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HomeMy WebLinkAbout022018CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 20, 2018 CALL TO ORDER The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 20th day of February 2018 in 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, Amy Howard, Michelle Sandoval, Ariel Speser, and Deborah Stinson. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve Gross, City Engineer David Peterson, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were none. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Doug Milholland spoke about U.S. Navy training in parks and distributed a map and a sample resolution for consideration. Doug Campbell spoke in support of a state income tax and amicus brief. Vicki Sonntag spoke in support of tax equity and submittal of an amicus brief in support of an income tax. Forest Shomer spoke about his concerns of U.S. Navy exercises on public beaches in Jefferson County and urged drafting a statement. Aislinn Palmer urged creating more equitable taxing options. Laura Martin agreed with concerns about the U.S. Navy training activities on the beaches in Jefferson County. City staff response City Council Business Meeting - February 20, 2018 Page 1 of 6 Mayor Stinson and Mr. Timmons suggested staff could seek outside expertise if Council wants to formulate comments to the U.S. Navy about the cumulative impacts of their proposed expanded activities. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 159024 through 159084 and Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of $164,574.36. Approval of Minutes: February 5 and February 12, 2018 Motion: Pamela Adams moved to approve the consent agenda with amendments to February 5 minutes as follows. Page 3, last paragraph was revised to read "She and Amy Howard attended the AWC legislative days last week. The Ruckelshaus Center "Roadmap to the Future Project" was discussed. Page 4, fourth bullet under City Manager's report should read "formal text amendment received from the Port of Port Townsend. " Page 4, first paragraph under Suggestions for Next or Future agenda, last sentence should read "David Timmons agreed to send the Gates Foundation report related to comprehensive tax reform. Page 4, last sentence of last paragraph should read "Ms. Stinson noted that she did speak with legislators about community concerns about increasing military activity. " David Faber seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 18-008 Related to the Construction of the Jefferson Street Sidewalk Project; Approving the Design Concept, Authorizing the City Manager to Advertise for Bids and to Award a Construction Contract to the Lowest Responsive Responsible Bidder, and to Sign all Necessary Documents and Contracts for the Project City Engineer David Peterson gave the staff report on the design phase of the Jefferson Street sidewalk project. He explained potential improvements, including suggestions by the Nonmotorized Transportation Advisory Board. Staff addressed clarifying questions on stormwater runoff, crosswalks, four- way stop and warrant study evaluation, closure of Adams Street, paving, and additional funding to broaden the area for improvements. There was a request for the minutes of the Non -motorized Transportation Advisory Board in order to see what was recommended. There were several suggestions for project improvements. Public Comment: City Council Business Meeting - February 20, 2018 Page 2 of 6 Debbie Jahnke asked about the warrant process associated with creating a four-way stop. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 18-008 Related to the Construction of the Jefferson Street Sidewalk Project; Approving the Design Concept, Authorizing the City Manager to Advertise for Bids and to Award a Construction Contract to the Lowest Responsive Responsible Bidder, and to Sign all Necessary Documents and Contracts for the Project. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. There was interest in a future Council discussion about the proposal for Adams Street closure. Creating an Ad Hoc Committee on Council Organization and Advisory Boards and Referring Matters to that Committee City Manager David Timmons gave the staff report. Some discussion ensued about expanding the list of committee tasks. It was suggested that issues such as the timing for annual work plans, Council liaisons, and reporting mechanisms be included. Public comment: Rick Jahnke spoke about his suggestions for improved Council and advisory board communications. City Attorney Steve Gross noted that the proposed tasks were intended to be a starting point for discussion. Council expressed interest in bringing forward to a new committee the issues and recommendations related to committees that occurred at the Council Special Projects Committee. It was suggested that audio recordings of meetings, responsibilities and limitations of the liaison role should be discussed by the entire Council. Motion. Ariel Speser moved to approve creating an ad hoc committee consisting of councilmembers Amy Howard, Ariel Speser and Deborah Stinson. The purposes of the Committee include but are not limited to. - 1) o.1) review and make recommendations regarding Council Committee structures, including whether to have standing committees, 2) review and make recommendations related to existing advisory boards including purpose and authority of each advisory board; and 3) make recommendations for annual work plans for advisory boards. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee on Housing City Council Business Meeting - February 20, 2018 Page 3 of 6 Ms. Sandoval reviewed committee recommendations to date as written and several additional items identified for future discussion and tasking.. There was no public comment. Staff noted that if approved, Council would receive at a future meeting a tasking agenda bill for each of the listed items. Council prioritization of those items would also be helpful. It was suggested that the process of reinstating the Housing Action Plan Network be part of the Council Committee on Committees. There was some discussion about the structure of the committee and the need for an updated graph/chart of what needs to be done. Motion. Michelle Sandoval moved to approve the four recommendations of the Council Ad Hoc Committee on Housing as follows: 1) request that City Council task the Planning Commission with a review of possible changes to ADU regulations, specifically renting both structures, size requirements, parking requirements, and allowable number of units, 2) ask staff to present City Council with options for rental property regulations, 3) refer the multifamily tax exemption program information to Council for further tasking; and 4) request that City Council reinstate the Housing Action Plan Network with an invitation to the County. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve tasking the Ad Hoc Committee on Housing to further explore the mission of Housing Action Plan Network 2.0 (mission and composition) and proposing an agenda for a joint meeting with the County. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT City Manager's Employment Agreement Mayor Stinson gave the staff report as written in the agenda bill and the recommendation for a modest adjustment in compensation for this year from Step 6 to 8 and no changes to benefits. The new agreement covers January to June 2019 and provides an additional salary increase to Step 9 and modifies severance, resignation and termination clauses. Mayor Stinson addressed questions about step categories, compensation comparisons, meaning of the "reserved" section, health, disability and life insurance benefits after employment ends. Motion: Robert Gray moved to approve authorizing the Mayor to sign the Amendment to the 2016-2018 City Manager Employment Agreement (moving from Step 6 to 9 retroactive to January 2018), leaving the step nine rate in the 2019 City Manager Employment Agreement, and tasking staff to City Council Business Meeting - February 20, 2018 Page 4 of 6 further explore as part of the budget a post employment extension of health insurance benefits for a year after retirement. David Faber seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Mayor Stinson reported on the following: - Proclamation at Angel and Patron of the Arts Event - Participated in the Joint Climate Mayors signing of the Clean Power Plan - An amicus brief is under review by the Washington Association of Municipal Attorneys. Council shares the tax equity concerns and an update would be brought forward to Council for consideration Some discussion ensued about making comments to the U.S. Navy comments on sea, land, and air activities. There would be a report on March 5 with comments Mr. Gross has collected from Council and MRSC related to denying a permit to the Federal government for training on public property. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons reported on the following: -Water Street project and Hornbeam tree issues - Water Treatment Plant recognition by the Environmental Protection Agency - FEMA also recently recognized the Taylor Street Tunnel Lid project - Authorization for the order of the sewer vac truck replacement - Preparation of Town Meetings on Fire Annexation - Homeward Bound financing plan discussion at Council Finance and Budgel Committee - YMCA Recovery Center concept for MountainView and USDA funding forthcoming for disaster preparedness SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Regarding the Climate Action Committee report, Ms. Stinson asked to bring the presentation back for a report to Council. There was general concern about how to improve reporting to Council from all Advisory Boards. Discussion ensued about the best approach or format for the reports. Discussion continued about how these reports might fold into the work of the new Council Ad Hoc Committee on Committees and a desire to begin some of the reporting while the committee starts its work. Motion: Ariel Speser moved to approve scheduling all non -statutory advisory boards to make a brief presentation to Council on their current work. Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. During further discussion, it was noted that the Mayor and Deputy Mayor would work with staff on the scheduling of advisory board presentations. City Council Business Meeting - February 20, 2018 Page 5 of 6 Ms. Adams expressed concern that parking enforcement and traffic planning had dropped off Council's schedule. Mr. Timmons noted that the City is currently in the process of making a hiring decision on the person who would lead that process. Mayor Stinson suggested that matter come back before Council in the future. Mr. Gray reported that additional funding is needed to complete this year's winter shelter activities. He suggested adding this matter to a future agenda. There was Council consensus that Dale Wilson of OlyCap be invited to present a proposal. Ms. Sandoval urged Council to discuss the "Walk Your Wheels" sidewalk stamping along Water Street and policy for use of the Tyler Street street end. Mr. Timmons and Mr. Peterson reminded that this topic was to be addressed separately from the current Water Street Enhancement Project. Special event permits govern the use of street ends. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting - February 20, 2018 Page 6 of 6