HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/16/97
TAPE # 1455
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 16, 1997
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, April 16, 1997, at 5:30 P.M.,
with Council President David Farr presiding. Council members
present were Bob Winters, Carlos Montgomery, Richard Neville, Lon
Overson, John Law, Cecil McCcnnell, and A1 Cclvin. Council member
sherril Huff-Menees was absent. Also present were City Attorney
Ian Sievers and Deputy City Clerk Paula Johnston.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council
President Farr and Invocation given by Reverend Paul Meeker of Our
Saviour's Lutheran Church.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes of Meeting -- April 2, 1997 #AB97-076
B. Minutes of Meeting -- April 9, 1997 #AB97-077
#0033 M/S/C/U(McConnell/Montgomery) to approve the Consent Agenda as
presented.
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.
#0056 M/S/C/U(Colvin/Montgomery) on April 16, 1997, the Council does
approve for payment those vouchers included and further described
as follows: 207833 through 207836, 207837, 207850 through 207863,
207864 through 208093 in the amount of $449,337.21.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Mr. Colvin acknowledged the recent accomplishment by pro golfer
Tiger Woods. He congratulated the City of Port Orchard on their
recent action to proclaim Martin Luther King Jr. Day a holiday in
their City.
Mr. Law reported on a well attended District #3 Neighborhood
Meeting the evening of April 15, which involved an open house and
formal presentation on the replacement of the Manette Bridge by the
Washington State Department Of Transportation (WSDOT). A second
Open House on this same issue will be held on April 17, 1997, 6:00
- 8:00 P.M., at the Bremerton High School.
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Mr. Oversen commented on the Swing City Committee's flower barrel
beautification project in the downtown area.
Mr. Neville reminded everyone the City's Spring CleanUp event for
disposal of yard waste is underway and will continue through April
19. In addition, the Olympic View Land Fill is accepting, from
Bremerton residents, mattresses and upholstered furniture at 1/2
the normal cost through April 19.
Mr. Winters stated it was good to be back in Bremerton after his
recent visit to Boulder City, Nevada, which has a population of
14,000, a City Manager form of government, five City Council
members, who are paid $875.00 per month. He wished his father a
belated "Happy April 14 Birthday". Lastly, the Ad Hoc
Telecommunications Advisory Committee met on April 14, where they
outlined the Committee's objectives and discussed the City of
Phoenix's telecommunication ordinance, which may be used as a model
in the development of an ordinance for the City of Bremerton.
Mr. Montgomery encouraged West Bremerton residents to attend the
WSDOT's meeting on the replacement of the Manette Bridge scheduled
for April 17. He emphasized contraryto what people say, the State
has not made a final decision for the replacement of the Manette
Bridge and the new bridge will remain in the State's control. On
Monday evening he attended a meeting on the Pacific Gateway option.
That meeting was well attended and lots of good questions were
presented from the public, which will be taken into consideration
by Kitsap Transit. The Save The Missouri Committee is still
working to retain the USS Missouri in Bremerton. The City of San
Francisco filed a protest in Washington D.C., over the Navy's
decision about the relocation of the Missouri, which was protested
by the Navy. The Government Administrative Office (GAO) will be in
Bremerton on April 22 to look into that matter.
Mr. Farr reported he attended the first of the evening meetings of
the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council on April 15. The decision
to move the meetings from daytime hours to evening hours was made
in order that members of the public could attend. Those meetings
are open to the public and he anticipates they will be televised
in the near future. He and two other Council members were part of
the Chamber of Commerce's tour, via Majestic Tours, to Mt. Vernon
and LaConnor on April 12.
PUBLIC RECOGNITION
Tom Dorton, Bremerton resident, handed out a drawing that depicted
the width of his street and what the configuration would be if the
street were widened by incorporating the planting strips into the
roadway. He asked that the City conduct a study to determine if
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widening their street is feasible toward solving their parking
problems.
Don Atkinson, Image Trends, announced on April 21, 6:00 P.M., at
the All Star Lanes in Silverdale, the Bremerton Athletic Roundtable
will honor Mert Crescent, one of the premier athletic figures in
this community over the past 40 years. He introduced Jan Rickey of
International Entertainment. Jan Rickey gave an overview of the
company she represents and invited the public to attend future
entertainment events planned for the Best Western Bayview Inn Dome.
Emily Moshay announced following the last Council meeting the Swing
City committee sold five more flower barrels, one of them being
purchased by the Rosemary Moen Headstart Center.
Tanya Vaughn, Bremerton Resident, expressed her frustration over
the lack of response by the Bremerton Police Department in helping
her to reclaim items that were stolen from her on March 7. She
provided the names of the individuals involved in the theft and
their whereabouts, but no action has been taken to pursue this
issue. She pleaded with the Council for any kind of help that
would get her property returned since she is self-employed and
needs the equipment to perform her work and provide her an income.
Robert Schneidler, President Admiral Theater Foundation, announced
the following upcoming events: (1) April 26 - March Of Dimes Walk
America; (2) April 26 - Christmas In April; (3) April 26 - Downtown
Art Walk; (4) May 1 - Grand Opening of the Admiral Theater.
carol Atkinson, Bremerton Main Street Association, reminded
everyone of the Art Party that will take place the evening of April
26 at the Admiral Theater. She announced the next set of
inscribed granite blocks and bricks will be installed on the
Boardwalk this spring. Information on the granite block/brick
program can be obtained on the boardwalk or through the Main Street
Office.
Don Larson, President Kitsap Diving Association, invited the public
to participate in the sinclair Inlet Clean Up and Marine Fair on
April 19, 1997. In his opinion, if the USS Missouri cannot remain
in the Bremerton area, he was hopeful another ship could be secured
that would be of historical significance. He noted an underwater
park bill was still pending in the State Legislative session and
encouraged members of the public to call their legislators lending
their support to that proposal.
Charlie Brown, Bremerton resident, complimented City Employee Jim
Bruns on the service he provided when Mr. Brown requested the City
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clean up gravel on the street in front of his home following the
completion of a construction project.
Ward Kohe announced Friends of the Downtown Library are sponsoring
a "Book Drive" (used or new), which will go on sale May 15, 16 and
17, at a new gallery on 4th Street. He also announced the Kalakala
Foundation is working toward restoring the Kalakala, which is
located in Kodiak, Alaska; and the Foundation is establishing an
office on Pacific Avenue. The public is invited to an informative
dinner on May 6, 1997, 6:15 P.M., at the Eagles Club, on Washington
Avenue. The Foundation'S phone number is 792-0054.
7A - ORDINANCE #4592 (8ECOND READING) AMENDING THE PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT SECTION OF THE BREMERTON ZONING CODE, B.M.C. 21.02.340,
#AB97-076
Ian Sievers, City Attorney, briefly reviewed the three amendments
made to the ordinance when approved at first reading.
Public comment - none.
#1177 M/S/C/U(Colvin/Montgomery) to pass Ordinance #4592, as previously
amended, on second reading, amending Sections 21.02.350 through.550
of the Bremerton Municipal code, pertaining to procedures and
standards for Planned Unit Developments.
8A - PUBLIC HEARING ON WATER FLUORIDATION, #AB97-079
City council as been approached to consider the implementation of
water fluoridation in the City of Bremerton water distribution
system. Water fluoridation is a public policy decision. this
public hearing is requested to gather input from water customers of
the City of Bremerton.
President Farr stated Council will hear public testimony at this
time and take no action; however this issue will be on the April 23
Council Agenda for Council action. The three options to be
considered will be: (1) no action; (2) implement fluoridation in
the City's water system; (3) refer the issue to the public as a
ballot measure in the fall.
President Farr outined the procedure to be following during this
hearing: 10-minute opening statement by the proponents of
fluoridation; 10-minute opening statement by the opponents of
fluoridation; public comments - limiting it to 3-minutes per
person; 5-minute wrap up by opponents; 5-minute wrap up by
opponents.
Bill Enger, Chairman KitsapCares Partnership, gave a brief history
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of the formation of KitsapCares Partnership in 1994, that involved
United Way of Kitsap County and key members of the community.
Their primary goal was to contribute to an ongoing system of
planning for future problem solving. Their efforts involved
conducting a county-wide needs assessment survey with the intention
of gathering new information to address the urgent problems and
human needs affecting the community. That survey surfaced a lack
of access to affordable dental care for low income citizens of
Kitsap County. Kitsapcares Partnership concluded that several key
initiatives were essential to achieve that goal, which included
prevention, education, treatment and emergent services. In turn,
they explored progressive steps in each of those areas and in doing
so, determined that one of the most cost effective steps to take is
to promote prevention benefits of safe fluoridation of public water
systems generally with a specific focus, at this time, on
implementing community fluoridation in the City of Bremerton. Mr.
Enger views such a step making Bremerton a more liveable community.
Lastly, he asked that the KitsapCares Partnership members, and all
other in support of fluoridation to stand and be accountable in the
audience (it was noted a large number of those in attendance were
recognized).
Dr. Wesley Hanson, D.D.S., Bremerton-Kitsap County Health District,
displayed a photograph showing a child suffering from dental
disease and emphasized many times fluoridation is something that is
talked about in conceptual form, but we don't realize the impact
that tooth decay has on children's teeth. Such a condition is not
uncommon for children living in Bremerton. Dr. Hanson has worked
with the Health District since 1990, and a general dentist
practicing since 1981. Since 1990, he has had the opportunity to
examine many children and adults' teeth. He felt it was important
to note that fluoridation is not the same things as fluoride in any
form or concentration, it is a measure that adjusts the level of a
beneficial nutrient in the water to a level of 1 part per million.
During this hearing he anticipates Council will hear many
discussions about different things associated with fluoride, but
not with fluoridation and he asked that Council members make that
distinction during this discussion. He has examined many children
in Bremerton schools as a worker in public health in Kitsap county,
which helped him produce the following information: 1993 he visited
Kitsap Lake Elementary School, Westhills Elementary School,
Crownhill Elementary School, Naval Avenue Elementary School and
Olympic View Elementary School, which had extremely high
enrollments of children that live in very low income families
(greater than 55% of the children in those schools were in the
"free lunch" program, which means those families do not have means
to pay for a lot of dental care). In 293 fifth grade children
(ages 10-12), 27% overall needed either urgent or emergency dental
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care. He found that 35% of the low income children needed either
urgent or emergency dental care as opposed to 18% of the upper
income children. When he asked the children how frequent they see
a dentist, 20% of the lower income children reported they had not
seen a dentist in the past two years. The impact on this is 42% of
the children from the low income families experienced decayed first
molars as opposed to 28% of the childlren from the upper income
families. In 1995 he revisited those schools and gathered the
following data from Westhills elementary School: (1) in examining
40 childlren (2nd grade level - 8 years) he found one young lady
who did not have one remaining first molars - all four had been
extracted because of decay and the time was only 2-years from when
they erupted in the mouth. 54% of the children were in the "free
lunch" program and 50% had decay in their primary teeth and 18%
already had decay in their permanent teeth. He re-emphasized based
on the examinations of children living in Bremerton there is a lot
of dental disease. He pointed out people living in communities
with fluoridation experience much better over all health. In a
typical community that is not fluoridated by the age of 17 the
average teenager will have 11 decayed, missing and filled teeth as
opposed to a fluoridated community where there would be one half or
two thirds less or fewer cavities. One out of five children in a
fluoridated community will have absolutely no decay. Therefore,
fluoridation is a wise investment for our community. In
conclusion, Dr. Hanson pointed out fluoride is a mineral that
remineralizes the tooth surface and heals the early decay. He
emphasized fluoridation is a community measure that can be very
beneficial and it is our responsiblity to care for the health of
the citizens. A vote in favor of implementing fluoridation will
not only reduce dental decay, but it will help those family that do
not have access to dental care.
Paul Drnjevic, Citizens for Safe Water, questioned why a public
hearing was being held to consider putting this very individual
personal choice matter of using fluoride on a ballot. He
challenged Dr. Hanson's comments that the issue is fluoridation,
not fluoride, in his opinion it is the same. He noted dentists do
admit that fluoride may cause dental fluorosis (mottled teeth) in
some kids. He guessed that was acceptable because it can be
covered over...do you know of any other profession that gets paid
to cover up their mistake? He acknowledged the City council
wanting to show openness to the constituents - the people, but to
his knowledge putting fluoride into the public water system has
never been brought up by the people - the constituents, neither to
this City Council nor to any other Council or any Water District.
So, who wants to fluoridate? It seems it is always brought up by
the Health Department and the dentists as a way to help poor kids.
Has anyone asked their parents if they want fluoride? And, it
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seems it is always terribly urgent. Fluoride doesn't belong in the
water, it is mass medical treatment in violation of human rights,
constitutional individual liberty and medical ethics. Those who
advocate fluoridation discredit themselves with their own false
statements: ...they say fluoride is a nutrient - it is not;
...they say it reduces tooth decay - it does not; ...they say it is
safe for everyone - it is not; ...they say it is approved by the
FDA - it is not; ...they say that those who criticize fluoridation
are phonies and fanatics, but the fact is the proponents of
fluoride are the purveyors of untruth.
People all over the world are waking up to the fluoridation fraud -
this dumping of a highly toxic, highly corrosive, raw industrial
waste into water supplies to contaminate our bodies and our
environment. Fluoridation is banned in all of continental Europe,
Japan never implemented it and all of Long Island in New York state
stopped fluoridation. Voters in the United States and Canada are
making moves to get fluoride out of their water. Mr. Drnjevic
cited Thalidomide, DDT, 2-4-5T, leaded gasoline and other drugs and
products have been tested in the United States and ended with
horrifying, sickening, disfiguring results, which shows the medical
complex has been wrong before, yet it has taken years to prove it.
Over 400 signatures were gathered in approximately five days
supporting keeping Bremerton's water fluoride free and it is
believed that many more will be willing to sign a petition
supporting this position.
Mr. Drnjevic cited the 1986-87 National Institute Of Dental Research
under the U.S. Public Health Service that disputed the theory that
the least fluoridated region would result in children having the
most cavities. He pointed out the map provided to Council
substantiated the fact there is no difference in the number of
cavities in children between fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas.
Also, he cited data that indicated in England Colgate-Palmolive
made a payment for mottled teeth (dental fluorosis) cause by their
toothpaste.
He challenged the Council for holding a Study Session to hear
promoters of fluoridation, but refused to hold a Study Session to
hear the reasons for not adding fluoride. Citizens For Safe Water
requests the City council recognize that fluoride treatment is a
matter of personal choice and private health decisions, it is not
a matter of politics to be decided by the Council, or by a popular
vote of the people.
The following individuals spoke in support of fluoridation: Dr. C.
W. "Bill" Biedel, Bremerton resident and retired Pediatrician (35
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1/2 yrs. service in Bremerton; Linda Kroum, Bremerton resident; Dr.
William Underdown, President Kitsap Medical Society; Bill Walgren,
Bremerton resident; Carol Bruce, Washington State Dental
Hygienists; Tom Swanson, Bremerton resident and former City of
Bremerton Commissioner of Public Works; Dr. Peter Domoto D.D.S.
M.P.H., University of Washington; Dr. Doug Fogle D.D.S.; Dr. R.
Bruce Robinson D.D.S., Bremerton resident; Pete Crane, United Way
Of Kitsap County; Gail S. Hiestand, KitsapCares Partnership and
Division Of Aging and Long Term Care; Sheila Crofut, former
Bainbridge Island City Council Member; Dr. Nicholas Skalabrin
D.D.S., Port Orchard; Wally Voltz, Bremerton resident; Dr. Linda
Bartram, Kidney Specialist/Bremerton (Kitsap County Kidney Center);
Dr. Mel Belding, KPS Medical Director; Linda Mullins RDH, Old
Belfair Highway; Janet Engllsh, Bremerton resident; Chuck Salmon,
Bremerton resident and representing Group Health; Dr. Ed
Tegenfeldt, Kitsap Community Health Center; Ben Belcher, Kitsap
Community Health Center Board of Directors; Anna Laurie, Bremerton
resident, Bremerton Attorney and member of KitsapCares Partnership;
Dr. Tamera Sohille, Harrison Hospital Department Of Pediatrics; Dr.
Allan Hablutzel D.D.S. Bremerton practice; Dr. Mike Kulkowski
D.D.S.., Kitsap County Dental Society; Diane Bradshaw, Bremerton
resident;
Comments from the above listed speakers in favor of fluoridation
are recorded on cassette tapes #1455, #1456, #1457.
The following individuals spoke in opposition to fluoridation:
Philip M. Heggen, Bremerton resident; Marc A. Benz. Bremerton
resident; Dr. Stephen N. Clark, Chiropractic; Gloria Drnjevic,
Bremerton resident; Lauralee Hanson, Bremerton resident; Stefanie
Goebel, Belfair resident; Steve Swanson, Bremerton resident; Dr.
Roy E. Hanford, Physician/shelton, WA.; Laura Robinson, Bremerton
resident;
Comments from the above listed speakers in opposition to
fluoridation are recorded on cassette tapes #1455, #1456, and
#1457.
Janet Nagel, Bellingham representing Washington Fluoride Alert,
made the closing opposing remarks. The following issues were
highlighted: Medical and Dental professions label people opposed
to fluoridation as "kooks". Most recent data from a toxicologist
at Harvard University (Phyllis Mullsnix) came up with evidence that
fluoride does affect and injure the central nervous system. An
attempt was made to suppress her data, but she felt as a scientist
she was compelled to speak out, which resulted in her losing her
appointment at that educational institution. During this hearing,
many people expressed their opinion in the form of antidotes as how
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they had seen much less tooth decay after application of
fluoridation. She reminded everyone to remember that tooth decay
has been declining steadily everywhere in the developed countries
for the past 50 years. If one compares a fluoridated with a non-
fluoridated area the rate of tooth decay declines is the same. Dr.
Domoto of the University of Washington was the author of a study
published in 1995 that found no significant difference in tooth
decay rates in the State of Washington between the fluoridated
areas and non-fluoridated areas. That same study showed that the
tooth decay rate in Kitsap County, right now, is half the rate of
fluoridated Seattle. She believes the emphasis on tooth decay and
the tooth paste advertising has encouraged more people to pay
attention to tooth hygiene, which along with a proper diet has
brought about the decline in tooth decay. She pointed out
fluoridation is not a public health program, but a toxic waste
disposal program. She based that remark on a letter from an
official from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), stating
that is their position. The fact that the FDA cannot give drug
approval to fluoride means that the claims of safety and
effectiveness are not true. If they were true, fluoride would be
an approved drug. Ms. Nagel emphasized it is not the place of the
City Council or general electorate to rule on a question of
science. The scientific controversy that has raged for half a
century makes it clear that the decision to use or not use fluoride
belongs in the hands of individuals. In a free society there is no
ethical or political justification for using a public water system
supply to dispense fluoride or any other medical treatment.
Dr. Duke Byrson D.D.S., practicing general dentist, made the
closing remarks for those in support of fluoridation. The
following issues were highlighted: Dr. Byrson was familiar with
Dr. Domoto's study, which was not designed to look at whether
fluoride was affective or ineffective, it was simply designed to
look at the rate of decay in each County within the State and the
protocol necessary to separate out whether or not fluoride was a
factor in reducing decay was not adhered to in that study. In
order to have such an effective study to look at the question
whether fluoride is effective, it would require age, mass
populations, the rate of dental care, diets, etc.. The points made
about Dr. Domoto's study were not valid from a scientific basis.
In his opinion, the scientific data presented by those speaking in
opposition was prejudice and not in a position to appreciate the
distortions that have gone in some of the claims, i.e. fluoridation
causes cancer, hip fractures, etc.. The legitimate scientific
community is very much in agreement that there are no adverse
health consequences from optimal fluoridation in community water
systems. He asked the City Council to give the same consideration
to the qualifications of the medical doctors, dentists and other
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health professionals, who spoke during this hearing, to judge this
scientific question the same way as they depend upon them to judge
the other scientific questions for medical and dental care every
day.
President Fare thanked the TV camera crew for their services: Rob
Rupe, Jamie Campbell and James Noble Jr.
With no further business meeting adjourned at 8:55 P.M.
KATHLEEN L. MCCLUSKEY, City Clerk
DAVID D. FARR, Council President
City of Bremerton
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