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HomeMy WebLinkAbout030413 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF MARCH 4, 2013 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session the fourth day of March 2013 in the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David King called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 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, Public Services Director Rick Sepler, Library Director Theresa Percy, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA No changes to the agenda were proposed. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Earll Murman spoke on behalf of the Jefferson Aquatic Coalition and provided information about the group. He thanked the Council for progress on the pool re- opening. CONSENT AGENDA Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 119985 through 119991 in the amount of$238,364.48 Electronic Fund Transfer in the amount of$24,809.40 Vouchers 119992 through 120015 in the amount of$27,637.55 Vouchers 120016 through 120017 in the amount of$1,243.00 Vouchers 120018 through 120112 in the amount of$80,802.68 Voucher 120113 in the amount of$113,990.81 Voucher 120114 in the amount of$39.70 Vouchers 120115 through 120124 in the amount of$202,775.79 Approval of Minutes: February 4 and February 25 The following corrections were proposed to the minutes of February 4, 2013: on page 3 and page 6, motion and action should be moved so they follow the discussion; on page 6, fourth full paragraph, change "November 2014" to "November 2013." In minutes of February 25, 2013, first full paragraph, change "senior and low income rates" to "low-income senior and low-income disabled" rates. City Council Business Meeting March 4, 2013 Page 1 of 5 Authorization for City Manager to Accept a State Department of Health Grant to Conduct Monitoring and Planning Activities to Improve Understanding about and Protection of our Surface Water Supply Resolution 13-006, Joint Resolution Appointing Citizen Members to the Metropolitan Park District (MPD) Steering Committee Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve the consent agenda with corrections to the minutes. Deborah Stinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolution 13-007, Affirming a Carnegie Library Expansion Project in Collaboration with the Port Townsend Public Library Foundation, Based on a Voter-Approved Bond and Additional Fundraising City Manager David Timmons presented the staff report. He noted that it is difficult to come to a compromise on issues like this as no one will be completely satisfied. He said that the discussion at the last meeting regarded a change in the proposed timeline for the library capital project that would schedule bond funding prior to completion of the Foundation's capital campaign. He also reviewed the NEH grants, and clarified that there were two applications one from the City which was not funded and one from the Library Foundation that has been funded. The approved Foundation grant allows bond funds to be used as a match for grant funds. He reviewed the details of the resolution which, if adopted, will direct the Mayor and City Manager to work with the Library Foundation to develop an agreement for consideration by the Council that spells out roles and responsibilities of the City and Foundation to move the project forward toward accomplishment. The agreement will be finalized in April, then it is anticipated there will be a town meeting and a final decision in time to meet a ballot deadline in May for the August election with a fallback to meet the July deadline for a November ballot. It was noted that the individual components need Council approval and there is nothing in the resolution that binds the Council to any process or decision. Chelcie Liu spoke on behalf of the Library Foundation and stated that the measure before Council will affirm the working relationship between the City and the Foundation and they look forward to working on a new agreement. Information requested by Councilors included a breakdown from the Foundation of the amount of money pledged and amount received to date, an accounting of the change from the need for an additional $2 million to an additional $3 million; what the schedule for town meetings and decisions will be; how long the Library operations City Council Business Meeting March 4, 2013 Page 2 of 5 will stay at Mountain View under various scenarios; when will SEPA take place (need to first know the scope of the project); how will parking and access be addressed; and whether an August ballot will satisfy the NEH grant requirements. Public Comment: Rick Jahnke commented that the NEH grant is a small percentage of the total needed and should not drive the deadlines. He stated support for the Council committing to further discussion but not action at this time. Jim Todd commented concerning the role of the Library, previous collected data, and the need for more community input and a town meeting prior to any decision. Julie Jaman supported a town meeting for discussion of the Library project. Todd Wexman stated the scope of the project must be reduced. Concern was expressed that all issues should be on the table and that resolving them may make a May deadline unreasonable. It was noted that obvious changes in distribution of traditional Library materials like books and films to digital formats should be taken into account when planning the future of the Library. Parking concerns were raised. Impending raises in utility rates may also impact the ability of citizens to afford higher property taxes. It was suggested that rather than designating a $3 million bond, an estimate should be made of the amount it would cost to make current necessary repairs like roof and sidewalks, and to match the NEH grant. A detailed fundraising plan is also desired with benchmarks so that an expansion project can be revised within certain guidelines. (Suggest adding language to 2 (e): "any expansion projects would be revised according to plan, to accomplish ...) There was further discussion about public process leading up to the May deadline for submitting ballot language. Support was expressed for strengthening the Foundation and City partnership with confirmation that all options will be explored and a ballot measure will have a high level of clarity. To this end, it was suggested that alternatives be presented and all options be explored, including the concept of branch libraries. Mr. Gray continued to express concern about the tax burden on citizens and the need to serve all areas of the City. The question was raised that if it is determined that Library operations will move back into the Carnegie building, what are the options for moving back sooner than a three - five year window. It appears the Library will want to move back at least on an interim basis and options include a portable building in the parking lot or reuse of the spaces already available. City Council Business Meeting March 4, 2013 Page 3 of 5 The concept of branch libraries was discussed further; it was noted that they would also cost money for space and operations but that may just change the allocation of funding within the budget. The possibility of a failed ballot measure and the timing of the ballot measure were also suggested as inclusions in the resolution. The following amendments to the resolution were agreed upon by consensus: 1) add the words "according to plan" to the fourth line in section 2 (e) after the word "revised"; 2) add "or revised" to the end of the sentence in section 2 (f) and at the end of the last paragraph of section 2; 3) change second line in section 3 from "to place a $3M ballot measure before the voters" to "place a ballot measure not to exceed $3M" before the voters (to match wording in section 2 (a)); 4) add "or November" to last line in Recital A and in section 3 so that both read in "August or November, 2013"; and 5) add section 2 (g) to read "Consideration of a plan addressing the consequences if a ballot measure fails." Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 13-007, Affirming a Carnegie Library Expansion Project in Collaboration with the Port Townsend Public Library Foundation, Based on a Voter-Approved Bond and Additional Fundraising, as amended. Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed. Council Committee Meeting Schedule Mr. Timmons noted that staff's ability to support the Council beyond dealing with the issues at hand and the town meetings is limited. He recommended that Council Committees be scheduled on a case by case basis if necessary but that regular meeting schedules remain on hold until June. Public comment: Jim Todd regarding town meetings. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve delaying the regular Council Committee meeting schedule until June with exception of Finance & Budget. Deborah Stinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS - NONE PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT Councilor Nelson reported on the Finance and Budget Committee meeting, noting there will be a more complete report on March 18. Mayor King distributed a sample spreadsheet of the type he plans to present at the March 25 town meeting. City Council Business Meeting March 4, 2013 Page 4 of 5 CITY MANAGER REPORT Mr. Timmons stated that utility rates will be considered by the Council in the April through June time frame; a tentative agreement has been reached with the Teamsters for General Government employees and he will brief Council in an executive session at a future meeting; first quarter Finance reports are out but it is thought there may be some errors because of the new BARS code system; Council will be updated on succession planning and upcoming retirements; a potential town meeting regarding the Library could take place on April 22. EXECUTIVE SESSION - NONE ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting March 4, 2013 Page 5 of 5