HomeMy WebLinkAbout12172001CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF DECEMBER 17, 2001
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this seventeenth
day of December, 2001, at 6:30 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, Veto Garrison, Syd
Lipton, Geoff Masci, Catharine Robinson, 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
No changes to the agenda were proposed.
PRESIDING OFFICERS REPORT
Mayor Masci announced the reading of several proclamations:
Proclamation honoring Matt Lyons for his work on behalf of higher education.
Proclamation honoring Eric Storey and Eric Selberg upon leaving city emploYment.
Proclamation honoring Jim Engle upon retirement.
Proclamation honoring Carolyn Anderson upon retirement.
Planning Commission Appointment: Mayor Masci noted that he has recommended Jack
Molsness to fill the current vacancy on the Planning Commission. He has presented the
proposed appointment for council confirmation.
Motion: Mr. Frank moved to confirm the appointment of John (Jack) Molsness to the
Planning Commission, term to expire 12/31/05. Mr. Lipton seconded The motion
carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote.
Mayor Masci then asked for a motion approving appointments to the Home Occupation
Citizen Advisory Board.
Motion: Mr. Frank moved to confirm the appointments of Bruce J. Tapper, Laura
Thayer and Vance Sherman to the Home Occupations Citizen Advisory Board. Mr.
Garrison seconded The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote.
RECESS
The Mayor announced a fifteen minutes recess at 7:00 p.m. Lyn Hersey and Byron Ruby
presented a cake in thanks to the council and outgoing council members.
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RECONVENE
The meeting was reconvened at 7:20 p.m.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Timmons updated the council on the interlocal agreement with Jefferson County
regarding Major Industrial Development regulations. He stated that the agreement is a
priority, but because of the holiday season, vacations, etc. it will not be done by the end
of the year; he projected that an agreement would be finalized before the end of January.
Mr. Timmons stated that a copy of the consultant's report on library annexation has been
received and will be available to council members and the public.
Correspondence has been received from our Sister City in Japan indicating that they
would like a city delegation to visit Japan for the Sister City signing ceremony. The
agreement we sent to them was returned unsigned.
Mr. Timmons also announced that the Tri-Area water sale is complete.
PUBLIC COMMENT (consent and non-agenda items)
Don Fristoe expressed thanks to the outgoing council members.
Forrest Rambo reminded the council that the 180 day limit on RV park residency has
been set aside pending establishment of a committee to examine the entire issue. He
expressed appreciation to the council and noted that he wanted to remind the new council
of the issue so it doesn't fall between the cracks.
Byron Ruby asked that the council not forget the less fortunate citizens in the coming
months; he spoke in favor of bringing in chain stores to stop retail leakage.
CONSENTAGENDA
Motion: Mr. Garrison moved for approval of the following items on the consent agenda.
Mr. Frank seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote.
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Vouchers 78945 through 79151 in the amount of $826,653.14
Approval of minutes
Business Meeting Of December 3,2001
Motion
Authorize the City Manager to execute an Interlocal Agreement with various Fire
Districts regarding cooperative funding for the Jefferson County Medical Program
City Council Business Meeting Page 2 December 17, 2001
Director, Jefferson County EMS Council Secretary, Jefferson County EMS Training
Coordinator, and Quality Assurance Coordinator.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
ORDINANCE 2788
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND REVISING FEES FOR
CERTAIN LAND DEVELOPMENT PERMIT AND APPLICATION FEES,
PROVIDING INCREASES IN SOME FEES AND DECREASES IN OTHER
FEES, AND AMENDING PORTIONS OF PTMC CHAPTER 20.09 - LAND
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPLICATION AND APPEAL FEES - PROVIDING
FOR A PRE-CONSTRUCTION OR BUILDING CODE CONSULTATION
PROCESS AND FEE, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
Mr. Timmons noted that the ordinance had been approved for first reading at the
Decembe/' 3 meeting. The ordinance has been revised to remove a number of references
to additional fees beyond the base fees for most Type I permits while retaining additional
fees beyond base fees for more complex permit types. In addition, the fee and permit
process for making adjustments or vacating binding site plans has been restored.
Public comment
None
Mr. Lipton stated that the ordinance would be more clear if each reference to "staff time"
charges were changed to "staff time per staff person."
Motion: Mr. Frank moved for adoption of Ordinance 2788 as amended to reflect "staff
time per staff person. " Mr. Youse seconded The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by
roll call vote.
ORDINANCE 2789
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING PTMC
2.64.090 TO AUTHORIZE CASH OUT OF UP TO EIGHTY HOURS OF
DISCRETIONARY LEAVE, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
Mr. Timmons introduced the ordinance, noting that it had been approved for first reading
on December 3. He added that the language has been revised in response to council
comments to make the process for granting leave more restrictive.
Public Comment
None
Mr. Lipton suggested that discretionary leave be granted only after the employee has
taken a certain amount of leave during the year.
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Motion: Mr. Frank moved to amend Ordinance 2789 to insert "Employee must have
taken a minimum of one week of leave consecutively during the year" before the sentence'
beginning "Examples of acceptable circumstances..." Mr. Youse seconded The
motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote.
Motion: Mr. Frank moved to adopt Ordinance 2789 as amended Mr. Lipton seconded
The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by roll call vote.
ORDINANCE 2790
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND ADDING SECTION
2.76.031 TO THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE - FEES ADDED FOR
RECORDS RETENTION - ADDING A FEE TO CERTAIN PERMIT AND
LICENSE FEES FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING RECORDS RETENTION
AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC STORAGE),
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
Ms. Kolacy noted that the ordinance had been approved for first reading on December 3
and language has been clarified to state that business licenses are subject to the fee only
one time and not upon each renewal.
Public comment
None
Motion: Mr. Frank moved for adoption of Ordinance 2790. Mr. Lipton seconded The
motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by roll call vote.
ORDINANCE 2794
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING ORDINANCE
2684 REGARDING SALARY OF MAYOR TO BECOME EFFECTIVE FOR NEW
TERM OF MAYOR
Mayor Masci introduced three draft ordinances regarding mayor and council
compensation for consideration. These included increasing monthly compensation for
the mayor (draft # 1), providing for lump sum reimbursement for expenses for mayor and
council members (draft #2), and providing for increases in council member salaries per
month or per meeting (draft #3).
Public comment:
Forrest Rambo. Spoke in favor of increasing the mayor's salary. He added that the
salary should not be so high that politicians become professionals, but should be set at a
rate that gives a middle ground; he noted the responsibilities will only increase. He
added that the proposed amounts of $1000/month for the mayor and $500/month for
council members seemed appropriate and fair.
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Lyn Hersey stated that better compensation will broaden the base of candidates since it
won't hurt people so much financially to take on elected office.
Freida Fenn said this might be premature and recommended that the issue be referred to a
citizen committee. She stated the point about inclusion is important but added that those
who run know it will take quite a chunk of time and that it is basically a volunteer job.
She added that it is a delicate balancing act and thinks this might be premature, and could
add up to $48,000 to the budget in a few years in an ever tightening fiscal climate.
Mr. Masci proposed that Mr. Finnie chair the meeting for the remainder of this discussion
Motion: Mr. Masci moved to suspend council rules and that the first reading of
ordinance 2794 (mayor's salary) be the second and the third be by title only. Mr. Youse
seconded The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote.
Motion: Mr. Masci moved for adoption of Ordinance 2794, increasing the mayor's
compensation to the sum of $1, OOO per month. Mr. Youse seconded
Mr. Frank stated he could not support the ordinance. He said that many of the mayor's
duties could be shifted and shared by other council members so that the duties would not
be so onerous; he added that the issue of salary increases should be addressed in
conjunction with the budget.
In response to a question from Ms. Robinson, Mr. Timmons stated that the amount has
been anticipated in the 2002 budget, and would come from the council's discretionary
budget.
The motion carried, 6-1, by roll call vote, with Mr. Frank opposed
ORDINANCE 2795
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING ORDINANCE
2684, REGARDING SALARY COMPENSATION FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS,
AND SETTING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
Motion: Mr. Masci moved for adoption of Ordinance 2795, with a change in the heading
of Table 2 to read "Per Council-Assigned Committee Meeting" Mr. Finnie seconded.
Mr. Lipton commented that adding a compensation system beyond salary would result in
considerable tracking work for staff. Ms. Robinson noted that there is no pressing
deadline since the compensation system would not go into effect for several months and
there would be plenty of time to assess the options.
Mr. Youse commented that he does not believe an increase is needed.
City Council Business Meeting Page $ December 17, 2001
Vote: the motion failed, 1-6, with Mr. Masci voting in favor.
CAPITAL FACILITIES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
Mr. Timmons noted that three recommendations have been forwarded to the cotmcil from
the last meeting of the Capital Facilities Committee:
1) Direct the City Manager to proceed with development of an RFP regarding
sustainable timber harvest on the Snow Creek property and schedule a briefing to the City
Council on the project timeline;
2) Direct the City Manager to order an appraisal on the Kuhn Street property, for the lot
and house together and for each individually; after appraisal is completed, present an
opinion on the best use of the property;
3) Direct the City Manager to contract for a planning and development services
consultant to advise the council on the highest and best use of the evinski/Mary Jo estates
property.
Public comment:
None
Mr. Youse stated he would recuse himself as his family owns property next to the
Levinski property.
Motion: Mr. Finnie moved that the council adopt the recommendations as one package.
Mr. Lipton seconded
Amendment: Mr. Garrison suggested a friendly amendment to stipulate February 15 as
the latest date for the report on the Snow Creek timber RFP. The amendment was
accepted.
Vote: the motion as amended carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote (Mr. Youse
recused).
NEW BUSINESS
SUMMARY REPORT ON CAPITAL FACILITIES COMMITTEE WORK PLAN
Mr. Finnie reported on the work of the Capital Facilities Committee since its inception in
April 2000.
Public comment
None
It was noted that many tasks have been assigned to staff and all should be tracked so that
the recommendations of the committee are taken to completion.
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ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Attest:
City Clerk
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