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HomeMy WebLinkAbout020617 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 6, 2017 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 6th day of February 2017 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, Amy Howard, Robert Gray, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson with Catharine Robinson excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, City Attorney Steve Gross, Library Director Melody Eisler, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There was consensus to move Item C. Resolution 17-006 from the Consent Agenda to Unfinished Business and New Business Item A. Resolution 17-008 before Unfinished Business. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Reading Month Proclamation Library Director Melody Eisler accepted the proclamation and introduced this year's Community Read Before the Wind by Jim Lynch. Toastmasters International Week Proclamation Bill Cohill of the Jefferson County Chapter of Toastmasters International accepted the proclamation. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Mayor Stinson recognized those present with concerns about presidential executive orders related to refugees and immigration. She noted that Council shares some of the concerns and would be attempting to schedule time on a future agenda to allow for comment and Council discussion on that matter. City Council Business Meeting - February 6, 2017 Page 1 of 5 The following individuals urged Council to take further action in the form of a resolution to show support for human rights: Sheila Khalov Libby Palmer Dennis Daneau SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Mayor Stinson led a discussion of when and where Council might want to schedule a special meeting or workshop to address concerns raised about a potential human rights resolution. There was support for holding a workshop on February 13 to view available resolutions and recent Jefferson County proclamation and allow public comment. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 17-008 Accepting a Donation from the Port Townsend Public Library Foundation for Laptop Table & Chairs Library Director Melody Eisler gave the staff report on the Library Foundation donation of new tables, chairs, and payment for the electrical wiring of outlets. Mike Burk, Vice President of the Library Foundation board, expressed appreciation for being able to work on the improvement project. There was no public comment. Motion: Amy Howard moved to approve Resolution 17-008 Accepting a Donation from the Port Townsend Public Library Foundation for Laptop Table & Chairs. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 155768 through 156049 and Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of $2,216,021.20. Approval of Minutes: January 9 and January 17, 2017 Motion: Robert Gray moved to approve adopt the consent agenda. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS City Council Business Meeting - February 6, 2017 Page 2 of 5 Resolution 17-007 Designating Off-Leash Dog Areas within the City of Port Townsend Public Works Director Ken Clow gave the staff report reviewing the agenda material on the recommended additional off-leash sites at 35th Street Park and at Umatilla and Sherman Streets. City Manager David Timmons reiterated that the City is unable to grant private property as an off-leash area. Mr. Clow then responded to questions about the nearly four acre parcel in the Umatilla neighborhood including considerations for parking and signage. There was no public comment. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 17-007 Designating Off- Leash Dog Areas within the City of Port Townsend. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3149 Related to Animal Control, Amending Chapter 8.04 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code City Attorney Steve Gross gave the staff report, including a minor change made to Section 8.04.110 (page 8) regarding kennels to include chickens among the animals that are not subject to the limits for companion animals. Changes to the code and updates to agreements with the Jefferson County Humane Society would also be accomplished. He agreed with Council's suggestion to remove "incorporated area of the City" from 8.04.110. Public Comment: Debbie Jahnke asked about placement of a dog waste station and garbage can in the new off-leash areas. She offered to donate a dog waste station. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Ordinance 3149 Related to Animal Control, Amending Chapter 8.04 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code (as amended). Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3165 Relating to Contracting Indebtedness; Providing for the Issuance, Sale and Delivery of not to Exceed $12,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of Limited Tax General Obligation and Refunding Bonds for the Purpose of Financing Sidewalk Improvements, Repaving Water Street, Rehabilitating Carnegie Library and Other Projects, to Refund Certain Outstanding Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds of the City and to Pay the Costs of Issuance and Sale of the Bonds; Fixing or Setting Parameters with Respect to Certain Terms and Covenants of the Bonds; Appointing the City's Designated Representative to Approve the Final Terms of the Sale of the Bonds; and Providing for Other Related Matters Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell reviewed that Council approved first reading on January 17. Since that time, the City received its credit rating for the bond refinancing which was increased from A+ to AA-. If the trends continue, the City would be in a position to see another upgrade possibly next year. City Council Business Meeting - February 6, 2017 Page 3 of 5 She addressed questions about current debt repayment and levying 1% on an annual basis for debt repayment. She also spoke about staffs concerns about borrowing and paying debt on money the City would not be able to utilize in the near future. Staff has not been able to quantify cost and resources required on the potential projects. There was no public comment. Council discussion ensued about its desires to borrow an additional $800,000 of "new money" to fund trail or sidewalk improvements and the possibility of interest rates increasing. Ms. Mitchell noted that the ordinance as it stands is flexible. She noted that the City would be paying about $30,000 a year in interest on the $800,000 without the staffing available to work on those projects. David Timmons said the upcoming work plan and strategic planning initiatives would provide an opportunity for more discussion of priorities. He urged working on the trail improvements in 2018 and stressed the need for flexibility. If the City completes projects using the existing $250,000, then the City could apply for other funds. he indicated that the Complete Streets list reflects about $5 million in projects. He mentioned that Jefferson County PUD would be undergrounding power along Discovery Road and a possible City pilot project to widen the shoulders and improve pedestrian access. Once that pilot project is complete, then the City might be able to demonstrate to citizens what could be done with fewer funds. In reviewing alternative financing options, he noted banks might not want to loan on a 20-year term. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Ordinance 3165 Relating to Contracting Indebtedness; Providing for the Issuance, Sale and Delivery of not to Exceed $12,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of Limited Tax General Obligation and Refunding Bonds for the Purpose of Financing Sidewalk Improvements, Repaving Water Street, Rehabilitating Carnegie Library and Other Projects, to Refund Certain Outstanding Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds of the City and to Pay the Costs of Issuance and Sale of the Bonds; Fixing or Setting Parameters with Respect to Certain Terms and Covenants of the Bonds, Appointing the City's Designated Representative to Approve the Final Terms of the Sale of the Bonds; and Providing for Other Related Matters. Michelle Sandoval seconded. Motion: Robert Gray moved to approve amending the Ordinance 3165 (Page 4 of 19, Section 2(a)) to change $3.2 million to $4.0 million by Councilmember Gray to increase funding being sought from $3.2 to $4.0 million. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion failed, 3-3 by voice vote, with David Faber, Amy Howard, and Deborah Stinson opposed. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. RESOLUTION 17-006 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO AWARD ALL CONTRACTS NECESSARY FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS AT THE PORT TOWNSEND LIBRARY WITHIN THE PROJECT BUDGET Mr. Clow gave the staff report reviewing improvements outlined in the agenda bill. Rolluda would be the preferred contractor to do the work. City Council Business Meeting - February 6, 2017 Page 4 of 5 There was no public comment, Motion: Pamela Adams moved to approve Resolution 17-006 Authorizing the City Manager to Award all Contracts Necessary for the Design and Construction of Improvements at the Port Townsend Library within the Project Budget. Robert Gray seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Establishing City Manager's Evaluation Goals and Objectives Mayor Stinson reported on Council's review of the City Manager in the prior executive session November 14, 2016. There was support for continuing the goals outlined last year -- affordable housing, economic development (especially in the Howard Street corridor), renegotiating the contract with Port Townsend Paper on the water system, and succession planning for senior staff. There was consensus of Council to adopt the above goals with the notation that affordable housing was a priority. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Report on Possible New Positions and Salary Schedule Amendments Mr. Timmons reported that staff would bring forward an amendment to the pay classification schedule. There is a need to revise job descriptions and fill open positions in Public Works, Development Services and possibly Finance that will also impact the 2016 supplemental budget. He also reported on the following upcoming actions: - Partnership agreement for the YMCA at MountainView would include Jefferson County. Mr. Gray reported that YMCA dropped their subsidy for childcare services, so there is also a need for childcare options. - Forming a housing trust with partners including possibly the Jefferson Land Trust - Sending the Standard and Poors report to the Finance and Budget Committee ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting - February 6, 2017 Page 5 of 5