HomeMy WebLinkAbout07012002CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF JULY 1, 2002
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this first day of
July, 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, and Alan Youse. Joe Finnie and Michelle Sandoval arrived late.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts,
Public Works Director Ken Clow, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Mayor Kolff suggested that new business item 9(A), Resolution 02-031 regarding a
Northwest Maritime Center grant be moved to the consent agenda. After inquiring
whether there would be public comment and finding none, the item was moved.
Mr. Masci reported that Mr. Finnie, who will arrive late, requested that discussion of the
Glen Cove LAMIRD be taken up after the discussion of the capital construction bond
under Unfinished Business. There was no objection.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
Mayor Kolff commended Mr. Finnie for his leadership on the Higher Education
Coordinating Committee. He noted that at the Regional Intergovernmental Officials
meeting, Mr. Finnie had asked that each entity appoint a representative to the committee.
He has proposed that Catharine Robinson represent the Council.
Consensus: appoint Catharine Robinson as the Council's representative to the Higher
Education Coordinating Committee.
The mayor then thanked Public Works representatives Ken Clow, Bob LaCroix and Ian
Jablonski for the excellent tour of the city's water system attended by several council
members.
Another issue discussed at the regional elected officials meeting was the county's process
for designating industrial land banks.
Consensus: county industrial land bank issue will be referred to the Community
Development/Land Use Committee as a work plan item.
City Council Business Meeting Page 1 July 1, 2002
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Timmons apologized for the staff oversight which resulted in the lack of public
notice for the June 24 negotiating team meeting.
Mr. Timmons announced that PTTV will offer two channels at the beginning of August
so that governmental and educational programming will be on one channel and public
programming will have its own channel.
Mr. Timmons updated the council on the contract for the new dispatch center which will
be separate from the Sheriff's office; a final version should be done by the end of July.
Ms. Sandoval arrived at 6:45 p.m.
Mr. Timmons noted that the General Government Committee met and will suggest any
revisions to the wastewater plan to bring forward for final approval by the city council.
An ad hoc group studying traffic calming has been assigned to develop a response plan
for neighborhood traffic calming concerns.
Ms. Timmons also distributed information about the Northwest Canoe Journey. Port
Townsend is the only non-tribal host site this year. About 400 tribe members in 15
canoes will arrive at the Northwest Maritime Center Landing on July 29 around 3 p.m.
He asked that all Council members plan to be on hand that afternoon for the arrival and
that more information will be forthcoming.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (consent and non-agenda items)
Ted Shoulberg: asked how the 2003 budget will show the loss of income due to the sale
of the Tri Area water system..
(Mr. Timmons will provide answers).
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion: Mr. Masci moved to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda. Ms.
Robinson seconded The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote.
Approval Of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Vouchers82041 through 82181 and 82189 through 82191 and 82009 through 82384 in
the amount of $704,836.08
Approval of Minutes
Minutes: Regular Session of June 17, 2002
Approval of Resolutions
City Council Business Meeting Page 2 July 1, 2002
RESOLUTION 02-030
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND,
WASHINGTON, AUTHORITING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT WITH JEFFERSON COUNTY TO PROVIDE THE CITY WITH
STREET REPAIR SERVICES
RESOLUTION 02-031
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO MAKE FORMAL
APPLICATION TO THE WASHINGTON WILDLIFE AND RECREATION
PROGRAM (WWRP) PROJECT TO THE INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE FOR
OUTDOOR RECREATION (IAC) AS PROVIDED IN CHAPTER 79A. 15 RCW,
ACQUISITION OF HABITAT CONSERVATION AND OUTDOOR RECREATION
LANDS, FOR THE NORTHWEST MARITIME CENTER
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Cingular Telecommunications Wireless Lease
Mr. Youse recused himself because of his employment with Qwest.
Mr. Watts introduced the item, stating that the matter had come before the Council on
June 17 and action was postponed at that time until July 1. He presented additional
information about how the lease rate was set: he stated that further research has been
done which shows that in comparison to other similar leases in the area, the proposed
rate is well within and may be somewhat above the market average. Another question
which came up at the June 17 meeting related to the term of the VoiceStream lease: the
lease term began in November 1999, and is a five-year lease with one-year extension and
agreement, without obligation, to negotiate additional extensions.
Public Comment
Ted Shoulberg asked how the lease rate was determined, if it is industry standard, and
how long the negotiations took.
Mr. Watts repeated that the lease rate was proposed by Cingular, then researched by the
City and compared to other current or pending agreements which show that the rate is
equal to or better than the comparison leases. He noted that the definition of industry
standard depends on where the company seeks to locate a pole, and the rates would
obviously be different in the I-5 corridor than the Olympic Peninsula.
Motion: Mr. Masci moved to authorize the City Manager to execute a lease with
Cingular Wireless for a ground lease and co-location of antennas at the City reservoir
City Council Business Meeting Page 3 July 1, 2002
site near Hastings Street for a term not to exceed the term of the VoiceStream lease, at a
rent of $6OO per month with cost of living, and other standard lease terms. Ms. Sandoval
seconded The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote (Mr. Youse recused).
Mr. Youse returned to the Chambers.
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 $2,865,000 TO FINANCE THE ACQUISITION AND RENOVATION
OF A NEW CITY HALL AND VARIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS;
PROVIDING THE FORM AND TERMS OF THE BONDS; AND AUTHORIZING
THE SALE OF SUCH BONDS
Mr. Timmons noted that the FY 2002 budget contains a proposed bond to fund
completion of the proposed city hall annex which will replace the current leased space in
the Waterman & Katz Building. The next phase will begin with the approval of financing
terms as programmed in the 2002 budget; this action consists of the adoption of an
ordinance issuing bonds in the name of the City. He added that the ordinance is
proposed for first reading only.
Mr. Timmons added that the Finance and Budget committee met with the Facilities
Committee of the Jefferson County Historical Society (JCHS) to discuss coordination of
plans and financing for the restoration of City Hall. There was general agreement that the
Council may choose to include a portion of the initial cost of the restoration project (up to
or through production of construction documents) as well as project management in the
bond issue currently under consideration. Estimate for this portion of $600,000. The
total of approximately 3.4 million dollars would be within the range of debt the City can
incur without additional revenue sources.
Mr. Timmons added that the City will take a hard look at the final design to determine the
level of service which will be feasible. Seismic retrofitting can be very invasive to the
look of the building. A low occupancy will provide less invasive seismic measures.
Mr. Timmons stated that a citizen committee has spent several hours discussing the annex
project. Consensus was that they did not like the parking lot but they were very receptive
to the more spacious entry way and increase in public spaces within the building.
Public comment
Ted Shoulberg spoke in support of restoring City Hall as the seat of government. He
stated that the move to Waterman & Katz allowed the restoration of that historic building
but that the rental market has changed for large commercial space downtown. He
suggested the City renegotiate for a lower lease payment rather than constructing a new
building.
City Council Business Meeting Page 4 July 1, 2002
Ms. Sandoval stated that construction of a new annex will give the city an asset; the
annex will be part of a revitalization of this section of town. She stated that returning city
offices to City Hall would probably destroy the beauty of the building because of the full
seismic load and that the full seismic retrofit would add considerably to the cost of the
restoration. She also favored joint management of the annex and City Hall projects.
Ms. Fenn stated that acquiring an asset for the same amount of money we are now paying
in lease payments makes fiscal sense. She supported the projects being linked. She noted
the Finance/Budget Committee will be meeting and focusing on the subject July 10. She
added that the fagade design is being carefully researched by the architects.
She also noted that the references in the ordinance incorrectly refer to "acquisition and
renovation of a new city hall" rather than "construction of a new city hall annex" and
possibly "renovate our historic city hall."
Mr. Finnie arrived at 7:35 p.m.
Mr. Masci requested an accounting from JCHS for the $92,000 already provided to them
by the city.
Mr. Timmons referred to the feasibility study and noted that the total cost for City Hall
has changed over the months. He added that the $92,000 funded the feasibility study,
fund raising analysis and report.
Mr. Youse stated that he favors a vote of the people for approving a level of financing for
the City Hall restoration.
Mr. Finnie stated it is important to maintain City Hall as a city asset. He added that the
museum's ability to get funding depends on the city's willingness to support the project
with funding as well. He stated that the Finance/Budget Committee is probably going to
recommend a councilmanic bond combining the cost of the annex and the cost of taking
the City Hall project through the construction document phase. The City's contribution
to the remainder of City Hall funding would come from a proposal for a general
obligation bond of about 2.1 million; this would allow the community to decide if they
wish to support the project.
Ms. Robinson stated the numbers are daunting but in principle agrees that both the annex
and City Hall are assets of the city; the debt will continue for 20 years, but elected
officials need to be thinking about a time period longer than that and that is where the
restoration or preservation of City Hall comes in. She added that the projects of
preserving and of restoring City Hall are different; she supports preservation and would
love to restore the building but funding is definitely a challenge, particularly the funding
after project management and construction documents.
Mr. Kolff expressed his support for the annex project and some sort of restoration to
preserve City Hall. He added he has examined the feasibility study and does not exactly
City Council Business Meeting Page 5 July 1, 2002
understand what the city will get for $600,000. He stated the project has three potential
areas: 1) preservation; 2) seismic (depending on use); 3) restoration of the building.
Each may be done to varying degrees. He stated he doesn't think we have adequately
looked at the options. Some of the items in the report may not be necessary for the use
and preservation of City Hall. He believes that the City, as owner, needs to take full
control over fund raising, planning and management of the restoration rather than trying
to track the progress of JCHS. He asked that the City Manager prepare as soon as
possible an outline of the 5.3 million dollar City Hall project and see how much of that
money fits into each of the different categories. He also requested an accounting for the
original $92,000 paid to JCHS and asked for specifics on what we would get for the
$600,000 if added to the bond.
Mr. Masci requested a copy of the JCHS feasibility study. Ms. Fenn requested that a
copy be placed in the council office at City Hall.
Mr. Finnie asked that the JCHS committee assist the City Manager in interpreting the
feasibility study. Ms. Fenn said she has already made that request.
Motion: Ms. Fenn moved for the first reading of Ordinance 2812. Ms. Robinson
seconded The motion carried by voice vote, 6-1, with Mr. Masci opposed
Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved to direct the City Manager to explore the possibility of
adding a figure of $600, 000 to the councilmanic bond in order to proceed with the City
Hall project in a manner to be determined later and pursuant to correction in the
language of the ordinance to substitute 'renovate our historic City Hall and build a new
City Hall annex" for "acquisition and renovation of a new city hall." Ms. Robinson
seconded The motion carried 5-2, by voice vote, with Mr. Masci and Mr. Youse
opposed
RECESS
At 8:15 p.m., Mayor Kolff called for a recess for the purpose of a break and informal
reception celebrating the beginning of the second half of the year. He thanked
councilors, staff and citizens and invited them to join the council for refreshments.
RECONVENE
The meeting was reconvened at 8:30 p.m.
GLEN COVE LAMIRD
Mr. Watts stated that a letter to the County Planning Commission regarding the Glen
Cove UDC amendments has been drafted by the negotiating team and is before Council
for discussion and possible action. He distributed a draft which corrected two
typographical errors from the original. He added that because the Planning Commission
City Council Business Meeting Page 6 July 1, 2002
will not take action on a recommendation until at least Julyl 0, the Council may schedule
further discussions and take action on July 8.
Ms. Robinson corrected an error on page 3 of the letter to the Planning Commission; to
insert "not" in the third line from the bottom of #5: "GMA does to not require this
analysis .... "
Public Comment
Janet Welch spoke in support of the effort to get the county to agree to a whole package;
expressed concern that there are no assurances that this will be the final agreement which
will remain unchanged by further agreements in the coming years. She does not trust any
decision to provide certainty. She added she would like to have a vote of the people.
Eric Frederickson distributed written comments. Stated he owns Frederickson Electric in
Glen Cove and the property on which his business operates has been excluded from the
LAMIRD boundary. He stated his understanding that this is a county issue but hopes that
the council and commissioners will come to agreement. He said he bought the property
when it was commercially zoned and it has been included in the commercial zone up
until the most recent mapping. This time his piece was cut out but other parcels which
have no infrastructure were placed within the boundary. He stated that the company may
have provided such an effective buffer that no one realizes it is there. The exclusion of
his property is not logical and not right; he asked that discussion be generated regarding
the line adjustment.
Jim Garrett stated he owns property inside the existing Glen Cove tight boundary. He
spoke in support of the Glen Cove expansion and said that currently several businesses
are operating in grandfathered status on currently residential-zoned lots. This means they
cannot respond to their success by expanding. He said he know of at least four existing
businesses in the area that own Glen Cove properties, two of which will build
immediately if the LAMIRD is expanded. He added that all have streets and water
adjacent. He said he supports some of the UDC changes suggested, particularly
regarding buffers. He also said that if only residential development were allowed it
would result in a tract development with perhaps a greater demand for infrastructure and
services because of the density which would occur.
Mr. Masci stated he does not endorse the position set forth in the draft letter and believes
the matter should rest solely with the Board of County Commissioners. He listed other
points of disagreement in the letter:
Cannot support that County staff UDC proposal would not be GMA compliant if adopted.
Does not believe a fiscal analysis is important from the City's perspective
The boundary should not be linked to the other issues: Nielsen's other opinions are
simply opinions until the court decides.
Characterization of the Community Workshop is not valid: everyone who was there
thought their own point of view was validated.
City Council Business Meeting Page 7 July 1, 2002
Opposes the establishment of the boundaries as "final."
Believe LAMIRD is inconsistent with GMA
Believes we are overstepping our position, would like to back off and stop dictating to the
county.
Ms. Fenn stated that people are weary of the lack of certainly about zoning in Glen Cove
and property owners want conclusions; she added it is a waste of taxpayer money trying
to do things in Glen Cove that are against state law. She stated that legal resolution is the
key and agreed that the City is advising the Commissioners and the decision is theirs.
Miss Sandoval stated that this won't make everyone happy but encouraged an agreement
that would allow expansion of boundaries to accommodate more light industrial land.
She is in favor of a city/county compromise which will provide some level of security for
potential business owners.
Mr. Finnie stated that he believes the city does not have standing in the issue. He said we
are in an "ask, not tell" situation with the county. He said that he has viewed the tape of
the town meeting and saw a frustration with the process and a wish to put the process
behind us. He cautioned about the effect on city resources which would result from a
challenge to the Growth Management Hearings board. He said he cannot support the
letter unless the language is changed to say the city acknowledges this is a right of the
county, we are asking not telling and the view is from a majority of the council rather
than the entire council.
Ms. Robinson asked for clarification on the standing issue; she asked if the council can
send a comment letter to the County Planning Commission before the comment period
ends. (Mr. Watts confirmed). She added that she can support the letters with the changes
suggested by Mr. Finnie.
She stated her particular concern that the regular Comprehensive Plan Amendment
process be followed rather than the fast track. She questions the legality of that process
and noted that a fast track process is more likely to result in mistakes.
Mr. Finnie apologized for not disclosing previously that he and Mr. Frederickson have a
strategic alliance as Mr. Frederickson is a principle supplier of his company.
Mr. Youse agreed that the city should try to influence the county on behalf of the
business owners of Glen Cove.
Mr. Kolff stated that he believes the council has the right and responsibility to comment
on what they feel is in the best interests of the citizens of Port Townsend. He also has
faith that the BOCC is doing what they think is in the best interests of their citizens.
Sometimes the two interests will conflict. He added that he does not think it is an
accident that Mr. Nielson included so many other parameters in his report because the
LAMIRD process and boundary is tenuous; he was doing the citizens a favor by showing
City Council Business Meeting Page 8 July 1, 2002
the way to get a viable LAMIRD that would have a greater likelihood of withstanding a
challenge to the Hearings Board.
He stated testimony from business owners has shown that the economics of the county
would be better served if we could redefine the logical outer boundary and exchange
undeveloped parcels for parcels currently supporting businesses.
He asked that all members consider what changes in the letter would make it acceptable
because the broader the support the better.
Ms. Fenn suggested that an introductory paragraph be added which defines the letter in
the spirit of"asking, not telling" and state that the issues in the letter are supported by a
majority of the council.
Consensus: a letter with the suggested changes will be considered at a special council
meeting to be held after the workshop on duly 8.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
Ms. Sandoval reported that she attended the distressed county infrastructure funding
committee this afternoon. The committee reviewed the county's proposed draft
ordinance and will review again in two weeks. The committee suggested that the board
consist of four elected officials from the various municipalities and three members of the
public from each county district decided upon jointly among the representatives.
NEXT AGENDA
On July 8, the council will meet for a workshop on the Behavioral Risk Factor
Surveillance System (BRFSS) report. In addition, the changes to the LAMIRD letter will
be finalized. Staff will present more material on the bonding ordinance and the budget
for City Hall.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjoumed at 9:40 p.m.
Attest:
Pamela Kolacy, CMC
City Clerk
City Council Business Meeting Page 9 July 1, 2002