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CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING AND WORKSHOP OF JANUARY
11, 2010
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll cal! were David King, Laurie Medlicott, Kris Nelson,
George Randels, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Mark Welch.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts,
DSD Director Rick Sepler, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy .
City Attorney John Watts introduced the City's new prosecuting attorney, Dee
Boughton.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion: George Randels moved to approve the following items on the consent
agenda:
Ap~nroval of Bills,_C/aims and Warrants
Vouchers 109810 through 109978 (plus EFTs) in the amount of $826, 829.44
Vouchers 109991 through 110064 in the amount of $418,418.42
Vouchers 110082 through 110185 in the amount of $620,032.06
Approval of Minutes: December 7, 2009 and December 14, 2009
Mark Welch seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (PDA)
Ordinance 3030, amending Ordinance 3018 to provide for an interim Board of
Directors of the City of Port Townsend Public Development Authority and
approving a charter and bylaws.
City Manager David Timmons reviewed the packet materials and said that Centrum
has requested the ability to provide two Directors who will share a position. Mr.
Timmons also stated that he is recommending adding a set of recommendations to
establish a profile and job description for a future PDA Board and to determine long-
term goals for the permanent Board.
Mr. Randels noted that language should be added making a provision for alternates
prior to the final reading.
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Mr. King posed questions regarding the technical committee, whether specific
alternate names would need approval or whether the Council would approve a seat
for Centrum as an organization and they then deal with their own representation. He
asked if seats, in general, would be designated for individuals or organizations. Mr.
Watts stated that the ordinance would allow the Council to appoint an alternate
member, as opposed to a Board member appointing his or her own alternate.
Mr. Timmons stated that the technical committee would be informal and ongoing and
that people may come and go based on the projects that are developing.
In response to Mr. Welch, Mr. Watts noted that a PDA may be dissolved under state
law and so the PDA is potentially vulnerable to action by a future Council.
Staff agreed to provide the entire ordinance, charter and bylaws for the next reading.
There was no public comment.
Further Council discussion included the number of Board members and whether that
number should be flexible; whether the technical committee should be referenced in
the charter; why the change was made to provide for a City Council member as a
Director; and whether a Council member as a liaison would be a better idea.
The Council discussed the temporary Board's priorities and whether the makeup of
the Board would make Fort Worden projects a priority and preclude them from
considering other alternatives as they come along (such as the Customs House). Mr.
Randels stated the Council did not create a PDA to undertake one priority at the
expense of others. He would support different and better language in the next version
to reflect the Council's September deliberations.
Mr. Timmons stated that the intent is that all projects are equal and will advance
simultaneously.
Ms. Robinson noted she is inclined to seek more community members to work in
collaboration and that a disproportionate number of those proposed are affiliated with
Fort Worden. She would like to see broader representation on the interim board as
well as the permanent board.
There was consensus on the need to resolve the issues of alternate representatives
and whether individuals or organizational representatives will be appointed.
Mr. Randels proposed that a bright line be drawn between the City and the PDA
Board and that a Council person should not serve as a member of the PDA
Board. Discussion ensued regarding whether any elected official should serve on the
Board.
Several arguments were made for and against appointing either individuals or
organizations to Board positions or whether a combination would work.
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More discussion centered around the question of whether alternates should be
allowed. Several members thought it would be inconsistent with appointing an
individual to take advantage of their skill set and knowledge. It may result in a loss of
continuity which may be particularly important for the interim board because of the
limited time they will have to make decisions.
Ms. Nelson questioned whether the interim board, which is heavily based with Fort
Worden representatives will want to become permanent members to see the process
through the next two years.
Mr. King noted the importance of appointing Board members who are committed to
the PDA rather than to a particular project.
Regarding the size of the Board, discussion ensued about whether more Board
members would be unwieldy or whether a larger board would allow subgroups to work
on different issues and have a broader base of expertise. It was noted that the Fort
Worden project has a timeline but that should not preclude other projects without
immediate timelines such as the Customs House.
Ms. Sandoval suggested the Council consider appointing two more members with
specific expertise in areas such as finance or housing.
Motion: George Randels moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3030 amending
Ordinance 3018 to provide for an interim Board of Directors of the City of Port
Townsend Public Development Authority and approving a charter and bylaws in
accordance with tonight's discussion, including adding a City Council liaison and
striking language that would include a City Council member as a Director. Kris
Nelson seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the special meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
Call to Order
The workshop was called to order at 8:20 p.m.
Roll Call
The Clerk noted that all Council members remained present for the workshop.
2010 First Quarter Priorities
Council members reviewed the list of priorities for the first quarter prepared by staff
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and several noted they have items to add and prioritize. A Council retreat was
scheduled for Saturday, February 6, starting at 11 a.m. and ending no later than 3
p.m., in the Council chambers. Council members were asked to submit additions
to the priorities list to staff prior to the retreat.
Ordinance 3026, amending procedures in PTMC Chapters 1.14 -Uniform
Appeal Procedure, 2.14 -Hearing Examiner, 19.04 - SEPA, and 20.01 -Land
Development Administrative Procedures to change appeals from the City
Council to the Hearing Examiner, and updating processes and removing
outmoded references.
City Attorney John Watts reviewed the packet materials. After brief discussion,
consensus was to hold potential action until the Planning Commission's code
revision suggestions are finalized.
Mrs. Medlicott suggested that a workshop with the Fire District Commissioners be
set early next month. There were no objections.
Because the Fire District Joint Oversight Board has aregularly-scheduled meeting
on Tuesday, January 19, it was agreed that the Council meeting (scheduled for that
day because of the January 18 holiday) would be postponed to Wednesday,
January 20.
It was also suggested that smaller meetings with Fire Commissioners and Finance
Committee, for example, may be scheduled prior to a full workshop meeting
involving both bodies.
Mr. Watts will provide Fire District enabling legislation to the Council prior to
meetings with the District.
No workshop will be held on February 8 as both Ms. Sandoval and Ms. Robinson
will be out of town.
Adjourn
There being no further business, the workshop was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Attest:
Pamela Kolacy, MMC
City Clerk
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