HomeMy WebLinkAbout100316 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF OCTOBER 3, 2016
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 3rd day of October
2016 in the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor Deborah Stinson called the
meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, David Faber, Robert Gray,
Catharine Robinson, Deborah Stinson, and Amy Howard with Michelle Sandoval
excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve
Gross, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Finance Director Nora Mitchell, Planning
Director Lance Bailey, Police Chief Michael Evans, Finance Manager Sheila
Danielson, Parks and Facilities Manager Alex Wisniewski, Senior Planner Judy
Surber, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There was consensus by Council to move New Business Item B Competitive Swim
Team Management prior to the public hearing.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Arbor Day Proclamation
Debbie Jahnke Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board Member accepted the
proclamation and reviewed planned Arbor Day activities.
Mental Health Awareness Week Proclamation
Darlene Gruenke Sanders of NAMI accepted the proclamation, announced an
upcoming film event, and reviewed their many partners in the community working
on mental health issues. Valerie Phimister of NAMI spoke about their current focus
on suicide prevention and intervention as well as a search for office space.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Kathryn Jenks spoke about the Jefferson County PUD's use of LED lights when
replacing sodium vapor lights. She requested Council discuss its policy on street
lighting.
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Brenda McMillen urged renaming the "35th Street Park" to "Woodland Park" and
"Parkside Park" to "Bishop Park."
Mr. Timmons noted that a student intern worked on policy framework related to street
lighting and he would encourage an update of the inventory. LED is a more intense
light, but an investigation of options is appropriate.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Vouchers 155000 through 155106 and Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of
$635,593.07.
Approval of Minutes: September 12, September 15 and September 19, 2016
Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve the consent agenda as amended.
Minutes of September 19 should reflect that a clerk was present under the attendees
and the reference to the October General Services and Special Projects Committee
should instead be September. Pamela Adams seconded.
Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
Re-affirming Council's Support for the "Move to Amend" Campaign
City Manager David Timmons gave the staff report on this resolution to reaffirm
Council's prior action.
Motion: David Faber moved to approve re-affirming the principles stated in City
Council Resolution 12-011 and to support the passage of Initiative 735. Catharine
Robinson seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
Competitive Swim Team Management
Parks and Facilities Manager Alex Wisniewski gave the staff report as summarized
in the agenda bill regarding the proposal to transfer management of the swim team
from a volunteer/parent-led organization to a recreation program organized by the
Parks and Recreation Department.
Questions by Council related to the cost recovery spreadsheet and whether the
indirect expenses would be recovered by the fees. Mr. Wisniewski responded they
would not, however the more athletes involved in the program the more the indirect
expenses would be offset.
Public Comment:
Kirsten Behrenfeld spoke in support of the resolution to add a coaching position.
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Peter Braden, current girls high school coach and member of the Jefferson County
Aquatic Coalition board, spoke in favor of this club sport program. He noted the
existing support would continue from community parents and the USA Swim Club
organization.
Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve authorizing the City Manager to add
two part-time coaching positions in support of the new program. Amy Howard
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
2017 Budget - Current Revenue Estimates
Finance Director Nora Mitchell reviewed revenue estimates in Property Tax, Retail
Sales tax, Business and Development Revenue, and Enterprise
Revenue. She gave a detailed summary of the Projected 2016 and Proposed 2017
Budget Revenues report and report of Key Revenues. Staff then addressed Council
questions about the Mountain View levy and criminal justice sales tax. Staff
explained that related to the water rate surcharge, the City may need to update the
water rate survey to see if an adjustment of rates is needed.
2017 Budget - General Overhead Allocation
Finance Manager Sheila Danielson explained the general overhead allocation and
the impact of the cost allocation methodology adopted in 2014. Staff responded to
questions about non-allocable costs of responding to public record requests and
providing prosecution services which are not allocated to other departments.
PUBLIC HEARING
Ordinance 3154, Relating to Comprehensive Planning; Adopting the 2016
GMA Periodic Update to the Comprehensive Plan; Amending the
Comprehensive Plan; and Amending Titles 17 and 18 of the Port Townsend
Municipal Code in Connection Therewith (Continued from September 19)
Senior Planner Judy Surber reviewed the additional materials provided in the
packet on the topic of temporary tent encampments. Revisions to
the ordinance included adding non-profit organizations to the list of sponsors.
She explained the City has not yet created a process for an agency to demonstrate
their expertise and credentials. Staff also addressed questions about the restriction
on the maximum number of residents from 50 to 30.
Public Comment:
Liz Berman inquired about the time period to obtain a temporary use permit.
Patrick Johnson expressed interest in when the City might produce
materials defining expertise. Mr. Bailey and Ms. Surber responded about a possible
process and timeline for approving a temporary use permit for a temporary tent
encampment.
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There being no further testimony, Mayor Stinson closed public testimony on Docket
Item #24.
Councilmember Faber expressed concern that there is not enough distinction or
ability to test someone's homelessness. City Attorney Steve Gross reviewed how
the city would regulate the organization proposing a tent encampment. Any
enforcement needed due to problems associated with any camping would be
investigated. The City does not police whether a person is homeless. If/when a
sponsor declares to the City their particular interest, the City would then address the
expertise of that sponsoring agency and establish the timeline for approving this
Type II permit.
Mr. Gray disclosed that he is on the Jefferson County Fair Board and talked about
how the arrangements were made for the tent encampment at the fairgrounds. He
expressed a desire for Council to further address homeless as a priority.
There was no public comment on the errata sheet. Mayor Stinson closed public
testimony on the errata sheet.
There were no objections to the following additional changes:
- On Page 1 of the Errata Sheet, under Acknowledgements, rephrase
the following acknowledgement to read: "Senior Planner Judy Surber, the project
manager."
- Utilities Element, page 4 of 7, Policy 7.5 should instead be Policy 6.5.
- Economic Development, page 5 of 7. Item 2 "involve the Port Townsend School
District."
Ms. Surber clarified that the map distributed is not inclusive of all locations where a
temporary encampment might be located.
The being no Council objection, the public hearing was closed.
Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve waiving Council rules and approving
Ordinance 3154, Relating to Comprehensive Planning; Adopting the 2016 GMA
Periodic Update to the Comprehensive Plan; Amending the Comprehensive Plan;
and Amending Titles 17 and 18 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code in
Connection Therewith. Pamela Adams seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
At 8:01 p.m., the meeting was recessed for the purposes of a break.
At 8:07 p.m., the meeting resumed.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
Mayor Stinson reported on the following:
- attendance a meeting with Port Commission Chair and new Executive Director Sam
Gibboney
- Emergency Operations Center meeting about the recent potential water quality
concern
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
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David Timmons gave a briefing on the water quality notification about the discovery of
blue green algae at the City reservoir. He reviewed emergency preparedness
procedures and treatment options in place if it were to be detected in drinking water in
the future.
He also reported on the following:
- New walking and bicycling maps now available.
- Howard Street project progress.
- Increased permit activity in Development Services.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, CMC
City Clerk
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