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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05072001CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF MAY 7, 2001 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this seventh day of May, 2001, 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 David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mr. Masci asked that discussion and action on Resolution 01-023 (to establish a no parking zone on SR20 from Keamey Street to the Ferry Terminal) be postponed until May 14 to accommodate a citizen request. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Masci requested council action to allocate funding for a reception for Port Townsend's sister city, Ichikawa, Japan, on May 18. Catherine McNabb, who is organizing events on behalf of the city, was present to answer questions. Motion: Mr. Frank moved to authorize the allocation of funding up to $1,500for a reception for the sister city delegation on May 18, at the Pope Marine Building. Mr. Lipton seconded Mr. Youse noted that he would not support the motion. He referred to a discussion last year regarding downsizing the city's commitment and expenditure each year until the event becomes a community, rather than a city event. He also noted the issue should have been brought up earlier for council discussion. Public Comment: None Vote: The motion carried, 6-1, by voice vote, with Mr. Youse opposed Mayor Masci then read the following proclamations: Declaring the week of May 13,2001, to be IchikawaJPort Townsend Sister City Week City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 May 7, 2001 Acknowledging the accomplishments of the the students of Cedarbrook Adventist Christian School Declaring Dorothy Dick Hunt Day in honor of Mrs. Hunt's 90th birthday. Designating Poppy Days for the VFW and American Legion CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons referred the council to a letter from the Jefferson County Historical Society Project Steering Committee contained in the council packets. He noted that the City Council is scheduled to attend an informal meeting with the City Hall Annex project architect at 4 p.m. on Monday, May 14. Funding of 40 million dollars is available through the state for hazard mitigation; Mr. Timmons submitted letters of intent for several potential projects including relocation of the Police Station, structural sidewalk replacement near the Mount Baker Block, Lincoln Beach berm, seismic repairs to City Hall, and improvements to the Olympic Gravity Water System pipeline. The total for all projects would come to four million dollars. A formal request from Jefferson County has been received asking that the city consider a proposal by the county to take over the city's recreation system under the same terms as those proposed by the YMCA. Mr. Timmons will be assigning this for Parks & Recreation Committee and council review. Mr. Timmons noted that a letter has been received from Forrest Rambo regarding the limitation of 180 days for RV parking at Point Hudson; he has requested that the council take action to remove the restriction from the municipal code. Staff will be processing this request. The city is working on a public & private funding partnership through a possible FEMA grant. The grant would allow development of mitigation strategies to disaster proof our community through funding assistance provisions for downtown historic structures, etc. Mr. Timmons reported that he has asked Main Street to look into issues related to the impact on uptown businesses by this summer's "F' street project. The objective is to come up with a reasonable proposal to assist marketing efforts for the uptown business area during that time. Mr. Timmons added that suggestions for revisions to the system development charge statute will be presented at the next council meeting. Mr. Frank requested a discussion of the Jefferson County Historical Socity City Hall restoration project be added under new business, particularly in regard to the city's potential future funding commitment. City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 May 7, 2001 PUBLIC COMMENT Nancy Dorgan: regarding the council/PUD workshop on April 25, suggested that the meeting could not be official since only three council members attended. Would like an explanation about the status of the meeting under the Open Public Meetings Act. Brenda McMillan: believes impact fees should be scaled according to the size of the project. Freida Fenn: speaking personally and as representative of People for a Liveable Community, stated impact fees should cover a greater percentage of growth to take the load off the public at large. Referred to legislation regarding the requirement for a citizen's committee to review impact fees regularly. Noted that the citizens are subsidizing growth with every development project since the city has chosen to recommend fees for only water and sewer without adjustment for inflation. The PLC opposes credit to developers. Kees Kolff: concerned about reduction of certain impact fees, wishes to maintain the highest level of service the city can provide in terms of infrastructure. Urged adequate public process in cOnjunction with a decision to reduce impact fees. Ian Keith: stated system development charges are the city-wide equivalent of latecomer agreements; doubts across the board fee reduction will benefit affordable housing; asked that council consider proportioning system development charges as an affordable, effective and revenue neutral solution. He stated such an adjustment would be analogous to the adjustment already made in parking requirements for smaller units in order to reduce costs. John Lockwood: speaking for People for a Liveable Community; suggested council create a balanced citizen committee to review impact fees before action is taken to alter them. Supported charging impact fees on the construction of accessory dwelling units. Supports a graduated system of impact fees, with a provision for payment over time (suggested by 1991 citizens advisory group). Stated expanded impact fees could lower the cost of living for current residents; consider a sliding scale according to size, number of bathrooms and bedrooms. Requested that a town hall meeting be held before any action is taken. Dana Roberts: encouraged an update of the Gary Leaf study on city expenditures prior to any decision regarding modification of charges; determine subsidies and real costs in 2001 to have the best information to base decision upon. Also thanked council for the no parking proposal in the packet. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Mr. Garrison moved to remove the April 25 PUD/City Council meeting minutes from the consent agenda so that the City Attorney may research Ms. Dorgan's City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 May 7, 2001 questions regarding the status of that meeting. Mr. Youse seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Motion: Mr. Finnie moved to approve the following items on the consent agenda. Mr. Garrison seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 75934 through 76227 in the amount of $543,083.21 Approval of Minutes Regular meeting of April 16 Special meeting of April 23 Approval of the following actions RESOLUTION 01-022 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH DETAILED FINAL ENGINEERING DESIGN, BIDDING, AWARD AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE GAINES STREET PUMP STATION 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 AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES WITH COMMUNITY BUILDING MAINTENANCE, PETE HAMM, SOLE PROPRIETOR, FOR THE YEAR 2001 IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME FORM AS THE CURRENT CONTRACT UNFINISHED BUSINESS RESOLUTION 0 I-019 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND RECOMMENDING THAT THE JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ADOPT AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE DISPLAY OF WILD AND EXOTIC ANIMALS. Mr. Watts introduced the item. There was no public comment City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 May 7, 2001 Motion: Mr. Frank moved to adopt Resolution 01-019. Mr. Wolcott seconded Vote: After a brief discussion, the motion carried 4-3, by voice vote, with Mr. Masci, Mr. Finnie and Mr. Lipton opposed NEW BUSINESS Jefferson County Historical Society progress report. Mr. Timmons clarified several issues based on his meetings with the Historical Society representatives. Public comment: None Mr. Garrison expressed surprise that the city may be expected to contribute additional funding to cover the renovations to the second floor. He also decried the lack of a valid staffing analysis and expressed several other concerns about the proposed city hall annex. Mr. Frank expressed concem over the total funding figures, particularly the expectation that the city may be asked to "pledge a significant portion of the local funding." Mr. Timmons cautioned that the project is in very preliminary stages and not much should be read into the report. He added that "local" support does not necessarily mean the city and that the city's support may take the form of grant sponsorships, similar to those for the Marine Science Center and the Northwest Maritime Center since the city has access to some sources of funding that private non-profits do not. Mr. Lipton noted that the numbers expressed this early on in the project process are very preliminary and that any meaningful discussion can only come when "real" numbers are forthcoming. Mr. Masci added that he has suggested that Harry Dudley, president of JCHS attend a council meeting every other month to report on the project. Mr. Garrison suggested a report with more graphics rather than prose only.. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Masci announced that the council would retire to executive session at 7:54 p.m. He stated that the subject of the session would be potential litigation, time of the session will be about thirty minutes and that no action would be taken at the conclusion of the executive session. RECONVENE The council meeting was reconvened at 8:55 p.m. City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 May 7, 2001 ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:56 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 May 7, 2001