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Home My WebLink About01/04/95TAPE #1257 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES COUNCIL APPROVED rJAN 2 8 1995 UNAPPROVED DRAFT JANUARY 4, 1995 #1077 #0182 The regular 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, January 4, 1995, at 5:30 P.M., with Council President Sherril Huff-Menees presiding. Council members present were Morrie Dawkins, John Law, David Farr, Carlos Montgomery, Bob Winters, Lon Overson, and Richard Neville. Councilman A1 Colvin was absent. Also present was City Clerk Kathleen McCluskey. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council President Huff-Menees and Invocation given by Reverend Sam Rachal, Jr. of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. ELECTION OF CITY COUNCIL OFFICERS President Huff-Menees opened nominations for the position of City Council President: Mr. Winters nominated John Law Mr. Neville nominated Sherril Huff-Menees President Huff-Menees closed nominations. Each Council member cast a written ballot with Sherril Huff-Menees being elected City Council President. President Huff-Menees opened nominations for the position of City Council Vice President: Mr. Winters nominated Richard Neville Mr. Overson nominated Bob Winters President Huff-Menees closed nominations. Each Council member cast a written ballot with Richard Neville being elected as Vice President. President Huff-Menees opened nominations for the position of Mayor Pro Tem: President Huff-Menees nominated Bob Winters. M/S/C/U(Huff-Menees/Montgomery) to cast a unanimous ballot for Bob Winters as Mayor Pro Tem. CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes of Meeting - December 14, 1994 #AB95-001 M/S/C/U(Neville/Montgomery) presented. to approve the Consent Agenda as 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. #0199 TAPE #1257 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes January 4, 1995 Page 2 of 4 M/S/C/U(Overson/Neville) on January 4, 1995, the Council does approve for payment those vouchers included and further described as follows: 181053 through 181055 in the total amount of $338,403.44. President Huff-Menees announced immediately following the City Council meeting, Council will hold an Executive Session to discuss "review of negotiations on performance of a public contract". Also, a Study Session is scheduled for January 9, 1995, starting at 6:00 P.M., in the Council Conference Room. Topics to be discussed are: (1) Construction Projects Update (2) Senior Fund Raising Group (SUM)/Senior Center (3) CENCOM (4) Curfew Proposal (5) Growth Management Update/Capital Facilities Plan COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS Mr. Neville announced the Neighborhood Information Network meeting for the West Narrows District, which includes Districts #4, #5 and #6, will be held Tuesday, January 10, 7:00 P.M., at the Neighborhood Christian Center. The program for that meeting will include a presentation on Earthquake Preparedness by Phyllis Mann, Director of Emergency Management/Kitsap County. Mr. Farr feels optimistic that 1995 will be a good year for the City, in particular for the turn-around of the downtown area. He cited the following reasons for his optimism: (1) the large contributions toward the renovation of the Admiral Theater; (2) renovation of the Elks Building; (3) having an administration that is dedicated to clean up some of the blighted areas around the City; and (4) hiring a new Police Chief. Mr. Law announced the District #3 Neighborhood meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 7:00 P.M., at the Senior Center. The guest speaker at that meeting will be the new Police Chief Paul Du Fresne, who will be there to answer questions and get acquainted with the residents of District #3. Mr. Montgomery announced Council Districts #6, #7 and #8 will be holding a District meeting some time in the near future with the exact date and location announced later. Mr. Dawkins reported he and Councilman Law met with Paul Green, Director of the Washington State Ferries Service to talk about concerns relating to ferry service to Bremerton. He believes Mr. Green will do an excellent job, and indicated he was interested in all ferry routes, which does include Bremerton. Mr. Winters congratulated President Huff-Menees on her re-election. TAPE #1257 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes January 4, 1995 Page 3 of 4 He extended a "happy and prosperous New Year" to all the citizens of Bremerton. If anyone has any information regarding the New Years Eve kicking-out of his store window at 119 Pacific Avenue, please inform the Police Department. He hoped his fellow Council members will be able to attend the P.O.W.E.R. meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 5, 7:00 P.M., at 1302 N. Lafayette. Mrs. Huff-Menees emphasized the topic of the P.O.W.E.R. meeting is "Violence in our Community", and she too feels that this is an important meeting for City officials and members of the community to attend. This is also a public meeting that will facilitate Council's discussion on the concept of a curfew at their Study Session on January 9. MAYOR,S REPORT Mayor Lynn Hotton wished everyone a "Happy New Year". Today, she and Council members Sherril Huff-Menees and David Farr attended the Kitsap Regional Planning Council meeting. She felt the most significant discussion at that meeting centered on the fast passenger-only ferry service and a proposal from the State of Washington to look at privatization of some areas of transportation. There were approximately 6 projects that have been approved by the State to look at, including HOV lanes, and a Tacoma Narrows Bridge enhancement (either be it a new bridge or expansion of the existing bridge). One of the projects that did not make the list was the public/private partnership concerning passenger-only service. A citizens advisory committee will be looking at public/private partnerships in that regard, and will be making recommendations to the Regional Council at their February meeting. She felt the bottom line was that everyone agrees the passenger- only service is something that is absolutely necessary for Bremerton and the question is who will provide it and at what cost. Lastly, she extended condolences to George Allen's family, he passed away on Christmas Day. PUBLIC RECOGNITION Gordy Byrd gave a report on his trip to Disneyland over the Christmas holiday. He emphasized there is "no place like home" and was glad to be back in Washington state. Shannon Cook said "hello" to her friends at Harrison Hospital. She hoped that more people would attend City Council meetings and wished everyone a "Happy New Year". 7A - ORDINANCE NO. 4498 (SECOND READING) DECREASING THE UTILITY OCCUPATION TAX ON GARBAGE/REFUSE BUSINESS, #AB94-279 Gordy Byrd questioned if he understood correctly the decrease in Utility Tax would only affect businesses? President Huff-Menees explained the decrease in Utility Tax would be for the entire #0665 TAPE #1257 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes January 4, 1995 Page 4 of 4 community. Elizabeth Buell asked if the tax was being ramped down only 1%? President Huff-Menees stated the tax would decrease by 1.4%. Mrs. Bue11 stated that still left a big tax. Mr. Montgomerypointed out a journey starts with the first step, and the City is looking to decrease the tax again in 1996. Mr. Winters pointed out the impact of lowering the tax will result in a decrease of $60,000 annually from the Utility Tax revenue. M/S/C/U(Montgomery/Winters) to pass Ordinance No. 4498, on second reading, relating to occupation tax for the garbage/refuse business, and amending Chapter 5.02 of the Bremerton Municipal Code. With no further business meeting adjourned at 6:00 P.M. Clerk KLM/SH-M/me cc: Normal Distribution File/Vault