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HomeMy WebLinkAbout082806 Workshop CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING OF AUGUST 28, 2006 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in workshop session this twenty- eighth day of August 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, Catharine Robinson, Scott Walker and Mark Welch. Michelle Sandoval was excused. Staff members present were City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Planning Director Rick Sepler, and Legal Assistant Joanna Sanders. FERRY TERMINAL PROJECT - WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES PRESENTATION Planning Director Rick Sepler reminded that tonight's presentation would follow up on the presentation of preliminary findings at the May 22, 2006 Council workshop. Washington State Ferries would present their discipline studies on the elements of environment studied for the existing ferry dock. Project Manager Charles Torres for Washington State Ferries introduced others in attendance who would be discussing some of the key findings of the reports and presenting other information on the environmental process. On Wednesday, September 13, 2006 there would be an open house at Ft. Worden State Park to provide information about this project. Bob Swope Environmental Manager of CH2M Hill briefed Council on the SEPA process for the ferry terminal preservation and improvement project. A SEPA environmental checklist is in process and it is expected they would release a determination of non-significance in late fall or early winter with a public comment period to follow. He also reviewed their environmental strategy, including the analysis of vessel sizes and the various discipline reports prepared. Randy Whitman Senior Fisheries Biologist of CH2M Hill reviewed primary issues outlined in the Fisheries Discipline Report, including an explanation of mitigation measures for eelgrass loss. City Council Workshop Page 1 August 28, 2006 Co-project Manager Doug Playter of CH2M Hill reviewed traffic issues that arose at the last meeting and plans for traffic mitigation and proposed parking revisions. Charlie Torres announced there was construction today at the terminal involving temporary repairs and said more maintenance work would be occurring. He also noted that the cultural resources section is not included on the CD given to Council, but that two complete hard copies of the documents would be kept at the City offices. They believe it makes sense to construct remote holding this spring. He reminded that the Keystone Ferry draft Environmental Impact Statement should be ready to review in the spring and would be important to review. Questions from Councilors were as follows: . Decibel level of pile driving and length of time turbidity remains from driving pilings. Mr. Whitman responded to questions saying that driving steel piling does not generate a lot of turbidity and that decibel levels have much more impact in the water. They expect about two months of pile driving during the project. . Where would the fill for eelgrass mitigation come? Mr. Playter said it would likely come from sediment from the Duwamish River. . What are the plans for removal of old ferry terminal dolphins? Port Executive Director Larry Crockett indicated these fall under Port ownership and this is a separate project on which the Port is working. . How often would re-dredging need to occur? Mr. Playter said they do not expect to need to re-dredge. . What is the difference in life span between steel versus concrete pilings? Mr. Playter responded that they make steel piles that last as long as concrete piles. . What are some of the traffic presumptions used in the model? Concerns were that the Transportation Discipline Report does not seem to address Council traffic concerns. Mr. Playter said that traffic numbers are derived from population growth figures. He also addressed yield approaches to a roundabout versus metering of the entering traffic. . Are there alternate holding plans outside of town? Mr. Playter said they felt shouldering up Sims Way would be adequate as would increasing holding spaces from 220 up to 300. City Council Workshop Page 2 August 28, 2006 . Has there been any investigation of alternatives for fare collection? Mr. Playter said this has been looked at in areas such as Coleman Dock. It is called a reservation system, but it has not greatly impacted waiting traffic. . With a concern about the impact that ferry offloading has on the mall across the street, has anyone looked into merging ferry lanes before they leave the dock? Mr. Playter said they did review this and found it would slow down off- loading. They have not yet quantified how many minutes would be lost. . Would kayakers be able to travel underneath terminal? Mr. Torres responded that the Coast Guard and homeland security provide direction. . On which discipline reports should Council focus its time? Mr. Swope suggested the traffic issues in the transportation section, fisheries issues, and historic and archeological reports because of their impacts. Also pay attention to what is happening at the Keystone Ferry terminal. . What are the best means of expressing further opinions? The discipline reports are finalized, but the environmental checklist would be released before the end of the year and Council and other public input would be received. Mr. Sepler said staff would also be providing a response. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m. Minutes Prepared by: Joanna Sanders Legal Assistant Attest: QYh cl><rb~cC~y Pam Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Workshop Page 3 August 28, 2006