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HomeMy WebLinkAbout091211 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the twelfth day of September 2011, in Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m., Mayor Michelle Sandoval presiding. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David King, Laurie Medlicott, George Randels, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Mark Welch with Kris Nelson excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Development Services Director Rick Sepler, and Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders. Special Presentation: Grace Girls Proclamation. Councilmember Medlicott and the other Grace girls were present to accept the proclamation. Mrs. Medlicott then left the meeting. OLD BUSINESS Ordinance 3063 to Rename and Revise the Purposes of the Port Townsend Public Development Authority and Approving an Amended and Restated Charter City Manager David Timmons provided background information on the purposes and functions of the Public Development Authority (PDA). The original intent of the PDA was to provide assistance on affordable housing and historic preservation at the Griffiths House, Customs House, and Fort Worden properties. He described the initial work of the Interim Board and the technical team to evaluate, prioritize and look at opportunities to collaborate. The Griffiths House was resolved by a private sale. The PDA felt a public/private partnership would work best for the Customs House. Affordable housing is also on a separate track due to the need for a larger consortium working on housing issues. Mr. Timmons explained the many successes at Fort Worden as a high-use facility in spite of the declining funding. He distributed a copy of the funding request presented to the State legislature to fund renovations and housing transition at Fort Worden Building 202. This project has the potential to return economic benefits to the community. With the permanent board and charter in place, the City could also start separate efforts with the Customs House and affordable housing partnerships. City Attorney John Watts gave an overview of the proposed charter revisions. The PDA Interim Board has agreed with the changes in the Ordinance and the amended charter as provided in the Council packet. Mr. Watts reviewed the Ordinance amendments. In response to a suggestion, the final version would include a sentence City Council Special Business Meeting September 12, 2011 Page 1 of 4 on Page 8 to better clarify that the Council retains the authority for appointing board members to the PDA. Mr. Watts then reviewed language on Pages 9 and 10 about dissolution of the PDA. In reviewing the Charter, Mr. Watts explained the charter parallels provisions of the ordinance. Similar to the oversight and control over appointments, Council also has the authority to remove a Board member for cause or for no cause. The recommended action was to approve first reading of the Ordinance. Council would then consider adopting the Ordinance at the next meeting with minor changes as mentioned. Dave Robison described the next steps and schedule for getting the PDA board up and running. Following a meeting with key stakeholders of the park to explain how and why the PDA is getting involved in Fort Worden, he and Kate Burke would begin work on a co-management model. The technical team plans to work with the City Attorney and legal counsel to develop the first operating agreement between the City and the PDA. The nominating committee and the Mayor would review and evaluate the PDA candidates. He hopes to return to Council at the end of October with an operating agreement and the Mayor's recommendation on members for the permanent board. The PDA would then meet to discuss a life-long learning center vision and possible additional legislation to address lease issues and property conveyance to the PDA. Job descriptions, branding, and other organizational development issues would occur over the next two months. Mr. Timmons provided additional background for implementing this strategy which began four years ago with identifying the economic anchors of the community, one of which is Fort Worden. Questions to be addressed by Staff regarding removal of Board members were as follows: - Whether the 60-day waiting period is necessary when a member is removed with cause as well as without cause. Mr. Watts agreed to look into this further; adding that there is currently no distinction between these removal situations. - Correcting for consistency the sentence referring to reasons for removal in both with cause and without cause situations. - Additional clarification about what would occur in the event the Council does not approve member nominations. Ms. Robinson suggested noting that in the transition to new management that free public access would remain to this specific location. Mr. Sepler responded that he believes the Fort Worden master plan states the importance of continued public access. He does not envision a model that would preclude public access. He agreed to provide Council with the specific references. Mr. Welch asked if State Parks has commented on the proposed Charter revisions. Mr. Robison said while it has been important to maintain the firewall between the City and PDA, the technical team in contrast has been working to develop a strong working relationship with State Parks and work through these documents. He noted that Page 3 of the amended Charter mentions partnerships for continued public access. Public Comment: City Council Special Business Meeting September 12, 2011 Page 2 of 4 Teri McQuillen, Local 1466 Secretary of Washington State Federation of Employees Parks and Recreation, spoke about her concern over the comment that the park be exempt from the Discover Pass. She thinks people should be encouraged to buy the pass to support the Parks budget and continued access. Council members and staff made additional comments. The $500,000 investment in Building 202 should help foster a self-sustaining model for Fort Worden and leverage public and private investments for other phases of development of Building 225 and 228. This effort should provide new revenue potential and enhance state revenues. Several Councilmembers recognized the public concern over public access to open space. Additional comments were made about the significant contributions to the community from the nonprofits based at Fort Worden as well as the educational and hospitality opportunities. Ms. Sandoval relayed comments by Ms. Nelson urging Council not to lose sight of the original intent of the PDA and of the task that lies ahead on figuring out how to move forward on the Customs House. Motion: George Randels moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3063, Amending Ordinance No. 3018 to Rename and to Revise the Purposes of the Public Corporation Currently Known as the City of Port Townsend Public Development Authority, and Approving an Amended and Restated Charter and Amended By laws. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. ORDINANCE 3064 - INTERIM ORDINANCE AMENDING PTMC 17.76.113 PILOT PROJECT - SIMS WAY (SR20) LOCAL INFORMATION SIGNS TO PROVIDE FOR TWO LOCAL INFORMATION SIGNS ON SIMS WAY TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC VITALITY FOR BUSINESSES LOCATED OFF SIMS WAY Development Services Director Rick Sepler reviewed the agenda packet materials on the matter of expanding the lower Sims Way sign program. He noted that Council determined it was in the public interest to allow for some off-premise signs to enhance the economic vitality for businesses located off Sims Way (between Kearney and Haines). Signs prepared under that program, funded by the Wayfinding grant, are planned for installation this month and sandwich boards currently present would be removed. He then reviewed the concerns that arose from Upper Sims businesses in the Sherman Street area. These businesses are outside the area of the Upper Sims Way sign program which was intended to mitigate impacts to businesses of the median and landscaping. The Sherman Street businesses are not located specifically on the highway but in their testimony they stated their businesses depended on high transportation counts. Howard Street is also determined to be a growth area for future commercial needs. Mr. Sepler presented the interim ordinance directed by Council for off-premise signage in the area of Sherman and Howard Street. As an emergency ordinance, implementation City Council Special Business Meeting September 12, 2011 Page 3 of 4 of the program would begin immediately and a public hearing on the ordinance would occur in October. Attachment 1 changes the pilot project for SR 20 Local information signs. There are two versions: Upper Sims Way (consolidated advertising for businesses in close proximity) and Lower Sims Way (accommodations and food service for the traveling public). Minor corrections were noted as follows. Attachment 1, Page 1 of 3, 17.76.113 mid-paragraph, an extra bracket would be eliminated. Also, the reference to three signs would be changed to four. Under Applicability, Item 2 would be removed. Mr. Timmons noted that because Sims Way is a State highway, the only signage allowed in the 100-foot right of way is state or city-controlled signage. During Council discussion, the following additional changes were noted: Ordinance, Item D, the last sentence would be stricken. Attachment 1, item A. 2 would be stricken. Item B Criteria, "retail" would be added for Upper Sims. In the Ordinance, under G., there would also be a new sentence clarifying the 250-foot proximity criteria. In response to questions, Mr. Sepler explained reasons why signs would only be one- sided, to be read in one direction. Under Standards, there was discussion about how to accommodate new businesses not specifically food or lodging related. It was noted that these would not qualify unless Council wants to amend the regulations. There was some interest in looking at directional signs to additional businesses in that district. Public comment There was no public comment. Council deliberation and action Motion: David King moved to approve waiving Council rules and approving Ordinance 3064 — Interim Ordinance (as amended) amending PTMC 17.76.113 Pilot project— Sims Way (SR20) Local Information Signs to Provide for Two Local Information Signs on Sims Way to Enhance Economic Vitality for Businesses Located off Sims Way, to be effective immediately. George Randels seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 pm. Attest: Pamela Kolac Y, MMC City Clerk City Council Special Business Meeting September 12, 2011 Page 4 of 4