Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout082007CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF AUGUST 20, 2007 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in regular session the twentieth day of August, 2D07, 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, Catharine Robinson, George Randels, Michelle Sandoval, and Mark Welch. Geoff Masci 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 None COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (Consent or non-agenda items) Joshua Bennun addressed lack of code enforcement, particularly recent incident involving unpermitted clearing at the Rosecrans Terrace site. Susan Langlois: referred to Rosecrans Terrace clearing as a violation of the settlement agreement. Jack Molsness: expressed continuing concern about the cost of city government. Staff response: Tree clearing incident has been discussed; the Code requires the City to seek voluntary compliance prior to issuing an infraction notice. Mr. Timmons stated that staff needs policy clarification in the Code so there is clear guidance on when enforcement is necessary and what measures are appropriate. He added that even though there was no stop work order issued, action was halted. CONSENT AGENDA Motion: Ms. Robinson moved to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda. Mrs. Medlicott seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. City Cou:ecil Business rl9eeting Page 1 August 20, 2007 Approval of Bills Claims and Warrants Vouchers 102196 through 102208 in the amount of $37, 450.31 Vouchers 102310 through 102481 in the amount of $380,128.38 Vouchers 720071 through 720079 in the amount of $96,921.81 Vouchers 805071 through 805079 in the amount of $99,459.90 Vouchers 820071 through 820079 in the amount of $99, 972.81 Approval of Minutes: July 30, 2007 August 6, 2007 Resolution 07-028, fixing the time for hearing (September 17, 2007) on a petition for a street vacation. UNFINISHED BUSINESS COUNCIL LETTER REQUESTING THE US NAVY TO PREPARE AN EIS FOR EXPANDED ACTIVITY AT INDIAN ISLAND BASE City Attorney John Watts reviewed the packet material, noting that the City Manager invited a Navy representative to be present, but they declined. Information from the Navy was included in the Council's materials for review. Public comment: Speaking in favor of a letter requesting an environmental impact statement Bill Dunaway Pat Porter Doug Milholland Paul Richmond Seb Eggert Pete Von Christierson Barbara Perry Ms. Robinson stated that an important point brought up during public comment was the cumulative effect of the activities at Indian Island; she asked whether other means of assessing cumulative impact would be available in addition to NEPA. Mr. Watts stated that study of the cumulative impact/effect is part of the environmental process, including NEPA. He added that the alternatives discussed with the Navy were more along the lines of outreach or additional public process than alternative environmental assessments. Mr. Randels suggested an addition to the letter which would address the need for consideration of the cumulative impacts. City Council Business Meeting Page 2 August 2Q 2007 Ms. Sandoval stated she would like the letter to be more forceful in terms of bulleted items of concern. Mr. Randels agreed the letter could benefit from a substantial rewrite and suggested a subcommittee of the Council be tasked with the revision. Mr. Benskin supported the idea as long as it does not delay the process Mr. Welch suggested that the rewritten letter be discussed at the upcoming joint City/BOCC meeting to see if both bodies could support it. Motion: Mr. Welch moved that the Council appoint Ms. Sandoval and Mr. Randels as a subcommittee to draft a revised letter with more forceful language and bullet point specifics. Ms. Robinson seconded. Mr. Randels stated that letters would be prepared both for joint City/County signatures and for City signature. Vote: motion carried, 5-0. Mrs. Medlicott was not present for the vote RECESS Mayor Welch declared a recess at 7:50 p.m. for the purpose of a break. RECONVENE The meeting was reconvened at 8:04 p.m. Ms. Sandoval suggested that the Ordinance regarding the Hastings Street speed limit be moved up in consideration of the citizens present for that item. There were no objections. NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCE 2951 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 10.28.020, HASTINGS STREET - BETWEEN WESTERN CITY LIMITS AND THE INTERSECTION OF HASTINGS STREET AND SHERMAN ROAD, BY ESTABLISHING THE SPEED LIMIT ON HASTINGS AVENUE FROM DISCOVERY ROAD TO HOWARD STREET AT 25 MILES PER HOUR Mr. Watts reviewed the packet material, noting that the ordinance has come forward at the recommendation of the Public Safety Committee. Public Works Director Ken Clow noted that Public Works staff was not present at the Public Safety meeting when the issue came up and since then has reviewed the City Council Business Meeting Page 3 August 2Q 2007 backup traffic data. Staff believes the current speed limits on Hastings are appropriate Mr. Timmons added that if speed limits are not justified based on some criteria, tickets written for speeding may not be upheld in court. Mr. Randels added that an unintended consequence of lowering speed limits is to make the area less safe due to the perception of drivers who tailgate, pass, etc. In response to a question from Mr. Benskin, Mr. Clow stated there have been no recorded pedestrian or bicycle accidents in the subject area. Public comment: Speaking in favor of passage of the ordinance: Sandra Stewart Janie Anderson Ruth Beers Julie Murray Mr. Timmons noted that the speakers from the neighborhood had some good suggestions for alternative traffic calming measures. Motion: Mrs. Medlicott moved to remand to the Public Safety Committee for more public comment and to work with the traffic calming committee to look at speed reduction options. Mr Randels seconded. After further discussion, the motion failed, 2-4, Benskin and Medlicott in favor. Motion: Ms. Sandoval moved to direct staff to investigate and implement traf~c- calming devices in the neighborhood immediately such as the radar trailer and see if that affects the traffic speed. Ms. Robinson seconded. Motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote. Mrs. Medlicott asked that the Upper Sims Way Implementation Benefit Analysis be moved forward on the agenda due to the number of people in attendance concerned with this issue. There were no objections. UNFINISHED BUSINESS UPPER SIMS WAY IMPLEMENTATION -BENEFIT ANALYSIS Mr. Watts reviewed the packet materials. In response to a question from Mrs. Medlicott, he noted that the reason this contract casts more than the prior contract with Macaulay & Associates is that the earlier work was a very preliminary cut without any detailed examination of the parcels in the district. The contract currently proposed looks at a larger area in much more detail, looking in particular at the impact of the project on various types of parcels within the potential district. City Council Business Meeting Page 4 August 2Q 2007 Public comment: The following spoke in opposition to approval of the contract: Jack Molsness Bob Weidner Ken Kelly Dave Pratt Vi Koenig Teresa Goldsmith Motion: Mr. Benskin moved to table the item until staff can share the information with business owners to see what their feelings are before bringing it back to the Council. Mrs. Medlicott seconded. Motion failed, 2-4, Benskin and Medlicott in favor. Considerable discussion ensued regarding how much information there would be to share with business owners prior to the study as opposed to after the study when far more specifics will be determined. Staff will post LID information from the packet on the City website and make it available at the City administration office. Motion: Mr Welch moved to authorize the City Manager to contract with Macaulay and Associates for LID economic feasibility and LID boundaries analysis at a cost not to exceed $51, 800. Mr Randels seconded. The motion carried, 4-2, Benskin and Medlicott opposed. Mrs. Medlicott left the meeting at 10:07 p.m. ORDINANCE 2950 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING PTMC SECTION 17.72.020 AND RE-ENACTING AND EXTENDING INTERIM PARKING REGULATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE UPTOWN C-III COMMERCIAL DISTRICT ADOPTED BY ORDINANCE 2928 Mr. Watts noted that the Council accepted first reading of the Ordinance at the August 6 business meeting. Motion: Ms. Robinson moved for adoption of Ordinance 2950. Mr Randels seconded. Motion carried, 4-1, by roll call vote, Benskin opposed. BARBED WIRE FENCE ORDINANCE -PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Mr. Watts reviewed the packet material, noting that the matter was referred to the Planning Commission by the Council on March 16. After a public hearing and City Council Business Meeting Page 5 August 2Q 2007 deliberation, the Planning Commission has recommended denial of the draft ordinance. There was no public comment. Motion: Mr. Benskin moved to accept the Planning Commission's recommendation and table the matter of a barbed wire fence ordinance indefinitely. Mr. Welch seconded. The motion carried, 3-2, by voice vote, Robinson and Sandoval opposed. WATER SYSTEM PLAN UPDATE Public works Director Ken Clow reviewed the packet material, noting this is an informational item and that a workshop and public hearing will be held in September regarding adoption of the Plan. He asked Council members to contact staff with any comments or questions they have regarding the plan. Public comment: Jack Molsness stated he thought the plan would keep the City from having to build water treatment plant; he objects to the projected budget figures which he believes should be much lower, particularly for secondary disinfection. PRESIDING OFFICERS REPORT There was no report CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Staff will distribute a report regarding disposition of the "in box" items from the July 30 meeting. FUTURE MEETINGS Staff confirmed that changes to the code enforcement policy would be brought forward in an ordinance on September 4. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:52 p.m. Attest: Pam Kolacy, CMC City Clerk Ciry Council Business Meeting Page 6 August 20, 2007