HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/12/03 TAPE #1921
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
November 12, 2003
The weekly meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton was called to order in the City
Council Chambers, 239 4th Street, Bremerton, Washington, Wednesday, November 12, 2003, at 5:30
P.M., with Council President Carol Arends presiding. Council members present were Mike Short, Will
Maupin, Mike Shepherd, Ed Rollman, Daren Nygren, Cecil McConnell, and Wayne Olsen. Council
Member Eric Younger was absent. Also present were City Attorney Roger Lubovich; Deputy City
Clerk Paula Johnston; and Council Assistant Christine Grenier Ellingson.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Cecil McConnell~ followed
by the invocation provided by Pastor Rick Beaudry of Calvary Chapel.
President Arends made the following announcements:
1. The Pre-Council session was held in the Council Conference Room from 5:00 to 5:30 PM to
discuss updates to the agenda; and
2. Council will continue to hear "FY 2004 Budget" presentations during a Study Session in the
Council Conference Room immediately following the Council Meeting tonight.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes of Meeting - October 22, 2003 (#AB03-207)
B. Minutes of Meeting - October 29, 2003 (#AB03-208)
C. Hiring of Edwin T. Lever as Engineering Project Manager (#AB03-209)
D. Contract Award to T. BAILEY, INC. for Reservoir No. 19 Standpipe Tank Repair and
Seismic Upgrade (#AB03-210)
#0050 M/S/C/U (McConnell/Olsen) Move to approve Consent Agenda as presented.
Mr. Shepherd arrived at approximately 5:40 P.M. and therefore was not available for this vote.
CLAIMS & CHECK REGISTERS
Vouchers audited and certified by the auditing officer as required by RCW 42.24.080, and those
expense reimbursement claims certified as required by RCW 42.24.090 have been recorded on a
listing that had been made available to the Council.
#0070 M/S/C/U (McConnell/Olsen) On November 12, 2003, the Council approved payment for Check
Numbers 285633 through 285872; P7919; and EFT-7920, EFT-7922 through EFT-7924, and EFT-
7927 through EFT-7932 in the total amount $1,598,377.04; Regular Payroll in the amount of
$1,186,167.33 for the period ending October 31, 2003; and Retiree Payroll in the amount of
$142,034.07 for the period ending October 31, 2003.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Wayne Olsen thanked all of his supporters in the election and hoped everyone would support his
successor Brad Gehring as the new District #1 Council Member.
Cecil McConnell also thanked voters for their support, and all those who took the time to vote that
day, no matter which candidate they supported.
Daren Ny.qren thanked everyone who came to the Open House event sponsored by Manette
businesses, and thanked Sherril Huff-Menees and the Public Works Department for preparing the
exhibits. He announced the next District 3 Meeting would be held on Tuesday, November 25 at 7:00
P.M. at the Manette Senior Center located at East 13th & Nipsic Avenue, and that meeting would
provide citizens an opportunity to review and ask questions about the City's proposed FY 2004
Budget.
TAPE #1921
City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes
November 12, 2003
Page 2 of 5
Ed Rollman looks forward to the downtown revitalization yet to come; hoped that others would recall
the sacrifices made by soldiers and remember the fallen on Veterans Day; and thanked Council
Member Mike Short and Will Maupin for their input in the budget process on health care for
employees.
Mike Shepherd commented on the events of the First Friday Art Walk; and was pleased that so
many veterans were honored on Veterans Day.
Will Maupin reported on his attendance at the Kitsap County Board of Health and Kitsap Transit
Board Policy Board meetings; thanked Captain Dargan for conducting the tour of the USS BRIDGE
and thanked Lieutenant Commander Scott Miller for providing a tour of the USS CARL VINSON; and
commented on the First Friday Art Walk events and Manette Open House.
Mike Short encouraged citizens to attend one of the Open Houses for the "DOWNTOWN PEDESTRIAN
& BTC ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS" to be held from 4:30 to 8:00 P.M. at West Hills Elementary School on
November 13 and at Mountain View Middle School on November 17. He also commented on his
attendance at the First Friday Art Walk.
Carol Arends announced a neighborhood meeting would be held at 6:30 P.M. on Monday, November
17m at the Summit Avenue Presbyterian Church with a presentation by Sister Pat Millen of Catholic
Community Services, but noted there would be time to discuss alternate locations and to answer any
questions. She also discussed her attendance at the First Friday Art Walk and several Kitsap
Regional Coordinating Council (KRCC) meetings.
MAYOR'S REPORT - Mayor Bozeman... · Met with the owners of ANTHONY'S RESTAURANT and discussed the possibility of building a
restaurant in Bremerton, specifically along the waterfront;
· Noted the SEATTLE TIMES would be writing a major article on Bremerton revitalization;
· Discussed a marketing report done on Eastpark and explained a key issue remaining to be
addressed is that there is no infrastructure on that site;
· There will be an upcoming meeting with Congressman Norm Dicks and Bremer Trust to
acquire property for a parking garage in the downtown area;
· There is interest in investing downtown whether for business opportunities or real estate
development.
· Commented on his willingness to improve patrols in neighborhoods that need more emphasis
and increasing job availability for minorities.
· Has been following up problems inherent in the ferry system.
PUBLIC RECOGNITION
Gordy Byrd was pleased with the Mayor's comments that property may not be turned into a parking
garage; and announced that the collection jar is no longer at SMILEY'S SUBS but is now located at CITY
SMOOTHIES at 236 1st Street.
Fire Chief Al Duke asked for citizens to contact FEMA at (800) 621-3362 if anyone received property
damage during the major rainstorm that occurred about 3 weeks ago.
Bob Jaenicke submitted a complaint regarding service from the Police Department and asked
Council to consider hiring more detectives to help the citizens,
Kathleen Story thanked the Fire Department for all of their help in pumping out water from her
residence during the recent storm.
TAPE #1921
City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes
November 12, 2003
Page 3 of 5
8A- GRANT OF EASEMENT TO PUGET SOUND ENERGY (#AB03-2t2): Roger Lubovich, City
Attorney, explained that the PUGET SOUND ENERGY Facilities were damaged during a storm, in order
to conduct repairs and mitigate damage, it was necessary for PUGET SOUND ENERGY to place facilities
in a location other than within current easement areas. The proposed easement grants an easement
to PUGET SOUND ENERGY for placement of the facilities in necessary areas.
There were no comments from the public.
#0930 M/S/C/U (Nygren/McConnell) Move to approve the ~]rant of an easement to PUGET SOUND
ENERGY for facilities in the areas described in the proposed easement, and authorize the Mayor to
execute the easement with substantially the same terms and conditions as proposed.
9A- PUBLIC HEARING and RESOLUTION NO. 2912, NAMING THE BOARDWALK IN HONOI~.
OF FORMER MAYOR LOUIS MENTOR (#AB03-213): Jim Spencer, Parks & Recreation Director,
stated that Louis Mentor, long time civic leader and former Mayor, passed away on September 18,
2003. As a tribute to Mr. Mentor's long standing commitment to the City, a group of downtown
business people proposed naming the Boardwalk in his honor. This facility, which many view as the
vital first step in reviving the City's downtown core, best exemplifies his legacy since he fought for its
completion during his term as Mayor in the early 1990's. A subcommittee of the Parks & Recreation
Commission was established during the September 23 Parks Commission Meeting to determine an
appropriate name to honor Mr. Mentor. This subcommittee established the name "Louis Mentor
Boardwalk". This name has been approved by the Parks & Recreation Commission and is
recommended to the City Council for adoption.
Bob Jaenicke believed in the naming of this boardwalk after Louis Mentor since the boardwalk has
been responsible in bringing revenue to Bremerton.
Ralph Monroe thought there was no better way to remember Louis Mentor than to name the
boardwalk after him.
Mr. Olsen was pleased and proud that the Council could bring this issue to fruition.
Mr. Rollman supported this resolution and pointed out that naming a park or facility is only done for
those that have performed exemplary service.
Mr. Maupin recalled Louis Mentor's involvement in bringing the statue to the boardwalk and all of his
work involved in completing the boardwalk.
Mr. Shepherd commented that the boardwalk brings different elements of Bremerton together, such
as the marina, parks, and shipyard.
#1300 M/S/C/U (Olsen/Rollman) Move to pass Resolution No. 2912 naming the Boardwalk the "LOuIs
MENTOR BOARDWALK".
9B - PUBLIC HEARING AND ORDINANCE [FIRST READING] AMENDING B.M.C. CHAPTER
11.02 RELATING TO RIGHT-OF-WAY USES (#AB03-214): Roger Lubovich, City Attorney, pointed
out that current provisions of the Bremerton Municipal Code do not provide adequate provisions
relating to the identification and removal of nuisance debris, property and utility facilities. The
proposed ordinance updates the provisions of Chapter 11.02 relating to nuisances in the right-of-way
including utility poles and facilities and further amends provisions relating to violations, appeals, and
enforcement of violations. He specified that this amendment allows for enforcement of abandoned
utility poles up to 90 days and provides for a specific timeline for appeals.
There were no comments from the public.
TAPE #1921
City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes
November 12, 2003
Page 4 of 5
Mr. Rollman asked if these changes apply to underground conduit. Mr. Lubovich answered that this
ordinance only applies to above ground poles.
#1425 M/S/C/U (Rollman/McConnell) Move to pass the proposed ordinance on first reading.
9C - PUBLIC HEARING AND ORDINANCE [FIRST READING[ GRANTING PUGET SOUNFI
ENERGY A FRANCHISE (#AB03-215): Ro,qer Lubovich, City Attorney, mentioned that the
proposed ordinance grants PUGET SOUND ENERGY, iNC. the right, privilege, authority, and franchise to
install and maintain their facilities within and upon the City's rights-of-way for purposes of
transmission, distribution and sale of energy for power, heat, light and any other purpose for which
energy can be used; and to charge and collect tolls, rates and compensation for such energy and
such uses. This franchise would be for ten years which is allowed by the City Charter. Also included
in the franchise are provisions for revocation of the franchise.
Don McDaniel of PUGET SOUND ENERGY, assured Council that PSE is planning for the needs of the
community and will be constructing facilities to better provide energy at affordable rates rather than
depending on the open energy market.
#1760 M/S/C/U (Shepherd/Olsen) Move to approve the proposed ordinance on first reading.
9D - PUBLIC HEARING AND ORDINANCE [FIRST READING[ LEVYING PROPERTY TAXES FOR
COLLECTION IN 2004 (#AB03-215): Michael Wilson, Finance Director, explained that the City's
property taxes are levied on an annual basis through passage of an ordinance. The proposed
ordinance will implement a general property tax levy and a voted EMS levy at the statutory rate limit
as well as a bond redemption levy at a rate adequate to provide funds necessary to meet debt service
obligations. He pointed out a correction in Section 1 as the proposed increase in property tax
revenue of $50,572 not $67,852 as listed.
There were no comments from the public.
#1930 M/S/C/U (McConnell/Olsen) Move to approve on first reading the ordinance levying property
taxes for collection in 2004.
9E - PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2004 BUDGET (#AB03-206): Mayor Cary
Bozeman and Finance Director Michael Wilson provided an overview of the City's proposed FY
2004 Budget. The City is required by State statute to hold three public hearings on the budget prior
to adoption. The first public hearing was held on October 29, 2003. This is the second public
hearing. It was also noted that budget information is available on the City's website.
Mr. Wilson provided a summary of the different types of funds and the various services provided by
the individual departments. The budget is being presented with a 2.6% increase over last year's
budget which includes salary increases and compensating for increased benefits costs. It is the
intent of administration to maintain the current level of services. Highlights include...
· There is specific concern over the Streets Fund since the State is no longer collecting funds from
MVET which historically would be about $900,000 and the City is not receiving any funding of this
magnitude to continue to bolster this fund. The General Fund must then be used to supplement
the Streets Fund. Unfortunately, the proposed funding will allow the Streets Department to
continue basic maintenance only like asphalt overlay, and not include any large scale road
improvements. A potential short term solution may include a 2% increase in the parking tax
which may draw up to $50,000.
TAPE #1921
City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes
November 12, 2003
Page 5 of 5
· The City has a strong obligation to meet debt obligations for capital projects and CSO
improvements. Future objectives will include completing a rate analysis study for the utilities
which may result in revenue if new rates are adopted.
· The Equipment Rental Reserve Fund has been modified such that any vehicle maintenance costs
will be absorbed into the ERR Fund and that will allow for predictability of replacement.
· The Information Technology Department shall have its own internal service fund instead of being
part of the General Fund.
· There has been the addition of a Police and Fire Pension Fund which receives money from the
General Fund.
· The proposed budget for 2004 is $143,181,043.
Paul Drnievic asked why the Budget Ordinance or Section 2 of the proposed budget was not
released to the public. Mr. Wilson answered that the ordinance is in draft format, is available on the
website, and will be provided to the public in final form at a later time. The ordinance is available to
the public at this time.
There is no Council action required at this time.
The meeting of the City Council was adjourned at 6:55 P.M. The Council then reconvened in the
Council Conference Room for a Study Session to hear presentations on the proposed "Fiscal Year
2004 Budget".
Prepared and Submitted by:
CHRISTINE G~-ENIER ~LLING~ON
Council Assistant
Attest: /~ _
P~-I(~ ~JO-HI~S/~N, Depu~ City Clerk
CAROL ARENDS, City Council President
City of Bremerton
CNP J/Is/cge