HomeMy WebLinkAbout121707CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF DECEMBER 17, 2007
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the
seventeenth day of December 2007, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend City Council
Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Mark Welch presiding.
ROLL CALL
Council members present at roll call were Frank Benskin, Geoff Masci, Laurie
Medlicott, Catharine Robinson, George Randels, Michelle Sandoval and Mark
Welch.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John
Watts, Finance Director Michael Legarsky, Planning Director Rick Sepler, Public
Works Director Ken Clow, Police Chief Conner Daily, Sergeant Ed Green, Library
Director Theresa Percy, DSD Director Leonard Yarberry, and City Clerk Pam
Kolacy.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
No changes were proposed to the agenda. Mayor Welch noted that an executive
session was scheduled this evening to address litigation and personnel issues. He
anticipated the discussion would take about 45 minutes and stated that no action
would be taken immediately following the executive session.
PROCLAMATION
Mayor Welch read a proclamation declaring January 2008 as Mentoring Month.
Liesl Slabaugh accepted the proclamation on behalf of Big Brothers and Sisters.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (consent and non-agenda items)
There were no comments from the public.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion: Ms. Robinson moved for approval of the following items on the Consent
Agenda. Mr Masci seconded. The motion can-ied unanimously, 7-0, by voice
vote.
Approval of Bills, Claims and Wan-ants:
City Council Business Meeting Page 1 December 17, 2007
Vouchers 103350 through 103482 in the amount of $286, 858.01
Vouchers 1205071 through 1205079 in the amount of $115,559.82
Approval of Minutes: December 3, 2007
December 10, 2007
Resolution 07-039, fixing the time for hearing (February 4, 2008) on a petition for a
street vacation
Agreement with Olympic Area Agency on Aging (03A) -Senior Community Service
Employment Program for Library
Action: Move to authorize City Manager to enter into an agreement with 03A
for the Senior Community Service Employment Program to allow the hiring of
a qualified senior for the Library, at no cost to the City.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
ORDINANCE 2958
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF
PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31.2008
Mr. Timmons noted that the budget ordinance has been drafted consistent with
Council's recommendations.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Mr Welch moved for adoption of Ordinance 2958. Mr. Randels seconded.
Ms. Sandoval suggested that some formal correspondence be sent to the County
Commissioners regarding their participation in funding for the School Resource
Officer.
Mr. Masci stated he would not support the motion as he thinks the revenue
estimates are far too optimistic; he also remains opposed to using the banked
capacity.
Mr. Benskin stated he also has strong feelings about using banked capacity but he
will support the motion, as he believes that overall it is a good document.
Mrs. Medlicott stated that she would not support the motion because of her
opposition to using banked capacity; she does not believe this is a sustainable
solution.
Vote: motion carried, 5-2, by roll call vote, Masci and Medlicott opposed.
City Council Business Meeting Page 2 December 17, 2007
NEW BUSINESS
COUNTY SERVICE AGREEMENT -BUILDING PLAN REVIEW AND INSPECTION
Mr. Timmons noted that staff has suggested a formal agreement be drawn up with
Jefferson County to set an hourly rate for overflow building permit review and
inspection services. The agreement would be similar to a current agreement
between the Public Works departments.
Mr. Benskin stated he would recuse himself from the vote and discussion, as he is
currently an employee of the Jefferson County Building Department.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Mrs. Medlicott moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into an
agreement with Jefferson County for plan review and building inspection services.
Mr Masci seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote (Benskin
recused).
BICYCLE SAFETY EDUCATION -AGREEMENT WITH DAVID MCCULLOCH
Mr. Timmons reviewed the agenda bill, noting that reinstating the School Resource
Officer will result in a need to backfill service levels in the Department. Staff
suggests utilizing non-police personnel for certain areas; one area is bicycle safety
education. The proposal before Council is to contract with David McCulloch to assist
Sergeant Troy Surber consistent with the memo from Mr. McCulloch dated
December 10, 2007.
In answer to a question from Mr. Benskin, Mr. Timmons noted that the funds for this
service would be supplied by a grant from the Department of Transportation.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Mr Benskin moved to approve a contract for services with David McCulloch
for bicycle and pedestrian education services in an amount not to exceed $15, 000.
Mr. Masci seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote.
RESOLUTION 07-040
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS WITH
CERTAIN GOVERNMENTAL, NONPROFITS AND OTHER ENTITIES
CONSISTENT WITH FISCAL YEAR 2008 APPROVED BUDGET
City Council Business Meeting Page 3 December 17, 2007
Mr. Timmons reviewed the packet materials. In response to a question from Mr.
Randels, Mr. Timmons and Mr. Watts clarified the role of the contracted City
prosecutor and noted that public defender services were provided through the City's
contract with Jefferson County for court services.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Ms. Robinson moved for approval of Resolution 07-040. Mrs. Medlicott
seconded. After brief discussion, the motion carried, 6-1, by voice vote, Masci
opposed.
Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved that the Council authorize and direct the City
Manager to write a letter to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners in regard
fo a contribution to the School Resource Officer position in the Port Townsend
Schools and ask them to engage in a conversation that is broader and includes
county-wide school districts and that a meeting be scheduled within the first two
months of 2008 to discuss this and other important City/County relationships. Mrs.
Medlicott seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote.
NORTHWEST MARITIME CENTER MOORING FIELD AND MOORAGE FLOATS
1AC #03-1132d
Mr. Timmons reviewed the packet material, noting that the Northwest Maritime
Center has requested the City of Port Townsend to act as co-sponsor of a Boating
Infrastructure Grant. He noted that this would provide a strong public/private
partnership, with program administration and matching funds to be provided by the
Maritime Center.
In answer to a question from Mr. Benskin, Mr. Timmons stated the City would set
fees for the use of the moorage floats and administrative recovery costs would be
collected by the Maritime Center.
Mrs. Medlicott stated she believes the matter should be referred to staff or
committee for more study.
Public comment:
David King stated that this would be an advisable investment, which would enable
more people to visit Port Townsend by boat and assist the local economy.
Motion: Mr. Masci moved to authorize the City Manager to execute a grant
agreement for the City to co-sponsor Northwest Maritime Center's Boating
Infrastructure Grant (IAC #03-1132D) for mooring field and moorage floats. Mr.
Benskin seconded. The motion can-ied, 6-1, by voice vote, Medlicott opposed.
City Council Business Meeting Page 4 December 17, 2007
LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE FUNDING RECOMMENDATION -CAR
FERRY CLOSURE
Mr. Timmons reviewed the agenda bill and added that there may be unexpended
funds in the LTAC budget this year that could be used for mitigating the car ferry
closure. He stated that he believes that approving the $5,000 as requested would
be a good faith gesture on the part of the Council in response to the actions by the
state.
There was no public comment.
In response to a question from Ms. Sandoval, Mr. Timmons stated that there is a
balance of approximately $35,000 in the Hood Canal Bridge closure mitigation fund
(source of the $5,000).
Motion: Mr. Masci moved to approve the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
recommendation regarding car ferry closure and authorize the City Manager to
implement the recommendation. Mr Randels seconded. The motion carried
unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
Motion.• Ms. Robinson moved to accept the Mayor's recommendation and confirm
the appointment to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee of Mark Cole (position 12)
as Main Street's ex-officio non-voting member. Mrs. Medlicott seconded. The
motion carried unanimously, by voice vote.
Mayor Welch recognized outgoing Councilors Geoff Masci and Frank Benskin for
their years of service to the community.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Timmons also expressed thanks of behalf of City staff to the outgoing Council
members.
He then updated the Council on the ferry situation and thanked Planning Director
Rick Sepler for all the work he has done regarding this issue.
Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved to send formal notes of thanks to the Secretary of
Transportation, legislators and the Governor for their efforts on behalf of restoring
ferry service to the Port Townsend/Keystone run. Mr Welch seconded. Mr.
Randels proposed adding Pierce County officials to the list. There was no objection.
The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote.
City Council Business Meeting Page 5 December 17, 2007
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT/LAND USE
Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved to approve the recommendation of the CD/LU
Committee that Council review/discuss revised Ordinance 2952 at a workshop. Mr.
Welch seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote.
RECESS
Mayor Welch declared a recess at 7:49 p.m. for the purpose of a break.
RECONVENE
The meeting was reconvened at 7:53 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 7:54 p.m., Mayor Welch announced the Council would hold an executive session
regarding litigation and personnel issues. He stated the session was estimated to
last about 45 minutes and that no subsequent action would be taken this evening.
RECONVENE
The meeting was reconvened at 8:50 p.m.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
Attest:
Pam Kolacy, MMC
City Clerk
City Council Business Meeting Page 6 December 77, 2007