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HomeMy WebLinkAbout100206 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF OCTOBER 2, 2006 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session this second day of October, 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, and Mark Welch. Scott Walker was excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Welch stated that procedural matters regarding the Murphy Short Plat Hearing would be added to New Business as Item C. He also stated an Executive session was scheduled to discuss potential litigation and real estate matters, with no action to be taken. PROCLAMATION Mayor Welch read a proclamation in honor of Jefferson AIDS Service AIDS Awareness Day. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (Consent and non-agenda items) Joshua Bennun commented on lack of code enforcement in the City. Joey Pipia stated he wished to comment regarding the Rosecrans hearing. Mayor Welch noted that this would be inappropriate as it is a quasi-judicial matter currently in process. He asked that Mr. Pipia put any questions he has in writing and submit to the mayor. Staff response: Mr. Timmons noted that he, DSD Director Yarberry and Police Chief Conner Daily are in the process of discussions regarding the addition of a limited commission officer to address enforcement issues as part of the budget process. City Council Business Meeting Page 1 October 2, 2006 CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Mr. Masci moved for approval of the foJ/owing items on the Consent Agenda. Mr. Benskin seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. Approval of Bills. Claims and Warrants Vouchers 99207 through 99356 in the amount of $265,287.47 Vouchers 920061 through 920069 in the amount of $102,691.00 Vouchers 927061 through 927062 in the amount of $121.53 Approval of Minutes: September 18, 2006 PUBLIC HEARING RESOLUTION 06-026 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ORT TOWNSEND ADOPTING THE 2006 HOUSING ACTION PLAN, DIRECTING STAFF TO INITIATE RECOMMENDED AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLANIMUNICIPAL CODE Mayor Welch read the rules of order for the public hearing. No Councilor had any disclosure to make in relation to the matter. Senior Planner Judy Surber reviewed the packet material. She introduced consultant Tom Beckwith. Mr. Beckwith noted three goals: 1) assess exactly the state of the housing market and the expectation for what it will be in the future; 2) what we will do to make housing affordable for everyone and those with critical needs; 3) garner public support and agreement. He noted sources of assistance would be committee members, public workshops and charrettes, study of examples of innovative strategies here and in the nation. Kathy McKenna, Jefferson County Housing Authority Commissioner, complimented the core group and all those who have assisted as well as those who took part in the telephone survey. She stated adoption of the plan would result in better coordination of the various individual efforts that are ongoing. Public comment: Susan Langlois submitted written comments and spoke in reference to the issues of integration and dispersal of low-income housing. City Council Business Meeting Page 2 October 2, 2006 David Goldman: submitted written materials and noted his interest is not in seeing municipal entities devote disproportionate resources to an attempt to solve the crisis of homelessness. Motion: Mr. Masci moved for approval of Resolution 06-026. Mr. Benskin seconded. Ms. Robinson asked for an explanation of the term "new urbanism." Mr. Beckwith stated this relates to Jeffersonian principles of the way towns and cities were organized, incorporating higher densities, and more pedestrian based. Mr. Robinson asked whether any funding is being requested which will impact the 2007 budget. Ms. Surber stated that the Planning Commission discussed the need to dedicate staff time to support the committee so they can move forward; since this is a city and county effort, this would affect both entities. She added that the Council CD/LU Committee would be involved in the discussion and process. Mr. Timmons noted that no funding is currently proposed in the 2007 budget. He noted that Island County has addressed the issue through bonding for a revolving loan fund. Ms. Sandoval, a member of the committee, stated that there was an effort to identify the "low hanging fruit" and start with the least expensive means of implementation. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. Motion: Mr. Masci moved to assign oversight of the Housing Action Plan to the Community Development/Land Use Committee. The motion carried unanimously, 6- 0, by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS RESOLUTION 06-024 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON, DECLARING THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR THE KITSAP COUNTY CONSOLIDATED HOUSING AUTHORITY TO FUNCTION WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, ALL AS MORE PARTICULARLY SET FORTH HEREIN Senior Planner Judy Surber reviewed the packet material and introduced Dave Findlay, Director of single family housing for the Kitsap Housing Authority. Mr. Findlay described the latest activity of the Kitsap Housing Authority, 37 houses within the Hamilton Heights development; he noted there is a need in Jefferson County which is not being met. City Council Business Meeting Page 3 October 2, 2006 Mr. Timmons noted that what has been lacking in Port Townsend historically is a provider, someone who could actually help build the houses and stated that because of the small sizes of the jurisdiction, we have to partner regionally. Public comment: David Rymph, Jefferson County Housing Authority, stated they have worked with the Kitsap Authority to frame the resolution. He urged the Council to adopt the resolution. Motion: Mr. Masci moved for approval of Resolution 06-024. Ms. Robinson seconded. After brief discussion, the motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES - COUNCIL POSITION STATEMENT City Manager Timmons referred the Council to a draft of a proposed letter to legislators presenting Port Townsend's perspective on the changes proposed by Washington State Ferries that will affect Port Townsend. He noted that the state is attempting to address their needs in a much broader perspective which does not allow for Port Townsend's own policy guidelines which are based on a small scale community concept and framework. Public comment: Glenn Paris Stamm: spoke in support of the issues addressed in the position letter; noted the difficulty of getting response from State Ferries. Jim Todd: hopes that discussion will ensue regarding the idea of moving the ferry dock out of town, possibly to the Glen Cove area. Scott Wilson: stated he believes traffic impact is the biggest issue to be addressed; the plan must be done with the scale of the community in mind. Forest Shomer spoke in support of the letter and added he would like to see the ferry system treat the community as partners rather than clients. Tim Snider spoke in support of the letter and intent. Eric Durfee stated that perhaps the ferry run could be privatized. Kate Dwyer spoke in support of the letter. Mr. Masci proposed a few changes to the language of the letter. City Council Business Meeting Page 4 October 2, 2006 Ms. Sandoval disclosed that she owns property across from the ferry dock. She stated that an Environmental Impact Statement for the project should be required. Ms. Robinson expressed concern about mitigations and traffic. She noted that an EIS may approach some concerns but mitigations outside the immediate area are critical. She cited, as an example, mitigation on an alternative route such as Discovery to relieve the traffic on Sims Way. In answer to Mr. Benskin's question, City Attorney Watts stated that the determination could be one of three - requirement of an EIS, a Determination of Non-Significance, or a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance. Once the determination is made, the question will be whether it is proper or can be legally challenged. Mrs. Medlicott stated she appreciates the issues raised but believes it is hypocritical to take exception with WSF's desire to operate under best business practices. She stated that the electric boats are charming but could be decertified at any time; there is an imminent Hood Canal bridge closure and the combination could cut Port Townsend off entirely. She added that her greater concern is the re-Iocation of the Keystone dock which, at its current location, results in many cancellations due to tidal conditions. For these reasons, she stated she would not support nor sign the letter. Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved to approve the draft letter with Mr. Masci's changes. Mr. Benskin seconded. The motion carried, 5-1, by voice vote, Medlicott opposed. DISPOSITION OF TRANSFER SPAN Public Works Director Ken Clow reviewed the packet material. In response to questions, he noted that terms of removal would address liability for the removal. Motion: Mr. Masci moved to authorize the City Manager to contract with Caicos for the removal of the transfer span in return for public benefits such as saving the City the cost of demolition and disposition of the span, and removal of adjacent creosote pilings. Mrs. Medlicott seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. WATER/JACKSON UTILITY PROJECT Public Works Director Ken Clow reviewed the packet material. He noted that the City's share of improvements would be between $150,000 and $250,000, somewhat dependent on the Port's share. In answer to Ms. Sandoval's question, he noted that the Port's funding is coming from the PIF (public infrastructure fund.) There was no public comment City Council Business Meeting Page 5 October 2, 2006 Motion: Mr. Masci moved to authorize the City Manager to execute necessary fair share agreements with the Port and Northwest Maritime Center for utility work at Water and Jackson, and to execute contracts for design and construction of the improvements. Motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. MURPHY SHORT PLAT APPEAL City Attorney Watts noted that the Council will hear in the future an appeal of the decision on the Murphy Short Plat; this is similar to other appeal hearings and it is suggested that, in order to expedite procedural issues, the Mayor be authorized to address these issues. Motion: Mr. Masci moved to recognize and authorize the Mayor as presiding officer to set schedules for briefing and arguments, and address all pre-hearing procedural issues, including setting hearing date, in connection with the Murphy Short Plat Appeal. Ms. Robinson seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER"S REPORT The Mayor had no items to report. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons provided a revised schedule for the Upper Sims Way project. He noted there were no findings or recommendations from the latest Washington Cities Insurance Authority audit. The City's largest area of loss is sewer backups. He also noted the next meeting will be a workshop for the presentation of the 2007 Preliminary Budget. TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION Mayor Welch reviewed the Committee's recommendation as outlined in the letter provided with the Council packet. Mr. Masci stated it seems like a duplication of effort to form yet another committee to oversee the bicycle safety plan implementation. Councilors suggested other stakeholders such as the local bicycle association, pedestrians, and the disabled. Motion: Mr. Masci moved to approve the recommendation of the Transportation Committee that suggestions from the Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Board dated September 6, be implemented with inclusion on the proposed stakeholder City Council Business Meeting Page 6 October 2, 2006 committee of an ad hoc public member and a DASH representative. Mr. Benskin seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS COUNCIL COMMENTS Motion: Mr. Masci moved to charge the Tree Committee with formulating a replanting and management plan to be for the trees currently lining Sims Way near Boat Haven that may be impacted by the possible increase in ferry traffic to be prepared and presented to the Council for approval and adoption. Mrs. Medlicott seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Council recessed into Executive Session at 8:47 p.m. to discuss litigation and property issues. The Mayor stated that no action would be taken following the session. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 9:20 p.m. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Attest: an, (~!~CL r Pam Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 7 October 2, 2006