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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/18/04 CiTY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Ft;B J 5 ~.~]04 Wednesday, February 18, 2004 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, February 18, 2004, at 5:30 P.M., with Council President Daren Nygren presiding. Council members present were Mike Short, Carol Arends, Dianne Robinson, Mike Shepherd, Wendy Priest, Cecil McConnell, and Brad Gehring. Council member Will Maupin was absent. Also present were City Attorney Roger Lubovich; Interim City Clerk Paula Johnston; and Legislative Assistant Lori Smith. 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 Nyqren made the following announcements: 1. The Pre-Council session was held in the Council Conference Room from 5:00 to 5:30 PM. CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes of Meeting - February 11, 2004 (#AB04-025) #0045 M/S/C/U (Priest/McConnell) Move to approve Consent Agenda as presented. 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/Short) On February 18, 2004, the Council approved payment of Check numbers 287939 through 288305; and EFT-8040 through EFT- 8045 in the amount of $2,395,063.00 on the Master Check Register; and Regular Payroll in the amount of $1,150,926.35 for the pay period ending January 31, 2004. MAYOR'S REPORT - There was no Mayor's Report tonight... 6A - PROMOTION OF MICHELLE EICHHORN TO "CDBG PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR" AT BANI3 11, RATE 4 (#AB04-026): Chris Hu.qo, Community Development Director, explained that there is pending vacancy in the CDBG Program Administrator position with the retirement of Marylyn Waibel on February 27, 2004. Michelle Eichhorn, current CDBG Program Coordinator, is selected for promotion to the Administrator position. With this promotion, Ms. Eichhorn's salary is proposed at Band 11, Rate 4, Professional Pay Plan. Her current salary is Band 10, Rate 4. There were no comments from the public. #0165 M/S/C/U (ShortJArends) Move to approve salary Band 11, Rate 4, Professional Pay Plan, for Michelle Eichhorn's promotion to CDBG Program Administrator effective March 1, 2004. 6B - NEW HIRE OF "CDBG PROGRAM COORDINATOR" AT BAND 10~ RATE 4 (#AB04-027): Chris Huqo, Community Development Director, announced that there is a pending vacancy in the CDBG-- Program Coordinator position with the retirement of Marylyn Waibel as CDBG Program Administrator and anticipated promotion of Michelle Eichhorn into the Administrator position. Shirley Aird, currently CDBG Administrator in Auburn, is the selected candidate for the vacancy. There were no comments from the public. #0320 M/S/C/U (Arands/Short) Move to approve the hire of Shirley Aird to the position of CDBG Program Coordinator at Band 10, Rate 4, in the Professional Pay Plan effective March 1, 2004. TAPE #1938 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 18, 2004 Page 2 of 4 7A - PUBLIC HEARING AND ORDINANCE NO, 4888 [SECOND READING] VACATING THF NORTHERLY PORITON OF THE ALLEY BOUNDED BY NAVAL AVENUE~ 11TM STREET~ AND l0TM = I ~EET (#AB04-023): The first reading of this ordinance was heard on February 11, 2004. Luke Korpi, Managing Engineer, was available to answer any questions. There were no comments from the public. #0355 M/S/C/U (McConnell/Robinson) Move to pass Ordinance No. 4888 on second reading, vacating the northerly portion of the alley bounded by Naval and Olympic Avenues, 11th Street, and 10th Street. 7B - PUBLIC HEARING AND ORDINANCE [FIRST READING] AMENDING AND RECODIFYINR CHAPTERS 2.02 AND 2.04 OF THE BREMERTON MUNICIPAL CODE (#AB04-028): Ro.qer Lubovich, City Attorney, stated that the current provisions of Chapter 2.02 of the Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC) would be more appropriately codified in Title 1 of the BMC. The proposed ordinance recodifies BMC Chapter 2.02 as Chapter 1.02 and updates the provisions relating to "CITY OFFICE HOURS". Additionally, the proposed ordinance recodifies BMC Chapter 2.04 relating to "CITY COUNCIL" as a new BMC Chapter 2.02 and updates the provisions of said Chapter in order to allow more flexibility and efficiency in administering City Council business, such as allowing the City Council to hold their meetings outside the Council Chambers or Conference Room as long as it was adequately noticed within the City limits. Gordy Byrd wanted to know why the Council has always rescheduled their meetings to a Tuesday rather than "the day after" if it was in violation of State law. Mr. Lubovich explained that past Council meetings rescheduled on Tuesday were not rescheduled due to a holiday, but rather due to other reasons. He added that State law only addresses the requirement of rescheduling meetings to "the day after" due to holidays. #0615 M/S/C/U (Arends/Short) Move to approve the proposed ordinance on first reading. 7C - PUBLIC HEARING AND RESOLUTION NO. 2920T DESIGNATING A CONSISTENT STREETLIGHT STANDARD FOR THE DOWNTOWN CORE AND DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT ZONING DISTRICTS (#AB04-029): Gary Sexton, Economic Development Director, emphasized that the Department of Public Works & Utilities desires to specify a particular streetlight for the downtown phase of the SR304 Transportation Improvement Project. In addition, the Department desires that this streetlight be adopted as the standard for development and redevelopment projects in the Downtown Waterfront (DW) and Downtown Core (DC) zoning districts. A single standard will ensure that decorative streetlights in these districts are consistent in design, function, and aesthetics. It was also explained that a substitute Resolution was provided to clarify language. Gene Sampley, Public Works Director, and Chris Hu.qo, Director of Planning, were also available to answer questions on this issue. Mr. Lubovich pointed out that a substitute Resolution which clarifies the coverage area has been distributed to replace the Resolution first provided in the Council packet. Gordy Byrd questioned why the Council would spend money to place decorative streetlights on the streets when they are considering plans for a tunnel that would take most people underground. Mr. Sexton explained that whether the City chooses the tunnel or a street-surface alternative, Pacific Avenue would remain the primary ingress and egress. The purpose of all these plans is to create a pedestrian-friendly environment while at the same time deal with the traffic from the ferries. These streetlight standards would ensure that decorative streetlights were used. Mr. McConnell asked about the pricing of the poles, if the shipping price was included, and why the design of the current streetlights was not considered? Mr. Sexton explained that SPRING CITY ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY guaranteed the same price for single item projects as for larger TAPE #1938 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 18, 2004 Page 3 of 4 projects, and confirmed that the shipping price was included in the cost; and further explained that the proposed streetlights currently focus more light on the sidewalks rather than on the streets. Mr. Short pointed out that the new streetlights only cost $600 more, but offer a far greater aesthetic value. Mrs. Arends added her comments to support the substitute Resolution that was presented. Mr. Gehrinq asked for clarification on the boundaries of the new area, and if the implementation would be gradual, emphasizing the downtown area. Mr. Sexton accepted the Council's preference for the gradual approach, but was hopeful that the Council would consider annual budgeting. Mr. Shepherd agreed with the approach for using a streetlight that was more pedestrian-friendly, but did not think it was practical to expect that the City would be able to implement these new standards Citywide because of all the other standards adopted in the past. He also thought these new standards would only increase the cost for improvements in the downtown core, and maintenance costs would be high. President Ny,qren recognized that the City has many distinct neighborhoods, and clarified that the goal was not to make all neighborhoods look the same by extending these streetlight standards throughout the City, but only in the designated area of the downtown core. Wendy Priest supported this proposal because she finds the selected streetlight fixtures are very attractive, believes that the components which give a downtown a unique identity are extremely valuable, and even citizens who attend Comp Plan hearings indicated that they want a City they could be proud of. Lastly, she pointed out that because these fixtures have two arms, the number of fixtures needed would be reduced because they could be spaced farther apart, saving on the cost. #1380 M/SIC (Robinson/Arends) Move to pass the substituted Resolution No. 2920, designating a consistent streetlight standard in the Downtown Core and Downtown Waterfront zoning districts. Voted in favor of Motion: Shod, Gehring, Priest, Robinson, Arends, Nygren Voted opposed to Motion: McConnell, Shepherd Motion carried: 6-Yes; and 2-No PUBLIC RECOGNITION Vivian Henderson provided comments to express her dismay at the City Council for appealing the recent changes to the County's Comprehensive Plan. President NyRren explained this was a "non- hostile" action, and the purpose of the appeal was necessary to insure the concerns of the City were heard as the appeal deadline was fast approaching. He further explained that the City Council had sent a letter the Commissioner's prior to their decision, unfortunately, the letter was held up in their Planning Department, and they did not receive the letter until after they voted. Gordy Byrd thanked all the people who contacted him with offers to bail him out of jail when they confused him with the "Gordon Bird" who was recently arrested. Katrina Fulkerson invited the Council and members of the public to the "SPLASH & JAM" event this Saturday at the YMCA and Glenn Jarstad Aquatic Pool. The event is sponsored by the YMCA and the City of Bremerton, and is an event for the entire family. Parents and members of the YMCA are free, and non-members pay $5.00 for games, swimming, hot tubing, crafts, movies, and food. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS Mike Short reminded the public about the Community Meeting for Districts 6, 7, 8, & 9 on Monday, February 23 in the Conference Room of the Public Works & Utilities Building located at 100 Oyster Bay Drive from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M. Carol Arends mentioned that she would be one of the hosts at the Community Meeting for Districts 6, 7, 8, & 9, and encouraged citizens to cancel any plans to attend the meeting! TAPE #1938 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 18, 2004 Page 4 of 4 Dianne Robinson reiterated that Community Resource Officer Karen Pierson would be in attendance to discuss the "Level III Sex-Offender Notification Process"; Lt. Tim Lopez would be discussing the "Explorer's Program"; and Police Chief Rob Forbes would be available to answer any questions. Mike Shepherd announced the Evergreen Neighborhood Association would be hosting a meeting on Sunday, February 22 at 4:00 P.M. at the Caf~ Destino; and was impressed with the "Last Resort Fire Department" museum of fire trucks and equipment organized by the Fire Fighters Historical Society, and commented that he hopes a similar museum will be brought to Bremerton. Wendy Priest provided one last announcement for the District 4 & 5 would also be hosting a meeting on Thursday, February 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. at the Memorial Lutheran Church located at l0th & Veneta Avenue with members of the Bremerton School Board discussing future plans for Bremerton.; and indicated that she would be attending the meeting with the Evergreen Neighborhood Association. Cecil McConnell noted that he would be providing the refreshments at the combined District 1 & 2 Community Meeting that he would be hosting with Council member Brad Gehring. Brad GehrinR added that the combined District 1 & 2 Community Meeting would be held tomorrow, on February 19, from 6:30 - 8:00 P.M. at the Sheridan Park Recreation Center located at the corner of Lebo Bird. & Claire Avenue, with Community Resource Officer Karen Pierson describing the "Level Sex-Offender Notification Process"; and City Engineer Mike Mecham discussing "Speed Bumps". He also recognized and thanked Ray Pitts for his work in organizing charitable events; and with sadness, announced a memorial service would be held for Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Bunda at 11:00 A.M. this Friday at the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church on Pine Road. Daren Ny,qren mentioned that at his District 3 meeting last week, he had the same program about the "Future of Bremerton Schools" that will be presented tonight at the District 4 & 5 meeting, and encouraged all citizens of Bremerton to attend; and thanked the East Bremerton Rotarians for inviting him to their breakfast meeting this morning, and acknowledged all the great work they do in the community. Lastly, he thanked everyone in the audience who attended the meeting tonight. With no further business, the meeting of the City Council was adjourned at 6:39 P.M. Prepared and Submit~..ted,by~ / Attest: ~ ~ / LegislativeAssistant PAL~/A J"~I~NST.~I~, l~{'erim City Clerk ~i/~yRoEfNBrNeYrnGeRdoEnN, City ~_,~)L[nc,I President DN/PJ/Is/cge