HomeMy WebLinkAbout06062002CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF JUNE 6, 2002
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this sixth day of
June, 2002, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor
Kees Kolff presiding.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were Freida Fenn, Kees Kolff, Geoff Masci,
Michelle Sandoval, Catharine Robinson and Alan Youse. Mr. Finnie was excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts,
Public Works Director Ken Clow, Water Quality Manager Bob LaCroix and City Clerk
Pam Kolacy.
UPPER SIMS WAY IMPROVEMENTS
Mr. Timmons stated that he has prepared a comprehensive overview of Upper Sims Way
improvements, noting that staff is not asking the council to take any action this evening.
He suggested, however that in view of various misunderstandings that have come to light
since the last meeting, council may wish to consider rescinding Resolution 02-022.
RESOLUTION 02-022
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND,
WASHINGTON, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND
EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH A CONSULTING
ENGNEERING FIRM TO PREPARE AN OVERALL IMPLEMENTATION
STRATEGY AND SCHEDULE FOR WATER, SEWER AND TRANSPORTATION
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE UPPER SIMS WAY COMMERCIAL AREA
(Approved on May 20, 2002)
Motion: Mr. Masci moved to rescind Resolution 02-022, adopted on May 20, 2002. Ms.
Robinson seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote.
Mr. Timmons presented a comprehensive over view of the suggested coordinated plan for
improvements in the upper Sims Way area. He noted that if the city does not become
proactive in terms of infrastructure needs, someone else may make those decisions for us.
He related the various components of the plan to policy elements of the Comprehensive
Plan and other adopted city plans.
Mr. Timmons stated that he will not enter into any contracts for services related to the
project without publicly consulting with the council first during the City Manager's
Report on a regular public meeting agenda.
The lion's share of cost will go toward the transportation elements. Questions from the
council included requests for more specific financing information, relationship of the
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project to the tiering system currently in place; feasibility of bringing the work in-house;
relationship of previous recommendation to hire a staff grant writer; length of time until
completion of the entire project. (3-7 years)
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Nancy Dorgan: said the stormwater plan was not mentioned. (DT: many stormwater
issues will be addressed by transportation analysis, draft stormwater plan will be used as
framework).
Collette Kostelec: requested clarification on what $250,000 is buying. Asked about the
scope of work. Does surveying include all rights of way? (DT: revising scope of work,
plan now to bring elements back to council and do definition before asking for
authorization, with budget attached to each).
Richard Talbot: asked about assessed values and annual assessment. (DT: goal to look
at affordability index of projects; most are eligible for federal aid; benefit analysis must
be done); asked about impacts of traffic traveling SR 20 to the highway. (DT stated
ferries are a significant generator of traffic unrelated to city development; proposed
analysis will give us tools we need to argue that state must pay fair share.)
Jack Molsness: suggested reducing the scope to consultant planning initially and make
good use of the studies already in place.
Scott Walker: encouraged implementing existing plans, asked for consideration of traffic
circles as part of a transportation plan.
Shirley Rudolph: stated Howard Street is an important priority; encouraged the city to
look at the project in phases.
Michael Anderson: asked to bring the public into the process; stated that the Gateway
Plan did not include local access. Lack of continuity in the street system has been a
continuing problem. Public customers like the hospital should also contribute.
Lois Sherwood: concerned about developing Discovery as an alternate entry to Port
Townsend; stated that installing traffic lights makes access to the highway more difficult.
Ted Shoulberg: believes the city is not ready to work on a project of this complexity all
at once, agrees it should be staged; noted that council priorities should be directed to
staff for implementation; asked for more council and public involvement.
RECESS
Mayor Kolff called for a recess at 8:25 p.m. for the purpose of a break.
RECONVENE
The meeting reconvened at 8:40 p.m.
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Motion: Mr. Masci moved that the Upper Sims Way components be assigned to the
appropriate council committees for analysis and returned to the council of the whole for
further discussion and approval. Mr. Youse seconded
Mr. Timmons noted that this action would not preclude any further policy discussion by
the council.
Vote: the motion carried 4-2, with Ms. Sandoval and Ms. Fenn opposed
GLEN COVE WATER AREA MAP
Mr. Timmons noted the item was postponed from the regular meeting on June 3. He
presented maps showing the current water system area (approved in 1997); proposed
water service area as approved by council and PUD in October 2002; and amendments to
the second map. He stated that the six amendments would be explained and discussed
individually.
Four possible actions were proposed: 1)take no action (contrary to agreement with
PUD); 2) proceed to submit to the WUCC Map//2 only (consistent with agreement
between PUD and City; 3) reject Map #2 (require a new agreement to be negotiated with
PUD); 4) amend map #2 to incorporate all or any of the individual amendments 1-6.
Mr. Clow then discussed each of the six amendments and the masons for their inclusion.
He noted that most of the amendments are proposed to reflect the areas the city is
servicing now and to give the property owners in those areas clarity about who their
water purveyor is.
Amendment #1 removes property of Port Townsend Paper Company from the city Water
Service Area until such time as the PTPC sells some or all of the property, designation
was result of discussions between the city and PTPC prior to approval of the City/PUD
exchange.
Amendment #2 adds an area on the southwest side of approved service area to facilitate
future looping of the existing water lines in the area.
Amendment #3 deletes part of previously approved service area south and west of Cape
George Road to maintain a clearer boundary and offset, in part, some of the area being
added.
Amendment #4 adds the area south of the County Landfill, removing an "island" of
property nearly surrounded by the city service area already; would also facilitate future
looping of water lines.
Amendment #5 highlights a private water system (Deanerline) as not being in the city
service area.
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Amendment #6 adds properties west of Jacob Miller, some already served by the city
system.
Council questions included:
1) more clarification about the partnership with PT paper and the contract between the
city and the mill; more clarification about the "provisional" service definition;
2) requests for definition of the size of all parcels affected by the amendments, what the
zoning is, estimates of water use, number of potential hookups, and whether or not any of
them have asked to be included in the water service area; and
3) relationship to wellhead protection area, and current size of the various lines and
potential upgrades.
Public comment
Nancy Dorgan: favored only amendment 5, no expansion in Glen Cove.
Ted Shoulberg: objects to designation of PT Paper's provisional service area; stated the
precedent has been to keep the boundaries tight.
Mr. Masci proposed a motion approving the recommendation of the General Government
Committee outlining the proposed service area boundaries for submission to the WUCC,
including amendments 1-6 as proposed by staff, then subtracting amendments if desired.
There was no one willing to second.
Motion: Ms. Fenn moved to postpone these decisions on proposed changes to the water
service map to another meeting for more full information and when staff can answer all
the outstanding questions on these issues. Ms. Sandoval seconded The motion carried,
5-1, by voice vote, with Mr. Masci opposed
Ms. Sandoval then noted that she has received no information on the distressed county
infrastructure funding and no direction from staff or council on what the city's funding
recommendation may be.
Mr. Timmons noted that he has not received any information from the county. A
discussion of the item will be proposed for the June 17 meeting.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Attest:
Pamela Kolacy, CMC
City Clerk
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