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HomeMy WebLinkAbout010515CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF JANUARY 5, 2015 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on January 5, 2015 in the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor King called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Robert Gray, David King, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson with Pamela Adams, and Kris Nelson excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve Gross, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Finance Director Nora Mitchell, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA SPECIAL PRESENTATION Key Award by Washington Coalition for Open Government Patience Rogge of the Washington Coalition for Open Government (WCOG) presented a Key Award to City Manager, David Timmons. Mr. Timmons recognized the Clerk's office for implementing this new website public comment tool as part of the Granicus suite of products already in use. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Mayor King recognized newly -elected County Commissioner Kathleen Kier. Commissioner Kier appreciated the example set by the City for the outreach tool. Steve Oakford complimented the public comment tool. He also commented on the Mountain View ballot measure and outreach efforts in progress. Gary Roe spoke about his concerns on the personal impacts of US Navy exercise activities and he provided written comments. Tom Tiersch spoke about his nomination of the City for the award. He is impressed with the variety of public comment opportunities and the video and audio provided. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants City Council Business Meeting January 5, 2015 Page 1 of 5 Vouchers 125033 through 125269 and Electronic Funds Transfers in the amount of $2,039,920.61. Approval of Minutes: December 8 and December 15, 2014 Resolution 15-001 Related to the Community Development Block Grant Fund, Amending the Terms and Limits of the Loan Program, and Rescinding and Superseding Resolutions 88-58 and 09-012 Resolution 15-002 Adopting Hearing Examiner Rules and Procedures Corrections to the December 8 minutes were as follows: On Page 5, it should state Ms. Robinson and Mr. Gray came back into the meeting. On the vote for Docket Item 1 Jefferson Transit amendment, an added notation that Ms. Robinson and Mr. Gray were recused. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve the consent agenda as written with amendments to the December 8 minutes as noted. Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. There was none. UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Resolution 15-003 Fixing the Time for Hearing on a Petition for a Street Vacation (Jefferson Healthcare) City Manager David Timmons said this item is before Council to set the public hearing on February 2. He gave a brief overview of the street vacation proposal. There was no public comment. Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve Resolution 15-003 Fixing the Time for Hearing on a Petition for a Street Vacation. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Resolution 15-004 Declaring an Emergency and Ratifying the City Manager's Approval of all Applicable Documents to Allow for the Repair of the Big Quilcene River Diversion Road Public Works Director Ken Clow gave the staff presentation of the rain and wind storm that caused forest service road damage. This damage is at risk of impacting the water line that runs under the road. He recognized the County Public Works Department for their assistance. This resolution authorizes needed repairs that City Council Business Meeting January 5, 2015 Page 2 of 5 were bid at a cost of $190,000. Mr. Timmons explained the cost share agreement with Port Townsend Paper Corporation. Council had questions about budget impacts. Mr. Timmon said a supplemental budget appropriation is needed and funds would come out of the Transmission Line Fund. Permit approval was obtained from The Washington State Department Fish and Wildlife as an emergency and Forest Service approval would also be required. Public comment: Steve Oakford spoke in support of addressing the repairs. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 15-004 Declaring an Emergency and Ratifying the City Manager's Approval of all Applicable Documents to Allow for the Repair of the Big Quilcene River Diversion Road. Deborah Stinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3125 Amending Chapter 5.04A (Business and Occupation Tax) of the Port Townsend Municipal Code and Establishing an Exemption for New Businesses Locating in the City City Manager David Timmons gave the staff report on this measure to increase the City's competitiveness in attracting new businesses. It is also tied to businesses attempting to locate in the Howard Street corridor. He recommended bringing back an amendment for existing businesses in the City that choose to expand their manufacturing business. Council had questions about the background for establishing this business incentive. Mr. Timmons explained there were discussions with three businesses, Team Jefferson, and the Department of Commerce about existing state programs. There was also a question about the deferment of taxes and some concern about having fewer dollars in the General Fund that support valuable community services. In response, City Attorney Steve Gross proposed the City's tax code for manufacturing businesses could be broken into small, medium and large categories. The exemption could also be applicable to manufacturing businesses of a certain square feet or those bringing in a certain number of employees. Public Comment: Barbara McColgan-Pastore, an investor in Mt. Townsend Creamery, spoke in support of the proposal to expand the exemption to businesses who are already located here. There was support for this item and enticing businesses from other cities. There was a desire for more information about not only attracting businesses from outside the area but supporting the expansion of small, local businesses in keeping with artisan manufacturing zoning regulations. It was felt that the tax collected is insignificant compared with potential economic benefit in that new businesses become importers of money because they export goods and services. Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3125 Amending Chapter 5.04A (Business and Occupation Tax) of the Port Townsend City Council Business Meeting January 5, 2015 Page 3 of 5 Municipal Code and Establishing an Exemption for New Businesses Locating in the City (requesting staff to bring back more detail surrounding the growth and expansion of existing businesses). Robert Gray seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Resolution 15-005 Authorizing Submission of an Application for a Community Economic Revitalization Board Prospective Development Loan/Grant in the Maximum Amount of $2,000,000 for Howard Street Extension Infrastructure Mr. Timmons reported that the resolution authorizes the combination loan and grant application to fund public infrastructure necessary for economic growth. Staff recognized the desire for a briefing on this project with a breakdown of matching obligations. Public Comment: Barbara McColgan-Pastore spoke in support of the grant and asked about the Howard Street development timeline if no grant is awarded. Mr. Timmons said that construction would begin in the summer. If the grant is not received, then developing property owners would participate through latecomer agreements or a local improvement district. Nik Lance, as an investor in Mt. Townsend Creamery, spoke about their construction timelines and internal funding needed. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 15-005 Authorizing Submission of an Application for a Community Economic Revitalization Board Prospective Development Loan/Grant in the Maximum Amount of $2, 000, 000 for Howard Street Extension Infrastructure. Deborah Stinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. US Navy Comment Letter on Supplemental EIS Expansion of Growler Operations Mayor King briefed Council on the draft letter prepared and solicited Council amendments. Ms. Sandoval made substantial comments about the Navy's expansion and impacts to our air, land and sea. There was some agreement with the suggested amendments, but Council did not feel the formatting changes were needed. Other suggestions were to divide letter into sections and provide specific recommendations. There was a question about decibel readings and asking the Navy to collect the readings or allow additional time to do so. There was support for revisions to list the main points, including electronic warfare and asking them to do a full environmental impact statement rather than an environmental assessment. Public Comment: Gary Roe urged numbering the questions, demanding that the questions be answered, and copying US senators. Forest Shomer spoke in support of the letter. He gave a history of the Navy issues and his comment on the same, including change of planes over time from propellers to prowlers to growlers. City Council Business Meeting January 5, 2015 Page 4 of 5 Mr. King summarized his edits and agreed to work with Ms. Sandoval to better organize the letter. He noted his desire for the Navy to manage the trainings for peaceful coexistence. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve authorizing the Mayor and Councilmember Sandoval to refine and finalize a comment letter to the US Navy on the Supplemental EIS Expansion of the Growler Operations by January 9, including copying all elected officials and representatives. Deborah Stinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor King reported: - His upcoming visit to Whidbey Island Navy base - Attended swearing in of all elected officials - First Night festivities were successful on new year's eve CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons reported: - Expected arrival of aircraft carrier USS Stennis to Indian Island - The status of the Memorandum of Agreement on Building 202 is not yet known - Pool is open, but chlorinator is not operating and there is a roof leak over the womens locker room - Met with financial advisors today on bond options - Council workshop next week on the 3 -year strategic plan - With holiday, the next business meeting is Tuesday, January 20 SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION, COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL ►f�= EXECUTIVE SESSION - LITIGATION PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110(1)(1) At 8:30 p.m., the Council recessed into Executive Session for 20 minutes with no decision. Councilmembers Robinson and Gray were excused. At 8:51 p.m., the Council came back into open session. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m. Attest: i Joanna Sanders, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting January 5, 2015 Page 5 of 5