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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01072002CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF JANUARY 7, 2002 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this seventh day of January 2002, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Geoff Masci presiding. OATH OF OFFICE City Clerk Pam Kolacy administered the oath of office to new council members Freida Fenn, Kees Kolff, and Michelle Sandoval. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmembers present at roll call were Frieda Fenn, Joe Finnie, Kees Kolff, Geoff Masci, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Alan Youse. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, Acting City Attorney Steve Olsen, and City Clerk Para Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Ms. Sandoval requested discussion of a city proclamation be added under New Business. Ms. Fenn asked that a proclamation honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. be read during New Business. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT · Mayor Masci read a proclamation honoring Mary Sullivan on her 97th birthday. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons introduced Steve Olsen, who is attending the meeting as Acting City Attorney in place of City Attorney John Watts, who is on vacation. Mr. Timmons updated the council on the Friends of Ichikawa meeting held today with city staff and community members. ELECTION OF OFFICERS City Clerk Pam Kolacy opened the floor to nominations for the office of mayor. Mr. Youse was recognized and nominated Mr. Masci. Mr. Masci declined the nomination. Ms. Fenn was recognized and nominated Mr. Kolff. There were no further nominations. City Council Minutes 1 January 7, 2002 The result of the written ballots was six in favor of Mr. Kolff and one absention. Mr. Kolff was declared the mayor. Mayor Kolffthen opened the floor for nominations for Deputy Mayor. Ms. Sandoval nominated Ms. Fenn. There were no further nominations. Mr. Kolff declared the result of the written ballots was six in favor of Ms. Fenn and one abstention. Ms. Fenn was declared the Deputy Mayor RECESS Mayor Kolff declared a twenty minute recess for a reception in honor of the new council at 6:50 p.m. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 7:15 p.m. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (regarding items not on the agenda) Nancy Dorgan: congratulated the new council members and stated that they had conducted good, positive campaigns.' She added that she believes the crucial issues coming up include the changes at Point Hudson, preservation of Kah Tai Park, rejection of demand for city water services in unserved residential areas of the county, and the city's fiscal problems. Gloria Bram: thanked the continuing council members for reinvigorating her interest in local politics. She stated her concern with equal access issues. Barbara McColgan Pastore: speaking as Chairperson of the Park and Recreation Advisory Board. She said that many of the long standing projects of the Board are nearing completion and that the Board has a mid-term vacancy. She asked that the appointment be made as soon as possible rather than waiting until the official expiration of the term. Kathryn Jenks: asked the council to pay attention to capital projects such as the Gaines Street Pump Station, "F" Street, and the Stormwater Plan. She stated that only two capital projects have been addressed in the last three years. In addition, she questioned the budget costs of the "F" Street project compared with projections. CONSENTAGENDA Motion: Mr. Masci moved for approval of the following items on the consent agenda: Ms. Fenn seconded The motion carried, with 4 in favor and 3 abstentions (council members who had not participated in the meetings for which minutes were to be approved- Fenn, Kolff, Sandoval). City Council Minutes 2 January 7, 2002 Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants: Vouchers 79173 through 79233 and 79266 through 79265 in the amount of $590,539.18 Approval of Minutes: Business Meeting of December 10, 2001 Business Meeting of December 17, 2001 UNFINISHED BUSINESS There were no items addressed. NEW BUSINESS COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS Staff Presentation Mr. Timmons introduced the item, noting that council members have received a list of inter-agency committees with current city council representation. In addition, assignments must be made to the council standing committees. Public Comment: Gloria Bram: posed questions about the Disabilities Board and asked whether it is a city entity. Mr. Masci noted that it is a County advisory board with ,a seat designated for a city council member. After clarifying questions and discussion, it was agreed that each council member will indicate their preferences for committee assignments to the mayor by the end of the week. Mayor Kolff added that if any meetings require representation before assignments are made, he or the City Manager should be notified to make sure nothing is missed during the transition period. RESOLUTION 02-001 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND DESIGNATING THE PORT TOWNSEND LEADER AS THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND Mr. Timmons introduced the resolution, noting that the resolution provides for an official newspaper of record as required by state statute; the previous resolution designated the Leader as newspaper of record for one year only. This measure will provide continuation City Council Minutes 3 January 7, 2002 of that official designation as an interim measure until such time as the council may desire to revisit the designation. Public Comment None Motion: Mr. Masci moved for adoption of Resolution 02-001. Ms. Robinson seconded. Mr. Youse stated he would like more facts and a time line for revisiting the issue or he would be unable to support the motion. Vote: The motion carried, 6-1, with Mr. Youse opposed. PROCESS FOR AMENDING CITY COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE Ms. Fenn introduced the item. She referred to a memo from the City Attorney addressing certain housekeeping changes in the council rules; she added that she had also researched council rules from other jurisdictions and has proposed a draft version of revised rules incorporating both housekeeping and research. She stated that one item in the rules which she proposes amending is the time frame during which packets are made available; the revised version would require a final agenda be produced in time for publication by the Leader on the Wednesday before each regular meeting. Mayor Kolff noted that this evening's discussion should be limited to the process for revision rather than the substance of the rules. Public Comment Gloria Bram: spoke in favor of an advance agenda. Ms. Sandoval proposed that council members review the proposed draft and highlight items that require clarification and discussion so that the substantive review can go smoothly. Action: Discussion of the council rules revision was scheduled as part of the study session agenda on danuary 14. CITY COUNCIL RETREAT - JANUARY 12 Mr. Timmons noted that the agenda for the scheduled retreat on January 12 is included in the packets. Public Comment Michael Anderson: stated that the public should be invited to participate. He added that a retreat is a learning process, but if the object is setting goals and figuring out what the community will be in 20 years, a town meeting should be held. He recommended getting City Council Minutes 4 January 7, 2002 back to the basics and supported a general public meeting during which a conversation could take place about things that are basic to the community. He said a retreat is a start in that direction, but asked the council to go toward a town meeting as well. Jeff Kelety: spoke in favor of an early council retreat, saying that it will be an instructive gathering. Mr. Youse noted he cannot attend the retreat but hoped there would be substantial notes for him to look at. Ms. Fenn asked Mr. Youse to provide his top ten priorities for council consideration in the coming year so they can be included in the retreat summary. A discussion about the content of the meeting was held and Mayor Kolff and City Manager Timmons will rework the proposed agenda based on the comments by council members. PROCLAMATION Ms. Sandoval requested that a proclamation honoring Michael Hildt be presented at the next regular meeting. PROCLAMATION Mayor Kolff read a proclamation regarding Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Minutes 5 January 7, 2002