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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/21/98 TAPES #1576 & #1577 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 1998 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, October 21, 1998, at 5:30 P.M., with Council President David Farr presiding. Council members present were Jim Reed, Carlos Montgomery, Carol Arends, Mike Shepherd, John Law, Cecil McConnell, and Wayne Olsen (arrived 6:20 P.M.). Council member Lon Overson was absent. Also present were City Attorney Glenna Malanca and Deputy City Clerk Paula Johnston. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council President Farr, and invocation given by Council member Carol Arends. President Farr made the following announcements: (1) The City Council held a Study Session to discuss general Council Business, followed by a 20-minute Executive Session prior to the Council meeting, 5:05 - 5:25 P.M., to discuss "Labor Negotiations". CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes of Meeting - September 23, 1998 #AB98-234 #0023 M/SIC (McConnell/Montgomery) Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Vote on Motion: In Favor: McConnell, Law, Shepherd, Arends, Montgomery, and Farr Abstain: Reed Motion passed. 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. #0052 MISICIU(Montgomery/Arends) On October 21, 1998, the Council does approve for payment those vouchers included and further described as follows: 224771 through 224966 in the amount of $366,603.14; and Regular Payroll for the period ending October 15, 1998 in the amount of $766,398.26. TAPE #1576 & #157, City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes October 21, 1998 Page 2 of 7 COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS Mr. Law reported the District #3 meeting held last night went well, with good attendance. He thanked Sgt. Tom Pratt for his excellent presentation, and for providing some insight into the operations of the Police Department. Mr. Shepherd presented some information about the Bremerton High School Drama Department, and the upcoming drama M*A*S*H. He encouraged the public to attend. Mrs. Arends announced the next Bremerton High School football game this Friday night. She was concemed about an article in the Sun today about threatened possible closure of the Frances Haddon Morgan Center, and will provide further details as they are received. Mr. Monteomen/reported that a very "lively" Ferry Advisory Committee meeting was held Monday night, and will be telecast on Thursday, October 22, 10:30 P.M.; Tuesday, October 27, at noon; and Friday, October 30, at 10:00 A.M. He notified the public about a "Radar Speed Trailer" that will be in various areas throughout the City. It will clock your speed to assist people in being aware of the speeds they are traveling. He also notified the public about a Public Hearing at the November 4 Council meeting to discuss an extension on the moratorium to prohibit docks & piers between Oyster Bay and Ostrich Bay. Last, he announced a program by the Navy held last night to discuss home porting ships on the West Coast. Mr. Farr informed the public that he saw the finishing touches of the hydroseeding at Haddon Park at 15th & Lafayette. He was glad to see the progress, and stated it is a very welcome addition to the neighborhood. PUBLIC RECOGNITION Ed Pietras provided a second announcement of the 16th annual Spaghetti Feed to be held this Saturday. Stephen Moshay, Bremerton High School student, invited the public to the Bremerton High School Drama M*A*S*H, October 22, 23 & 24, 7:30 P.M. General Admission is $5.00 with tickets available at the door. For further information call 478-6033. He thanked everyone for their support. Shawn Hartley, owner of Touch of Leather, followed up on his concerns about parking. Elizabeth Buell, Bremerton resident, also voiced her continuing concern about parking being regulated on Sundays. TAPE #1576 & #157, City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes October 21, 1998 Page 3 of 7 8A - U,S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES {COPS), SMALL COMMUNITIES GRANT PROGRAM, #AB98-235 The City has been awarded $30,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice for two full-time officers in the time period 9/01/98 to 8/31/99. The Mayor must accept this Small Communities Grant within 45 days. We request for the Mayor to accept. These funds will be included in the 1999 budget and will be presented to the Council during budget review. Chief Paul Du Fresne, Bremerton Police Department, stated this would provide an additional year of funding for the two officers. Public comment - none. #0600 MISICIU (Montgomery/Shepherd) Motion to accept this Small Communities Grant. 9A - RESOLUTION NO. 2677, AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR AQUATIC LAND ENHANCEMENT ACCOUNT {ALEA) GRANT FOR SMITH COVE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, #AB98-236 The Parks & Recreation Department presented the Smith Cove Development Project to the IAC in August, and we have received word that this project placed 13 out of 78 local parks projects. This list will be recommended to the Governor, then will progress through the legislative process for funding. Our ranking is very encouraging and the potential for IAC funding is good. The Parks & Recreation Department is now applying to Aquatic Land Enhancement Account (ALEA) for a development grant of half of the estimated costs for this same project utilizing the aforementioned IAC grant as a portion of the match. The total cost of the project is estimated at $1,716,742, with the ALEA requested match being 50% of this value, or $858,371. Attached is a resolution, which demonstrates the City's support for the project. This is a grant application requirement. Jodi Wroblewski, Assistant Parks Director, stated this was part of the application process for the grant. This funding will reduce the amount of City funding involved. Public comment - none. #0785 M/S/C/U (Montgomery/Shepherd) Move to adopt Resolution No. 2677 authorizing the Mayor to submit the grant application Resolution Authorizing Application for Aquatic Land Enhancement Account (ALEA) Grant for Smith Cove Development Project. TAPE #1576 & #157, City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes October 21, 1998 Page 4 of 7 9B - RESOLUTION NO. 2676, OPPOSING INITIATIVE MEASURE 200, #AB98-237 Under the provisions of RCW 42.17.130, the City Council will consider a Resolution of Opposition to Initiative Measure 200. The Ballot Title of this Initiative is "Shall government be prohibited from discriminating or granting preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, and contracting.'?" The opposing view will be afforded approximately equal opportunity of expression. President Farr announced that this was the first time the City Council considered a measure such as this. It was not universally supported by all of the Council members to consider this measure here tonight for various reasons. He urged everyone to conduct themselves in an appropriate and respectful manner. Citizens who spoke in support of the City Passing Resolution No. 2676, Opposing Initiative Measure 200: Charlotte Garido, Kitsap County Commissioner Matt Ryan Jean Black, Small Business Owner Shirley Crutcher, former Councilman Patricia M. Thomas, Educator in SK School District Debra Jackson, President of NAACP Paul Stanbery Sean P. Green, Chairman for Kitsap County Council on Human Rights Dr. Nancy E. Gill, College Professor and NAACP member Leroy Williams, longtime Bremerton resident and appointed member of the Washington State African Affairs Commission Dolores Doninger Abdulah Mustafa, business owner, NAACP and Urban League member Marti Stanbery Jeanni Johnson, retired Director of Kitsap County's HEAD Start programs, and past President of NAACP Roy Mclnnis Gwendolyn Shepherd, Vice President of NAACP AI Colvin, former City Councilman Citizens who were opposed to the Council taking a stand on this Initiative: Ruth Natividad TAPE #1576 & #157, City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes October 21, 1998 Page 5 of 7 TAPE #1577 Mr. Montgomery gave a brief history of his past with the Navy, and the instructions he was given to discriminate against minorities while hiring. He gave examples where he went against this order to hire qualified minorities, and they went on to have successful careers. He stated that he has never favored discrimination of any kind, nor did he favor choosing a person for a job he is not qualified for, regardless of who he or she is. He polled constituents in his district to be sure he represented their interests. Mr. McConnell felt the City was in "uncharted" waters with this Resolution. He stated that the City Council has always been, as defined by law, a nonpartisan, nonpolitical body, that has kept "hands-off' all ballot issues. He clarified that his vote tonight was not "for" or "against" 1-200, but rather against the way this issue came to Council. He did not like the divisiveness this issue has caused the Council members among themselves and with the public. He also stated he only received one phone call on the issue, which was from a constituent who's only concern was that Council should not have this issue on their Agenda. He felt that individual members who wished to take a public stand on ballot issues might do so in another way. Mr. Reed stated that he was elected by District 9 to represent their views on legislative issues that affect the City. He felt it was not the Council's position to make political statements, or to influence the community one way or another on how a vote should be taken. In addition, he has had very little input from his constituents on this issue, so he does not even feel qualified to cast a vote for them. Personally, he does not approve of any type of discrimination, and he does approve of equal rights for women. Mr. Olsen agreed with many of the statements made by Mr. McConnell and Mr. Reed. He stated that as a Councilman, he did not have the right to tell the voters how to vote on a state issue. He has not had any phone calls from his constituents on this issue. He further stated that this issue should never have gone on the Council Agenda as a Resolution. He read the rules and regulations of the Council, and even asked one of the original Councilmen, who helped generate them, why was it written that no initiative or ballot issue could be talked about? The answer was, to keep the Council from becoming a "political arena". Mr. Law stated that he had some contacts regarding this issue. One was to support the proposal, but all the others stated they did not believe the Council should be dealing with this issue. He agreed with Mr. McConnell, that once the door was open to this initiative, where do we stop. He stated that as a City Councilman, he was not able to tell a citizen how to vote. He would be happy to talk with anyone on an individual basis. TAPE #1576 & #157, City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes October 21, 1998 Page 6 of 7 Mrs. Arends stated she realized there were earnest people on both sides of this issue, and that it was a very important issue. She has personally spoke out opposing I-200, so therefore, she suppoded this issue on the Agenda. She speaks as an individual, and is not trying to tell anyone how they should vote or how they should think. She does want to put herself on the record as saying society has come a long way, but still has a long way to go. She did not want to see affirmative action removed. Mr. Montgomery stated that voting either way on this Resolution was not telling people how to vote. It was a vote stating that the City will not discriminate. President Farr stated that he was aware this issue has divided the Council, but he pointed out that many issues divide this Council, and if they didn't, this Council would not be doing their job. He felt there were two issues here - one was the vote that was going to happen, and two, whether or not this issue should be on the Agenda. He felt this offered a forum for people to speak. It was very orderly tonight, and everyone conducted themselves in a respectful manner. He urged his fellow Council members to vote in support of this Resolution. Mr, Shepherd stated that he also believed that procedurally, this was not a correct approach. However, since this issue was now before them, the vote would reflect the proposition itself. As a matter of importance to the City of Bremerton for its economic and cultural development, he urged those Councilman who were voting "no" due to a "procedural" concern to reconsider, and vote for the future of Bremerton. President Farr wanted to address the issue of whether or not it was proper for the Council to deal with this issue. He urged the Council to look at the other cities in other communities who did have the courage to stand up and take a stand on this issue. He asked why was Bremerton, a community with a very large minority population, excluded from also taking a stand? #0925 M/S/C (Shepherd/Arends) Move to adopt Resolution No. 2676 that affirms the City of Bremerton's commitment as an employer to the principals of equal opportunity and diversity in its workforce, and preservation of affirmative action to implement the City's objectives. Vote on Motion: In Favor: Montgomery, Arends, Shepherd, Farr Opposed: McConnell, Reed, Olsen Abstain: Law Motion passed. TAPE #1576 & #1 5~ ~ City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes October 21, 1998 Page 7 of 7 With no further business, meeting adjourned at 7:35 P.M. City of Bremerton PJ/DF/Is C: Normal Distribution FileNault