d" from "and" in the first line of that text; add to the first paragraph, second page add item (6) referring to proposals from housing providers, and provide for some subsequent process for approval by Council of a proposed project. Ms. Nelson suggested removing the "or" from "and/or" in the second line of the second paragraph under "Now, Therefore" to indicate that staff will both pursue grants and distribute the inventory to housing providers. Mr. Sepler suggested addition of a paragraph stating that final disposition of any subject properties shall be subject to prior approval by Council as to future use, and this shall not be construed as pre-judgment on any subsequent land use or environmental process (indicating this does not indicate apre-approval of any of these selected lands). Mr. King suggested that the resolution should contain a reference to the new Public Development Authority. Mr. Welch noted that this resolution does not mandate that any of the identified properties be used for affordable housing; it also does not restrict any projects from remaining affordable for more than 40 years or in perpetuity. Ms. Sandoval stated she would prefer that the properties remain affordable for at least 100 years and preferably in perpetuity. She agrees that the Public Development Authority should be referenced in the resolution. City Council Business Meeting September 21, 2009 Page 2 of 7 Mrs. Medlicott expressed reluctance to include a specific reference to the PDA. She said there may be other community groups willing to step forward. She also would like to consider keeping the properties affordable in perpetuity. Mr. Randels stated the 40 year clause is a "no less than" clause but it is prudent to include it both as a limitation on the type of proposals received and as an option in case a potential subsidy source is available for a maximum term of 40 years. Motion: George Randels moved to approve Resolution 09-035 -Establishing an inventory of property suitable for affordable housing for fhe purpose of expanding the City's affordable housing stock in partnership with public and/or private entities with expertise in designing, funding, developing and managing affordable housing with correction of typographical errors, elimination of "or" from "and/or" and addition by staff that final disposition of property is subject to approval by Council which does not pre judge suitability of property for this purpose; and reference to the City's newly created Public Development Authority. Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Resolution 09-036 -Authorizing the City Manager to sign all necessary documents and contracts for the construction of the Visitor Plaza conversion -Cotton Building Project. Mr. Timmons distributed a floor plan of the Cotton Building. Public Works Director Ken Clow reviewed the packet materials and reviewed the project bidding process. Public comment: There was no public comment. Mrs. Medlicott requested that the project be referred to as the "Visitor's Plaza" not the "Visitor's Center" as stated in the press; this leads the public to think there is a duplication of the Visitor's Center downtown. In response to a question from Ms. Nelson, Mr. Timmons stated that the finished building may be available for rental and can also be used as a staging area for events downtown. Motion: Mark Welch moved to approve Resolution 09-036 -authorizing the City Manager to sign all necessary documents and contracts for the construction of the Visitor Plaza conversion -Cotton Building Project. George Randels seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS City Council Business Meeting September 21, 2009 Page 3 of 7 Agreement with Clallam County Sheriff and Public Development Authority for Restoration of Historic Griffiths House Mr. Timmons reviewed the packet materials. He stated this as an opportunity to "bundle" some initiatives, including the Public Development Authority and the School of Historic Restoration at Fort Worden. Mrs. Medlicott stated that in all cases, references need to be changed from "Hill" house to "Griffiths" house as there are other "Hill" houses in the City. Public comment: there was no public comment. Ms. Nelson noted that the price is considerably higher than the property is currently worth and asked how that makes sense. Mr. Timmons stated we wanted to create an incentive to keep the price as is it is to encourage Clallam County to work with us and as an incentive to commit to waiting through the City's process. Mr. Randels asked if there would be some return to the school. Mr. Timmons stated that the share of return to the PDA and the school would be an agreement between the two entities. Motion: Laurie Medlicott moved to authorize the City Manager to execute agreements with the Clallam County Sheriff's Office and the Port Townsend Public Development Authority consistent with the draft terms attached to the agenda bill. George Randels seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Quiet Title Legal Actions City Attorney John Watts reviewed the packet materials. He noted that title to the four properties is not being disputed by anyone at this time. In response to Mrs. Medlicott's question, Mr. Watts stated the cost to the City is approximately $200 for filing, $300-400 for publication and some staff time. He noted there was no outside legal expense. Motion: Mark Welch moved to authorize the City Attorney to proceed with legal action to quiet title to properties shown on the attached map. Kris Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Port of Port Townsend Airport Expansion Mr. Timmons reviewed the packet materials and added that the memo from DSD City Council Business Meeting September 21, 2009 Page 4 of 7 Director Sepler was forwarded to the Port of Port Townsend and Executive Dirctor Larry Crockett has stated he would like to make a formal response at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting. He added that the next Council meeting (October 5) is scheduled after the deadline for formal comments to the County. Planning Commission so in response to Mr. Crockett's request, the City needs to either move forward with comments or schedule a special meeting for the Port's presentation. Public comment: there was no public comment. Mr. Welch stated it is important to provide the City's comments before the comment period ends and relay this to the Port with regrets that they were not more timely with their rationale. In response to a question from Mr. King, Mr. Sepler stated he heard concern raised by the marine trades community that the site could be used for off-site boat repair. The Port could create an attractive alternative to Boat Haven for some businesses unconstrained by space limitations and at a cheaper rate. Mr. Randels also said that the City's comments should do more to address transportation issues and road capacity; there are several roads potentially jeopardized by a new development in this area. Ms. Nelson stated that the staffs comments are well written and have addressed all her questions with valid points. She added that a full response is difficult without seeing the Port's further comments. Mr. Sepler said that although the Port believes all facts have not been presented, City staff relied on the Port's staff report and additional facts would not be relevant. He added that the Port, as applicant, can request an extention of their comment period. Ms. Sandoval added that the Port should have collaborated earlier with the City as required by law and as a matter of courtesy. Mr. King suggested that staff ask the Port to request an extension of the comment period and if they choose not to do that, the City can file comments within the current time frame. Mr. Randels stated this is a disappointing turn of events, particularly that the Port did not go through the legally required consultation with the City. He said the City should not try to do something out of the ordinary in reaction to time pressure caused because someone has an agenda that wasn't shared until the very last minute. Mrs. Medlicott said that WSU is supportive of the project but she believes there City Council Business Meeting September 21, 2009 Page 5 of 7 are legitimate concerns; she supported staff conveying a request to extend the comment deadline. Ms. Sandoval also stated there are huge water issues involved due to WRIA; the City already has a shortage of water and the PUD is overcommitted as well. This question must be resolved before such a project is proposed. Motion: George Randels moved to request staff to contact the Pon` and ask them to request that the Planning Commission extend their comment deadline so the Port can give the City their comments on the City's memo in a timely manner at a meeting which will include the Council, Port Commissioners and County Commissioners; if the request for an extension is not agreed upon and granted, staff will forward their comments to the County Planning Commission prior to the current deadline. Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons reported on the following: Police move to Mountain View Proposed agreement with Farmer's Market (at CD/LU Committee) Agreement with Food Bank Insurance Audit DSD permit activity Water supply Upper Sims Way project Cotton Building project STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Mrs. Medlicott suggested that the Port Commissioners be invited to the joint meeting between the City and the BOCC scheduled for November 5. EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m. Attest: City Council Business Meeting September 21, 2009 Page 6 of 7 I~~~" d ~~~~ Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting September 21, 2009 Page 7 of 7