HomeMy WebLinkAbout09232002MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2002
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this twenty-third
day of September 2002, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City
Hall, Deputy Mayor Freida Fenn presiding.
ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmembers present at roll call were Freida Fenn, Geoff Masci, Catharine Robinson,
and Michelle Sandoval and Alan Youse. Mr. Finnie and Mr. Kolff were excused. Staff
members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Finance
Director Michael Legarsky, Public Works Director Ken Clow, BCD Director Jeff
Randall, Planner John McDonagh, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Ms. Fenn stated that a general public comment period would be added to the agenda at
the beginning of the meeting.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Dr. Bruce Tapper asked that council address regulations governing home occupied
businesses in 2003.
BUSINESS ITEM
RESOLUTION 02-044
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
GRANTING FINAL PLAT APPROVAL TO THE HENSEL SUBDIVISION,
APPLICATION LUP02-085 SUBJECT TO EXECUTION OF FINAL DOCUMENTS
Planner John McDonagh introduced the resolution. He stated that all conditions of
preliminary approval have been completed with the exception of a few final details which
are expected to be completed in the coming week. He added that approval is a timely
issue since several building permits are pending which can proceed after the recording of
the final plat.
Public comment
Nancy Dorgan: opposed approval of the resolution, stating council should review all
documentation in detail.
Motion: Mr. Masci moved for approval of Resolution 02-044. Mr. I/ouse seconded.
In answer to council questions, Mr. McDonagh stated that everything required by the plat
has been done, and the stormwater system has been built to comply with Department of
Ecology Stormwater Manual guidelines.
Vote: the motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote.
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Mr. Hensel expressed his appreciation to the staff for their assistance during the project.
RECESS
Deputy Mayor Fenn declared a recess at 6:50 so that staff could set up for the workshop
presentation and council members could move to a roundtable format.
RECONVENE
The meeting was reconvened at 6:55 pm
COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES 2003
Mr. Legarsky and Mr. Timmons presented a strategic budget program which the City will
be able to use for various budgeting scenarios. The model shows at this time that the
city financial situation will decline over the next five years without the institution of other
sources of revenue or reduction of expenditures. Mr. Timmons identified partnerships
with other entities (County, Library District, Fire Districts) as potential opportunities for
maintaining service levels within reasonable expenditure levels.
Public comment
Patience Rogge: Jefferson County Rural Library District Board of Trustees. Commented
on the potential combination of city and county libraries; stated that she will not support a
proposal that requires the county district to balance the City of Port Townsend Library on
the backs of their taxpayers.
Nancy Dorgan: asked the council to make the stormwater plan and a street use
agreement mechanism legislative priorities.
Council committee chairs were then asked to summarize the legislative priorities of their
committees.
Catharine Robinson (Finance): strategic budget, information technology, equipment
replacement fund, admissions tax.
Michelle Sandoval (Community Development/Land Use) Affordable Housing Task
Force, staffing for task forces and advisory boards, sign ordinance, Farmer's Market.
Michelle Sandoval (Transportation): parking and street use.
Geoff Masci (General Government): ongoing wastewater projects, stormwater plan,
police personnel, fire department level of service, street funding, water utility, OGWS
maintenance, mapping issues, Gateway improvements; City Hall Annex, parks district,
amendments to the Parks Plan.
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The council then held a roundtable discussion regarding 2003 legislative priorities,
Deputy Mayor Fenn asked for a combination of realistic and wish list items.
Mr. Masci: street fund and equipment rental fund have been identified as major budget
issues; need to make a decision about funding the maintenance and operation for streets.
Mr. Youse expressed concern regarding the impact of all the new projects (Maritime
Center, Annex, Point Hudson) on the downtown area, particularly in regard to parking
and the construction phase.
Ms. Robinson stated that if the Stormwater Plan is not completed this year, it should be a
major priority in 2003.
Ms. Sandoval: concern about general staffing and relation to customer service; would
like staff to guide small business owners and potential business owners through the
process; also staffing for infill, making standards for building consistent and predictable.
She added parking issues, and establishment of a performing arts center for the city.
Ms. Fenn: protection and enhancement of the green belt entry into Port Townsend;
sustainable practices by the city (examples: electric or gas/electric vehicles, green
building codes); design standards for all zoning districts; sign ordinance; staffing to
nurture citizen advisory boards; relation of work plans to staffing; look at revenue
sources including impact fees, admission tax, taxing districts and their long term
consequences and effect to the total tax burden; need to look at all options for increasing
revenue.
Mr. Youse: supported discussion of new sources of revenue; supports design standards,
expressed concern about the Police Dept. budget, number of vehicles and potential for
cost cutting; would like to explore how various services can be done differently to save
money. He added the city should work with Fort Worden and Centrum to develop space
for arts. He stated that tourism must be charged for its impact.
INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Timmons stated that staff is working on a new system of distribution for council
correspondence. He added a suggestion that the council discuss upcoming agenda items
once per quarter so that all members have input into the calendar.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Attest:
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