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HomeMy WebLinkAbout041811 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE BUSINESS MEETING OF APRIL 18, 2011 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this eighteenth day of April 2011, in the Council Chambers, Mayor Michelle Sandoval presiding. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David King, Laurie Medlicott, Kris Nelson, George Randels, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Mark Welch. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Clerk Pam Kolacy, Planning Manager Judy Surber, City Attorney John Watts, and Public Works Director Ken Clow. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Main Street Quarterly Report Heather Dudley Nolette presented the Main Street Quarterly report. Proclamation: Arbor Day Proclamation Mayor Sandoval read a proclamation declaring April 2011 as Port Townsend's Arbor Day Every Day celebration. Parks and Recreation Director Jeremy Bubnick accepted. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment There was no public comment. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve the following items on the consent agenda: Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants - Vouchers 114296 through 114320 in the amount of $6,326.65 and Vouchers 114321 through 114430 in the amount of $662,052.64; Approval of Minutes for Apri/11, 2011; Approval of Appointments to Housing Action Plan Network (HAPN): Kathy Morgan (OlyCAP), Pamela Tietz (Peninsula Housing Authority), Beulah Kingsolver (Dove House), Kees Koltt (citizen-at-Iarge), Susan City Council Business Meeting April 18, 2011 Page 1 of 6 Miller (realtor), Pamela Roberts (higher education); Approval of Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Board 2010-2011 Work Plan. George Randels seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING Disposition of Surplus Property. Consideration of Property for Affordable Housing Mayor Sandoval reviewed the rules of procedure for public hearings. No council members had any financial or property interests to disclose regarding the subject of the hearing. Planning Manager Judy Surber reviewed the packet materials. She noted that due to an error in the public notice, the hearing will be continued until the next meeting for comments on the Beech Street property. Melinda Szatlocky, staff for Homeward Bound, commented on Discovery and Beech Street properties. She stated she believes one house can be built on the Discovery property. Buyers have gone through the approval process and are frustrated that there are no houses available. There is money from HUD to do infrastructure. She stated that many working people in the community can't afford housing. She referred to the Comp Plan and asked that property be transferred to Homeward Bound with perpetual covenants so it would always remain within their ground lease as affordable property within the community. Martha Trolin, representing a women's giving circle ("Gifting the Future") project of the Jefferson County Community Foundation, stated that the group has focused their attention this year on the housing sector nonprofits. She presented written remarks for the record in support of surplussing the three properties. Harold Rogers stated he is against building more houses in Port Townsend. He believes the answer is more jobs so that people can afford houses. Arts and crafts and junk stores are not the answer. Fix up existing houses and create jobs so people can afford them but don't build new houses. He would like the town to stay just the way it is. Deborah Pedersen loves her neighborhood just the way it is but homes have gotten out of the reach of ordinary people to buy. The idea of affordable housing for people near services in the central part of town is appealing. There are difficulties with the particular parcel but she is enthusiastic about providing affordable housing. She would like a cluster of houses rather than regimented housing. She suggested keeping the rezone in abeyance until the issues of whether it is suitable is decided. If it is not buildable then she would prefer to keep it as open space. She also expressed some concerns about the roadbed of Cherry Street not matching what is platted and about potential ingress and egress. Bruce Cowan also addressed the Cherry Street property. The property is used as a road and for public parking near the door of the church. It is open space and part of the City Council Business Meeting April 18, 2011 Page 2 of 6 walking system and he would like that enhanced. The city should not sell just because it is surplussed. If the most critical current uses can be sustained it should be used for affordable housing. He added that may not be economically feasible because of the slope. If something is built he would like it to remain in housing stock forever. He does not support the development of several market rate houses to support just one affordable house. Jesse Thomas stated he is a working person who can't afford a home. He proposed Council consider solar access as a major element for site selection. This would provide an opportunity for low energy development which could open the door for funding from grants or bonds. It would also lower the burden on the taxpayers for subsidizing utility assistance. Kitty Knapp, owns one of the neighboring properties to Cherry Street. She supports having affordable housing in town. Part of keeping Port Townsend's vitality is having young people and a diverse population. She added her support for low income housing. Diane Haas supported designating surplus property for affordable housing. She stated we must have spaces for young people, single moms and stable home environments for children. Fred Kimball, president of Habitat for Humanity, stated he is here to support surplussing properties for affordable housing. We must constantly be on the lookout for more properties. Habitat has been in conversation with Homeward Bound for several years hoping their model can work for us. He is in favor of keeping the properties affordable in perpetuity. Councilors asked several questions about configuration and other issues related to the specific properties and about proposed processes and next steps. Ms. Surber, Mr. Timmons and Ms. Szatlocky responded to several issues for Council's clarification, including impact on the golf course, how the public will be involved in the process, and the technical issues regarding leases or ownership by the potential housing providers. Mr. Watts noted that people may comment on Beech Street tonight rather than waiting, but the hearing will be continued to the next meeting. He stated that staff can start working on the issues on which Councilors would like clarification or more information. Ms. Sandoval noted that Council could choose not to make a decision until May 2 when we have to wait for Beech Street. In the alternative, she asked if Council could go ahead and decide on Cherry and Discovery. Regarding the order of surplus vs. zoning change, Mr. Watts stated that the Council could indicate it is favorable to surplus and then see what the interest is of housing providers. Any tentative agreement with a provider would be subject to the outcome of the Comprehensive Plan process which includes potential rezoning of the properties. In regard to the question of whether local residents can receive preference for low income housing, Mr. Watts stated there could be legal issues under various provisions City Council Business Meeting April 18, 2011 Page 3 of 6 of the law in regard to potential discrimination. Some of this issue will be tied to the application and screening provisions of the providers. Mr. Watts will look into the issue further. The question of addressing the concerns of the Lutheran Church was discussed, including the idea of looking at a property trade or exchange. Staff can pursue those discussions if the land is designated as affordable housing. A question was raised whether any other providers may be candidates to develop the properties who would be lost if there were no RFP issued. Ms. Surber noted that because these are smaller single family development pieces we would probably not be limiting ourselves. Public questions for purposes of clarification: Mayor Sandoval asked if any member of the audience wished to speak solely to clarify any item raised by a Council member's question. David Rymph, member of the Board of Directors of Homeward Bound and a Commissioner on the newly constituted Peninsula Housing Authority, stated with certainty that the Peninsula Housing Authority would provide a letter of support for Homeward Bound, as the Housing Authority has no interest in developing a small lot like the Discovery Road property. The public testimony part of the hearing was closed. Mayor Sandoval declared a recess at 8:26 p.m. for the purpose of a break. The meeting was reconvened at 8:42 p.m. After discussion, Council agreed that postponing action on all the properties until the end of the continued public hearing would make sense and allow Council to get any questions or desired clarifications to staff so some of these may be answered at the May 2 meeting. Other Councilors expressed appreciation for the support of the people in the neighborhoods; all expressed support for providing affordable housing properties but were also agreeable to taking action on all the properties at the next meeting when a few of the questions raised can be addressed in more detail. Motion: George Randels moved to continue the public hearing to May 2 when Beech Street and the other properties are discussed. Laurie Medlicott seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. OLD BUSINESS Resolution 11-006, Joint Resolution of the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners and the Port Townsend City Council Providing for a Three-Year City Council Business Meeting April 18, 2011 Page 4 of 6 Extension of the Housing Action Plan Network Committee Ms. Surber reviewed the packet material. There was no public comment. Motion: George Randels moved to approve Resolution 11-006, Joint Resolution of the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners and the Port Townsend City Council Providing for a Three-Year Extension of the Housing Action Plan Network Committee. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Contracts with Non-Profit Entities - Boiler Room, YMCA, Main Street, Dove House Advocacy Services, Chamber of Commerce Mr. Timmons reviewed the packet materials noting these are contracts for the remainder of the year. There was no public comment. Motion: Mark Welch moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into services contracts with Boiler Room, YMCA, Main Street, Dove House Advocacy Services, and Chamber of Commerce consistent with the approved budget. George Randels seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS - NONE PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT Mayor Sandoval reported on progress with the legislature regarding Buildng 202 at Fort Worden. She suggested sending a letter signed by all Councilmembers to the legislature thanking them for their strong support. CITY MANAGER REPORT Mr. Timmons reported on the following. Request for funding from Team Jefferson to be discussed at Finance & Budget Committee. Progress on the joint recreation issues, also to be reviewed by Council committee. Scheduled meeting with Rhododendron Festival representative. Corrected information for inaccurate Peninsula Daily News article on broadband. Old information was used for the article. Public Development Authority is making headway in the higher education initiative for Building 202 at Fort Worden. City has received a $1 million trust fund loan for the outfall project at City Lake as well as a FEMA grant for seismic stability. The Library grant barely missed being funded; there is hope that they may bump it up for City Council Business Meeting April 18, 2011 Page 5 of 6 funding when the state budget bill is reconciled. Distributed a one-page summary of the City's marketing plan. The Civic District celebration is set for May. Design work for downtown sidewalk replacement is pending, meetings with business owners is planned. The Bartlett-Cotton Building has been selected for the Historic Society's Mary Johnson award for historic preservation. The Salish ferry has planned sea trials. The Salish sculpture will be installed in May. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:12 pm. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting April 18, 2011 Page 6 of 6