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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/23/98 TAPE #1589 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 23, 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, December 23, 1998, at 5:30 P.M., with Council President David Farr presiding. Council members present were Jim Reed, Carol Arends, Mike Shepherd, Lon Overson, John Law, Cecil McConnell, and Wayne Olsen. Council member Carlos Montgomery was absent. Also present were City Attorney Glenna Malanca and Deputy Clerk Gil Johnson. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council President Farr, and invocation given by Pastor Paul Meeker of Our Savior's Lutheran Church. President Farr made the following announcements: (1) City Council held a Study Session prior to the Council meeting to discuss general Council business followed by an Executive Session to discuss "Litigation". (2) Immediately following the City Council meeting, the City Council will hold an additional Executive Session to discuss "Litigation". CONSENT AGENDA None 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. #0020 M/S/CIU (Arends/Olsen) On December 23,1998, the Council does approve for payment those vouchers included and further described as follows: 226516 through 226666 in the amount of $249,467.19; and Regular Payroll in the amount of $776,900.65 for the period ending December 15, 1998. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS Mrs. Arends wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and hopes everyone is enjoying the Christmas decorations displayed in the 7th District. Mr. Shepherd shared that downtown Bremerton has many interesting shops available for last minute shoppers. He announced the next District 5 neighborhood meeting will be on January 21, 1999, at 6:30 P.M., at the Memorial Lutheran Church located at 10th & Veneta. Guest Speaker for the program will be Bremerton Municipal Court Judge James Docter who will discuss the probation and home detention programs. He asked the public to consider the New Year's Eve event sponsored by the Bremerton Fire Department. Last of all, he urged everyone to drive carefully! TAPES #1589 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes December 23, 1998 Page 2 of 5 Mr. Overson wished everyone a happy holiday season and hoped that everyone enjoys the snow. He also expressed his support for shopping downtown. Mr. Law encouraged shopping in the Manette area, and wished everyone a Merry Christmas, as well as Happy Holidays! He congratulated new County officials upon being recently sworn in to office. Mr. McConnell, Mr. Olsen, and President Farr wished everyone Happy Holidays and urged safe driving. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Horton addressed the Y2K issue, and assured the public that the City is doing everything possible to achieve compliance. In addition, Bill Eley, Information Services Manager, has addressed the Council on this issue. She discussed a "Y2K Consortium" that meets regularly, and posts meeting minutes on the Internet at web site http://www.olympic.ctc.edu. In addition, all City departments are compiling inventory listings of all electronic devices with computer chips. She urged the public to be prepared as they would for any other emergency, but warned against stock-piling such items as gasoline. Most of all, she advised not to panic. Anyone with questions on the Y2K issue may call her office at 478-5266. PUBLIC RECOGNITION Rev. Cleveland VVilliams, Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, shared the efforts made by his church to help those in need, including a free Christmas dinner to be held on Christmas day, at the Sheridan Park Recreation Center. He was happy to announce that at least 56 people have volunteered to assist with the program. John Becket had concerns about the bulb-outs recently installed on Burwell Street, and the liability issue to the City, especially during fog or snowstorm situations. Gordy Byrd wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Paul Drnjevic requested that the wording on the fluoride ballot be changed. He feels it can be interpreted that the water is currently being fiuoridated. Ms. Malanca, City Attorney, stated that discussion of ballot issues is not allowed during Public Recognition, and advised him that there is a process set out in the RCW to contest ballot titles. 9A - APPOINTMENT OF GARY R. SMITH TO THE CABLE COMMUNICATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, #AB98-287 There is a vacancy on the Cable Communications Advisory Committee. It is recommended Gary R. Smith be appointed to fill the vacancy. TAPES #1589 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes December 23, 1998 Page 3 of 5 Mayor Horton provided information about video productions Mr. Smith has been involved in at Bremerton High School where he currently teaches. She believes he will bring a level of professionalism to the committee. Public comment - none. Mr. Olsen stepped out of the meeting at 6:00 P.M. #0890 M/S/C/U (Law/Arends) Motion to confirm the appointment of Gary R. Smith to the Cable Communications Advisory Committee. Mr. Olsen stepped back in to the meeting at 6:05 P.M. He asked the Mayor if she could bring the Committee appointees to any future Council meetings so that Council can meet them. Mayor Horton stated that could be done. 9B - SR 304 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT BID AWARD BUILDING MOVING OR DEMOLITION NO. 1, #AB98-288 Bids were opened for the Transportation Improvement Project, Building Moving or Demolition No. 1 contract on December 7, 1998. This contract provides for the moving or demolition of all structures occupying 5 separate parcels of public right of way located within the "Gateway Phase" of the SR 304 Project. Six bids for this project were received. Orca Properties was the lowest responsive bidder with a bid of $25,437.01. The Engineer's estimate for this project was $59,283.12. Orca Properties has indicated that they intend to move the houses from all the parcels to locations outside the City. The action before the City Council is approval of a contract with Orca Properties for the SR 304 Transportation Project, Building Moving or Demolition No.1. Gene Sampley Public Works Director, stated this was an effort to provide an alternative to straight demolition in the SR304 project corridor. A "call for bids" was issued to see if there was any interest. A total of 6 bids were received. It is being recommended that this contract be awarded to Orca Properties, the lowest bidder. Mr. Byrd wanted to know if this process could assist him in his efforts to provide shelter for the homeless. Mr. Becker asked for clarification on whether the City was paying to have the houses moved, or was the contractor paying the City for the houses. In addition, he felt that the houses should be kept in the City so as not to reduce the City's tax base. He felt the houses should have been put out to bid separately. Mr. Sampley responded that the project was a collective effort, with an advertisement placed for the 5 homes as a group. He explained that the City does not become involved in individual projects. He further stated that anyone with a contractor's license could have submitted a bid to either move or demolish them. Mr. McConnell stated that "time was of the essence" for this project. Mr. Olsen elaborated further, stating that it was too late, because bids were already opened. He TAPES #1589 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes December 23, 1998 Page 4 of 5 stated that it would not be fair to the contractors and could also open the City to lawsuits. He suggested that in the future, maybe one house at a time could be let out for bids. Mr. Law suggested that Mr. Becker contact the Council office, and be put in touch with the Project Manager for this project to have any further questions answered. Mr. Shepherd pointed out that there are project deadlines to consider. He pointed out that other houses have been demolished in this area, where problems with lead paint and asbestos were discovered. These types of problems create additional difficulties for the individual without the expertise to deal with them. #1650 M/S/C/U (Arends/McConnell) Motion to approve award of bid of $25,437.01 with Orca Properties for the SR 304 Transportation Improvement Project, Building Moving or Demolition No.l, and authorize the Mayor to execute award of bid. 10A - RESOLUTION NO. 2685, REAUTHORIZING AN INTERFUND LOAN FROM THE WATER FUND TO THE WASTEWATER FUND: AND RELATED BUDGET ADJUSTMENT NO. 98-43. #AB98-289 The proposed resolution will provide needed working capital in the Wastewater Fund to carry on the operations and capital projects of the utility until such time as pending legal matters and real estate sales can be brought to conclusion. Without this loan the fund will frequently operate in a deficit position. Gene Sampley, Public Works Director, stated there were two significant issues with this item. First, the duration for the existing loan was only authorized through December 31, 1998, so it needs to be extended. Second, the current litigation affecting the sale of property in the Oyster Bay area affects the cash position of the City, so authorization needs to be increased so that the total loan amount would not exceed $5.5 million payable on or before December 31, 2000. Mr. Becker recommended that a loan be taken out for a longer period of time, and asked why this loan is only for one year. Additionally, he offered suggestions on various ways to save this money for the taxpayers. Mr. Sampley clarified that this was a request for a two-year authorization, and that the cash flow projections for the Water Fund would not allow for an extended loan period. He explained the loan is needed for Capital projects. It is not a 0% interest loan, but rather interest is being charged at the current market rate. #1850 M/S/C/U (Arends/McConnell) Motion to approve Resolution No. 2685, authorizing an interfund loan from the Water Fund to the Wastewater Fund. #1857 M/S/C/U (Arends/McConnell) Motion to approve Budget Adjustment Request No. 98~43. TAPES #1589 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes December 23, 1998 Page 5 of 5 With no further business, meeting adjourned at 6:30 P.M. DAVID FARR, Council President City of Bremerton PJ/DF/Is cc: Normal Distribution File Vault