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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07262004 . . . CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING AND WORKSHOP SESSIONS OF JULY 26, 2004 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in special session this twenty-sixth day of July, 2004, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fort Worden Chapel, Mayor Catharine Robinson presiding. ROLL CALL Council members present at roll call were Frank Benskin, Freida Fenn, Laurie Medlicott, Catharine Robinson, and Michelle Sandoval. Kees Kolff was excused. Geoff Masci was absent. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, City Engineer Dave Peterson, Public Works Director Ken Clow, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Mrs. Medlicott moved for approval of the following items on the consent agenda. Ms. Sandoval seconded The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Voucher 90569 in the amount of $2,500.00 Vouchers 90711 through 90727 in the amount of $55,728.45 Vouchers 720041 through 720048 in the amount of$7l,068.81 MODEL B&O TAX ORDINANCE Finance Director Michael Legarsky reviewed the model business and occupational tax issue. He noted that a difference between the existing regulations and the new model is that the new model exempts businesses receiving less than $20,000 in gross income from B&O taxes. He said that adoption ofthe new model appears to have no adverse impact upon the city. Mr. Benskin asked why businesses are still required to register even though they are not required to pay taxes. City Council Special Meeting/Workshop Page 1 July 26, 2004 . . . Mr. Legarsky replied that the city would retain the right to require businesses to register for regulatory purposes (health, safety issues, compliance with city regulations). In answer to a question from Mrs. Medlicott, Mr. Legarsky affirmed that with many small businesses, it costs the City more to collect the money than it received in tax from the smaller businesses. He stated the city does have the option of raising business license fees. Mrs. Medlicott asked why there are two different tax rates (one for retail, one for all others). Mr. Legarsky stated that these have been set by prior councils. He stated the ordinance could be customized for the City. Public comment: none Ms. Fenn stated she would like to have staff research the public record to see if it can be determined why the differing rates were established. Motion: Ms. Fenn moved to task the Finance and Budget Committee to work with City staff to produce an ordinance for Council consideration in September. Mrs. Medlicott seconded The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. ADJOURN Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved to adjourn the special meeting. Ms. Fenn seconded The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. The special meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. WORKSHOP The workshop session of the City Council commenced at 6:51 p.m. in the Fort Worden Chapel, Mayor Catharine Robinson presiding. An additional roll call was not taken as no Council members arrived or departed after the Special Session. Ms. Sandoval said that, although public comment is not taken at workshop sessions, she understands members of the Downtown Parking Advisory Board are present and asked that they be allowed to speak as part of the staff report. There were no objections. 2005 BUDGET Mr. Timmons reviewed the proposed budget process for 2005. He noted that September will be devoted to the Comprehensive Plan amendment process so that the Council will be free to deal with budget issues in the last quarter of the year. He referred Councilors to the 2005 budget calendar. He stated that although Initiative 864 will not be on the ballot, the City is still faced with a day of reckoning. Years of neglect to infrastructure needs have created a service level City Council Special Meeting/Workshop Page 2 July 26,2004 . . . deficit within the city; in addition, maintaining the current level of service requires continued increases in funding. He gave specific expenses such as health insurance and county contractual services which continue to rise by a large annual percentage. The Finance/Budget Committee has found merit in the idea of presenting a bond issue to the voters in November of this year to maintain the level of service and quality of life in the community. In answer to Ms. Sandoval's question, Mr. Timmons stated the ballot measure would have to be approved by Council and forwarded to the Auditor in September for the November ballot. Ms. Sandoval expressed concern about the lack of lead-time for an educational campaign to the public. Mr. Timmons said the August utility newsletter is dedicated completely to a discussion of City finances. Friends of the Library and Volunteer Firefighters have said they are willing to work in support the campaign initiative. Mr. Benskin asked what the cost would be of putting the initiative on the ballot. Mr. Legarsky stated if it were the only measure, cost would be about $12-14,000; however in the general election there will be shared costs with other measures. Finance/Budget Committee recommendations will be brought forward to the Council business meeting in August. DOWNTOWN PARKING City Engineer Dave Peterson and Kris Nelson, Sam Kyle and Scott Walker of the Downtown Parking Advisory Board were present to discuss the recommendations of the group. Kris Nelson covered the recommended parking time zone changes which are proposed for implementation on a trial basis. The eight proposed changes and general criteria, which are the basis for changes, was provided in the Council materials. Mr. Kyle expanded on the minority viewpoint regarding changes to parking in the "Back Alley" parking lot and the parking lot between Elevated Ice Cream and the police station. He noted that building owners have been given inducements for renovations which included reduced parking requirements but now they are having trouble getting and retaining tenants due to the lack of parking downtown. Mr. Peterson noted that these issues would all be addressed as part of the long-term plan. The current proposal is a suggested short-term solution. Scott Walker added that the parking study contained a number of recommendations and reworking parking times so they make more sense is one step. Attempting to solve the entire Port Townsend parking problem may not make sense but if people work together it may be possible to relieve the current parking congestion. City Council Special Meeting/Workshop Page 3 July 26,2004 . . . Mr. Benskin said changing the Back Alley and Elevated lots from twenty-four to two hours seems problematic for downtown residents who will have no access to their residences. He asked if some sort of permit or sticker could be provided to accommodate them. Ms. Nelson stated that vehicles with disabled stickers may park in any spot for an unlimited amount of time. She also said that most people who currently use the lots are employees and if they are not able to park there for the day, residents may at least be able to use the spots for two hours. She added that the two-hour limit is only applicable between 9 AM and 5 PM so residents can park there all evening and night. Ms. Fenn noted that some downtown businesses have initiated successful incentive programs to encourage their employees to use alternate means of transportation. Ms. Sandoval stated that Dave Turissini of Jefferson Transit has been a great partner, trying to work out transit service and schedules so that people can conveniently access downtown on the transit system. Mr. Benskin asked if shoulder improvements could be made to encourage use of the 24- hour parking spaces on Jefferson Street. Mr. Peterson said that funding isn't currently available and that area is subject to road failure from the old wooden pipes in the ground. Mr. Timmons stated that the current proposals are low cost initiatives, but the long-term process will require some capital investment. Mrs. Medlicott said this is the fourth parking study she has paid for as a tax payer, and she feels it is the first one she has gotten her money's worth on; she praised the plan for being easy and sensible but also noted that she believes Mr. Kyle's concerns are valid. Ms. Robinson asked whether four hour parking had been considered at Fillmore. Mr. Timmons noted that the problem there was ferry commuters leaving their cars all day. Jefferson Transit tried to assist by providing a van but the WSF wouldn't let them leave the van at the ferry terminal. Mr. Peterson said the P.T. Leader is putting out a survey on shopping habits in Port Townsend and the City has purchased five questions regarding parking which will provide more information to the parking committee. Mr. Kyle then reviewed the recommendations regarding construction parking permits. Currently a permit is granted for 30 days by the Police Department and there has been considerable abuse of these permits. The plan to issue construction parking permits for up to three and over three days and requiring a deposit and daily fee is recommended as a compromise that won't discourage renovation but that will encourage responsibility. Large construction projects will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. City Council Special Meeting/Workshop Page 4 July 26,2004 . . . Both recommendations (trial basis parking time zone changes and construction permit changes) will come forward to the next business meeting in the form of an ordinance. RECESS Mayor Robinson declared a recess at 8:30 p.m. for the purpose of a break. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 8:45 p.m. PTTV DISCUSSION Mr. Timmons stated that the issue staff desires to bring before the council was triggered by his request that staff review all annual contractual obligations in light of current and projected budget constraints. The annual contract for the PTTV station manager was reviewed in this light and staff noted that there was an unpredicted change of circumstance in that Council meetings have been moved to a venue where a live feed to cable television is not available. The station manager stands by at the station during live Council broadcasts to monitor the outgoing show. A separate videographer actually sets up, tapes, and tears down the equipment. The short-term suggestion was to modify the terms of the contract to reflect this change. Discussion of the long term future and vision of the station was always intended to go through a complete process, which would involved both the newly established PEG Advisory Board and the City Council. City Clerk Pam Kolacy stated that this was the only change intended in the short term and arose from administrative review of the contract. Any other issues related to the station will be part of a long term visioning process with a process approved by the Council. Suggestions were made that the contract issue be reviewed by a Council Committee; some Councilors expressed the opinion that contract review is a proper function of the administration and if all contracts were reviewed by committee, it would be a burden on the system. Mr. Timmons stated that in the future there may be a review ofthe government function of the station by a council committee, while the PEG Board would oversee the public access portion. Council agreed that the immediate issue regarding the contract should come to the Council with a staff recommendation. This issue will be separated out from the issue of a long range plan and vision for the station, and discussion of the relationship of the three parts of PEG (public, educational and government) and whether or not the allocation of resources should be equal. Mr. Watts noted the Council can determine a scheduling action at a workshop session. City Council Special Meeting/Workshop Page 5 July 26,2004 . Ms. Robinson asked if staff could have a recommendation at the August meeting. Mr. Timmons stated that the July 15 memo sets the stage for discussion, and staff can add pertinent material so that Council determines whether or not to accept any recommended changes. Ms. Fenn asked that the agenda item delineate what changes are recommended and their ramifications. It was directed that the item of changes to the contract scope of service be scheduled for the August business meeting. FUTURE MEETINGS Mayor Robinson proposed that the regular meeting scheduled for August 2 be cancelled and a special business meeting be scheduled for August 9. The large number of recent meetings was cited as well as the fact that all members would be present on August 9. Motion: Ms. Fenn moved to cancel the August 2 meeting and schedule a special business meeting for August 9. Mrs. Med/icott seconded The motion carried, 4-1, by voice vote, with Mr. Benskin opposed ADJOURN . There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 10 p.m. Attest: ~CÞ{~ Pamela Kolacy CMC City Clerk . City Council Special Meeting/Workshop Page 6 July 26, 2004