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HomeMy WebLinkAbout030810CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING AND WORKSHOP OF MARCH 8, 2010 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The special meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Michelle Sandoval at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David King, Laurie Medlicott, Kris Nelson, George Randels, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Mark Welch. Staff members present were Gity Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Development Services Director Rick Sepler, and Senior Planner John McDonagh. FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES: RESOLUTION 10-003, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) LEVY LID LIFT; RESOLUTION 10- 004, GENERAL FUND LEVY LID LIFT. City Manager David Timmons reviewed the packet materials. He stated that since the last meeting when Council reviewed Resolutions 10-003 and 10-004 and adopted Resolution 10-003, the two resolutions have been reviewed by an attorney experienced in property tax levy elections law. City Attorney John Watts stated that in regard to Resolution 10-003 adopted on March 1, the recommended action is to adopt the revised resolution which makes technical edits recommended by the special counsel. Regarding Resolution 10- 004 (general fund levy lid lift) two options are now presented for Council's consideration and are explained in the packet materials. Discussion ensued about the information contained in the packet materials concerning questions that were posed at the last Council meeting. These mainly related to the general fund levy and how that would play out in the event it was adopted prior to annexation. Public Comment: David Goldman stated he does not understand the need or the costs and feels more information must be made available to the voters for an informed decision. Chief Gordon Pomeroy was present to answer questions and describe the District budget and plan in more detail. There was some discussion about the requirement in the City -District agreement about both entities being informed City Council Special Meeting and Workshop March 8, 2010 Page 1 of 4 prior to a decision to present a levy lid lift to the voters. Councilors also stated it would be helpful to have a capital improvement plan, a strategic plan, and a priority list for expenditures. Chief Pomeroy stated his intention is to add five more firefighters, rather than to double the staff. Motion: David King moved to amend Resolution 70-003, Emergency Medical Services Levy Lid Lift, with edits shown on the version in the March 8 Council packet. Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Ms. Nelson stated she is comfortable being a conduit for information to the citizens, but in order to promote passage of the levy lid lift, Council members need clear information from the District so they can educate both themselves and the public on the specific needs that will be addressed by the ballot issues. Mr. Randels stated that although there seems to be general agreement on the EMS levy lid lift, there was not adherence to the requirement for an agreement between the District and the City prior to a ballot measure proposal. He added that proceeding on an accelerated basis with the EMS levy lid lift does not solve the District's problems but does help to a degree. It does not appear that the entire funding is necessary right away since the Department can only staff up with 4-6 people in the next year or two anyway and that can be financially supported with the EMS levy funds. Ms. Sandoval stated that annexation is important and she does not want to get too far ahead of that. The Council discussion at the workshop showed that Council members feel annexation is critical and that a general fund levy lid lift should not precede an annexation vote. Mr. King stated that annexation is his priority. Mr. Randels said he is not persuaded that going with the general fund levy is the right thing to do. Ms. Nelson stated she feels strongly that annexation should be the first step and would lead to a fair and equitable vote on a general levy. Chief Pomeroy affirmed that the City and District will work together in a positive way. Motion: George Randels moved to table Resolution 70-004 until we have a subsequent discussion regarding annexation and decide whether or not the Council may want to consider a general fund levy lid lift at that time. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried, 4-3 by voice vote, David King, Laurie Medlicott, and Mark Welch opposed. City Council Special Meeting and Workshop March 8, 2010 Page 2 of 4 ADJOURN There being no further business, the special meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. WORKSHOP MEETING CALL TO ORDER The City Council Workshop was called to order by Mayor Michelle Sandoval at 8:35 p. m. in the City Council Chambers. ROLL CALL Council members present at roll call were David King, Laurie Medlicott, Kris Nelson, George Randels, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval and Mark Welch. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Development Services Director Rick Sepler, and Senior Planner John McDOnagh. SCHEDULING PRIORITIES Council members reviewed the draft schedule in the packet. It was agreed that the May 6 town meeting date would be reserved for discussion of Fire District annexation and a May 20 town meeting will be held on economic development strategy and the Public Development Authority. The issue of broadband will be added to the work plan and the city will pursue a Google proposal. Action will be taken at an upcoming meeting to set up a Council Tech Committee. SIGN STANDARD DEPARTURES Development Services Director Rick Sepler reviewed the two approaches to the sign code amendments outlined in the packet materials and asked for direction to the staff regarding which option to incorporate in the revised sign code. It was noted that the wayfinding project is still several months away. Ms. Robinson stated that she is uncomfortable enforcing the sign code inequitably between uptown and downtown. Ms. Nelson asked that a schedule of placement and removal of temporary signs be added to the sign departure section of the ordinance. Other suggestions from Council members can be e-mailed to Mr. Sepler. General direction to staff was to follow Approach "B" as delineated in the staff memo. Staff will incorporate into a new draft ordinance to present to Council. BULK/SCALE/TEARDOWN/HISTORIC PRESERVATION CODE CHANGES City Attorney John Watts reviewed the packet materials. He noted that Planning Commission Chair Julian Ray was present. City Council Special Meeting and Workshop March 8, 2010 Page 3 of4 Senior Planner John McDonagh was present to answer questions about the historic home survey and the ordinance provisions. He and Mr. Watts recapped the Planning Commission's remaining concerns. One issue to be addressed is adding language differentiating gross violations from minor violations of the provisions. The intent of the legislation is to prevent serious violations. It was noted that regulating the maximum size for any residence was not addressed and will come up again before the Council. Mr. Randels noted he is firmly in favor of a size limit for future neighborhoods. The temporary ordinance is in place until August and the issue (bulk and scale, demolition) can be divided for Council discussion and action. Another public hearing before Council has been tentatively scheduled for April 19 and another workshop may be held. Questions from the Council on specific items in the ordinances may be forwarded to Mr. Sepler. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:58 p.m. Attest: _.~ %~: ~ .~ ~~ ~ _<... _,~/ Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Special Meeting and Workshop March 8, 2010 Page 4 of 4