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HomeMy WebLinkAbout080811 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF AUGUST 8, 2011 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in special session at 6:30 p.m. on the eighth day of August in the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street, Mayor Michelle Sandoval presiding. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David King, Laurie Medlicott, Kris Nelson, George Randels, Catharine Robinson, and Michelle Sandoval with Mark Welch excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Planning Manager Judy Surber, Civil Engineer Mary Heather Ames, City Engineer David Peterson, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes proposed to the agenda. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Jim Todd suggested installing a cone on the top of the telephone pole at the top of the wooden staircase extension of Tyler Street to Washington noting this would help the problem of seagull excrement on the sidewalk at this location. OLD BUSINESS - NONE NEW BUSINESS Introduction - Critical Areas Ordinance (Judy Surber) Planning Manager Judy Surber reviewed the packet materials. She stated the impetus for the changes is a log kept by staff of issues that they would like to see corrected in the municipal code. The changes have been reviewed by the Planning Commission and have gone through SEPA review. She stated most revisions are relatively minor except for Section 14 which is substantive. She also noted that the change in Section 9 is a precursor to larger changes that will come next year as local jurisdictions will be mandated to bring the National Flood Insurance management implementation program into compliance with the Endangered Species Act. Ms. Surber said that Section 14 addresses the challenge in shorelines where City Council Business Meeting August 8, 2011 historical development patterns have been established on bluff tops. The existing code is unclear regarding buffer requirements and platted versus unplatted developments and clarification is necessary. Staff believe they have come to a balance between fairness and safety in rewriting this section. Mr. Randels asked a series of questions. Staff was able to provide clarification on some of the issues. Some changes based on the issues discussed will be incorporated into the ordinance prior to first reading. In response to Ms. Nelson, Ms. Surber stated there are about 16 infill sites which would be subject to the regulations. Ms. Robinson asked for clarification of the term "necessary assurance" by an applicant. Mr. Watts stated it could be a bond or a cash set aside. Mr. Clow suggested the language read "instrument acceptable to the City Attorney." Ms. Surber confirmed that changes do need to be approved by Department of Ecology and turnaround time is 30 - 90 days. Mr. King asked if this will delay any projects underway. It was noted that there is a pending project which will be affected. Ms. Surber explained the rationale for adopting Option #3 of the Endangered Species compliance method, noting that the Model ordinance is very lengthy and written for larger jurisdictions with large riparian areas and river corridors. Most are picking option 2 and finding it very expensive. Endangered species in Port Townsend are limited primarily to salmon and orcas, and after reviewing the permit tracking system, she determined that all permits issued in the last five years have been covered by shorelines regulations. Port Townsend may be one of the few jurisdictions where "comply project by project" is feasible and that is the preferred option. Ms. Sandoval asked about the "no net loss" finding. Ms. Surber stated that does have to be made but the property affected in Port Townsend is mostly high feeder bluffs so erosion is the issue unlike the county where there are much larger areas and low banks so different qualities come into play. Staff will look into moving the exemptions section of the code up front so that is the first thing people read (similar to the sign code section). There was no public comment. After short comments from the Council, there was no further discussion and the public hearing on the ordinance will be scheduled for August 15. Staff will incorporate changes based on the comments tonight. Ordinance 3061, amending the Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 13.05 Utility Rates and Charges and establishing an effective date. City Council Business Meeting August 8, 2011 Mr. Timmons reviewed the packet materials, noting that staff suggests conducting a public hearing in September and implementation of the new rate schedule in October. Mr. Timmons noted that in 2007 the City conducted a rate study and cost of service analysis and found our system was out of balance. This led to a recalculation of rates for various service categories but not a rate increase analysis because the City at that time had adequate reserves. It was decided to take some time to monitor the new rate system and also to better analyze upcoming capital needs. It is now apparent that we need to rebalance the system. He noted that Fort Worden had a major leak and fixing that reduced their consumption. Rates that are in effect are not producing enough income to support the system. Expenditures for fuel, energy and labor are rising. This rate increase would stabilize operation and maintenance costs. The City is facing several capital water system needs as well. In response to Ms. Nelson's question about the scenarios, Mr. Clow explained there is a difference in the way the City charges for water and wastewater. Water consumption is based on 1,000 gallons plus a base fee. Wastewater charges are not charged in increments of 1,000 gallons used. There is one rate for less than 3,000 gallons and another rate for more than 3,000 gallons. Mr. Randels asked regarding Exhibit A if any adjustment to the percentage gap in the rate between in-city or out-of-city rates has been reviewed. Mr. Timmons noted that no greater percentage was proposed for out of city residents. There was no public comment. Mr. Randels asked if there was any other reduction in use noted besides Fort Worden. Mr. Clow noted that water use is generally down in part because of wet weather. He noted that higher rates can also have the effect of limiting water consumption. Ms. Robinson noted that although the Finance and Budget Committee reviewed the study they did not make a recommendation to Council. She is concerned that although the increase may not be that large it is still an increase; she asked if the proposed increments could be paced out more rather than being front loaded. Ms. Sandoval suggested that it might make sense to start in January rather than October. Mr. Timmons noted that the draw down on reserves has been greater than anticipated and a rate increase could stop that drain. He added that the timing depends on the comfort level of the Council on the state of the reserves; the City can also look at reducing expenses. Mrs. Medlicott stated she would like to minimize the impact of a rate increase on citizens. City Council Business Meeting August 8, 2011 Mr. King noted that the Finance and Budget Committee thought this was a very large topic that should come before the full council. Ms. Robinson asked for more information about the reserve situation before a public hearing, including options such as starting later and modulating more across the five years for both water and sewer. Mr. Randels agreed about the particulars and would also like to see if the gap between city and non-city ratepayers is appropriate. Mr. Timmons stated staff would delay scheduling a public hearing until more information is produced for the Council. Ms. Nelson noted that the City has a potential large bill coming up for water capital projects and cautioned that prolonging a rate increase could result in a dramatic increase at the end of the period. Motion: David King moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3061, amending the Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 13.05 Utility Rates and Charges and establishing an effective date. Kris Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried, 5-1 by voice vote, Laurie Medlicott opposed. DRINKING WATER TREATMENT FOR EPA COMPLIANCE Civil Engineer Mary Heather Ames introduced the packet materials and said that the presentation will build on previous information and add some new information. Ms. Ames noted that the dates listed on the agenda bill for the time for treatment to be in place and functional are October 1, 2014 or with an extension, October 1, 2016 (not 2013 and 2015). Consultant Mike Blanchette reviewed the project update presentation in the Council packet concerning both UV and sand options. The update included site layouts, add- on treatment alternative options, capital and first year operations and maintenance costs. Consultant Pierre Kwan reviewed the remainder of the information including data about turbidity limits, algal toxins, treatment options for anatoxin, fecal coliform and effects of watershed events such as wildfires, landslides. He also covered the chlorination evaluation process including capital costs and first year operations and maintenance. The project schedule and next steps concluded the presentation. There was brief discussion of the information. The next scheduled work session on this topic is October 10. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Council Business Meeting August 8, 2011 Mr. Timmons reported on the upcoming Public Development Authority Development retreat. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 pm. Attest: 04 3. Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting August 8, 2011