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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/15/94TAPE #1211 UNAPPROVED DRAFT COUNCIL APPROVED JUN 28, CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 15, 1994 #0028 #0044 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, June 15, 1994, at 5:30 P.M., with Council President Sherril Huff-Menees presiding. Council members present were Richard Neville, Eileen Fitz, Morrie Dawkins, Bob Winters, Lon Overson, and John Law. Councilmen, David Farr and A1 Colvin were absent. Also present were City Attorney Ian Sievers and City Clerk Kathleen McCluskey. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council President Fitz and Invocation given by Carl Johnson, Business Manager of Peninsula Bible Fellowship. CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes of Meeting - May 25, 1994 #AB94-123 M/S/C/U(Fitz/Neville) to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. CLAIMS/WARRANT 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(Fitz/Overson) June 15, 1994, the Council does approve for payment those vouchers included and further described as follows: 176074 through 176210 in the total amount of $338,297.98. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS President Huff-Menees noted the absence of Councilmen Farr (vacation) and Colvin (attending AWC Conference in Spokane). Mr. Winters reported a number of concerned citizens in the Harlow Drive, Lyle and Carr Blvd., reported to him that too many vehicles are speeding in the area of Kitsap Lake Elementary School. He cautioned everyone to please slow down as they enter the affected areas. Mr. Dawkins recalled when the Kitsap Lake Elementary School was approved through the Planning process, Councilman Russ Johnson strongly supported requiring sidewalks in order to provide more safety for students. TAPE #1211 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes June 15, 1994 Page 2 of 7 Mrs. Fitz reminded everyone that school will soon be out and to please drive cautiously and watch out for children. Mr. Law announced District #3's next Neighborhood meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 21, 7:00 P.M., at the Senior Center on Nipsic Avenue. Guest Speaker at that meeting will be Kitsap County Sheriff Pat Jones, who will speak about parents with younger children at home. Mr. Neville reminded everyone of the TV Cable Service Survey being circulated and urged citizens to respond with their comments. Copies of the survey can be obtained at City Hall, the Library and City Council members. Completed surveys should be returned to City Hall. He thanked the Park and Recreation Department for their indoor soccer program. His son participated in that program and had a great time. Mr. Overson reported his wife, Elly, attended the June 14th Neighborhood Information Network meeting and appreciated the staff input. Mrs. Huff-Menees announced Council will hold a Study Session immediately following the Council meeting and the topic discussed will be "Downtown Revitalization Coalition". PUBLIC RECOGNITION Mayor Lynn Hotton gave the following update on grants activity as prepared by Randy Suke, Grants Writer: "During the first few weeks of activity, I worked with staff to prepare three separate applications for funding. Briefly, these grants were: (1) Callow Basin Combined Sewer-Stormwater Separation Project: For this project, I worked with the Department of Engineering to prepare an application to the State Public Works Trust Fund for $3.5 million. It was a good first project and I learned much about the technical and environmental issues surrounding the stormwater and sewer problems. This s a competitive application with no guarantee of funding. It will be rated and ranked against other applications from around the state. (2) Odor Reduction Project For Sewage Treatment Plant: I also prepared an application for $3.5 million to the State Public Trust Fund. This application was lengthy and involved (same as the Callow Basin above). As the State only funds a maximum of $3.5 million in one year, this application or the one above will not be1 funded. This application is also competitive and will be rated and ranked against other cities and towns. (3) Puqet Sound Action Grant: This was a small grant application TAPE #1211 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes June 15, 1994 Page 3 of 7 requesting $39,000 from the State Department of Ecology to improve water quality in the Warren and Callow Avenue stormwater drainage area. This grant provides an opportunity to work with nearly 300 businesses and over 2,000 residents to provide public education, technical assistance and guidelines in helping them to reduce non- point pollution sources. Pollution will eventually occur and increase from the separation of stormwater and sewer separation project. Once implemented, this project will help reduce'this pollution that does goes into Dyes and Sinclair Inlets. Funding for this project is not expected to occur until early next year. While this application is competitive, it has a high chance for being funded due to the Department Of Ecology's concern with pollution of Puget Sound. All three of these applications dovetail nicely together. They all represent what can be considered top priority projects for the City. If funded, they will greatly enhance water quality and show a definite move by the City of Bremerton to address the major water pollution and odor control issues the City has faced in recent years. I felt confident that all three grants were quality applications and I was able to work well with staff to complete them. With most grant applications, it is difficult to determine how well they will rate as there are many competing interests through other communities and the state for funding purposes. On other matters: New Grant Applications: Applications on five potential programs have been requested and upon their receipt a recommendation will be forthcoming to the Mayor. Grant Sources: Within the next two weeks I intend to firm up the on-going sources of information available to the City on new grants and work out a process with departments on how to best relay information and review possible grant opportunities. It is important there is a regular method established to provide an early review of possible grants. I will be calling all key department heads to get their thoughts and ideas as many of them have sources of information for which I do not have regular access. Computerized Sources For New Grants: I am looking into a computer linkage for the City called Internet. This would provide a direct modem access for the City to the latest Federal and Foundation listing of.new grants and requests for proposals the City and other organizations are eligible to receive." Mayor Horton read into the record the following grant applications TAPE ~1211 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes June 15, 1994 Page 4 of 7 that the City has made: Grant Applications Funded: Centennial Clean Water Fund/FY95 Funding Cycle Callow Basin CSO Reduction - Phase I - ($739,000 Loan) Centennial Clean Water Fund/FY95 Funding Cycle Combined Sewer Overflow Quality Characterization ($94.,300) Public Works Trust Fund Loan of $3.5 million Grant Applications Not Funded: Centennial Clean Water Fund/FY95 Funding Cycle Bremerton Stormwater Management Plan Bremerton Wellhead Protection Program BremertonWWTP Dechlorination Facility Plan Police Hiring Supplement Program Mayor Horton reported she along, with Council members Overson, Law and Huff-Menees, attended the American Heritage Day Celebration at PSNS on June 14. She also attend the Flag Day ceremony, which was held on the boardwalk. At that ceremony, Mrs. Gange distributed six savings bonds to Bremerton students who wrote essays on "What Flag Day Means". Mayor Horton read the following Proclamations: (1) Month of June 1994 as Soroptomist Month and June 21, 1994, as Soroptomist Day. Proclamation was accepted by a Soroptomist representative. (2) June 17, 1994, as USS Franklin CV 13 Recognition and'Memorial Day. Proclamation was accepted by Richard Chrisinger, Past Post Commander of VFW Post 3694, RET U.S. Air Force. Mayor Horton concluded her report announcing a "Policy Making Summit" will be held on Thursday, June 16, 1:00 - 5:00 P.M., at Olympic College. This gathering will be discussing youth problems in the community and how to resolve them as well as opening up opportunities for jobs, recreation and education. She will give a report on that meeting at the next City Council meeting. Roy Runyon extended an invitation to the Mayor, City Council members and the public to a series of lectures, at the Waterfront Books Store (Cafe over the book store), on Pacific Wars Of The Twentieth Century. The first session is scheduled for June 25, 1:00 P.M., with two distinguished speakers Helen Ross - Heroes Of Pearl Harbor; and Dick Couch, author and U.S. Navy Special Warfare Officer Seal - Special Military Operations. Mr. Runyon can be contacted at 377-0585 or 373-2343 (Waterfront Books). Gordy Byrd offered a point of clarification on a situation he TAPE #1211 City Council Reg. Mtg.~Minutes June 15, 1994 Page 5 of 7 described at a previous Council meeting that had to do with stop signs and traffic emerging from the ferry. Recently, he became a victim of a scam by someone he believed needed help and was not happy about losing $75.00, however, he has a meeting scheduled with an individual who has offered to make a financial donation to his shelter for the homeless. Beverly Woods, Executive Director'of the Bremerton Area Chamber Of Commerce, announced on June 21, 11:30 A.M., the Chamber will hold their monthly luncheon, at the Kitsap Golf and Country Club. She extended a personal invitation to the City Council members and the people of Bremerton to attend that meeting. The guest speaker at that meeting is PaUl Green, new head of the Department Of Transportation/Marine Division, who will talk about the Washington State Ferry System and what that means to Bremerton. Reservation for that event can be made by calling the Chamber Office 479-3579. She noted the downtown merchants are working on a. great summer promotion and are looking forward to a great summer season. The Manette merchants are working on a beautification project for their area and are planning a street fair that will be held on August 20, 12:00 noon to 4:00 P.M. This event will be started off with the world's smallest parade. RoY Runyon stated as a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Bremerton Comprehensive Plan, he admonished the residents Of Bremerton for not participating in that process and missing the opportunity to voice their opinion where they want to see Bremerton in the next 20 years. The Advisory Committee meets the second Tuesday of each month, 7;00 p.m., at the Bremerton High School. 6A - RESOLUTION #2469 REOUIRING TV CABLE OPERATORS TO MAINTAIN ACCURATE ACCOUNTING RECORDS FOR REVENUE GENERATED FROM BASIC TIER RATES, #AB94-124 Pursuant to FCC Rule 76,933(c), the City has the authority to order cable operators to maintain accurate accounting records of Basic ITier subscribers in the event there is a need to order refunds of a portion of the Basic Tier Rate or charges for equipment or installations that support the delivery of the Basic Tier. Rate applications have been filed by both TCI and Falcon with the City. Insufficient support documentation was included with these applications making the review process more difficult and time consuming. This resolution will ensure that the City can adjust rates retroactively to the statutory limit of one year if rates filed by either cable operator are found to be unreasonable. Paul Johnston, Tax and License Division, stated the City became certified to regulate cable TV rates on February 1, 1994. As of that date, rates from both cable companies were charging their customers for basic TV cable service, including equipment and TAPE #1211 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes June 15, 1994 Page 6 of 7 installation, are hereby regulated by the City. The City did receive applications from both cable TV companies for their established rates as of February 1, and April 1. The City has 120 days from the date of receipt of those applications to certify the rates. The City will not be able to meet that time frame and give the Council a substantial and accurate report of reasonableness of those rates. The subject Resolution enables the City to retain the authority to order refunds if, when the application review process is complete, it is found the rates of February 1 were too high. Anther issue is the FCC decided that their first benchmark rates used to establish a baseline for companies was still too high and in March they ordered the companies to further reduce their rates, in most cases, to a new benchmark. That process has not been completed, although the companies, as of June 14, gave their notification that as of July 15 they would be reducing their rates further to comply With the new benchmark system. The City in turn, will be getting those applications in August and this whole review process will take place once again and Council will receive a certification report/update from staff in order to make a determination whether or not what they have submitted is in the reasonable range. Mr. Overson stated it was his understanding that Ms. Johnston had received considerable training to prepare her for this rate study. Ms. Johnston stated she is still in the learning process. Mr. Overson questioned who else in City government understands the rates issues/processes? Ms. Johnston stated Kathleen McCluskey, Director of Administrative Services has been on top of the Cable TV regulation business since September 1993. What she will be doing is reviewing the cable companies methodology, assumptions they have used and how they work with their own balance sheets and financial statements. Public comment - none. Mrs. Fitz noted this is a very complicated issue and Council needs to rely on staff's efforts. Mr. Law noted for the public that TCI's basic fee includes 16 channels, which he felt was good coverage, and this should help those with low incomes to be able to exercise the availability of cable services. Mr. Overson pointed out TCI recently sent out notice that TCI is changing rates on their customers now. Ms. Johnston stated Mr. Overson was correct, TCI is lowing rates as of July 14, in compliance with the FCC mandated benchmark rate reductions. They have yet to file the application process to support those rates, but they wanted to get the rates in place as soon as possible so if TAPE #1211 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes June 15, 1994 Page 7 of 7 #1274 refunds are ordered retroactively, it won't be so costly. Mr. Overson questioned if further action to reduce rates could take place some time in August? Ms. Johnston stated there will be two phases of rate review due to the fact there are two different benchmarks and two different applications that need to be verified. The first one is real important because it establishes the base rate that the City accepted as of February 1 and all rate changes after that date must be subsequently approved. M/S/C/U(Neville/Fitz) to pass Resolution #2469 directing Cable operators to keep an accurate accounting of receipt of payments made pursuant to a disputed rate and to provide additional information regarding their rate applications. With no further business meeting adjourned at 6:30 P.M.. KATHLEEN L. McCLUSKEY, City Clerk E~-M S,<oun~cilPresident ~ty of Brem~Mr~on' KLM/SH-M/me cc: Normal Distribution File/Vault