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Home My WebLink About00270 minutes of the previous session vrore read in full and it was moved by councilmanI 486 November 17, 1964 Port Tom send, Washington The City Council of the City of Port Townsend mot in regular session this 17th day of Nov. 1964 at 7:30 pm in the council chambers of the city hall. Mayor Sullivan presiding. ROLL CALL Officers and members present were as follows: Mayor Sullivan, City Attorney Abraham, City Clark Youngblood, Councilmen, Thomas, Hoglund, Ruby, Siebenbaum, Lindsey, Carter. Councilman Judy absent. 14INUT ES OF THE PREVIOUS SESSIOii The minutes of the previous session vrore read in full and it was moved by councilman Siebenbaum seconded by Councilman Thomas that the minutes be approved as read and that the Mayor and City Clerk sign same. Motion carried. BUILDING PERMITS The following building permit was presented and acted upon as follows: James Pierce, Aluminum Siding to house, 1710 Sheridan, $1,200.00. It was moved by Councilman Lindsey seconded by councilman Hoglund that the building pormit be granted. Motion carried. CO MTRiICATIONS The following communications vrore read and acted upon as follows: From George Brown, Frincipkl Grant Street School to -wit: Oct. 13, 1964 Mayor and City Council Port Townsend, �,ashington HonBrable Mayor and Sirs: In behalf of the Lincoln and Grant Street teachers and students, I would like to express our thanks and gratitude to the Port Townsend Fire Department for outstanding program presented at our schools on Oct. 7th in conjunction with fire prvention week. A special thanks to chief Jones, assistant chief Deleo, Lkeut. Bumarner, and Firemen Swi ':yers, Fields and Erickson, for their work in presenting a very worthwhile program. Sincerely, George Brown, Principal Grant Street Elementary School From: P. L. Copps - to -wit: Nov. 13, 1964 Police Department City of Port Townsend 1310 Lawrence Steet Fort Townsend, •:.ashington Dear Chief Phegley: I:e sincerely thank you and the Patrol for your call last night reporting the electrical arcing on our pole near Delta Grocery. This saved us considerable amount of damage also made it possible for us to isolate this trouble before the entire town of Port Tovinend would have been out of power. If at any time we can be of service to you please feel free to call on us, drank you again -ours truly, P.L. Copps, Local Manager From Key City Lanes to -writ: Nov. 12, 1964 City Council Port Townsend, Wash. Dear Council Yenbers; 74ould it be possible to ;et some better lighting in or near the Bowling lanes. 7+hat is tiger is very inadequate, and the bowlers are complaining about the lighting on the street. There is only one little light on the pole near the station and it is very samll. There are no me lights except what Puget Power has in front of their own building. Could you send a representative down to sea what can be done. Thank you. Yours truly, sirs Lloyd Johnson Key City Lanes Mayor Sullivan referred the above communication to the Light committee. onorable Payor & City Council City Hall I Dear Sirs: ';;a would like to have 14th Street extend on the fill to San Juan Ave and San Juan Ave from 14th at to the State Highway. These streets have been filled and would just need graveliry •� !i e s ooi•Foro5o"in a o inemcityscieontez.�soing to the boat haven or DeLeo Bros. and :would also s 13 31 0 r L� E 11 L 1 0 El 487 Very truly ours, James A. DeLeo, Charles Wes Johnston, Vernon B. Rogers, Mr Y Mrs L.M. Horton, Mary Norwood. Mayor Sullivan referred the request to the street committee. From Mrs J. H. Cameron to -writ: Nov. 10, 1964 Gentlemen: I wish to register a complaint about the condition of the lot at the corner of Taft tf Oak streets. The house visa torn down the first part of the summer, June 1st I believe, but the debris has never boon cleared away. Aside from the dust and dirt, theat the wind blows about, the rats are causing a health hazard. The old house was infested with rats and now they are hiding in the old lumber or have invaded the surrounding homes. I, personnally, cannot cintinue to buy enough poison to control them. I trust you will take the necessary steps to see that the condition is taken care of. Sincerely, Mrs J. H. Cameron Mayor Sullivan reffor•red the communication to the Police Department. NEW & OLD BUSINESS Mayor Sullivan asked the City Attorney his opinion on the gambling in the City of Port Townsend due to the defeat of Referendum 34. City Attorney Abraham said he had prepared a memorandum .to the Mayor & City Council and proceeded to read the following. To the Mayor and City Council City of Port Townsend Re: Gambling policy in City Gentlemen: I . The Mayor and various councilmen have asked for my opinion with regard to the status of the } legality of gambling in this City in light of the defeat of Referendum 34 at the general election of November 3rd of this year. The failure of referendum 34 has not in any way changed the law of the State or of the City Obviously, no law is changed when no law is passed. As to policy matters in the gambling field, the office of City Attorney is not primary policy maker. Such function is vested in the executive department under the direction of the Mayor, and vigen force by the Police Department. It may be well noted, however, that this City has, during all of its history, observed who has come to be known as the "tolerance policy." I take this to mean that the law relating to gambling is not enforced rigidly and without omission. Such "tolerance" is present in virtually every field of law. Certainly, not every traffic law is always enforced, nor is every law relating to marriage, nor yet ovary law relating to comyon business transactions. Realism is, and must be, a part of law enforcement. As to t::ose lays which are given the fullest enforcement possible, the particular case, when vievred in light of reason, will not always give rise to strict enforcement. In the prosent situation, the public has voted, and its vote would seem to indicate that 4 certain current City practices must be abandoned. The licensing of punch boards rind card �. rooms come to mind, in that they were specifically mentioned in the defeated referendum. I therefore advise you that licenses in these areas should not be renewed for the year 1965. Pin ball, as such, is not illegal, and our existing license in this area appears proper. It is noted, however, that pay-offs in pin ball are not now permitted by the ordinances of this city. The other port_ ms of Referendum 34 had reference to such matters us Bingo, and card games generally. These forms of gambling have not been licensed by this City, so a licensing problem is not involved. I am given to understand that Bingo, cards, drawings, lotteries - and other games of chance are conducted within the city limits b- various clubs, lodges and churches. I find no valid reason why it is less legal to purchase a punch on a punch board in a tavern than it is to play cards for a prize in a church parish hall. I do not he a the authority to direct the Police Department to adopt andy particular policy. Under the constitution and statutes of this State, as the meaning thereof has been announce by this State, as the meaning thereof has been announced by the State Supreme Court, virtually every form of gambling is illegal in the City of Port Townsend. :sty recommendation for dis- continuance of gambling licenses is based on this premise. If other forms of gambling axiali- in the City, my office will cooperate with the appropriateH enforcement departments, as would i. be the case in any violation. I: Very truly pours, i Glenn Abraham, Jr. - ! City Attoreny After some discussion it was the opinion of the council to go along with the present • licenses until the first of the year and that a decision should be made by the 15th of Dec. - on what licenses were to be renewed if any. Street Supt. Arey informed the Council that he had contacted Mr F.R.W. Stevens on the condition of the walk along side his building but could not got any satisfaction of of Ur z. Stevens and thought it would be and would do more good if the City wrote mr Stevens asking him to repair Via board walk. Liayor Sullivan asked the City clerk to write mr Stevens a t. letter. 1 Chief Phegley asked permission from the council if he could work the regular patrolmen i on their day off to replace the men who he •had suspended due to the strike. Permission was �'- granted. An;nrro:^.r*cm As there was no further business to come before the council at this time it was moved by `• Councilman Siebenbaum seconded by Councilman Carter that the meeting do now adjourn. Yotion carried. (� Attest _t• Clark J