HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/26/96 COUNCIL
APPROVED
DEC 11 1995
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UNAPPROVED DRAFT
OITY COUNCIL MEETIMG MINUTES
NOVEMBER 26, 1996
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#0115
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, November 26, 1996, at 5:30 P.M.,
with Council President John Law presiding., Council members present
were Bob Winters, Carlos Montgomery, David Farr, Richard Neville,
Lon Overson, Cecil McConnell, and A1 Colvin. Councilman Sherril
Huff-Menees was absent. Also present were City Attorney Ian
Sievers and Acting City Clerk Paula Johnston.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council
President Law and Invocation given by Chaplain Ben Belcher of
Harrison Memorial Hospital.
President Law made the following announcements:
(1) Council concluded an Executive Session prior to the Council
meeting where they discussed "potential litigation".
(2) Immediately following the Council meeting the City Council will
hold a Study Session to discuss "review proposed 1997 Budget".
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes of Meeting - November 13, 1996
#AB96-267
B. Resolution No. 2572, Establishing #AB96-268
December 11, 1996 as a Public Hearing Regarding
SR3/SR304 BREMERTON Ferry Terminal to Gorst
Transportation Re-Evaluation of SR304 Access
Between the Charleston District and Downtown
M/S/C/U(Neville/Montgomery) 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.
M/S/C/U(Colvin/Montgomery) on November 26, 1996, the Council does
approve for payment those vouchers included and further described
as follows: EFT, 203772 - 203935 in the amount of $1,083,827.81;
and Retirees' Payroll for the period ending 11-30-96, in the amount
of $103,619.32.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Mr. Colvin referenced a letter from Joe Mentor relating to the
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Naval Museum and how it might be developed into a more interactive
and updated museum facility. Mr. Colvin felt Mr. Mentor had some
good suggestions for the museum and even suggested a new name -
Northwest Naval Institute. He also suggested an admittance fee of
no less than $1.00 for adults with children and senior citizens
being free. He received a letter from Oliver Smith regarding
placement of signs at the entrances of .the city, which he will
forward on to Mayor Horton. After reading a recent newspaper
articles about the City's funding various agencies using
Hotel/Motel Tax funds, he hopes Council will look very carefully at
the distribution of those funds. He referenced a memorandum he
received from Del Knauss addressing the City's action to tax
garbage services at a rate higher than allowed under RCW 35.21.710.
He asked the City Attorney to comment on Mr. Knauss' concern.
Sievers, City Attorney, stated this would be the third consecutive
week that he addressed that issue. He emphasized it is subject to
some interpretation, but it is the City's position along with other
Washington cities that 90% of them charge between 5-10% tax rather
than .2%, which that argument would suggest as the legal limit.
Mr. Colvin he welcomed his daughter Althea and his sister-in-law,
who are visiting from California.
Mr. McConnell stated some months ago he made a report about parking
lot sweeping noise. He wanted to alert everyone that the noise
continues waking up people during early morning hours. Effort is
under way to bring about a change in the City's Noise Ordinance,
but the process is moving rather slowly.
Mr. Overson wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Mr. Farr referenced an editorial in The Sun where the City was
taken to task for the proposed allocation of Hotel/Motel Tax funds,
in particular emphasizing the City should be devoting considerable
amount of those funds to the Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB).
He pointed out the discussion is not over for the allocation of
those funds and the author of the article, Brian Stallcop, Managing
Editor, left out several pertinent facts and emphasized, as usual,
only negative sides. The pertinent facts are: (1) the City is
obligated to get the taxpayers the most for their money and that is
one of the considerations. Council heard presentations by many
local business owners, including hotel/motel owners, which will be
taken into account at the time the decision is made. The
implication in the newspaper editorial was that the City was
turning its back on tourism, which he assured everyone is not the
case. He personally would dearly like to increase tourism in this
area and it is important that the Hotel/Motel Tax dollars are spent
in the most effective way. The article also forgot to mention that
the Council is trying to adopt a performance related dispersal of
the funds and that there have been problems in the past. He has a
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greater concern in the long continuing trend of The Sun to "bash"
BREMERTON, which he does not understand. He stopped being naive to
think that newspapers were non-political entities and that they
didn't have partisan views, which was evidenced before the recent
election. He emphasized the City is not a partisan organization
and he could see no purpose of a local paper attacking on a
frequent basis the largest community in the area. He feels
strongly that kind of attitude is something that comes about when
there is a lack of competition. He challenged the management staff
at The Sun to work with the City. He emphasized his comments are
not being directed toward the newspaper reporters, but rather the
management staff, who make the decisions as to what is finally
printed.
Mr. Montgome~F reported he had another opportunity to witness the
Bremerton Police Department at work on Tuesday evening, where a
simple speeding infraction turned into a chase through the West
Bremerton neighborhood. In an attempt to allude the Police, the
culprit stopped his vehicle at the top of a T-intersection, jumped
out and ran down the hill attempting to escape. The Police Officer
on the scene called for backup that resulted in several Patrol
units responding and within 10 minutes the Kitsap County K-9 unit
arrived on the scene. He was pleased to report that within 30
minutes the culprit was in custody. Not only did the Bremerton
Police force work efficiently, but they have good rapport with the
Kitsap County Sheriff's Department. In reference to the Editorial
article in The Sun regarding the Hotel/Motel Tax allocation, in his
opinion the newspaper twists information any way they want . It is
too bad that the only major daily newspaper in Kitsap county has to
be so bias towards the City of Bremerton that they have stooped so
low as to print what they purport to be facts. The last paragraph
of the article really caught his eye: "Bremerton seems to suffer
from an inferior complex. Given the opportunity to play in the big
leagues, it runs the other way." Mr. Montgomery disagreed with
that statement and the truth of the matter is Bremerton has started
to play in the big league and that does not fit into the image of
Bremerton that The Sun newspaper wants to portray. Whether the VCB
gets funding from the Hotel/Motel Tax should be based solely on
their efforts put forth to promote Bremerton; however the VCB's
prior administration failed in that endeavor. The question now is
if the City of Bremerton allocates funds to the VCB, how much
effort will the VCB exert to this end?
Mr. Winters stated he would reserve his comments regarding his
opinion of the Turner Joy as it related to a recent newspaper
article and the allocation of Hotel/Motel Tax revenues. He wished
everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving.
MAYOR'S REPORT
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Mayor Lynn Hotton stated she believes The Sun has every right to
print editorials, but she believes they have the opportunity to
frame issues. An example of that action was the position the
newspaper took on the issue of parking on planting strips. Yes,
the City is making an effort to remove parking off of planting
strips and that has to do with several issues, among them is the
State's change in sidewalk liability bein~ passed onto the City, if
the City allows conditions to occur that damage sidewalks.
There is a flip side to this coin and not just the City moving in
and taking over what people perceive as their constitutional and
property rights. In looking at the Park Avenue area where the City
has instituted the removal of parking on planting strips, the
average speed of vehicles traveling in that area has been reduced
by 3 MPH, but what is even more significant is that in a given time
frame if there were 20 vehicles going over the speed limit at this
point that number has been reduced to 3. There are benefits to the
neighborhoods, i.e. increased safety along the traffic corridors.
There is also an opportunity to beautify the corridor instead of
having a mishmash of concrete, mud, ruts, gravel and grass, it
gives the neighborhood an opportunity to do something beyond what
they have currently been doing. She contacted Mike Phillips and
left a message that she would like an opportunity to meet with the
Editorial staff because she believes it is easy to take an issue
and read what a reporter has to say and make a decision based on
what the reporter conveys. Generally, issues are not that "black
and white" and she would like the opportunity to give her opinion
on issues before they print their position. In the case of the
Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB), it is not just the City of
Bremerton that is questioning the efforts of the VCB. The City is
trying to get a message across to the VCB and possibly they should
look at themselves to see whether or not they are doing the job
they are tasked with for the community. They do have a very
limited view point from the hotels prospective; however, there is
a broader issue beyond that aspect. If Mr. Phillips allows her to
meet with the Editorial Board, those are the comments she will make
so that they will have the opportunity to frame people's
impressions so that they could give a fuller view of what is going
on and provide a service to the community and not just from a
negative standpoint that it will sell newspapers. She re-
emphasized the newspapers do have the right to editorial comment
and when the City doesn't do a good job, they also have the right
to hold the city accountable. In this regard, she wants to hold
them equally accountable because she believes they have a service
to the public.
Mayor Horton proclaimed December 1, 1996, as WORLD AIDS DAY. Pam
Leisure, Executive Director of the West Sound Chapter American Red
Cross, accepted the Proclamation and reminded everyone of the 3rd
annual Candle Light Vigil, at the City Hall Park, December 1, 1996,
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7:30 P.M., hosted by the West Sound Chapter American Red Cross,
followed by a social at the Roxy Theater.
Mayor Horton wished Hazel and A1 Colvin "Happy 50th Wedding
Anniversary".
PUBLIC RECOGNITION
Gordy Byrd commented on the various free dinners being served in
the community during the week of Thanksgiving.
De1 Knauss, Bremerton resident, wished everyone a Happy
Thanksgiving. He referenced a newspaper article about "Area's
retail economy sees tight times", which makes him wonder about the
proposed waterfront project. He hoped someone is paying attention
to what the Sinclair landing Association is doing on the proposed
downtown development. He also felt there might be need to bring in
additional consultants into the waterfront project in order to make
sure it is economically feasible and would have a strong support
base to sustain it. He did not want to see everyone's dream turn
into a nightmare for the taxpayers. Lastly, he submitted the
following three questions: (1) How much money has the City of
Bremerton paid out to the garbage company since curbside recycling
started, broken down by year? (2) What is the amount of salary
within their present pay grade for all Department Heads and
benefits paid for by the taxpayer? (3) How much money has the
City paid to Parametrix over the last five years, broken down by
project and year? President Law stated Mr. Knauss' questions will
be routed to the appropriate departments and the answer will be
routed back through the Council Office.
7A - NEW PHONE SYSTEM FOR PARKS FACILITY AT SHERIDAN PARK, #AB96-
269
$5,000.00 was originally budgeted in 1996 for an electronics key
phone system to replace the existing key system at the Parks
Department headquarters. Due to costs savings realized by the City
in facilities capital projects, there is enough left over money for
the purchase of a small PBX (Private Branch Exchange), the best
long term solution for both phone service and computer networking
services. This will meet all current and any future phone needs.
This system also integrates with the City Hall phone system as it
is made by the same manufacturer, NorTel, formerly known as
Northern Telecom. Written quotes were requested from NorTel
distributors in the area, Sprint, GTE, and U.S. West. The lowest
quote received was from U.S. West, and was for $15,768.27. A
summary of all the quotes received is provided on the attached
Quote Tabulation Form.
Bob Tulp, Public Works Operations Manager, stated he would standby
for any questions Council might have.
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Public comment - none.
Mr. Colvin asked Mr. Tulp to explain the benefit of this proposal.
Mr. Tulp explained the Parks Department has one of the oldest phone
systems within the City and their department receives lots of calls
through their dispatch person in the front office. Their system
does not have voice mail capability as do other Departments within
the City and it is very hard to build on to their current system.
What is proposed is a general maintenance approach to get their
system in tune with the rest of the City's system.
Mr. Overson stated he believed the Budget Control Ordinance
provides that any time more than $10,000 worth of changes are made
to the budget a Budget Adjustment is required. He was concerned
that a budget adjustment request was not included in the
documentation and asked if one would be coming to Council at a
later date? He pointed out funding for this proposal was from four
separate sources and consolidated under a single line item. He
believes under State requirement that action would require a budget
adjustment Mr. Hanna stated as discussed in Committee meetings,
there is one project within a given Department's capital budget
that is in excess of the original appropriation. What is being
proposed is to utilize the saving from other capital projects in
the same Department's budget and apply those savings to this
project, which is coming in at a higher cost than the original
estimate. For that reason, the total capital budget in the General
Facilities Department does not need to be increased. If a Budget
Adjustment Request was prepared, it would simply be increasing and
decreasing the same line of the budget. Mr. Overson stated he
disagreed with Mr. Hanna based on the fact on one side there will
a reduction from three accounts, but on the other side there will
be just the consolidation of the money into one account, which is
what he was looking at as the meaningful part of this action. To
follow Mr. Hanna's reasoning, he could consolidate $100-200,000 by
picking little pieces all over the budget and that is not the
intent of the Budget Ordinance. Mr. Hanna stated his point was
the little pieces that are being dealt with are not all over the
budget, but are in the General Facilities Department of the General
Fund. He pointed out similar discussions have been held in the
context of the Utilities that there is not an expectation that
we're right on the nose with each of those individual projects, but
will monitor them and advise Council of the available cash and
appropriations will fund all of the projects on the list. It is in
following that theory that this item is presented in the form
shown. Mr. Overson stated he personally did not agree with that
reasoning saying the budget is just a practice document and what
counts is whether or not there is any money left. He feels
strongly that budgeting needs to be done to a closer level of
detail and that is what the Budget Control Ordinance intends.
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Mr. Winters questioned the $3,899.60 figure of unused funds from
the City Hall security system and what is the intent to replenish
the security system? Mr. Tulp explained the security system speaks
to the panic buttons installed throughout the City. Funds are
returned to the General Fund, if they are not reallocated.
M/S/C(Neville/Farr) to authorize reallocation of funds and
authorize purchase of new phone system for Parks Department in the
amount of $15,768.27 from U.S. West.
Vote on motion:
Motion carried.
In favor: McConnell, Colvin, Winters, Montgomery,
Farr, Neville, Law
Opposed: 'Overson
7B - POLICE/SPECIAL PROJECTS 110 FUND -- REOUEST FOR APPROVAL OF
BUDGET ADJUSTMENT REOUEST #96-31, #AB96-270
It is requested that City Council approve the transfer of $6,400.00
to 110 Capital Outlay to facilitate purchase of computer equipment.
Mayor Lynn Hotton state there have been some changes in the
Community Resources Office; therefore, they have a need for
computer equipment to carry out their responsibilities.
Public comment - none.
Mr. Winters questioned why this item was not brought before the
Operations Committee? Mayor Hotton explained when an issue is
primarily fiscal it is presented to only the Fiscal and Budget
Committee.
Mr. Overson reported during the Fiscal and Budget Committee meeting
many questions were asked and the funds have been thoroughly
audited to be appropriate and available for this application.
Mayor Horton stated she encouraged staff to look at their computer
needs City wide; however, the Community Resource Office was not
included when earlier action was taken to upgrade the City-wide
computer system. It was felt that in order to do their job they
needed to go forward with this request.
M/S/C/(Farr/Montgomery) to approve Budget Adjustment Request No.
96-31.
Vote on motion:
Motion carried.
In Favor: Farr, Neville, Overson, McConnell,
Colvin, Montgomery, Law
Opposed: Winters
7C - BUDGET ADJUSTMENT REQUEST -- OLYMPIC COURSE AT GOLD MOUNTAIN,
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#AB96-271
This adjustment provides for the opening of the Olympic Course at
Gold Mountain in September of this year. The original budget had
assumed that the Olympic Course would not open until April of 1997.
Rich Hanna, City Treasurer, stated as Council may recall, the
current City budget was prepared with the assumption the Olympic
Course at Gold Mountain would not open until April 1997; however,
that was not the case and the course opened in mid September 1996.
The proposed Budget Adjustment recognizes that incremental revenue
and the incremental expenses associated with opening the Olympic
Course and shifting the maintenance of the course off the capital
budget onto the operating budget in September 1996. The
incremental greens fees are $265,000 and it is proposed to increase
the Pro and maintenance budget by $50,000 and $100,000
respectively, transferring $17,000 to the Parks Facilities
Construction Fund, and the balance beyond that split evenly between
the Pendergast Park Construction Fund and retain cash in the Golf
Course Operation
Public comment - none.
Mr. Overson stated he found it exciting to see the City supporting
a significant project for the Pendergast Regional Park. Jim
Spencer, Parks and Recreation Director, stated the project
referenced is the continuing development of Pendergast Regional
Park and the $49,000 allocated will be used to pursue development
of the lights for the five existing fields. He noted the $49,000
will not cover the entire cost, but is good seed money towards
getting that project underway.
Mr. Fare noted during the discussion of this issue at the Fiscal
and Budget Committee, Mr. Spencer had commented that the seed money
could be used as an opportunity for in-kind donations of services
or additional funds to get the project fully funded. Mr. Spencer
stated he has had discussion with individuals in the private sector
that if the City can figure out a way to buy the light poles and
light systems (including all the hardware) there are individuals
ready to assist with in-kind donations to finish the project.
Mr. McConne11 asked if the $265,000 figure covers
September/October/November with an estimate for December? Mr.
Spencer stated it covers the total to year end.
Mr. Neville pointed out once again this is a way to see how one
project can help another project. The golf course has always
supported the Parks Department's programs; and Mr. Spencer just
stated how the community keeps on giving to help make the City's
park system so much better by either in-kind services or supporting
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the golf course in this manner to help other projects.
Mr. Winters asked if the golf course project was following the
projected proforma? Mr. Hanna stated yes.
M/S/C/U(Neville/Overson) to approve Budget Adjustment Request No.
96-33.
8A - RESOLUTION NO. 2571, SETTING FEES FOR GOLD MOUNTAIN GOLF
COURSE AND REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 2532, #AB96-272
In order for the City's Gold Mountain Golf Course to remain
financially sound through the current period of expansion and on
into the future, it is necessary to implement fee changes on a
regular basis. As has been demonstrated through the financial
modeling of the course expansion, a rate of increase of
approximately three percent over inflation is required for the
course to remain financially sound. Fees at the course were last
changed January 1, 1996. The proposed fee changes will increase
course revenue by approximately 3.1 percent.
Jim Spencer, Parks and Recreation Director, stated he believes the
proposed fee is actually good news from the standpoint that the
only rate that will be changed is the 18-hole rate, which has two
components...a weekday rate and a weekend rate. The proposal is to
adjust each of those rates by $1.00. The current rate for the
Cascade Course is $19.00 weekday and $23.00 weekend, which will
change to $20.00 and $24.00 respectively following the $1.00
increase. The proposed rate increase for the Olympic Course is
that rate plus $5.00. Most significantly the proposal favors the
local golfers by retaining the same rates for the annual, semi-
annual punch cards and all the discount rounds. The only other
change is relative to the use of private carts on the course. For
a number of years there has been an annual cart fee available to a
very small group of people, who have been grandfathered to use
their private golf carts at an annual fee of $100.00. The proposed
rate change will adjust that $100.00 fee to $125.00.
Public comment - none.
Mr. McConne11 stated initially he was not in support of a rate
increase for the golf course; however when the proposal was made it
was far better than what he anticipated would be proposed. He sees
it as a gift to the local golfers where the passes remain the same
and a $1.00 increase in the 18-hole fee is very minimal. He
commended those who came up with the recommended rate proposal.
Mr. Overson stated it appears we are meeting and exceeding the
proforma for the golf course and the acceptance is greater than
expected. Mr. Spencer stated that was correct. Mr. Overson
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complimented those who put together the proforma because that was
what helped to sell the project. Mr. Winters thanked Mr. Overson
for clarifying the point about the proforma and the fact it is
imperative the City stay to the proforma that was presented to
Council approximately three years in order to continue with the
rate increases to insure that the revenues created will quickly
complete what is needed at the Pendergast,Regional Park.
Mr. Oolvln complimented those who have made the golf course so
successful. He asked if only those grandfathered individuals can
use their private golf carts on the course? Mr. Spencer explained
only three individuals are charged an annual fee to use their
private carts. Other individuals can use their private carts for
a fee of $13.00 per day.
Mr. Meville stated he felt it was important to remember that Dan
Miller, Project Manager, brought in the new course before the
expected completion date and on budget, which is resulting in
dividends to the City.
Mr. Law stated the Council Office had received several calls
questioning the recognized holidays where holiday rates are in
effect. In order to clarify that point, he quoted as follows:
"the holiday rate, which is the weekend rate, are City holidays.
It was his hope that a list of "City holidays" would be posted in
the clubhouse. Scott Alexander, Golf Pro, explained the "holiday
list" has been posted in the clubhouse for the past 3-4 years.
M/S/C/U(McConnell/Montgomery) to adopt Resolution No. 2571, setting
forth a fee structure for Gold Mountain Golf Course and repealing
Resolution No. 2532.
President Law thanked the TVcamera crew for their services: Robert
Rupe, Patricia Mathas and Debbie Harris
With no further business meeting adjourned at 6:37 P.M.
~ cCl~us~key~~rk
KATHLEEN L. M
JO~N E. LAW, Council President
City of Bremerton
KLM/JL/me
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