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HomeMy WebLinkAbout030507 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF MARCH 5, 2007 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the fifth day of March, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Townsend City Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Mark Welch presiding. ROLL CALL Council members present at roll call were Frank Benskin, Laurie Medlicott, Michelle Sandoval, Scott Walker and Mark Welch. Geoff Masci and Catharine Robinson were excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Fire Chief Mike Mingee, Planning Director Rick Sepler, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes proposed to the agenda. INTRODUCTION Chief Mingee introduced New Firefighter/EMT Steve Grimm. PROCLAMATION Mayor Welch read a proclamation in honor of Dan Harpole Day. Jerry Harpole, Dan's brother, accepted the proclamation. PUBLIC COMMENT (Consent and non-agenda items) There was no public comment CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Mrs. Medlicott moved for approval of the following items on the consent agenda. Ms. Sandoval seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants: City Council Business Meeting Page 1 March 5, 2007 Vouchers 100771 through 100783 in the amount of $33,737.23 Vouchers 100813 through 100813 in the amount of $25.00 Vouchers 100814 through 100823 in the amount of $2,196.67 Vouchers 100825 through 100901 in the amount of $153,221.79 Vouchers 100902 through 100907 in the amount of $355.80 Vouchers 100908 through 100908 in the amount of $406.50 Vouchers 100909 through 100909 in the amount of $25,456.88 Vouchers 100910 through 100920 in the amount of $31,187.55 Vouchers 220071 through 220079 in the amount of $91 ,358.34 Vouchers 305071 through 305079 in the amount of $89,826.73 Approval of Minutes: February 12, 2007 February 20, 2007 February 22, 2007 Authorize City Manager to contract with State Office of Procurement to solicit bid for a generator. Action: Move to authorize the City Manager to sign all necessary documents to include an agreement with the State of Washington to bid and acquire a generator/light tower. UNFINISHED BUSINESS UPTOWN STRATEGY AND SCHEDULE Planning Director Rick Sepler presented the staff report and directed Council's attention to the proposed Uptown action plan. He noted that staff requests that a Council member join each of the proposed ad hoc committees. There was no public comment. Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved to direct staff to implement the Uptown Action Plan (as revised) and to assign Mr. Walker to the Parking Strategies Ad-hoc Committee and assign Mr. Benskin to the Design Related Strategies Ad-hoc Committee, with Ms. Sandoval as alternate. The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS CLIMATE PROTECTION CAMPAIGN Kees Kolff, on behalf of a citizen group formed on behalf of the Climate Protection Campaign, thanked the City for what it has already done in this regard, citing the LEEDS certification of the City Hall project and purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles. He reviewed a slide presentation and noted the particular negative effects of climate change in the Pacific Northwest. He reviewed ways that local action can have a City Council Business Meeting Page 2 March 5, 2007 positive impact on the problem. He noted that several action steps have been suggested to the Council, including adoption of a resolution (sample included in the packet.) Ms. Sandoval asked how much information we have concerning the City of Langley's progress on this project. Mr. Kolff stated that the group hasn't followed up on that project yet. Public comment: The following spoke in favor of Council adopting the suggested action steps: Jill Silver Sally Lovell Andrew Reding Judy Alexander Mr. Timmons noted that some of the actions may be integrated with the current work plan for the study of alternative electric energy management. Ms. Sandoval stated she is concerned about the situation but that is also concerned about the City's budget crisis and hesitates to make a commitment of staff time to the project when we are already talking about cutting Library hours. She added that the people in the community need to be aware that the City cannot provide staff for new projects without new sources of funding. Mrs. Medlicott agreed, stating she is also getting many calls about the inability to provide the School Resource police position. She agrees with the issue as a priority but hopes citizens could do much of the work but the budget crisis is the most immediate priority. Mr. Walker disagreed, stating he believes at this point the only commitment would be $600 to join ICLEI; he added there may be costs down the road but there will also be benefits and cost savings from the implementation of the plan. Ms. Sandoval stated that is one reason she would like more information from Langley - to see how much staff commitment they have needed. Mr. Welch stated that he believes there is a broad philosophical consensus but it may not be easy to align that philosophical consensus with the pragmatic constraints. He added that citizens need to be aware there is a general fund revenue stream required to support projects. Mr. Benskin stated that he agrees with Mr. Walker and believes many things could be done by citizen volunteers rather than staff; he does share concerns about the budget but would like, as legislators, to set this in motion but take it one step at a time. City Council Business Meeting Page 3 March 5, 2007 Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved to schedule the "Climate Protection Campaign for City of Port Townsend" for the business meeting of April 2, 2007. Mr. Walker seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. RECESS Mayor Welch declared a recess at 7:33 p.m. for the purpose of a break. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 7:45 p.m. PTTV TRANSITION; OPERATING RULES Mayor Welch reviewed the recommendations of the PEG Access Coordinating Committee. He noted that the Committee would like to engage in a long range process and requests approval of a temporary process for station Operating Rule changes to be approved by the Mayor (and chair of the PEG Access Coordinating Committee) in consultation with the Committee. Ms. Sandoval stated that she had some questions and concerns, as she hadn't seen any information, specifically the application submitted by the applicant retained to advise the station on long-range planning. She stated she does not distrust the process but she has been through two changes proposed at the station and there was considerable fallout both times; she was taken aback because she feels she hadn't been adequately involved. She also asked for budget numbers regarding the transition. Mr. Benskin noted he has some of the same concerns and would like to table the process until the Council can be brought up to speed; he suggested scheduling a workshop. Mr. Walker stated he would like more information but does not feel a workshop would be needed. Mr. Welch noted that since the current station manager is leaving in March, there is a time factor; he asked if would be acceptable to provide further information by the next business meeting. Mrs. Medlicott asked about the current state of legislative action on cable franchise agreements. Mr. Timmons stated there are no current updates; there are bills in the House and Senate, which mayor may not make it through and the FCC will make another ruling in six months. City Council Business Meeting Page 4 March 5, 2007 Motion: Mr. Benskin moved to table action until March 19 to enable the Council to receive more information. Mr. Walker seconded. Mr. Welch asked that Council members contact him directly or through the staff if they have specific items of information they would like to have. Vote: motion carried 3-2, by voice vote, Medlicott and Welch opposed. ORDINANCE 2943 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND REPEALING PORT TOWNSEND MUNCIPAL CODE, SECTIONS 8.04.270 ON POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOGS AND .272 ON FAILURE TO CONTROL A DOG DECLARED POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE PORTIONS OF RCW 16.08.070 THROUGH RCW 16.08.100 CONCERNING DANGEROUS DOGS City Manager David Timmons presented the ordinance prepared by the City Attorney, noting that the process for an appeal of a dangerous dog citation within the City is currently to bring before the Hearings Examiner; because the City contracts animal control to the County, state law can be followed instead. He noted that it doesn't make sense to assume liability for the process. He added that time is of the essence since an appeal has recently been received. Public comment Jim Todd stated that he supports any measures that will clean up and streamline the municipal code. Motion: Mrs. Medlicott moved to waive Council Rules for first and second readings of the ordinance. Mr. Welch seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. Motion: Mrs. Medlicott moved for adoption of Ordinance 2943. Mr. Welch seconded. Motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by roll call vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Welch presented a list of Council member assignments to non-City boards and committees. Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved that the representatives be approved as presented by the Mayor. Mrs. Medlicott seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting Page 5 March 5, 2007 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter to the state legislators supporting Fort Worden's request for appropriation of $500, 000 in state funds to cover planning expenses. Mr. Welch seconded. Motion carried unanimously, 5-0, by voice vote. Mr. Timmons also reported on the following. Pending ordinance prohibiting barbed wire fencing. Increase in County billing for jail services. Taylor Street project. Joint meeting with BOCC (will begin scheduling efforts this week) COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Ms. Sandoval reported on the latest meeting of the ferry group. Mr. Benskin referred to citizen letter about removing brick planters on Taylor. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m. Attest: QJ1~ ~cI:~ 6 Pam Kolacy, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting Page 6 March 5, 2007