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HomeMy WebLinkAbout013012 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING OF JANUARY 30, 2012 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in special session the thirtieth day of January 2012 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall at 540 Water Street, Mayor David King presiding. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Robert Gray, David King, Kris Nelson, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, Deborah Stinson, and Mark Welch. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, City Engineer Dave Peterson, City Clerk Pam Kolacy, and Community Services Director Rick Sepler. SPECIAL BUSINESS Resolution 12-003, Authorizing the City Manager to Award and Sign All Contracts for the Construction of the Taylor Street Tunnel Lids City Manager David Timmons introduced the item, noting that the sidewalk tunnel lid project will be a challenge to the City's resources that will result in a great asset but will involve a calculated risk. Staff has reviewed the issue and proposed a strategy to manage that risk. Community Services Director Rick Sepler reviewed staff's recommendations from the packet materials. These include basing the project budget on the engineer's estimate rather than the low bid amount to allow a higher contingency and revising the Capital Budget to reallocate funding to the sidewalk project from other projects. This significantly affects the waterfront esplanade. He provided a copy of his December 2, 2011 memo to Council listing the objectives of the project and Council's ranking of those objectives. He noted that an alternative design can be prepared for the esplanade that would accomplish most project goals with significantly reduced cost. City Engineer David Peterson reviewed the project cost summary, and funding analysis information provided with the packet materials. The Council reviewed various funding mechanisms, including FEMA and various bond fund contributions. It was noted that the Puget Sound Energy contribution to defray expense of undergrounding utilities is included in the budget presented. The project contingency is 11% rather than the usual 5% to cover any unanticipated delays or problems. Funds left from the contingency after completion of the project can be City Council Special Business Meeting January 30, 2012 Page 1 of 3 transferred to other capital projects. The bidding process was discussed. It was noted that the low bidder was successful partly because of an effort to find local sources of materials, a local disposal site, and employees already in the area. There was extended discussion of the impact of this project on other pending projects, particularly the waterfront esplanade and also Howard Street and sidewalk projects. The modifications to the esplanade project were reviewed and the potential that the project might need to be re-bid was mentioned. Regarding Howard Street, property acquisition is ongoing and the project will stay moving but at this point there are not good economic opportunities for new roads and the potential for new businesses locating in the area has been affected by the economic downturn. Public comment Julie Jaman asked several questions about the difference between funding wages from the general fund or project funds. Mr. Timmons and Mr. King explained the cost allocation system contained in the budget. The issue of approving the entire project or approving phases was discussed. The three stages proposed are FEMA mitigation, underground work with utilities and then sidewalk replacement, and final streetscape. Street furniture could be delayed or postponed if Council felt it necessary. The potential of an LID agreement with some owners to defray streetscape improvements may still be explored. Mr. Gray expressed concerns about the project, including the impact to other projects such as Howard Street and hospital sidewalks. He added that that the City has incurred a high amount of debt through approval of bond issues. Discussion included positives of concentrating funding on downtown projects at this time. Taylor Street improvements will make the town "wider" and help lead people to businesses on Washington Street that already exist (in contrast with Howard Street improvements which will not impact current businesses). More concern was expressed about the esplanade project. Businesses have been waiting for the completion; if the project is changed it should stay on track for completion and Council needs to see the revised plan soon. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 12-003, Authorizing the City Manager to Award and Sign All Contracts for the Construction of the Taylor Street Tunnel Lids and to revise the project allocations contained in the Capital Initiative Plan for 2012 for the Sidewalk Lid and Utility Improvement Project. Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed. Motion: Kris Nelson moved to approve asking staff to prepare a revised design, funding strategy and construction timeline, including dates, for the waterfront esplanade project with a number of options from "as proposed originally and bid on"to City Council Special Business Meeting January 30, 2012 Page 2 of 3 "contingency"(which would be the most limited funds). Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m. Attest: J € Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Special Business Meeting January 30, 2012 Page 3 of 3