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HomeMy WebLinkAbout022112 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF FEBRUARY 21, 2012 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the twenty-first day of February 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 Robert Gray, David King, Kris Nelson, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, Deborah Stinson, and Mark Welch. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Development Services Director Rick Sepler, Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders, Public Works Director Ken Clow, and Finance Director Michael Legarsky. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were none. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Cheryl Morgenstern spoke about her concerns over the transient accommodation license and more specifically the high application fees. Tim Lambert spoke about his concerns over the high transient accommodation application fees. Linda Smith spoke about Council's Special Projects Committee work plan and suggested a citizen notification process for topics under review by Council committees. City staff response City Manager Timmons agreed to look into the transient fees. There was some discussion among Council about the availability of committee materials and whether the public has access to meeting materials on line. There was interest in better publicizing the topics being addressed by Council committees. City Council Business Meeting February 21, 2012 Page 1 of 7 CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Minutes: January 17, 2012, January 30, 2012 and February 6, 2012 Advisory Board Appointments - Civil Service and Historic Preservation Committee Civil Service Commission: Ron Kosec to Position 3, with a term expiring 12/31/14 Historic Preservation Committee: Pamela Adams to Position 1, with a term expiring 05/01/14 and Cate Comerford to Position 2, with a term expiring 05/01/14. Contract Approval for Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve the consent agenda. Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. OLD BUSINESS Resolution 12-006, Amending Resolution 11-024 Concerning Use of Bond Expenditures for the Fort Worden Life Long Learning Center Public Development Authority Mr. King noted that he requested an amendment to the resolution to provide more context for the City's support. City Manager Timmons gave the staff report explaining this item was last discussed by Council on February 13, 2012. The proposal is for City support of the PDA to reflect changed budget conditions at the State level. Funds available from not backfilling a recently-vacated position in the Clerk's office would be reallocated to the PDA, including but not limited to the rehabilitation of Building 202. This $63,000 would replace the $73,000 in capital monies previously provided to the PDA by Resolution 11-024. The $73,000 would instead be used for other capital projects such as needed pool repairs. He explained next steps for the PDA and funding cutbacks that impact the State's ability to support Fort Worden for the long term. During council discussion, there were concerns about receiving the proposed amendment just prior to the meeting and about the lack of City authority or guidance over how the funds are to be used. Mr. Timmons and Development Services Director Rick Sepler provided background on funding. They listed the management models under consideration, noting that none of the options are being proposed by Council or the PDA. Mr. Timmons added that the City has given support for the Fort Worden planning process which has been ongoing for a City Council Business Meeting February 21, 2012 Page 2 of 7 number of years. There was no public comment. During deliberations, Council considered a suggestion to allow additional time to receive public comment about the change in scope of the City's support. Council members commented on the public process to date. There was acknowledgement that the implementation of the particular management model to be chosen is causing public concern. It was also thought that these funds would be used partly to help further involve and inform the public. Several councilors commented that because of state funding issues, the status quo at Fort Worden is no longer an option. There were additional Council comments concerning the revenue generated for the community by Fort Worden activities. Motion: Mark Welch moved to approve Resolution 12-006 (as amended), Amending Resolution 11-024 Concerning Use of Bond Expenditures for the Fort Worden Life Long Learning Center Public Development Authority. Kris Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed. Resolution 12-007, Approving Expenditures from the 2010 Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds for Mountain View Swimming Pool Capital Projects Mr. Timmons reported that staff is in the process of figuring out how to schedule improvements listed in the pool assessment. Rick Sepler described the recent electrical repairs and the proposed closure schedule to work on the pump room and address safety access issues. While the pool would reopen for summer, staff would return to Council in the fall to address the need for additional funding for other repairs. There would be a public informational meeting on March 1. There was no public comment. During Council discussion, there were clarifying questions about the repairs and expenditures listed in items 1 and 2. There was also a question about the involvement of the school district. Mr. Sepler and Mr. Timmons responded. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 12-007, Approving Expenditures from the 2010 Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds for Mountain View Swimming Pool Capital Projects. Kris Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3057 - Residential Street Use Regulations City Council Business Meeting February 21, 2012 Page 3 of 7 City Attorney John Watts gave the staff report. He presented a draft ordinance providing definitions on what the adjacent landowner can plant in the right of way. Current regulations do not define landscaping. The ordinance affirms a 2010 resolution stating it is not the City's intent to seek out and remove existing and long-standing use of the right of way so long as the use does not create a hazard or interfere with street ends. These temporary uses are also subject to removal. The goal was to provide standards for new uses. Existing and new rules are consistent with a number of adopted City policies and plans about use of the rights of way. He noted the agenda bill provides a lengthy background. A suggestion was to clarify the type of ground cover allowed in the planted strip between the sidewalk and the street so that plant heights do not become an issue for vehicle parking. Mr. Watts provided guidelines about varying widths of rights of way. Some rules of thumb are that water meter locations (if at the front of a house) are typically very close to the property line as are telephone poles. Richard Berg encouraged there to be flexibility in enforcement for houses that existed before setbacks were established (such as for adding a stairway to the street for access). Jana Allen spoke about a letter she received about logs that were placed in the right of way. She feels the City needs to view what is on the ground before sending letters. Public Works Director Ken Clow responded that the City letter referred not only to logs but other improvements in the right of way. Staff would provide the letter to Council. Council members noted that design departures are already in the ordinance. There was additional explanation of the issues the ordinance is attempting to address -- mainly individuals adding landscaping to stop on-street parking in front of their houses resulting in privatization of the right of way, plantings that create safety and visibility concerns on corners, and prohibiting new structures being built in the right of way. Fairness and flexibility in the guidelines were also goals. In response to Council questions, Mr. Wafts explained there is nothing in the ordinance addressing departures for long-term parking in the right of way which he views as a more flagrant privatization of the right of way than landscaping. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3057 on Residential Street Uses. Kris Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. At 8:09 pm, the meeting was recessed for the purposes of a break. At 8:19 pm, the meeting was reconvened. NEW BUSINESS City Council Business Meeting February 21, 2012 Page 4 of 7 Ordinance 3071, Amending the Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 13.05 Utility Rates and Charges and Establishing an Effective Date Mr. Timmons reported that the City has been working with Financial Consulting Services (FCS) on a rate adjustment. The last adjustment was in 2006. In 2009, there was a cost of service analysis which showed through a distribution model that residential users were subsidizing commercial use. Two adjustments that affected the rate increase were the retirement of revenue bonds for the wastewater plant and the decision to capitalize the engineering costs. Without these adjustments, the rate increase would have been much higher in order to maintain required fund reserve levels. Water rates would increase an average of 3 percent for the next five years and sewer would increase at 4 percent beginning in 2015. The City would still need to address increases to fund capital investments in utility projects. Finance Director Michael Legarsky reminded that this Ordinance brings forward the rate review model as presented by FCS last year. He noted that since Council would not be meeting before March 1, the effective date could be modified to reflect an effective date of April 1, 2012. Clarifying questions from Council related to the increase in the residential base rate and whether the rates could be adjusted now to include some of the capital costs. Mr. Timmons said staff has talked about adjusting the rate upward 2%, but would recommend deferring that increase. Legislative action pending on the Trust Fund loans (for the water treatment project) could impact the amount needed. There might also be different ways to structure the capital costs. There was no public comment. In response to further questions, Mr. Legarsky explained that rate analysts try to achieve four months of operating capital as a reserve and currrently the City has about two months. Mr. Timmons agreed to amend the effective date and get answers on the reserve balances. Motion: Mark Welch moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3071, Amending the Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 13.05 Utility Rates and Charges and Establishing an Effective Date. Deborah Stinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 12-008, Confirming the City Manager's Recommendation and Direction to Reorganize the City's Organizational Structure to Allow for a More Sustainable Organization Plan Mr. Timmons reported that as senior staff near retirement, there is a need for succession planning and better balancing of the organizational structure to meet future needs. It will be important to see where additional expertise and training is City Council Business Meeting February 21, 2012 Page 5 of 7 needed. Certain code amendments are necessary to support the organizational changes that will be needed in the future. Bruce Tipton asked if there would be an opportunity for further public input into this recommendation. Mr. Timmons responded this is his recommendation to Council at this time, but this doesn't mean it couldn't be modified in the future. Council questions related to whether the changes affect the adopted 2012 budget, which Mr. Timmons confirmed they do not. It was suggested that references in the resolution to Community Services Director should instead be Public Services Director and that Finance should be an additional department listed under item 2. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 12-008, confirming the City Manager's Recommendation and Direction to Reorganize the City's Organizational Structure to Allow for a More Sustainable Organization Plan (with the changes as recommended.) Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT Council Office Hours Mayor King noted that several council members have signed up for specific hours which he would recommend be advertised on the meeting calendar. Following a brief discussion, schedule preferences were noted as follows: Mr. Welch 3:30-5 pm, Ms. Nelson 11-1 pm, Ms. Robinson said some Tuesdays would work. Council confirmed office hours to be publicized as Tuesdays from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. and Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. Mr. King also reported on the following: - He met with County Administrator Philip Morley and Commissioner John Austin on Glen Cove, supporting the PDA, and the parks and recreation initiative (Proposition 1 funding). - He met with 13 mayors as a follow up to the Mayors Conference and signed letter urging passage of a transportation funding bill emphasizing funding for local jurisdictions. CITY MANAGER REPORT Referral of City sponsorship of events (community read, arts commission) to General Services Committee Mr. Timmons reviewed his request for Council clarification on what events would receive City sponsorship and waiving of the fee for use of City facilities. City Council Business Meeting February 21, 2012 Page 6 of 7 There was a brief discussion about how the approval would work. Mr. Timmons suggested General Services recommend to Council the types of events to be sponsored. Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve referring the City sponsorship of events (community read, arts commission) to General Services Committee. Catharine Robinson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Mr. Timmons reported on the following: - The need to closely monitor the State's budget that shifts the taxing authority to local jurisdictions. - Taylor street sidewalk lid project has begun. - Standard and Poors approved the City's A+ rating and they are closely watching that the City acts according to plan. Referral of EJFR Proposal to Council Representatives of EJFR Joint Oversight Board Mr. Timmons requested that Council assign to the three council representatives on the East Jefferson Fire Rescue Joint Oversight Board the task of recommending to Council a proposal for addressing the funding shortfall. Motion: Kris Nelson moved to approve referring the EJFR Proposal to Council Representatives of EJFR Joint Oversight Board. Mark Welch seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Mr. Timmons suggested scheduling a Council workshop for an update on the Exploratory Regional Parks and Recreation Committee. He also announced that PACE engineers are working downtown on the design for routing cable. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m. Attest: W f , Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting February 21, 2012 Page 7 of 7