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HomeMy WebLinkAbout070113 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF JULY 1, 2013 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the first day of July 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, Michelle Sandoval, Catharine Robinson, and Deborah Stinson with Mark Welch absent. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Public Services Director Rick Sepler, Deputy Finance Director Corena Stern, and Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Added under New Business was Item B Resolution 13-019 to provide a survey and staff assistance to Jackman Street residents to assist with their paving project. Added under Unfinished Business was Item A, a motion to suspend City Manager authorization for the metering project and to refer Automated Meter Interface to the Climate Action Committee. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Patrick Moore spoke about his concerns on utility rate increases and the newsletter used for distributing information on the library bond. Mr. Watts responded to the concern raised about the use of the newsletter. Monica Fletcher spoke about City property susceptible for a timber sale. Steve Evans spoke about the potential 80-acre timber sale. Rick Jahnke spoke about his concerns about the proposed utility rate increases and information in the utility newsletter about branch libraries. Stephen Schumacher spoke on his concerns about smart meters. Kevin Clark spoke about his concerns on a timber sale and the library levy. City Council Business Meeting July 1, 2013 Page 1 of 7 Jim Todd suggested that Library Advisory Board minutes be available on the City website. City staff response Mr. Timmons responded to questions and gave a briefing on surplus properties. He reiterated no one has recommended a clear cut of timber property. He was asked to look into whether a timber sale could be used to offset some capital costs. Properties are being held pending a decision on a course of action on water treatment. CONSENT AGENDA Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 120869 through 120954 in the amount of $542,098.91 Voucher 120955 in the amount of $21,416.50 Vouchers 120956 through 120963 in the amount of $90,654.80 Vouchers 120964 through 120981 in the amount of $16,648.04 Vouchers 120863 through 120868 in the amount of $12,394.48 Voucher 120982 in the amount of $114.38 Vouchers 120983 through 120984 in the amount of$22,683.88 Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve the consent agenda. Deborah Stinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. RESOLUTION TO SUSPEND THE CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZATION FOR METERING PROJECT AND TO REFER THE AUTOMATED METER INTERFACE PROJECT TO THE CLIMATE ACTION COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW Mayor King noted that Council would revisit the topic of automated metering at a future time. Added to the agenda was proposed action to suspend moving forward on the agreement with the State of Washington and Honeywell for automatic meter interface at this time. He said public comment would be more appropriate at the time this matter comes back before Council. City Manager Timmons explained implementing the Department of Enterprise Services energy performance grade audit including the AMI, variable pumping at the wastewater plant, and energy systems at MountainView Commons. He gave a briefing on the Honeywell energy audit. He also explained that the issue being addressed was the EPA lowering the allowable lead content levels in potable water. Mr. Timmons also explained that the Climate Action Committee (CAC) might be able to look into environmental consequences because when that committee developed its work plan, it did not consider the tradeoff between radio frequency and carbon. He noted this technology was already in place through Puget Sound Energy and that it has now been transferred to the PUD. He does not foresee this topic coming back before Council before the first of the year. City Council Business Meeting July 1, 2013 Page 2 of 7 It was suggested that County Health Department involvement might be appropriate. Ms. Stinson, as Climate Action Committee representative, said this issue might be addressed through a subcommittee of the CAC. What has been discussed so far tonight are mitigation measures and to be considered are what we can do locally toward the emission of greenhouse gas and reducing the impacts of global warming. Adaptation measures would also need to be considered for water metering. She reviewed the potential for future water conservation measures. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve suspending the City Manager authorization for the metering project and to refer the Automated Meter Interface project to the Climate Action Committee for review of the environmental issues. Deborah Stinson seconded. The following individuals spoke about their concerns about smart meters: Sid Collins asked about the financing of the AMI system. Kevin Clark expressed concern about the 15-year contract and what he sees as a top-down approach. He urged collaboration with the PUD. Elaine Bailey urged the release of more information such as manufacturers with which the City is working. Catherine Kane said decisions to use radio frequency are made without proper study. People with sensitivities are not given a choice to avoid additional electricity. Virginia Wald spoke about lack of public process and her review of City records. Alby Baker urged Council to educate themselves about smart meters. Joan Cole urged conservation ahead of a crisis. Francesco Tortorici agrees with comments on smart meters and has concerns that there are no water conservation measures. Gretchen Brewer spoke about cost concerns and increasing surveillance. Jim Todd urged delay on this issue until the fall. David Goldman urged more research of the health issues. Responding to comments about losing a staff position with the AMI technology, Mr. Timmons explained the employee would be transferred to other needed positions in the water system where there are shortages. There was interest in making available to Council the detailed reports behind the cost analysis. In response to questions, Ms. Stinson provided background of the City Council Business Meeting July 1, 2013 Page 3 of 7 CAC's review of items (including E-meters) for the Climate Action Plan on the committee's underlying criteria. Ms. Sandoval commented about ongoing opportunities for public comment at the committee and Council level. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ordinance 3090 Amending Utility Rates and Charges, Including Capital Surcharge and Outside-City Multiplier Mr. Timmons reviewed changes to the Ordinance since the last meeting (including the removal of text above the table on Exhibits A and B). He noted that the basis of the study is to separate the capital surcharge from operating costs. If the project is suspended or comes in under budget, any savings would be carried forward for the next project (water reservoir replacement). The first priority is the Long-Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment project and it is scheduled for construction next year. The rate adjustment would address the audit finding about the fiscal health of the utility and he explained efforts to contain costs. More time was needed to discuss the System Development Charges (SDCs), so this matter was referred to the Council Finance and Budget Committee for review. Public Works Director Ken Clow responded to questions about the State Department of Health's review of UV Treatment. Although the State approved the UV reactor to be used, the State would like to see increased City involvement in watershed management given that it has not chosen sand filtration. Questions and discussion among Council to which staff responded were on the topics of water meters for community gardens, wells for irrigation, and whether residents in low income apartment units receive lower rates. There was a question about timber sales and discussion about referral of the topic of system development charges to committee. There were questions about effects of not implementing the automated meter interface. Staff explained that the rate increase which was in effect in 2012 was suspended for subsequent years. Public Comment: Patrick Moore asked how long the surcharge would be in place. He also asked how much the consulting service would cost and whether a 10% overhead charge would apply. Kevin Clark asked if the 2020 group had been consulted about the rates. He urged the City to consider conservation incentives and support for low income individuals. City Council Business Meeting July 1, 2013 Page 4 of 7 Mr. Timmons explained that delays in acting on rate increase recommendations had to do with uncertainty about other water projects and concern about overcharging until a better assessment could be done. Mr. Timmons responded to Mr. Clark's comments on conservation rates. He explained conservation rate variables and how the rest of the rate payers would subsidize the low income rates. Mr. Gray called attention to the loss of the PSE home fund supporting low income residents. He reviewed figures in the City related to those relying on the food bank and low income school meals, plus the number of water shut off notices. He urged having a town meeting to discuss the potential impacts to the community of a rate increase and expressed concern about SDC increases. Ms. Sandoval spoke about her concerns in delaying system development charges. There is an impact to service demands with new developments and if they do not contribute then they are being subsidized by other rate payers. The City does not have a choice in completing the infrastructure projects. There was additional discussion among Council about SDCs and poverty in the City. Mr. Timmons noted that SDCs would need to be addressed by end of the year whereas the City must move forward now on capital projects. It was noted that the rates allow checkpoints where rates could be revised. These are just current projections. Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve Ordinance 3090 Amending the Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 13.05 Utility Rates and Charges, Including Capital Surcharge and Outside-City Multiplier, and Excluding the Capital Surcharge from the City Utility Tax, and Establishing an Effective Date (removing any references to Automated Meter Interface throughout the Ordinance). Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote: motion carried, 5-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed. At 8:56 p.m., the Mayor declared a recess for the purpose of a break. At 9:08 p.m., the meeting reconvened. NEW BUSINESS Free Speech and Sidewalk Regulations - Ordinance 3091 Providing for Regulations Concerning Sidewalks and Ordinance 3092 Providing for Regulations Concerning Parks Mr. King proposed carrying forward this agenda item. David Goldman, referred to (Ordinance 3092, page 3) where it states the City Manager may adopt administrative regulations, he urged Council involvement in adopting regulations. He also spoke about the excessive charges and costs associated with staff picking up unattended items. City Council Business Meeting July 1, 2013 Page 5 of 7 Resolution 13-019 to provide a survey and staff assistance to Jackman Street residents to assist with their paving project Public Works Director Ken Clow reported that Jackman Street residents have offered to pay roughly $30,000 for the cost of paving their street. The cost to the City would be roughly $4,500 for survey, design and stormwater work. He believes this is a good opportunity to pave a gravel road reducing maintenance costs. There was no public comment. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 13-019 to provide a survey and staff assistance to Jackman Street residents to assist with their paving project. Robert Gray seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT There was no report. CITY MANAGER REPORT Mr. Timmons reported on the following: - Ordinance on establishing marijuana retail or production will be coming forward to Council. - The State Budget as adopted may affect the liquor profit tax and the transportation bill, if passed, would provide funds for the Sheridan Street sidewalk project - Progressing on the Waterfront Esplanade project - Council Budget retreat is tentatively being scheduled for July 23 versus 25th SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Finance and Budget Committee Report (May financials) Mr. King noted that the Council Finance and Budget Committee reviewed the budget narrative. Deputy Finance Director Corena Stern responded to questions about the statement about the decline in water consumption. Revenue tracking with graph will come out next month. EXECUTIVE SESSION - PERSONNEL At 9:31 p.m., Mayor King announced that the Council would adjourn to Executive Session in the Hildt Conference Room of Historic City Hall. Subject of the session under RCW 42.30.110 (1)(f) is to evaluate complaints against an employee. He stated that the anticipated time of the Executive Session was 20-30 minutes and that no action would be taken after the meeting. City Council Business Meeting July 1, 2013 Page 6 of 7 At 9:51 p.m., the meeting was reconvened. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:51 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting July 1, 2013 Page 7 of 7