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HomeMy WebLinkAbout021913 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF FEBRUARY 19, 2013 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met on the nineteenth day of February 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 There were no changes suggested to the agenda. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: Arbor Day Proclamation Mayor King read a proclamation proclaiming February 19, 2013 as Arbor Day. The proclamation was accepted by Rosemary Sikes, Chair of the Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Todd Wexman spoke regarding general financial issues. CONSENT AGENDA Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 119862 through 119871 in the amount of$169,890.98 Voucher 119872 in the amount of$1,809.61 Voucher 119873 in the amount of$4,686.05 Vouchers 119874 through 119975 in the amount of$1,008,518.40 Vouchers 119976 through 119984 in the amount of$136,908.11 Approval of Minutes: January 28, 2013 City Council Business Meeting February 19, 2013 Page 1 of 5 Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve the consent agenda. Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NONE NEW BUSINESS Library Project Updates City Manager David Timmons presented the staff report. He reviewed his memo contained in the packet which summarizes the many issues concerning the Library capital project which are now under review by the Council, including the various decision point options including whether a Comprehensive Plan amendment is necessary, the timing of SEPA review, councilmanic versus voted bond, appropriate amount of funding, and changed circumstances. Discussion followed about the various phases of the Library project, and how operations and the project could be adjusted for a smaller amount of capital. It was noted that the original Phase III was a temporary move back into the Carnegie Building including interior changes that would provide as much room as possible within the existing facility. At that point the option of a portable building to cover the space lost by converting the second floor to meeting space was also an option under consideration. It was noted that the audit finding was based on debt service and since it must be paid back from existing revenues, a councilmanic bond is not an option but a voted bond is possible. Further discussion involved pending grants, matching funds, and deadlines. Public Works Director Ken Clow reviewed some of the changes in the scope of the project, including the added basement and recent modifications proposed to reduce the amount of funding necessary. City Attorney John Watts provided information on the threshold needed for passage of a ballot measure in August. Voter turnout would have to be 2,500 and 60% yes votes would be about 1,600. The cost of SEPA was discussed and Public Services Director Rick Sepler noted that the cost is somewhat dependent on the number of comments received and it is anticipated there would be many comments on this project so the time and effort could be lengthy. He.believes that parking capacity will be a significant issue. Mr. Timmons noted that a SEPA review also takes much staff commitment. Mr. Watts elaborated on the Foster Pepper legal opinion memo regarding the library expansion's consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and Growth Management City Council Business Meeting February 19, 2013 Page 2 of 5 Act requirements. There was discussion about funding and which funds were used or earmarked for various phases of the project. Library Director Theresa Percy reviewed funding history and issues. Chelcie Liu, President of the Library Foundation, reviewed the Foundation's memo to the Council recommending a $5.5 million bond issue be placed on the ballot in August. Mr. Liu emphasized the Foundation's belief that capital funds must be spent at the Carnegie site and expressed strong opposition to any use of the Lincoln Building for Library services. He clarified that the NEH grant is $500,000 of the $1.2 million that has been raised by the Foundation. Mr. Liu addressed questions from the Council about the slowdown in fundraising and changed conditions for the taxpayers who will be asked to fund more than originally planned. Mr. Liu emphasized a need to let the private donors know where and how the money will be spent. He expressed concern that if the project is changed, donors will want their money returned. The following commented on the Library project: Susan Localo Morgan Hanna Daniel Brodkowitz Sheila Khalov Thierry Williamson Kathie Meyer Rick Jahnke Anne Fariss Jim Todd John Mericle Susan Hargleroad Margaret Lee City Council Business Meeting February 19, 2013 Page 3 of 5 Rosemary Sikes Linnea Patrick Lisa Crosby Charles Paul Julie Jaman Architect Jim Cary commented on some of the questions raised during Council questions and public comment. Regarding tearing down the existing addition, he noted that in looking at the original 2007 project which was a two-story addition to the existing Carnegie Library, it was realized there would not be enough room for all of the programs the Library intended to provide. He described the process to add a second floor to the existing addition. The existing Carnegie's second floor and the ability to support stacks on that floor is limited by the Building Code requirement that the floor support 100 pounds per square foot (currently rated at 75-80 pounds per square foot). It was thought to be more cost effective to use it as a reading room as intended in 1913 rather than return book stacks to the room. Additional needs were identified in 2010 including moving City servers to the basement, programs, and a job center. Mr. Timmons noted that the USDA loan was intended to supplant the City bond measure, not add to the amount raised. He also commented on cuts, including employee layoffs, that the rest of the City has endured in the past year but which the Library has avoided because of their independent funding stream. It was noted that May 10 is the deadline for a ballot resolution to be submitted for an August election. The deadline for the November ballot is August 6. There is a short window of time for public outreach and a decision of some sort is needed in a timely manner. Councilors Gray and Stinson expressed a desire to see the architect's presentation which was made prior to their joining the Council. Other information desired by the Council includes an analysis of the consequences if a ballot measure is either not proposed or fails. There was also interest in the cost impact of moving the project forward in smaller phases. It was noted that a key question is the role of the City, as the project has changed from a majority of funding by private sources to a request for the majority of the funding to come from the public. It is necessary to determine what the City is willing to take on at this time. Discussion of the various options continued, with a desire to narrow some of the choices. City Council Business Meeting February 19, 2013 Page 4 of 5 Motion: Kris Nelson moved take the Comprehensive Plan amendment process off the table and not make it a requirement of the Library project. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Discussion continued about phasing, the Lincoln Building option and what uses might be located there, whether the scope of the Carnegie project site can be reconfigured, whether programming will be displaced, and whether the original agreement with the Library Foundation should be renegotiated. In order to make any decisions, further information is needed including what other funding needs the City has, how large the scope of work should be at the Carnegie site, what other pressing needs the community has, a good accounting of existing funds, and a modified or amended project budget and what choices that implies. More information will be provided and the matter will be discussed with some action anticipated on March 4. PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT Councilor Sandoval reported on her meeting with Representative Kilmer. CITY MANAGER REPORT Mr. Timmons reported on his upcoming trip to Washington, DC with representatives of the Washington Historic Trust and the progress of the mail theft investigation. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING ANDiOR STUDY SESSION COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Ms. Sandoval took exception to Mr. Wexman's comments, noting she does not condone personal attacks during public comment. EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:02 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting February 19, 2013 Page 5 of 5