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HomeMy WebLinkAbout031918CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MARCH 19, 2018 CALL TO ORDER The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 19th 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, Michelle Sandoval, Ariel Speser, and Deborah Stinson. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve Gross, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, City Clerk Joanna Sanders, and Police Chief Michael Evans. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA It was noted that Item A under New Business Resolution 18-004 was removed from the agenda. SPECIAL PRESENTATION — OLYCAP HOMELESS SHELTER FUNDING Kathy Morgan of Olycap gave a presentation on the Summer Shelter Program and requested $75,000 in City financial support. She introduced Michael Johnson, the Shelter Supervisor. There was Council agreement to address this request under New Business. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Jeanne Boyer spoke in support of an amicus brief for a progressive property tax. Doug Milholland urged that Council pass a U.S. Conference of Mayors resolution addressing the lowering of nuclear war tensions and associated issues. He provided a copy. Robert Komishane spoke in support of the City taking action to file an amicus brief„ Karma Tenzing Wangchuk read a poem about homelessness. Marty Gilmore of Jefferson County Democrats spoke in support of the City filing an amicus brief. City Council Business Meeting March 19, 2018 Page 1 of 5 Justine Gonzales Berg presented a document with 125 signatures of Port Townsend residents in support of the City filing an amicus brief. Julia Cochrane spoke in support of an amicus brief, the homeless shelter, and July 4th activities. Jan Krick spoke in support of year-round shelter activities. Jim Todd spoke about the need for hospital directional signage on Sims Way and at Sheridan and 19th Streets. Directional Library signs would also be appreciated. Frank Hoffman spoke in support of the summer shelter activities. Kim Clark spoke in support of the amicus brief and Olycap's summer shelter activities. Beulah Kingsolver of the Dove House spoke about the 204 families turned away from the Dove House shelter for lack of space. She urged Olycap partnering with other agencies to provide housing for women. City staff response Mayor Stinson noted that later in the agenda Council would briefly discuss future direction on shelter funding, the amicus brief, nuclear concerns, and hospital signage. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 159244 through 159395, 559 through 662, and Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of $624,207.44. Approval of Minutes: February 20, 2018 Resolution 18-011 Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Release of a Utility Easement in Vacated Jackson Street Between Lawrence and Clay Streets Resolution 18-012 Approving the 2018 Work Plan for the Parks, Recreation, and Tree Advisory Board, and Directing the Board to Assist Staff as Requested to Implement the Work Plan Motion. Michelle Sandoval moved to approve the consent agenda with a correction to the February 20 minutes, page 6 to correct a typographical error in paragraph two "winter. " David Faber seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS City Council Business Meeting March 19, 2018 Page 2 of 5 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 noted the need for a condemnation proceedings in support of the Howard Street Regional stormwater project. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Ordinance 3195 Related to the Acquisition by Eminent Domain of a Certain Portion of Property Outside the City of Pon` 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, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 18-013 Related to Fire Services; Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Pre -Annexation Memorandum of Agreement with Jefferson County Fire District No. 1 City Manager David Timmons gave the staff report on the City's pursuit of a potential ballot measure that would annex the City into Fire District No. 1 (East Jefferson Fire and Rescue). The agreement does not specify a particular ballot date, but does commit the City to move forward with an agreement. Mr. Gross noted that an updated draft of the pre -annexation agreement was distributed. He responded to concerns about authorizing a memorandum of agreement (MOU) before the ordinance adopting a ballot measure is passed. The Mayor and staff led a discussion and responded to questions about the language in the MOU (Exhibit A), including the governance structure, levy limits, City levying authority, tax equity with district residents, and cost of providing services. She indicated the district is interested in making a case for support from the voters. Public Comment: There was none. There was continued discussion about the timing to pursue fire annexation, Motion: Ariel Speser moved to approve Resolution 18-013 Related to Fire Services; Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Pre -Annexation Memorandum of Agreement with Jefferson County Fire District No. 1 (with several corrections to Exhibit A as noted). Pamela Adams seconded. City Council Business Meeting March 19, 2018 Page 3 of 5 Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed. At 8:05 p.m., the meeting paused for the purposes of a break. At 8:12 p.m., the meeting resumed. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 18-015 Related to Personnel, Adopting Classification Schedules for Represented Employees Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell noted the requested changes to the pay classification schedule. There would be a change to the aquatic program coordinator pay scale and an added position of community services administrative support specialist. For the latter, there is not yet funding to support the new position. Motion: Ariel Speser moved to approve Resolution 18-015 Related to Personnel, Adopting Classification Schedules for Represented Employees. Amy Howard seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 18-016 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Sponsorship Agreement with Thunderbull Productions for a Fourth of July Celebration Mr. Timmons gave the staff report on the request to the City for sponsorship of the July 4th celebration. The amount in Council Reserves is currently $84,000 and the request for support through an agreement is $10,000 for 2018. Daniel Milholland said while he has been chief in coordinating supporting July 4 activities, he would like to see the City contribute an annual amount for the fireworks portion of the event. There was a mention of the list of unmet needs and addressing public safety and creating a disincentive for other fireworks with an organized display, plus supporting similar community events. There was some concern about an annual amount and request other community members to be a future partner in the display. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 18-016 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Sponsorship Agreement with Thunderbull Productions for a Fourth of July Celebration. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Amy Howard opposed. OLYCAP HOMELESS SHELTER FUNDING There was Council discussion about the funding request and whether to pursue a supplemental appropriation from the General Fund reserves or Council Reserve. There was interest in further exploring barriers to shelter access, other funding being collected to support these services, and community partners. Staff was directed to return with a proposal for half of the request ($40,000) from Council Reserves. City Council Business Meeting March 19, 2018 Page 4 of 5 PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Draft Response Letters to U.S. Navy Environmental Projects in the Pacific Northwest Mayor Stinson solicited edits to letters to Governor Jay Inslee and Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest. She announced receiving an invitation to a special briefing this Thursday at 10am at the Naval Facility on the Kitsap peninsula. Staff recorded Council's suggested edits to the letters and agreed to finalize them for the Mayor's signature. Mayor Stinson also reported having participated in the Water Treatment Facility recognition by the Environmental Protection Agency Region X. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT David Timmons reported on the following matters: - Wooden Boat Festival options are being considered by the Port - DM Disposal current contract does not require weekend pickups, so the agreement would need to be amended - Overview of the Town Meetings on Fire Annexation - Mountain View remodeling contract was awarded - Water Street progress - Sewer Outfall project - Final plans for Jefferson Street sidewalk bids SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION In response to a suggestion to bring back the topic of an amicus brief on income tax, Mr. Gross provided an update explaining that the Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys (WSAMA) committee has not yet asked for amicus support. He recommended waiting until we know what support they request. Mr. Timmons agreed to talk with Public Works on a procedure related to hospital signs. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting March 19, 2018 Page 5 of 5