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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07072003 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF JULY 7, 2003 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this seventh day of July, 2003, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Kees Kolff presiding. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Kees Kolff. Council members present at roll call were Freida Fenn, Joe Finnie, Kees Kolff, Geoff Masci, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Alan Youse. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Fire Chief Ed Edwards, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Harvindar Singh of the Farmer's Market gave the council an update on the Farmer's Market, which is having a very successful season. He presented the city with a framed Farmer's Market poster. The mayor congratulated Mr. Finnie on his appointment as a Board member of the Washington Historic Trust. He also gave a brief report on the endangered properties list. WRIA 17 Committee. Mayor Kolff noted there must be guaranteed attendance at every meeting by a city-voting representative; he asked that Bob LaCroix be named alternate. Motion: Mr. Masci moved to appoint Bob £aCroix as the City's alternate representative to the WRIA 17planning unit. Ms. Robinson seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Mayor Kolff noted that the General Government Committee will be discussing the WRIA 17 water issues at the next meeting and invited other council members interested to attend that meeting as there is not another date for a full workshop meeting. The Fourth of July was uneventful, with no fires or injuries reported by the Fire or Police Departments, or by Jefferson General Hospital. A ceremony kicking off the Hood Canal Bridge project will be held on August 16; an elected official has been asked to be there. Neither the mayor or deputy mayor can City Council Business Meeting Page 1 duly 7, 2003 attend; the mayor asked any other council member who might be available to contact him as soon as possible so he can get back to the Department of Transportation. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons reported that the anticipated correction to the solid waste service rate structure would be 1.75%; this translates from about 12 cents to 25 cents per month, depending on the level of garbage service. The adjustment will go into effect with the September bills and is already authorized under the contract. A contract has been signed with Ted Krysinski to be an interim helper to the Fire Chief, concentrating on operations and training. After six months, a review will determine whether this should be budgeted as a regular position in the Fire Department. Public Works Director Ken Clow gave an update on capital projects currently underway including the Bell Tower, Morgan Hill pump station, Sims Way pathway and San Juan sidewalk. He also stated that Lords Lake and City Lake are at full capacity and the rivers are slightly down from last year. Mr. Finnie left the meeting due to illness. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (consent and non-agenda items) Bo Bricklemyer: stated he was representing 26 neighbors, commenting on the Morgan Hill pump station project. He stated objections to the use of the High School maintenance facility as a staging area for the construction as it is a detriment to the neighborhood; he stated that commercial use of school property is inappropriate. He stated two trees, planted by the neighborhood as part of a beautification project, had been bulldozed and that the neighborhood is notorious for strong winds and an unacceptable amount of dust blows from the dirt piles. He stated the materials should be stored at the Redwood site of City shops. He presented a short petition asking that the staging be removed from the present site, the trees be replaced and watered and the yard regraded and beautified. City Manager Timmons said staff had met with the contractor today and the contractor will increase dust control measures. He stated the goal is to be out of that phase of the project entirely in four weeks; the use as a staging area is very short term and related to the water line construction. He added the intent of the school district and city is that the site will be restored and vegetated; he emphasized that the property does belong to the school district. Staff will meet with the community tomorrow, and the City will do everything possible to mitigate impacts for this short construction phase. In regard to a question from a Council member, Mayor Kolff suggested if dialogue were desired, the item should be placed on the agenda under new business. City Council Business Meeting Page 2 July 7, 2003 CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Mr. Masci moved for adoption of the following items on the Consent Agenda. Ms. Fenn seconded Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 86357 through 86375 in the amount of $104,785.46 Voucher 86381 in the amount of $10,831.48 Voucher 86408 in the amount of $352.40 Vouchers 703031 through 703037 in the amount of $67,219.82 Vouchers 86395 through 86407 in the amount of $38,250.04 Vouchers 86409 through 86561 in the amount of $261,068.42 Voucher 703039 in the amount of $1,069.01 Voucher 86562 in the amount of $195.42 Approval of Minutes: June 16, 2003 regular session Mr. Youse requested that Item C (approval for the City of Port Townsend sponsoring the Festival of International Goodwill and bearing the cost of event insurance) be removed from the consent agenda and be placed under New Business. Mayor Kolff declared the first two items adopted by consensus. Item "C" was moved to New Business. NEW BUSINESS MORGAN HILL PUMP STATION CONSTRUCTION Council members had several questions about the project and how it related to the concerns of the neighbors. Mr. Timmons gave a more thorough description of the project, timelines, and contract terms. He noted that when the pipeline is completed, a four-foot strip will be added to Harrison for non-motorized traffic and an asphalt speed bump will be incorporated into the crosswalk. Public comment Peter Badame stated the project is not as short and inconspicuous as the Council has been led to believe; he also questioned a financial agreement between the contractor and the school district. Ms. Fenn asked for a report next week on the project. AMENDMENT TO COUNCIL RULES CHANGE IN COMMITTEE MEETING TIME Motion: Ms. Robinson moved to amend Schedule E of the Council Rules to change the language under "Regular Meeting Schedule" to "to be determined by the committee, and City Council Business Meeting Page 3 July 7, 2003 reported to the Clerk for inclusion in these rules, Meetings Update, and elsewhere as appropriate." Ms. Fenn seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. RESOLUTION 03-019 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHSINGTON, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WIT THE PORT TOWNSEND VOLUNTER FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION Mr. Timmons stated that the Volunteer Firefighters Association performs many services that directly benefit the community and save direct expense to the city; staff believes it to be in the City's best interest to establish a formal arrangement with them in a similar manner to other non-profit organizations. In answer to a series of questions form Mr. Kolff, Mr. Timmons noted that the source of funding would be the Fire Department budget; amount would be $10,000, and would be reflected in the supplemental budget. It is anticipated that current Fire Department revenues will cover this year's expenditure. Fire Chief Ed Edwards introduced Association President Tammy Ridgway and Treasurer Cathy Langley. He pointed out that the contract funding would free the volunteers from having to do fundraising activities and allow them to use their time for community service. There was no public comment. Motion: Mr. Masci moved for adoption of Resolution 03-019. Mr. Youse seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. RESOLUTION 03-020 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH JEFFERSON COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT #6 TO SHARE THE COST OF FUNDING A TRAINING OFFICER FOR SIX MONTHS Mr. Timmons stated that the lack of a Training Officer is a serious concern for both the City and Fire District #6. Ted Krysinski has recently been hired on a contractual basis for a six-month appointment to the position, with the goal of establishing department operations and training programs for staff and volunteers. District #6 has agreed to share in the cost and will provide revenue to the City as well as office space in return for their share of the services. He added that funding for the position is being covered by the savings from a current vacant position and actually results in a $15,000 revenue to the Department which will be included in the supplemental budget. City Council Business Meeting Page 4 July 7, 2003 There was no public comment. Motion: Mr. Masci moved for adoption of Resolution 03-020. Mr. Youse seconded The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. ORDINANCE 2833 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND REPEALING CHAPTERS 17.30 PTMC, "WATERFRONT DESIGN GUIDELINES OVERLAY DISTRICT,' AND 17.80 PTMC, "DESIGN REVIEW -NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT," AND ADOPTING A NEW CHAPTER 17.30 PTMC, "HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT - DESIGN REVIEW"; ESTABLISHING MANDATORY DESIGN REVIEW REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING: DESIGN STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO ALL AREAS WITHIN THE PORT TOWNSEND HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT, AS WELL AS MORE DETAILED DESIGN STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO SPECIFIC WATERFRONT SUBDISTRICTS WITHIN THE OVERLAY DISTRICT; CLARIFYING THE PROCEDURES FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND DESIGN REVIEW City Attorney John Watts introduced the ordinance, noting that the Council will review it more thoroughly after the Planning Commission has made recommendations. He noted that the ordinance solves a procedural matter by the consolidation of two portions of the Code that deal with historic preservation (17.30 and 17.80) into a new chapter so that it will be more customer friendly and easier for staff to administer. The ordinance also provides for an additional standard before an historic building can be demolished. City Manager Timmons noted that adoption of a first reading tonight does not commit the Council to the wording of the ordinance, but does get the adoption procedure going in an orderly manner. There was no public comment. Ms. Fenn stated for the record that she has a potential financial business interest in Pygmy Boats, which is currently located in the historic district in Point Hudson. Mr. Masci had several comments on the "Issues and Options" document: Issue #1: option (a) requiring additional information from an applicant who seeks partial or complete demolition may not need to be as detailed. He also requested copies for council members of the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings. Option (c) adoption of the Uniform Code for the Abatement - Mr. Masci requested copies for Council members. City Council Business Meeting Page 5 July 7, 2003 He supports the consolidation and revamping of the Historic District regulations to make them more "user friendly." Issue #3: Mr. Masci is emphatically against mandatory compliance with Design Review recommendations in Uptown (a); considers (b) requiring on-going maintenance to reduce potential demolitions, to be an intrusion into private ownership and an enforcement problem; (d) would like to amend the sign code; (g) does not think design standards should apply to vendor carts; nor to (h) temporary uses; and would like to raise the CLG age class from 50 years to 75 or 100 years, which he believes is more reasonable. He also does not believe fences and decks should be included under Design Review (1). Ms. Fenn spoke in support of the ordinance, noting that the text embodies the recommendations that the HPC affirmed unanimously. She noted that the many items under "Issue 3" of the Issues and Options are not covered in the ordinance, but were raised as issues the Council may wish to consider in the future. Motion: Ms. Fenn moved for first reading of Ordinance 2833. Ms. Sandoval seconded Mr. Kolff clarified that Issue #3 (a - m) lists a variety of issues that were touched on for possible further consideration or action and all were deferred with the exception of (a) whether design review should be applicable throughout the historic district. He noted that in any case, HPC review is only for commercial buildings and commercial bed and breakfasts. Mr. Watts stated adoption of Abatement Code was recommended by the citizens committee but not carried forward by HPC. He also stated the draft ordinance does not establish a "magic" number before a building can be considered historic under either the CLG standards or the proposed ordinance. Mr. Watts stated that the Port has had concerns about this ordinance, and Port Director Larry Crockett has stated that the Port will be making comments when the ordinance begins through the public hearing process. Ms. Sandoval noted that the Issues and Options paper was created so that issues, which had been discussed but not formally recommended for adoption, could be explored in the future. Vote: the motion for first reading of Ordinance 2833 carried, 4-2, by voice vote, with Masci and Youse opposed Motion: Ms. Robinson moved to direct BCD staff to begin SEPA (environmental) review, to conduct Planning Commission workshops and public hearings as necessary, and to bring a Planning Commission recommendation forward for Council consideration during the fourth quarter of 2003. The motion carried, 4-2, with Masci and Youse opposed City Council Business Meeting Page 6 July 7, 2003 Motion: Mr. Masci moved that staff provide clarifications for CLG thresholds. Youse seconded The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. FESTIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL GOODWILL Mr. Mr. Timmons stated that the 40th anniversary of the Hyogo Prefecture/Washington State sister-state relationship will be marked in 2003. Port Townsend will be the site of the International Festival of Good will (FIG) on Saturday, August 2. The event will probably bring 300-400 guests to the City. As sponsor, the City will be responsible for the event permit and the insurance. The funds ($300-500) will be taken from the LTAC budget. Mr. Youse asked if there is an estimate of staffing costs. Mr. Timmons stated it will be similar to other festival events and activities, for example, traffic control. Mr. Timmons replied to another of Mr. Youse's questions, that the city provided insurance for last year's canoe-in. He stated the City's insurance company recommends the city provide insurance when it is co-sponsor of an event. He also stated he does not have specific information on the action by the LTAC Committee appropriating the money. He added he would put together an informational chronology. Motion: Mr. Masci moved that the City of Port Townsend sponsor the Festival of International Goodwill and bear the cost of event insurance. Ms. Robinson seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Attest Pamela Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 7 July 7, 2003