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HomeMy WebLinkAbout040510CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE BUSINESS MEETING OF APRIL 5, 2010 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David King, Laurie Medlicott, Kris Nelson, George Randels, Michelle Sandoval, and Mark Welch with Catharine Robinson excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, DSD Director Rick Sepler, Public Works Director Ken Clow, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Ms. Nelson proposed that the agenda be reordered to address the contract for public art first. There was consensus to reorder agenda by dealing with "New Business" immediately after the Consent Agenda and reversing the order of the New Business items. SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S): Mayor Sandoval read the following proclamations. Declaring April as Disability Awareness Month. Granting honorary citizenship to Mr. Mamoru Yashiro in honor of his gifts to the city. Proclaiming March 25, 2010 as Port Townsend Main Street Day. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Eileen Gatto commented on the historic demolition ordinance. Mr. Sepler noted the Council has scheduled a public hearing on the matter for April 19. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: George Randels moved to approve the following items on the consent agenda: City Counci] Business Meeting April 5, 2010 Page 1 of 6 Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants as follows: Vouchers 110682 through 110703 in the amount of $2, 777.79; Vouchers 110832 through 110841 (plus EFTs) in the amount of $129, 523.76; Vouchers 110849 through 110859 (plus EFTS) in the amount of $245, 730.17 Approval of Minutes for February 22, 2010, March 1, 2010 (with correction to position number (6, not 5 ofArts Commission appointee Rosalind Russel!), March 8, 2010, March 15, 2010 Authorize City Manager fo sign f-Lousing Cooperation Agreement with Housing Authority of the County of Clallam (HACC). Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Public Art Recommendation of the Arts Commission Development Services Director Rick Sepler reviewed the packet materials. He stated that Kris Morris and Stan Rubin of the Arts Commission were present. Kris Morris provided a summary of the process which led to the recommendation before the Council tonight. Stan Rubin spoke on behalf of the Arts Commission and noted that the piece recommended has received a unanimous endorsement from the Arts Commission. He said that durability and ease of maintenance were primary factors in the choice. Artist Gerard Tsutakawa addressed the Council regarding his design. Public Comment Deanna Pindell stated she believed the public process was excellent. Rosalind Russell {member of the Arts Commission speaking as a private citizen) thanked the artist for his design. Kathleen Jackson stated she would appreciate a more representational piece of art and expressed general concern about bad decisions regarding public art. There was considerable discussion about the process, the selection, the public reaction, the selection criteria, comparisons to prior public art selections, and the need to make sure what is adopted is built as envisioned (unlike the Tidal Clock). Ms. Nelson noted that the Council received many comments from people who didn't like the choice even though the process appeared to be a good one. She said she also read all public comments from individuals who viewed the designs when they were on display at City Hall and that very few picked the proposed design. She City Council Business Meeting April 5, ?010 Page3 of 6 wondered how much bearing the pubic comments had on the process. Mr. Sepler stated that all the individual respondents did not have all the infomation the committee had regarding maintenance, durability in the environement, and other specific criteria. He speculated that some may have changed their minds if they had reviewed the full record. Motion: George Randefs moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Gerard Tsutakawa to provide the original artwork Salish Sea Circle, under the City's Public Art Program -One Percent for Art. David King seconded. Vote: motion carried, 5-1 by voice vote, Kris Nelson opposed. Mayor Sandoval declared a recess at 8:10 pm for the purpose of a break. The meeting was reconvened at 8:23 p.m. RESOLUTION 10-011, AUTHORIZING THE CONSTRUCTION OF MADISON STREET IMPROVEMENTS, AND POPE MARINE PARK IMPROVEMENTS, AND A PORTION OF THE WATERFRONT ESPLANADE PROJECTS, AND AMENDING THE CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION PLAN FOR THE DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT City Manager David Timmons reviewed the overall status of the downtown construction projects. He noted certain permit complications because of the proximity to the waterfront, utility placement issues and a changing schedule. Public Works Director Ken Clow reviewed the progress of the projects so far. He stated that the Resolution needs minor changes on page 6 as follows: Add "D2 and K1"after "identified as E" in the first bullet point; replace "K1" in the third and last bullet point with "K2." Mr. Timmons explained the overall goal for the completed segments. Council member Robinson arrived at 8:46 p. m. There was no public comment. Mofion: George Rande/s moved to approve Resolution 70-011, Authorizing the Construction of Madison Street Improvements, and Pope Marine Park Improvements, and a portion of the Waterfront Esplanade Projects, and amending the Capita( Construction Plan for the Downtown Historic District with amendments as follows: Item J page 2 correct "feet" to "feel'; page 6 first bullet add "E, D2 and K-7 " and third bullet change '%C7"to "K2". David King seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING Ordinance 3035, Amendments to the Port Townsend Municipal Code (PTMC) City Council Business Meeting April 5, 2010 Page 3 of 6 Title 9, Peace, Morals and Safety; Title 17, Zoning; and Title 18, Land Division Mayor Sandoval reviewed the rules of procedure for public hearings. No Council member disclosed any financial or property interest in connection with the matter. DSD Director Rick Sepler reviewed the packet materials. Planning Commission Chair Julian Ray was present. Rather than reviewing the entire ordinance section by section, Mr. Sepler asked if there were specific sections that Council members felt needed clarification. Discussion ensued about Section 1, with several questions, including why there is greater latitude for construction within the right of way and how the noise limitation relates to the Engineering Design Manual. Councilors felt that the proposed language in this section was generally confusing and vague. Several Council members had questions about the "fence height" regulations in Section 5. In addition, regulation of hedges (section 10) was a concern. Mr. Sepler stated that more information can be provided to the Council, including comments from the Planning Commission and additional code sections on fencing. The suggestion was also made that the Planning Commission continue to address fences and hedges in future deliberations. Section 7 was also discussed, with Council members questioning the limitation of three stories to a building (rather than regulating the total height). Mr. Sepler and Mr. Ray explained some of the Planning Commission's rationale, noting that it is felt a builder could fit four stories in within the height restriction but the building would be flat roofed and unattractive. Community character was also sited as well as the possible need for more maintenance equipment installed on rooftops rather than within the building. This issue was also identified as one that could benefit from more work by the Planning Commission. Other issues raised included clarification of allowance for "drive throughs" (the new section clarifies that drive throughs are allowed if not specifically prohibited); how much of the activity at the fairgrounds can be regulated by the City through the zoning code; and issues regarding regulations about accommodations. Questions were posed about the reasons for limiting hotel stays to 29 days, and whether rooms in bed and breakfasts could be owned "fractionally." Mr. Sepler provided some information, noting that these and other accommodations issues will be at the forefront for the City in the next few years. In Section 4, the question was raised as to whether limiting containers to be in place only 14 days was realistic, for example, in the case of a remodeling project. Mr. Sepler stated there is significant risk that they might reside in the front yard for an indeterminate time. He stated the regulation could be amended with a stipulation that a building permit be required but that could still allow them to stay for a long time. City Council Business Meeting April 5, 2010 Page 4 of 6 To clarify Section 12 regarding approval criteria for lot line adjustments, Mr. Sepler said the lot line adjustment process should be for minor adjustments, not for changing the complete orientation of a lot. Motion: George Randels moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3035, Amendments to the Port Townsend Municipal Code (PTMC) Title 9, Peace, Morals and Safety; Title 77, Zoning; and Title 78, Land Division. Kris Nelsor seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Sandoval congratulated the PTHS winning knowledge bowl team. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Alternative Electric Management Committee -Task Assignment Mr. Timmons stated that several issues are ongoing including the upcoming renewal date for the PSE franchise agreement. Consensus of the Council was that the Alternative Electric Management Committee be reconvened and tasked with appropriate assignments. Mr. Timmons noted that the County has indicated they are not ready to go forward with the Growth Management Steering Committee meeting that was scheduled for April 8. He stated that the City would like to meet and get the economic strategy contract approved and the process underway. However, it is the County's meeting and they can decide when to schedule. In the meantime, City and County staff have planned meetings to get the Committee on track. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS Mayor Sandoval stated that she has asked that each Council workshop include an agenda item for Council committee reports. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL A forum on the EMS levy is scheduled for April 8 at the Fire Hall. Ms. Robinson noted that the hiring process is underway for the Jefferson Transit Executive Director. It is hoped the person will be in place by June. EXECUTIVE SESSION City Council Business Meeting April 5, 2010 Page 5 of 6 ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:57 p.m. Attest: J.! i, _. ~ ~~~` Pamela Kofacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting April 5, 20] 0 Page 6 of 6