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HomeMy WebLinkAbout041519 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF APRIL 15, 2019 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 15th day of April 2019 in the City 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, Michelle Sandoval, Ariel Speser and Deborah Stinson with Amy Howard excused. Staff members present were Acting City Manager Nora Mitchell, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Public Works Director Greg Lanning, Development Services Director Lance Bailey, Finance Manager Sheila Danielson, City Accountant Tony Hillman, Planning Manager Judy Surber, Acting City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA No changes were proposed to the agenda. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Proclamation — National Bike Month Mayor Stinson read a proclamation declaring May 2019 as Bike Month in Port Townsend. Carol McCreary accepted the proclamation on behalf of the bicycling community. Proclamation - Cleaning for A Reason Mayor Stinson also presented a proclamation regarding "Cleaning for a Reason Week" to Stefani Hathaway. Fort Worden Public Development Authority Annual Report Executive Director Dave Robison and Chief Financial Officer Diane Moody presented a comprehensive Fort Worden Public Development Authority Annual Report for 2018. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC City Council Business Meeting April 15, 2019 Page 1 of 6 James Harvey distributed an e-mail from Elizabeth Harvey to the City Council regarding her grievance to the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe. She expresses concerns about the government to government relationship between the Tribe and the City because Tribal Council decisions on who is an indigenous person may exclude some voices. Doug Milholland regarding a resolution supporting a national nuclear ban. He noted that the Board of County Commissioners is receptive to this intent. Bill Dentzel also spoke in support of a resolution supporting the international ban on nuclear weapons. Rick Jahnke regarding reducing the current utility tax. He noted there are few ways to raise revenue but the fire district annexation has given the Council the ability to use increased property tax to lower the utility tax. He believes the current city tax is regressive. Julia Cochrane regarding the warming center, which will close in 15 days. Growing numbers of people are using the center and most are unsheltered. She is in full support of the center and hopes it can be supported for a longer time next year. Mike Loriz regarding the shortage of Police Officers in Port Townsend. He gave several examples of instances where crimes were not addressed due to the shortage. David Goldman regarding the Fort Worden Public Development Authority. He noted that any future PDAs should ensure that board members should have hands-on experience. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 162415 through 16420 in the amount of$360,347.57 Voucher 162472 in the amount of $48.90 Electronic Funds Transfer in the amount of$28.00 Approval of Minutes: March 11, 2019 Approval to Task the Council Finance & Budget Committee with Reviewing the Long Term Funding Strategy for Capital Projects Resolution 19-038 Authorizing and Directing the City Manager to Execute an Interlocal Agreement with Jefferson County for Prosecution Services Motion: David Faber moved to approve the consent agenda. Ariel Speser seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS City Council Business Meeting April 15, 2019 Page 2 of 6 Ordinance 3222, Related to Utility Rates; Amending the Stormwater Rates; Amending Chapter 13.05 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code, and Establishing an Effective Date Public Works Director Greg Lanning and Accountant Tony Hillman were present to review the packet materials and answer questions. They provided clarification on existing surcharges and surcharge sunset dates. There was no public comment. Discussion ensued regarding the burden to citizens of rising utility costs in the context of the City's burgeoning expenses for infrastructure costs. There was general agreement that future discussions should be held regarding leveraging funds that will be freed up as a result of fire annexation when possible (2020 for the 2021 budget). It was noted that the City identifies surcharges rather than rolling them into rates so they are transparent. Rates are also spread over a smaller population and felt more individually. City systems must be protected in the long run for the good of citizens in spite of concerns about the cost of living for individuals. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Ordinance 3222, Related to Utility Rates; Amending the Stormwater Rates; Amending Chapter 13.05 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code, and Establishing an Effective Date. Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote. motion carried, 5-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed. Resolution 19-039 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Contract for 2020-2030 with Murrey's Disposal, Inc. (d/b/a DM Disposal) for Solid Waste Services Public Works Director Lanning reviewed the packet information. He noted the topic was discussed at the April 8 Council workshop where four options were considered. Option 1, the proposed contract for services with Murrey's Disposal Company was determined to be the preferred option by both the Finance and Budget Committee and the Council. The resolution presented reflects this option. Public Comment: Renee Bush noted she produces about 1/3 less waste than the minimum amount allowed under the contract. She asked if there is any way that conservation could be incentivized and encouraged. Although she understands the concept of spreading out costs throughout the city to keep prices down, she asked if there could be a way to encourage people to create less waste. Council members agreed that incentives promoting less waste would be desirable and wish there were more the City could do to accommodate those efforts. Suggestions included more public dialogue about our responsibility to the future and the environment, exploring ways with the contractor to see if a smaller can at a lower rate would be possible. It was acknowledged that the minimum service cost is more about keeping overall costs down while still providing recycling, yard waste and garbage service to all residents. Further discussion included a desire to City Council Business Meeting April 15, 2019 Page 3 of 6 address reducing utility tax on this service and possibly make it revenue neutral. It was acknowledged that the contract presented is the best of the four options. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 19-039 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Contract for 2020-2030 with Murray's Disposal (d/b/a DM Disposal) for Solid Waste Services Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Ordinance 3223, Amending the Port Townsend Municipal Code to Add a Chapter 13.02A and Establishing a Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Utility Rate Program for Department of Social and Human Health Services Licensed Adult Family Homes and Training Homes and Establishing an Effective Date. Finance Manager Sheila Danielson reviewed the ordinance, which would extend eligibility criteria for low-income utility discount program to qualifying non-profit adult family homes. She noted that currently one or two of these establishments would qualify for the discount. If adopted, the rate would go into effect on July 1 , 2019. The draft as presented has been reviewed by the Finance and Budget Committee and the Committee has recommended adoption of the ordinance. There was no public comment, Mayor Stinson noted a small typographical error in 13.02A.040, line three, "adulty" should be changed to "adult." Motion: David Faber moved to waive Council rules and approve Ordinance 3223, Amending the Port Townsend Municipal Code to Add a Chapter 13.02A and Establishing a Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Utility Rate Program for Department of Social and Human Health Services Licensed Adult Family Homes and Training Homes and Establishing an Effective Date, as amended to correct a typographical error. Ariel Speser seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Briefing on Amendments PTMC 16.08 Flood Damage Prevention Planning Manager Judy Surber introduced the agenda material regarding FEMA mandated revisions to PTMC Chapter 16.08 (Flood Damage Prevention). Her presentation included background, an overview, key terms and maps. She noted that minor modifications were made to the amended ordinance at the Planning Commission level and the draft is now available to the Council for review. She noted the public hearing and adoption schedule has been moved forward to accommodate Council's schedule. Any questions or errors regarding the draft can be e-mailed to Ms. Surber. Public Comment: Rick Jahnke noted that as you raise the height of floor joists within the special flood City Council Business Meeting April 15, 2019 Page 4 of 6 hazard zones it only applies to new construction and buildings in the flood zone, thus creating a "donut hole." He stated this is an inconsistency and noted that it should not slow down the adoption process. He provided the City of Olympia's code section 16.80 which regulates by elevation rather than area, so that if sea level rises, it is easier to change the regulation. Recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee on Housing (Surplus properties rezone) Initiating the Process and Tasking the Planning Commission Development Services Director Director Lance Bailey reviewed the packet materials. He noted that he wants to set realistic expectations for the timing of rezoning any surplus property in light of the current DSD work load. His recommendation is to hold off expectations of doing any of the rezones until the Comprehensive Plan docketing process for 2020. He reiterated the department has no capacity for the project in 2019 unless Council would like to re-prioritize and pull something off the work load. Acting City Manager Mitchell noted that staff does not take a recommendation contrary to a Council Committee lightly but agrees the work load is significant, as detailed on the Agenda Bill. Further discussion included identification of the locations of the properties, a busy time for construction, the fact that projects are waiting and this plan was started in 2005. Comments from Committee members noted that the County is considering surplus property within the City limits and that property could go through the rezoning process at the same time. At least two of the three properties would require additional work before the surplus process could be started. There was no public comment. Motion: David Faber moved consider docketing rezone of the three (3) parcels (shown on the zoning map) for alternative parcel specific zoning for residential purposes in the annual comprehensive plan amendment cycle for 2020. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Mayor Stinson noted that the time was 9:30 and per Council Rules, the Council must agree to extend the meeting. There was unanimous agreement to extend the meeting. City Attorney Greenwood noted that the scheduled Executive Session could be postponed. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Stinson reported on efforts to find a location for the Rhody carnival this year. Each proposed site has presented some challenges. The BOCC has agreed to let them use Memorial Field once more this year, weather permitting, with viable backup sites at Transit Park and Ride and Mountain view Commons, although both backup sites would require fairly significant conditions. Closing the number of downtown streets required cannot be accommodated due to public safety concerns. City Council Business Meeting April 15, 2019 Page 5 of 6 She also noted that the May 20 meeting will be very full. In addition to any necessary business, a three-hour Executive Session is planned to review City Manager candidate resumes. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Acting Manager Mitchell noted that scheduling Council meetings in May is challenging, with several time-sensitive items. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Utility tax discussion. Parking discussion (will wait until Mr. Timmons returns regarding paid parking). Other Parking regulation discussion to be tasked to Housing Committee. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Ms. Sandoval met with County representatives about bathroom facilities uptown and meetings will continue. Special meeting for Joint Oversight Board as no one applied for facilitation role. The Board has reached out to potential candidates. Mayor Stinson asked the Housing Committee to review the latest AWC Update on housing and see if anything applies to the situation in Port Townsend. EXECUTIVE SESSION (PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.1 10(l)(1) CURRENT OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION) City Attorney Heidi Greenwood advised that, due to the late hour, the scheduled Executive Session can be moved to the May 6 business meeting. ADJOURN There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:46 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting April 15, 2019 Page 6 of 6