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HomeMy WebLinkAbout110711 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF NOVEMBER 7, 2011 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in special session the seventh day of November 2011, in the City Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. 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, Kris Nelson, George Randels, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Mark Welch. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, City Engineer Dave Peterson, Civil Engineer Mary Heather Ames, Development Services Director Rick Sepler, and Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were none. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Brenda McMillan spoke about the November 26 presentation by Dr. Bill Sammons on Biomass burning. She urged Council to write Ecology about this health concern. Lang Russel spoke about Bill Sammons presentation and the dangers of biomass plants. Julie Jaman urged Council to request more detailed information on the consent agenda. Bob Gray spoke about the election campaign and about the budget decisions voted on by Council. Vern Garrison spoke about mayor comments in the City utility newsletter and about the State auditor's report. City staff response Mr. Timmons responded to citizen comments about the City budget and auditor's report. City Council Business Meeting November 7, 2011 Page 1 of 6 Ms. Sandoval responded to citizen comments made over social media which she referred to as detractors. She talked about positive comments received since the utility newsletter went out. Mrs. Medlicott made comments about personal attacks. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Voucher 115909 in the amount of$100.00 Vouchers 115910 through 116015 in the amount of$510,021.06 Vouchers 115950 and 116010 through 116025-116036 in the amount of $3,378.53 Vouchers 116016 through 116024 and EFTs in the amount of$93,344.26 EFT in the amount of$13,089.15 Vouchers 116038 through 116113 in the amount of$149,680.98 Vouchers 116114 through 116127 and 116098 in the amount of $8,310.53 Vouchers 116130 through 116138 and EFTs $223,946.99 Vouchers 116139 in the amount of$250,259.52 Approval of Minutes: October 10, 2011 and October 17, 2011 Corrections were made as follows: October 10, 2011, Page 3, the paragraph beginning with Mr. Watts, in the last line, "is" should be "in." October 17, 2011, Page 3, the paragraph beginning with Randy Huston, in the third line it should read "... he stated that other services besides restaurants and lodging should be included in the program." On Page 9, in the middle of the page, it should read "Staff and Committee Response." Motion: Laurie Medlicott moved to approve the consent agenda. George Randels seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. 2012 PRELIMINARY BUDGET- 2012 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN SCHEDULE Staff presentation Public Works Director Ken Clow gave a PowerPoint presentation with an overview of the capital projects including the funding source and scheduling. Public comment There were none. Resolution 11-031 Long-Term 2 Treatment Option City Council Business Meeting November 7, 2011 Page 2 of 6 1. Staff presentation Following up from the October 10 presentation, Civil Engineer Mary Heather Ames reported on project cost, life expectancy, and experience from other jurisdictions of the two proposed treatment alternatives. She noted that the City is on track to meet the 2014 deadline and a decision tonight would help lower the Public Works Trust Fund Loan rate given to the City. Reviewing the decision matrix, she noted Staff's recommendation is the UV treatment alternative. Mr. Clow talked about the decision and factors weighed before putting forth the recommendation. He stressed there is no right or wrong choice between these two proven technologies. The risk being measured is whether the City would be required to go from.an unfiltered system to a filtered system at some point in the future. He noted there is always the potential for a change in conditions in the watershed, but staff has done the best evaluation possible and believes the City could mitigate any needed changes operationally. Mr. Clow and Water Quality Specialist Ian Jablonski responded to clarifying questions from Council. Questions centered on the mandate to treat the problem that does not currently exist for the Cryptosporidium pathogen and about whether additional staffing and training us needed. Ms. Ames noted that either treatment alternative would require certain levels of training and certification and that cost estimates include one additional staff person. 2. Public Comment: Mr. Gray commented on the importance for a budget to not only be an internal document but also one that could be used by citizens. He suggested getting technical writer to assist in writing that section on utilities. Mr. Timmons noted that Page 6 of 10 of the budget message says the City still has to address cost recovery for the capital projects and set rates to cover expenses. He noted that this decision does not affect the 2012 budget but the 2013 budget. Council deliberation and action Motion: George Randels moved to approve Resolution 11-031, Authorizing Design of a UV Water Treatment Plant for Compliance with the Long-Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Contracts for the Design. David King seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 11-032, Authorizing the City Manager to Advertise the Bid for the Construction of the Downtown Tunnel Lids and Streetscape Project DSD Planning Director Rick Sepler described the issues and engineering review process concerning seismic retrofit of the downtown tunnel lids to address rebar corrosion in Taylor and Water Streets. He reviewed the scope of the project to replace the tunnel lids and sidewalks with FEMA disaster mitigation funding. City Council Business Meeting November 7, 2011 Page 3 of 6 He emphasized that minimizing impacts to businesses is a primary goal. He also talked about addressing stormwater and wastewater deficiencies and noted that some cost recovery is available for undergrounding utilities. There are also opportunities for streetscape improvements for ADA compliance. He reviewed the timeline for completion and cost of the projects. With Council authorization, Staff would obtain better cost estimates. He then reviewed some of the possible streetscape design features such as curb extensions. Mr. Clow and Mr. Sepler responded to Council questions. Mr. Timmons clarified that we are not recommending further bonding but reallocating funds for projects that are ready to submit. Broadband funds would be reallocated for other uses. The availability of FEMA grant funding in the future is uncertain. Regarding improvements at the intersection of Taylor and Water, Mr. Sepler explained the Historic Preservation Committee recommended bulbouts on all four corners. Councilmembers expressed concern about the funding to do the streetscape work and requested Staff present options for further consideration, including the possibility of postponing streetscape improvements. Motion: Mark Welch moved to approve Resolution 11-032, Authorizing the City Manager to complete the design and streetscape improvements as proposed and proceed to advertise the bid for the Construction of the Downtown Sidewalk Tunnel Lid Replacement Project. George Randels seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 11-033, Authorizing the City Manager to Complete the Construction Bid Documents and to Advertise the Bid for the Construction of the City of Port Townsend Carnegie Library Seismic Retrofit Project Public Works Director Ken Clow gave the staff report. He reminded Council that the building poses a public safety issue in the event of an earthquake. While the exterior of the building is sound the interior would not meet current code. He reviewed Staffs recommendation to split the library expansion project from the seismic retrofit and outlined the scope and project cost for the retrofit. He noted that the City is on a tight timeline to complete this work. Some discussion ensued about the cost of temporarily relocating the library. Mr. Timmons explained the grant would provide funding for the relocation. Also, the City Carnegie Library Project was ranked tenth but only nine projects were funded under the State Heritage Capital Grant Program. This $367,000 in funding to do additional restoration work might still be awarded in the short legislative session. Motion: George Randels moved to approve Resolution 11-033, Authorizing the City Manager to Complete the Construction Bid Documents and to Advertise the Did for the Construction of the City of Port Townsend Carnegie Library Seismic Retrofit Project. David King seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting November 7, 2011 Page 4 of 6 Resolution 11-034, Authorizing the City Manager to Advertise for the Construction of the Waterfront Esplanade Project, Phase 2 Civil Engineer David Peterson explained Phase II of the waterfront explanade project, the timeline, and estimated cost to finish the area behind the Cotton Building. As part of Phase I that begins next week, Seton Construction would begin removing the tidal clock and the dock between the wave viewing gallery and the ferry dock. He talked about the unanticipated costs and delays associated with the Cotton Building renovation. Phase II is expected to begin in early February before the tunnel lid project. Mr. Peterson then responded to questions from Council on the project timing. Mr. Timmons reminded that this project was funded out of the 2008 bond and finishing the work would allow the City to close out the project and have an area that is completed and not sitting unfinished. There could also be arbitrage reporting requirements if the project is delayed further. Development Services Director Director Rick Sepler then reviewed portions of the project removed from the scope. Motion: George Randels moved to approve Resolution 11-034, Authorizing the City Manager to Advertise for the Construction of the Waterfront Esplanade Project, Phase 2. David King seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 11-035, Authorizing the City Manager to Advertise the Bid for the Construction of the City Lake Outfall Pipeline Replacement Project Public Works Director Ken Clow reviewed the scope of the project to replace the aging outfall pipe from the City Lake reservoir and install new insulation and control valves. He outlined Phase 1 work, scheduled for 2012 and Phase 2 construction scheduled for 2013. This resolution authorizes the city manager to advertise the bid for construction of this project. Once the bids are received, staff will return to Council for approval to award the construction contract. Mr. Clow responded to questions. Motion: David King moved to approve Resolution 11-035, Authorizing the City Manager to Advertise the Bid for the Construction of the City Lake Outfall Pipeline Replacement Project. George Randels seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT Ms. Sandoval reported on the following: - her attendance with Rick Sepler and partners from Whidbey Island at a ferry reservation meeting - her attendance at the school superintendent's pre-hiring meeting - her attendance at the Working Image opening at Mountain View Commons - attendance by several councilors at the County Rec Center open house - her meeting with former City Mayor Barney McClure City Council Business Meeting November 7, 2011 Page 5 of 6 - David King would represent the City on the Clean Water District Board - the Board of County Commissioners approved funding for the City's Public Infrastructure application - Staff would circulate a letter for Council comment to send to the citizens commenting on the Sims Way Pilot sign program CITY MANAGER REPORT Mr. Timmons reported on the following: - the importance of leveraging City funds and how those savings are used to address other concerns. - August's record sales tax revenue - ideas on funding Main Street and YMCA - City Staffing reconfiguration to capitalize engineering cost SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Mr. Timmons suggested scheduling a special Council Finance & Budget Committee meeting once the election results are known. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Committee Reports Ms. Robinson reported on Jefferson County Community Network activities. She distributed an information sheet on the prevention redesign initiative. EXECUTIVE SESSION There was none. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:51 p.m. Attest: ( *.-(�ccr Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting November 7, 2011 Page 6 of 6