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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01272003CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF JANUARY 27, 2003 The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in special session this twenty-seventh day of January, 2003, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Kees Kolff presiding. ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmembers present at roll call were Freida Fenn, Joe Finnie, Kees Kolff, Geoff Masci, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Alan Youse. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Fire Chief Ed Edwards, Assistant Fire Chief Tom Aumock, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. PUBLIC COMMENT (non-agenda items) There were no general comments. GLEN COVE LETTER TO COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Mr. Watts presented a status report on the Glen Cove negotiations. He noted the County has adopted all "tentative agreement" terms between the entities (decided at meeting of November 26) except for the one relating to SR 20 buffers. The negotiating team met on January 8 and 22, with Commissioner Tittemess present and discussed possible settlement approaches, which could include ways to enhance the buffer rather than focusing on its width. Mr. Titterness requested a letter describing possible settlement approaches. Mr. Watts stated that the Council will be updated further on the course of ongoing negotiations after the BOCC considers this matter. He clarified that the letter was sent to the Commissioners today on behalf of the negotiating team, not the Council. Ms. Fenn emphasized the importance of understanding what the word "buffer" really indicates and its relation to preserving the forest corridor. Public comment: Nancy Dorgan: reiterated her comments to the negotiating team regarding inconsistency of UDC standards with GMA and added that she is also concerned with internal inconsistencies. She stated people have misconceptions about LAMIRDS. Jim Garrett: stated there is an active group of Glen Cove businesses interested in working together with the County to improve the buffers. He added that in terms of what was "on the ground" in 1990, the impervious surface then greatly exceeded 55%. He stated that although he does not want the allowed percentage of impervious surface increased, it should be noted that the built environment in 1990 was close to 100% coverage. Mr. Finnie left the meeting at 6:45 p.m. City Council Special Meeting Page I danuary 27, 2003 FIRE STATION GRANT Mr. Timmons stated that the staff has prepared a presentation to provide the Council with background information and a progress report on the Fire Station Reconstruction project. This is pending a FEMA grant award. If and when the funds are awarded, the project would have a two-year completion deadline. He noted this is a very rapid turnaround for a major capital project and so would like the Council to be well-informed about the project up front. Assistant Fire Chief Tom Aumock gave the history of the Fire Station project, noting that the need for a new station has long been identified. He presented a thorough description of past work done on the project and the evolution of the present grant. Catherine McNabb of the Public Works staff spoke about the public process involved in the grant application. She stated that as the construction plans progress, neighbors will be notified and the City will plan an open house. Ms. Sandoval asked where fire operations will be housed during construction. Mr. Aumock noted that the administration may use the Pink House and operations will look at vacant facilities for temporary quarters. Ms. Sandoval asked the amount of cost for demolition of the present station. Mr. Aumock estimated about $130,000, which would include recycling materials. Mr. Timmons stated the station will fulfill current needs and future needs would be addressed through satellite stations and a possible public safety plan. Satellite stations would house a fire truck and an ambulance. Chief Edwards stated that a new station is desperately needed. He added that the existing site is the one that can best meet the needs of the community. The multi-story approach will enable a new station to meet the increased needs on the existing site. He stated he is confident that the architectural firm under consideration has the ability and expertise to do the job within the resources available. Ms. Robinson asked if the City's relationship with Fire District #6 will affect the need for the station. Chief Edwards replied that this station is needed no matter what happens with District #6 and that the issue of annexation or other partnership has more to do with the plan for satellite facilities. Mr. Timmons stated that the official approval of the grant application will come from Washington, DC. The first phase will be a full NEPA environmental assessment. Once the NEPA comes back affirmative, then the agreement is signed and the two-year clock starts ticking. City Council Special Meeting Page 2 January 27, 2003 Mr. Timmons added that the City will need to provide interim financing until the reimbursements begin. The grant amount will be set by the state and federal governments. They City's share of expenditures will be 12.5%. He added that the Chief is setting up a team now to look at temporary housing for the department. He said that he does not envision a citizen advisory task force as the design is primarily technical. He will recommend silver standards for LEEDS and will have a public open house as well as public review by the HPC The Public Works Department will take the lead in project management. In anticipation of the grant, the city has begun interviewing architectural firms and will soon start negotiations on a final proposal. Mr. Clow stated that four firms were interviewed. All were well qualified and the choice was based on the firm that best fits the needs of the City. A cost will be negotiated and presented to the council for approval; then the preparation will begin. It is estimated that construction will take one year. Mr. Timmons stated that the City is not forgetting about the Police station, and that a similar needs assessment is being done. He stated the Annex project is underway, the Fire Station is next. Each will be in its own phase and the Police Station will be next. He added that the Council needs to look at how to provide the local share in the 2004 budget but does not anticipate a problem. Public comment: Nancy Dorgan: asked the Council to start thinking about rescinding the resolution to look into surplusing the Police Station as it is a valuable and useful piece of public property. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Kolff announced at 8:05 p.m. that the Council would go into Executive Session regarding personnel matters, that the session would last about one hour, and that no action was anticipated. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 9:44 p.m. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:46 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, CMC, City Clerk City Council Special Meeting Page 3 January 27, 2003