Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/16/94 C0Li fClL APPROVED TAPE #1177 UNAPPROVED D[:~.~'"I' CITY COUNCIL MEETIN~ ~INUTE8 FEBRUARY 16. L994 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, February 16, 1994, at 5:30 P.M., with Council Member Morrie Dawkins presiding. Council members present were Richard Neville, Bob Winters, David Fart, LonOverson, John Law, A1 Colvin and Sherril Huff-Menees. Council President Eileen Fitz was absent. Also present were City Attorney Ian Sievers and City Clerk Kathleen McCluskey. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Morrie Dawkins and Invocation given by Reverend Randy Johnson, Youth Pastor at Bremerton Church of the Nazarene. CONSENT AGENDA A. Bid Award Recommendation - Timber Sale #AB94-036 1-94/Panhandle Thinning, Awarded to Cascade Pole For $344,252.00 #0029 M/S/C/U(Overson/Neville) to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. CLaIMS/WARRANT REgISTeR8 Vouchers audited and certified by the auditing officer as required by RCW42.24.080, 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. #0041 M/S/C/U(Colvin/Huff-Menees) February 16, 1994, the Council does approve for payment those vouchers included and further described as follows: 173051 through 173207 in the amount of $298,432.99 COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS MN, Winters encouraged attendance at the first annual "You've Got The Power" celebration - March 5, 8:00 P.M. - 1:00 AM at 920 Park Avenue. Tony Boddie, former Super Bowl player for the Denver Broncos will be available for autographs at this event as well. On February 28 6:30 - 7:30 P.M., at Cascade Natural Gas Company community Room, District 9 will hold a casual meeting to hear details of the West Kitsap Lake Road sewer project. Mr. Colvin reported today he made a presentation in conjunction with Black History Month at the Naval Hospital. He briefly TAPE #1177 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 16, 1994 Page 2 of 6 explained the purpose behind Black History Month and the fact that many black citizens accomplishment were left out of history. He related some of his experience in an all black flying unit and emphasized there will never be another such group. The leader of that group, General Powell, advocated what Teddy Roosevelt stated "defining groups of people by race just for the purpose of defining them by race does no good to bring us all together as Americans". Even after being treated on a unequal basis with his fellow West Point students, General Powell, he is sold on America. He also related an incident about a Lt. Brown being shot down in Germany during WWII and was questioned who he felt so strongly about the United States when it treated blacks so poorly. Lt. Brown's response was "Sir, I do that because I am an American". He felt that everyone should look at ourselves as Americans regardless of our color and that it is your character that counts. Mrs. Huff-Menees announced District #7 will hold a Neighborhood meeting on Thursday, February 17, 7:00 - 9:00 P.M., at the Bremerton School District Office on Montgomery Avenue. She hoped residents in her district will come out and bring their comments and concerns and have an opportunity to exchange ideas and meet one another. Mr. Law reported District #3 held a neighborhood meeting on February 15, which included the participation of Councilman Dawkins, the Parks Department, Fire Department and the Building Department. He is finding the monthly District meetings to be very enjoyable and hopes attendance will increase in the future. David Fart announced the District #6 neighborhood meeting will be March 1, 5:00 - 6:00 P.M., at the Kitsap Lake Elementary School. This meeting will be held prior to the West Bremerton Neighborhood Information Network meeting scheduled for 6:00 P.M. ~r, Overson reported on two new businesses starting up downtown: Pasta Parade, 315 Pacific Avenue and Cafe Zoo coffee shop on the corner of 4th and Pacific Avenue. Mr. Dawkins reported he attended District #3's neighborhood meeting and was very impressed with the Parks Department, Fire Department and Building Department's part in that program. PUBLIC RECOGNITION Mayor Lynn Horton reported today she attended a ceremony at the Crownhill Elementary School where they were adopted by Navy personnel from the USS Roanoke, who will be providing some outreach to the students at that school. When looking at the co-venture with Kitsap County and the School District on expanding the gymnasium at Crownhill, she sees this as another good opportunity TAPE #1177 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 16, 1994 Page 3 of 6 that can link together the various entities within the community. She attended a D.A.R.E. graduation at Naval Avenue School this past week and enjoyed seeing the children going through that program. She has not been able to attend all of the D.A.R.E. graduations, but she is planning visits to those schools at a later date. She would like to see the D.A.R.E. program expanded to the Middle School, at the 7th grade level, for the upcoming school year. M&rvL~uLon~, Baymont Place, extended an invitation to the public to attend a meeting sponsored by "CRAB" (Concerned Ratepayers Association Of Bremerton) on February 22, 1994, 6:30 P.M. at the Kitsap Regional Library. At that time, they hope to offer some suggestions to the community as well as seek more input from the community. She raised a question at Mr. Law's neighborhood meeting and wanted to pose it to other members of the Council: "would they support reducing the 20.4% tax on garbage services"? She and others feel 20.4% is exceptionally high and is within the City Council's powers to reduce that tax. Mr. D&wkins pointed out all income revenues are budgeted and any changes would have to come before the City Council as a budget adjustment. Mrs. Lon~ pointed out the City Council regularly makes budget adjustments and asked Council to take her suggestion under consideration. She referenced Congressman Norm Dicks' concern that the City needed to take steps to provide more economical housing for potential incoming military personnel. Because many people in the military are on limited budgets, she feltthe City could provide a more welcome environment for people on a lower income level. She had the opportunity to preview a video that was just produced by City staff and in that presentation the figure of 11,000 wastewater customers was given. At the time of the public hearing on utility rates, a quote of 8,000 utility customers was published. She now questioned the validity of the rate structure since it was based on a lower user number than the actual total customers. She also learned that the City will be receiving 3.5 million dollars through the State to help reduce some of the expense in handling sewer related projects within the next year. It was her feeling that attendance at neighborhood meetings was generally Iow and she hoped that the meeting scheduled for February 22 at the Kitsap Regional Library would draw a good n~mher of concerned citizens. ~and¥ witt, city Engineer, stated for clarification a point that Mrs. Long made...the City will be receiving a low interest loan from the State Public Works Trust Fund, not a grant for the Warren Avenue Basin project. Ruth Reese stated she attended the two public meetings held on the sewer rates and acknowledged the attendance of Councilman Law at those meetings. She questioned the absence of other Council members, Mayor and others. Both meetings were well attended by TAPE #1177 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 16, 1994 Page 4 of 6 concerned citizens. She questioned if the City was pursuing any financial responsibility from insurance companies over the sewer plant odor problem and why was the Westhills lawsuit settlement not paid under the City's insurance? ~an Sievers, City Attorney, stated that question did come up during the rate hearings. The city had a number of policies in effect during the period of problems at the treatment plant, however, they all have a pollution exclusion clause that the City is examining. The City did not have specific insurance to cover such a problem nor did the Utility set aside any funding contingency and that is why it is now being raised through rates. The City is continuing to examine the insurance coverage issues and may pursue claims against various insurance policies. Ms. Reese questioned if the insurance companies would not pay? Mr. Sievers stated that is their position at this time. Mr. Overson called for a point of order and pointed out when the public discusses such issues with the staff the appropriate process is for the public to present their question and the appropriate staff provides a written response. Ms. Reese expressed concern over Mr. Overson's reaction of not responding to specific questions and emphasized that was one of the reasons why people do not want to come down to address the City Council directly. D~ Larson, 135 Rainier Avenue, President of Washington Scuba Alliance, stated last week he presented Mayor Horton with a underwater park proposal that showed his idea of placing a submarine near the Turner Joy. He emphasized the first step towards an underwater park is to designate a location and then through cooperation from the City get that information into the Shore Line Master Plan. The Scuba Alliance had a ship donated to them, however, it is too small for what he would like to use in an underwater park. He received a letter from the U.S. Department Of Transportation Maritime Administration stated they have five vessels that could be donated to a state that applies for them. Unfortunately, those vessels are located in California and Virginia. He forwarded copies that letter to Senator Bob Oke, Senator west and the Parks Department to let them know of the forum available for finding a surplus vessel. If the State applies, then they can be placed on a list of those looking for a vessel to be used as an artificial reef. Lastly, he reported the Department Of Fisheries will hold a hearing on the Titlow Park Marine Preserve (Tacoma) on February 26, at Highline Community College in Des Moines (off of Highway 99), starting at 10:00 A.M. Mr. Neville questioned if Mr. Larson had approached the Parks Commissioners to review potential sites for an underwater park? Mr. L~r~o~ stated yes he had approached them, however, they were apprehensive about liability concerns. Mr. Neville suggested Mr. Larson work closely with the Parks Commission to identify locations that might be appropriate for such a facility. TAPE #1177 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 16, 1994 Page 5 of 6 Jack Lefcoski, West Kitsap Lake, stated he would like to see the City Council be more friendly towards people coming before them during Public Recognition and responding to their questions if appropriate staff members are available to provide answers. The problem with only providing written responses to questions posted by the public is that people watching City Council proceedings on the cable access channel will not be informed of the answer, just the person receiving the letter. Mary Lou Lon~ supported Mr. Lefcoski's comments and she had hoped when the 9-member Council came into being that the exchange of information to the public would improve. However, it is apparent what has actually happened has actually deterred true communication and dialogue between the elected officials and the citizens. SA - RESOLUTION NO. 2459, DECLARING INTENT TO ESTABLISH U.L.I.D. FOR PORTIONS OF WEST KITSAP L~w~ RO_%D ~ND NORTWn~KE ~TAY ]%ND BETTING ~ HEABING DATE OF M~O~ 9, 1994, ON FORMULATION OF U.L.I.D., #AB94-057 The City has received a petition requesting formation of a Utility Local Improvement District (U.L.I.D.) to fund construction of a sewer extension along portions of West Kitsap Lake Road and Northlake Way. Attached is a U.L.I.D. boundary map. On December 8, 1993, the City Council discussed issues regarding the U.L.I.D. and directed the City Engineer to form the U.L.I.D. The action before the City Council is a Resolution declaring the Council's intent to establish the U.L.I.D. and to set a hearing date regarding formulation of the U.L.I.D. for March 9, 1994. ~, City Engineer, stated his only comment above what has been provided in the summary statement is that Councilman Winters. is holding a meeting on February 28, 6:30 - 7:30 P.M., at the Cascade Natural Gas Office, to review and discuss the Sewer U.L.I.D. project. Mr. Law questioned if a Council member attended Councilman Winters' meeting how would that affect their being seated when the issue comes before Council on March 9? ~ stated if Council members are in a meeting and they do hear things as part of a discussion at an open meeting or with any individual, it would be appropriate to disclose that information on the record and then they can remain seated following that disclosure of what they heard "off the record". Actina President Dawkin~ stated he will have a conflict of interest on this item when it come before Council, however, he will not step down on the proposed action at this time since it is only setting a hearing date. TAPE #1177 city Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 16, 1994 Page 6 of 6 ~questioned if he understood correctly that the Council representative would have to step down from the issue if they were exposed to discussion on the project? Mr. Sievers stated as long as the Council member discloses their involvement in an open public meeting or talking with an individual on a particular issue they can be seated. ~, Lefooski questioned if the Council member would be allowed to remain seated if they were one of the property owners involved? Mr. Sievers stated such a relationship to a project would exclude that person from being seated on that issue. Mr. N~ters emphasized he is D9~ a property owner within the area affected by the sewer project. ~F~ also pointed out if Mr. Winters' residence was so close to the particular issue that it would affect his property value, he would have to step down due to his having a pecuniary interest in the outcome. #1355 M/S/C/(Law/Colvin) to pass Resolution No. 2459 declaring its intent to establish the U.L.I.D. and fixing March 9, 1994 as the hearing date for the West Kitsap Lake Road Sewer Extension Utility Local Improvement District. Vote on motion: In Favor: Overson, Neville, Fart, Law, Huff-Menees, Colvin, Winters Abstain: Dawkins Motion carried. With no further business meeting adjourned at 6:26 P.M. KATHiLEEN L. McCLUSKEY, City Clerk EIT~EN FITZ, ~oun~ll President City of Bremerton KLM/EF/me cc: Normal Distribution File/Vault