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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03052001CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF MARCH 5, 2001 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this fifth day of March 2001, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Geoff Masci presiding. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmembers present at roll call were Geoff Masci, Joe Finnie, Allen Frank, Syd Lipton, Vern Garrison, Bill Wolcott and Alan Youse. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mr. Lipton requested that items 8C (Interlocal Agreement for Fort Worden Fire Protection and Emergency Services), 8D (Authorization for payment to PT Paper for transmission pipeline improvements and repairs), and 8E (Resolution re professional services contract with Gray & Osborne for storm sewer study and design). Mr. Masci noted that Fire Chief Edwards was present to answer questions about the fire contract and suggested that that item be dealt with immediately, and the other two items be moved to unfinished business. Mr. Lipton asked for clarifications on the hold harmless clause, the equal opportunity clause and a difference in price between the cover sheet and the contract. Mr. Watts explained that the contract is initiated by the state and contains their standard language. The contract amount of $0.032/square foot is correct. Those items being clarified, the item was returned to the consent agenda. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Masci recognized the senior basketball team members who were introduced before the meeting began and who were honored with a proclamation. He directed staff to send a letter to the school administration asking them to inform the city of exceptional achievements so they can be recognized in the same manner. The staff and planning commission members have asked whether appointments can be made for the commission. The mayor recommended a faster track for these appointments as the Planning Commission is not affected by the reorganization of the other boards and commissions. Staff will distribute the applications received and appointments will be placed on the March 19 agenda. Mayor Masci read a proclamation honoring Bill Schwilke. City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 March 5, 2001 Day fees/Fort Worden: Peter Badame of the Marine Science Center and Carol Shiffman of Centrum were present to update the council on the proposal to impose day fees at all state parks including Fort Worden. The mayor, city manager, and Mr. Badame and Ms. Shiffman will travel to Olympia to lobby for an exclusion of Fort Worden from the fees. It was noted that the imposition of day fees would have a dramatic impact on the surrounding neighborhood and would adversely affect the park's current positive impact on the economy of the city.. Motion: Mr. Frank moved that the City Manager be directed to author a letter voicing the council's concern about the impact of instituting day use fees at Fort Worden. Mr. Wolcott seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons announced that the Farmers Market will be moving their Saturday morning operation to the new Port Townsend Food Co-op parking lot from the City Hall parking lot. A letter from the mayor of Port Orchard was introduced regarding the potential toll on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. A copy of that city's letter to state colleagues was enclosed, with a request that the city send similar communications to state legislators. Council members asked for copies of the letter, with action deferred to March 19. Mr. Finnie suggested that Tim Caldwell's transportation group be consulted about the issue. Mr. Timmons noted that a draft Memorandum of Understanding regarding County participation in the studio has been forwarded to the county and will be forwarded to the PEG Access Coordinating Committee for their recommendation. Regional Services contracts are being fine tuned and will be signed soon. Unified Development Code (County) appeal. Mr. Timmons updated the council on the county's action to date. The county has waived the time period on filing appeals and has pledged to accomplish the revisions in sixty days. The county is updating their recreation plan and would like a city representative on the county's non-motorized transportation plan development committee. The county is working on Growth Management Plan requirements for major industrial development; they will require an inventory by the city of developable land within the UGA (the city) to determine if any sites would accommodate major industrial project so that they can determine whether county lands may be designated. Sister City: A delegation from Japan will be visiting Port Townsend in May. City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 March 5, 2001 Earthquake report: we were lucky to city was spared, staff did well and the issue has prompted interest in economic incentive to retrofit older buildings. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (GENERAL) Nancy Dorgan: supports the location of local government downtown as an integral part of the historical center of Port Townsend. David Miller: asked that Elmira Street end be retained by the city as a view point. Frieda Fenn: asked that council read and support SB 6103 regarding means of funding low income housing by instituting a 1% real estate tax on properties sold for more than $500,000, also known as the "mansion tax" or "Robin Hood bill". Also suggested that the city permit yurts as primary dwelling units. Bruce Marston and delegates from the Boiler Room: noted celebration of Boiler Room Day and invited council members to the two-day celebration. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Mr. Frank moved for approval of the following items on the consent agenda. Mr. Finnie seconded Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 75192 through 75356 in the amount of $163,499.32. Approval of Minutes Regular meeting of February 20 Authorize the City Manager to execute an interlocal agreement between the City and the Washington Sate Parks and Recreation Commission for provision of fire protection and emergency services to state parks within the city limits. Vote: The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS RESOLUTION 01-011 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND DENYING APPLICATION FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, APPLICATION LUP00-039 Staff'presentation: City Attorney John Watts stated that there is a question about whether the applicant still has a property interest in the property; if not, they would no longer qualify for a Conditional Use Permit. The attorney for the applicant has requested that City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 March 5, 2001 action be postponed for two weeks. He noted that one way or another, action will be required to close the loop on the application. Motion: Mr. ¥ouse moved to postpone action on Resolution 00-011 for two weeks until the regularly scheduled meeting of March 19. Mr. Lipton seconded The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. PAYMENT FROM TRANSMISSION PIPELINE FUND TO THE PORT TOWNSEND PAPER COMPANY FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION PIPELINE. Staff presentation Mr. Timmons noted that the city and the Port Townsend Paper Company share a pipeline fund which has been established that is in hands of trustee. The funds are requested to reimburse the Port Townsend Paper Corporation for costs related to the installation of a battery power storage system, replacement of outbuildings at the Big Quilcene diversion facility, roof repair and installation of a propane stove at the caretaker's house. The trustee now requires approval by the City Council and City Engineer before funds can be released to P.T. Paper. Public comments: none Mr. Frank moved to authorize the Finance Director to request funding of $19, 034. 97 from the Port Townsend Transmission Line Replacement Fund to pay the expenses for maintenance and repairs related to the Olympic Gravity Water System pipeline. Mr. Garrison seconded. Mr. Timmons clarified that the city owns the assets which are under lease to the mill. He added that it would be desirable to pay the bond off so that we can avoid a trust manager and eliminate the $10,000 - $15,000 per year paid for the trustee; in addition, the city can probably do better in terms of investment strategies because we have the capability of tapping into the state's investment fund. Before that action is recommended, the bond counsel must be consulted. Vote: the motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. RESOLUTION NO. 01-010 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH GRAY & OSBORNE, INC. TO PREPARE A DOWNTOWN STORM SEWER DESIGN AND A WASHINGTON STREET STORM SEWER STUDY AND DESIGN Mr. Finnie recused himself, noting the project would affect his property and he may benefit from the action. Mr. Wolcott recused himself as well, giving the same reason. City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 March 5, 2001 Mr. Watts noted that as abutting property owners, it is probable that the action would be perceived as a direct benefit to the owners. Mr. Garrison noted for the record that he did not feel it was appropriate for the two council member to recuse, since all citizens would benefit from improvements to the utility system. Mr. Masci noted that he supported erring on the side of caution. In answer to questions from Mr. Lipton, Mr. Clow clarified that the intent is to complete both parts of the design but implement the projects separately as funds are available. Motion: 3~Ir. Frank moved to adopt Resolution 01-010, authorizing the City Manager to execute a professional Services Agreement with Gray & Osborne, Inc. to prepare a downtown storm sewer design and a Washington Street storm sewer study and design. Mr. Youse seconded. Public Comment: None Vote: The motion carried 4-0 by voice vote, with Mr. Garrison abstaining, and Messrs Finnie and Wolcott recused. ORDINANCE 2759 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CREATING A NEW CHAPTER 2.26 VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND RESERVE OFFICERS BOARD OF TRUSTEES, TO TITLE 2, ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL, OF THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE, ESTABLISHING A LOCAL BOARD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' AND RESERVE OFFICERS' RELIEF AND PENSION FUND Staff presentation: Mr. Watts noted this is a housekeeping matter and will create the state required review board to review claims and pensions for the city's volunteer firefighters. Motion: Mr. Frank moved to waive council rules and act on Ordinance 2759. Mr. Wolcott seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Public comment: none Motion: Mr. Frank moved to adopt Ordinance 2759. Mr. Youse seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by roll call vote. Mr. Masci appointed Mr. Frank to serve as the city council representative on the board. City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 March 5, 2001 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION Mr. Wolcott noted that the minutes attached in support of the suggested motion to form a task force to report and make recommendations to the Community Development Committee on revamping and restructuring Engineering Design Standards to mitigate their impact on housing costs and economic opportunities were in draft form and have not been reviewed yet by the committee. He noted that the committee had cancelled their last meeting and were unable to review the minutes. Motion: Mr. Wolcott moved that the Community Development Committee be extended the authority to form a body to review the Engineering Design Standards and the impact the standards may have on housing costs and economic opportunities. Mr. Garrison seconded Mr. Wolcott noted that it is not certain such a committee will be formed, but would like the authority to do so at the committee level without returning to the council. Public comment Nancy Dorgan: commented on the lack of affordable housing; took issue with the assumption that making construction cheaper and easier will result in more affordable housing. Noted that this would only concern new construction; supported Comprehensive Plan recommendation of more mixed-use centers, asked why council had acted to eliminate the second story housing requirement. She characterized the issue as an attempt to further a political agenda under the guise of affordable housing and stated a serious approach would be to charge a task force with a broader scope of work and come up with solutions, and broaden the perspective on the issue away from special interests. Council Deliberation Mr. Garrison noted time is of the essence and a review of the Engineering Design Standards is long overdue. Mr. Lipton suggested a cost estimate on a standard sample house to see what savings would actually occur due to changes in the design standards. Mr. Finnie noted that the Community Development Committee is the correct place to examine the issues that affect quality of life. He suggested postponing action until the next meeting when a clear motion can be brought forward. Mr. Garrison stated that is should not be necessary for the committee to come to the council every time it wants to address an issue. He urged going forward with the authority to establish a task force. Vote: The motion carried 5-2 with Mr. Lipton and Mr. Finnie opposed City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 March 5, 2001 NEW BUSINESS SENATE BILL 6103 Mayor Masci reminded the council that a discussion of SB 6301 was scheduled in response to public comment. After discussion, the council concluded that they were unable to reach a decision about supporting the bill since they had not had time to read it. Mayor Masci urged the presentation of such type of information be done in a timely fashion so the correspondence can be considered in the discussion. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Masci announced the council would retire to executive session to discuss matters involving potential litigation at 8:25 p.m.. The session was expected to last approximately 30 minutes with no action anticipated. RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 9:25 p.m. There was no further business. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 9:26 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 March 5, 2001