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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04212003CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF APRIL 21, 2003 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this twenty-first day of April, 2003, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Kecs Kolff presiding. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The meeting was called to order at 6:30 by Mayor Kees Kolff. Council members present at roll call were Freida Fenn, Kees Kolff, Catharine Robinson, and Alan Youse. Joe Finnie and Michelle Sandoval were excused. GeoffMasci was excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes proposed to the agenda. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Kolff read a proclamation in honor of Poppy Month. He urged the public to visit the native prairie at the Golf Course as it is in full bloom. The mayor noted that vacancies exist on the Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Board, Transportation Advisory Board, and Park and Recreation Advisory Board. He asked City Attorney Watts to update the council on the review of the Ethics Ordinance, as the possibility of having to serve on an ethics board has become a deterrent to citizens seeking appointment to advisory boards. Mr. Watts stated that retired judge Bill Howard is reviewing the ordinance to suggest procedural changes at no cost to the city. It is hoped the review will be completed by May 5. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Community Reinvestment Mr. Timmons introduced Jim Grabicki and Karen Gates Hildt, who represented Mariner Bank. They gave an update on the new bank and a reviewed the first quarter of operation. Ci _ty/Jefferson Coun _ty Historical SocieW Funding Agreement for Bell Tower Mr. Timmons reviewed his memo regarding Bell Tower funding, which included a funding reconciliation report. He noted that it is essential for as much of the project as possible to be completed by June 30 in order to capture the state grant. He noted that if there was no other direction, he will sign the contract on April 22 and work will begin shortly thereafter. City Council Business Meeting Page 1 April 21, 2003 Transit Facility Planning Mr. Timmons stated that Jefferson Transit is positioned to receive several million dollars in state funding for a new facility. He said he has had informal discussions with Transit General Manager Dave Turissini about joint development of a multi-agency facility, possibly including relocation of the City shops from the current Cherry Street location. He added that he and Mr. Turissini believe there could be some good crossover benefit in terms of developing a partnership. Mr. Turrisini was present and made a brief statement. He noted that Transit could help the city by building with the city in mind for fleet management and vehicle maintenance. He invited the city to participate in the planning process so those needs are on the table from the beginning. He said he believes this is a wonderful opportunity for a partnership. Mr. Timmons added that the report tonight was just to bring this issue to the attention of the council and establish that the discussion is taking place at an administrative level; he would like the General Government committee to take on oversight of the issue and bring forward to council. Ms. Fenn stated she would like discussion at the council level and suggested a joint meeting between the city council and transit advisory board. She asked when the issue would come before the elected officials. Mr. Timmons and Mr. Turissini will discuss and get back to the council. Motion: Ms. Robinson moved to assign oversight of the administration's dialogue on shared facilities between the City and Jefferson Transit to the General Government Committee. Mr. Youse seconded The motion carried unanimously, 4-0, by voice vote. Mr. Timmons also announced he would be writing a letter supporting an application to a private grant foundation for the Jefferson Land Trust to help develop a cooperative management strategy for open space property in the north part of the city. He stated that the Police Department is going forward with a program to sell sweatshirts with the department logo to raise funds for the traffic calming committee. This policy may be expanded into other areas. CONSENT AGENDA Ms. Fenn noted a correction to the April 7 minutes. On page 4, paragraph above the vote on amendment, in the second line, the word "music" should be added between "any" and "noise" so the phrase reads, "any music noise level is acceptable" With that correction, the mayor declared the following items on the consent agenda unanimously approved: Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 85604 through 85689 and 85694 through 85725 in the amount of $380,644.51 Approval of Minutes Regular Session of April 7, 2003; Special Session and Workshop of April 14, 2003 Approval of Resolution City Council Business Meeting Page 2 April 21, 2003 RESOLUTION 03-010 Resolution of the City Council of the City of Port Townsend, Washington authorizing execution of documents and disbursement funds for a loan of Community Redevelopment Block Grant Funds pursuant to Resolution No. 88-58 of the City of Port Townsend. NEW BUSINESS Washington Street Parking/Bike Lane Mr. Timmons stated that the city is currently constructing the Washington Street infiltration and inflow removal project, and questions have been raised as to whether the additional eight-foot shoulder on the uphill side should be designated as a bicycle-climbing lane in lieu of additional parking spaces. An ordinance would be required to designate the area as a parking zone or parking zone with limitations. Public Works Director Ken Clow displayed a map of the area and explained the alternatives. If parking spaces were striped, there would be 10-12 spaces. Ms. Fenn expressed concern that there is no room for a sidewalk and that pedestrians would have to cross the street without benefit of a crosswalk to get to the sidewalk on the other side. Mr. Youse asked if there would now be enough room for diagonal parking on the downhill side of the street. Mr. Clow said there would not be. Public Comment Scott Walker: stated the project should have been reviewed by a citizen committee. Although he is personally in favor of on street parking, he believes primacy in this area should go to pedestrians and bicyclists. He encouraged the council to make a decision at this time rather than referring it to the Transportation Committee. He also noted the city should move forward as quickly as possible on the parking plan. David McCulloch spoke in support of the bicycle lane alternative, citing safety, mobility and connectivity. He stated that the case for a bicycle lane is well supported in the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan. He posed the following questions: 1) will there be more parking on the downhill side because it will be marked rather than random; 2) will there be a net gain on the downhill side by managing the parking more effectively. Jim Todd: spoke in support of a bicycle lane. Liesl Slabaugh: Chair of the Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Board, believes this is an opportunity to implement another piece of the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan; she asked council to move forward with designating the space as a bicycle lane. Jim Hagen: asked the council to consider the positive economic development implications of adding parking spaces in the downtown area; said the Comp Plan designates Port Townsend as the cultural and economic center of the County and that the council should take steps to make Port Townsend a more viable economic destination. City Council Business Meeting Page 3 April 21, 2003 John Muellner: said that many downtown parking spaces are taken up by business owners and employees so they are not directly translatable to shopper's dollars. He added that more bicyclists would be encouraged to come downtown if access is easier. Motion: Ms. Fenn moved to authorize staff to put a bicycle lane on the uphill side of Washington Street and not commit any space to additional parking. Ms. Robinson seconded. Mr. Youse stated he agrees there is a need for a bicycle lane but he is not sure if this is the time to add it; he supported referring the matter to the Transportation Committee. Mr. Kolff asked when the decision must be made about whether to designate a bicycle lane or parking. Mr. Clow stated there is some flexibility but it will be easier to control usage if a decision is made in late May or early June. Ms. Robinson noted the Transportation Committee will be meeting on Thursday and that the item had been listed as a first touch on the agenda so the public will expect more opportunity to comment on the issue. Mr. Timmons added others have expressed interest and there was not an expectation that the council would take final action at this session. He stated that his concern regarding the Non- Motorized Transportation Plan issues is that the Plan was developed in the absence of a city transportation plan or a parking plan. As those plans progress, there will be conflicts among them that must be evaluated and resolved by the council Mr. Kolff stated he is also concerned with the need for process and stated his preference would be to take it to the Transportation Committee. He added he is very supportive of the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan, but since this has come to the agenda as a first touch, others think their opportunity to comment will be at a committee level and then at council's second touch. Ms. Fenn stated the council has discussed the Washington Street project a number of times and there has been public discussion. Vote: motion failed, 1-3, by voice vote, with Fenn in favor. Motion: Ms. Fenn moved to assign the issue of Washington street parking or bicycle lane to the Transportation Committee for review and recommendation at the May 12 council meeting. Mr. Youse seconded. Motion carried unanimously, 4-0, by voice vote. Mr. Timmons noted that the city could put up temporary barricades to parking until a decision is made. Waterman & Katz Building - Renewal of Lease for City Offices Mr. Timmons stated the city has negotiated a 30-month extension of the Waterman & Katz lease under the current terms with an option to purchase at a price, which would be negotiated by July 1 of 2003. The 30 month extension is the estimated timeframe to renovate City Hall and construct an annex if Council determines that City administrative offices will be housed in a renovated City Hall/new annex. Public comment None City Council Business Meeting Page 4 April 21, 2003 Motion: Ms. Fenn moved to authorize the City Manager to execute a 30-month lease extension for Waterman & Katz at the same rental rates the City is currently paying, with an option to purchase at a price to be negotiated Ms. Robinson seconded The motion carried unanimously, 4-0, by voice vote. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 7: 58, Mayor Kolff announced the council would convene in executive session with legal counsel representing the city relating to litigation or potential litigation. He estimated the session would take 30 minutes and stated there would be no action following. At 8:30, Mayor Kolff announced the executive session would continue for approximately 45 minutes. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 9:14 p.m. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Attest: Pam Kolacy, CMC, City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 5 April 21, 2003