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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01082001CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF JANUARY 8, 2001 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this eighth 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 and Veto Garrison. Councilmembers Joe Finnie, Bill Wolcott and Alan Youse were excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, City Clerk Pam Kolacy, and City Planner John McDonagh. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Masci removed item 8C (Reappointments to the Planning Commission) from the agenda and explained that the subject will be addressed at a future meeting. Mr. Frank added a discussion of the City Parks Plan as item 1 OB. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mr. Masci read a proclamation calling upon the Washington State Legislature to extend the Jefferson Education Consortium pilot project for two years. Mr. Masci noted that many vacancies exist on citizen advisory boards and listed the boards and number of vacancies. He noted vacancies have been advertised, but few applicants have responded. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Coastal Zone Management Grant: Mr. Timmons announced that a Coastal Zone Management grant will be pursued by the Building and Community Development Department. Gaines Street Pump Station: Mr. Timmons recommended that the council direct the shoreline permit application for the project to the Hearings Examiner for reasons of impartiality and expediting the process. There were no objections and a resolution will be brought forward at the next council meeting. Library: Mr. Timmons referred to a letter from the Library Board requesting a $10,000 matching fund commitment from the council should the board be able to raise that amount independently. Mr. Timmons suggested the issue be referred to the Finance Committee. City Council Minutes 1 January 8, 2001 Mr. Frank then requested an executive session at the end of the meeting related to personnel issues. Regional contracts: Mr. Timmons updated the council on recent talks with Jefferson County. He stated that agreement has been reached on several matters. COMMENTS FROM TI-IE PUBLIC (regarding items not on the agenda) Liz Rivera Goldstein: Girl Scout House. Shared research into the history of the Girl Scout House and acquisition of the building by the scouts. Urged the council to work with Totem Council during the surplus process. Ginny Harvey and the Daisy Scout Troop: spoke in support of cooperation and constructive discussions between the City and the Girl Scouts regarding Girl Scout House. Vienna Harvey: asked the council not to sell the Girl Scout House. Deanna Brown: spoke on behalf of the Girl Scouts and continued use of the Girl Scout House. Kelsey Brown: in support of continued use of the Girl Scout House. Rebekah McGuire: urged the Council and Scouts to work together to reach a positive agreement regarding the Girl Scout House. Sherri Howard: in support of Girl Scout House. Nancy Dorgan: asserted her opinion that there may have been irregularities at the December 4 council meeting in regard to the executive session. Mr. Frank requested an opportunity to correct the record. Mr. Masci overruled. A vote was taken on whether or not Mr. Frank should engage in a dialogue with Ms. Dorgan. The vote was 3 in favor, with Mr. Masci opposed. Mr. Frank then stated that Ms. Dorgan's suspicions were incorrect. PUBLIC HEARING (Quasi-Judicial Closed Record) RESOLUTION 01-001 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, APPLICATION LUP00-055 Mr. Masci outlined the procedure for a quasi-judicial closed record heating. He asked if any council members have an interest in property based on the issue to be addressed, or if any stood to gain or lose any financial interest from the decision, or if any council City Council Minutes 2 January 8, 2001 member had any other disclosure to make in conjunction with the matter. There were no disclosures and no objections to any member's participation. Staff Presentation: John McDonagh, Planner Mr. McDonagh reviewed the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the Planning Commission regarding the approval of a conditional use permit to demolish an existing restaurant and to construct a new 600 person capacity dining hall/multi-purpose facility at Fort Worden State Park and Conference Center. The Planning Commission recommended on a 6-0 vote that the application be approved with conditions as listed in the Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations of the Planning Commission dated November 30, 2000. He stated that one comment had been received from an adjacent property owner expressing concerns about the long range parking plan. That concern has been addressed by State Parks representatives. A SEPA review resulted in a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance. Park Superintendent Jim Farmer and architect Richard Brown were on hand to represent the applicants. Public Testimony Nancy Dorgan: stated that, contrary to Mr. Nelson's comment letter claiming the area has never been used for parking, the area is used infrequently for parking; e.g., overflow parking during the Rhody Run. Mr. Farmer agreed that it was used only then and stated that the State Park is against any developed parking which would require clearing and grading, but hopes that the permit would not specify that no parking could ever occur there in case it is needed as event parking. Several clarification 'questions posed by council members were addressed by staff and applicants. It was noted that many of these questions would be addressed thoroughly during the building permit application process. The public hearing was closed. Motion: Mr. Frank moved for adoption of Resolution 01-001. Mr. Lipton seconded The motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote. Staff was directed to prepare findings and decision. CONSENTAGENDA Motion: Mr. Lipton moved for approval of the following items on the consent agenda. Mr. Frank seconded The motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote. City Council Minutes 3 January 8, 2001 Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 74415 through 74560 in the amount of $274,047.06 Approval of Minutes Regular Meeting of December 18 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTION 01-002 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND CONSULTANT J. GARY LEMONS, FOR ONE YEAR EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2001 Mr. Timmons introduced the resolution. Motion: Mr. Frank moved for approval of Resolution 01-002. Mr. Lipton seconded Council Discussion Mr. Garrison stated he cannot support allocating funds to any division of the television station other than the governmental division until the council has six consecutive meetings without any sound or transmission problems. There was further discussion regarding the structure of the television station as well as the issues of sound and picture quality of council broadcasts. Vote: The motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote. Motion: Mr. Frank moved that wording be added to the consultant agreement to state that the primary emphasis of the station manager's efforts would be on the quality of government and educational programming and that wording be added to clarify the coordinator's oversight capital equipment is limited to PEG studio capital equipment, and that a change be made to state that submission of an invoice for payment is expected once a month rather than twice a month. Mr. Lipton seconded Council Discussion Mr. Garrison stated that the intent of the amendments is a policy directive to the station manager to achieve and accomplish tasks through prioritizing, with government and educational activities taking precedence and that counseling with public access members be limited to a reasonable amount of time. Vote: The motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote. City Council Minutes 4 January 8, 2001 Discussion Item: City Parks Plan Mr. Frank requested that the council direct staff to amend the Parks and Recreation Plan so that Fort Worden, trails and open street ends are included in the plan inventory. He said the Parks and Recreation Commission or the Community Development Committee might be tasked to review the revisions. Motion: Mr. Garrison moved that staff be directed to add the project to the work plan and bring forward a resolution to the council regarding the subject. Mr. Frank seconded Public Comment Nancy Dorgan: reminded council that the former city attorney advised the council not to include street ends in the plan because of a case that was pending in Seattle. She suggested research on this issue could be done. Vote: The motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mr. Masci announced that the council would adjoum to executive session to discuss personnel matters. He stated the session was expected to last fifteen minutes and that no action was anticipated at the end of thc session. At 8:02 p.m. the council adjourned to executive session. RECONVENE The meeting was rcconvened at 8:20 p.m. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Minutes 5 January 8,.2001