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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03182002CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF MARCH 18, 2002 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this eighteenth day of March 2002, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City Hall, Deputy Mayor Freida Fenn presiding. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmembers present at roll call were Freida Fenn, Joe Finnie, Geoff Masci, Catharine Robinson and Michelle Sandoval. Councilor Kolffwas excused due to being out of town, and Councilor Youse was excused due to illness in the family. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Finance Director Michael Legarsky and Public Works Director Ken Clow. CHANGESTOTHEAGENDA Item 10.B (Ordinance 2801, amending the Code of Ethics) was moved from New Business, to 9.B under Unfinished Business at the request of Councilor Fenn. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT PROCLAMATIONS Deputy Mayor Fenn read proclamations honoring the Port Townsend High School Mock Trial, and the Port Townsend High School Knowledge Bowl. Student Dorgan Wells spoke on behalf of the students involved in the mock trial. Coach Jim Guthrie introduced the co-coach and students on the Knowledge Bowl teams. He described the teams' accomplishments and said two teams from Port Townsend have advanced to the state tournament. He thanked the City for the recognition. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Proposed Glen Cove Expansion: Mr. Timmons updated the council on today's Board of County Commissioner's (BOCC) meeting regarding the proposed Glen Cove expansion. He distributed a city attorney memo, which had been presented to the BOCC, outlining the city's view of the county's action. The city does not disagree with moving forward but it should be done in a manner that will be upheld. The City and County will work together on the common goal of encouraging local business expansion. County staff has been directed to draft an ordinance by next week, so time is of the essence. Hood Canal Bridge Closure: Mr. Timmons reported on a frustrating meeting held this week that he attended. He is trying to get clear direction on what the city can do to City Council Business Meeting Page 1 March 18, 2002 respond to the upcoming bridge closure. The City has an opportunity within the next year to develop an alternative strategy to propose to the RTPO, and he explained the process. He said he will develop a proposed plan of action for council review and action. There is a lot of concern for how to recover the customer base which will be lost during the bridge closure. Chetzemoka Park: Mr. Timmons reported on the progress in the investigation of the rose arbor hackers. Individuals are being asked to come forward to take responsibility. The severe pruning was not done maliciously but was done with an intent to carry out a personal objective. The activity was not authorized. The drastically altered plants will suffer some damage but they will survive and it will take years for them to come back. Japanese Visitor: Mr. Timmons reported on the successful visit by Takehiko Kawakami to interview the arts community. Mr. Kawakami's plan is to select various representative American communities to come to Japan for a summit to discuss the relationship of economic development and the arts. Arts are a major part of the Port Townsend economy and the City is a potential candidate. The summit would be at Japan's invitation and expense. It is expected that we will hear back in October or November if we have been selected to participate. Pope Marine Park Building Chairs: Mr. Timmons reported that chairs have been disappearing from the building. He asked that chairs not be removed from the building without first notifying the Parks Department. Compost: Mr. Timmons reported that compost will be available April 8-13. The time for sale may be extended depending upon the response. The cost is $15 cubic yard. The City has been testing for a chemical that has turned up in Eastern Washington compost. We have been advised that our low level is not harmful to humans but can be to certain vegetation. A flyer is being developed to be distributed with the sale of the compost. Also there will be a newspaper article notifying the public of traces of the compound. In response to questions, Mr. Clow said there will be enough compost left for those not able to buy until Saturday, and there is no limit on the amount individuals may purchase. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (consent agenda and non-agenda items) James Fritz: described the dangers of using the herbicide clopyralid and requested that people ask the stores to discontinue selling the product. He distributed handouts on the subject. He read a data sheet on Weed and Feed and suggested that it be required that landscapers and licensed pest controllers hand out a materials toxic data sheet for commercially used products. Bob Sokol: handed the city a copy of Washington Public Ports Association WPPA Environmental & Land Use Handbook, a handbook designed to assist ports with environmental and land use issues. He explained that the Joint Aquatic Resource Permit City Council Business Meeting Page 2 March 18, 2002 Application process (JARPA) for developing in and arotmd the water is not easy to follow. The handbook was developed for policy and decision-makers. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Councilor Finnie moved for adoption of the following items on the consent agenda. Councilor Masci seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 5-0. Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 80236 through 80406 in the amount of $440,572.49 Minutes: Regular Session of March 4, 2002 UNFINISHED BUSINESS CHANGE DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE TREE CLEARING ORDINANCE Mr. Timmons said public notice had been missed for a March 25 public hearing, and that notice will be published for a new hearing date of April 1, 2002. Public Comment: None Motion: Councilor Robinson moved to set a public hearing to receive comment on Ordinance 2799 at the regular city council meeting on April 1, 2002. Councilor Masci seconded The motion carried unanimously, 5-0. ORDINANCE 2801 AMENDING THE CODE OF ETHICS TO INCLUDE DOMESTIC PARTNER IN THE DEFINITION OF FAMILY, AND AMENDING RESTRICTIONS ON EMPLOYEES LEAVING THE CITY Mr. Watts explained the two amendments and what they mean. The first amendment would add "domestic partner" within the definition of "family." The effect would be to expand the disclosure/reporting requirement for city employees, board members, or elected officials. The second amendment would add a change to the current restrictions on employees leaving the city and avoiding conflicts of interest with new employment. In response to a council question, Mr. Watts clarified that domestic partner does not extend to partners of children of family members. City Council Business Meeting Page 3 March 18, 2002 Motion: Councilor Masci moved to suspend Council rules and that the first reading be considered the second and the third by title only. Councilor Robinson seconded. Public Comment Nancy Dorgan: commented on the domestic partner definition. Mr. Watts responded that the relationship has to resemble a family and would not cover a roommate. Vote: the motion carried unanimously, 5-0. Motion: Councilor Masci moved to adopt Ordinance 2801, amending the Code of Ethics to include domestic partner in the definition of family, and amending restrictions on employees leaving the City. Council Robinson seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 5-0. NEW BUSINESS CITY BANKING SERVICES AGREEMENT Mr. Legarsky explained that the city has been operating for several years with an expired banking services contract and said that in recent years governments have seen a dramatic increase in fraudulent check schemes directed at public depositaries. The proposed banking services contract addresses these concerns. There are specific requirements for public depositaries for cities, subject to council approval. Six Port Townsend banking institutions meet the requirements, and the city has received four proposals in response to its Request for Proposals. The proposals will be reviewed by the City Council Finance/Budget Committee on March 19, and then forwarded to the full council for action. Public Comment: None Motion: Council Masci moved to direct the City Manager to report his recommendation on the award of the banking contract to the Finance/Budget Committee and ask the Committee to bring forward its recommendation to the full council at the March 25 meeting. Councilor Robinson seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 5-0. JEFFERSON TRANSIT/CITY POTENTIAL SHARED CAPITAL FACILITY Mr. Timmons reported that he has been having discussions with the Transit Director regarding their future plans. There may be advantageous opportunities for the city to look at co-locating a facility, particularly as relates to fleet maintenance. Jefferson Transit is seeking substantial federal aid to relocate and build a new facility. He explained the history of the proposed Howard Street project and said that if Howard Street were extended there may be an opportunity for co-location of a facility and for needed infrastructure. A developer is looking into constructing a 90-unit housing project City Council Business Meeting Page 4 March 18, 2002 just to the east of Howard Street, and this could put the transit facility in a high traffic area. The city's public works facility at Cherry Street is not the best use of that property. Mr. Timmons said if the property were surplused the money could be used to buy into the Jefferson Transit maintenance facility. Mr. Timmons requested authorization to open discussions with Jefferson Transit and also to follow-up with the General Government Committee; bringing back recommendations to the full council as it progresses. In response to council questions, Mr. Timmons said current maintenance staffing levels would likely not be affected. Under the union contract, if we do a joint venture we would have to provide job security for the employees involved. He said there is a 3-4 year window for this to take place. Public Comment Nancy Dorgan expressed environmental concerns but geographically, the location is favorable. Council Discussion: 1) supports focusing on this project 2) wetland issues; 3) could lighten the load of the growing transportation problem; 4) Howard Street was meant to be an arterial; 5) Howard Street should go through with a traffic light at Simms Way; 6) continue to pursue; 7) good idea of moving the community feeling out - more affordable housing and still a community feel with commercial/mixed use; 8) natural area to be looking at for directing transportation; 9) if this could be part of a master plan it would be a win-win situation; and 10) need to think about the consequences of all the vehicles moving in and out of that area. Councilor Finnie confirmed that looking at the city's essential facilities over the next 3-5 years has been tasked to the General Government Committee. Mr. Timmons responded that wherever the facility is located, transportation consequences will be a critical issue. He said he sees this as a good marriage and could be a stimulus to get it moving and make it work. He reported that the 80-acre DNR land exchange that he has been directed to look into is near this area, so building the infrastructure at that location would be helpful. Motion: Councilor Masci moved to authorize the City Manager to continue discussions and research regarding the advantages o fa partnership with Jefferson Transit for shared capital facilities. Councilor Finnie seconded Mr. Timmons confirmed that Surplusing the Cherry Street property has been recommended and this would be the first step of action. Vote: The motion carried unanimously, 5-0. City Council Business Meeting Page 5 March 18, 2002 FIRE DISTRICT NO. 6 (FD6) CONTRACT Mr. Timmons explained that the district has been operating on last year's agreement and that he has begun discussions with them. FD6 is in the process of reforming. He reported meeting with one of the FD6 commissioners who has been assigned to begin discussions in regards to the contractual relationship with the city. FD6 may come forward with a request for a higher level of service. FD6 is on the General Government Committee list for tracking, and any proposal would go through that committee. This is not the annexation proposal, just a contractual issue. The Fire Chief for FD6 will be retiring in July and the district sees this as an ideal time to not fill that position and contract with the city. This would give us a larger cadre of volunteers and would allow for more training than is currently offered for the two separate departments. Public Comment Nancy Dorgan spoke against the proposal. Motion: Councilor Masci moved to authorize the City Manager to continue discussions and negotiations with Fire District No. 6. Councilor Finnie seconded. Council Discussion Councilors Robinson and Finnie requested more information. Mr. Timmons said FD6 will be approaching us after they have discussed the issues and they are looking at what are they going to do regarding fire. One of their options is to contract with the city for fire in addition to emergency medical services. Councilors Finnie and Fenn requested that the City Manager provide the General Government Committee with the current contract and assessment issues. Councilor Fenn said she would like a briefing and doesn't want to see a lot of movement until FD6 has cleaned house. Mr. Timmons said contracting with the city is only one of FD6's options. We aren't making any commitments at this time and will not make any arrangement that would compromise the city. We will only enter into an agreement that benefits both the city and FD6. Councilor Sandoval also would like a briefing and wants to know the repercussions on the future service area of Glen Cove and if that changes the dynamic of the Tri-Area UGA. City Council Business Meeting Page 6 March 18, 2002 Mr. Timmons said the Tri-Area is a different district. It would only be affected through mutual aid. He said we currently respond for all EMS calls, and only 20% of the calls are fire related. He agreed to put together those kinds of issues for a briefing. Vote: The motion carried 4-1, with Councilor Fenn opposed. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 7:42 p.m., Deputy Mayor Fenn announced the Council would go into Executive Session regarding personnel, which would last approximately 20 minutes. No action will be taken. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 8:05 p.m. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Attest: Sheila Spears Deputy Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 7 March 18, 2002