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HomeMy WebLinkAbout120406 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF DECEMBER 4, 2006 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this fourth day of December, 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, Laurie Medlicott, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, Mark Welch, and Scott Walker. Geoff Masci arrived at 7:00 p.m. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, DSD Director Leonard Yarberry, Finance Director Michael Legarsky, Police Chief Conner Daily, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. PUBLIC COMMENT (consent and non-agenda items) Bill Tennent, Director of the Jefferson County Historical Society, presented the City with a facsimile check representing funding from the Heritage Capital Projects Fund for $113,190.00 David Hero, Chair of the Capital Campaign to restore City Hall presented the City with a facsimile check representing donations from citizens in the community totaling $481,119.82. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Mr. Benskin moved for approval of the following items on the consent agenda. Ms. Robinson seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants: Vouchers 99867 through 99972 in the amount of $303,754.67 Approval of Minutes: October 26,2006; November 13,2006; November 20,2006; November 21,2006 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 December 4, 2006 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Budget for Fiscal Year Ending 2007 City Manager David Timmons distributed a revised spreadsheet with changes made in accordance with actions from the last meeting. He noted that the revenue amounts have been prorated to begin April 1; the chart shows the annualized value but only nine months will accrue in 2007. He added that the funds depending on voter authorization are not in the budget, but if passed, the expenditures and revenue will be added to the budget. Mr. Timmons stated that the City Attorney has prepared a fact sheet with guidelines regarding use of public facilities for campaign purposes. A fact sheet about the ballot issue will be prepared and circulated in the January utility bill. He also stated that all adjustments to the ordinances have been made according to Council action last week. Public comment: There was no public comment. It was noted that one written comment had been received from Alan Frank. ORDINANCE 2933 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING CHAPTER 5.84 UTILITY BUSINESS, TAX, AND SECTION 5.84.030 TAX IMPOSED, AMENDING AND PROVIDING FOR UTILITY TAX RATES FOR THE WATER, SEWER, STORMWATER AND GARBAGE UTILITIES Motion: Mr. Welch moved for adoption of Ordinance 2933. Ms. Sandoval seconded. The motion carried, 5-1, by roll call vote, Benskin opposed. ORDINANCE 2934 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 13.05, UTILITY RATES AND CHARGES, SECTION 13.05.050 STORMWATER UTILITY RATES OF THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE Motion: Mr. Welch moved for adoption of Ordinance 2934. Ms. Sandoval seconded. The motion carried, 5-1, by roll call vote, Benskin opposed. ORDINANCE 2932 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2007 Motion: Mr. Welch moved for adoption of Ordinance 2932. Ms. Robinson seconded. The motion carried, 5-1, by roll call vote, Benskin opposed. City Council Business Meeting Page 2 Oecember 4. 2006 RESOLUTION NO. 06-038 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, APPROVING ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES TO THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT Motion: Mr. Benskin moved for adoption of Resolution 06-038. Ms. Robinson seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. ORDINANCE 2931 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 10.04 PARKING, SECTION 10.04, TWO-HOUR PARKING LIMIT, TO PROVIDE FOR ADDITIONAL TWO-HOUR PARKING SPACES ON GRANT STREET NEAR SEVENTH STREET Public Works Director Ken Clow reviewed the packet material, noting that first reading of the ordinance took place at the last meeting. Mrs. Medlicott referred to an e-mail from a citizen containing suggestions about parking issues and stated she would like to consider these early in the year. It was suggested theses be brought forward for the in box or Council retreat. Public comment None Motion: Ms. Robinson moved for adoption of Ordinance 2931. Mr. Walker seconded. Mr. Walker asked whether Council would rather have this sort of issue dealt with at the staff level. It was suggested this be discussed as part of the in box process. Vote: the motion carried, unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTION 06-036 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS WITH CERTAIN GOVERNMENTAL, NON PROFITS AND OTHER ENTITIES CONSISTENT WITH FISCAL YEAR 2007 APPROVED BUDGET, AND APPROVING THE CITY-SCHOOL POOL LEASE AGREEMENT BILLINGS FOR 2005 AND 2006, AND THE 2007 CONTRACT City Council Business Meeting Page 3 December 4, 2006 City Attorney John Watts introduced the resolution. He noted a change in Exhibit "A" PT Pool Facility Lease - number should be $45,000 rather than $30,000. He further explained that a new agreement has been worked out with the School District which will avoid the volatile billing costs related to energy usage. Mr. Benskin stated that some questions had been raised at the Finance/Budget Committee about some of the contracts and asked if those had been addressed. Mr. Welch noted that the committee did recommend that all requests be submitted on a standard form next year and staff has been directed to follow through on that. Public comment None Motion: Mr. Benskin moved for adoption of Resolution 06-036. Ms. Sandoval seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. ORDINANCE 2936 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 20.09 LAND DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPLICATION AND APPEAL FEES, SECTION 20.09.010 FEES, SECTION 20.09.020 BUILDING, LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT FEES, SECTION 20.09.030, ENFIRONMENTAL AND DESIGN REVIEW FEES, SECTION 20.09.040, PUBLICATION AND NOTICE FEES, SECTION 20.09.060, OTHER CHARGES AND FEES, AND CHAPTER 3.36, PERMIT, APPLICATION AND APPEAL FEES, SECTION 3.36.010 FEES - GENERAL, SECTION 3.36.020, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITY BILLING SERVICE FEES SCHEDULE RESOLUTION 06-037 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND PROVIDING FOR LAND DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPLICATION AND APPEAL FEES DSD Director Leonard Yarberry reviewed the packet material. He noted this would strike the fee schedule from the Municipal Code and establish fees by resolution; the concept was discussed at the CDILU Committee and then at a Council workshop. He added this would allow changes to the fee schedule to be made more easily. He stated that building fees would not change much but land use fees will increase; staff is attempting to incorporate as much of the cost as possible into the fee rather than charging hourly rates. Mr. Masci arrived at 7:00 p.m. Council discussion ensued and covered several items including: \ City Council Business Meeting Page 4 December 4, 2006 Billing for Hearing Examiner time (it may be on the low side but staff would rather not be in a position to issue a number of refunds.) Language referring to mobile homes should be changed to manufactured homes, as mobile homes are not allowed in the city. Graduated scale rather than single fee per thousand means larger projects pay less per dollar than small projects; this is an attempt to capture a fee commensurate with the work service required. If costs are lowered on smaller projects, they will not cover the cost as smaller projects take more time proportionate to the valuation. These are fees, not taxes, and are designed to recover the cost of providing the service in an approximate manner rather than establishing arbitrary numbers. Public comment None Mr. Benskin favors the fee schedule but also has concerns about capturing costs on high-end projects which require more plan review and inspections. Mr. Yarberry stated he believes costs are amply recovered on larger projects; the smaller projects done by a "do-it-yourselfer" are more demanding because of the amount of guidance staff must provide. Mr. Timmons stated that prior to final action, staff could provide some calculations and examples of alternative models. Motion: Mr. Welch moved for first reading of Ordinance 2936. Mr. Benskin seconded. Motion carried, 6-1, by voice vote, Masci opposed. In response to Mr. Masci's concerns, Mr. Timmons stated the information would be supplied to the Homebuilders and Realtors Associations for comment. RECESS Mayor Welch declared a recess at 7: 15 p. m. so the equipment could be set up for the Fort Worden presentation. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 7:50 p.m. FORT WORDEN PLANNING PROCESS PRESENTATION Kate Burke, Park Manager and Peter Herzog, state parks planner, were present to review the current Fort Worden planning process. They reviewed a presentation on the plan. City Council Business Meeting Page 5 December 4, 2006 Ms. Sandoval raised the following concerns: potential for a pool at Fort Worden (included on the conference center model but not in the current lifelong learning plan); traffic and environmental impacts on the City and the neighborhood; need for a full environmental impact study, with emphasis on traffic; ability of local groups to continue use of the spaces at Fort Worden; use of local or state; concessionaires to keep money raised within the region or state; possibility of using the Chinese Gardens area for local farming; whether Fort Worden should be exempt from formula store ordinance; fate of the Point Wilson lighthouse. Mr. Masci emphasized the need to work with local businesses and to help encourage some of the Park visitors to stay in local lodging establishments. Mr. Walker expressed concerns about metamorphosing from a park to a business model and whether park amenities will be lost along the way. He highly recommended that the planning model include ways to bring visitors to the centerlpark without their motor vehicles; this could be similar to a university campus model. He also noted there are currently no "walk in" sites in the lower campground. Mr. Timmons stated that Planning Director Rick Sepler and Planning Commission Chair George Randels have been actively involved in the process and that Mr. Sepler has been directed to assemble a technical advisory group of staff members to work with Ms. Burke addressing issues related to public works and public safety in particular. Mrs. Medlicott stated she understands the funding difficulties faced by the park but strongly stated that she does not want to lose sight of the historic nature of the park; she also shares concerns about the impact of 4-5 times more people on the City's infrastructure and public safety. Mr. Benskin noted that there will be financial impact to the City due to the increased number of visitors. Mr. Walker commented on the lack of government funding for the state park system. Ms. Burke stated that Fort Worden is one of the most successful parks and still has approximately 79% cost recovery at this time. Mr. Welch stated he shares the concerns stated by other Councilors and looks forward to the continuing dialogue. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT City Council Business Meeting Page 6 December 4, 2006 Motion: Mr. Masci moved to accept the Mayor's recommendation and confirm the following re-appointments. Mrs. Medlicott seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Civil Service Commission: Gail Ryan, Position 1, term expires December 31, 2009 Planning Commission: Julian Ray, Position 8, expires December 31,2010 Steve Emery, Position 9, expires December 31,2010. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons reported on the following: He will meet with a group to look into the future of the pool and funding models. The Council may have to schedule a single item meeting to adopt a supplemental budget; staff will delay until first meeting of 2007 if possible. December 14 meeting with Planning Commission will be rescheduled. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Attest: Van, cf1~ Pam Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 7 December 4, 2006