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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09042001CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2001 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this fourth day of September, 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, Vern 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, Senior Planner Judy Surber, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGESTOTHEAGENDA Mr. Lipton suggested combining items 9(C) and (D) - banked property tax levy capacity and advisory ballot measures. Consensus was that the items could be combined, but business would be done sequentially, and public comment taken on the three proposals individually. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Masci read a proclamation designating September as Port Townsend Library Card Sign-Up Month. Beth deJarnette of the library staff introduced several school and public library representatives who were present. Larry Thomas, Library Board member, presented a check to the City Council from the citizens of Port Townsend for $10,000. The Council has promised to match the $10,000 if that amount of money could be raised by private donations. Mayor Masci then stated he has received many comments regarding the Department of Transportafion's recent remark about cutting down the poplars on Sims Way. He asked the council to authorize a letter from the council to the DOT on behalf of the citizens to urge a public forum for citizen participation on the issue of siting a ferry holding area along Sims Way for two months when the Hood Canal bridge repair is being done. Mr. Finnie suggested that representatives from the Port and the Department of Transportation attend a council study session to discuss the issue. City Council Business Meeting Page 1 September 4, 2001 Motion: Mr. Garrison moved to instruct staff to set up a council workshop involving the Department of Transportation, the Port of Port Townsend, and appropriate staff members, with adequate public notice. Mr. Frank seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Mayor Masci stated that the staff had followed up on the council's request to determine the legality of the $554 donation from Sheila Brown in memory of her husband. He said that there is no legal requirement to ovm property to include it as a city facility, and that under the municipal code, acceptance of gifts under $5,000 do not need council approval. He added that he simply wished to notify the council of the acceptance of the gift so Mrs. Brown's generosity could be acknowledged in memory of Will Brown. He said he would send a letter expressing the city's appreciation to Mrs. Brown. In regard to the council's upcoming meeting schedule, the mayor noted that the next meeting would be a workshop on September 10. The next regularly scheduled business meeting of September 17 will be moved to Tuesday, September 18 as some council members and the city manager will be attending a water summit meeting in Sequim the evening of the 17th. A business meeting will be scheduled for the 24th at which time three public hearings will be held regarding street vacations. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons updated the council on the status of the skateboard park, the water summit, and compost sales. He added that he would update the council on the Tri-Area water system sale during the meeting September 10. He noted that the Library Board has unanimously recommended annexation and that the Library Board will be invited to a future workshop to discuss the annexation and timeline. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (consent agenda and items not on the agenda) Nancy Dorgan: spoke in regard to accountability of the present council, against adding agenda items without prior notice to the public, lack of thank you letters to advisory board members and lack of dialogue at council meetings. Gloria Bram: spoke in favor of the matching funds for the library, against cutting the poplars, and asked for a followup on her request for a handicapped parking space in front of the unemployment office. She also asked if there is supposed to be a handicapped space in front of the Pope Marine Building. (Mr. Timmons noted that Public Works staff has been assigned to look at the Lawrence Street location. He added that for a space to be designated, it must be accessible to all handicapped citizens and there are considerable measurements and siting requirements.) Nik Worden: spoke in favor of the mayor's position on saving the poplar trees. Also spoke as a sponsor of the town meeting He offered printed copies of the ground rules City Council Business Meeting Page 2 September 4, 2001 developed for campaign discussion. He noted that candidates for public office have withdrawn from the town meeting organizing committee. Freida Fenn: spoke in favor of leaving the skateboard park at the current site; stated her commitment to civil dialogue. Bruce Tipton: stated that he is a proponent of the skateboard park, but advocates moving the site from downtown, noting it was originally designated as a temporary site; said the parking problem downtown will only become worse with the advent of the Maritime Center and City Hall annex. Would like to build an inexpensive park in another location. Valerie Brewster: applauded the mayor's poplar statement. Expressed serious concerns about the DOT proposed plan and desires to have discussion of the entire issue of ferry service from Seattle to Port Townsend by the public at large. Added concerns about permanent infrastructure which would support a temporary ferry parking terminal. Forrest Rambo: aSked that the council members become more involved with the Chamber of Commerce as a way of improving economic conditions in the community. Stated his consistent recommendation to develop a comprehensive plan for this end of town, a vision is needed because of all the imminent changes including the Maritime Center and the City Hall Annex. Supports youth activities, but would like to find another home for the skateboard park. Scott Walker: urged the council to get the Transportation Committee up and running. Bruce Marston: spoke in favor of keeping the skateboard park downtown. Eleanor Nelson: spoke in favor of the downtown site for the skateboard park Mr. Garrison interjected a question about why speakers are asked to provide their addresses. Forrest Rambo replied that it is part of the council rules and helps to allow correspondence with those who make public comment and request replies to questions. He added that he did not think it was appropriate to have council consensus during the public comment period. Jana Allen: stated that the current location of the skateboard park is highly disruptive to her bed and breakfast at Point Hudson. Lyn Hersey: stated she was glad to see all the interest in the skateboard park and urged those who have comments to attend the Parks and Recreation Committee workshops and discussions, as public participation has been very low. Gloria Brain: favors finding appropriate site for skateboard park. city Council Business Meeting Page 3 September 4, 2001 There were no public hearings. PUBLIC HEARINGS CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Mr. Garrison moved for adoption of the following items on the consent agenda. Mr. Wolcott seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 77622 through and 77812 in the amount of $599,189.83. Approval of Minutes Business Meeting of August 20, 2001 (typographical error corrected) .Resolution RESOLUTION 01-038 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND APPOINTING AN AGENT TO RECEIVE CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY UNDER CHAPTER 4.96 RCW UNFINISHED BUSINESS CAPITAL FACILITIES RECOMMENDATION RE: GOLDEN AGE CLUB Staff report Mr. Timmons stated that the Capital Facilities Committee's mission has been to identify current or future uses for city property and bring forward recommendations on those that could be considered surplus to the city's needs. Mr. Watts noted that the matter before the council is not a decision to surplus the Golden Age Club property, but a decision on whether or not to set a public hearing on the matter. Before that time, more information and background would be gathered. An affirmative vote would be a vote for a public hearing, not a vote to surplus the property. Mr. Finnie, chair of the Capital Facilities Committee, related the committee history of the discussion of the property. Public Comment The following people spoke in opposition the recommendation. Janine Anderson City Council Business Meeting Page 4 September 4, 2001 Judith Bird Todd Waxman Patrick Gillen Marie Shirley Jim Todd Forrest Rambo Carla Haynie Kees Kolff Anne Landis Barbara McColgan Pastore Rick Dennison Nora Regan Barbara Bogart Lowell Bogart Catherine Robinson Paula Mackrow Ann Gibbs Scott Walker Freida Fenn Gloria Bram Michelle Sandoval Allen Johanson Jane Peterson RECESS Mayor Masci announced a ten minute recess at 8:40 p.m. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 8:55 p.m. Motion: Mr. Frank moved to endorse the Capital Facilities recommendation to designate the Golden Age site as surplus, with sales proceeds to be used to develop a community park on the west side of Port Townsend between Sheridan and McPherson and between SR 20 and Discovery Road, to set a public hearing on the issue, and to direct staff to obtain an appraisal of the property. Mr. Garrison seconded Mr. Garrison stated that a public hearing would allow more citizens to express their opinion on the matter. Mr. Frank requested an appraisal of the property before a decision is made. Mr. Wolcott listed a comparison of the number of parks available in the east side of town and the west side and supported sale of the property with proceeds being used to provide more open space in the western part of the city. City Council Business Meeting Page 5 September 4, 2001 Mr. Masci spoke in favor of retaining the property, listing many open spaces still available to citizens throughout the city. Vote: The motion was defeated, 4-3, by voice vote, with Mr. Youse, Mr. Lipton, Mr. Finnie and Mr. Masci opposed Motion: Mr. Lipton moved to endorse the City Manager's recommendation that the Golden Age site be incorporated into Chetzemoka Park, officially identify the entire area as a park, and develop a work plan for the property and recommend a method of dealing with the existing building. Mr. Youse seconded. Vote: The motion carried, 4-3, by voice vote, with Mr. Garrison, Mr. Frank, and Mr. Wolcott opposed EXTEND MEETING BEYOND 10 PM Because of the hour, Mr. Masci proposed that item 10(A) Ordinance amending compensation for street vacation and 10(C) quit claim deed, be postponed until the next regular council meeting. Mr. Frank stated his wish to continue the meeting to deal with time sensitive issues. Mr. Watts noted that the executive session could be deferred within a week. Consensus was to continue the meeting this evening and continue business items that are not dealt with to September 10 prior to the workshop meeting. NEW BUSINESS EASEMENT REQUEST - TIPTON/ALLEN Mr. Watts noted that Bruce Tipton and Jana Allen have requested that the city grant a 10 foot "no build" easement on the east side of the city's parking lot adjacent to Point Hudson. The easement is requested so that a proposed building can have windows along the west side and still comply with all building code requirements including fire safety requirements. The Capital Facilities Committee considered the matter on August 21 and forwarded the matter to the full council with a request for staff to address the gifting of public funds issue. Staff summarized options including sale of the property, dedication for public right of way, and granting a temporary easement. Public comment Nancy Dorgan. spoke against granting an easement, stated opposition to the idea of giving any public land to development. City Council Business Meeting Page 6 September 4, 2001 Paula Mackrow: stated it would be inappropriate to grant an easement that would change the use of the property; asked if easement would preclude skateboard use. Jack Caldwell: wishes to see the skateboard park stay downtown. Bruce Tipton: as the proponent, stated that the easement will have no effect on the skateboard park or its viability. John Lockwood: spoke against giving away a valuable easement if highest and best use is not determined; without a plan in place would be a gift of public property. Mr. Timmons clarified that the granting of an easement would not have an effect on the skateboard park; he added that from the standpoint of historic character of the building, the HPC has stated that a faCade with windows would be consistent with facades in the area, although the structure design was found "contributing" in either configuration. He added that the city would need to resolve the fair compensation issue. Mr. Finnie stated he can't visualize approving an easement in it will in the future restrict the use of city owned property. Mr. Youse and Mr. Wolcott spoke in favor of a temporary easement. Mr. Lipton requested an improvement in the quality of the maps and drawings provided. Motion: Mr. Garrison moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Tipton/Allen, consistent with legal requirements, allowing a ten foot no build strip along the east ten feet of lot 4 of the original townsite. Mr. Wolcott seconded The motion carried 5-2 by voice vote, with Mr. louse and Mr. Finnie opposed AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR SHORELINE INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS Building & Community Development Director Jeff Randall stated that a Shoreline Management Grant has been received in the amount of $20,000 for assistance in updating the city's Shoreline Master Program. The staff has recommended that a Professional Services Agreement be awarded to Barbara Nightingale dba Biomes for the service. He added that a technical advisory committee has been formed to assist the consultant. Ms. Nightengale was present to talk about Biomes and answer any questions. Public comment None Mr. Wolcott asked whether other entities had been solicited in regard to the contract. City Council Business Meeting Page 7 September 4, 2001 Mr. Randall replied that the firm recommended has already been involved with the Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee. He stated that this gives their group an excellent base of information which would have to be gathered by any other contractor. Motion: Mr. Frank moved to authorize the City Manager to execute a standard professional services agreement with Barbara Nightingale dba Biomes in the amount of $20, O00 for shoreline inventory and analysis pursuant to a Department of Ecology grant for a Shoreline Master Program update. Mr. Finnie seconded The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. MEETING CONTINUED At 10:50 p.m., the meeting was continued to Thursday, September 6, at 5:00 p.m. ATTEST: City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 8 September 4, 2001