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HomeMy WebLinkAbout042814CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING OF APRIL 28, 2014 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in special session on April 28, 2014, 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 Pamela Adams, Robert Gray, David King, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson with Kris Nelson excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Community Services Director Rick Sepler, City Clerk Pam Kolacy, and Deputy City Clerk Joshua Stecker. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA No changes were made to the agenda as printed. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC There were no public comments regarding items not on the agenda. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NONE NEW BUSINESS Resolution 14-013, Authorizing the City Manager to Award a Contract to Great Floors for the Purchase and Installation of Carpeting at the Port Townsend Library Public Works Director Ken Clow gave an overview of the resolution. Library Associate Keith Darrock passed around samples of the new carpet. Mr. Clow listed several tasks that would not be covered by this Resolution, including restroom improvements, elevator upgrades, replacing built-in shelving, exterior concrete repair work, exterior repairs (paint and roofing) to the 1989 annex building and landscaping. City Council Special Business Meeting April 28, 2014 Page 1 of 6 City Manager David Timmons advised that the timing of the carpet installation was important because it needed to be installed before shelving could be reinstalled. Mr. Clow clarified that it will take 6-8 weeks for the ordered carpet to arrive for installation. In the meantime the old carpet can be removed and necessary electrical work can be completed. Mr. Gray asked if the $55,000 sought for the carpet was part of the $125,000 estimate for Carnegie Library repairs. Mr. Clow responded that it was part of that estimate with the remainder of the money going toward minor interior wall reconfiguration, interior painting, relocation of select power and data lines, plaster and sheet rock repairs, reinstallation of shelving and the actual move from Mountain View to the Carnegie Building. In response to Mr. Gray, Mr. Timmons advised that revenue discrepancies early in the year were explained by property taxes due in April. City staff is constantly monitoring the budget and expenditures. There was no public comment. Motion. Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 14-013 authorizing the City Manager to award a contract to Great Floors for the purchase and installation of carpeting at the Port Townsend Library. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Resolution 14-014, Regarding Application for Public Works Trust Fund Low -Interest Loans and Maintaining Adequate Reserves to Repay Debt to the Public Works Board if the 2016 Construction Loans are Received and Accepted City Engineer David Peterson introduced Resolution 14-014 as a follow up to previous Council discussion. Mr. Peterson confirmed that there is no budget impact to the Resolution. The Resolution only authorizes the submittal of the loan and grant applications. There was no Public Comment on this Resolution. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 14-014, Regarding Application for Public Works Trust Fund Low -Interest Loans and Maintaining Adequate Reserves to Repay Debt to the Public Works Board if the 2016 Construction Loans are Received and Accepted. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote.- motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. City Council Special Business Meeting April 28, 2014 Page 2 of 6 Resolution 14-015, Authorizing the City Manager to Submit Grant Applications to the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Transportation Improvement Board for Street and Sidewalk Projects. City Engineer David Peterson introduced Resolution 14-015 and identified several projects that could be funded if the grant applications are approved. WSDOT applications are due on May 5 and May 11. Transportation Improvement Board applications are due in August. City Manager David Timmons was not optimistic that the grant applications would be approved but noted that there was a 2-3 year window to apply that would allow time for the City to find matching funds. City staff clarified improvements sought on San Juan Avenue between 19th Street and Discovery Road in response to Ms. Robinson's questions. Mr. Gray wondered if businesses could be required to develop the sidewalks around their storefronts when they open or move to a new location. Mr. Timmons responded that such requirements may be an option depending on circumstances. Mr. Gray brought up the need for a lighted crosswalk at 9th and Sheridan. Mr. Peterson agreed that this intersection should be addressed. Mr. Clow assured Mr. Gray that crosswalk re -painting was an annual activity. Public Comment: Debbie Jahnke supported the idea of placing a crosswalk by Kah Tai Lagoon Park. Steve Oakford cited the need for a crosswalk near the Safeway convenience store where two bus stops are across the street from each other. He also identified the crosswalk at San Juan and 33rd as being difficult for vehicles to see. Mr. Oakford also saw a need for sidewalks on Howard, Sheridan, and Hastings Streets. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 14-015, Authorizing the City Manager to Submit Grant Applications to the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Transportation Improvement Board for Street and Sidewalk Projects. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Resolution 14-016 adopting a Strategy for Mountain View Commons and Directing the City Manager to Negotiate Lease Terms with the Port Townsend School District No. 50 and Prepare Agreements and Applications to secure Financing City Council Special Business Meeting April 28, 2014 Page 3 of 6 City Manager David Timmons introduced Resolution 14-016 to adopt a strategy for the Mountain View Commons. His ultimate goal is to find a long- term partner to help invest in the property and stated that the City needs to show a commitment to the property to attract a partner. Mr. Timmons reported that the proposed strategy would allow services like the Food Bank to expand and would continue to provide a home for the police station. He added that creating two separate heating systems would help facilitate an eventual sublease. Mr. Timmons visualizes the City taking out a line of credit for 1.8 million with $40,000 in annual energy savings covering the interest carrying costs on the loan. He outlined several ways that the line of credit could be repaid, including Prop 1 funds available to the City after the County has reached their $175,000 cap, taking a bond before the voters and bringing on a partner. No principal payments would be made until after the fire truck has been paid for. In response to a question from Mayor King, Mr. Timmons confirmed that the operational savings from the proposed plan would allow for more manpower in the Parks Department or could be used to pay off the debt more quickly. Ms. Robinson asked if Port Townsend School District was on board with this plan. Mr. Timmons believes that the District will support the plan with some long-term rent forgiveness in exchange for the improvements made. Mr. Timmons noted that Prop 1 funds may be coming in higher than anticipated. In response to Ms. Robinson's question, Mr. Timmons suggested that money could start going to restore parks in 2015 based on a return on the investment in the energy upgrades at Mountain View. He also noted that the Honeywell energy program guaranteed a return on investment so there would be little risk there. Ms. Adams optimistically sees increase in population of school -aged children and wondered what would happen if the School District needed to use the facility again. Mr. Timmons replied that the 15 -year lease would include another 15 -year option that could protect the City's investment, though the terms of the option haven't been determined yet. The suggested improvements to the facility may not meet the higher standards required for an educational facility. Mr. Timmons clarified for Mr.Gray that there would be a $2.6 million budget for the proposed energy improvements and another $2.9 million for parking lot expansion, facade work, ADA improvements, the roof on the gym, locker room ventilation and lighting, pool pump room, etc. Mr. Timmons explained that the proposed lines of credit would have no budget impact. City Council Special Business Meeting April 28, 2014 Page 4 of 6 In response to a question from Ms. Stinson, Mr. Timmons confirmed that 10 years is the minimum lease length to demonstrate ownership interest for a grant. The money must be spent by June of 2015. Mr. Gray asked about the public process. Mr. Timmons stated he would like to bring a bond to voters this year if possible to avoid competing with a 2016 school levy. Public Comment: Steve Oakford spoke in support of a plan showing the City's committment to Mountain View. Earll Murman reported that the JeffCo Aquatic Board unanimously supports the proposed plan. Rick Jahnke supported the plan but would strongly prefer to have the voters fund the project and avoid a councilmanic situation. Mr. Gray spoke in favor of the proposed strategy, but expressed some concerns about the financing regarding the line of credit and Council debt. He cited Port Townsend's high debt per capita. Mr. Timmons sees going to the voters as the best path to securing financing, with the line of credit being a bridge to that goal and a councilmanic bond as a fallback option. Mayor King expressed strong support for the proposed strategy. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 14-016 adopting a Strategy for Mountain View Commons and Directing the City Manager to Negotiate Lease Terms with the Port Townsend School District No. 50 and Prepare Agreements and Applications to secure Financing. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Mr. Timmons remarked in closing that in the future agenda bills will be color coded to match item in the Strategic Plan, if applicable. ADJOURN At 7:59 p.m. Council recessed into an Executive Session to discuss litigation. No action was taken. At 8:20 p.m. Council came back into open session. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. City Council Special Business Meeting April 28, 2014 Page 5 of 6 Attest: z Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Special Business Meeting April 26, 2014 Page 6 of 6