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Home My WebLink About011712 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF JANUARY 17, 2012 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the seventeenth day of January 2012 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 540 Water Street, Mayor David King presiding. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David King, Robert Gray, Kris Nelson, Catharine Robinson, Deborah Stinson, and Mark Welch with Michelle Sandoval excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders, and Development Services Director Rick Sepler. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA New Business Item B would be extended to discuss Council office hours. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Proclamation - Arts & Heritage Day Anita Edwards, Board member of the Permanent Collection Initiative Northwind Arts Center accepted the proclamation. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment There were none. City staff response There was none. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 116614 through 116622 and EFTs in the amount of$254,613.70 Vouchers 116623 through 116680 in the amount of$301,641.33 Vouchers 116681 through 116699 in the amount of$3,625.96 City Council Business Meeting January 17, 2012 Page 1 of 5 Approval of Minutes: January 3, 2012 Motion: Mark Welch moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Kris Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolution 12-002 Joint Resolution of the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners, the Port Townsend City Council, and the Port of Port Townsend Port Commission Approving a Process to Coordinate and Promote Enhanced Inter-jurisdictional Coordination in Regards to Regional Economic Development Committee Development Services Director Rick Sepler gave the staff report providing background on a strategy to address economic development between the City, Jefferson County and Port of Port Townsend. Mr. Sepler noted changes in federal and state funding and tax jurisdiction circumstances requiring a reassessment of capital priorities, resources, and allocation of resources. The resolution reflects a commitment to work together on a better defined process and directs staff to work together on a monthly basis. City Manager David Timmons noted that there is a new base economy on which to focus. Areas such as technology/broadband applications are critical as are social and arts events which create a synergy in the community. He spoke about the cost benefit analysis of the Howard Street corridor in terms of how improvements would contribute to infrastructure but not necessarily economic development. Mr. Sepler responded to questions from Council concerning participation in Team Jefferson and the draft economic strategy referred to as Exhibit 1 to the resolution. He noted that Team Jefferson's direction statement, referred to in the resolution, would be available in the fall of 2012. A copy of the current Economic Development Strategy would be forwarded to Council separately. There was no public comment Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 12-002, a Joint Resolution of the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners, the Port Townsend City Council, and the Port of Port Townsend Port Commission Approving a Process to Coordinate and Promote Enhanced Inter jurisdictional Coordination in Regards to the Regional Economic Development Committee. Kris Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Agreement with Fort Worden Life Long Learning Center Public Development Authority ("FWPDA") - $500,000 Capital Funding for Building 202 City Council Business Meeting January 17, 2012 Page 2 of 5 City Manager David Timmons provided background on the City as an important investment partner in convincing the state legislature to provide funding support for renovating Building 202. This agreement would formalize the transfer of bond funds to the PDA. City Attorney John Watts reviewed the terms of the agreement that provides the commitment of monies to the PDA and restrictions for capital expenditures on the rehabilitation of Building 202. Questions from Council addressed by Mr. Timmons related to the $120,000 reprioritization of bond funds used for start up capital for Building 202 and conditions on the transfer of funds to the PDA. Dave Robison noted that two agreements between the City and PDA and between the PDA and Peninsula College are in process and should be signed by the end of January. There was no public comment. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement(in the form attached to the agenda bill including modifications on the last page changing "LTAC"references to "Lodging Tax') with the Fort Worden Life Long Learning Center Public Development Authority that defines roles and responsibilities, and provides for the City's $500,000 capital contribution to the Building 202 rehabilitation project. Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Mr. Timmons recommended that while there has been an "arms length" relationship with the PDA, he believes it is important for the City to offer additional assistance as a partner as the PDA evolves. Motion: Mark Welch moved to approve the Mayor offering City assistance to the PDA if there is a supportive role the City can play. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Retreat Follow up - Committee Assignments; Special Projects Committee Initial Assignments; Confirmation of Committee of the Whole Schedule for Finance Issues Mayor King led a discussion of committee assignments. It was noted that although the Exploratory Regional Parks and Recreation Committee is not listed on the Council Committee Roster, representation is by the mayor. Significant discussion ensued on the Special Projects list of assignments. It was noted that this committee would typically address items that do not fit within other council committees. They would not necessarily figure out how to address the issue, but whether it was a priority for the City to take up the matter at this time. A recommendation to Council from the committee might even be for another Council committee to be involved. There was concern about how the list of topics would be prioritized for action. There was support for the recommendation that Council would City Council Business Meeting January 17, 2012 Page 3 of 5 wait for a more complete list of topics to be presented at the February 6 Council meeting. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve confirming the Mayor's committee assignments as listed on the agenda bill. Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve confirming the City Manager's schedule and use of the committee of the whole to address finance issues identified in the Budget Direction Resolution 11-043 with the request that the April meeting be later in the month if possible (as set forth in Finance Issues - Schedule). Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Mr. King then led a discussion about Council office hours as suggested at the retreat. Staff agreed to explore setting up an electronic calendar that Councilmembers could access for scheduling. There was consensus to establish for February a schedule for Staffing the Mayor's office with certain fixed days and times (in 2-hour blocks). PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor King reported on his attendance at a passenger ferry meeting. He also met with staff members from Senator Patty Murray's and Representative Norm Dicks' offices on the Wild Olympics and needs in the community for bank financing. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons reported on the following: - Sending a letter today to the County on Exploratory Regional Parks and Recreation Committee asking for compliance with the agreement. - City's year end balances. - Councilors should notify the clerk's office of vacation schedules - Meeting with the historical society about issues arising from the First Night event - Contractors tour on the Tunnel Lid project is 3pm on Friday SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Committee Reorganization There was discussion of Council committee meeting schedules as listed in the agenda bill. More coordination would be needed to finalize the meeting times. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION City Council Business Meeting January 17, 2012 Page 4 of 5 ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m. Attest: } S, l / Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting January 17, 2012 Page 5 of 5