HomeMy WebLinkAbout092010CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE BUSINESS MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2010
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the 20th day of
September 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in Port Townsend City Council Chambers, Deputy
Mayor George Randels presiding.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were David King, Laurie Medlicott, Kris Nelson,
George Randels, Catharine Robinson, and Mark Welch with Michelle Sandoval
excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, DSD Director Rick
Sepler, Finance Director Michael Legarsky, City Clerk Pam Kolacy, and Land Use
Development Specialist Suzanne Wassmer.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were no changes to the agenda.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S)
There were no special presentations.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
There was no public comment.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion: Catharine Robinsan moved to approve the following items on the consent
agenda.
Bills, Claims and Warrants; Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) in the amount of
$13, 563.19; Vouchers 112372 through 112379 plus EFTs in the amount of
$202,318.67; Vouchers 112389 through 112477 (excluding Ck #112426) in the
amount of $328, 892.91; Voucher 112426 in the amount of $4, 390.65; Vouchers
112483 through 112491 plus EFTs in the amount of $131,331.70.
Minor Housekeeping Revisions to Recently Adopted Ordinance 3038.
Authorization to apply for aPre-Disaster Mitigation Grant for City Lake Outlet Pipeline
Reservoir.
Terms of Interfund load -Purchase of Roberts/Horton Properties -Howard Street
Improvements/Mitigation. Kris Nelson seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
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PUBLIC HEARING
Ordinance 3042 Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code 17.68 Fences, Walls,
Arbors and Hedges
Deputy Mayor Randels reviewed the rules of procedure for the public hearing. No
council members had any financial or property interests to disclose in connection
with the subject of the hearing.
Development Services Director Rick Sepler and Land Use Specialist Suzanne
Wassmer provided the staff presentation.
City Attorney John Watts stated that although the title of the ordinance includes
"hedges," regulations specifically exclude hedges from height limitations unless in
an intersection sight triangle.
There was no public testimony.
Deputy Mayor Randels stated that comments were received by e-mail from Judith
Livingston. These were forwarded to Council by e-mail and provided in hard copy at
this meeting. The Clerk stated that no other comments had been received.
Council discussed the issue. Prior to second reading of the ordinance, staff will
provide options for consideration as follows: adjust the horizontal top beam height
limit upward; less stringent options for arbors; language restricting hedges so they
would remain entirely behind the property line when mature; standardized reference
to "street" or "public" rights of way; and additional cross references if needed.
Council did not wish to address tree height.
Motion: David King moved to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 3042 amending
the Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 17.68 "Fences, Walls, Arbors and
Hedges. "Kris Nelson seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Letter of Support for Jefferson Higher Education Initiative at Fort Worden
City Manager Timmons provided the staff report.
Public Comment:
Julie McCulloch (trustee for Peninsula College) spoke in favor of the Council's
support for higher education and endorsed the letter of support.
City rJUncil Business Meeting September 20, 2010 Page 2 of 4
Mr. Welch noted a change on page 2 of the letter. He noted that the Information and
Technology Committee did not make a recommendation on supporting the Building
202 project; their recommendation was limited to funding for the broadband
extension.
Motion: Mark Welch moved to authorize the City Manager to sign a letter of support
for the Jefferson Higher Education Initiative at Fort Worden with changes indicated
during discussion. David King seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
Ordinance 3043, Amending PTMC 5.08 Business Licenses to Update
References to the City Partnership with Washington State Department of
Licensing
Finance Director Michael Legarsky provided the staff presenation.
There was no public comment.
Mr. Legarsky then addressed questions from the Council. Most questions related to
the new process and how it will work for city rate payers and the impact to Finance
staff and budget.
Motion: David King moved to waive two readings and adopt Ordinance 3043,
Amending the Port Townsend Municipal Code, Chapter 5.08 Business Licenses to
Accomplish Business Licensing through the State of Washington Department of
Licensing's Master License Service. Kris Nelson seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
PSE and PUD Franchise: Ordinance 3044, Amending Ordinance 2820 and
Extending the Electrical Distribution System Franchise to Puget Sound Energy
for up to Three Years, Under all Terms and Conditions of Ordinance No. 2820
City Manager David Timmons provided the staff report.
There was no public comment.
It was noted that the issue has been thoroughly vetted by the Special Projects
Committee and that the Committee will remain involved with franchise issues.
Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3044,
Amending Ordinance 2820 and Extending the Electrical Distribution System
Franchise to Puget Saund Energy for Up to Three Years. Mark Welch seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to authorize the City Manager to negotiate
terms of a franchise with the PUD (subject to final approval by the Council). Mark
Welch seconded.
City Council Business Meeting September 20, 2010 Page 3 of 4
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
Regional Fire Authority
City Manager Timmons provided the staff report.
There was no public comment.
During Council discussion it was noted that reviewing the Regional Fire Authority
option does not preclude the the annexation option from being be considered as
well.
Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to direct EJFR Joint Board representatives to
discuss the RFA Process as a way to resolve budgat requirements. Mark Welch
seconded.
Vote: motion carried, 5-1 by voice vote, Laurie Medlicott opposed.
PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT
There were no items to report.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
The City Manager reported on the following items:
Review by City's insurance provider -focus this year is personnel issues;
Assessor Report indicates City's assessed valuations have increased by 7.5%;
Violence Against Women grant for $346,000 has been received;
FEMA Dept of Military is reviewing current projects;
Sgt. Michael Evans will transition from Police Dept. to grant administration.
SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR
STUDY SESSION
COMMENTS FROM COU*JCIL
There were none.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m.
Attest:
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Pamela Kolacy, MMC
City Clerk
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