Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10021995PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF OCTOBER 02, 1995 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this second day of October, 1995, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor John M. Clise presiding. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at Roll Call were Bill Davidson, Dan Harpole, Julie McCulloch, Diane Perry-Thompson, Ted Shoulberg, Robert Sokol, and Sheila Westerman. Also present were Acting City Clerk Michael Hildt, Police Chief Jim Newton, City Attorney Timothy McMahan, Director of Public Works Bob Wheeler, Director of Building & Community Development Dave Robison, City Engineer Randy Brackett, Fire Chief Howard Scott, Library Director Linnea Patrick, Administrative Assistant Pam Kolacy, and Acting Clerk Sheila Avis. INTRODUCTIONS and/or RECOGNITIONS Mayor Clise introduced and welcomed Debra Bellasos Johnson, new Coordinator of the East Jefferson Branch, Peninsula Community College. She commented on resources Peninsula College has available to the community. AGENDA CHANGES or ADDITIONS The following items were: Added to New Business, Resolution for final design of Union Wharf. Added to Committee Reports, discussion of eight letters regarding the Statue of Chief Chetzemoka proposed for the Port Townsend Golf Course. Added to Communications, a letter of rezone petition from of Bill and Nola Bell. Added to Communications, additional letters of complaint regarding problems Downtown received at the September 29th Public Safety Meeting. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Davidson made a motion to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda as amended which was seconded by Councilmember Harpole and passed unanimously by voice vote. Approval of the following Bills and Claims: 010 Current Expense $18,560.91 094 Garbage 38,473.12 110 Street 834.35 120 Library 1,904.52 130 Park 2,431.23 140 Arterial Street 5,128.70 170 Emergency Medical Services 1,355.98 180 Capital Improvement 7,656.79 301 95 Storm Acquisition 500.00 311 95 WW Biosolids Compost Facility 747.75 312 95 WW Secondary Treatment Plant 1,460.97 321 Union Wharf Reconstruction 4,482.50 330 93 Water Quality Improvements 1,967.89 371 95 San Juan Ave Improvements 31,608.46 376 95 Water-Sewer Rev Bd Projects 80,936.21 411 Water-Sewer 9,617.41 412 Storm and Surface Water 630.28 416 56 Special Water Bond -RESERVE 5,756.68 500 Equipment Rental 9,657.49 610 Firemeffs Pension and Relief 822.25 Total $ 224,533.49 Approval of Resolutions: RESOLUTION NO. 95-107 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AUTHORIZING A SUPPLEMENTAL TO THE CONTRACT WITH PERTEET ENGINEERING FOR DESIGN SERVICES ON THE SAN JUAN AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. RESOLUTION NO. 95-108 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT CHANGING THE EXPIRATION DATE OF A GENERAL SERVICES AGREEMENT ORIGINALLY AUTHORIZED BY RESOLUTION 94-129 WITH POLARIS ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING, INC. TO FEBRUARY 29, 1996. Communications: A letter dated September 6, 1995, from Jefferson County Commissioners regarding the Solid Waste Committee. (For information.) A letter dated September 8, 1995, from Jefferson County Commissioners regarding Tri Area Water. (For information.) A letter received September 18, 1995, from a Port Townsend visitor regarding a traffic infraction during the Wooden Boat Festival. (For information.) 2 A letter dated September 19, 1995, from John Clise regarding water service obligation. (For information.) A letter dated September 20, 1995, from Arlene Iardella, Port Townsend making a traffic enforcement complaint. (For information.) A letter dated September 24, 1995, from Bill and Nola Bell requesting rezone of Block 36, Lots 1-5, Eisenbies Addition. (For information.) A letter dated September 25, 1995, to Jefferson County Community Network (JCCN) and copied to Council, from Ron Ramage, President of Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce, on their behalf and on behalf of the Port Townsend Rotary International, Port Townsend Kiwanis Club, and Soroptimist International of Port Townsend presenting JCCN with a check for $1,000 for construction materials for the Port Townsend skateboard park, a Main Street Program. (For information.) A letter dated September 25, 1995, from John Clise to Jefferson County Board of Commissioners appointing Councilmember Ted Shoulberg as the City's representative to the County committee to oversee an analysis of the County Solid Waste operations and service. (For information.) A letter dated September 25, 1995, from Dan Filip, Washington State Department of Ecology with a review summary of Public Works' application for State Centennial Clean Water Funds. (For information.) Additional letters of complaint were received at the Public Safety Meeting September 29 regarding problems Downtown. This concludes the Consent Agenda. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no Public Comments. PUBLIC HEARINGS Proposed Text Amendment to Title 17 (Signs) of the Port Townsend Municipal Code (9506-04). Director of Building and Community Development Dave Robison introduced the proposed text amendment and distributed charts. There was no public comment. Councilmember McCulloch asked if she would be in conflict regarding political signs in this amendment. It was determined there would be no conflict. Council discussion of the proposed text amendment ensued. Councilmember McCulloch made a motion that an ordinance be prepared with text amendments to Port Townsend Municipal Code 17.50.060 and 17.50.070 for Council consideration. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Westerman and passed unanimously by voice vote. Shoreline Conditional Use Permit Application (CUP) 9506-08--Surf Restaurant. Director of Building and Community Development Dave Robison introduced Shoreline CUP 9506- 08. Issues were raised by Councilmembers and discussion followed. The heating was opened to the public for comment. Katherine Jenks asked regarding a hydraulic permit and if the Shorelines Permit is the last permit before construction. Mr. Robison replied that this is the last local permit. There being no further comment from the public. The Public Hearing was closed. Further Council discussion ensued. Councilmember McCulloch concluded she is supportive of the concept. She made a motion to approve Shoreline Conditional Use Permit Application (CUP) 9506-08 Findings of Fact 1 through 14, Conclusions 1 through 7 as amended by the substitution of pages 7 and 8, Recommended Conditions 1 as amended with the provision regarding hours of operation to include 11:30 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday, the inclusion of a maintenance schedule and conditions of the public facility in Recommended Conditions 1 through 4 and the word "conceptually" added to Recommended Condition 4. Councilmember Harpole seconded the motion and it was passed by a unanimous voice vote. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilmember Sokol asked if the Comprehensive Plan would be published this year. Building and Community Development Director Dave Robison stated the City Plan was ready but the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan was delayed and proposes changes that affect the City Comprehensive Plan. He stated there are concerns with the City's population forecasts and will be meeting with the City's Growth Management Committee to determine their affects. He said they did not want to release the Plan prematurely, and they would probably delay it a couple of weeks or 4 at least until the County's Plan had been evaluated to see how seriously it affected the City Plan. STANDING/ADHOC COMMITTEE REPORTS SWAC. Councilmember Perry-Thompson stated they met September 21 st. She reported charging people for bringing in house waste was mentioned. The Council discussed the negative impacts of these charges and endorsed Councilmember Perry-Thompson's writing a letter to SWAC expressing the Council's concerns. Moderate Risk Hazardous Waste Facility. Councilmember Sokol stated he attended the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new facility. He indicated they will take almost any kind of waste. Library Board. Councilmember Sokol reported he had attended the Library Board Meeting in September. Meeting dates were announced for the remainder of the year and Councilmembers volunteered to attend as listed: October 23, Davidson; November 28, Perry-Thompson; December 19, McCulloch. Mr. Sokol said the library had made reasonable budget requests and asked that they be looked at very favorably. County Board of Health. Councilmember Sokol reported he had met with the County Board of Health and noted they are going to a real estate excise tax rather than contributions from the City. Public Safety Committee. Councilmember Sokol reported the committee met last Thursday at the Pope Marine Building regarding issues with Downtown behavior. He noted five of the seven Councilmembers were present as well as political candidates and approximately 40 to 50 from the public sector. He said many of the same previous comments were reiterated. Retired residents told of rude treatment they had received. Others pointed out daytime problems are different from nighttime problems, and noted drug involvement. Several suggestions were offered. Councilmember Perry-Thompson said she had spent time dialoguing on the street and noted Shirley Tso had sent over coffee from the Lighthouse Cafe. She invited others to join her in the effort. Councilmember Harpole thanked Mr. Sokol for helping to pull things together and stated the community needs to be personal with the youth. He suggested moving to that end of town to alleviate polarity with the many events happening at the other end of town. Councilmember McCulloch noted they had listened to many instances of particular problems, several different kinds of peoples needing several different kinds of solutions. She identified the Boiler Room as a drag and alcohol free place for youth and the Boiler Room's need for community effort and financial stability. Councilmember Davidson commented people are really concerned and looking at the matter as violations of law that need to be dealt with. He stated there is a lot of lobbying for police presence. Councilmember Sokol stated that at the end of the meeting two mothers related that their kids had said, as they went offto college, they were glad to be out of Port Townsend and away from alcohol and drugs. Councilmember Harpole asked City Attorney McMahan if the listing of citizen's rights could be brought out again. Attorney McMahan replied he had generated them a few weeks ago but would do it again. He will supply the Police Station and provide approximately 30 for Council use. Councilmember Sokol reported John Graham will report to Council first meeting in November. Parks, Recreation and Property Committee. Councilmember Harpole reported the committee met last Thursday and discussed the Golden Age Club and Waterfront temporary moorage buoys. He said they also discussed a study of the signage policy. He noted logging in the 35th Street Park is expected to begin mid-October and rezone is underway. He set a meeting for Thursday, October 26th and said they will discuss 35th Street Park strategy. He expressed thanks to the group of volunteers who built a large pyramid ramp at the skateboard park. Mr. Harpole discussed eight letters he distributed to Council regarding the proposed placing of a life- size bronze statue of Chief Chetzemoka on the historical Sentinal Rock at the Port Townsend Golf Course. He stated some community leaders had raised concerns which have been settled and noted support for the project expressed in the letters. He asked for Council support of the project and recognized Sculptor Dick Brown who was in the audience. Mr. Brown has offered to provide the statue at no cost. Councilmembers expressed appreciation to Mr. Brown. Councilmember Davidson made a motion to authorize Mr. Brown to go forward with placement of the statute of Chief Chetzemoka at the Port Townsend Golf Course. Councilmember McCulloch seconded the motion. The vote was held until the conclusion of Committee/Staff Reports. Councilmember Harpole pointed out the need for someone to participate and be on location for placement of the statute. He noted there will be a dedication and commeration with a public plaque. Councilmember Perry-Thompson noted a contribution of $1,000 to Jefferson County Community Network for the Main Street Program for the reconstruction of the Port Townsend skateboard park on the comer of Washington and Monroe Streets. She stated the donation consisted of $250 each from four Port Townsend service organizations. Housing. Councilmember Perry-Thompson said the recycling pick-up schedule is being changed to every other week. She noted a need for commercial and multi-family housing recycling. Finance Committee. Councilmember McCulloch stated the Finance Committee met Friday, 6 September 22, 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and heard all department head presentations. She announced the next meeting will be October 18, 3:00 p.m., at City Hall to review the utilities rate study and forecasts for 1996 utilities revenues. Joint Utilities Committee. Councilmember Shoulberg stated he had been appointed to the Water Committee Coordinating Council, and that it is very difficult to respond for the City when matters are not clear with the County. He stated the City has no desire to protect utility customers outside the City and that County Commissioner Huntingford wants to know what conditions are required for the City to get out of retail water business. Mr. Shoulberg stated there are three factors: administrative capabilities, financial capabilities; and ethics to customers. He indicated he had gone through four hours of intense grilling the previous week. He announced a meeting October 5th, 1:00 p.m., in the Pope Marine Building with an out of town lawyer to discuss service area issues, and another meeting for October 18th, 9:00 a.m., at Public Works. Transportation Committee. Councilmember Westerman announced a meeting for October 9th. Discussion will include recreational vehicles. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor John Clise presented his 1996 Budget message. He thanked the staff, especially Michael Hildt, and the Finance Committee. He described it as a pretty good but tough process shifting resources from one area to another and commended departments for working well together. He stated copies of the proposed budget will be available to the public October 16th. He read the attached letter dated October 2nd. Highlights included in the incremental budget: Fire Department--EMS budget, paramedic officer training mid-year. Police Department--teletype; computer records management, subject to a November 9th grant application; data entry clerk; full-time foot police officer for the entire year Librarv--increased 6 additional open hours per week as recommended and 23 staff hours. Materials funded at full request. Computer replacements for addition to the Western Library Network. City Administrator--city clerk starting mid-year. Half year funding. Ci.ty Attorney's budget is down. Finance--City Treasurer, full-time first of year. Building and Community Development--senior planner eliminated. Department code officer. Public Works--largest part of budget. Added Building Mayor Clise discussed a Comparative sUrVey of General Fund Budgets from Selected Washington Cities distributed to Council. He noted Port Townsend's position at bottom of the survey for the amount of 1995 General Fund compared to cities with similar or lower population. He then gave the floor to Acting City Clerk Michael Hildt who presented revenue highlights. Mr. Hildt introduced the new format and indicated they are half way there. He noted this is a preliminary draft and stated it is not a line item budget; if anyone wants a particular item they can provide that. He pointed this out as more information regarding City organization and departments. He stated the final budget will have salaries of each individual. This preliminary budget includes some arbitrary fund shifting and will indicate how local taxes are doing and projected to do. Some points included were, building permits are offbut the sales tax is doing remarkably well. The Capital Budget for 1995 and funding for 1996 will be mostly for the San Juan Avenue Project. Revenue fees are expected to increase for the Parks and Recreation Budget. Water and sewer funds constitute the major part of the Public Works Budget. For better fund management and assistance to Public Works they are consolidating and eliminating some funds. Mr. Hildt thanked department heads and Randy Creecher for their assistance. Councilmembers Shoulberg and McCulloch commended the revisions and expressed appreciation. Councilmember Sokol said he found the General Fund survey very eye opening and indicated interest in our City doing a similar survey. STAFF REPORTS Building and Community_ Development. Director Dave Robison again noted the delay of the Comprehensive Plan and stated the expected time line is next Council Meeting. He set a Land Use meeting for November 9th at 2:00 p.m., and reported a November 15th Association of Washington Council Regulatory Reform Conference in Olympia. Public Works Reorganization. Director Bob Wheeler reported on his memo to Council in which their department intent is to hire a temporary full-time receptionist and request funding for this position through 1996 until a permanent position can be established. He noted this will assist their department in giving better service. Mr. Wheeler stated that with the San Juan Avenue Project Mildred Yesberger settled on her property and another person is about to settle. He said this should allow the Project to proceed; most of the work in trail segments can be done within a few days. Mr. Wheeler also reported that afterschool recreation agreements have been approved and are moving along. He indicated he and Sheila Westerman have been meeting with schools to promote the programs. City Attorney'~ Office. Tim McMahan expressed thanks to Mildred Yesberger for being able to settle her property without litigation. He noted Doug Masoffs excellent work. He also reported the boat which was within the City right-of-way has been moved Attorney McMahan mentioned if Referendum 48 is passed it will increase budget funding. He referred to the report in the Port Townsend Leader regarding the City Attorney's budget and said that suits against the City increase budgets by having to hire out-of-town attorneys. Library.. Director Linnea Patrick announced volunteer ground cleanup and planting at the Library. Police Depar~ent. Police Chief Newton reported his staff was two-thirds strength during the summer. He noted as of Friday they filled two positions both leaving for the Police Academy. He stated normally it takes four to five years to season a new officer. Chief Newton referred to a letter of complaint listed in the Consent Agenda. He stated he had sent a letter of response the same day. He noted the complaint is under internal investigation, that each complaint is investigated and some sort of conclusion determined. He indicated he would update the Council. Councilmember Sokol stated he hears complaints from women regarding being required to give their Social Security Number and home phone number when being stopped by police for a traffic infraction. Councilmember Shoulberg said there needs to be some balance. Discussion ensued. Councilmember Sokol stated he will schedule a discussion for the Public Safety Meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS/QUESTIONS Mayor Clise opened the meeting for Public Comments/Questions. Ms. Shirley Tso, owner of Lighthouse Cafe, expressed thanks for the proposed 1996 budget and inclusion of extra police foot patrol. She said she and her son do not want any new laws and thanked the Council for their help. VOTE ON MOTIONS MADE DURING COMMITTEE/STAFF REPORTS Mayor Clise opened the meeting to the Public for comment on the motion made by Council during the Committee/Staff reports. There being none, Mayor Clise closed the Public Comment portion of the meeting. The Council passed unanimously by voice vote the motion made to authorize Mr. Brown to go forward with the placement of the statute of Chief Chetzemoka at the Port Townsend Golf Course. UNFINISHED BUSINESS RESOLUTION NO. 95-1 i0 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON CITIES DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING CONSORTIUM SERVICES. Michael Hildt explained the resolution and apologized for it not being included in the agenda. Councilmember Sokol made a motion that the Council adopt Resolution No. 95-110 which was seconded by Councilmember ShoUlberg and passed unanimously by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS parking for Eagles Fellowship Building at Port Townsend Business park. Director of Building and Community Development Dave Robison stated this was being withdrawn to be handled administratively by the Director. RESOLUTION NO. 95-109 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND APPROVING THE FINAL DESIGN AND AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS TO RECONSTRUCT UNION WHARF. Director of Public Works Bob Wheeler explained the resolution. Councilmember Sokol made a motion that the Council adopt Resolution No. 95-109 which was seconded by Councilmember Perry-Thompson and passed unanimously by voice vote after a brief discussion. COUNCILMEMBERS GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilmember McCulloch reported a conservation easement to protect Holly Manor on Sims Way. She suggested a letter of thanks be sent to David Green, the purchaser, and Jefferson Land Trust. Mayor Clise requested the appropriate names so a letter could be sent. Councilmember Harpole reported he might be out of town October 16th. Councilmember Sokol requested receiving copies of Bills and Claims prior to approving the Consent 10 Agenda. Michael Hildt replied rough copies would be distributed at each meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at 10.37 p.m., Mayor Clise adjourned the meeting. Attest: Michael Hildt Acting City Clerk 11