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HomeMy WebLinkAbout052206 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING OF MAY 22,2006 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in workshop session this twenty- second day of May, 2006, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend temporary Council Chambers in the Port Townsend Fire Station conference room, Mayor Mark Welch presiding. ROLL CALL Council members present at roll call were Frank Benskin, Geoff Masci, Laurie Medlicott, Michelle Sandoval, Scott Walker and Mark Welch. Catharine Robinson was excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Planning Director Rick Sepler, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Senior Planner Judy Surber, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. Representatives from Washington State Ferries were Russ East, Michelle Elling, Charlie Torres, Doug Playter, and Jeannie Acutanze. AWARD CEREMONY Amy T owslee of the Washington State American Planning Association presented an award to the Council on behalf of the APA for the Port Townsend Shoreline Plan. WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES PRESENTATION Planning Director Rick Sepler noted that tonight's meeting would focus on the transportation aspects of the WSF future project and specifically on the Port Townsend - Keystone run. He added that evaluation of the various scenarios is months away and we are not planning to deduce the best solution at this meeting. The WSF team reviewed the "Port Townsend Ferry Terminal Preservation and Improvement Project" power point presentation and the traffic modeling software showing the effects on Port Townsend traffic of several of the options under consideration. The floor was opened to questions. Ms. Sandoval asked whether the bank parking lot would be eliminated and whether there is funding for mitigation for that. Mr. Torres noted that the number of parking spaces lost could be regained and possibly increased by restriping the adjacent lot. City Council Workshop Page 1 May 22. 2006 Ms. Sandoval stated that the ferry intersection is dangerous and asked if there were plans to change the configuration. Mr. Torres stated that the police said there were many accidents in the Sturn coming off the ferry and that it is also dangerous for pedestrians crossing to the tollbooth; straightening out the holding lane would benefit both of those areas. In addition, if the sidewalk is moved to the corner and the turning radius coming into the terminal is improved so that trucks do not have to drive on the sidewalk, this will have a safety benefit. Ms. Sandoval asked about the holding area at Indian Point; construction on that site will start next year and will eliminate that remote holding area. Mr. Torres stated that the holding area project could be scheduled earlier if needed sooner. Ms. Sandoval noted that planned extra lanes on upper Sims Way were lost because of the 695 cutback so in terms of accommodating traffic flow we are not starting from even a neutral position. Mr. Torres noted that the planning efforts should include all who have anything to do with the traffic situation in Port Townsend. There is a need to get the highway people (WASH DOT) involved as well since there is no one agency which has all the money or all the solutions. He added that at this time there are no plans for improvements to SR 20 but that could change as part of this project. Ms. Sandoval commented that "flushing" traffic through the city is not conducive to economic development. Mr. Masci asked about eelgrass mitigation if the dock is extended; WSF staff noted that there will be mitigation but the focus for the presentation tonight was traffic. Mr. Masci stated the signalization planned at Howard Street would skew all the current data; he would like more modeling showing effects all the way to the City limits with and without the Howard Street light. Mr. Walker stated concern about safety for all different modes of transportation. And stated that use of level of service as a way of whether traffic flows well is not broad enough to see how changes to the ferry system will impact community issues. He stated that to have a vital commercial corridor on Sims we need to get pedestrians across the road, have bicyclists feel comfortable, etc. He added that we should be encouraged to look at how to manage demand while not creating incentives for more through traffic (through pricing or constricting amount of ferry service available or increase wait times). He added that roundabouts would solve traffic problems at Kearney, Washington, Jefferson, etc. Mr. Walker stated that access and egress into commercial buildings on Water Street and Sims Way are problems. He added that two holding lanes on Sims is a lot of asphalt; he would like to see separation between ferry lanes and highway; bicyclists City Council Workshop Page 2 May 22, 2006 do not want the lane shifted beyond the poplars or to be separated from the main roadway. This could be accomplished by using grade separation for the queuing lanes. Mr. Welch asked how elasticity of demands was incorporated into the wait time estimates; for example, how many people will divert and take a different route if the wait is too long. Mr. East stated that those details are reflected in the system model which does look at pricing and wait time elasticity and information regarding travel demand, land use, OFM population assignments, etc, gathering much of the information from the universe of what drives people to travel. He added that one thing that does come across in modeling is that sometimes it is hard to believe that ferry traffic is a small part of the overall community traffic. Small changes in regional travel choices have huge impacts whereas huge changes in the ferry system have minor impacts to community traffic. When traffic is diverted from the Southworth ferry, there are minor impacts to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, but when a few hundred people change their travel to include the ferry it has a huge impact on the ferry system. In answer to a question from Mr. Walker, he stated that if we only assigned one steel electric in the middle of summer, we could manage traffic and charge a lot and people would pay it; while you see our prices rise we still want to have an affordable system that serves the traveling public and not restrict ferry traffic to a choking level that makes the movement of goods and people prohibitive. This is a freight route from Northwest Washington to the Olympic Peninsula and we need to make sure that freight moves for economic viability. Mr. East noted that safety is always the number one thing we strive to achieve; and operating safely across the water is imperative. He added that the cost and operation of the vessel is eight times that of the cost and operation of the terminal; finances are the first concern and it is extremely important to make the right decision; we are also members of the community and want to make sure we have a viable business for our needs and the community's needs. He stated this is a balancing act without a perfect solution. Ms. Sandoval stated that people end up parking overnight in some of the commercial lots when they take the ferry; she stated if there is no provision in the foreseeable future for overnight ferry parking, there should at least be some planning for a sign at the toll booths that would say that parking is available at the Park and Ride and that shuttle service is available. Mrs. Medlicott stated she agrees that traffic will need to be managed all the way to the City limits, not just to Kearney. Ms. Sandoval disclosed that she owns property across from the ferry dock. City Council Workshop Page 3 May 22, 2006 Mrs. Medlicott stated that 30% of the Port Townsend - Keystone runs were cancelled this year because of tides. Mr. Playter stated that this is one thing the Keystone project will help significantly. Mr. Walker suggested that there could be some striping on the new dock during the off peak season to accommodate parking for walk on passengers; they could use the park and ride during the peak season. Mr. Timmons stated that the City worked with the Transit system to provide a van for walk-on passengers; however WSF would not allow the van to be parked at the terminal. If space could be provided at the terminal for community vans it would be very helpful. Mr. Timmons stated we are looking for consistency with the City's policy; he asked if some figures could be presented as raw data rather than percentages. Mr. Playter stated they are trying to use percentages to normalize; anything on the chart can be compared as a percentage of time for peak times. Mr. Masci stated it would be a matter of what personal impact is in terms of wait time as opposed to a percentage. Mr. Playter said that could be done. Mr. Timmons added it would be helpful to define "failure" - or what it would take to bring back to the policy level of service so that other corrections can be made such as turn lane additions. Staff agreed that some access control could make a lot of difference. It was noted that the vessels currently used on the Port Townsend Keystone run are not in great shape and their service is dependent on Coast Guard inspection and approval. Mayor Welch opened the floor to questions and comments from the public. Margaret Lee asked about the time line of the project and what the time frame will be between deciding what ferry will be put into service and when it will be delivered. Mr. East stated that at this time there is a budget plan for four vessels and the propulsion systems have been ordered under a separate contract. The contract intent is to advertise in June or July this year, then work with shipyards for another year with the first vessel to be delivered in 2009 and one per year after that. These are all replacements for vessels in the fleet and the first will be delivered in 2009 and one a year after that. WSF is moving ahead with authorization from the legislature. There is not currently a placeholder for other new vessels. City Council Workshop Page 4 May 22, 2006 The following citizens also commented: Forest Shomer Marcy Jaffe WSF noted that they would be coming back to the Council in late August or early September, prior to the next public meeting. Councilors asked that if there are materials, they be distributed as soon as possible. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm. Attest: O~cH~ Pam Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Workshop Page 5 May 22, 2006