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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/30/98 TAPE #1590 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 30, 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 30, 1998, at 5:30 P.M., with Council President David Farr presiding. Council members present were Jim Reed, Carlos Montgomery, Carol Arends, Mike Shepherd, Lon Overson, John Law, Cecil McConnell, and Wayne Olsen. 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 Chaplain John Reitz, of Naval Subase Bangor. President Farr made the following announcements: (1) City Council held a Study Session prior to the Council meeting, in the Council Conference room, 5:00 - 5:30 P.M. to discuss general Council business. (2) City Council will hold their next monthly Study Session on Monday, January 04, 1999, in the Council Conference room, 5:30 - 7:45 P.M. to discuss the New Jail; Non-Profit Agency Leases; a Resolution to consider the AT&T and TCI Merger; Construction Project Updates; and a Contract Amendment and Budget Adjustment for Evergreen Park Remediation Project. (3) City Council will hold a Study Session immediately following the City Council meeting on Wednesday, January 6, 1999 in the Council Conference Room to discuss "Proposed Amendments to Bremerton Title 21, Land Use". 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. #0188 M/S/C/U (Montgomery/Arends) On December 30, 1998, the Council does approve for payment those vouchers included and further described as follows: 226707 through 226845, and EFT 5170 in the amount of $649,186.52; and Retiree Payroll in the amount of $121,181.93 for the period ending December 31, 1998. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS Mr. Olsen wished everyone a Happy New Year, and urged no one to drink and drive. Mr. McConnell wished everyone Happy Holidays and Happy New Year, and reminded everyone to drive safe and sober. TAPE #1590 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes December 30, 1998 Page 2 of 5 Mr. Law announced the next District 3 meeting to be held Tuesday, January 19, 1999. He also wished everyone Happy Holidays. Mr. Overson was glad to see the rain subside, and hopes mother nature will be kinder in the New Year. He also wished everyone a happy holiday season. Mrs. Arends wished everyone a Happy New Year. She also wanted to thank Mr. Sampley for solving the problem of the "freezing" Council Chambers last week...by closing the window! She enjoyed a visit to the Charleston Cinema over the weekend. Mr. Montgomery wished everyone a Happy New Year. President Farr joined the Council in wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year. PUBLIC RECOGNITION Louis Soriano, voiced his concerns about Kitsap Transit, and the problems created due to the lack of signage and access for taxis and busses near the ferry terminal, particularly around the construction site, for elderly and disabled ferry riders. He urged the Council to visit the area to see the problems first hand, and find an immediate solution to this problem. Susan Brown concurred with the previous comments, and also inferred that the City might be breaking federal law when it comes to the lack of handicap access at the ferry terminal. Gordy Byrd also voiced his concerns about a dangerous intersection at the corner of Sheridan & Wheaton Way, and also at 6th & Park. Mike Shepherd arrived at the Council meeting at 5:50 P.M. President Farr asked the Legislative Assistant to contact Richard Hayes at Kitsap Transit to request that he come before Council at next weeks meeting and address the issues and concerns brought up here tonight. 8A - AGREEMENTS WITH KITSAP COUNTY FOR BKAT SERVICES. #AB98-290 This is the second year of agreements with Kitsap County to provide BKAT services. The Funding Agreement provides the County 21-cent pass-through and the Governmental Services Agreement provides for a payment of $50 per hour for filming county government hearings and other programming. Kathleen McCluskey, Administrative Services Director, stated that both contracts are essentially the same, except for the 21-cents which is an increase over available funds last year, and are written for one-year, with an added clause for additional years at the election of the Commissioners. The agreements went before the County first, and have TAPE #1590 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes December 30, 1998 Page 3 of 5 already been approved by them. Since the County participated only part of last year, the Governmental Services Agreement doesn't reflect what she thinks the City will see this year. She predicts a real increase in the governmental programming, and added the City will probably be ready within a year to expand to a second public access channel, which will coincide with the upgrade of the Bremerton cable system. Bruce Stier, Executive Director of BKAT, passed out information on 1997 and 1998 statistics showing the increase and the playback time. He provided a brief report on what has occurred this year, including an increase in the amount of public, educational, and governmental programming. He added that approximately 50,000 households are being reached. Mr. Byrd asked what it costs to tape the City Council meetings. Ms. McCluskey clarified that each cable subscriber is charged 21-cents per month on his or her bill, which is used for the cable access programming. There are only two and-a-half staff members, and the rest of the group is made up from volunteers. The $50.00 per hour is what the City and County governments pay BKAT to televise the governmental programming. Mr. McConnell wanted to clarify that the automatic extension of the contract is the only section that could be changed. Ms. McCluskey stated yes. Mr. Montgomery referred to the additional channel to be added next year, and asked if it would be strictly reserved for governmental programming. Ms. McCluskey stated that it may be proposed to have one channel for government and public/education on the other channel, however, this idea would need to be brought before the Advisory Committee, City Council, and the County Commissioners. #0951 M/S/C/U (Montgomery/Olsen) Motion to approve Funding Agreement with Kitsap County. #0965 M/S/C/U (Montgomery/Olsen) Motion to approve Governmental Services Agreement with Kitsap County. 8B - 1999 AMBULANCE RATES, #AB98-291 Pursuant to the ambulance regulatory ordinance, Council must approve rates charged for 911 Basic Life Support (BLS) aid calls. Both local companies, Olympic and Bremerton, have submitted requests for rate increases for 911 BLS calls to be effective January 1, 1999. Clerk staff has surveyed regional ambulance companies for comparable rates. All surveyed companies have raised their rates since 1997 for BLS and the array of products and services they provide. Kathleen McCluskey, Administrative Services Director, stated that per the Bremerton Municipal Code, staff is only required to review the rates proposed, as compared to TAPE #1590 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes December 30, 1998 Page 4 of 5 other comparable rates. This was done, and the information was provided in the Agenda Packet. The rates reflect a 5% increase over a two year period. Staff recommends approval. Mr. Byrd supported the rate increase. Roy Mclnnis referred to the chart showing the "1999 Rate Increase Proposal" on page 24 of the Agenda Packet, and asked what was meant by "Wait Time". Kimberly A. Doyle, of Bremerton Ambulance, gave an example of transporting a patient for radiation treatment, then waiting for that patient while they are at their appointment and then transporting them back to the facility they came from. This can save the patient from having two transporting fees. This fee is not usually charged on 911 calls. She explained it is less expensive for the patient, and still allows ambulance companies to pay the employee and the cost for running the ambulance. Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Overson questioned the justification for the rate increase. It was felt that a study on what an appropriate rate should be for providing this service was needed, and how closely these proposed rates meet that cost, rather than simply comparable rates of other cities. Mr. Olsen pointed out for the benefit of the public, that the BLS basic rate from the two ambulance companies in Bremerton is $242.55; with a comparison rate from American Medical Response of $316.00. Mr. McConnell asked who did the comparisons. He also questioned why there are two companies. Paula Johnston, Deputy City Clerk, stated the report shows a balanced comparison of companies, type of service, and base rate charges. She assured Council the report is a comparison of "apples to apples". Mr. William Littlejohn, President of Olympic Ambulance, stated that they have been coming to the City for rate approvals for the past 20 years, and this was the first time there has been such a large turnover of Council members. He provided some history of an Ambulance Review Committee used in the past, which he believed, was helpful in explaining the issues. He also pointed out that this item was brought to the two Council Committees, and he would have been happy to answer any questions at that time. He explained the companies are in negotiations right now to increase employee wages, and gave examples of new expenses anticipated in the coming year. Mr. Law suggested that the companies take the time to educate the Council, and show why the rates should increase, rather than use a comparison chart. Mr. Reed wondered why Council was not this frugal a few weeks ago when water and sewer rates were raised 3%... It amazed him that no questions were asked then, but scrutinizing this private employers request for an increase. He fully understands the high cost of running a business, and pointed out that a patient's insurance company pays most bills anyway. TAPE #1590 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes December 30, 1998 Page 5 of 5 President Farr questioned if the rates that are in effect now, stay in effect after the first of the year? If this rate increase fails, he asked if staff could work with the contractors and bring this issue back before Committees again. Ms. McCluskey explained that the only requirement in the BMC is that the ambulance companies bring the proposals to staff before December 1st, which they did. There is no time-line in which the Council must act on the request. If it is denied, they will certainly work with the companies, and get back to Council. #2150 M/S/F (Montgomery/McConnell) Motion to not approve the proposed rate increases for 1999. Vote on motion: In Favor: Montgomery, Farr Opposed: Overson, Shepherd, Arends, Reed Olsen, McConnell, Law Motion failed. #2180 M/S/C (Overson/Reed) Motion to approve the proposed rate increases by Olympic and Bremerton Ambulance Companies for 1999. Vote on motion: In Favor: Shepherd, Arends, Reed, OIsen, Law, Overson Opposed: Montgomery, McConnell, Farr Motion carried. President Farr invited fellow Council members to take a walk down to the Ferry Terminal to see first hand some of the issues and concerns raised earlier tonight during Public Recognition. With no further business, meeting adjourned at 6:35 P.M. City of Bremerton PJ/DF/Is cc: Normal Distribution File Vault