HomeMy WebLinkAbout010713 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF JANUARY 7, 2013
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session the 7th day of January 2013
in the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David King called the meeting to
order at 6:30 p.m.
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 Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken
Clow, Public Services Director Rick Sepler, and Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were none.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment
Brenda McMillen spoke about the library levy and the need to have a discussion
about the proposed expansion.
Todd Wexman urged Council to change the way the City does business regarding
City projects.
Julie Jaman spoke on the water main break on Water Street. She also spoke about
the need to seek public input before moving forward with City projects like the Library
redesign.
City staff response
There was none.
CONSENT AGENDA
Bills, Claims and Warrants
Vouchers 119473 through 119556 in the amount of$114,039.67
Vouchers 119467 through 119471 in the amount of$785.33
Vouchers 119558 through 119563 in the amount of $80,898.42
City Council Business Meeting January 7, 2012 Page 1 of 4
Voucher 119564 through 119567 in the amount of$468.87
EFTs in the amount of$24,487.06
Vouchers 119571 through 119613 in the amount of$231,871.47
Voucher 119614 in the amount of$441,621.69
Vouchers 119615 through 119626 in the amount of$5,416.20
Vouchers 119627 through 119636 in the amount of$235,044.28
Approval of Minutes: December 17, 2012
Civil Service Commission Appointment of Jewel Cline Atwell (Position 2, Term
expires 12/31/2016)
Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve the consent agenda. Mark Welch
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NONE
NEW BUSINESS
Update on Fort Worden Life Long Learning Center Public Development
Authority ("FWPDA")
Cindy Hill Finnie, President of the Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Center Public
Development Authority provided a summary of last year's activities. She spoke
about the Park as an economic driver in the City and about the City's
endorsement and involvement. She introduced the Board members present at the
meeting and noted they would be interviewing potential new board candidates
this week.
Scott Wilson, PDA Vice President, thanked Council for its support. He talked
about the importance of Fort Worden as an economic link and provided a
historical overview of Fort Worden and the change in financial circumstances
for State Parks.
Dave Robison, Interim Executive Director, reviewed materials provided to
Council. He then gave a presentation summarizing the business plan with four
key components: key findings, market analysis update, operational and
management analysis, and business management plan. He noted that under the
co-management plan, the PDA would manage 91 core acres and State Parks
would manage the rest of the park, including the natural resource functions.
Reviewing the pro forma, he then talked about moving toward self sufficiency. He
reviewed a list of outstanding issues.
Ms. Finnie, Mr. Wilson, and Interim Executive Director Dave Robison responded
to follow up questions about the governance structure (a draft of which is still
under review), flexibility of an agreement with the State Parks in the form of an
City Council Business Meeting January 7, 2012 Page 2 of 4
interlocal agreement (to allow long-term leases), Peninsula College as the lead
agency on Building 202, ideas for attracting additional visitors, how the Discover
Pass would be used in the future, how the PDA would solicit additional ideas for
potential building uses, about plan implementation, whether there would be an
environmental impact statement or another process to address any concerns
on new uses, construction timeline for Building 202, how and when the City would
release funds for Building 202, parking issues, state parks retaining lodging tax
funds collected at Fort Worden, and renovation priorities. There was additional
discussion about the pro forma in the presentation, fundraising goals, and how
the PDA would address their funding gap.
There was no public comment. Ms. Sandoval relayed questions by a citizen about
sewer and water and wastewater capacity if there is an expansion of uses. Public
Works Director Ken Clow addressed water and sewer questions. Ms. Sandoval
also pointed out the City's need to have built in capacity in police and other areas
to address seasonal demands at the Fort.
At 8:14 p.m., the Mayor declared a recess for the purpose of a break.
At 8:24 p.m., the meeting resumed.
PRESIDING OFFICER REPORT
Presentation of Ballot Measure Revenue Impacts
The Mayor reviewed the spreadsheet he developed to quantify the effect on city
revenues and individual property taxes of these measures in various combinations.
He demonstrated how to use the worksheet to assess the impact to citizens on
measures like city annexation by the fire district, the creation of a metropolitan
parks district, or how a voted bond for library expansion can interact in complicated
ways. The city could reduce its levy and "bank" the dollars freed up through
annexation or the approval of an MPD, or apply them to service the debt created by
a voted bond for the library expansion. He noted that there are many variables that
need to be considered in order to develop specific ballot measures. Some
discussion ensued about assessed property values. Mr. King noted that the
spreadsheet would be available again at the January 14 workshop for a more
detailed discussion of ballot measures.
Ms. Sandoval urged Council to broaden its ballot measure discussion
to the community issues such as school district funding needs, noting that there is a
belief in the community that the City prioritizes other projects over education.
Mr. King reported on his meeting with Philip Morley and Phil Johnson to discuss
how to keep the Metropolitan Parks District process moving forward. A meeting is
tentatively scheduled for the week of February 11.
Council Committees Schedule/Process and Office Hours
City Council Business Meeting January 7, 2012 Page 3 of 4
Mr. King noted that Ms. Robinson would be a new representative on the Joint
Oversight Board of East Jefferson Fire and Rescue.
Mayor King then led a discussion about expanding Council office hours. There
was discussion about how to address and follow up on citizen concerns. Council
agreed to expand hours to Wednesdays from 3 to 5 or 4 to 6 pm with Ms. Nelson
primarily staffing.
Following a brief discussion about the upcoming committee meeting schedule, there
was agreement to continue monthly Finance and Budget Committee meetings. Staff
would schedule a Community Development and Land Use Committee meeting in
February or March on transient accommodations. The remainder of the committees
(Special Projects, General Services and Information and Technology) would be
scheduled as needed.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
Public Works Director Ken Clow gave a briefing on the Water Street 12-inch water
main break on Sunday.
SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR
STUDY SESSION
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
EXECUTIVE SESSION
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m
Attest:
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Pamela Kolacy, MMCi
City Clerk
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