Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01222002CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF JANUARY 22, 2002 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this twenty-second day of January, 2002, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City Hall, Councilmember Kees Kolff presiding. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmembers present at roll call were Joe Finnie, Freida Fenn, Kees Kolff, Geoff Masci, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, 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. ELECTION OF OFFICERS City Clerk Pam Kolacy noted that the election conducted for Mayor and Deputy Mayor at the January 7 meeting was invalid because the votes had been by secret ballot. She added that the council had voted to allow Councilmember Kolffto chair the study session on January 14 and to open tonight's meeting. Mr. Kolff noted that he had requested that his pay for the period be changed to the council member rate rather than the mayor rate since the election was void. The floor was then opened to nominations. Ms. Fenn nominated Kees Kolff. There were no further nominations. The written ballot showed a majority of five members in favor of Kees Kolf, with Mr. Masci and Mr. Youse opposed. Kees Kolffwas declared Mayor. Mayor Kolff then opened the floor for nominations for the position of Deputy Mayor. Ms. Sandoval nominated Freida Fenn. There were no further nominations. The written ballots showed five votes in favor of Freida Fenn with Mr. Masci and Mr. Youse opposed. Ms. Fenn was declared Deputy Mayor CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mr. Finnie requested that the appointments to the Joint Growth Management Steering Committee under Presiding Officer's Report be moved to New Business. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Kolff stated that an executive session regarding potential litigation was scheduled for this evening. City Council Meeting Page 1 January 22, 2002 Mayor Kolff then read the following proclamations: Honoring former City Administrator Michael Hildt Recognizing School Board Appreciation Month Recognizing Volunteer Day A draft letter was presented to the council for consensus approval. The letter is addressed to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners under Mayor Kolff's signature and expresses the city's appreciation to the BOCC for agreeing to discuss and negotiate the terms of an interlocal agreement on Major Industrial Development siting and permitting at the Joint Growth Management Steering Committee meeting on February 6. Consensus of the council was to approve the letter. Mr. Finnie disclosed a telephone conversation with Commissioner Dan Titterness in regard to the MID issue. Mayor Kolff then noted that a draft of interagency committee assignments had been distributed to each councilor. He stated that all requests could not be accommodated because of some duplicate requests. A special meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m, prior to the joint Council/Planning Commission Workshop on January 31 to finalize and confirm some assignments and particularly to address some appointments which are time sensitive, for example the Economic Development Council which meets Feb. 1. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons introduced Police Chief Kristen Anderson. Chief Anderson introduced three new Reserve Officers. She commended Officer Michael Evans for his work in organizing and supervising the Reserve Academy. Chief Anderson also announced that Sgt. Conner Daily has been promoted to Assistant Police Chief. Mr. Timmons stated that he has authorized the Public Works Department to advertise for an employee to fill the vacant GIS Technician position. This recruitment will establish a list of potential candidates in anticipation of coming forward for council approval of the position. Mr. Timmons noted that the group Common Ground is developing a forum regarding affordable housing which will probably be an all day event on a Saturday in late March or early April. Any councilors who are interested in the project should notifiy the City Manager and materials will be distributed as received from the organization. A work session on the YMCA/Recreation issue will probably be scheduled during the first quarter of 2001. Mr. Timmons noted that there has apparently been quite a lot of anxiety in regard to the future use of the Community Center. He added that there has been no discussion at City Council Meeting Page 2 January 22, 2002 any time in regard to discontinuing or threatening the current senior programs at their existing location. An update on grant funding was presented. An original grant request for urban wildlife corridor property acquisition will probably be forthcoming from the state based on prior year's application. The amount is anticipated to be about $100,000 which could be used to fund acquisition of property deemed an urban wildlife corridor. The award will require a 50% match but the Levinski property acquisition may qualify as a local matching share. The Maritime Center has received a grant of over $300,000 for acquisition and clean up of property. The matching funding will come from the Center, making this a pass through grant for the City. Mr. Timmons also noted he will be attending a technical meeting regarding Hood Canal Bridge closure options and that office space within the administrative space at the Waterman & Katz Building is being arranged to accommodate a full time volunteer coordinator for the community. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (Consent agenda and items not on agenda) Karen Gates Hildt: thanked the council for honoring Michael Hildt. Ms. Hildt then introduced Dr. Tom Keegan, the new president of Peninsula College. Dr. Keegan then said a few words on behalf of Peninsula College and expressed his enthusiasm for his new position. Nancy Dorgan: regarding expanding the size of the Planning Commission, thinks the Commission has a big job and more hands to carry the load will be good. She said she would like evidence supporting Mr. Masci's statement that the five-year review is not considered compulsory by the state under GMA. She added that if the update work is not done it will simply postpone the inevitable. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Ms. Fenn moved for adoption of the following items on the Consent Agenda. Ms. Robinson seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 79502 through 79651 in the amount of $627,265.51 Approval of Minutes: Business Meeting of January 7, 2002 Retreat of January 12, 2002 City Council Meeting Page 3 danuary 22, 2002 Action: Authorization for the City Manager to sign a Professional Services Agreement with Montgomery Watson Harza for conducting the Forest Service Special Use Permit renewal environmental assessment. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 35TM STREET PARK- COUNTY REQUEST THAT CITY DEED PROPERTY TO THE COUNTY Mr. Timmons gave an overview of the issue. Ms. Fenn asked why the project was never done completed even though it was funded. Mr. Timmons replied that there was a direct correlation with revenues lost from the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax when 1-695 was passed. He added that there are still some unresolved issues with the neighborhood as well as the projected amount of infrastructure needed to actually begin development. Ms. Sandoval asked about the legal issue involved. Mr. Watts answered that the county has asserted its position but he will be doing further research and advising the council of that outcome. Public Comment Jane Landstra: resident of 35th Street. Believes rental units would be inconsistent with need for park lands; the area is too rural to plop down 130 people there. Stated she would be willing to work with a committee to find a better place to locate low income housing. She suggested the city provide funding to create open space or modified open space. Louis Hoffer: lives close to the property and noted that most people in the neighborhood do not want either a paved over park or a housing project. Because there is no infrastructure, particularly developed streets, it will be difficult for people to get in and out. He also addressed issues of sewer, water pressure, drainage and wetlands. He objected to a low income "enclave" and stated it would be like any other city project and become a blight to be torn down and put up again. He said he would prefer to have low income housing distributed through the community. Instead of low income housing, he suggested a botanical park perhaps with the assistance of master gardeners. He stated that the county should not "bully" the city. Chuck Henry: lives near the park and member of the Dundee Hill Association. He expressed increasing concern about the impact on the area systems that were learned during the numerous engineering studies. The formerly proposed sports park would heavily impact runoff, drainage, etc, and increased traffic in the neighborhood. If the sports park was pushing the limits of capability for the property, a housing project would do so even more. He added his great respect City Council Meeting Page 4 January 22, 2002 for John Estes and the Housing Authority and again noted that his concem was with engineering impacts, not sharing the neighborhood with low income housing. Nancy Dorgan: stated her wish to remind the council that this is not an issue that can be dealt with in February or March because the 35th Street Park is part of the Comprehensive Plan and therefore subject to Comprehensive Plan review. She added that the Capital Facilities Plan calls for development of a park. She also stated there are many sources of possible funding including impact fees, voluntary contributions, and REET. Robert Greenway: owns several blocks contiguous with park. He stated he had previously offered to donate a ten-foot strip of his property for drainage for a park and indicated that Mr. Walter Addy has also made that offer. He invited council to tour the property and supported remanding the issue to the Park and Recreation Advisory Board and the Planning Commission. He added his list of considerations: 1) planning must be connected with the Dundee Hill community; 2) what was the county after when it transferred the property to the city in the first place; 3) why is the county pushing for low income housing complex in a quiet comer of the community; 4) where do the neighbors stand. He stated the bottom line is to assess the appropriateness of the property for any development and assess the need for low income housing on a systematic basis. He asked that the council be creative in its deliberations. John Estes: Executive Director of the Jefferson County Housing Authority. Stated he would really like the city to consider the county's request for a quit claim deed. He sees 35th Street Park as key to the long term growth in affordable housing in the city. He added that the Housing Authority is applying for funds from various sources to develop the area. He briefly described the proposed development as 27 stand-alone units providing affordable housing for working families, to include preservation of wetlands, a buffer area, cottage style units with from 2 - 4 bedrooms with large open areas and a community park and community center which would be available to all citizens of the area. He offered the council the opportunity to speak with him individually or as a group and said he would be happy to meet with the Park and Recreation Advisory Board and the Planning Commission to discuss the project. Lockwood Dennis: said it would be a shame to force this onto the community unless the people living there can contribute to the process. Motion: Ms. Robinson moved to direct the City Manager to review Jefferson County's requests to deed title to the 35th Street property back to the county and to amend the city's Comprehensive Plan to allow the property to be rezoned to the land use designation that existed prior to city ownership to the Park and Recreation Advisory Board and the Planning Commission and report back to the Council in February for further discussion and action. Mr. Finnie seconded. Ms. Robinson then noted that she believes it is important to receive community input both at large and from the neighborhood. City Council Meeting Page 5 January 22, 2002 Ms. Fenn noted she visited the site yesterday. She suggested that in addition to review by the Park and Recreation Advisory Board and the Planning Commission, it would be appropriate to come before the council's Community Development and Land Use Committee. Mr. Masci asked that the two issues (quite claim deed and rezoning) be segregated and requested more information from the Housing Authority and a time line presentation from parties involved. Mr. Finnie encouraged an educational workshop for the various groups including Planning Commission, Park & Recreation Advisory Board, Dundee Hill neighbors, and City Council. Ms. Robinson asked about the availability of the engineering and other studies done to date on the property. Mr. Timmons replied that they are available in the Public Works Department. Mr. Timmons noted that there are several separate issues including 1) is the City prepared to quit claim; 2) what Comprehensive Plan issues are raised that would be necessary to accommodate the change in use and could this be done during this year's process; 3) long term issues of the neighborhood association. Vote: the motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE: STANDING COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS Mr. Watts presented the proposed change to the council rules. The amendment is one proposal brought forward at the January 12 council retreat/advance and the January 14 study session. The proposal is to generally follow Olympia's model and have three council standing committees: Finance and Budget, Community Development and Land Use, and General Government. Public comment None Motion: Ms. Fenn moved to amend Council Rules of Procedure by adopting Exhibit E as shown in the attachment. Ms. Sandoval seconded Amendment: Mr. Masci proposed to amend Exhibit E by changing the General Government Mission Statement to read "to be developed by committee, and approved by City Council. Generally, the Committee would be entrusted with the responsibility of advising and making recommendations to the City Council on matters relating to Public Works, Public Sqfety and General Government Matters. Reference to "Capital Facilities" would be removed. After discussion of where Transportation issues would reside, it was agreed that there may be a need for a fourth committee if the mission statements crafted for the proposed committees do not include transportation issues. City Council Meeting Page 6 danuary 22, 2002 The amendment was accepted as a friendly amendment by the maker and seconder of the motion. Vote: The motion as amended carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. RECESS At 8:30, Mayor Kolff recessed the meeting to allow a break. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 8:40 p.m. Ms. Fenn suggested that the council come to consensus regarding the appointments proposed by Mayor Kolff to the newly adopted council standing committees. The appointments proposed: Community Development and Land Use: Fenn, Kolff, Sandoval Finance: Robinson, Finnie, Fenn General Government: Masci, Youse, Kolff Mayor Kolff asked whether there were objections to the appointments or further discussion necessary. There were no objections and the appointments were made. APPOINTMENTS TO JOINT GROWTH MANAGEMENT STEERING COMMITTEE At this point Mayor Kolffrecommended an adjustment to the agenda due to the lateness of the hour and the upcoming executive session. He noted that the appointments are time sensitive as a Steering Committee meeting has already been rescheduled and preparation is necessary on the part of the committee appointees. He stated he has recommended that the representatives to the JGMSC be Kolff, Fenn, and Sandoval. Mr. Masci noted he would prefer to maintain a sitting member for continuity and historic memory and suggested that Mr. Finnie be appointed. Ms. Fenn replied that she would recommend the JGMSC representatives be the same councilors who comprise the Community Development Committee. She added that the proposed appointees had extensive experience with city and county land use issues. Ms. Sandoval suggested that Mr. Finnie be available for the discussions regarding the interlocal agreement with the county regarding Major Industrial Developments. Mayor Kolff asked for consensus on the proposed appointments and there were no objections, so the appointments stand. City Council Meeting Page 7 January 22, 2002 Motion: Mr. Youse moved to task the representatives to the doint Growth Management Steering Committee to work with staff on the MID interlocal agreement and report back to the council as appropriate. Mr. Masci seconded The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Mr. Youse was asked for his recommendations regarding the prioritizing of advisory committees from the retreat/advance. He noted his preferences as Parking, Merchants AdviSory and Impact Fees. Motion: Mr. Finnie moved to direct staff to draft resolutions forming the top prioritized citizen advisory boards (Impact Fees, Parking Subcommittee, Community Reinvestment and Merchant's Advisory) for discussion at the next business meeting on February 4. Ms. Sandoval seconded The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. The rest of the discussion regarding retreat/advance priorities was postponed. Mr. Timmons noted he has broken down the legislative work plan into quarters and the results will remain posted in the City Council Chambers. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 9:15, the council adjourned to executive session to discuss potential litigation. Mayor Kolff stated the session was expected to last approximately 30 minutes and that no action was anticipated following the session. At this time Mr. Youse noted he would not attend the meeting scheduled for January 31 due to work training and Mr. Masci stated he would not attend the January 28th meeting because of a prior commitment. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 9:41 p.m. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 9:42 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Meeting Page 8 January 22, 2002