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HomeMy WebLinkAbout070714 Business MeetingCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF JULY 7, 2014 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on July 7, 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, Kris Nelson, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Services Director Rick Sepler, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Finance Director Nora Mitchell, City Engineer David Peterson, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA The addition of an Executive Session. Removal of Item F. from the Consent Agenda to Unfinished Business. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Ed Robeau spoke about his concerns on loopholes in the municipal code for dogs off leash. Todd Wexman spoke about his concerns on City financial management and the Library, Jim Todd spoke about Kah Tai signage about dogs on leash or under voice control. Rick Jahnke urged Council to consider a levy lid lift rather than a Transportation Benefit District. City staff response City Attorney John Wafts reviewed the current leash requirements and the removal of the 'under voice control' requirement for Chetzemoka park. He noted that for the matter to be addressed specific to Kah Tai Nature Park, Council would need to provide direction. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants City Council Business Meeting July 7, 2014 Page 1 of 5 Vouchers 123751 through 123847 and Electronic Funds Transfers in the amount of $1,278,031.26 Approval of Minutes: June 9 and June 16, 2014 Advisory Board Appointment - William Roney Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Position 14, Term Expiring 5/1/17 Resolution 14-039 Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Public Works Contract with Shold Excavating, Inc., for the Replacement and Installation of Sewer Mainlines and Maintenance Holes in the City's Wastewater Collection System Resolution 14-040 Amending the Personnel Policies Manual Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve the consent agenda with the removal of Item F. Authorization for the City Manager to award the bid and execute the contract for the purpose of microfiltration to Unfinished Business. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Schedule the bond measure for Mountain View and other capital improvements for February 10, 2015 (with action on a Bond Ordinance for this election to take place in the fall of 2014) City Manager David Timmons gave the staff report on the first draft of a bond ordinance. He reviewed the pros and cons of ballot measures in November versus February. If Council is not supportive of a November ballot, then action for scheduling is not critical at this time. He addressed questions and concerns about the timing of the bond measure and about the potential for increased costs if a decision is delayed. Public Comment: Rick Jahnke spoke about the public safety and community needs fulfilled at the Mountain View location and spoke in support, but also shared concerns about the expansion to include other facilities. Brenda McMillan spoke in support of a bond issue on Mountain View but would not support funds going to the Library. During Council discussion, comments were as follows: the need for language in the ordinance to reflect the intent to levy only 13 cents of the total amount; cleaning up/expanding the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs); explaining why the Library is included for energy savings; meeting with partners to see if they can assist with Phase City Council Business Meeting July 7, 2014 Page 2 of 5 III; and the importance of bringing this matter back in September or October for further discussion and direction. There was a desire not to conflict with the school bond issue nor lose momentum by postponing until February. One suggestion was to progress with a November ballot for emergency repairs and then authorize a councilmanic bond on Library improvements. Mr. Timmons explained that the removal of Phase II would not change the financial performance. Phases I and II would not be paid for by the levy portion of the bond, financing would come from Proposition 1 and utility savings. He recognized this might cause confusion among citizens on the ballot. The City-wide energy retrofit was part of the Climate Action Plan recommendations and started discussions with the Department of Enterprise Systems and Honeywell. Many deferred maintenance repairs at Mountain View could turn into emergency repairs if delayed too long. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve postponing any action on scheduling a bond measure but consider scheduling a February ballot and then having an update on partner agreements and an improved plan by mid October. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed. During continued discussion, there was some concern about there not being consensus about the direction of the newsletter article, comments about the responsibility for maintaining facilities in the City considered to be community assets, and continued concern about additional debt. Authorization for the City Manager to award the bid and execute the contract for the purchase of microfiltration equipment for the LT2 Water Treatment Facility to Evoqua, per the Agenda Bill. City Engineer David Peterson gave the staff report on the bid evaluations and the low bidder company Evoqua. He also reported on grant funding. Mr. Timmons noted a similar vote was taken on the ultraviolet treatment and spoke about low-interest loan alternatives. During discussion, there were questions about surcharge increases. Mr. Peterson clarified that additional funding is needed to address additional level treatment requirements by the State Department of Health. Public Comment: Rick Jahnke asked to confirm that sewer outfall costs were not included. Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve authorizing the City Manager to award the bid and execute the contract for the purchase of microfiltration equipment for the LT2 Water Treatment Facility to Evoqua, per the Agenda Bill. Robert Gray seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting July 7, 2014 Page 3 of 5 NEW BUSINESS Ordinance 3111 Relating to Interim Land Use Regulations in the Vicinity Between 6th and 10th Streets and Howard Street and Discovery Way, and Referring the Matter to the Planning Commission for Hearing and Review, and Providing that the Interim Regulations, Unless Extended, will Sunset on the Earlier of Six (6) Months From the Date of Adoption of this Ordinance or the Adoption of Regulations that Supersede this Ordinance Community Services Director Rick Sepler gave the staff report on the interim controls recommended in the Howard Street Corridor. Mr. Watts noted this matter would be back for a public hearing in roughly 45 days. He reviewed changes presented in a revised page three to the draft ordinance. The intent of the changes was to more precisely define the area subject to the corridor and the setbacks. Public Comment: Nik Lance of Mt. Townsend Creamery spoke in support of these regulations and to the back alley access and walkability elements. Staff responded to questions about whether the planned uses would prevent other businesses from locating or building in the vicinity; clarifying set backs and the walkability of the area; whether this work on Howard Street conflicts with the staff time needed for the Comprehensive Plan update; and the importance of updating uses and areas of the City available for locating new businesses. Staff also responded to questions about paving intersections, not the side streets and about the 6th Street re- alignment. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve waiving Council rules and adopting Ordinance 3111 Relating to Interim Land Use Regulations in the Vicinity Between 6th and 10th Streets and Howard Street and Discovery Way, and Referring the Matter to the Planning Commission for Hearing and Review, and Providing that the Interim Regulations, Unless Extended, will Sunset on the Earlier of Six (6) Months From the Date of Adoption of this Ordinance or the Adoption of Regulations that Supersede this Ordinance (with additional recommended changes as presented at the meeting). Kris Nelson seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mr. King reported on his attendance at the christening of the Guardian, the Jefferson County Fire and Rescue fire boat and his tour of the Carnegie Library to see improvements. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Council Business Meeting July 7, 2014 Page 4 of 5 There was no report. At 8:28 p.m., Council recessed into Executive Session to review the qualifications of an applicant for public employment (RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)). At 8:40 p.m., Council came back into open session. Mr. Timmons announced that City Attorney John Watts will be retiring at the end of this month. The City has been involved in a recruitment and interview process. Mr. Steve Gross comes from the City of Auburn and will begin in mid-August. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve confirming Steve Gross for the City Attorney position per the City Manager's recommendation. Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Mr. Timmons also recognized Joanna Sanders' first meeting as City Clerk. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION There were none. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Mr. Gray commented that Mountain View is important to transit riders and Council meetings are not conducive to transit riders attending. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m. Attest: f Joanna Sanders, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting July 7, 2014 Page 5 of 5