HomeMy WebLinkAbout081715CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF AUGUST 17, 2015
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on August 17, 2015. 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, and Deborah Stinson with Michelle Sandoval
excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, Public Works Director
Ken Clow, City Attorney Steve Gross, City Engineer David Peterson, Finance Director
Nora Mitchell, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders .
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
The following new business item was added: Resolution 15-032 Authorizing the City
Manager to Sign a Services Agreement with Honeywell Building Solutions to Provide
Mechanical Maintenance Services and Software and Hardware Support for the
Enterprise Building Integrator (EBI) System at the Mountain View Commons.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION: PORT TOWNSEND MAIN STREET DAY
PROCLAMATION
Mari Mullen, Port Townsend Main Street Director and Xoe Huffman Board President
accepted the proclamation of the 30th Anniversary of the Main Street program.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment
Todd Wexman spoke about Howard Street and encouraged an abbreviated extension
project.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
City Council Business Meeting August 17, 2015 Page 1 of 5
Vouchers 151827 through 151926, Voucher 506 and Electronic Fund Transfers in
the amount of $932,463.82.
Approval of Minutes: August 3, 2015
Resolution 15-028 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 15-029 Accepting a Donation from the Port Townsend Public
Library Foundation of an Art Display Case and Naming the Case in
Recognition of Charlie Moore
Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve the consent agenda with correction to
minutes to fix typographical errors on pages 2 and 5. Catharine Robinson seconded.
Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Water Status Update
Public Works Director Ken Clow provided the staff report on City and Mill water
consumption. With the recent rainfall, City Lake is at the same level recorded in
2009 and the Gold Fire has now spread to 10.2 acres. He pointed out a minor
correction to Stage 1 of the Drought Response Plan (Exhibit A to Ordinance 3132)
which reflected Council's direction.
City Manager David Timmons announced that the City granted a limited
commission to East Jefferson Fire Rescue to assist with fire inspections and
abatement measures.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 15-030 Authorizing the City Manager to Award and Execute a
Contract with Stellar J Corporation for Construction of the Port Townsend
Water Treatment Facility
City Engineer David Peterson requested Council authorize a contract with Stellar J
Corporation as the low bidder for the construction of the new water treatment facility
and the demolition and construction of the 5 MG reservoir. The City would likely
apply for contingency funds through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
(DWSRF).
City Council Business Meeting August 17, 2015 Page 2 of 5
In response to questions from Council, Staff explained that the City's primary
storage capacity is at City Lake and Lords Lake. The current reservoir is inadequate
for long-term water storage and has seismic vulnerabilities, so it would be retired
after the new facility is constructed. There would be costs associated with modifying
Lords Lake to increase capacity. The City could shut off City Lake to maintain the
reservoir if there were breaks in the pipeline.
There was no public comment.
City Manager David Timmons noted that with project bids coming in under estimate,
there would need to be an assessment of the rate analysis.
Motion: Kris Nelson moved to approve Resolution 15-030 Authorizing the City
Manager to Award and Execute a Contract with Stellar J Corporation for
Construction of the Port Townsend Water Treatment Facility. Catharine Robinson
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
Resolution 15-031 Authorizing and Directing the City Manager to Execute an
Agreement with the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization
Board (CERB) for Aid in Financing the Costs of Public Facilities Consisting of
the Howard Street Corridor Public Infrastructure and Stormwater Facilities
Mr. Peterson reported on the Washington State Community Economic
Revitalization Board (CERB) $1.2 million loan to develop a regional stormwater
facility as well as a $300,000 grant to develop Howard Street. This resolution
authorizes execution of an agreement to repay the loan.
Mr. Timmons clarified that the revised resolution states that this is not a general
obligation but a revenue obligation to be repaid from stormwater utility revenues.
Staff would return with a plan to review stormwater rates, including a payback for
benefiting properties, as well as a capital surcharge to cover the City's share of the
project. Stormwater improvements were necessary for the City's water treatment
plant as well as providing a regional stormwater solution.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve Resolution 15-031 Authorizing and
Directing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with the Washington State
Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) for Aid in Financing the Costs of
Public Facilities Consisting of the Howard Street Corridor Public Infrastructure and
Stormwater Facilities as amended (with a minor amendment to the fourth whereas
clause to include "to be repaid from stormwater utility revenues.') Kris Nelson
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
City Council Business Meeting August 17, 2015 Page 3 of 5
SpeakUp Budget Survey Questions
Finance Director Nora Mitchell reviewed the proposed survey as a follow up to the
Council budget retreat and the discussion items on many priorities outstanding in
the three year strategic plan (Streets. Stormwater, Olympic Gravity Water System,
Parks and Library). The goal is to inform and get citizen input on the City budget
priorities. Results would assist in further refining the funding mechanisms.
Council discussion ensued about the timeline, promotion and alternatives for
completing the survey. Given the school levy being sought, there was concern
about introducing these complex, long-term funding issues. Staff recorded
comments and suggested revisions to better explain the funding mechanisms, their
implementation, and the average household impacts.
There should be clarification that the City cannot currently levy more and that an
annexation of EMS and fire services would require a vote. The City could then use
funds freed up by fire district for a tax increase for other purposes. More information
and explanation of the set up and implementation of a Parks District or Metropolitan
Parks District as separate governmental entities. A suggestion was to sunset the
one-time expenses for the Library (roof repair and ADA improvements to the
bathroom). Staff noted that Comprehensive Plan priorities would set long-term
funding.
Public comment:
Rick Jahnke spoke in support of the survey, but not conflicting with the school
measure. He had some concern about duplicating jurisdictional structures with a
parks district.
Jim Todd commented on the need for clarity for the taxpayer impacts.
Debbie Jahnke quoted from MRSC about cities establishing parks districts.
Paul Rice expressed his support for simplifying language in the survey, and using
freed up funds in a fire annexation for street and sidewalk maintenance.
Mr. Timmons said staff would work to clarify that we are trying to establish a policy
framework for future consideration by the voters.
Resolution 15-032 Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Services Agreement
with Honeywell Building Solutions to Provide Mechanical Maintenance
Services and Software and Hardware Support for the Enterprise Building
Integrator (EBI) System at the Mountain View Commons
City Council Business Meeting August 17, 2015 Page 4 of 5
City Engineer David Peterson explained the scope of this contract for maintenance
services through Honeywell. Mr. Clow noted that while some tasks are basic, the
large air handling systems are complex and require ongoing support. System
performance for energy efficiency is monitored by Honeywell, but maintenance is
separate. Through this contract, individuals who completed the equipment
installation would do the maintenance.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 15-032 Authorizing the
City Manager to Sign a Services Agreement with Honeywell Building Solutions to
Provide Mechanical Maintenance Services and Software and Hardware Support for
the Enterprise Building Integrator (EBI) System at the Mountain View Commons.
Robert Gray seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager reported on the following:
- Phoenix addition open house
- City attorney attendance at EJFR for granting limited commission for fire abatement
- Vacation rental topic coming forward to Council for briefing
- Recruitments and replacement of City Police personnel positions
- Job offer made to an engineering assistant applicant
SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR
STUDY SESSION
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Ms. Stinson announced the All County Picnic is this weekend.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, CMC
City Clerk
City Council Business Meeting August 17, 2015 Page 5 of 5