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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05052003CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF MAY 5, 2003 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this fifth day of May, 2003, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Kees Kolff presiding. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The meeting was called to order at 6:30 by Mayor Kees Kolff. Council members present at roll call were Freida Fenn, Kees Kolff, Geoff Masci, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Alan Youse. Joe Finnie was excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attomey John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, City Engineer Dave Peterson, Finance Director Michael Legarsky, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mr. Masci requested that item VII C (resolution regarding write-off of uncollectible 2003 utility billings) be removed from the Consent Agenda and added under New Business. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Motion: Ms. Robinson moved to confirm the following citizen advisory board appointments as proposed by Mayor Kolff Ms. Sandoval seconded The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. Arts Commission: Nancy Newman Art Reitsch Position 4, term expires 05/01/06 Position 5, term expires 05/01/06 Historic Preservation Committee: Sebastian Eggert Eric Kuzma Position 4 term expires 05/01/06 Position 5, term expires 05/01/06 Park & Recreation Advisory Board Ken Schordine Position 5, term expires 05/01/06 Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Board Liesl Slabaugh, Position 4, expires 05/01/06 Peter Lauritzen, Position 5, expires 05/01/06 Chris R. Jones, Position 8, expires 05/01/06 David Thielk, Position 1, expires 05/01/05 5) Transportation Advisory Board: City Council Business Meeting Page 1 May 5, 2003 Tim Caldwell Position 1, term expires 05/01/06 Lee Wolodkevitsch Position 2, term expires 05/01/06 Mayor Kolff noted there are still openings on several boards. The mayor noted that a reception is being planned for citizen advisory board members, and that the reception is tentatively planned for June 16, from 5:30 to 6:30 at City Hall. Cost is not expected to exceed $300. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons stated that a three-year, three-phase effort is underway to update the Shoreline Master Program. A Shorelines Advisory Committee will be actively involved in the current and upcoming Phases II and III. Staff, in coordination with the grant coordinator have assembled a core group of citizens representing the following interests: homeowner, marine trades, recreation and public access, waterfront business owner, natural resources/environmental, and historic/cultural. Ex-officio members have been requested from the following groups: City Council, Port of Port Townsend, Planning Commission, Washington State Ferries, Tribes and State Parks. Any council member interested in filling the Council seat on the Committee should contact Mayor Kolff. The fire offices have moved to the Pink House in anticipation of the new fire hall construction. The bid for the Sims Way pathway has been awarded and the project will soon be under way. Other current projects include the Morgan Hill pump station and piping which will go out to bids soon and the Bell Tower construction, which started last week. The Washington Street stormwater project is mostly complete. Mr. Timmons also stated that Ken Kelley has signed papers on real estate on upper Sims Way for his business. PUBLIC COMMENT (non-agenda items) Jim Fritz: talked about heritage fruit trees and the North Olympic Fruit Growers Club. Gloria Bram: (could not stay to comment on agenda items) spoke in favor of the bicycle lane on Washington Street and the original plan for construction of a City Hall annex rather than purchase of Waterman & Katz. She noted that Waterman & Katz has very poor access for people with disabilities. City Council Business Meeting Page 2 May 5, 2003 Mark Jochems: expressed disappointment that there were no city representatives at the Marine Services Conference. He urged attendance at the economic symposium scheduled for May 20. Melinda Bower: spoke in support of the Washington Street bike lane. Tim Berenfield spoke in support of Washington Street bike lane. Scott Walker: commented on the need to restate lines of authority where the Council sets policy and the City Manager carries out the policy. He stated the Council's role is to see that existing policy is implemented or establish new policy if needed. CONSENT AGENDA Hearing no objection, the Mayor declared the following items on the consent agenda adopted by Council. Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 85218 through 85220, and 85734 through 85932, and 0505031 through 0505037 in the amount of $611,278.73 Approval of Minutes Regular Session of April 21, 2003 NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTION 03-011 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, PROVIDING FOR THE WRITE-OFF OF UNCOLLECTIBLE 2003 UTILITY BILLINGS IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,585.50 Finance Director Michael Legarsky stated that certain accounts have been identified which should be written off so that utility billing accounts are kept active and properly reflect receivables that will result in revenues to the utilities. Motion: Mr. Masci moved for adoption of Resolution 03-011. Mr. Youse seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. Transportation Committee Recommendation regarding Washington Street parking vs. Bike Lane Mr. Masci, who acted as chair during the last Transportation Cormnittee meeting, stated that the Committee heard from an equal number of people who supported additional parking and who supported adding a bicycle lane to Washington Street on the 150-200 foot strip in question. City Council Business Meeting Page 3 May 5, 2003 The committee has recommended that a final decision not be made on the 150-200 foot strip in question until the parking consultant is on board and has recommended a parking management plan. Mr. Kolff asked how long it would be before the parking study would be completed. Mr. Timmons replied that it could be up to a year. Mr. Youse asked how difficult it would be to change the use of the area in question from one choice to the other; Mr. Timmons required it would be a matter of pavement marking and signage so the cost would be minimal. Mr. Masci asked about the two spaces now reserved for trash and public recycling. Mr. Clow stated that is was requested by business owners during an informational meeting with staff. Mr. Timmons noted that the area will probably be used illegally for parking unless some kind of barrier is installed. He added that although some policies are included in the Non-Motorized Plan and others are referenced in the Comprehensive Plan, other plans are still pending and there may be conflicts which must be resolved among them, Public Comment: The following spoke in support of a bicycle lane on Washington Street: Eugene Brandon John Boles Gary Cox David McCulloch Jon Muellner Scott Walker Richard Talbot Jason Reber Speaking in favor of additional parking on Washington Street: David Stuart (representing three Washington Street businesses). Mr. Stuart stated that at the time the businesses supported the pad for trash and recycling, they believed there would be eight additional parking spaces on the street. He asked Council to support the parking spaces or defer a decision until the parking consultant has finished the work. Mari Mullen: on behalf of Port Townsend Main Street Program urged the Council to wait until the parking study is completed before making a final decision. She referred to several letters presented to the Transportation Committee supporting additional parking on Washington Street. City Council Business Meeting Page 4 May 5, 2003 Speaking in favor of bicycle lane: Liesl Slabaugh (chair, Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Board) Mr. Youse stated he aggrees that bicycle lanes are important, but also sees an incredible need for economic development. He suggested that the area be designated for parking now and switch to bike lanes if feasible after the parking study is completed. Ms. Sandoval stated that bicycle riders also contribute to the economy; she recommended making a decision this evening. Mr. Masci noted that the population numbers and other factors have changed since the adoption of the plan and these factors should be taken into consideration when applying policy. Ms. Fenn suggested that simply re-striping the street would regain two parking spots. She supports affirming bike lanes immediately and revisiting the issue once the parking plan is completed. Motion: Ms. Fenn moved to affirm existing policy and put a bicycle lane on the uphill climb of Washington Street. Ms. Sandoval seconded Ms. Robinson stated her initial concern is for the safety of bicyclists, pedestrians and people accessing their cars; having no sidewalk on the uphill side of Washington may create a hazard. She added that Jefferson Transit will be using the street more frequently for shuttle runs. She is uncomfortable with designing parking by default because there is no parking plan. She urged staff to hire a parking consultant as quickly as possible. Mr. Kolff emphasized the need to encourage people to use non-motorized transportation; he stated there is no proof yet that more parking is needed. He noted concerns about the lack of a safe non-motorized connection between uptown and downtown and also stated that some policies will be finalized only when the entire transportation plan is completed, with the parking plan as part of an overall concept. Ms. Sandoval suggested that the Washington Street merchants be asked if they would now prefer the two parking spaces to the trash/recycling pad since the extra spaces they had assumed would be provided will be used for the bicycle lane instead. Mr. Youse stated he believes the parking plan will help come up with a long term solution. He added he agrees with Mr. Masci that a parking garage may end up being the solution. Amendment: Mr. Kolff moved to amend the motion to add that any additional space that is not wide enough for car parking be considered for bicycle, NEt" or motorcycle parking and staff return to us with options for other uses. The motion died for lack of a second City Council Business Meeting Page 5 May 5, 2003 Mr. Masci referred to a survey which assigned a significant dollar amount to each downtown parking space indicating the amount of revenue generated; parking will be lost due to the skateboard park being located downtown and due to the City Hall Annex. If the additional parking were added to Washington Street it would mean not that the City is gaining 8 spaces but that it is only losing 42 instead of 50. He stated he will not support the motion as he feels we would be throwing away the funds earmarked for the parking consultant. Vote: motion carried, 4-2, by voice vote, with Masci and Youse opposed. Mr. Timmons clarified that staff was asked to look into the parking issue in 1999; and again at the direction of the General Government Committee. He stated that no information given to any party at staff/citizen meetings was ill-intended. Council's original directive was to look at additional parking; staff is not disregarding the Non- Motorized Plan, but trying to balance the various existing and proposed plans to meet the needs of citizens. General Government Committee Recommendation Regarding Police Department Location Mr. Masci stated that the General Government Committee has discussed their legislative priorities, which currently include "joint police/fire facility" discussion. In light of the FEMA grant and progress on the new fire station, it is appropriate to take up the issue of a new police facility as a separate item. This would include looking at the various studies and work already produced. Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved to adopt the recommendation of the General Government Committee that the Committee continue to look at the best location for the Police Department, initially using the reports and site studies that already exist. Mr. Masci seconded Public comment: none Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. RECESS Mayor Kolff called a recess at 8:15 for the purpose of a break. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 8:25 p.m. UNFINISHED BUSINESS CITY HALL ANNEX/CITY HALL RENOVATION ALTERNATIVES City Council Business Meeting Page 6 May 5, 2003 Mr. Timmons introduced City Engineer Dave Peterson to present information on the City Hall Annex/City Hall restoration project. Mr. Peterson reviewed prior council actions and noted that the project is now at a critical decision point. Staff has completed the actions directed on February 3 and, as requested, is presenting a report this evening. The report included conclusions, prioritized City Hall renovation costs, financing details, a recap of the original plan and three alternatives, and proposed implementation steps. Mr. Timmons then asked representatives from the Jefferson County Historical Society to comment. Bill Tennent, Museum Director, said that at the April 30 Board meeting, three motions were approved by the Board of Trustees. The first was in support of adoption of the original plan to restore City Hall and build an annex. Barbara Marseille, President of the Jefferson County Historical Society, introduced members of the JCHS Board of Directors seated in the audience. She reviewed the second recommendation of the Board which was that JCHS will commit to making their best effort to raise 1.5 million dollars for the project. Harry Dudley, member of the Board of Directors, added that the Board unanimously agreed that within sixty days of the City Council's acceptance and endorsement of the original plan, the City and JCHS develop and adopt a Memorandum of Understanding memorializing the duties and responsibilities of the parties in respect to moving ahead on the City Hall restoration project. He also reaffirmed the JCHS commitment to funding maintenance for the portions of the building used by JCHS to the best of their ability. Public comment Pat Teal of DASH stated that Waterman & Katz is an inadequate facility in terms of public access; she stated the original plan is the friendliest for people with disabilities. Scott Walker, a member of the Annex task force, stated that he supports the original plan which will fulfill the two goals of working with JCHS in City Hall and maintaining the historic integrity of the building. Bill Woolf, annex task force, stated the original plan has the most promise. Carol McGough: presented a letter of support for the original plan from the Main Street Board of Directors. Mr. Timmons noted that he has no doubt the Waterman & Katz Building would be an excellent investment for a private party, but that it is simply not designed to the higher standard required for use by a public entity. City Council Business Meeting Page 7 May 5, 2003 Ms. Robinson noted that the city will need to come up with $450,000 in the best case scenario and $1.5 million in the worst case. She asked what revenues would be used for those financial commitments if the city does not go to the public to request funds. Mr. Timmons noted that by combining the management of the projects under auspices of the City, automatically eliminates half a million dollars in management costs. Financing the entire remaining amount over 20 years would be approximately $80,000 per year or 1% of the operating budget. A portion of REET funding was held back from the original revenue calculation and that would be available if necessary. Mr. Fenn expressed a desire to see good progress in negotiations between JCHS and the Cit Manager to refine and define terms of a lease and Memorandum of Agreement; she stated she feels that should be clarified before the final decision is made. Mr. Kolff asked if that could be accomplished within thirty days; Mr. Timmons said he believes an outline can be established in that time. Ms. Fenn asked about funding for the streetscape elements. Mr. Timmons replied the funding would be independent of the City Hall project and would be an element of transportation funding; the streetscape will be a parallel project and involve other partners such as the NW Maritime Center. Ms. Robinson asked if the 10% project management savings would also apply to Alternative # 1, making that the most cost effective for the city. Mr. Timmons replied in the affirmative. Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved to place the decision on City Hall~City Hall Annex on the business agenda May !9. Mr. Masci seconded The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 8 May 5, 2003