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HomeMy WebLinkAbout030518CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MARCH 5, 2018 CALL TO ORDER The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 5th day of March 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, Ariel Speser, and Deborah Stinson with Michelle Sandoval excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve Gross, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, Library Director Melody Eisler, Public Works Director Greg Lanning, Parks Recreation and Community Services Director Alex Wisniewski, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were none. SPECIAL PRESENTATION — READING MONTH PROCLAMATION Library Director Melody Eisler accepted the proclamation and reviewed this year's community read activities associated with Leif Whittaker's book My Old Man and the Mountain. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Justine Gonzales -Berg urged Council support of an amicus brief for purposes of tax equity. Viki Sonntag spoke in support of an amicus brief. Daniel Milholland urged $10,000 of City support for the July 4 fireworks event. Lea Falkenhagen expressed concern about navy combat training and supported comments made by Forest Shomer and Doug Milholland. Holly Gossett expressed various concerns about navy training expansion and the continuing Growler activity impacting children and wildlife. City Council Business Meeting March 5, 2018 Page 1 of 4 Mike Ferguson spoke in support of an amicus brief. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 159085 through 159243, 557 through 558, and Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of $746,678.62. Motion: David Faber moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Ordinance 3195 Related to the Acquisition by Eminent Domain of a Certain Portion of Property Outside the City of Port Townsend Necessary for Construction and Maintenance of the Howard Street Regional Stormwater Project; Describing the Public Convenience, Use and Necessity of Such Property; Providing for the Condemnation, Appropriation and Use of the Property; Providing the Mode of Payment of Cost of Acquisition of the Property; and Directing the City Attorney to Prosecute Such Action in Jefferson County Superior Court City Attorney Steve Gross gave the staff report on the eminent domain action that may be needed to move forward with the project to develop a regional stormwater facility at Highway 20 and Milll Road. Motion. David Faber moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3195 Related to the Acquisition by Eminent Domain of a Certain Portion of Property Outside the City of Port Townsend Necessary for Construction and Maintenance of the Howard Street Regional Stormwater Project, Describing the Public Convenience, Use and Necessity of Such Property, Providing for the Condemnation, Appropriation and Use of the Property, Providing the Mode of Payment of Cost of Acquisition of the Property; and Directing the City Attorney to Prosecute Such Action in Jefferson County Superior Court. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Resolution 18-009 Designating Off -Leash Dog Areas Within the City of Port Townsend City Manager David Timmons reported on neighbor concerns following notification of the designation of the Umatilla Avenue off leash area. He proposed exploring MountainView as an alternative location and reviewed the resolution to rescind 35th Street and Umatilla Avenue as off -leash areas. He reminded that in addition to the off leash area outside of Chetzemoka Park, there is an area at the fairgrounds used for this purpose. City Council Business Meeting March 5, 2018 Page 2 of 4 Public Comment; Roger Davis spoke about the safety concerns of the Umatilla off leash area and urged passage of Resolution 18-009. Linda Rohrs spoke about the lack of notice on the Umatilla off leash area and in support of the resolution. Doug Pope spoke about concerns of constraining dogs in the off leash area as people walk the adjacent trail. Chris Cuzzetto expressed concern about dogs off leash straying onto porches in the Umatilla neighborhood and about pedestrian safety. Glen Hartman spoke about concerns over the lack of fencing and other off leash design features at Umatilla. He urged support of Resolution 18-009. Susan Ambrosias spoke about parking and dog waste in this drainage corridor associated with the Umatilla off -leash area. Kirk Gresham spoke about inadequate parking, the dangerous down slope, and hazardous material on the property adjacent to the Umatilla area. Councilmembers comments recognized the community's need for an off leash area or dog park. There was some desire to find a permanent location, provide additional funding for land clearing and parking as an alternative to rescinding the Umatilla park. Mayor Stinson summarized Council's support for exploring a temporary location such as at Mountain View. She clarified that Umatilla and 35th Street properties are not removed from consideration. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 18-009 Designating Off -Leash Dog Areas Within the City of Port Townsend. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Resolution 18-010 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with FCS Group for a Stormwater Rate Study Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell gave the staff report on the need for a stormwater rate study. She noted Council's upcoming workshop on the Water/Sewer Rate Study and addressed Council questions about the Stormwater Fund reserve which contains roughly $100,000. There was no public comment. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 18-010 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with FCS Group for a Stormwater Rate Study. Amy Howard seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT City Council Business Meeting March 5, 2018 Page 3 of 4 Mayor Stinson reported on the following: - Attendance at Main Street meeting on city projects - Attendance at the opening event for Library Reading Month at the Fort Worden Theatre - Structure of the March 12 Council Workshop on Council committee reports, work session items, and brief advisory board reports - Council concerns about U.S. Navy activities are due to City Attorney by March 23 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager David Timmons reported on the following: - Water Street project update, including plans for the March 7 water shutoff, electric conduit, and sidewalk tiles - Favorable bids received for Mountain View - Upcoming Town Meetings on Fire Annexation - Website progress and rebranding SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Mr. Gray expressed citizen concerns about property tax increases. There was Council consensus to have staff bring back a discussion item related to City funding for the July 4 event. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting March 5, 2018 Page 4 of 4