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HomeMy WebLinkAbout030606 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF MARCH 6, 2006 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this sixth day of March, 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, Laurie Medlicott, Michelle Sandoval, Catharine Robinson, Scott Walker and Mark Welch. Geoff Masci arrived at 6:43 p.m. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, City Engineer Dave Peterson, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. PROCLAMATION Mayor Welch read a proclamation designating the week of April 17-24, 2006, as "Jambalaya Week" in honor of the New Old Time Chautauqua's Jambalaya Vaudeville Tour to the hurricane-affected Gulf Coast Region in connection with the Port Townsend-Bay St. Louis Sister City Project. The proclamation was accepted by Joey Pipia and members of the troupe. PUBLIC COMMENT (Consent and non-agenda items) There were no comments. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Ms. Robinson moved for approval of the following items on the Consent Agenda. Mrs. Medlicott seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting Page 1 March 6, 2006 Approval of the followina Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 97112 through 97222 in the amount of $365,039.98 Vouchers 303061 through 303069 in the amount of $92,418.60 Approval of Minutes: February 6, 2006 February 13, 2006 February 21, 2006 UNFINISHED BUSINESS RESOLUTION NO. 06-005 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE UPPER SIMS WAY PLANNING STUDIES AND WITH THE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL DESIGN OF THE HOWARD STREET INTERSECTION AND HOWARD STREET EXTENSION PROJECT, INCLUDING OBTAINING PUBLIC INPUT AND PREPARING RIGHT OF WAY PLANS, ALL WITHIN THE AVAILABLE FUNDING AND APPROVED BUDGET FOR THE PROJECT City Manager David Timmons reviewed the packet material and a map of the area. Mr. Masci arrived at 6:43 p.m. The floor was opened to clarifying questions from the Council. These included: Ms. Robinson asked if any utility work done in connection with the project would be funded by the city's utility fund. Mr. Clow stated that utility pieces of the project funded by the City would be charged to the utility fund. Ms. Sandoval suggested that City Attorney Watts go over the LID process. He explained the process in detail. Mr. Welch asked about the timeline. Mr. Clow noted that is dependent upon the extent and type of public process; although time is allocated for various steps, more time is often needed and, if necessary, would be incorporated into changes to the contract. Mr. Timmons stated he envisions a similar process to the "F" Street process, with a series of facilitated public meetings being held. Ms. Robinson asked if the first $170,000 budgeted is CIF (now called PIF - Public Infrastructure Fund) money. Mr. Clow replied that is correct. Ms. Robinson asked if funding for acquisition of rights of way is currently in the budget. Mr. Claw replied that there are currently no revenues identified which would be used for purchasing property. There is $135,000 in federal funding that could be available for special projects through the state transportation program; however federal rules about City Council Business Meeting Page 2 March 6, 2006 property acquisition are very onerous and this would not be the preferred funding method. Mr. Timmons noted there may be opportunities for property trades. Public comment: Scott Swantner encouraged proper time for public comment. He is an owner of property in the area and would like to know when there will be more time for input. Mr. Timmons stated the process would be lengthy and that the City can develop a list of neighbors and parcel owners so they can be notified of opportunities for comment and discussion. There was no further public comment. Mayor Welch opened the floor for Council discussion and deliberation. Ms. Sandoval stated she wished to disclose that she has received a real estate listing recently in the general vicinity of the project on Discovery Road. Mr. Benskin stated he does not believe two design alternatives (for traffic light or roundabout) need to be developed; he believes the Council has enough information now to make a decision. Mr. Timmons stated that a more definitive layout of the rights of way would come from this phase and that will be helpful to determine which design alternative is chosen. Ms. Sandoval noted that there is a significant amount of policy direction in the Comprehensive Plan and other policy documents. Mr. Masci stated he would like to remove the words "and final" after "preliminary" and prior to "design" in the title and body of the resolution. Motion: Mr. Benskin moved to approve Resolution 06-005, authorizing the City Manager to move forward with the Upper Sims Way planning studies and with the preliminary design of the Howard Street intersection and Howard Street extension project, including obtaining public input and preparing right of way plans, all within the available funding and approved budget for the project. Ms. Robinson seconded. Mr. Walker stated the discussion of the Howard Street intersection and the Howard Street extension need to be combined with the design guidelines for the area. Mr. Timmons noted that the resolution calls for the street improvements to be guided by urban design standards developed for the corridor. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0, by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting Page 3 March 6, 2006 Mr. Timmons stated that Council would receive a better quality print of the map, showing property lines more clearly. RECESS Mayor Welch called a recess at 8:05 for the purpose of a break. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 8:22 p.m. NEW BUSINESS ANN GIBBS PROPERTY DONATION City Attorney John Watts reviewed the packet material regarding a potential donation of property adjacent to Chetzemoka Park by Ms. Gibbs. Mrs. Medlicott questioned the implications of taking the property off the tax rolls. Mr. Watts stated that although the property would drop from the tax rolls, the revenue to the City would not be decreased, as the levy amount would be redistributed among other taxable properties. Ms. Sandoval stated she thought there was a new court ruling on the meaning of "perpetuity" and asked if that would affect the terms of this agreement (property never to be sold). Mr. Watts will research the matter. Mr. Walker stated his concern that this is not an underserved area of the City in regard to the parks and open space; he also has concerns regarding the amount of maintenance to the house that will be required and the cost to the city's parks budget. Public comment None Motion: Mr. Masci moved to approve acceptance of the terms of Ann Gibbs' offer to donate her property to the City of Port Townsend, and authorize the City Manager to execute necessary documents consistent with the donation intent stated in the letter from Ms. Gibbs dated 1120/06, on the condition that the City mayor may not choose to maintain the house. Mr. Benskin seconded. Mrs. Medlicott stated she is reluctant to support the motion until some of the questions raised tonight are answered. Vote: the motion carried, 6-1, Medlicott opposed. City Council Business Meeting Page 4 March 6, 2006 PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Welch listed a number of community events that will be occurring in the next several days. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons called the Council's attention to a handout detailing expenditures from the street fund from 2000-2005. Review of City Council Chambers Plan Mr. Timmons presented the preliminary plans for the interior restoration of City Hall, noting that the first phase is the restoration of the interior and the second phase is the technical upgrade. Interior restoration will be funded by the Historical Society. Public comment David Goldman: expressed concern that the public will be looking at the backs of the speakers. The Council discussed certain issues to be resolved, including the height difference if the mayor sits at the historic dais; whether the clerk and attorney seating should be raised slightly; and how to deal with sightlines. Update on Upcoming Work Around Haller Fountain Mr. Timmons noted that work on the Haller Fountain area side of Washington Street is proceeding. The current project has gone through HPC and the object is to make the street safe, put in pavers and an amphitheatre type bench around the fountain. The Parks crew will be clearing up the hill and some improvements around the fountain may be designated as a memorial to Steve Corra as recommended by the Park & Recreation Advisory Board. Mr. Benskin stated he has questions about the functionality of the complete design which he said does not work for traffic flow. Mr. Clow noted that the only work proposed for this year is around the fountain and that there is no final design for the entire street; the current rendering represents the outcome of the design charrette for the Taylor Street corridor. It is the outcome of public process, but has not been officially adopted. Mrs. Medlicott stated she does not want to continue representing a small group's vision as a final design. City Council Business Meeting Page 5 March 6, 2006 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS There were no standing committee reports. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDAS Mr. Walker stated he would like to see the bicycle helmet ordinance put back in front of the Council. Consensus was to place the issue in the in box for next week's workshop (March 13). It was also agreed that National Incident Management System training for the Council would be scheduled for the April 1 0 workshop. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:34 p.m. Attest: ./\ ~. Ic . ,J"( Vel/h. . , './3--&<- Pam Kolacy, CMC C City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 6 March 6, 2006