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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04051999 PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF APRIL 5, 1999 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this fifteenth day of April, 1999, at 6:30 in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Forrest Rambo presiding. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at Roll Call were Mr. Finnie, Mr. Frank, Mr. Garrison, Mr. Lipton, Mr. Masci, Mr. Rambo, and Mr. Youse. Also present were Interim City Manager Stan McNutt, City Attorney Tim McMahan, Public Works Director Bob Wheeler, Interim Police Chief Jake Evans, Finance Director Michael Legarsky, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CORRESPONDENCE NOT PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED BY COUNCIL None COMMITTEE AND BOARD LIAISON REPORTS Mr. Rambo noted that agenda item A under New Business, Lodging Tax Advisory Committee funding recommendations, would be moved to item A under Unfinished Business. There were no action items arising from the committee and board liaison reports. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Rambo reported on the City Manager search. The Council will examine resumes in executive sessions on April 14 and April 26. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. McNutt commented on the Public Works Manager Consolidation Plan, outlining the interim means of dividing the operations manager's duties among other staff. He also reported on progress toward hiring an interim BCD director. Mr. Finnie moved to approve the interim Public Works reorganization and funding plan as presented to council until the city manager comes to council for a final reorganization of the Public Works Department. Mr. Garrison seconded. The motion carried 6-1 by voice vote, with Mr. Youse dissenting. City Council Minutes Page 1 April 5, 1999 COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Nancy Dorgan: Citizen's Guide to City Services in regard to final procedures; street vacations. Sarah Glaspell: P.T. Swim Team Dylan Quarles: Swim Team Larry Little: Swim Team Madge Wallin: Wallin wall Yvonne Starkey: Swim Team CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Masci moved to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda. Mr. Lipton seconded. The motion carded unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Approval of Bills, Claims, and Warrants: Voucher Warrants dated 3/19/99 and 3/26/99, numbers 67075 through 67176 and 67177 through 67299 in amount of $277,103.83. Approval without reading of minutes from regular meeting of March 15, 1999. Mr. Masci noted a correction needed regarding of arrival times of council members to the preliminary session. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2693 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $161,025 TO THE GENERAL FUND; $25,000 TO THE ARTERIAL STREET FUND; $15,000 TO THE LIBRARY FUND; $35,000 TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUND; $15,000 TO THE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGE FUND; $50,000 TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND; $143,000 TO THE WATER/SEWER FUND; $50,000 TO THE STORM AND SURFACE WATER FUND; $230,730 TO THE TRANSMISSION LINE REPLACEMENT FUND, MAKING FINDINGS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY Mr. Legarsky introduced the ordinance, which was read for the first time on March 15. He noted an amendment to page 9 of the attachments: first comment line should read "contingency reserve" rather than "repairs from 1995 .... " After the completion of questions from the council, Mayor Rambo opened the public hearing. Speaking in favor: None Speaking against: None City Council Minutes Page 2 April 5, 1999 Mayor Rambo closed the public hearing. Mr. Masci then moved for adoption of Ordinance 2693. carried unanimously, 7-0 by roll call vote. Mr. Youse seconded. The motion UNFINISHED BUSINESS Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Funding Recommendations. (Item moved forward from New Business) Mr. Finnie stated that he owns investment property in downtown Port Townsend, some of which is adjacent to the Thomas Oil property (purchase of which is part of the proposal request from the NW Maritime Center). After consultation with the city manager, city attorney and various citizens, he noted he is satisfied that participating in the discussion and vote on this subject does not constitute a conflict or beneficial interest. Mr. Rambo stated that he agreed during the LTAC meetings he would not vote on any projects unless there was a tie; he also recused himself from the discussion about the Maritime Center's proposal. He noted that because of his position as manager of Point Hudson Resort, he did not enter into discussion or voting on the NW Maritime Center's funding request. Mr. Rambo noted that his report was a "first touch" for information only. He then outlined the criteria used for the decisions and listed both successful and unsuccessful applicants. The committee recommended funding the following: 1. Northwest Maritime Center $35,000 toward phase I of acquisition of Thomas Oil property (also drawing $2700 from LTAC reserve fund to provide full request funding) 2. Rothschild House: $5,000 (Jefferson County Historical Society) 3. Port Townsend Marine Science Center Project. $8,000 per year for 20 years. The vote of the LTAC cornrnittee on the complete slate was 6 in favor, 1 opposed, and 1 abstention. Projects not funded included those proposed by the Arts Commission, Carousel Association, Farmer's Market, Centrum, Winds Eye Design, Rhody Festival, NW School of Wooden Boatbuilding, and Main Street. Mr. Rambo noted that the next round of funding would occur in October 1999. Public Comment on LTAC recommendations:: Carol Shiffman: supporting LTAC recommendations Peter Badame: supporting Maritime Center proposal Dick Shipman: Rhododendron Festival president; supporting Rhody Festival application Dana Roberts: supporting NW Maritime Center City Council Minutes Page 3 April 5, 1999 Robert Greenway: Comments on clarity of criteria; tourism/community support Bill Dentzel: Supporting funding for carousel project.(Written material distributed) John Shelton: Vice President & Board of Directors: NW Maritime Center. Supporting Maritime Center (Written material distributed).. Ken McBride: Supporting of NW Maritime Center Lyn Hersey: Supporting Carousel project Jim Farmer: LTAC member, clarified that funding for projects will be available in future years Shirley Rudolph: supporting Maritime Center Rennie Bergstrom: supporting Rhody Festival request Peter Badame: notes that city does fund Rhododendron Festival through other avenues The public comment period ended at 8:45 p.m. Mayor Rambo noted that an executive session was scheduled for 9:30 p.m., and there would probably be no time for unfinished or new business after council discussion of the LTAC funding recommendations. Several council members then commented on the funding recommendations. During Mayor Rambo's comments, the meeting was turned over the Deputy Mayor Geoff Masci. Several questions were raised, particularly in regard to the Maritime Center request, both during public comment and during council discussion. Assurance was requested that the city receive the $35,000 back if the Maritime Center project does not go forward. Mr. McMahan was directed to research a possible contract that would provide for that eventuality. Mr. Lipton then moved to table the discussion of this issue to a date uncertain. Mr. Garrison seconded. After discussion, Mr. Garrison withdrew his second. There was no other second, and the motion died. Mayor Rambo asked council members if they would like to continue the meeting. Consensus of the council was to go forward with unfinished and new business. ORDINANCE NO. 2692 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING SECTIONS · 190, TWO HOUR PARKING, AND SECTION . 194, FIFTEEN MINUTE PARKING, CHAPTER 10.04, PARKING, OF THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ADD DESIGNATED STREETS AND PARKING SPACES NEEDED BY BUSINESS PATRONS FOR TWO HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTE PARKING. Mr. McMahan introduced the ordinance. Mr. Finnie moved that the second reading be considered the third and the third be by title only. Mr. Masci seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Ms. Kolacy read the ordinance by title. Mr. Finnie moved for adoption of Ordinance 2692. Mr. Frank seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by roll call vote. City Council Minutes Page 4 April 5, 1999 NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Mr. Masci moved for appointment of a new Non-Motorized Transportation Committee to be confirmed by the City Council. Mr. Garrison seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. The mayor, city manager, and public works staff will bring forward names of potential committee members. NEW BUSINESS LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Moved forward to Unfinished Business) ORDINANCE 2694 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND ADOPTING A NEW CHAPTER 2.30, LIBRARY BOARD, OF THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE, ESTABLISHING THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE PORT TOWNSEND LIBRARY BOARD CONSISTENT WITH THE COUNCIL-MANAGER FORM OF CITY GOVERNMENT After an introduction by Mr. McMahan, Mr. Masci moved for the first reading of Ordinance 2694 by title only. Mr. Youse seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Ms. Kolacy read the ordinance by title. The second reading is scheduled for April 19. RESOLUTION NO. 99-022 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON PRESCRIBING STEPS TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING POLICE STATION FACILITY AND REDIRECTING A PROCESS TO SOLVE THE CITY'S LONG TERM CAPITAL FACILITIES NEED Mr. Finnie (Public Safety Committee) introduced the resolution. Mr. McNutt noted that the previous council had budgeted in 1999 for a councilmanic bond to repay the Equipment Rental Fund for loans to repair police, fire, library, and city hall buildings. He noted it is incumbent on the present council to determine a funding mechanism to accomplish the repayment. Mr. Masci proposed changes in the resolution: 1) Section 1 - after "mission critical" add "and necessary"; also to change the amount in Section 1 from $50,000 to $70,000. During council discussion, Mr. McNutt noted that all implementing steps regarding projects and funding mechanisms would require additional council action. City Council Minutes Page 5 April 5, 1999 Mr. Finnie then moved for adoption of Resolution 99-122 with the changes proposed by Mr. Masci. Mr. Lipton seconded. The motion carried 7-0 by voice vote. Mayor Rambo inquired whether council wished to continue with new business or continue it to the next council meeting. Consensus was to continue on. Interim Police Chief Evans reported on the Police Chief recruiting process, requesting guidance from the council about whether or not to proceed with the recruitment in light of recent issues raised about combining city and county law enforcement services. The consensus of the council was that the combination of city/county services would not be a viable situation until some time in the future, and that the recruitment and hiring process proceed. Mr. Masci moved that Chief Evans proceed to continue with the police chief hiring process. Mr. Finnie seconded. The motion carried 7-0 by voice vote. At this point, the meeting adjourned to executive session at 10:00 p.m. for discussion of potential litigation, personnel issues, and labor negotiations. Remaining business items will be continued to the next regular meeting on April 19. The meeting reconvened at 10:47 p.m. No action was taken. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Rambo declared the meeting adjourned at 10:48 p.m. Pmela Kolacy City Clerk City Council Minutes Page 6 April 5, 1999