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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02182003CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF FEBRUARY 18, 2003 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this eighteenth day of February, 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, Michelle Sandoval, Catharine Robinson, and Alan Youse. Ge~)ff Masci and Joe Finnie were excused. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes proposed to the published agenda. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Kolff read a proclamation in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Jefferson County Children's Hospital Auxiliary and Thrift Shop. Jean Lowe and Chris Kimball were present to accept the proclamation. Kathleen Purdy, Director of Washington State University's Olympic Peninsula Small Business Development Center (SBDC) gave a presentation about the services and successes of the program. Mayor Kolff stated he will get more information at the AWC legislative conference regarding what types of legislation they need help supporting regarding options for revenues, control of expenses, etc. and bring specifics back to the council for possible action. City Council Board and Liaison Assignments: Mayor Kolff directed the Council to the new draft assignments taken from suggestions made at the Council Retreat. A question arose regarding the time of the Transportation Committee meetings as Mr. Youse has expressed a desire to serve on the Committee but cannot meet during the day. Ms. Sandoval stated she believed that staff had expressed a preference for meeting during the day for the next six months. Mr. Youse stated his concern that daytime meetings exclude working people. Mr. Youse asked that the City Manager speak to this issue at the next meeting. Ms. Fenn noted a member of the Transportation Committee should be assigned as liaison to the Transportation Advisory Board. City Council Business Meeting Page 1 February l& 2003 Motion: Ms. Fenn moved to adopt the new City Council Board and Liaison Assignments dated February 18, 2003, with the exception of the Transportation Advisory Board liaison to be named and subject to discussion of moving Transportation Committee meetings to the evening. Ms. Sandoval seconded. The motion carried, 4-1, by voice vote, with Mr. Youse opposed. Mayor Kolff noted that Council members have been invited to do a presentation to the Chamber of Commerce on February 24. Ms. Sandoval is organizing the presentation and would appreciate feedback from other councilors. She provided an agenda outline. The topic of the presentation is economic development. Ms. Sandoval will coordinate the appearance after receiving feedback from other councilors. Ms. Fenn stated she would like to discuss the work of the Affordable Housing Committee. Mayor Kolff referred to a letter from Lloyd Cahoon of the Economic Development Council regarding a workshop discussion on promotion of economic development. Motion: Ms. Fenn moved to refer the two letters from Mr. Cahoon regarding a facilitated discussion between EDC and the City Council and possibly other entities, to the Community Development/Land Use Committee for consideration and recommendation. Ms. Sandoval seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. Mayor Kolff asked Mr. Watts for information on the current status of the ethics complaint and the weaknesses in the legislation which are creating procedural problems. He asked if the ordinance is flawed and what suggestions Mr. Watts might have. Mr. Watts replied there are clearly problems with the current process in place to resolve ethics complaints. He noted that a complaint had been received on January 13, and the Ethics Board has yet to be seated. He noted he and Mr. Timmons are aware of the problems and would like to avoid a repeat of the current problem in light of any other ethics complaints that may be filed. He added that any recommendations for change would involve future complaints and would not affect the pending matter. He suggested it would be advisable for the Council to put the matter of discussion of changes to the ordinance on an agenda in the near future. Mayor Kolff asked staff to prepare points of discussion for the council at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Ms. Fenn stated she would like to provide feedback based on her experience but feels she could not participate in the conversation while her case is pending. Mr. Watts stated that since any changes would affect only future complaints, Mr. Fenn would not have to recuse herself from the discussion. The Council then discussed whether to refer the issue to a committee or bring before the full Council. City Council Business Meeting Page 2 February 18, 2003 Consensus to request that staff prepare points of discussion to be discussed at the General Government Committee so that the Committee may recommend process changes to the Council. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Public Works Director Ken Clow reported on the status of the City's water supply. Lords Lake is at 31 feet (88% total capacity); City Lake is at 33 feet; turbidity is low in both the Big and Little Quilcene Rivers. Rainfall is slightly above average for this time of year for precipitation and snow pack. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (non-agenda and consent agenda) There was no general public comment. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Ms. Fenn moved for approval of the following items on the Consent Agenda. Ms. Robinson seconded The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 84891 through 85054 in the amount of $312.277.99 Approval of Minutes Special session of December 11, 2002 Regular Session of February 3, 2003 Approval of Action Authorize the City Manager to make application for a Coastal Zone Management (CZM) grant in the amount of $20,000 to complete the Shoreline Master Program Update NEW BUSINESS METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT Warren Steuer, Director of Parks and Recreation for Jefferson County gave a detailed presentation on the recommendation from the Jefferson County Parks Advisory Board/Sub-Committee Focus Group to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners regarding the formation of an East Jefferson County Metropolitan Park District, the group's favored alternative for sustainable funding for parks and recreation. Rick Tollefson, a long time member of the County Parks Advisory Board, was also present. City Council Business Meeting Page 3 February 18, 2003 After the presentation, there was discussion of several issues including how the Park District Commission would be elected; how this would affect other taxing districts; and the make-up of the Parks Commission. Public Comment: Bill Kush, Director of Jefferson County Family YMCA, stated his organization is excited about the proposal and would like to be included in the discussion. Mr. Kolff noted that the City Park and Recreation Advisory Board has discussed the matter. Ms. Sandoval said the issue was brought up at the last Intergovernmental Meeting. A parks "summit" meeting is planned so the Council and BOCC can get into more probing questions and discussion about the recommendation, then bring the issue back to their respective committees and governing bodies. Motion: Ms. Fenn moved to assign the issue of the Metropolitan Park District to the Community Development/Land Use Committee. Mr. Kolff seconded The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. OPERATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD ELECTRIC CARS (NEVs) ON CITY STREETS Mr. Watts stated that the matter is a first touch. There is a pending bill in the legislature to authorize neighborhood electric cars on city streets. A number of other states have passed such legislation and some Councilors have been contacted by a citizen requesting that the City Council support the pending legislation. Ms. Sandoval stated she would like the council to consider recommending that a letter in support of NEV legislation be sent to the state legislators. She also asked that the issue be assigned to the Transportation Committee. Public comment: Keith Marzan spoke in favor of allowing NEVs on city streets. Rod Wilde: provided extra information in support of the suggestion. Dana Roberts: spoke in support, also stated the NEV should not have to compete with motorcycles and suggested that the issue of whether or not NEVs belong in bicycle lanes be discussed, Pete Lauritzen: spoke in favor of the proposal. Motion: Mr. Youse moved that the Council provide a letter to the State Legislature supporting current Neighborhood Electric Vehicles. Ms. Fenn seconded City Council Business Meeting Page 4 February 18, 2003 Ms. Robinson asked whether the vehicles would be prohibited from operating on Sims Way as it is a state highway. Mr. Watts stated the local authority cannot usurp state authority so she is correct. Ms. Sandoval stated the issue still must be referred to the Transportation Committee so the Chief of Police and Public Works Director can comment on safety legislation issues. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. Motion: Ms. Robinson moved to refer the issue to the Transportation Committee for review in case the state does not act and also for recommendation on the types of changes to local ordinances that would be required to permit use of NEV's in the City. Ms. Sandoval seconded. Ms. Fenn noted she would like to encourage the City to provide NEVs to replace some city vehicles. Vote: the motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote.. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Committee Ms. Robinson stated that the Finance Committee will have a working meeting in April regarding the strategic budget model and will recommend that the full Council have a workshop meeting on the topic in late April or early May. Community Development/Land Use Ms. Sandoval noted that several items will soon be coming forward from the Committee including C-II Design Standards, and the Noise Ordinance. Ms. Fenn asked that the work plan for the Affordable Housing Committee be placed on the agenda for the next regular meeting for Council's approval. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 5 February 18, 2003