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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01162001 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF JANUARY 16, 2001 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this sixteenth day of January 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, Allen Frank, Syd Lipton, Vem Garrison, Bill Wolcott and Alan Youse. Joe Finnie was excused. 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 Motion: Mr. Frank moved to remand Item 9(B) (Port Townsend Library Board - Request for Action on Matching Gran0 to the Finance Committee for discussion and investigation. Mr. Wolcott seconded The motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Mr. Frank requested moving item 8(G) (Economic Development Council Professional Services Agreement) from the Consent Agenda to Unfinished Business. Motion: Mr. Lipton moved that Item 8(C) (Resolution 01-004, authorizing construction management services from Gray & Osborne for the Gaines Street Pump Station Force Main Extension) be removed from the Consent Agenda and remanded to the Public Works Committee: The motion carried, 5-1 by voice vote with Mr. Garrison opposed Mr. Timmons stated that since the matter was time sensitive, a special meeting would be scheduled to deal with the item so that it could be considered at the next council meeting. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mr. Masci read a proclamation proclaiming January 2001 as School Board Recognition Month. Mr. Masci announced a tour of Brinnon which has been arranged with Pat Rogers. Council members who are able to participate should call and confirm. Mr. Masci then clarified the consent agenda process. He reminded the audience that public comment for consent agenda items would be taken during the general public comment period. City Council Minutes 1 January 16, 2001 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons urged that at least one council member plan to attend the Association of Washington Cities legislative conference which will take place on Feb. 14 and 15. Year end fund balances were addressed by Mr. Timmons. He announced that year end goals for the general fund balance have been exceeded by $170,000 and all other funds are on target as anticipated. He added that there are still contingent liabilities which must be considered from the 2000 budget process Mr. Timmons asked that the council schedule a special meeting to consider the state of negotiations with the County on regional services and guide him in his response to the latest letter from the County Administrator. He added that the City and County are in agreement on approximately 2/3 of the issues; the primary issues remaining are health services and whether the agreement continues as one blanket agreement or whether a series of agreements will be considered. Motion: Mr. Frank moved that the City Manager work with the County to bring forth agreements to those funding levels for programs where agreement has been reached Mr. Youse seconded After discussion, and pending the upcoming special meeting to discuss the issue, Mr. Frank withdrew the motion. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (regarding items not on the agenda) Nancy Dorgan: asked why there was no "democracy in action week" proclamation; stated concerns that council members behave rudely to citizens; noted political arena is not a social occasion and behavior at council meetings should be held to a higher standard than ordinary social occasions. Motion: Mr. Frank moved that he be allowed to respond Mr. Lipton seconded The motion failed on a 3-3 tie vote, with Messrs. Frank Lipton and Garrison in favor, and Messrs. Youse, Masci and Wolcott opposed Bill Maxwell, Library Board President: had hoped to hear council discussion on the library matching grant issue, noted he will be out of town for a month and hopes the issue will be resolved in favor of the request upon his return. Read a letter from Lesa Barnes, president of Friends of the Library, stating that they will help with fund raising efforts but will be unable to donate any funds to the project as their funds are earmarked for other uses. He invited council members to the next Library Board meeting. A1 Frank, (speaking as a citizen at the citizen podium): stated he felt he needs to answer the charges and allegations brought forth by Ms. Dorgan. He stated that a conspiracy theory has been promulgated which has no basis and if negative comments are allowed to continue, they become the truth in some people's minds. City Council Minutes 2 January 16, 2001 CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Mr. Wolcott moved for approval of the following items on the consent agenda. Mr. Garrison seconded The motion carried, 5-1 with Mr. Lipton opposed Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants: Vouchers 74561 through 74744 in the amount of $659,382.04 Resolution 01-003: Referring Gaines Street Pump Station Substantial Development Permit (LUP00-081) to Hearing Examiner Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement between the City and the Boiler Room Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement between the City and the Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Program Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement between the City and Keith Harper for Prosecuting Attorney Services Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement between the City and the Port Townsend Civic Trust (Main Street) UNFINISHED BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH GUY HUPY AND ROXANNE MICHAEL FOR EVALUATION OF "SMART" CODES FOR THE REHABILITATION OF EXISTING BUILDINGS Staff Presentation Mr. Timmons introduced the item, noting that the project will be funded by a grant from the State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development. A request for proposals was issued and two firms were interviewed. The chosen proposal is a joint venture between Guy Hupy and Roxanne Michael. It is hoped the scope of work will be completed by summer. Public Comment: None Motion: Mr. Frank moved to authorize the City Manager to execute a professional service agreement between the City and Consultants Guy Hupy Design and Roxanne Michael, LLC for the period ending June 30, 2001, or the completion of the scope of services, whichever is earlier, in substantially the form and consistent with the attached scope of services and payment schedule. Mr. Youse seconded. Council Discussion Discussion included clarifying time lines and requirements for dissemination of the information and more information about details of the project. City Council Minutes 3 January 16, 2001 Mr. Timmons stated that the project will stress a review of the current state building code and how it can be interpreted to accommodate historic structures; a book of guidelines may be developed to aid building officials and contractors with code interpretation. In addition, it is hoped that sharing information with other jurisdictions will build a base of support for encouraging the legislature to make any changes to the existing state code that might be recommended. Vote: The motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT Staff Presentation Mr. Watts stated that the contract follows the council's recommendation to provide $6,000 to the Economic Development Council (EDC), with funding to be used primarily for business recruitment. Public Comment Nancy Dorgan: stated that it seems the council no longer supports the EDC since an economically diverse group is now on board which was expanded due to the larger membership of the organization. Asked about use of the term "primarily" in the contract in regard to recruiting activities. Mr. Frank referred to a series of e-mails among EDC members which criticizes the EDC promoting business growth. Ann Avary, Acting Director of the EDC was present to answer questions. She confirmed that elections were upcoming for some EDC board seats but that the size of the board would remain the same. In answer to what the EDC has done currently regarding recruitment, she stated that the fourth quarter of 2000 has been a transitional period, with the executive director leaving, and a period without a director. She also stated that she has not yet been notified of a contribution from the County for the year 2001. Further discussion included the striking of the word "recruitment" from the bylaws of the organization. Council members made several comments regarding the fact that even if organizations are active in recruiting businesses, the regulatory "playing field" within the County and City are not currently conducive to recruitment. Mr. Wolcott questioned what the City was getting for its contribution and stated he has not yet seen any product as a result of funding. He would like the EDC to show more organization, focus, and production before voting to contribute funding. Mr. Youse agreed that he would like to hold back on funding at this time until the EDC has proved it is actually providing a function needed by the City. City Council Minutes 4 January 16, 2001 Ms. Avary answered questions about the relationship of vocational training to recruitment, stating that part of an atmosphere conducive to a business locating in an area is the existence of a trained work force. Motion: Mr. Frank moved to postpone action on the agreement until such time as the Economic Development Council: 1) appoints a permanent director; and 2) completes the current election process. Mr. Wolcott seconded The motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS: None EXECUTIVE SESSION: None ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, CMC t/ City Clerk City Council Minutes 5 January 16, 2001