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HomeMy WebLinkAbout031113 Joint Meeting with School District CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PORT TOWNSEND SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 11, 2013 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council and the Port Townsend School Board met in a Joint Workshop session the 11th day of March 2013 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David King and School Board Chair Jennifer James-Wilson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL School District Board Members present at roll call were Jennifer James-Wilson, Anne Burkart, Holley Carlson, and Bill LeMaster. Pam Daly absent. Councilmembers present at roll call were Robert Gray, David King, Kris Nelson, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson with Catharine Robinson, and Mark Welch absent. Staff members present were School District Superintendent Dr. David Engle, School District Support Services Manager Brad Taylor, City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Services Director Rick Sepler, Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders, Library Director Theresa Percy, and Police Chief Conner Daily. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Student Calvin Leckenby of the Killer Whales, a county-wide mountainbike team, spoke about his participation on the ReCyclery board. He urged the development of the Safe Routes to School Program. MOUNTAIN VIEW DISCUSSION (FUTURE OF MOUNTAIN VIEW AND OTHER SCHOOL PROPERTIES IN WHICH THE CITY MIGHT BE INTERESTED) School district update and 3-5 year plan School District Superintendant Dr. David Engle talked about Mountain View Commons and the Lincoln Building school properties that are of joint interest to the City and School District. He reviewed the extent of ownership and responsibilities. City update with 3-5 year plan City Manager David Timmons distributed a Mountain View Campus facility spreadsheet summarizing the operating budget. He talked about Honeywell's design and development work for the City. They have outlined needed upgrades totaling roughly $2.2 million. He then reviewed grant opportunities that might require ownership interest by the City. Joint City Council and Port Townsend School District Workshop Meeting March 11, 2013 Page 1 of 3 Possible joint efforts like School Resource Officer (SRO), Mountain View and Lincoln Bldg. Public Services Director Rick Sepler talked about the pool reopening. In response to questions, Mayor King and City Manager Timmons reviewed the business and recreational activities currently taking place at Mountain View. There was also a question of whether additional capacity is available. Mr. Timmons responded that there is some space but additional improvements would first be required. Dr. Engle indicated that funding for pool operations is not an area in which the School District could contribute. Mr. Timmons then summarized previous discussions about possible uses for the Lincoln Building. Public Services Director Rick Sepler was asked to review the City's historic building ordinance. Dr. Engle talked about previous Lincoln Building feasibility studies conducted by the School District, noting that by itself the School District would be unable to fund any renovation of that building. There are also other priorities for the District. Mr. Timmons talked about the desire to facilitate a partnership for that building similar to what is being done on the U.S. Customs House. There was a question about whether discussions at the State level about fully funding education would accelerate the School's facilities planning. Dr. Engle responded that capital projects might be secondary to transportation among the funding priorities. He announced the District has received a $1 million matching grant to make certain energy improvements. When School Board members were asked about their long- term desires for a shared school/community space, they spoke of a performing arts center or fine arts design center. Dr. Engle shared ideas about how the discussion on the future of Lincoln Building might move forward. Discussion then shifted to school participation in the Metropolitan Park District for support of school sports programs in addition to field maintenance. Mr. Timmons and Library Director Theresa Percy talked about City and School collaborations to leverage library resources (the CLAN system and a YMCA program to work with youth on math and science). She also announced the receipt of a $150,000 grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation (proposal distributed) to work with the University of Washington on determining the best formats for material collections into the future. She also talked about other grant opportunities. Dr. Engle agreed to share, when it is finished, a white paper he is writing on a vision for school programming focused on the maritime industry. Dr. Engle and Police Chief Daily talked about preparations and efforts underway with the County Sheriffs office to increase school safety following the recent school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary. Returning to the topic of Mountain View, there was discussion and some concern about grant opportunities that might be limited to an entity with an ownership interest. Mr. Timmons suggested investigating whether a long-term lease or possibly a trust agreement might be possible. He then talked about grant funding for Joint City Council and Port Townsend School District Workshop Meeting March 11, 2013 Page 2 of 3 boiler replacement and other Mountain View improvements through a State Department of Commerce energy program. The matching funds would come from investment grade financing on improvements through energy savings. Mayor King suggested the Council and School Board consider authorizing a committee to continue this discussion. There was further discussion of the Metropolitan Parks District and its tax limitations and the formation of the Steering Committee. There was some question whether school facilities were incorporated into the list of facility assets. Dr. Engle responded to several questions about improving grades in science and math, a recent assessment at Grant Street Elementary, and how the tracking of dropout rates occurs. There was support for a suggestion by Mayor King to convene a committee made up of School Board and Council members to begin to work on some of the issues discussed this evening with a priority focus on the Mountain View campus. WALK/BIKE TO WORK SAFE ROUTES Mr. Timmons gave a briefing on plans underway for sidewalks in and around Grant Street School and on Sheridan Street by the hospital with funds through the Transportation Improvement Board. Some discussion ensued about other sidewalk improvements, including an explanation of sidewalk bulbouts. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, MMC City Clerk Joint City Council and Port Townsend School District Workshop Meeting March 11, 2013 Page 3 of 3