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HomeMy WebLinkAbout070511CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE BUSINESS MEETING OF JULY 5, 2011 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the 5th day of July 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend City 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 Attorney John Watts, Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders, Public Works Director Ken Clow, and City Engineer David Peterson. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA The addition of an Executive Session lasting approximately one hour on potential litigation where no action would be taken. Public comment There was none. City staff response COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Voucher 115110 in the amount of $190.00 Vouchers 115077 and 115102 and 115109 and EFTs in the amount of $254,582.80 Vouchers 115011 through 115101 in the amount of $465,108.02 Vouchers 114988 through 115099 in the amount of $4,613.18 Vouchers 114974 in the amount of $830.61 Vouchers 114985 through 114987 in the amount of $8,707.40 EFTs in the amount of $152.12 EFT in the amount of $11,180.88 Vouchers 114975 through 114984 and EFTs in the amount of $102,621.81 Approval of Minutes: City Council Business Meeting Minutes - July 5, 2011 Page 1 of 6 June 6, 2011 Business Meeting, June 13, 2011 Workshop, and June 20, 2011 Business Meeting YMCA Facility Agreement Mountain View - City Manager Authorization Ms. Nelson asked if the YMCA still has the requirement to pay the City 20% for subletting space and $6,750 per year as opposed to in -kind services. Mr. Clow said he believes both of these conditions remain. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve the consent agenda. George Randels seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7 -0 by voice vote. There was a request to send the June 13 workshop meeting minutes to the Wayfinding consulting team. PUBLIC HEARING Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Public Hearing and Resolution 11 -019 to adopt the 2012 -2017 Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Mayor Sandoval read the rules of procedure for the Public Hearing. No council member had any financial or property interest to disclose in this matter. Public Works Director Ken Clow gave the staff presentation by reviewing those changes since the approved 2011 -2016 Plan. Aside from revisions to construction dates and completion of priority projects, he noted the changes in scope on the Sheridan Street sidewalk project. These changes were made to reflect a more realistic view of available funding. Following a recent assessment, the East Business District Tunnel Lid project is now listed as a new priority. No additional written materials have been submitted and there was no public comment. Mr. Clow then responded to Councilmember questions for clarification. He noted there is secured funding for Sheridan Street from Sims to 10th and it is listed on the capital projects priority list. He recognized the nondescriptive titles used for the Tunnel Lid projects, which he explained as Taylor to Washington, Water Street (Taylor Street East), and Taylor Street West named East Business District. He noted staff is working with FEMA on reconfirming the boundaries for the grants received in order to maximize funding. Responding to additional questions, Mr. Clow provided explanations of Priority Projects #7 Gateway Improvements III (Cleveland Street to Ferry Terminal) and #12/ #13 Walker Street Improvements I and II. There was additional discussion about project start dates versus priority numbers. City Manager David Timmons referred to Attachment 3 in the packet on the City Council Business Meeting Minutes - July 5, 2011 Page 2 of 6 different funding sources. He noted the project schedule is detemined in large part on availability of funding and the City's ability to manage the project. Mr. Timmons noted that TIGER 3 (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) funds might be able to be used for major corridors like Howard Street. He stated the Transportation Improvement Board recently announced available funding for Sims Way which releases $308,000 in funds for Howard Street design. Mr. Clow added that it appears TIGER 3 grants are for construction -ready projects. Ms. Sandoval complimented staff on infrastructure improvements, including Upper Sims Way and safe routes to school. There being no public comments for purposes of clarification, Mayor Sandoval closed the public hearing. Motion: Mark Welch moved to approve Resolution 11 -019 of the City Council of the City of Port Townsend, Washington approving the 2012 -2017 Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program and authorizing the City Manager to submit this to the State of Washington. George Randels seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7 -0 by voice vote. OLD BUSINESS Ordinance 3058 Proposing Annexation to the Fire District City Attorney John Watts gave the staff report and reviewed the purpose of the Ordinance proposing annexation to the Fire District. Mr. Timmons spoke about the difficulty of putting together a communications strategy through the transition phase. There was no public comment. Mr. King noted that this is the same ordinance reviewed by Council previously. The changes that have occurred since the last meeting do not affect the Ordinance, which is written to initiate the process of annexation. Mr. Watts confirmed this Ordinance follows state law on how annexation would occur. Motion: George Randels moved to approve Ordinance 3058 Stating the Intent of the City Council to Annex into and Join Jefferson County Fire Protection District No. 1 DBA East Jefferson Fire Rescue ( "EJFR') in Accordance with RCW 52.04.061 Through .131 to Continue Providing for Fire Prevention, Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical and Hazardous Material Incident Response Services Within the City. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7 -0 by voice vote. Resolution 11 -020, Fire District Annexation Impacts Mr. Watts gave the staff report. The Finance and Budget Committee recommended Council take action on a ballot measure. The measure would provide a rollback of the City Council Business Meeting Minutes - July 5, 2011 Page 3 of 6 City's tax levy to mitigate impacts of the increase in taxes that would result from an approval of the annexation. A draft resolution is provided, but given the complication of the matter, the desire is to bring the resolution forward for action at a special meeting on July 11. Mr. Watts and Mr. Timmons then led a discussion of recent information from attorneys and the Department of Revenue on the uncertainty of whether under State law the voters can rollback the levy authority. There are also challenges in equalizing the levy amounts in the City and County and uncertainty whether a rollback would negatively impact the City's bonding obligations. Staff would meet Thursday with the Department of Revenue and the County Assessor to discuss the matter further. The levy rate may need to be adjusted for equalization to honor the current interlocal agreement. Mr. King and Ms. Sandoval explained that the Finance and Budget Committee discussed a roll back of the current fire service levy of approximately $.57 per $1,000 assessed valuation. The objective was for citizens to be able to move forward with annexation and experience no more of a tax increase than the citizens of the district. There was a question about whether a future Council could rescind a resolution on the intent not to levy banked capacity. Mr. Watts said much would depend on how the original resolution is written. Mrs. Medlicott proposed the City run a one -year $.44 cent levy to cover what the City is currently short. She would like a way to pay our share to maintain our current level of service. Mr. Timmons responded that the Council could consider a one -year special levy from 2012 to 2013. He noted the $1 levy changes to a variable rate after the first year based on the valuation. In response to a question by Ms. Nelson, Staff agreed to get additional information on the timing of the ballot measure. Ms. Nelson also asked to discuss what would be done with the banked capacity in the event the voters do not approve a rollback of the levy. Some discussion ensued about a situation in which the voters might choose not to reduce the levy capacity. It was noted that the Finance and Budget committee recommended the City choose to bank that capacity until a decision is made on what capital projects to fund. Mr. Timmons noted that in the event the annexation does not pass, then the City would need to figure out a way to extend its funding for the difference to the Fire District. He reviewed the survey information on levy rates from other jurisdictions in the state for comparison. There was no public comment. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve scheduling discussion and action at a special meeting on July 11, 2011. George Randels seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7 -0 by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting Minutes - July 5, 2011 Page 4 of 6 Fire Annexation - Letter to District Mr. King reviewed the request by the Fire District for a statement from the City of its intent to negotiate in good faith an agreement with the District to address the 2011/2012 funding shortfall of approximately $718,463. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to authorize the City Manager to send a letter to the District consistent with the agenda bill. David King seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7 -0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Hastings Avenue Sidewalk - Location Criteria and Design Approach Ms. Nelson recused herself from this issue because she is part owner of a house in the area of the proposed Hastings Avenue sidewalk. Public Works Engineer David Peterson gave the staff presentation outlining the unique characteristics of Hastings Avenue platted with a 100 -foot right of way. He reviewed the criteria for a 70 -foot right of way that was developed with assistance from the Community Development and Land Use Committee. He noted a 100 -foot right of way is not necessary for the type of improvements proposed at this time. He then described the locational placement of the sidewalk. The project would begin this fall with a grant and $50,000 from the 2010 councilmanic capital bond. Public Works Director Ken Clow reviewed the neighborhood meetings held to discuss the project. He stressed the importance of the balance between improving the functional use of the right of way and keeping the neighborhood character. When asked whether the road width of 70 ft. is wide enough for a bike lane and sidewalk on the south side, Mr. Clow said yes there would be and the City is not giving up the right of way. Motion: George Randels moved to approve the recommended Hastings Avenue Sidewalk design criteria dated June 22, 2011 and the proposed sidewalk alignment between Discovery Road and Sheridan Street. David King seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6 -0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT Ms. Sandoval reported on the successful July 4 fireworks event and the celebration of the new Salish ferry. CITY MANAGER REPORT Mr. Timmons updated on the following: Approval of off - premise Wayfinding signs. Staff is beginning the 2012 budget process. City Council Business Meeting Minutes - July 5, 2011 Page 5 of 6 Downtown sidewalk project and engineers report. Sheridan sidewalk and interlocal agreement SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND /OR STUDY SESSION Ms. Robinson presented a proposal for Council members to regularly report on activities of their outside committees and other boards (Board of Health, OlyCAP, RC &D, Jefferson Transit, etc.). The Mayor would notify and select up to three reports from specific committees. There were no objections to the Mayor instituting this change to the regular Business meeting agendas under Comments from Council. It was understood that the Council committee reports would continue to be discussed at Council workshop meetings. There were none. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION At 8:38 p.m., Council went into executive session for the purpose of discussing potential litigation with no action to be taken. At 9:25 p.m., the Council came back into open session. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Minutes - July 5, 2011 Page 6 of 6