HomeMy WebLinkAbout030909CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
CITY COUNCIL and PORT OF PORT TOWNSEND COMMISSIONERS
MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION OF MARCH 9, 2009
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend and the Port of Port Townsend
Commissioners met in workshop session the ninth day of March 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in
the Point Hudson Marina Room.
ROLL CALL
Council members present at roll call were Brent Butler, David King, Laurie Medlicott,
George Randels, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval and Mark Welch.
Commissioners present were David Thompson, Herb Beck, and John Collins.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John
Watts, Public Works Director Ken Glow, Development Services Director Rick Sepler,
City Clerk Pam Kolacy, Port Executive Director Larry Crocket, and Deputy Director
Jim Pivarnik.
City Manager David Timmons distributed maps showing Kah Tai and Boat Haven
property owned by the Port and the City. He proposed that the entities consider a
land exchange that would result in consolidating the City rights of way within the Port
parcels in Kah Tai and the City rights of way in Boat Haven to create two large
parcels in Kah Tai and one large parcel in Boat Haven which could then be
exchanged for the benefit of both entities. He noted the exchange would be based
on square footage rather then monetary value of the properties.
He stated that the potential outcome of this exchange, as outlined in the packet
materials. would include:
Preservation of Kah Tai Nature Park for the community;
Additional area for development for the Port in Boat Haven (the Port would
have ability to manage the boatyard without the constraint of pre-existing rights of
way);
An area for the "Make Waves" aquatic center so the process for funding and
construction can begin;
Filling a "created" wetland (by SR 20 stormwater)
maintenance facility allows for the off-setting restoration
wetland at Kah Tai Park.
behind the Port's
of a degraded natural
Council/Port Workshop Page 1 March 9, 2009
Mr. Timmons stated that the agreement would include a rights of way/plat vacation
process and an escrow agreement to hold the deeds/plats subject to completion of
the following actions to the satisfaction of both parties:
Removal of the bio-swale wetland mitigation so that the property could be
used for expansion of the Boat Haven;
Site approval for the Make Waves project within the City parcel in Kah Tai;
Addition by the City of an additional connection to the Larry Scott Trail at the
base of the bluff line to the entrance of Boat Haven along Sims Way;
Port will pursue required DOE improvements for stormwater within Boat
Haven; City to allow a full credit of stormwater fees for value added to the City's
overall storm water system - City will also seek support of the use of the Port's Kah
Tai parcel as additional mitigation for the Boat Haven stormwater planning;
Port will expand working area within the Boat Haven if mitigation of the bio-
swale is achieved and City will support this process through a binding site plan.
Other factors surrounding the property were discussed including the origin of the
platting, which took place around 1890 with no regard for geographical features.
Concern was also identified that a plan must be in place for preserving Kah Tai Park
after the City/Port lease expires.
Mr. Beck stated that the Port needs more property and the marine trades are always
looking for more land; this would be an opportunity for the City to assist the Port in
creating job opportunities. He stated this won't be a perfect solution but he believes
a good basic agreement can be worked out.
Executive Director Larry Crocket noted that this is the first of many meetings at the
staff and elected official level to explore the proposal. He expressed the following
concerns:
Some streets have not been vacated and will remain public streets so will not
be of value to the Port and should not be included in the square footage exchange;
City resolution 97-08 states that current zoning shall not be controlling;
Make Waves is a great concept but will be a very challenging project to bring
to completion; if the project does not come to fruition, which entity will own that site
(he noted there has been other interest in that corner property);
How will we deal with the state and federal regulatory agencies if they do not
approve the wetland "exchange"?
Council/Port Workshop Page 2 March 9, 2009
The Port has its own stormwater system and treats some City stormwater; the
Port should not be paying its current stormwater assessment to the City so the credit
does nothing for the Port;
Mr. Crockett distributed a packet of historical documents including the Kah Tai lease,
IAC grant, and Leader editorial.
Both entities agreed that an additional connection to the Larry Scott Trail, as
proposed by the City, would improve safety within the Boat Haven.
Mr. Collins asked what sort of use the Port could make of the rights of way; Mr.
Crocket stated it would not be so much for the formal shipyard as to meet the
demand for large buildings on the site.
It was noted that the City's Resolution 97-08 (in packet) does not preclude the Port
from requesting a rezone of any of the property.
Ms. Sandoval asked if this proposal is pursued, how long the process would take,
particularly in terms of whether the wetland mitigation measure would be acceptable
to the Department of Ecology. Mr. Sepler stated he believes we should know fairly
quickly from DOE if the concept is doable; he estimated a 6-8 month time period if
work on the details starts soon.
It was noted either the Port could be the applicant or the entities could partner in the
process.
Mr. Collins asked if the process could begin before the City and Port come to a final
agreement; Mr. Sepler believes that it could.
Mr. Crockett noted the Port has an environmental consultant on retainer;
Mr. Pivarnik added that the Port has a full delineation of the wetland site,
Mr. Crockett stated that the Port is not as concerned with stormwater and that some
street rights of way have already been built on so will never be streets; therefore
vacations would not be as valuable to the Port. He added his support for keeping
Kah Tai natural and stated that this discussion has been a good starting point.
Mr. Welch stated this is a good next step toward maintaining Kah Tai Park in
perpetuity. Ms. Sandoval agreed and stated the expansion of property for use by
marine trades is equally important.
Mr. Collins expressed the hope that negotiations would be concluded prior to the
end of the lease agreement in 2012.
PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS TO BOATYARD PERMIT
Council/Port Workshop Page 3 March 9, 2009
In reference to letters in the packet regarding the Department of Ecology's proposed
modification to boatyard permits in the state, Mr. Crockett stated that the Port is
beginning to have difficulty meeting the higher standards. He added that the Port is
still looking at how to tighten up its "best practices" such as eliminating most copper
based paint.
Mr. King stated the boatyard's general permit is a huge benefit to the marine trades
and those who make their livelihood that way.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Mr. Crockett stated the Port has sent a letter of interest regarding acquisition of Old
Fort Townsend Park to Rex Derr, Superintendent of State Parks. He said that in
order for the Port to take over, the facility must generate enough revenue to make
operating the facility cost neutral. If the Port decides to take over, it would be
through an ownership transfer, but the land must continue its use for public
recreation purposes.
Ideas about how to bring others into the partnership will be explored.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
City of Port Townsend
Attest:
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Pam Kolacy, MMC
City Clerk
Port of Port Townsend
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~~erbert F. Beck, President
John N. Collins, Vice President
David H. Thompson, Secretary
Council/Port Workshop
Page 4
March 9, 2009