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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04232001CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE STUDY SESSION OF APRIL 23 , 2001 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in workshop session this twenty-third day of April, 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 The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Councilmembers present at roll call were Allen Frank, Syd Lipton, Geoff Masci, and Bill Wolcott.. Joe Finnie, Vern Garrison and Alan Youse were excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, City Clerk Pam Kolacy. AGENDA CHANGE Mr. Masci announced there would be no executive session because only four council members were present. CITIZEN ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES Mr. Masci explained the format of this section of the meeting. Current advisory board and committee members present will be introduced to the council and applicants for vacant positions will then be introduced and interviewed by the council members. Council members will provide input to the mayor in the next few days and appointments will be made at an upcoming regular council meeting. Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Board Committee members present were Scott Walker, Nancy Dorgan, David McCulloch and Dana Roberts. Mr. McCulloch and Mr. Roberts have applied for reappointment. New candidates for committee vacancies were then introduced: Liesl Slabaugh, Melinda Bower, Dave Sheehan and Peter Lauritzen. Gloria Bram was not present. Park and Recreation Advisory Board The committee member present was Barbara McColgan Pastore. New candidates for vacancies present were Mel Dyer, Kees Kolff, and Victoria McKinnon. Nora Regan was not present. Historic Preservation Committee Members present were Barbara Marseille, Amy Hiatt, Della Walker, and Vem Leckman. City Council Study Session Page 1 April 23, 2001 New candidate Richard Berg was also present. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. 2001 WORK PLAN UPDATE City Manager David Timmons gave the council an update on budget work plan items for the year 2001. He stated he is comfortable overall that the city is on target in terms of the objectives set during the budget sessions. He stated that the county funding issue dominated the first quarter efforts, and the recent earthquake brought other issues to the forefront. He highlighted some of the major issues which are being addressed ESA: we are dealing with permit issues on water withdrawals from the Big and Little Quilcene Rivers. An RFP is in tl~e works for biological assessments which will be done as a condition of the Forest Service review of the permits. Many of the current water issues require developing a stronger partnership with the mill. City Hall Annex: the project has begun with selection of an architectural design firm. A lease agreement with the Jefferson County Historical Society will be done soon. The Fire Department is looking at addressing long term needs, capital facilities as well as diversification of resources. Stormwater - a major project on the schedule is adopting a final Stormwater Plan. Public Works is currently selecting a consultant who will be able to review the work done to date and match the draft plan with current state and federal regulations. Water quality: new issues have come up, particularly the edict from the Department of Health regarding water pressure in several areas of the system. These were not in the work plan but have taken considerable time and effort. Other issues include the Olympic Gravity Water System deferred maintenance and the possibility of secondary disinfection requirements. We need to develop a strategic planning model with the information we have collected. Three major projects in various stages of design and bidding are "F" Street, the Gaines Street Pump Station, and the cross town water main. Transfer of the Tri-Area water system is on track and will be accomplished before the end of the year. City Council Study Session Page 2 April 23, 2001 Shoreline regulations: the issue is still being debated statewide in terms of the legislative mandate that would be created. Solid Waste: a new contract is under review; the project is taking a bit longer than expected but primarily because the city has had so many other issues to deal with. The project is on track, however. Recreation services: many issues are being addressed, some are mostly coordination efforts such as the concept of the YMCA becoming a service provider in the county. Staff is working with them and attending meetings to keep on top of the situation and coordinate the efforts on behalf of the city. Pool: the pool study is in hand, figures are now available for different approaches to the facility such as maintaining, upgrading or providing a new facility. Golf course: negotiations on the lease are progressing and we expect to have some arrangement in place by the end of the year. County issues include 35th Street Park. A recent property transaction will help with the wetland and access issues relating to that property. Regional services agreements are in place, the only outstanding issue is prior billing for jail services. Cooperation with Fire District 6 is ongoing, but no progress will be made toward potential consolidation until the situation there is stabilized. A greater Coast Guard presence will impact the Fire and Police Departments; talks are ongoing about jurisdictional issues and mutual cooperation.. Police: the department has moved forward with the concept of Port Townsend becoming a training hub for the Olympic Peninsula. State and local partnering has provided computer links for the local department which will reduce the use of county dispatch services. Maritime Center: the city continues to coordinate with the Maritime Center; the City Manager is assisting with design and public policy issues. Library: Mr. Timmons will soon begin working with the Library Board to look at library services and the possible annexation into the county system before the next budget cycle. The County Library has engaged a consultant to study the issue. FEMA funding may be available to areas affected by the earthquake. The deadline for grant requests is the end of the month; the city manager has been discussing potential programs and projects with staff so a project application can be expedited. City Council Study Session Page 3 April 23, 2001 Rightsizing: the city has gone through many staffing changes, and more are anticipated. The Financial Analyst position in Finance was not filled but the city has retained an accounting firm to advise on particular projects that may arise. Volunteer coordinator: we are working with OLYCAP, which has access to funding programs and we may be able to come up with funding for a volunteer coordinator for the city through this partnership. The position of Deputy Clerk has been established. All committee meetings are being attended and minutes produced, tracking systems are in place for council actions; the city's web page will be on line shortly. Grant Street pool program is being funded by the PTA PEG Access studio: continuing to work toward the highest and best use for the system; all council sessions and study sessions are filmed; other government meetings are filmed when possible as well as twice monthly updates by the City Manager. Negotiations are beginning the Jefferson County; a partnership would enable expansion of the system. The Tri~Area Reservoir is being painted. The Oak Bay water line assignment to the PUD is progressing. The Public Works Director is developing an internal dialogue regarding interface with Building and Community Development. A revamped purchasing program has been adopted. Changes in the meter reading program will result in only one FTE devoted to the task. Street levy: progress has been delayed by the abundance of Public Works projects. Sister City: the Japanese will again bring a delegation during the Rhody Festival. Mr. Timmons will provide a written summary of his presentation and will do another presentation on the work plan at the six month mark. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:34 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Study Session Page 4 April 23, 2001