HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/29/99
TAPE #1674
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
December 29, 1999
The weekly 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 29, 1999. at 5:30
P.M., with Council President Mike Shepherd presiding. Council members present were Carlos
Montgomery, Carol Arends, David Farr, Lon Overson, John Law, Cecil McConnell, and Wayne Olsen.
Council member Jim Reed was absent. City Attorney Glenna Malanca, Deputy City Clerk Paula
Johnston, and Legislative Assistant Lori Smith were also present.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council President Shepherd, followed by
the invocation, given by Reverend Ron Anderson of Manotto Community Church.
Council President Shepherd made the following announcements:
(1) City Council held a Pro-Council Session in the Council Conference Room to discuss general
council business; and
(2) Agenda Item 10(A) Second Reading of Ordinance No. 4690 to Establish a Special Election
Date of March 14. 2000 for a Parks & Recreation Bond was pulled from the Agenda tonight. A
Study Session for further discussion on this issue will be held immediately following the
Council meeting on January 5, 2000, in the Council Chambers.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. IAC Grant Agreement for Evergreen Phase II (Park Development) #AB99-286
#0095 M/S/C/U (McConnell/Montgomery) Motion to approve 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.
#0118 M/S/C/U (Montgomery/Arends) On December 29, 1999, the Council does approve for payment
those vouchers included and further described as follows: 237395 through 237550, and EFT 5748 in
the amount of $385,610.86.
MAYOR'S REPORT
President Shepherd, as Mayor Pro Tempore, invited Lon Overson to the podium, where John Law
presented him with a plaque, "In Recognition of his Significant Contribution to the City of Bremerton
as City Council Member for District #4 for 14 Years, and Many Years of Service to the Audit
Committee, from January 1, 1986 to December 31, 1999". Carlos Montgomery was then invited to
the podium, where Carol Arends presented him with a plaque, "In Recognition of his SigniFicant
Contribution to the City of Bremerton as City Council Member for District #8 from September 21, 1994
to December 31, 1999; and as Council Vice-President from January 7, 1998.
President Shepherd concluded the "MAYOR'S REPORT" by introducing members of The Kitsap
Pines Chorus of the Sweet Adeline's, to perform in the spirit of the holiday season!
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Carol Arends reiterated her thanks to Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Overson for their encouragement
and assistance to her when she was a new Council member, and for their many years of service.
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City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes
December 29, 1999
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David Farr expressed his thanks and appreciation to Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Overson. On a sad
note, he offered his condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Leo Westermann who recently
passed away. He described Mr. Westermann as a true gentleman, who was very active in the
community, and stated he would be missed.
Lon Overson assured the Council members that they would be better at dealing with the budget in
his absence than they were giving themselves credit for. He expressed his gratitude to his wife Ellie
for supporting him through his years as a Council member.
John Law observed that he would particularly miss the are-you-sure "look" sometimes given to him
by Mr. Overson during the exchange of ideas. Regarding District 3 business, he reported an
abandoned truck at the parking lot of the old laundry mat at E. 11th' Mrs. Mae Davis, owner of the
property, has been asked to move the vehicle, which also has a toad of garbage, which was identified
as belonging to Mr. Greg Jacobs, in the back of the pick-up.
Cecil McConnell discussed various experiences with Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Overson during their
years as Council members, thanked them for their service, and stated they would be missed.
Wayne Olsen thanked Mr. Montgomery in particular for taking him on a tour during his first days as a
Council member, and for always giving a "helping hand" if there were any questions. He appreciated
that Mr. Montgomery would "follow through" on the issues and not be afraid to ask questions. He
also appreciated Mr. Overson for being the "budget guru" through the years and for his guidance.
President Shepherd extended his heartfelt admiration to both Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Overson.
He acknowledged the incredible time commitment it takes to be on the City Council, and the never-
ending learning that takes place to find solutions to the City's problems. He congratulated them bo{h.
He announced this would be his last meeting as City Council President, and stated he learned a lot
during the last year, and was proud to serve with his fellow Council members.
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
A response from the Legal Department was provided to Larry Dickerson, who asked for an update
on the City's SO.A.P. (Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution) Ordinance. It was announced that a draft
proposal has been completed and reviewed, and will be brought before the Council in early February.
A response was also provided to John Becker, who asked 1) how much was the cost of an election?
According to the City Treasurer, costs will vary depending on the number of ballot issues that would
share the election costs. Based on prior elections, the cost is estimated to be between $8,000 and
$12,000; and 2) how much more bonding can the City take before the bond rating is affected? Statute
limits the City's authority to issue voted bonds at 2.5% of the City's assessed valuation, which is
currently $1.4 billion. Since the City's statutory capacity to issue voted General Obligation bonds is
$35 million, of which only $1 million is presently being used, the Park bond issue will not cause the
City's bond rating to be downgraded.
PUBLIC RECOGNITION
Elizabeth Buell, Ruth Natividad, and Gordy Byrd thanked Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Overson for
their service to the City, and stated they would be missed.
Erica Delma reported the "Kitsap Even Start/Families That Work" program helps people in need by
promoting literacy, self-sufficiency, and positive parenting. Interested volunteers may call 479-8108.
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City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes
December 29, 1999
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Paul Drnjevic praised the Council for waiting to get valid, factual information before proceeding with
the purchase of the KPS Building (400 Warren Avenue). He stated that the City Clerk responded by
e-mail to additional questions he had regarding the purchase of the KPS Building, but he did not feel
the response fully addressed his concerns, or point out where he could find any available studies on
the subject. He also questioned why the Parks Bond issue was dropped from the Agenda tonight.
10B - ORDINANCE NO. 4691 (SECOND READING) VACATING PORTIONS OF WASHINGTON
AVENUE, FIRST STREET, AND AN ALLEY IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE BREMERTON
TRANSPORTATION CENTER PROJECT, #AB99-284
The first reading of this ordinance was presented at the Council meeting on December 22, 1999.
Gordy Byrd asked for a definition of "street vacation"; and Elizabeth Buell asked the location of the
alley. Randy Witt, City Engineer, responded that when a street is dedicated to the City, it is
accepted as an easement called a right-of-way. When the City gives up their "rights" to that property,
the process followed is called a "vacation". The location of the alley was pointed out on a diagram,
which is in the middle of the ferry terminal area. The area has never been vacated.
#1590 M/S/C/U (Montgomery/Farr) Motion to approve Ordinance No. 4691 on second reading.
With no further business meeting the last meeting of this century ad'ourned at 6:30 P.M.
City of Bremerton
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