Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05012000PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF MAY 1, 2000 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this first day of May, 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 Joe Finnie, Allen Frank, Vem Garrison, Geoff Masci, Syd Lipton, Bill Wolcott, and Alan Youse. Staff members present were City Manager Dave Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, BCD Director Jeff Randall, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. AGENDA CHANGES Mr. Masci requested a change in the order of new business. Item 9 A(4) And 9A(5) will be reversed. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mr. Masci announced several upcoming meetings. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons announced that a public open house has been scheduled regarding the upcoming "F" Street project. He also presented an update on the Public Works Director search. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (Items not on the Agenda) Nancy Dorgan: Oposed to Mr. Wolcott's assignment to the Capital Facilities Committee Scott Walker: Chairperson of Non-Motorized Committee: comments on successful Earth Day Nancy Borino: P.T. Marketing Coordinator. Comments on Tourism Week, May 1-7 Bob Sokol: regarding tourism and effects of bed tax money CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Mr. Frank moved for approval of the following items on the Consent Agenda. Mr. Lipton seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. City Council Minutes Page 1 May 1, 2000 Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants: Vouchers 71637 through 71702 in the amount of $106,984.37 Approval of Minutes: Regular meeting of April 17, 2000 Adoption of Committee Recommendations: Capital Facility Committee Recommendations 1) Recommend establishment of the Capital Facilities Committee as a standing committee of the city council. 2) Adoption of the following mission statement for the committee: To identify city assets, subject them to examination leading to a conclusion to either a) maintain the status quo; b) develop a use plan in conjunction with the Capital Improvement Plan schedule; or c) designate the property as surplus. 3) Set the time and place of meetings as the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 at City Hall. 4) Adoption of the work process outlined, with incorporation of public forums for particular issues and possible ad hoc committees assigned to deal with particular issues. UNFINISHED BUSINESS ORDINANCE 2742 AN ORDINANCE VACATING THE WESTERLY EIGHT (8) FEET OF CLEVELAND STREET BETWEEN 10TM AND 11 TH STREETS, ABUTTING LOTS 1 AND 8 IN BLOCK 99 OF THE EISENBEIS ADDITION TO THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND; ESTABLISHYING CONDITIONS TO THE STREET VACATION; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BCD Director Jeff Randall reviewed the packet materials and the history of the project. He noted that he had done a field visit in response to questions posed by council members and found that some of the infrastructure being built does not match drawings that were presented to council previously. These include a relocation of the stormwater line necessitated by the slope of the property; this was done without the city engineer being aware of the adjustment.. Public Comment: Doug Rigby (applicant): stated that he had acted on good faith in regard to the project, and gone through the process step by step and assumed all requirements had been met. He stated his willingnes to grant a maintenance agreement to the city if necessary were the vacation granted. He added that if his clients acquired the property they would have assurance they would always have access. He stated they have already shown that they City Council Minutes Page 2 May 1, 2000 have met all responsible requirements for the vacation and asked that the council approve the street vacation. Nancy Dorgan: Spoke in opposition to the street vacation. Scott Walker: Spoke in opposition. Council deliberations: Discussion topics included the placing of the bicycle rack; the advisability of a right of way permit;, stormwater isues; landscaping vs. natural vegetation, whether applicant would suffer damages from relying on the original plan. (Mr. Randall said the only reliance issue was in regard to the relocation of the dumpster to the street right of way.) Mr. Masci noted he had had an exparte communication with Dr. Lawrence, one of the clinic owners, who stated on behalf of the owners that maintenance of a street use agreement would be satisfactory to them if the street vacation were not granted. Motion: Mr. Garrison moved to accept the staff recommendation and deny the street vacation with the proviso that the staff is directed to allow a street use permit for the placement of the dumpster and to attempt to relocate the bicycle racks nearer the building. Mr. Frank seconded. Amendment: Mr. Youse proposed a friendly amendment to add that the buffer zone would not be landscaped, but be allowed to remain with native vegitation. The amendment was accepted by Mr. Garrison. The motion to deny the street vacation carried, 7-0, by roll call vote. Motion: Mr. Garrison moved to withdraw the previous findings offact in regard to the street vacation. Mr. Frank seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS Aquatic Center Feasibility Study Funding Mr. Timmons stated that the Finance Committee has recommended allocating up to $15,000 of capital funding to a joint city/county aquatic center feasibility study on the conditin that the city pay no more than 1/3 of the total cost. The city and county would enter into an interlocal agreement and provide for the use of funds and oversight of the project by a joint city and county committee. Approval of the recommendation would provide a place holder on capital budget funds, with final council approval of the project to occur after more details have been provided. City Council Minutes Page 3 May 1, 2000 Public comment: Dan Harpole: County Commissioner, stated that the county has set aside approximately $20,000 for the study but that the Commissioners are also concerned about the previous interlocal agreement regarding 35th Street Park. He asked that the prior agreement be clarified before a new agreement is finalized. Yvonne Starkey: in support of funding Larry Little: in support of funding Ken McBride: in support of funding Mark Beaufait: in support of funding. Jan Freeland: opposed to funding Gay Nelson: opposed to funding. Forrest Shomer: in support of funding (50/50 city/county split) Jeannie Glaspell: in support of funding (50/50 city/county split) Herb Herrington: supports pool idea, but has concerns about cost; opposed to any related increase in lodging tax. Bob Sokol: in support of funding; let 35th St. Park revert to the county. Motion: Mr. Frank moved that the city earmark $20, O00 from its capital improvement fund to fund a feasibility study for a multi-purpose aquatic center, with cost of the study to be shared 50/50 with the county; also to direct the City Manager to meet with the County Administrator to develop an interlocal agreement regarding the study. Mr. Garrison seconded The motion carried 5- 2, with Mr. Lipton and Mr. Youse opposed Supplemental Budget Schedule: Mr. Timmons presented the Finance Committee's proposed schedule for the first Y2000 supplemental budget process for approval. August 3, 2000 Presentation to the Finance Committee August 14, 2000 Public Hearing before City Council August 21, 2000 Council deliberation and action Public Comment: None City Council Minutes Page 4 May 1, 2000 Motion: Mr. Finnie moved to adopt the supplemental budget schedule as recommended by the Finance Committee. Mr. Wolcott seconded The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by roll call vote. Low-income utility rate discount audits. Mr. Timmons presented the recommendation. He said adoption of the recommendation would mean that a percentage of low-income applicants would have to submit proof of income to support their applications. Public comment: None Motion: Mr. Frank moved that the Manager instruct the Finance Department to begin a verification o fl 0% of the customer applications for utility discounts. Mr. Youse seconded The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by roll call vote. RESOLUTION 99-028 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND ESTABLISHING THE INTENT TO COMMIT FUNDS EQUAL TO 1/3 OF $100,000 MATCHING FUNDS TO THE JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY BELL TOWER RESTORATION PROJECT Mr. Timmons noted that the Finance Committee's recommendation would essentially be a placeholder on the 1/3 of $100,000 ($34,000) commitment for the year 200; next year a place holder on the other 2/3. The source of funding would be 1-695 rebate money. All funding would be contingent upon a successful grant. If the Bell Tower ownership reverted to the city, demolition costs and storage of historic artifacts would probably be equal in cost to this sum. Public Comment: Dr. Nikki Clark, Jefferson County Historic Society. Elaborated on the project and spoke in favor of funding. Nancy Dorgan: encouraged funding. Motion: Mr. Frank moved for approval of Resolution 0-028. Mr. Garrison seconded The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Sister City Delegation Visit Mr. Finnie announced at this time that the discussions regarding the Ichikawa visit and the Northwest Maritime Center grants may raise questions as to a conflict of interest and that he would recuse himself from both discussions. He then left the chambers. City Council Minutes Page 5 May 1, 2000 Mr. Timmons stated that the Finance Committee has recommended funding two social events for the sister city delegation in an amount up to $1,000.00. Public Comment: None Motion: Mr. Frank moved to approve up to $1, O00 funding from the council discretionary fund for sister city events. Mr. Wolcott seconded The motion carried unanimously, 6-0. Northwest Maritime Center Foundation Grant Applications Dave Robison, Director of the foundation, updated the council about the fundraising efforts of the Maritime Center Foundation and the progress of the property purchase and cleanup efforts. He stated that the organization requests city sponsorship of two grants from Dept. of Natural Resources which could amount to $400,000.00 in income for the project. If successful, the grants would "pass through" the city with minimal expense for administration and bookkeeping costs. Action tonight would allow the Foundation to submit the grant applications; if the grants were awarded, the council would again review a final decision to act as grant sponsor. Pul~lic comment: Larry Crockett, Port of Port Townsend Director: Noted the Port is unable to sponsor the grants because of a GMA and administrative glitch. Urged the council to sponsor. Bob Sokol, Port of Port Townsend Commissioner: favored city sponsorship. Gay Nelson: favors support of the Maritime center through grant sponsorship. Nikki Clark: strongly supports request. Motion: Mr. Garrison moved that the council authorize the City of Port Townsend to be the lead agency for grant applications for the Northwest Maritime Center in their efforts to seek more funding to consummate their plans and authorize the City Manager to execute the appropriate documents. Mr. Frank seconded After brief discussion, regarding liability concerns and financial implications to the city, the motion carried unanimously by voice vote, 6-0. RESOLUTION 00-025 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO AWARD AND EXECUTE THE CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TRI-AREA STORAGE TANK TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE RESPONSIVE BIDDER, AND TAKE ALL City Council Minutes Page 6 May 1, 2000 NECESSARY AND PROPER STEPS TO CARRY OUT THE CONTRACT, INCLUDING APPROVING APPROPRIATE CHANGE ORDERS. Mr. Timmons stated that critical issues exist with the two apparent low bidders on the project; however he recommends going forward with the project with discretion allowed for the City Manager tO resolve the questions about the bidding process and bid award. Public comment: None Motion: Mr. Frank moved for approval of Resolution 00-025. Mr. Finnie seconded The motion carried, 5-2, by voice vote, with Mr. Youse and Mr. Lipton opposed RESOLUTION 00-026 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNEND, FIXING THE TIME FOR HEARING ON A PETITION FOR A STREET VACATION Mr. Timmons noted that the council has discussed scheduling public heatings outside of regularly scheduled council meetings and requested that the council pick a date for the heating. He added that this is a common practice among cities and a method of approved agenda management. Public comment: Nancy Dorgan: requested referral of street vacations to the Non-Motorized Committee; against separate hearing dates. Motion: Mr. Frank moved to approve Resolution 00-026 with the public hearing set for Thursday June 8 at 6:30p. m. in the Council chambers. Mr. Garrison seconded The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Mr. Garrison reiterated the request that as soon as street vacation applications are complete, they will be copied by the staff to the chair of the Non-Motorized Transportation Committee. RESOLUTION 00-027 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE RENEWAL OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH JEFFERSON COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 6 FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORT SERVICE FOR A ON-YEAR PERIOD, RETROACTIVE FROM JANUARY 1, 2000 TO DECEMBER 31, 2000, AND TO CONTINUE THEREAFTER FOR CONSECUTIVE ANNUAL TERMS City Council Minutes Page 7 May 1, 2000 Mr. Timmons noted that the contract represents an interim agreement that satisfies both parties in light of current merger discussions. Absent a merger, a future contract would roll into a cost per service contract. Public comment: None Motion: Mr. Frank moved to approve Resolution 00-027. Mr. Wolcott seconded The motion carried 6-1 by voice vote, With Mr. Masci opposed ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:37 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Minutes Page 8 May 1, 2000