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HomeMy WebLinkAbout121117CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING OF DECEMBER 11, 2017 CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in special session on the 11th day of December 2017 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor 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, Amy Howard, Catharine Robinson, Deborah Stinson, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders with Michelle Sandoval excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve Gross, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, Public Works Director Greg Lanning, Special Assistant to the City Manager Ken Clow, City Engineer David Peterson, Assistant City Engineer Samantha Trone, and Civil Engineer Laura Parsons. SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF AWARD TO PENINSULA COLLEGE FOR FORT WORDEN BUILDING 202 Peninsula College President Dr. Luke Robins was present to share with the City the American Institute of Architects honorable mention award for the renovation of Building 202. Although Peninsula College received the award, he acknowledged all the parties involved in the success of the project, including Julie McCulloch from the Peninsula Board of Trustees, Patty Mccray-Roberts of Peninsula College Facilities, and Claire Roney of the Peninsula College Foundation Board. Ms. McCulloch read from the award application and spoke about the significance of this project. Patty McCrae Roberts spoke about collaboration by Fort Worden Public Development Authority, Fort Worden State Parks, and the City. Ms. Roney recognized Joe Floyd of the Foundation who worked hard on the historic tax credit process. Mayor Stinson recognized the importance of maintaining historic tax credits. City Manager David Timmons commented on the importance of an education presence in Port Townsend and the joint vision that carried the project forward to completion. NEW BUSINESS Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement with the Jefferson Clemente Foundation for City Sponsorship of the January 2018 Clemente Course City Council Special Business Meeting December 11, 2017 Page 1 of Mr. Timmons reviewed the request to use the Pope Marine Building (at no cost) to hold their classes two nights a week from January through June 2018. Council authorization is needed to enter into a City sponsorship agreement with the Clemente Course and to use funds from the Council Reserve to pay the rental fees, Staff would reflect this action in a 2018 supplemental budget. During Council discussion, there was support for the work of the Jefferson Clemente Foundation. Some discussion ensued about setting a precedent with this action and whether better policies need to be in place to address future requests. Staff noted that City policy guidelines address events open and free to the public. This event is not open to the public and there would be an allocation of funds. Public Comment was as follows: Arendt Speser of Jefferson Clemente Foundation spoke to the need for a bigger space and urged Council to support this proposal. Mr. Faber disclosed that his wife is on the Board of the Clemente Foundation. Ms. Stinson disclosed she is a former board member of Clemente. She believed Fort Worden would better house this course. Other Councilmembers spoke positively about their involvement with the Clemente Foundation. Motion. Catharine Robinson moved to approve authorizing the City Manager to enter into a sponsorship agreement with the Jefferson Clemente Foundation in the amount of $1,230, to be funded from Council Reserve. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Resolution 17-062 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Construction Contract with Interwest Construction, Inc., for the Construction of the Water Street Overlay Project City Engineer David Peterson gave the staff report and reviewed the Water Street Enhancement Project timeline. The budget is on track with the exception of the stormwater and drainage work. Interim financing would allow the project to move forward with the project kick off on January 2. The shortfall would be addressed through a supplemental budget. Public Comment: Debbie Jahnke encouraged talking with the PUD to urge the use of snowflake decorations. Mr. Timmons noted that wind was an issue with the past decorations. Mr. Peterson also reported that as recommended by the Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board, five or six species of trees have been added in the Water Street project plan. Outlets would be a part of the tree wells allowing for easier wrapping of lights. Motion. Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 17-062 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Construction Contract with Interwest Construction, Inc., for the Construction of the Water Street Overlay Project. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. City Council Special Business Meeting December 11, 2017 Page 2 of Mr. Gray suggested the City review the low-income utility program related to the potential increase in stormwater fees. Stormwater Management Plan Briefing Assistant City Engineer Samantha Harper reviewed the progress to date on the Stormwater Management Plan including task force meetings. She noted that Planning Commission's role is to review the plan and policies for consistency with the Comprehensive Plan. Paul Fendt of Parametrix gave background on the key considerations and elements of the plan. The last plan was adopted in the 80s and there was a draft plan in 1999 but it was not adopted. The City can use the 2005 Ecology manual. He explained the tiering map and legend for water bodies, structure for every property, and critical drainage corridors (low points in the landscape). Because there are not well-defined drainage systems, the whole foundation of stormwater management will be connected to the road system. Ms. Trone requested a Council subcommittee be created for a mid-to-late January meetings to receive buy -in and feedback on policy direction. Ms. Stinson suggested that with a new councilmember coming, that any Council committee appointments wait to be done early in January 2018. Ms. Harper and Mr. Fendt responded to Council questions related to roadways, grassy swales, and runoff. When asked whether the planning process would include when and where improvements need to occur and what prioritization, Mr. Fendt said the capital projects would be identified. The plan would also provide guidance on recurrent capital. Public Comment was as follows: Liz Berman asked about a plan for adding vegetation. Rosemary Sikes spoke about her concerns about the maintenance of Kah Tai Creek as a critical drainage corridor. Update on the Preparation of the Rainier Street/Sims Way Corridor Subarea Plan Special Project Assistant Belinda Graham introduced Wayne Carlson of AHBL who gave a project status. Ryan Givens of AHBL reminded of the key findings of the project plan and gave a review of market analysis (industry, commercial, and housing), and land use regulations. Ms. Graham asked for input on several questions as outlined in the presentation and consultants and led an in-depth discussion with Council of the following questions: 1) "Should stand alone residential be allowed? There was Council confirmation to continue to explore. 2) "Should the proposed commercial focus area extend the entire length of Sims Way in the subarea? There was some confusion about this question, but eventual consensus that stopping the hashed area at the ravine the map would allow greater flexibility in development. 3) "Should we City Council Special Business Meeting December 11, 2017 Page 3 of 4 consolidates uses into more broad categories?" There appeared to be consensus. "How do we focus more on urban form than use? and What does this look like?" There was Council recognition that this would require a lot of design standards. Public Comment: Liz Berman commented on the desire for flexibility for low-income, affordable housing. Debbie Jahnke commented on the lack of references in the market analysis to "complete streets" and "active transportation." Ms. Graham responded that the subarea plan addresses land uses and not projects such as low-income housing which would be available to a developer. The subarea plan would include references to walkability, references to the cycle track and non - motorized transportation. AHBL would continue their work on the subarea plan and after the first of the year, they expect to receive the traffic study and infrastructure reports after which they would work on a draft plan and development regulations. Ms. Graham anticipated the subarea plan would be presented at the end of the first quarter. PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT Mayor Stinson and Mr. Timmons made remarks and recognized the significant contributions of Public Works Director Ken Clow during his 17 years of good service to the City. He would be leaving the City by the end of the year. They also recognized outgoing Councilmember Catharine Robinson for her 16 years of service and contributions to the community. She expressed appreciation to fellow councilmembers and staff for their support. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:32 p.m,. Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Special Business Meeting December 11, 2017 Page 4 of 4