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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08202001CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF AUGUST 20, 2001 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this twentieth day of August, 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, and Alan Youse. Bill Wolcott was excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Building & Community Development Director Jeff Randall, Assistant Planner Jean Walat, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy CHANGESTOTHEAGENDA Mr. Frank requested that a discussion of the use of advisory ballots be added to the agenda as item "A" under New Business. Mr. Youse requested that item 8(F) regarding horse taxi licensing be removed from the consent agenda for discussion as the first item trader unfinished business. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Masci read a Proclamation designating the first week in September as "Wooden Boat Week." Chris Kluck, Chair of the Wooden Boat Foundation responded. Mr. Masci requested that meeting attendees refrain from using cell phones and laptop computers during council meetings to minimize disruptions to the audience. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Tmmons reported that the Finance Department is working with a very minimal staff due to two recent resignations. The positions of Utility Billing Clerk and Payroll Clerk will be reevaluated as part of the budget process. The Fire Chief has reported that it is possible a request may come in from eastern Washington asking for assistance in fighting the forest fires there. The Port Townsend Fire Department will respond only if their assistance is requested. Mr. Timmons has begun meeting with staff about budget requests for 2002; notices have gone out to the non-profit agencies asking that they submit their requests by mid- September City Council Business Meeting Page 1 August 20, 2001 A monthly newsletter flyer will be included with utility bills each month as well as being posted on the web site. The Tri-Area Reservoir is completed and the project was done with only one change order. The Gaines Street Pump Station is coming on line. PUBLIC COMMENT ( consent agenda and items not on the agenda) Nancy Dorgan: noted that the due diligence period has ended for the water swap. In reference to the three street vacation hearings on the consent agenda, she requested that council seek advice of the Non-Motorized Transportation Committee and include their recommendations during the public hearing process in September. She also proposed a moratorium on street vacations until the council has reviewed the "green streets" ordinance which was drafted by the Non-Motorized Committee. She commented that in the meantime a home business ordinance has been steaming along through the process on the personal request of the mayor; she said that this issue should have gone through the Community Development Committee before staff was tasked to draft an ordinance. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Mr. Frank moved for approval of the following items on the consent agenda. Mr. Lipton seconded The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 77425 through and 77614 in the amount of $389,955.62. Approval of Minutes Business Meeting of August 6, 2001 Special Session of August 13, 2001 Workshop Session of August 13,2001 Approval of Resolutions Resolution 01-033, setting open-record public hearing date of Sept. 24, 2001, for Street Vacation Application #LUP01-053 (Kossow) Resolution 01-034, setting open-record public hearing date of Sept.24, 2001, for Street Vacation Application #LUP01-026 (American Redicorp, Inc.) Resolution 01-035, setting open-record public hearing date of Sept. 24, 2001, for Street Vacation Application #LUP01-076 (Sunwest Management) City Council Business Meeting Page 2 August 20, 2001 UNFINISHED BUSINESS RESOLUTION 01-036 A RESOLUTION FO THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND APPROVING A HORSE TAXI PERMIT AND TWO (2) HORSE TAXI DRIVER LICENSES Jean Walat, Assistant Planner, was present to answer questions about the staff recommendation. She noted that the route presented in the packet has been revised and the horse taxi will not be traveling on Blaine Street. The taxi will either go up and back on Van Buren or use Pierce Street. Public Comment None Ms. Walat answered several questions regarding parking accommodations (proponents have discussed with Main Street and other businesses and have reported favorable comments); and safety gear on the vehicle (police will inspect the taxi and are able to pull over the vehicle and enforce correction of any safety gear which is not functioning.) Motion: Mr. Lipton moved to approve the horse taxi application and two horse taxi driver's license applications with conditions as stated in the staff report dated August !5, 2001. Mr. Frank seconded. The motion carried 5-0, with Mr. Garrison abstaining. ORDINANCE 2774 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING SECTIONS 13.05.030 AND 13.05.040 OF THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE, MONTHLY WATER AND SEWER RATES Mr. Timmons noted the ordinance was presented at the last regular council meeting and staff was asked to change and clarify the ordinance language. He then stated that he has concerns about implementing the system without organization support, in light of the recent resignations in the Finance Department. Although the water department may still find the staffing change beneficial, customer service may suffer because of the lack of staff in the Finance Department. He asked the council to consider postponing action until the staff is back at full strength and until the Tri-Area water transaction and the solid waste contract are complete as both of those projects will affect the work load of the department. About 1500 accounts will be transferred to the PUD from the city with the Tri-Area water system transfer and the solid waste contractor will be taking over billing for garbage. Public comment None City Council Business Meeting Page 3 August 20, 2001 Discussion ensued regarding the upcoming change in the state regulations regarding metering and reporting of water consumption. Mr. Timmons noted that the push from the state level is toward more frequent rather than less frequent readings. He added that a hearing will be held in Sequim on September 17 which he, and other staff members and Mr. Lipton plan to attend. It is hoped that the state will provide some funding for whatever mandate they establish. Motion: Mr. Finnie moved to postpone action on the ordinance for sixty days. Mr. Garrison seconded The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. ORDINANCE 2775 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, AMENDING CHAPTER 2.60 OF THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE, MODIFYING PROVISIONS RELATED TO SICK LEAVE ALLOWANCE AND MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES Mr. Youse recused himself from the proceedings because of his wife's employment relationship with the city. Mr. Timmons presented the ordinance, noting that it was introduced at the last business meeting. The ordinance would authorize the City Manager to review options for a benefit package for non-bargaining unit employees which would address the inequities currently in existence between them and union employees. Public Comment None Motion: Mr. Finnie moved for adoption of ordinance 2775. Mr. Garrison secohded. The motion carried 4-1 by roll call vote, with Mr. Frank opposed. RESOLUTION 01-037 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND DIRECTING STAFF TO SUSPEND ENFORCEMENT OF TIME LIMITS AT RV PARKS Mr. Watts provided a corrected version of the resolution and noted the one in the packet has a few typographical errors. He noted that at the August 6 council meeting the council approved a motion to suspend the 180 day time limit on recreation vehicles, and directed staff to review the issue of location of RV vehicles and parks in the city. The proposed resolution confirms and documents council action to direct staff to suspend enforcement of the 180 day time limit provision pending review of zoning and development regulations of recreational vehicles and parks within the city. City Council Business Meeting Page 4 August 20, 2001 Motion: Mr. Garrison moved for adoption of Resolution 01-037. Mr. Lipton seconded. The motion carried by voice vote, 5-1, with Mr: Frank opposed ADVISORY BALLOTS - DISCUSSION Mr. Frank initiated a discussion of the possible use of advisory ballots in the upcoming general election. He stated that with so many issues on the ballot, the cost would be minimal ($1,000 - $1,500 per item) per his disCussion with the County Auditor. Mr. Finnie suggested that the Community Development Committee be tasked to bring up potential items for discussion by the council. Mr. Youse supported the idea of remanding it to committee. Public comment Freida Fenn: noted that if an advisory vote is planned, the best way to get the public involved is to have a "seasoning" process, with months of various forms of dialogue to precede the decision. Examples are town meetings, panel presentations, perspective pieces in newspapers. She stated it is a major task to bring the public along far enough so that when you ask a complex question there is enough complex information provided. She stated her belief that there are major issues to be addressed, but there has not been the kind of public process and dialogue necessary to initiate an advisory ballot measure. Lyn Hersey: supports the idea of advisory ballots, but from a gut wrench ideology; people who don't have time to go to all the meetings are not going to take the time to research a ballot issue. She stated it should be simplistic and get to the base level of asking a simple question. She added that an alternative to the advisory ballot would be to design a questionnaire which could go out to citizens in their utility bills; the staff work load could be cut by having an advisory committee tabulate the results. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 5 August 20, 2001