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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10012001CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF OCTOBER 1, 2001 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this first day of October, 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, Veto 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, BCD Director Jeff Randall, Planner John McDonagh and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. PUBLIC HEARING STREET VACATION APPLICATION #LUP01-076 (SUNWEST MANAGEMENT) CONTINUED FROM SEPTEMBER 24, 2001 Mayor Masci asked Scott Walker to continue his testimony which was cut short by the meeting adjournment on September 24. Mr. Walker was speaking in opposition. He stated that he has met with Mr. McDonagh since that meeting regarding the preservation of 12th Street. His desire is to maintain the integrity of the Non-Motorized Plan. He stated he had made alternate suggestions to the site plan and would like to keep driveway entrances away from intersections. He also stated that sidewalks should be set at the extreme edge of the right of way. Phil Watness: Stated that there is plenty of open land in the neighborhood even if it is not forest; he asked if Hancock were closed, what provision do we have for a secondary roadway? Mr. McDonagh replied that the street is currently closed to vehicular traffic and neighbors have all indicated that they would prefer the street not go through. Sally McKelvey: stated her house is just across from the project on Hancock. She loves the natural forest and had heard that there would be opportunities for dialogue between the developers and the community. She has discussed some issues with the proponents who seem to be willing to listen and compromise. She suggested moving the entrance from in front of her house to 12th Street so traffic would not make the comer on 12th and Hancock. Applicant in rebuttal Dave Hensel: stated they are diScussing a 12th Street walking trail to provide two ways to get across the property. Richard Spindor stated that meandering foot paths make the design and site more interesting that straight grid patterns. City Council Business Meeting Page 1 October 1, 2001 Mr. McDonagh stated that the site plan is conceptual and was prepared in conjunction with the street vacation hearing; however, the final site plan will be subject to SEPA review and multi-family design review. Mr. McDonagh also provided alternate language for condition 2 which would require the proponent to obtain a temporary certificate of occupancy before the final ordinance is recorded. Applicant response Dave Hensel: stated he heard about the modification the morning after the last hearing and that his office finance department talked with the lenders who said they would not provide a loan if the property were not secured. He asked if the permit were in hand and proof of financing were offered, if that would be sufficient. Mr. Watts stated that the original condition 2 was that the street vacation would be done upon complete submittal of plans which did not seem a sufficient guarantee that the project would be completed. In light of the applicant's statement, he suggested that the reference to "receive temporary certificate of occupancy and use" be changed to "receive a building permit and provide evidence satisfactory to the City Manager for financing of the project." Motion: Mr. Garrison moved for adoption of the Findings and Conclusions for LU£01-076, with conditions as amended that the vacation ordinance would be recorded upon receipt by the proponent of a building permit and provision of evidence of funding satisfactory to the City Manager. Mr. Wolcott seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Motion: Mr. Finnie moved to remove from consideration item 9(A) (Resolution 01-044, Rescinding Resolution 01-040). Mr. ¥ouse seconded Mr. Finnie stated he saw no further benefit from the council moving on this matter and that a better use of their energies over the next three months would be to take the high road and concentrate on budget and other matters before them. Vote: the motion carried 6-1 by voice vote, Mr. Masci opposed PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Masci announced a change to the meeting schedule regarding a Planning Commission hearing on the Comprehensive Plan Amendments, rescheduled from October 11 to October 17. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons announced that a joint hearing before the PUD and City Council would be held on October 15 at the Pope Marine Building. City Council Business Meeting Page 2 October 1, 2001 He also said the Council Finance Committee would meet Thursday to begin discussions regarding assumptions used in preparing the preliminary budget. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Nancy Dorgan stated she had planned to speak regarding the advisory ballot, She stated she does not support advisory ballots for basic services like street repair or city facilities. She noted the result of the vote would be irrelevant because the council's job is to take care of the town and not leave it to the vagaries of the ballot and human nature. She also stated that the wording of the resolution did not provide a statement of what the council believes in. Scott Walker spoke as the chair of the Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Board in support of the San Juan pathway project on the consent agenda. Marc de Rochefort opposed to recent letters attacking the mayor. Accountability and affordability can also mean an efficient, cost-effective and responsive City council. The people have a voice through the ballot box, speaking at public meetings and other forums. He stated that we should trust the City Manager form of government and the election process. The people do have a voice at the time they elect their representatives; it is the way an informed citizenry effects change. He called for respect and decency at council meetings. CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Frank moved for approval of the following items on the consent agenda. Mr. Finnie seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 77948 through 78157 in the amount of $329,535.62 Approval of Minutes Business Meeting of September 18, 2001 Approval of Resolutions RESOLUTION 01-045 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN A SISTER CITY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AND THE CITY OF ICHIKAWA, JAPAN RESOLUTION 01-046 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO AWARD AND SIGN A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE SAN JUAN PATHWAY PROJECT City Council Business Meeting Page 3 October 1, 2001 Approval of motions Authorize the City Manager to sign Amendments 1 and 2 to the ARC Architects Professional Services Agreement to provide architectural services to the City, adding pre- design and programming elements of the Fire and Police Stations. Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract amendment to increase the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center budget by $5,000, from $50,000 to $55,000. UNFINISHED BUSINESS TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTMENTS Mr. Youse, chair of the committee, stated that an application from Mike Ridgway, had been lost in the process and this was discovered after the committee voted on the selection of members for the advisory board. He has not received comments on the additional application so asked if there were any council members who would like to modify the recommendation. Mr. Youse, Wolcott and Lipton spoke favorably of appointing Mr. Ridgway. Mr. Youse then proposed that Mr. Ridgway be added and Brenda McMillan removed. He added that she would be an excellent member but the appointment of Mr. Ridgway would expand membership to represent a wider demographic of the city. Motion: Mr. ¥ouse moved to approve the following appointments to the Transportation Advisory Boar& Tim Caldwell, David McCulloch, Mark Cole, Ted Rogers, Mike Ridgway, John Molsness, and Scott Walker. Mr. Wolcott seconded. Public comment Nancy Dorgan spoke in favor of appointing Ms. McMillan as someone who has been very interested in transit issues. Mr. Youse noted that several appointees have ties to transit. Mr. Lipton added that all are welcome to participate with the ex officio group. ORDINANCE 2776 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING SECTION 12.20.090, COMPENSATION FOR VACATION, CHAPTER 12.20, STREET VACATION PROCEDURE, OF THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE, REQUIRING FULL COMPENSATION FROM ABUTTING PROPERTY OWNERS FOR STREET VACATIONS PER RCW 35.79.030 Mr. Watts introduced the ordinance, noting that the first reading of the ordinance occurred on September 18. He suggested one addition to the ordinance. A sentence could be added to Section 2, second paragraph: "The ordinance shall not apply to any currently pending applications as of the date of passage of this ordinance." City Council Business Meeting Page 4 October 1, 2001 He added that he. was still reviewing the definition of "appraisal" raised from the last meeting when it was suggested that the assessor's valuation might be used as a substitute for a third party appraisal. He suggested that further research is necessary and did not request that the council deal with the issue at this time. Public comment Nancy Dorgan encouraged adoption of the ordinance which is now consistent with the Comprehensive Plan in dedicating the funds received to transportation projects; also favors added language regarding applications currently pending. Motion: Mr. Frank moved for adoption of Ordinance 2776 with the addition of a sentence stating that the ordinance shall not apply to any currently pending applications as of the date of passage of this ordinance. Mr. Wolcott seconded kote: The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by roll call vote. NEW BUSINESS There were no items of new business EXECUTIVE SESSION There was no executive session. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 5 October 1, 2001