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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/13/00 TAPE #1722 CiTY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES September 13, 2000 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, September 13, 2000, at 5:30 P.M., with Council President Carol Arends presiding. Council members present were Jim Reed, Conrad Esser, David Farr, Mike Shepherd, Ed Rollman, John Law, Cecil McConnell, and Wayne Olsen. Also present were City Attorney Glenna Malanca, Deputy City Clerk Paula Johnston, and Legislative Assistant Lori Smith. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Cecil McConneil, followed by the invocation given by Pastor Rick Bodrie of the Calvary Chapel. President Arends made the following announcements: (1) Council held a 30-minute Study Session to discuss the "Kitsap County Legislative Agenda" led by Mary McClure, Executive Director of Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council; followed by a Pre- Council Session in the Council Conference Room to discuss general Council business; and (2) City Council will adjourn to the Council Conference Room immediately following the regular meeting tonight for a 30-minute Study Session to review "Residential Dwelling Unit Regulations". CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes of Meeting - August 23, 2000 (#AB00-206) B. Minutes of Joint Meeting with the County Commissioners - August 29, 2000 (#AB00-207) C. Minutes of Meeting - August 30, 2000 (#AB00-208) D. SR304 Transportation Improvement Project, Asbestos Removal No. 4 Contract, Change Order No. 4 (#AB00-209) E. Rate Adjustment for City Auditor Position; and Budget Adjustment No.00-20 (#AB00-210) #0065 M/S/C/U (McConnell/Olsen) 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. #0085 M/S/C/U (Law/McConnell) On September 13, 2000, the Council does approve for payment those vouchers included and further described as follows: 244932 through 245110 in the amount of $334,337,53. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS John Law announced the next District 3 meeting would be held Tuesday, September 19, 2000, beginning at 7:00 P.M. at the Senior Center located at East 13th Street & Nipsic Avenue. The meeting will be an "Open Forum", with those in attendance deciding on the topics for discussion. He also announced the "Art on the Walls" Grand Unveiling at the Senior Center on Friday, September 15, from 11:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. with five local "artists in action" displaying their talents and canvases. Ed Rollman thanked John Poppe, Pat Coxon, and staff of the Wastewater Department for hosting a tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant for several Council members last week. He was very impressed with the clean facility and well organized daily operations. TAPE #1722 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes September 13, 2000 Page 2 of 5 Mike Shepherd reported the next District 5 Neighborhood Meeting would be held Thursday, September 21, beginning at 6:30 P.M. at the Memorial Lutheran Church located at 10th Street & Nipsic Avenue. Topics of discussion would include new requirements to keep storm-water clean; an update on the Waste Collection contract; and an informal discussion on a possible change in the form of government for the City of Bremerton. Encouraged citizens to take a look at the building newly purchased by Todd Best, at the corner of 11th & Park, which is being cleaned, fixed up, and landscaped. He complimented Mr. Best for being the ideal kind of businessperson needed by Bremerton. Lastly, he discussed an Animal Control issue regarding the increase in stray and abandoned cats and dogs, and encouraged citizens to license their pets as part of the solution to this problem. He also discouraged citizens from feeding raccoons, which only increases their population. David Farr on behalf of the residents, thanked and complimented the Parks Department staff for all their efforts at Haddon Park located at 15th & Lafayette. He also commented on an additional Animal Control issue, which are neighbors who allow their dogs to bark and howl all night. He encouraged those owners to quiet their dogs in consideration of their neighbors. President Arends announced the "Martin Luther King Memorial Scholarship Fund Luncheon" would be held this Saturday, September 16, beginning with a social hour at 11:30 A.M. at the Howard Johnson Hotel on Kitsap Way. Additionally, the "5th Annual Kitsap County Habitat of Humanity Gala Auction & Dinner" would also be held this Saturday beginning at 5:30 P.M. at the Admiral Theater. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Horton announced that a Community Centennial Committee has been formed to plan and organize events to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the City of Bremerton. She asked that if any member of the public had any ideas or pictures showing history of Bremerton that they would like to contribute, or if they would like to serve on this Committee, to please call her office at 478-5266. LEGISLATIVE REPORT - There was no report this evening. PUBLIC RECOGNITION Larry Dickerson believed that a local evangelist and organist who has been frequenting downtown has a first amendment right to continue his activities, and should not be threatened by the police. He announced that tomorrow evening at 7:00 P.M., citizens would gather near 1st Street in his support. Gordy Byrd endorsed this idea. Don Larson encouraged volunteers to participate in the Sinclair Inlet Clean-Up and Marine Fair this Saturday, September 16, from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. and handed out posters listing additional information. Mindy Fohn, Water Operations, announced a program for City of Bremerton Water Utility Customers to purchase a barrel and hardware package ($10.00 each) for use in collecting stormwater runoff for watering their gardens. These items will be available at "A Modern Spin on an Old Idea" event at the Public Works & Utility Department located at 3027 Olympus Drive, on Saturday, September 23, 2000 between 9:00 A.M. and 12:00 noon, or call 4-R-WATER (479-2837) for more information. Ed Pietres reiterated information regarding the Martin Luther King Memorial Scholarship Fund Luncheon, and notified the public that they may call 479-2588 if any additional information is required. TAPE #1722 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes September 13, 2000 Page 3 of 5 H. Emily Moshay announced a train coming to Bremerton at 2:00 P.M. this Saturday, September 16, at the PSNS Gate near the former location for the USS MISSOURI, with approximately 180 people who are arriving to tour downtown Bremerton, and the USS TURNER JOY. She also announced that tickets for the upcoming Kitsap Party event were now available at the Chamber of Commerce. Frances Myers, owner of Charleston Cinemas, thanked all the businesses and individuals who sponsored a children's movie as part of the successful "Free Summer-Matinee Movie" event, and announced that this event will be planned on every Christmas, Spring, and Summer break. John W. Burch announced the Bremerton Elks Club would be sponsoring a "Kick a Soccer Ball" event, free for boys and girls under the age of 14, on Sunday, September 17, 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. with awards for top scorers and refreshments provided. 9A - PUBLIC HEARING & ORDINANCE (FIRST READING), VACATING HARKINS PLACE RIGHT- OF-WAY, (#AB00-211): Jeff Shea, Senior Engineer, reported that the City received a petition to vacate Harkins Place, so on August 16, 2000, a hearing date of September 13, 2000 was set by City Council to hear this request. A map was displayed to show that the right-of-way consists of a short street section with a cul-de-sac at the end. All properties abutting the right-of-way are owned by a single entity, therefore there is no need for public access. The right-of-way vacation is being requested to facilitate a new commercial development. Posting of the hearing notices and mailings to the adiacent property owner have been completed in accordance with State law and the Bremerton Municipal Code (BMC). Specific items for City Council consideration are outlined in an attached staff report. There were no questions or comments from the public. #1285 M/S/C (Farr/Reed) Move to approve the attached ordinance on first reading, vacating Harkins Place right-of-way. Voted in favor of this Motion: Law, Rollman, Shepherd, Farr, Esser, Reed, and Arends Voted opposed to this Motion: Olsen, McConnell Motion carried: 7-Yes; 2-No 10A - RESOLUTION NO. 2773, SUBMITTING FOR VOTE THE PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE CITY CHARTER PROVIDING FOR A CHANGE IN THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT, (#AB00-212): City Attorney Glenna Malanca stated that the proposed Charter revisions provide for a change in government from "Mayor - City Council" to "Council - City Manager" form of government; provides that the City Council terms are not affected by a change in form of government or other revision or amendment of the City Charter; and provides for the annual election by Council of the Chair who also serves as ceremonial Mayor, effective January 1, 2002. Citizens who spoke in SUPPORT of the Resolution: Del Knauss, Don Atkinson, Larry Stone, John Becker, and Gary Gartin; (Larry Dickerson and Vernon Worsch went on record in support of the Resolution, but did not provide comment) Citizens who spoke in OPPOSITION to the Resolution: E.L. Sturdivant, Louie Mitchell, and Gordy Byrd, TAPE #1722 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes September 13, 2000 Page 4 of 5 Mr. Farr provided comment to explain why he would not support this Resolution, particularly because the "timing was absolutely wrong" by allowing the public only two months to consider "probably their most important vote for this City". He was also concerned that there was not enough time for an advocate group to form and provide an "opposing" view to this change. He also concluded that nine part-time Council members could not adequately manage a City Manager under this proposed form of government. He emphasized that it is not his normal position to not honor a citizen's right to vote, but in this case, he believed there were other options to allow this on the ballot at a different time Mr. Esser suggested that voters should view this as an opportunity to participate in a "Citizen Advisory Committee", and contribute to the set criteria for a City Manager's job description, instead of seeing this as a situation where "their rights were being taken away" to vote for a Mayor. He established that he "owed" it to the citizens to let them decide if they wanted this or not. Mr. Reed emphasized that the role of a Council member was to represent the constituents, so he spent a fair amount of time talking to citizens, and found that most of them to be very informed on the details and impact of this proposed issue. Therefore, he felt compelled to support their views. His own opinion was that this City had a "climate difficulty", and that this change, if approved by the voters, would be an improvement to a City which was trying to move forward. Mr. Law advocated that this would be the only change to the Charter, and that he trusted the voters to study the issue responsibly. He suggested that his fellow Council members hold District meetings to assist in educating their constituents on the pros & cons of this issue, and reiterated that he was providing an opportunity for a "balanced" discussion at his upcoming meeting next Tuesday. Mr. McConnell provided comments to explain that his vote tonight would simply indicate his support to place this issue on the ballot for the voters to decide. Mr. Olsen agreed, in addition to pointing out that because Bremerton was a "First Class" city with a population of over 30,000, State law dictates that if this issue is to be placed on the ballot by the Council, it has to be done at a General Election. He indicated that if it were not done this year, it would have to wait until next year, which would not be fair to candidates who want to run for office. It was also announced that this proposed change in government issue was included as a topic for discussion at the District 1 & 2 "Town Meeting" on Tuesday, September 26, 2000 beginning at 7:00 P.M. at the Sheridan Park Recreation Center. Mr. Shepherd reiterated that this issue would also be a topic at his next District 5 Meeting scheduled Thursday, September 21, 2000, at Memorial Lutheran Church, beginning at 6:30 P.M. He emphasized that he too trusted the voters. Mr. Rollman supported placing this issue on the ballot for the citizens to decide, but cautioned citizens that if they vote for a City Manager form of government, they would be losing their power to vote for the only City official currently voted for in a city-wide election. President Arends reasoned that the passage of 1-695 last year was a message from the public that they wanted to vote on issues, therefore she favored placing this item on the ballot. However, she strongly urged citizens to inform themselves on this issue. She also spoke to the Council, cautioning them to provide balanced presentations to their constituents, to "stick to the facts", and to not become too "one-sided" when providing information on this topic. Ms. Malanca verified that a memo has been prepared for the entire Council, addressing the guidelines for discussing this topic at their District meetings. TAPE #1722 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes September 13, 2000 Page 5 of 5 #3618 M/S/C (Reed/Law) Move to approve Resolution No. 2773, referring Charter revision to Ballot. Voted in favor of this motion: Rollman, Shepherd, Esser, Reed, Olsen, McConnell, Law, and Arends Voted in opposition to this motion: Farr Motion carried: 8-Yes; l-No. #3700 M/S/C/U (Olsen/McConnell) Move to authorize the Council President to nominate 3 persons to a committee to prepare a statement advocating the voters approval of the measure regarding the City Charter Amendments; and to nominate 3 persons to a committee to prepare a statement advocating the voter's rejection of the measure. The City Council's formal appointment of the Committees is requested to be placed on the Council agenda next week. Ms. Malanca clarified that the statements are to be received by the County Auditor no later than Monday, September 25, 2000. With no further business, meeting concluded at 7:10 P.M. City Council then adjourned to the Council Conference Room for a study session to discuss "Residential Dwelling Unit Regulations". City of Bremerton P J/CA/Islcg c: Normal Distribution File