HomeMy WebLinkAbout08091999 PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE UNOFFICIAL STUDY SESSION OF AUGUST 9, 1999
Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m by Mayor Forrest Rambo at the Pope Marine
Building. Council members present were Joe Finnie, Sydney Lipton, Geoff Masci, Allen Frank,
Forrest Rambo, and Alan Youse. Vern Garrison was absent. Staff members present were City
Attorney Tim McMahan, City Clerk Pam Kolacy, Public Works Director Bob Wheeler, Interim
BCD Director Bob Leedy, Police Chief Kristen Anderson, Financial Analyst Gary Leaf, and City
Engineer Dave Peterson
Agenda Changes
Mr. Masci noted that he had invited a number of county staff persons to present a briefing on the
current status of the Jefferson County Administrative Facilities Plan - Howard Street site
concept - and requested that this item precede the previously announced agenda items. The
council agreed to hear the presentation first. County representatives speaking included Frank
Gifford, Kirk Pawlowski, and Craig Curtis.
A facilitation proposal from Jim Ewing and Chris Carson to the Joint Commission/Council
Steering Committee was also presented.
Puget Sound Energy Franchise
Representatives Don McDaniel and Linda Streissguth of Puget Sound Energy presented an
overview of electric utility restructuring and electric franchise agreements and answered
questions for the council members. The interim PSE franchise agreement with the city will
expire in 12 months. Questions raised included compatibility of GIS systems between the city
and PSE, and whether electric meter reading equipment may be used for water meter reading.
Mr. Rambo requested local statistics for the state customer service parameters.
Police Department Goals and Objectives
Police Chief Kristen Anderson presented an overview of the Police Department goals and
objectives for the coming year. She noted an emphasis on building teamwork within the
department and improving employee morale. She also discussed officer turnover and use of
volunteers. Mr. Rambo requested relevant comparison figures for the Port Townsend Police
Department and other similar communities.
City Council Study Session Page 1 August 9, 1999
SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) Regulations
City Attorney Tim McMahan presented an overview of the issue. He noted that the city's
Environmentally Sensitive Areas ordinance has been targeted for rewriting, but that the project
has not yet been worked into the staff work schedule. He indicated that except for the number of
cubic yards disturbed for clearing and grading, raising the thresholds to match the state's is not of
great concern due to other environmental protections in place in the city regulations.
Consensus of the council was to refer the matter to the Planning Commission with a staff
recommendation. The required public hearing will be held before the Planning Commission,
then a recommendation will be forwarded to the city council..
Wastewater Comprehensive Plan
Public Works Director Bob Wheeler introduced the topic and provided an addendum of material
recommended by the steering committee which will be incorporated in the finalized plan upon
approval. Mr. Lipton and Mr. Timmons raised various questions about the treatment plant
capacity, population figures, and engineering design data. Mr. Peterson and Mr. Wheeler will
provide further details. A public hearing on the plan is scheduled for the August 16 council
meeting.
Adjourn
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:32 p.m.
Submitted by:
Pamela Kolacy
City Clerk
City Council Study Sesston
Page 2
August 9, 1999