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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10022000CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF OCTOBER 2, 2000 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this second day of October, 2000, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Geoff Masci presiding. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmembers present at roll call were Allen Frank, Sydney Lipton, Geoff Masci, Bill Wolcott, Alan Youse and Vem Garrison. Joe Finnie was excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, City Clerk Pam Kolacy, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Building & Community Development Director Jeff Randall, Senior Planner Judy Surber, Streets/Sewer Operations Manager John Merchant, Fire Chief Ed Edwards and Assistant Fire Chief Tom Aumock. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mr. Frank requested a new item under new business regarding the ordinance banning polystyrene (Item 10C). PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Craig Weckesser, Olympic Air Pollution Control Authority gave an update on state · legislation regarding outdoor burning and provided handouts. Mr. Masci announced that the Building & Community Development Department has received a growth management grant of $35,000 to evaluate "smart codes" for historic building renovation, draft amendments to the Port Townsend Municipal Code, and staff/public education. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons stated that the council must set a meeting date for presentation of the City Manager's preliminary budget before sections of the budget are assigned to standing committees. Two Port Townsend Municipal Code Amendments are in progress through the Building & Community Development Department, Mr. Timmons noted that the items to be addressed are plat extensions and wireless facilities. Mr. Timmons noted that misinformation regarding the 2001 Library budget has surfaced. He said that no decisions have been made, but that the action in question (cutting library service hours) was a proposal submitted by the department, not by the City Manager. The issue will be discussed at greater length in the preliminary budget. City Council Minutes 1 October 2, 2000 COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (Items not on the Agenda): None PUBLIC HEARING (Closed Record) RESOLUTION 00-054 STADSHAUG/PRINCE SHORELINE SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT/CONDITIONAL USE Mr. Masci established the rules of the public hearing. He asked whether any council members have any interest in the issue or any financial gain or loss dependent upon the outcome. Mr. Youse noted that he had attended the Planning Commission open-record public hearing. City Attorney John Watts stated that decisions by council members must be based on the information provided to them in the council packet and not on any impressions gained at the Planning Commission hearing. Mr. Youse replied that his decision would be based only on the written material provided and the presentations before the council. Mr. Macsi then stated he is acquainted with the proponents but has no financial interest to gain or lose from the project. Mr. Watts stated that he did not believe either of the council members needed to recuse themselves from the proceedings. No one in the chambers objected to participation by any council member. Staff Presentation Senior Planner Judy Surber presented the item. Approval of the application would allow the construction of a private stairway to a private beach at 220 Lincoln Street. At the open record public hearing before the Planning Commission, a recommendation was made unanimously (5-0) by the Planning Commission for approval of the project with certain conditions, primarily that no heavy construction equipment be used to construct the project improvements. Ms. Surber also stated that final approval of the project is up to the State Department of Ecology. The applicants were not present. Public Comment: None Council Deliberation Mr. Lipton asked whether, under the new shoreline management plan, any restoration of the beach frontage property would be required. Ms. Surber noted that the applicant can be notified of any changes which may occur in the future regarding property/shoreline regulations. City Council Minutes 2 October 2, 2000 Mr. Garrison had a number of concerns about the packet, indicating that in his opinion the packet included insufficient exhibits. He requested photographs, names of adjoining property owners, directional arrows on all maps, etc. Mr. Randall noted that some mapping exhibits had been inadvertently left out of the packet, and he presented these to Mr. Garrison. He also said that the word "waterward" in Findings of Fact #8, line 5, should have been "landward" as in Finding of Fact #2. Mr. Wolcott expressed astonishment at the amount of work and process necessary for a project which will take up less than 50 square feet. In answer to a question about whether or not a precedent would be set by this project, it was noted that cumulative uses must be studied and precedent addressed. The applicants made an effort to share access with a neighbor who has low bank waterfront, but were not successful in getting that neighbor to agree to share access. On the other side, a staircase does exist which serves Chetzemoka Park. Others within the Lincoln Beach Association either have no legal access or can get to the beach without a staircase; applicants are the only property owners within Lincoln Beach who do not have access to the shoreline. Mr. Watts reminded council members that their decision must be made only on the material provided, and not on any other information or speculation. There being no further discussion nor comments from staff the public hearing was closed at 7:50 p.m. Motion: Mr. Wolcott moved to adopt Resolution 00-054. Mr. Youse seconded The motion carried 5-1, by voice vote, with Mr. Garrison opposed Staff was directed to prepare council findings and decision. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Mr. Frank moved for approval of the consent agenda. Mr. Lipton seconded The motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 73363 through 73532 in the amount of $274,483.72 UNFINISHED BUSINESS RESOLUTION 00-055 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND APPROVING THE 30% DESIGN OF THE "F" STREET PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH DETAILED FINAL ENGINEERING DESIGN, BIDDING, AWARD AND CONSTRUCTION OF City Council Minutes 3 October 2, 2000 THE PROJECT WITHIN THE AVAILABLE FUNDING AND APPROVED BUDGET FOR THE PROJECT. THIS INCLUDES ALL NECESSARY AND PROPER STEPS TO AWARD AND CARRY OUT CONTRACTS, INCLUDING APPROVING APPROPRIATE CHANGE ORDERS OR CONTRACT AMENDMENTS. Mr. Garrison announced that he owns property adjacent to "F" Street, and will recuse himself from all discussions of the "F" Street project. He then left the council chambers. Mr. Timmons stated that new rules have come into effect for projects receiving state or federal transportation funding that require sub-surface utility engineering. These costs must be added to the project. The project funding source also requires value engineering; a peer evaluation must be done on the engineer's recommendations which will assess ways to save money on the total scope of the project. He said that the project, as approved, is significantly over budget, and that application is being made to the State Transportation Improvement Board for additional funding for traffic calming and items not anticipated in the initial estimate phase. If additional funding is not received, the city will have to look at scaling back the project. He recommended moving forward, noting the general scope of the project has been established and public sentiment has been heard and considered. Although many of the property owners' concerns can be addressed there are a few that cannot be resolved; however, concerns will be mitigated as best they can. The city is addressing concerns about retaining walls which will be structural rock or an altemate design which has aesthetic advantage over concrete walls. Plans are in place for at least a 1% total funding allocation for incorporating some art into the design as part of the landscape element. He noted the recommendations of staff and of the Community Development Committee to move forward, and bring closure to the public process with the 30% design approval. Public Comment: None Motion: Mr. Lipton moved for adoption of Resolution 00-055. Mr. Youse seconded Council Discussion Mr. Lipton posed questions about "value engineering." Mr. Timmons noted that construction experts would work with engineers to advise them on design techniques. The cost of this component is estimated to be about $15,000. Vote: The motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Mr. Garrison returned to the meeting. City Council Minutes 4 October 2, 2000 COUNCIL RULES APPENDICES Mr. Timmons noted that the council rules have been adopted, but appropriate appendices were not ready at that time. The rules are now presented with all attachments. Public Comment: None Motion: Mr. Frank moved for adoption of the Council Rules Appendices. Mr. Wolcott seconded The motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS CITY/COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN Mr. Timmons introduced the item for first touch. Public Comments: None Mr. Lipton noted that the Solid Waste Committee is still working on the budget. Motion: Mr. Frank moved to assign the issue to the Public Works Committee. Mr. Lipton seconded The motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Mr. Youse, Public Safety Committee Chair, gave a brief history of the committee's work on speed limits within the city. Motion: Mr. Frank moved for adoption of the following recommendations: 0 that the speed limit on Hastings Avenue be raised to 30 MPHfrom the city limits to approximately Sherman Street; and 2) that the speed limit on Water Street be decreased to 20 MPH, commenCing where the speed currently drops from 30 to 25; and 3) that the City develop and maintain a standing Traffic Safety Commission; and 4) that the City explore revising the current preferred route of traffic from Sims Way to Fort Worden; and 5) take under advisement in the 2001 budget process: a) a speed table should be added on Water Street at or near Polk St., perhaps with an additional warning sign regarding pedestrian crossings; and b) a speed table, or perhaps a series of traffic circles should be added on McPherson St.; and c) the city should explore possible traffic calming measures to reduce the speed on Cook Ave., especially near the Seaview Estates area; and d) there is a need for the speed limit signs around the city to be improved. Many are too small and fail to meet the required size for such signs under WAC. Other signs indicate "Speed Limit 25 Unless Otherwise Posted" when they should be City Council Minutes 5 October 2, 2000 standard speed limit signs. Discovery Road is adequately signed in one direction, but not in the other. In general, school zone signs should be improved, as the expert testimony from officers indicated there were deficiencies. Mr. Youse seconded Public Comment Larry Crockett: complimented the Speed Limit Review Committee and Public Safety Committee for their work. He expressed agreement with raising the speed limit on Hastings and noted that lowering the limit on Water Street is probably unnecessary; supported creation of a standing traffic safety committee. Supports improving major arterial which would create a safe and quick route to Fort Worden. Council Discussion Discussion items included the relationship of higher speed limits to improved road conditions; necessity for an engineering study if speed limits are to be increased. Mr. Youse noted that although he doesn't necessarily agree with all the recommendations, he wanted to bring them all forward. Consensus was to take all items forward on this motion as all require more steps before final action; for example, some will require implementing ordinances, and several will have budget implications and require time to carry out. By this motion, all can be taken under advisement and moved to the next steps. It was noted that in the Public Safety Committee meeting minutes, the first motion should read "that the speed limit on Hastings Avenue be raised to 30 MPH" rather than "35 MPH." Mr. Youse made final comments on the importance of establishing the traffic safety commission to examine these issues. Vote: The motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. City/County Relations Mr. Frank stated he wanted to address the item as a first touch. His object is to clarify the city's relationship with the county for the benefit of the public. He emphasized the benefit of working together to provide the best services at the least cost to citizens. He suggested that council schedule the topic for a study session. Public Comment Larry Crocket: reminded council members that the next elected official's forum is scheduled for October 26 and will be hosted by the Port of Port Townsend. He asked that the council submit three agenda topics for the meeting. This topic will be included on the agenda for the study session scheduled for October 9, 2000. City Council Minutes 6 October 2, 2000 ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Minutes 7 October 2, 2000