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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02122001CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE STUDY SESSION MEETING OF FEBRUARY 12, 2001 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met for a study session this twelfth day of February, 2001, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Deputy Mayor Joe Finnie. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Joe Finnie, Allen Frank, Syd Lipton, and Alan Youse. Vern Garrison and Bill Wolcott were excused. Geoff Masci was delayed by a School Board meeting. Staff present were City Attorney John Watts, City Clerk Para Kolacy, and Public Works Director Ken Clow. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (EDC) WORK PLAN Executive Director Ann Avary and Co-Chairman Jerry Spieckerman of the Economic Development Council were present. Ms. Avary provided copies of the 2001 Work Plan for the EDC. She and Mr. Speickerman discussed several issues with the council. Major projects for the upcoming year were identified. These include: Update of the annual marine trades directory of services and providers (contract with Port) Refer appropriate cases to Small business resource Center/Kathleen Purdy Interface with JOBS group: informal discussions are ongoing; according to Mr. Speickennan, the groups are not heading in different direction Support of vocational training opportunities Study "human capital" - what does the potential work force look like; questions include are people employed or partially employed? Are they doing the type of work they would prefer to do or just taking jobs because they are available This will give a picture of what sorts of businesses to recruit and what our local community has available. Asset inventory - targeted for completion by the end of the year. Public Comment Nancy Dorgan: reference to specific language required in contract that the city funding is used "primarily" for recruitment. Would like to know if tonight's presentation has shown a plan that would satisfy that requirement. City Council Minutes Page 1 February 12, 2001 Mr. Masci and Mr. Timmons arrived at 7:05 p.m. Council discussion Mr. Finnie noted that he will be the city's representative on the EDC. He invited Ms. Avary to attend the meetings of the Higher education Coordinating Committee. He encouraged EDC to include within the asset inventory the definition of parcels in the city and county which would accommodate businesses with the desired profile for the community and do an overlay. If no suitable site is identified, it should be determined what needs to be done in terms of zoning, uniform development code and other limiting factors. Mr. Frank noted that it is also important for the EDC to assist local businesses trying to relocate as well as to attract of new businesses. Mr. Frank requested alternative contract language be provided to show that the use of the city's funds be focused on asset inventory rather than primarily recruiting. Mr. Masci noted that contributions could be tagged to a performance metric after the base contribution. The allocation of funding will be scheduled for action at the February 20 meeting.. ELECTED OFFICIALS MEETING AGENDA Council Discussion Council members agreed to forward the following items to the February 22 elected Officials meeting hosted by Jefferson County: Affordable Housing Recreation Additional Regional Services Opportunities (i.e. PEG Access television) Future items may include a discussion of the future of Glen Cove, including impacts of the water system exchange with the PUD. Public Comment: Nancy Dorgan: supports addressing affordable housing; referred to county wide planning policies (7) allowing public lands to be used for affordable housing; encouraged support of state resources and legislation supporting affordable housing. City Council Minutes Page 2 February 12, 2001 CITIZEN ADVISORY BOARDS Introduction Mr. Masci gave a brief history of the council rules, noting that the council has amended rules to make the document workable; the last piece is crafting an amended current legislative organizational chart. He noted that previous governments created most subcommittees and committees through ordinance which made the structure inflexible. The proposal for discussion strikes most advisory boards from the municipal code and reestablishes them by resolution. City Attorney John Watts referred to the existing council rules of procedure that state all council committees, liaison & citizen groups are established by council directive with periodic review. He suggested that the committees be considered individually and the council indicate whether current duties as set forth in the ordinances are acceptable for whether modifications are desirable. He noted that certain advisory boards, such as Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Committee and Lodging Tax Advisory Committee will continue within the municipal code because of legislative requirements; however, administrative details will be struck from the code and be established by resolution. Public comment Sarah Muirhead: (Library Board) stated that some boards, including the Library Board have are certain requirements set by state statute, not just by local legislative bodies.. Mr. Watts answered that he understood that in a code city the Library Board is purely advisory body subject to such rules and regulations as the city legislative body determines Linnea Patrick: ( Library Director) outlined the work done at the time of the change from second class to code city, stating that a large amount of information was developed by the Library Board and made available to the administration. She offered to provide the materials to the City Manager and City Attorney. Barbara McColgan: (Parks Commission) asked for a further look at the rule that a member could be dismissed solely for disagreement with an official decision. She also raised the issue of incidental expenses and city administrative staff work, mailing, copies, etc., noting that she has been using e-mail correspondence to avoid those costs. She also suggested that each board have time before the council acts to offer their recommendations regarding scope of work, terms of office, etc. City Council Minutes Page 3 February 12, 2001 Lee Wolodkewitsch: Arts Commission: noted that a certain amount of independence is required regarding issues pertaining to art. He asked for clarification about whether the change would affect the current status of the Arts Commission budget. Nancy Dorgan (Non-Motorized Transportation Committee): supported retention of Non- Motorized as a separate committee, noting the committee deals with implementation of the Non-Motorized Plan which is a 20-year project. She is opposed to a structure where one advisory board reports to another citizen board and requested more information on committees established by the City Manager (i.e. Smart Code committee). She suggested rearranging the proposed council rules change by moving the communications section to follow 4.2.6. She also asked whether board and commission reports would be reinstated into the council meeting agenda. Freida Fenn: sUpported seeking advice from each current citizen advisory board regarding proposed changes and work plan before final action is taken. Also asked about other aspects of the legislative flow chart, ie other ways for flow of information including town meetings. John Ebner: Community Oriented Policing Advisory Committee. supported idea of council members meeting with representatives of each committee. He stated that form and structure should remain virtually as is with better clarity of mission. COPAB has internal bylaws that may be useful for other advisory boards. Stated that appointments to the advisory boards should be subject to review and approval of the board as well as the city council. Asked for consideration of placement of the COPAB within the city manager's jurisdiction to avoid appearance of political influence. Council Discussion Mr. Timmons then stated that the comment from this evening's meeting can be taken and worked into the ordinance/resolutions. He requested that the council needs to discuss what advisory boards they wish to see established and what the scope of work will be. Mr. Watts noted that the direction for reconstitution of committees should be clear before the striking ordinance is adopted. Mr. Masci supported the idea of a study session with committee representatives after they have had time to consult with the committee members. A study session will be held on March 12 and advisory board members will be notified and invited to attend. He also stated that council members should think about what sort of advisory boards they need to do their work. He believes a transportation committee would be critical. Mr. Frank suggested reviewing all the current advisory boards at this time for a preliminary idea of the council's feeling about each and which standing committee would receive info from advisory boards. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee: report to Finance Committee City Council Minutes Page 4 February 12, 2001 RECESS Mr. Masci called a brief recess at 9:08 pm RECONVENE The meeting reconvened at 9:15 p.m. Arts Commission Report to Community Development Board of Appeals Purely adjudicatory, have to establish according to the Uniform Building Code Community Oriented Policing Advisory Board: Report to Public Safety Discussion ensued on whether the COPAB serves a legislative function or whether it might better continue in a different form. During the March 12 study session, representatives of the group will be allowed to state their view about the function and purpose of the group. A group that would address all aspects of public safety was suggested. Historic Preservation Committee. Some modifications to the enabling legislation were suggested which will be incorporated for the next session on the topic. Mr. Masci asked Mr. Watts to research some of the ordinance language. Report to Community Development Committee. Library Board: Possibly report to Finance Committee. Non Motorized: Altematives include reporting to a Transportation Committee or being reorganized into a transportation committee which would address all transportation issues Mr. Finnie remarked that transportation is a core, continuing issue. He also stated the Capital Facilities Committee will be finished with their work at some point, and that may be the time to establish a Transportation Committee as a standing committee of the council. Parks & Recreation Committee: report to Community Development Committee Planning Commission: purview of Community Development Committee PEG Access reports to the council as a whole, established through an interlocal agreement with the School District. Golf Course Advisory Committee is a sub-committee of Parks & Recreation Comm. City Council Minutes Page 5 February 12, 2001 C-II Design Committee: report to Community Development Cmmittee Tri-Area Water Committee: will not be established due to the speed with which the transfer is occurring; most issues have been resolved. ADJOURN There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Attest: Pam Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Minutes Page 6 February 12, 2001