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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09182001CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2001 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this eighteenth day of September, 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 Allen Frank, Vern Garrison, Geoff Masci, Syd Lipton, and Bill Wolcott. Joe Finnie and Alan Youse were excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, BCD Director Jeff Randall, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mr. Lipton requested that item 8(D) (appointment of Transportation Advisory Board members) on the Consent Agenda be postponed until the September 24 meeting. There were no objections. Mayor Masci proposed that a new resolution 01-043 be added under new business, the resolution relates to the September 11 terrorist attack. The item was added as 10(C). PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT The mayor suggested and the council agreed by consensus to schedule committee meetings on an as-needed basis rather than keeping to the regular schedule for the rest of the year, given demands on the council due to the budget process. Mayor Masci announced a joint Public Works/Finance Committee meeting on Thursday, September 20, at 12 noon to discuss the Tri-Area Water transfer. The council agreed by consensus to set a public hearing on October 18 on three ordinances that have been reviewed by the Planning Commission (home occupation, personal wireless facilities, SEPA exemption threshold). The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers. Mayor Masci read a proclamation honoring the victims of the September 11 terrorist attack. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons introduced Dr. Niki Clark, Director of the Jefferson County Historic Society, who presented a status report on the City Hall renovation project. She also City Council Business Meeting Page 1 September 18, 2001 reported on the Bell Tower project. Indications are good that the fund raising for the Bell Tower will result in enough funding so that the matching grant will be received and the city will need to contribute only a third of its total pledge. Mr. Timmons also reported that the Library Board has recommended annexation to the County Library. The effect on the budget would take place in 2003, but he suggested a meeting between the Council and the Library Board to discuss the issue and get the process underway. A workshop meeting was set for October 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Pope Marine Park Building. County Assessor Jack Westerman will be invited to attend. Mr. Garrison requested the addition of another business item: discussion of the September 24 agenda. PUBLIC COMMENT John Lockwood: asked the council to accept responsibility and make hard choices to be sure essential city services are provided; essential city services shouldn't become a political football but should be part of the budget cycle. Alessandra Banta: asked if the city newsletter was available at city offices. (Answer: yes, at Finance Department). CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Mr. Wolcott moved for approval of the following items on the consent agenda. Mr. Lipton seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 77615 through 77621 and 77813 through 77826 and 77830 through 77947 in the amount of $310,774.69. Approval of Minutes: Business Meeting of September 4, 2001 Continued Business Meeting of September 6, 2001 Approval of Resolution: RESOLUTION 01-042 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, DESIGNATING THE CITY MANAGER AS APPLICANT AGENT FOR THE STATE OF WASHINGTON HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION City Council Business Meeting Page 2 September 18, 2001 UNFINISHED BUSINESS TRI-AREA WATER SYSTEM TRANSFER Mr. Timmons updated the council on the Tri-Area Water System transfer. He noted that we are slightly behind the original timetable but the numbers work and the net result to the city will be favorable, particularly in terms of the city being able to focus on its own water needs. Staff's findings were: 1) The transfer of the Tri area water system Will not compromise the financial 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) performance of the City's utility. The City's utility debt position will benefit from the transfer. The PUD and City have received positive endorsement/support from the State of Washington Department of Health (DOH). The Teamsters Union has reviewed the transfer of two employees from the City to the PUD and acknowledged the terms by which the contract specifies how such a transfer can occur. The PUD appears to be in a satisfactory financial condition. A complete inventory of assets has been reviewed. The current Coordinated Water System Plan requires amendment. The General Fund will lose approximately $100,000 in tax revenue. Public comment None Motion: Mr. Frank moved to direct staff to set a date for the Council to meet with the PUD Commissioners to establish a date and time for closing of the transfer. Mr. Wolcott seconded The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. SEPTEMBER 24 MEETING AGENDA Mr. Garrison moved to schedule any additional business items for the September 24 meeting to a place on the agenda after the three public hearings. Mr. Frank seconded. The motion carried, 4-1, by voice vote, with Mr. Masci opposed ORDINANCE 2776 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING SECTION 12.20.090, COMPENSATION FOR VACATION, CHAPTER 12.20, STREET VACATION PROCEDURE, OF THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNCIPAL CODE, REQUIRING FULL COMPENSATION FROM ABUTTING PROPERTY OWNERS FOR STREET VACATIONS PER RCW 33.79.030 Mr. Watts introduced the ordinance, noting that the city may now receive full compensation for vacation of property owned over 25 years. The ordinance was changed from its first draft in response to a citizen comment noting that the Comprehensive Plan requires that monies received from street vacations be dedicated and City Council Business Meeting Page 3 September 18, 2001 earmarked for transportation improvements. State law mandated allocation of 50% of the monies received to be dedicated to transportation improvements. Public comment None Motion: Mr. Wolcott moved for the first reading or Ordinance 2776. Mr. Lipton seconded Ms. Kolacy read the ordinance by title. The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. QUITE CLAIM DEED OFFERED TO CITY Mr. Watts introduced the item. The Bank of America, representing an estate, has offered to quit claim deed to the city two lots in the Fowlers' Park addition. The lots are below the bluff in the far northwest corner of the city. They appear to be within the tideland/shoreland area, and undevelopable and without any value to the city. The Capital Facilities Committee has forwarded a recommendation that the City has no use for the property and a letter should be written to the bank suggesting that the state may have a use for the tideland property. Public comment None Motion: Mr. Wolcott moved to direct staff to reply to the offer, stating that the city has no use for the property and suggesting that the property be deeded to the State of Washington. Mr: Lipton seconded The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. RESOLUTION 01-043 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND REGARDING THE TERRORIST ATTACKS LAUNCHED AGAINST THE UNITED STATES ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 Mayor Masci introduced the resolution. Public comment Barbara McColgan Pastore suggested a reference to all victims of the attack, not just Americans. Motion: Mr. Frank moved to adopt Resolution 01-043 with the addition of "and citizens of many other nations" in the first "Whereas" after "innocent Americans. "Mr. Lipton seconded The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting Page 4 September 18, 2001 EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Masci announced that the council would adjourn to executive session to discuss matters of potential litigation. The session was expected to last about 20 minutes and no action was expected following the session. The executive session began at 8:20 p.m. RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 8:41 p.m. There being ADJOURN no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m. Attest: City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 5 September 18, 2001