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HomeMy WebLinkAbout022106 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF FEBRUARY 21, 2006 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this twenty-first day of February, 2006, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend temporary Council Chambers in the Port Townsend Fire Station Conference Room, Mayor Mark Welch presiding. ROLL CALL Council members present at roll call were Frank Benskin, Geoff Masci, Laurie Medlicott, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, Scott Walker and Mark Welch. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Planner John McDonagh, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy, CHANGES TO THE AGENDA The "Preserve America" designation item was moved from City Manager's report to immediately follow Public Comment. PROCLAMATION Mayor Welch read a proclamation declaring March 2006 as "Reading Month." Library Director Theresa Percy accepted the proclamation and briefed the Council on the activities related to Port Townsend's first Community Read. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (non-agenda and consent agenda) Lawrence Graves, President of Economic Development Council (EDC), requested a letter from the City in support of a request for gap funding from the Washington Department of Community Trade and Economic Development (CTED) for EDC's proposed inventory of public lands. Tamer Kirac, Executive Director of EDC gave the background and history of the project, and referred to the four components of the proposal. He stated that CTED just notified him that with proof of support from all jurisdictions (County and Port have committed funding), CTED would consider providing approximately $18,000 in funding which would enable the project to qualify for matching funds of about $50,000. He stated the deadline for the letter is Thursday at noon. The item was added to the agenda as new business. City Council Business Meeting Page 1 February 21, 2006 PRESERVE AMERICA DESIGNATION Planner John McDonagh read a letter from Laura Bush congratulating Port Townsend on recognition as Preserve America Community. He thanked Port Townsend Main Street for their significant assistance in obtaining the designation. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Ms. Robinson moved for approval of the fol/owing items on the Consent Agenda. Mr. Masci seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Approval of the following Bills, Claims and Warrants: Vouchers 96726 through 97111 in the amount of $1,127,304.60 Vouchers 20361 through 203069 in the amount of $98,402.40 Vouchers 217061 through 217069 in the amount of $91 ,448.68 Approval of Minutes of January 30, 2006 PUBLIC HEARING STREET VACATION APPLICATION LUP05-125 Keith and Katie Fleming Ms. Sandoval stated she has had a business relationship with the Flemings in the past. Mr. Walker noted he has had a business relationship with the Flemings and that they are also friends. Mayor Welch read the rules of procedure for public hearings. No Council members stated they had any property or financial interest in the matter. City Attorney John Watts stated for the record that neither disclosure (by Sandoval and Walker) constituted an appearance of fairness or conflict of interest issue, as there is no monetary interest to either Councilor arising from adjudicating the matter. Planner John McDonagh presented the staff report and reviewed the packet material, including the Findings of Fact and Conclusions. He called the Council's attention to the conditions of approval, which included purchase of the property within three years and within six months of appraisal; and the requirement for petitioners to submit a Lot Line Adjustment to merge vacated right of way into their adjoining lands and have paid 100% of the appraised value of the land. Mr. Fleming spoke briefly in support of the vacation. City Council Business Meeting Page 2 February 21, 2006 There was no other public comment. Ms. Sandoval asked how funds received from street vacations are earmarked. Mr. McDonagh stated the funds must be used for transportation projects, but the type of project is not specified. Motion: Ms. Robinson moved to approve the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of the City Council for Street Vacation Application No. LUP05-125, dated February 21, 2006. Mrs. Medlicott seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT Mr. Timmons reviewed the packet materials. He noted that this is a pre-requisite study to put the county in a position for grants, and added that the elevated incomes in portions of the County, like Port Ludlow, skew the afford ability index, thereby requiring Jefferson County to demonstrate special needs for housing. Mr. Timmons said that banking institutions and other community partners are being sought to contribute the remaining $7-12,000. If there is a shortfall, the city and county will negotiate the sharing of any remaining costs, which are not budgeted. Motion: Mr. Masci moved to authorize the City Manager to sign a professional services contract agreement with Beckwith Consulting Group not to exceed $52,000. Mr. Benskin seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES PROPERTY EXCHANGE Public Works Director Ken Clow reviewed the packet material. He noted that staff is proposing that a letter be sent to DNR indicating that the city would like to continue to pursue the property exchange. Mr. Benskin asked if the City still owns the Snow Creek water right. Mr. Clow replied it does not. In answer to Mrs. Medlicott's question, Mr. Timmons replied that the relative values of the properties would be determined upon appraisal. There was no public comment. City Council Business Meeting Page 3 February 21, 2006 Motion: Ms. Robinson moved to direct staff to continue the process of the land exchange and forward a letter to the Department of Natural Resources indicated our continued interest. Mr. Masci seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. RESOLUTION 06-003 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, AMENDING THE 2006-2011 SIX-YEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO CHANGE THE TITLE OF A PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT THE REVISED T.I.P. TO THE STATE Public Works Director Ken Clow stated that this amendment to the Transportation Improvement Program changes the title of a project on the TIP so that it conforms with the title on the granting document, thus enabling the grant to move forward. There was no public comment. Motion: Ms. Robinson moved for approval of Resolution 06-003. Mr. Benskin seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. RESOLUTION 06-004 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE WASHINGTON STATE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT BOARD FOR THE DISCOVERY ROAD SIDEWALK PROJECT, (HASTINGS AVENUE TO SHERIDAN STREET), AND TO SIGN ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND CONTRACTS FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS PROJECT Public Works Director Ken Clow reviewed the packet materials regarding the City's $150,000 grant from the State Transportation Improvement Board for the Discovery Road sidewalk from Hastings Avenue to Sheridan Street. He stated that placement of the sidewalk (which side of the road) would be evaluated during the design process. Public comment Jim Todd spoke in favor of the resolution, noting that a sidewalk is badly needed on the road because of the danger to pedestrians. Ms. Sandoval asked how much has been budgeted for this sort of improvement. Mr. Clow noted that it varies year to year; the matching portion of this grant could be City Council Business Meeting Page 4 February 21, 2006 budgeted over two years but in any case the design will limit the City's contribution to $67,000. Ms. Robinson stated she would like to see the Council find money to complete a sidewalk from Sheridan to Discovery as well. Motion: Ms. Robinson moved for adoption of Resolution 06-004. Ms. Sandoval seconded. In answer to Mr. Benskin's question, Mr. Clow stated that this project is the sort that can be funded by proceeds from street vacations. Mrs. Medlicott asked if staff could produce a table showing how a breakdown over ten years (five previous and five projected) of the funding for repairing streets as opposed to building sidewalks, trails etc. Vote: Motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved that Council task staff to provide the requested information to al/ Council members. Mr. Benskin seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. MILLENIUM REQUEST FOR CITY CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT OF FRANCHISE City Attorney John Watts reviewed the Council packet materials. He added that he has contacted the City of Seattle and that city has involved an outside consultant to look at the financial aspects of the transfer; they will make the information received form the consultant available to Port Townsend and other cities affected by the transfer. Information received so far shows that Wave is a company which has only been in business for a couple of years and was started by senior management personnel who formerly worked for Millenium. They have received approvals in 2005 for the transfer request from cities in California and at least one city in Washington (Port Orchard.) Contact with Port Orchard indicates they are satisfied with the new service. Mr. Watts will review the current franchise agreement with Mr. Welch and set up a meeting with representatives from Wave to get a sense of their plans and intentions for the area. In answer to a question from Ms. Sandoval, Mr. Timmons stated the franchise agreement falls under federal guidelines. Mr. Watts stated there is no prescribed public process but the Council deliberations will allow the public to weigh in on the matter. City Council Business Meeting Page 5 February 21, 2006 Mr. Welch added the City does not have a lot of leverage other than the hope that some improvements to service may be on the table for negotiation. Mr. Watts added this is not an opportunity to negotiate a new franchise. Public comment: Dave Brader stated that he favors approving the transfer, citing past positive experience working with the Wave management personnel. RECESS Mayor Welch declared a recess at 8: 11 p.m. for the purpose of a break. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 8:25 p.m. WORKSHOP ON JEFFERSON COUNTY FIBER NET Mr. Brader reviewed the items he would like from the City (from an e-mail to the Council sent previously). Motion: Mr. Masci moved that the Council generate a letter of support for the project which endorses it in spirit and authorize the City Manager to participate in a meeting with Mr. Brader and a representative from CTED on March 7 and then provide Council with more information so they can discuss how to proceed. Mr. Benskin seconded. Ms. Sandoval stated it is premature for the City to be putting something in writing when so they don't really have background and answers to all of their questions. Mrs. Medlicott suggested discussing this issue at an upcoming workshop. Ms. Robinson stated this issue might be a candidate for the in box process as a new initiative that was not carried forward from last year nor is a part of the work plan presented. Ms. Sandoval stated it could also be discussed at the retreat this coming Monday. Mr. Walker stated that the Council's 2006 goals haven't been set and the workshop will be an opportunity for doing that. Mr. Timmons stated there is policy direction in the Comp Plan about acquiring some sort of broadband, so there is generic support, which would not necessarily be for this particular project. He added that Jeff Com is doing a countywide inventory and assessment in the next 90 days and is discussing wireless issues with Mobilisa. City Council Business Meeting Page 6 February 21, 2006 Consensus to make March 13 study session the first in box review, to include discussion of broadband issue; and authorize a generic letter of support which quotes the Comprehensive Plan policies. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL REQUEST The Council took up discussion of the request from Mr. Graves and Mr. Kirac for a letter of support for the land inventory study. Mr. Kirac clarified that the amount of gap funding available andlor needed will be between $10,000 and $20,000. He stated that if the letter of commitment is not received, the EDC may get $10,000; with the letter they may access up to $20,000. Mr. Timmons noted that the City would find some parts of the project more useful than others and could specify that in the letter. If a financial commitment is not requested, he stated that the goals of the project would generally be supported through the Comprehensive Plan and that some of the tasks are more relevant to the City than others. Ms. Sandoval stated that providing a letter of support without knowing the future of the organization seems rash at this point; what happens if the EDC is dissolved? She agreed that tasks 1 (Inventory and Infrastructure) and 3 (alternative development and cost-benefit analysis) are good value to the City but said the entire discussion seems premature, as no discussion has taken place yet at the Council level. Mr. Graves characterized this as an opportunity rather than an emergency. A letter from the City to the County would enable the request for the funding to complete the local funding match. He added that the results of the study may be used to leverage funding for infrastructure development. He added that the County has indicated a willingness to administer the project in the absence of the EDC. Motion: Mr. Benskin moved that the Council issue a letter of support for the Economic Development Council as requested. Mr. Masci seconded. Ms. Sandoval stated the Council needs to be clear on whether or not it wants to support a study for the land bank when the philosophical discussion has not taken place and the issue has not been studied. She stated she does support the database but is concerned about stewardship. Mr. Benskin moved to cal/ the previous question. Mr. Masci seconded. Motion failed, 2-5, Benskin and Masci in favor. City Council Business Meeting Page 7 February 21, 2006 Ms. Robinson stated the motion was very vague in terms of what the letter would say. Mr. Timmons suggested making the letter more specific as to what the City considers its benefits would be, specifically tasks 1 and 3. Ms. Robinson stated she could vote for a letter of support for the study, emphasizing tasks 1 and 3, and listing the benefits to the city along with a mention of partnering with fellow jurisdictions to benefit the overall economic benefit to the County. Mr. Benskin and Mr. Masci supported the proposed wording. Vote: motion carried, 6-1, by voice vote, Sandoval opposed. Ms. Sandoval asked that this be added to the in box or some other mechanism so there can be a full discussion regarding funding potentials an other issues. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT PEG Access Coordinating Committee Recommendation Mr. Welch stated that the PEG Access Coordinating Committee has recommended reverting back to the individual public membership fees which were in effect before the new fee schedule was put into effect in January 2006. Motion: Ms. Robinson moved to assign the request from the PEG Access Coordinating Committee to approve rol/ing back PTTV public individual membership fees to the 2005 amount to the Finance and Budget Committee. Mr. Benskin seconded. The motion carried, unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. Appointment Mayor Welch recommended that Laurie Medlicott be appointed to the Council position on the Economic Development Council. Ms. Sandoval noted that the appointment should include the related committees, Peninsula Development Committee and North Olympic Peninsula Resource and Development Committee. Mrs. Medicott said she would accept appointment to those committees as well. Motion: Mr. Masci moved to approve the Mayor's appointment of Laurie Medlicott to the Economic Development Council, the Peninsula Development Committee and the North Olympic Peninsula Resource and Development Committee. Mr. Benskin seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons stated a grand opening for the skate park would be scheduled in May. City Council Business Meeting Page 8 February 21, 2006 SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS Mr. Benskin requested an update on the historic City Hall chambers progress. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Ms. Robinson stated that she was not in favor of the process used tonight of adding items for discussion and action which are not on the published agenda; she stated the Council should at least vote on whether to add items to the agenda. Mr. Benskin and Mr. Masci expressed concern about the Council being unable to pick up mail after business hours. Mr. Timmons stated staff has been working on this and a solution should be in place in the next 2-3 weeks. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m. Attest: fJ_/) ... Van, \r<\c-io"j-- Pam Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 9 February 21, 2006