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CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION OF FEBRUARY 12, 2007
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met for a facilitated workshop session
the twelfth day of February 2007, at 6:30 p.m. in Building 204 at Fort Worden park,
Mayor Mark Welch presiding.
ROLL CALL
Council members present at roll call were Frank Benskin, Laurie Medlicott,
Catherine Robinson, Scott Walker and Mark Welch. Geoff Masci arrived shortly
after roll call. Michelle Sandoval was excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John
Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, City Engineer Dave Peterson, Planning
Director Rick Sepler, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy
Others present included John Owens from Makers, Scott Sawyer from W&H Pacific,
and Steve Kim from the Washington Department of Transportation.
UPPER SIMS WAY
Mr. Sepler reviewed the process to date and noted that several community
workshops have been held and the Council will now have a chance to go through
the same exercise as community members. He noted that property owners are
looking for signal control on Sims Way; extending Howard as a future arterial is a
clear direction of the Comprehensive Plan and it is necessary to address Sims Way
in a systems approach, beginning now to look at specific intersection design. He
added that the Council has directed the Planning Commission to look at expanded
uses in the Sims Way corridor and that recommendation should be coming forward
in about two months.
He stated the exercise to be done this evening would look at the relative merits of
alternative combinations of intersection design, including traffic lights, large
roundabouts and smaller roundabouts.
He added that there is significant interest in this area and the area is poised for
change; the City's action is not a singular decision but others such as WASH DOT
and property owners will have a great deal of input.
John Owens of Makers walked the Council through a presentation representing
various combinations of intersection control.
City Council Workshop
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February 12, 2007
The Council was then asked to rank the various scenarios in order of preference
from 1-12.
RECESS
The Mayor declared a recess for the purpose of completing the ranking exercise and
a break at 8:35 p.m.
RECONVENE
The meeting was reconvened at 8:53 p.m.
The following alternatives did not receive advocacy: 4,6,8,9,11,12
The Council requested further information as follows:
Information on amount of property and approximate cost which would need to be
acquired for each alternative. Report on amount of square footage from each parcel
and functionality and impact to hardscape.
Information on development of back roads for each alternative, including costs and
which streets would need improvements under each scenario. [Typical cross
section cost times square footage]
Actual size of the footprint for roundabouts or signal with sidewalks in place.
Qualitative analysis of the impacts to businesses affected by each alternative.
Alternatives for parking in right of way; particularly on street parking for areas of
greatest impact. [noted that parking issues don't need to be answered at the time
decisions are made about intersections - will depend somewhat on that decision]
Property costs - unit cost for square footage, some judgment about whether all or
partial acquisitions will be made. [Relevant now is how much would have to be
acquired; how to acquire will come later.]
Possibly looking at alternative 2 with improving Hancock or Sheridan for large radius
turning vehicles. [Staff will check to see if Hancock was included in original tasking]
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:34 p.m.
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City Council Workshop
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February 12. 2007