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CITY COUCIL MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 1997
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton was called to
order in the City Council Chambers, 239 4t" Street, Bremerton, Washington,
Wednesday, November 5, 1997, at 5:30 P.M., with Council President David Farr
presiding. Council members present were Bob Winters, Carlos Montgomery,
Sherril Huff-Menees, Richard Neville, Lon Overson, John Law, Cecil McConnell,
and Al Colvin. Also present were City Attorney lan Sievers and Acting City Clerk
Rich Hanna.
The meting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council President Farr
and invocation given by Reverend Cleveland Williams of the Ebenezer A.M.E.
Church.
President Farr made the following announcements:
(1) Council held a Study Session prior to Council tonight in the Council
Conference room to discuss "Community Reinvestment Act/Economic
Development Strategic Planning";
(2) City Council will hold a Study Session on Thursday, November 6, starting
at 5:30 P.M., in the Council Conference Room. This is the first of the 1998
Budget meetings, and the topic will be "Overview & Revenue Discussion;
Miscellaneous Expenditures; and Intergovernmental";
(3) City Council will hold a Study Session prior to the Council Meeting on
November 12, 1997, 4:45- 5:20 P.M. for a "Fire Equipment Demonstration
Sponsored by the Grace A Bremerton Firefighter Group";
(4) City Council will hold the regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, November
25, 1997, rather than Wednesday, November 26, 1997 due to the Thanksgiving
Holiday; and
(5) City Council will hold a series of Study Sessions to discuss the 1998
Budget, 5:30 P.M. in the Council Conference Room on November 6, 17, 18, 20,
and 24, 1997.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes of Meeting - October 29, 1997 #AB97-235
#0067 MIS/C/U(Neville/Montgomery) Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as
presented.
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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(Colvin/Montgomery) On November 5, 1997, the Council does
approve for payment those vouchers included and further described as follows:
214151 through 214348 in the amount of $803,465.81; and Regular Payroll for
the period ending October 31, 1997 in the amount of $892,913.57.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Bob Winters announced a seminar for first-time home buyers on Saturday,
November 15, 1997 at the Mountain View Middle School- Common Area,
located at 2400 PetTy Avenue, with registration at 8:30 A.M., seminar will be from
9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M., and lunch will be provided. Call 1-800-739-4692 for more
information. He also thanked the voters for studying the issues and the
candidates, and then turning out to vote.
Sherril Huff-Menees announced the "SmileMobile", sponsored by the
Washington Dental Service, the Washington State Dental Association, and
Washington Dental Service Foundation, will be in the Bremerton area November
10-25, 1997 at the Community Resource Center located at 1201 Park Avenue.
Please call 377-7667 for further information. She also invited the public to join
the City of Bremerton Water Utilities 80-year anniversary, which will have a
display at the Kitsap County Historical Museum located at 280 4th Street,
November 7 - December 31. On Friday, November 07, 1997 at 6:30 P.M.,
Mayor Lynn Horton will give a presentation.
Richard Neville clarified for the public that the first-time homebuyer seminar
mentioned previously is for all Kitsap County residents, and is a worthwhile
program.
John Law thanked all the voters from District #3, and the team lead by Bill
Strutcker. He also shares in the philosophy that Mr. Colvin will address. He
looks forward to the next four years being very productive for Bremerton. He
announced his next District #3 meeting for November 18, at the Senior Center on
Nipsic, at 7:00 P.M.
Cecil McConnell reiterated the information about the "SmileMobile", and stated it
is for children 13 and younger, and provides access to dental care for Iow-income
families.
Al Colvin stated that as Council members, they need to remember to conduct
themselves in a manner that will encourage and inspire qualified men and
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women to seek political office. He believes that everyone who participated in the
election process are "winners" regardless of the outcome of the election. He is
thankful we live in a country where reprisals are not the norm for political
differences. He believes now is the time to put political differences aside, and
truly devote time and energy for the benefit of all the citizens. In addition, he
reported on funds being received for the Warren Avenue Beautification Project to
replace the Scotch broom.
MAYOR'S REPORT
No report this evening.
PUBLIC RECOGNITION
Bob Sauter., President of Kitsap County Veteran's Coalition, presented the City
of Bremerton with a World War II print called "The Dawn of Peace", and an
accompanying letter addressed to Bremerton citizens from the World War II
Memorial Committee, thanking the City for their contribution for the memorial to
honor the Washington State veterans who dedicated themselves to the
preservation of freedom. Bob Ferguson, who was in Tokyo Bay when the
surrender was signed aboard the USS Missouri, presented the print to Council.
A Veteran's Day service will be held at Retsil Veteran's Home on Tuesday,
November 11, 1997, at 10:00 A.M. to honor our veteran's.
Rachel Simpson, Co-Chair of Kitsap Kids Production Company, announced the
first Kitsap Kids Variety Show to be held at the Roxy Theater, November 6, 1997
at 7:00 P.M., which will include music, dancing, and singing. Price is
$6.00/Adults and $4.00/Children, seniors, and Military.
Wayne Olsen, Bremerton resident, invited the City Council, Mayor, and all
Bremerton residents to an Open House to honor Mr. & Mrs. Al Colvin on
December 4, 1997, 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. at the Sheridan Park Recreation Center. In
addition, he presented a check to contribute to the Scotch broom replacement
project.
Ed Pietras, Knights of Columbus of Kitsap County, thanked Sherril Huff-Menees
for all her hard work, and also welcomed Carol Arends, new District #7 Council
member. He thanked all that participated in the 15th Annual Olympic Peninsula
Kidney Center Spaghetti Festa in October, and stated that all money earned will
be delivered to the Olympic Peninsula Kidney Center for their use.
Gordy Byrd, Bremerton resident, announced a dinner for Iow-income families at
Olympic High School, and also at Neighborhood Christian Church, and asked the
public for their help. He also asked for donations of clothes, toys, and blankets.
He inquired why the City of Bremerton, or Kitsap County, has no intervention
program for individuals with mental disorders, who may do harm to themselves,
specifically those who own guns.
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Mike Shepherd, Bremerton resident, announced a Block Watch orientation to
be held Thursday, November 7, 1997, 6:30 P.M. at the Smith Building, for
residents between Highland and Park Avenue; 11th Street and Smith Cove; the
area on Chester from 6th Street to 11th Street; and 8th Street to High Street. The
goal is to organize three to four Block Watch neighborhoods. He also announced
the Evergreen Neighborhood Association Meeting on November 20, 1997, at
6:30 P.M. to discuss the traffic on the Park Avenue by-pass off of Warren, and
also to discuss the Evergreen Park expansion.
Police Chief Du Fresne, stated that Block Watch programs do work, with less
than 5% of burglaries in the City taking place in Block Watch Neighborhoods.
Del Knauss, Bremerton resident, recommended that Al Colvin contact local
nurseries who may have plants left over from last season, for his Beautification
Project. In addition, he agreed with the words of Councilman Colvin regarding
the conduct expected of elected officials. He feels the conflict between four
current Councilmen and the election of a District 3 Councilman were tied to the
Sinclair Landing Association project, and shouldn't have been. He was appalled
to see the Council divided, and that it angered the voters to see a select few
Councilmen use their positions to try and influence the vote for a candidate from
another district. He hopes everyone learned something from this.
Susan Brown, Bremerton resident, received a letter from the City Attorney
regarding her questions about the ethics of the Council. She does not feel that
the letter was relevant to anything she was talking about. Doing her own
research, she found wording in the Bremerton Municipal Code that she believes
addresses her concerns, and also shows that there may have been a violation of
that code. She would like to file a complaint, and asked the proper procedure. In
addition, she gave her phone number, 377-2065, for anyone else interested in
pursuing this concern, lan Sievers, City Attorney, stated she would file any
complaints with the Legislative Assistant in the City Council office.
8A - ORDINANCE (FIRST READING) ESTABLISHING AREA RESTRICTIONS
FOR PERSONS ARRESTED OR CONVICTED OF PROSTITUTION, #AB97-
236
Several jurisdictions have found Court Orders limiting access to high risk areas
for prostitution imposed on those arrested or convicted of prostitution or
prostitution-related crimes have proved a successful tool in combating this
criminal activity. The proposed ordinance establishes such orders for those high-
risk areas in Bremerton characterized by a pattern of arrest for prostitution
offenses.
Paul Du Fresne, City of Bremerton Police Chief, thanked Detectives Kevin M.
Crane and Greg K. Rawlins for their help in researching this document, including
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talking with other agencies that have used it, and verifying the "persistent" areas.
The ordinance will provide a tool in assisting the Municipal Judge to designate an
order to persons arrested for acts of prostitution or soliciting prostitution, to stay
out of a prescribed area of prostitution. He presented a map to identify those
areas, based on a history of arrests. Further explanation of what the violation will
amount to, and penalties for that violation are contained in the ordinance.
April Chandler, Reporter from the SUN Newspaper, asked if this ordinance
would be sensitive to the time of day? She also asked about persons arrested
and convicted, who also live or work in the designated area? Chief Du Fresne
responded no, the orders do not specify a time of day, they are simply ordered to
stay out of the area. Regarding adding another area as described, it may be
necessary to amend the ordinance, or it may fall under Section 5 of the current
ordinance, which allows the Judge to establish a specific area on a specific
order. He further stated that the Judge would have broad latitude of discretion in
this issue and any special conditions.
Larry Dickerson, Bremerton resident, stated there are people who live in the
designated areas, and are promoting prostitution by allowing their homes to be
utilized by a number of prostitutes, and some selling drugs. He is also concerned
about the over-load this ordinance might cause to Municipal Court, and lack of
funds, lan Sievers, City Attorney, stated this ordinance deals with pre-release
and probation conditions imposed not only for prostitution, but also associated
crimes.
Mr. McConnell asked about the research sources on this issue, and wondered
how many cities were contacted, and were their ordinances similar to ours?
Were there any difficulties in enforcing it.'? Chief Du Fresne stated they talked
with Police Chiefs in other cities, and they have all found it to be an effective tool,
and not a burden. Areas can be changed quickly according to arrest patterns.
Mr. Law asked what would be involved in the Municipal Court to issue a Court
Order to designate another area as a problem area? Mr. Sievers stated it would
save time because the area is already established, and wouldn't have to present
evidence on each incident. The Police Department may want to bring to the
Court's attention that there are new areas, even those specifically related to a
particular defendant at time of sentencing so the Court can make a finding. Mr.
Law asked what if a person.living in a designated area says they do not like
living in an area that is designated with this type of problem? Mr. Sievers stated
it is not mandatory on the Court in any case, but will give the Judge a
presumption that these areas should be considered for particular defendants.
#1679 M/S/C/U(Neville/Winters) Motion to approve Ordinance, on first reading,
adopting anti-prostitution emphasis areas for inclusion in conditions of release or
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conditions of probation for those persons charged or convicted of prostitution,
and amending Chapter 9.24 of the Bremerton Municipal Code.
(Councilman Bob Winters departed the meeting at 6:25 P.M.)
8B - ORDINANCE (FIRST READING) REDUCING THE B&O TAX ON
GARBAGE AND REFUSE BUSINESS~ #AB97-237
This ordinance will continue the process that began in January of 1995, of
gradually reducing the B & O Tax on garbage and refuse businesses within the
City to a level consistent with utility tax rates. The intention is to reduce the tax
rate by one percent each year.
Public comment - none.
#1780 MISlC(Huff-Menees/Overson) Motion to approve Ordinance, on first
reading, reducing B & O Tax on refuse business.
Vote on Motion: In Favor: Neville, Overson, Law, Colvin, Montgomery,
Huff-Menees, and Farr;
Opposed: McConnell
Motion carries.
8C - ORDINANCE (FIRST READING) LEVYING PROPERTY TAXES FOR
COLLECTION IN 1998, #AB97-238
The City's property taxes are levied on an annual basis through passage of an
Ordinance. The proposed Ordinance will enact a general property tax levy at the
Statutory rate limit and special levies for Emergency Medical Services and Bond
Redemption at rates previously authorized by the voters. The text of the
ordinance includes language recommended by the State Department of Revenue
in anticipation of voter approval of Referendum 47.
Rich Hanna, City Treasurer, stated during his tenure with the City, it is typical
that the property tax ordinance is based on a preliminary assessed valuation.
The final numbers are not yet available from the County, so there is provision in
Section 3 that provides flexibility for the rates, and they will be modified as
necessary as the assessed valuation is determined. It appears that the voters
will pass Referendum 47. The affect of the ordinance is to require a specific
action from the Council if the property taxes are to increase at a rate greater than
the rate of inflation for the past year. Based on the preliminary assessed
valuation numbers, property tax revenue will increase by just over
2.5%, rather than 6%. In addition, before the voters was a measure authorizing
an increase in the Emergency Medical Services levy from the current .25 to up to
.50. It is not yet known the outcome of this measure. He also corrected an error
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in an article of the CK Reporter where an amount of $4,000, rather than the
correct figure of $400 was given as an example on a $100,000 home.
Elizabeth Buell, Bremerton resident, didn't understand how the City came up
with the figures used, and wanted to know how the City decides how much they
will get from the property taxes? Mr. Hanna stated the passage of this ordinance
sets the levy rates for the property tax levies of 1998, with the assessed value
determined by the County. He further clarified that the General Operating Levy
funds all of the general fund activities for the City, along with sales tax and B&O
taxes, to fund the police and fire departments, pay staff salaries, parks
department, etc. Mr. McConnell stated that he is normally opposed to any
increase in taxes, but without this increase, it wouldn't be long before there was
not enough operating capital to provide fire and police protection, sewer, water,
etc. Unfortunately, costs go up every year, and it continues to cost the citizens
more each year. He does vote "yes" very reluctantly.
#2130 M/S/C/U(Overson/Montgomery) Motion to approve Ordinance, on first
reading, levying Municipal Taxes against all the taxable property within the City
limits of Bremerton for the year 1997, and approving the assessment roll made
by the assessor of Kitsap County, therefore to be collected in the year 1998.
President Farr thanked Robert C. Neal and a group of volunteers from the
Bremerton Housing Authority and Americorps for their TV crew services: Annette
Atkinson, Shaun Dougherty, Juanita Belcher, and Kelly Gardner.
With no further business meeting adjourned at 6:40 P.M.
DAVID FARR, City Council President
City of Bremerton
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