HomeMy WebLinkAbout04081998 PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL
UTILITIES COMMITTEE AS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Wednesday, April 8, 1998
Pope Marine Building
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order by Utilities Committee Chair Ted Shoulberg. Other
councilmembers present were Peter Badame, Joe Finnie, Ian Keith, Forrest Rambo, and Kate
Jenks. Mark Welch was excused. Staff members present were Public Works Director Bob
Wheeler, Acting Police Chief Conner Daily, Officer Ed Green, City Engineer Dave Peterson,
Public Works Office Lead Catherine McNabb, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy.
The business before the council was 1) funding for police station improvements; 2) Public Works
1998 Capital Improvement Program and Public Works Trust Fund loan application.
The meeting was first opened to public comment.
Mr. Bill Rich expressed concerns about drainage on Cook Avenue.
There were no further public comments.
1. Police Station Improvements
Acting Chief Daily presented detailed estimates of the improvements needed for the department
to continue occupying the present building for the next 3-5 years. He noted an increase in the
projected costs from the last session due to the deterioration of the west and south walls of the
station. Cost of repairs is estimated at $19,275; additional remodeling of the squad room is
estimated at $29,303 for a grand total (including previous projected costs for paint, carpet,
lighting, etc.) of about $98,000.
Questions and discussion ensued.
Since estimates are rough, Mr. Keith suggested that the department present detailed plans and
firm cost estimates to the council. When asked to prioritize projects, Mr. Daily stated that the
repair of the walls is most critical, next priorities are lighting and ventilation of the facility. Ms.
Kolacy will provide Mr. Conner with the CIP resolution from the budget process so that he can
present the police station capital requests in the standard format.
Considerable discussion followed regarding cost/benefit of renting an interim facility.
Based upon the discussion, Mr. Finnie moved as follows: request that the City Attomey answer
the following questions:
1. Can the city police department stay in their current facility indefinitely without upgrading to
"essential public facility" standards, or is there a point at which we can no longer be
"grandfathered" as an essential public facility (i.e., number of years, or reaching a certain
population.)
2. If another potential site were found, could the city seek some type of "waiver" from essential
public facility standards that would allow us to move because the new location, although not up
to "essential public facility" standards, would at least be "less unsafe" than the current location?
In addition, the police department would concurrently provide a written presentation of the basic
requirements of the project including a project schedule and floor plans to scale which the
council can use to prioritize the individual project requests and decide upon level and form of
funding.
Mr. Rambo seconded. The motion carded unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote.
2. Public Works Trust Loan
Questions about the current request for approval of an application for Public Works Trust Fund
loans were addressed by Mr. Wheeler, Ms. McNabb, and Mr. Peterson. Mr. Keith and Mr.
Finnie noted that the application would not be tantamount to approving particular items in the
CIP, but that if those items were approved, it would be very desirable to have the fund request in
place.
Mr. Keith moved that the council consent in principle to the submittal of an application for
Public Works Trust Fund money for the Gaines Street Pump Station and the sewer trunk line.
Mr. Badame seconded, and amended to add the amount (1.6 million dollars). Mr. Keith accepted
the amendment. The motion carried 4-2 by voice vote, with Councilmembers Shoulberg and
Rambo opposing.
A meeting was set to discuss the Public Works CIP for 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29,
location to be announced.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
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Pamela Kolacy
City Clerk