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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09162002MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2002 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this sixteenth day of September 2002, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Kees Kolff presiding. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmembers present at roll call were Freida Fenn, Kees Kolff, Geoff Masci, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Alan Youse. Mr. Finnie was excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Finance Director Michael Legarsky, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Ms. Sandoval requested that item C on the Consent Agenda (Resolution 02-043 regarding contract for asphalt paving program) be placed under Unfinished Business, Item C Mayor Kolff requested that Unfinished Business Item A (Ordinance 2812 re Bond Financing) be moved to the beginning of the meeting as a courtesy to the attendees who need to return to Seattle this evening. Mr. Masci suggested expediting Item 7 (Public Hearing) since the only action requested was a further postponement. There were no objections Motion: Mr. Masci moved to continue the Murphy Street vacation hearing to the regular meeting of October 21. Mr. Youse seconded. Mayor Kolff asked if there were anyone in attendance who wished to comment on the matter who would not be able to return on October 21. There were none. Vote: The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. (UNFINISHED BUSINESS) ORDINANCE 2812 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF LIMITED TAX GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE CITY IN THE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $3,465,000 TO FINANCE THE RENOVATION OF AN HISTORIC CITY HALL AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW CITY HALL ANNEX, AND VARIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, PROVIDING THE FORM AND TERMS OF THE BONDS AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SUCH BONDS. City Council Business Meeting Page 1 September 16, 2002 Mr. Timmons introduced Ms. Nancy Neraas of Preston/Gates/Ellis, the City's bond counsel, who distributed copies of the final draft of the ordinance. She discussed the key provisions of the document, and commented on the extremely favorable interest rates. As requested, the payments structure has been set up so the city will pay approximately equal payments each year and the city reserves the right to pay off the bond in ten years with no penalty. Jim Nelson, of Martin Nelson & Co., bond underwriters, was also present. He commented on the excellent rating received by the city and the stabilization account. Public Comment: A1 Frank: credited the prior council for the vast improvement in city finances and the excellent financial rating. He asked whether the bond counsel has disclosed to potential investors the city ordinance which limits property tax increases to 1% unless an advisory vote is taken. (Ms. Neraas replied that disclosure has been complete.) Mr. Frank spoke in support of repaying the debt primarily from the general fund with only fair and equitable amounts to be charged to the utility fund. Scott Walker: stated that the annex advisory group is wrestling with the issue of providing all necessary city functions within the limited size of the proposed annex. Motion: Ms. Robinson moved for adoption of Ordinance 2812. Ms. Fenn seconded. Councilors Sandoval, Kolff and Fenn spoke in favor of adoption. Mr. Masci commented that he would prefer devoting all the funding to the building of the annex and letting the citizens vote on the restoration of City Hall. Mr. Youse spoke against the motion, citing his concern about parking downtown and better accessibility in a different location. Ms. Robinson noted that a councilmanic bond of 2.8 million dollars has already been approved by a prior council and is being carried forward in the budget; she added that part of the reason for the city's commitment of funds is to help obtain grant funds for the City Hall restoration and the bulk of the money is earmarked for the annex project. Vote: the motion carried, 5-1, by roll call vote, with Mr. Youse opposed. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Kolff reported that he, Mr. Timmons, and Library Director Linnea Patrick had met with members of the County Library Board and the new County Library Director to begin the discussion of the future relationship between the libraries. City Council Business Meeting Page 2 September 16, 2002 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons announced the City has received its fifth clean audit in a row from the state and has received a letter of commendation from Secretary of State Brian Sonntag. He referred the council to an informational memo referring to several upcoming final plats that will come before the council this year. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (consent and non-agenda items) Virginia Wolf: commented on the number of bicycles and skateboards used on sidewalks; suggested stenciling "no bicycles" and "no skateboards" on sidewalks. She also discussed her concerns with the limited parking available downtown. Scott Walker: stated he has to leave the meeting but wishes to comment on the contract for asphalt paving that was removed from the consent agenda. He characterized the project as a subversion of transportation planning and added that although he was speaking as a citizen and not the chair of the Transportation Advisory Board, he was disappointed one of the paving projects did not come before the TAB. He stated the project has impacts on the Non-motorized plan and is thus a policy issue. He added that since the Transportation Advisory Board was instituted, there has been little staff support and he feels they are moving forward very slowly toward the establishment of a transportation plan. A1 Frank: spoke in opposition to council support for an Earth Charter resolution in conjunction with the upcoming trip to our Japanese sister city. Leola Armstrong: spoke in opposition to an Earth Charter proclamation. Also credited the favorable bond rating and audit report to actions of the prior city council. James Barnett: commented on downtown parking restrictions; stated that it is difficult to live and work downtown because there is no place to leave an automobile parked long term; this discourages people from a lifestyle which depends little on using a car. Nancy Dorgan: commented on the Sims Way sidewalk project, primarily its relation to the existing water walk. She added that she thought the project should come back before City Council before construction begins. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Ms. Robinson moved to approve the following items on the consent agenda. Mr. Masci seconded The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 83211 through 83334 in the amount of 801,752.88 Approval of Minutes City Council Business Meeting Page 3 September 16, 2002 Regular Business Meeting of September 3, 2002 Workshop Session of September 9, 2002 UNFINISHED BUSINESS (CONTINUED) RECONSIDERATON OF SEPTEMER 3 VOTE ON FINANCE/BUDGET COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION REGARDING THE BUDGET Mr. Youse stated he voted on the prevailing side of this issue but has had second thoughts, particularly in regard to providing the council with all departmental requests. He added that the citizens hired a City Manager to run the city and he is concerned that these recommendations would result in the City Council becoming too involved in the administrative operations of the City. Ms. Robinson asked to clarify that Mr. Youse wished to reconsider all three parts of the original motion as one vote and he confirmed this. Public comment: A1 Frank: spoke in support of reversing the vote. Ms. Fenn spoke in favor of the motion standing since the information gives staff a way to inform and influence the council; she added this is helpful background information for the council. Ms. Robinson stated her interest in this information is simply to add to her own education regarding building a budget, not for looking over the City Manager's shoulder. Motion: Mr. ¥ouse moved to reconsider the September 3 vote on the Finance/Budget Committee's recommendation regarding the budget. Mr. Masci spoke in favor of the motion, noting that it would lead to micro-managing by the Council. Mr. Youse stated he has faith in the form of government; that he watched other councils micromanage for many years and found it very unproductive. Vote: the motion failed, 2-4, Masci and Youse in favor. RESOLUTON 02-043 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO AWARD AND EXECUTE THE CONTRACT FOR THE ASPHALT PAVING PROGRAM Mr. Clow commented on the resolution and explained the particular project which prompted citizen comment regarding the contract. He noted that the city administration City Council Business Meeting Page 4 September 16, 2002 felt they could solve stormwater problems as well as neighborhood concerns relayed by the police department about parking near the high school by completing the project this year as funding is available for the project. He stated that the project was not on the original list which was viewed by the Transportation Advisory Board. Motion: Mr. Masci moved for adoption of Resolution 02-043. Mr. Youse seconded. Public comment None Ms. Fenn stated that it would be helpful if the Public Works Department would create a formal checklist for prioritization of street projects. Mayor Kolff added that sometimes in trying to be efficient, a step of public process is missed. Vote: the motion carried, 5-1, with Ms. Sandoval opposed. RECESS A recess was called at 8:15 for the purpose of a break. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 8:25. NEW BUSINESS WORKSHOP - TELECOMMUNICATIONS Ned Schumann and Mark Rose each presented basic information on telecommunications issues and the pros and cons of a municipality acting as distributor of this service. Public comment Virginia Wolf: commended the presentation. Don Fristoe: cautioned the need to balance needs and costs of systems. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Attest: City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 5 September 16, 2002