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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/03/93TAPE #1086 UNAPPROVED DRAFT CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUI~RY 3, 1993 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 3, 1993, at 5:30 p.m., with Council President Eileen Fitz presiding. Council members present: Lon Overson, Richard Neville, Lynn Horton, C. R. "Tiny" Collins, Morrie Dawkins, A1 Colvin and Russ Johnson. Councilman Hank Waibel was absent. Also present were City Attorney Ian Sievers and Deputy City Clerk Gil Johnson. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council President Fitz .and Invocation given by Councilman A1 Colvin. President Fits announced the Study Session scheduled immediately following the City Council has been canceled; and Item 6A - Consent Order On CSO's had been pulled off the Agenda and will be discussed in an Executive Session on February 8. CONSENT AGENDA - None. #0025 CLAIMS/WARRANT REGISTER8 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/Horton) on February 3, 1993 the Council does approve for payment those vouchers included and further described as follows: 163545 through 163547, 163556 through 163767 in the total amount of $196,001.00; and Retirees Payroll for the period ending 1-31-93 in the amount of $94,203.10; and Regular Payroll for the period ending 1-31-93 in the amount of $590,731.23. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS Mr. Colvin thanked Mayor Mentor for his prompt response to citizen concerns in District #1. He learned that a citizen's complaint lodged in 1980 had not been addressed, so he was turning into the Mayor another complaint on the same issue. He thanked Emile Reynolds Of Vanguard Systems for his donation of a copy machine to be used by NAARF for their Income Tax TAPE #1086 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 3, 1993 Page 2 of 12 Preparation program for senior citizens and low income people. He announced the guest speaker for District #1's Coalition meeting scheduled for February 25, 7-9 p.M., at the Sheridan Park Recreation Center, will be Council's Legislative Assistant Merilynn Erhart. He reported there are cards available to "Stop Junk Mail" delivery and are available in the City Council Office for any citizen who wishes to utilize them. Mr. Dawkins reported spring is about to "sprout" and the Golf Course is open and doing good business. Also, ball parks are being cleaned up and readied for a busy season. Mr. Overson reminded everyone of the meeting scheduled for Monday, February 8, 6:30 P.M., in the Washington Mutual Conference Room (on Pacific Avenue) on the Bremerton-Gorst Connector Road proposal. He noted he hoped Mr. Colvin was not successful in stopping "junk mail". In a recent study it was discovered that almost 1/3 of the cost of running the Postal Service is born by people sending "junk" mail. Mrs. Hotton reported today she attended the Kitsap Regional Planning Council meeting where they were briefed by CENCOM on the wind storm statistics of January 20. On a normal daily basis CENCOM receives an average of 350 calls. On January 20th they received 1,283 calls. There were totally County wide 367 fire events, 849 law enforcement events and on an average daily basis there are 50 fire calls and 443 police calls. There were two wind storm related fatalities and at one point in time 100% of Kitsap County was without power. Statistics relating just to Bremerton on January 20th were 69 fire events and 43 Bremerton Police events. There were some positives that came out of the January 20th emergency service, one of which was the utilization of a Ham Radio network. Overall, she felt everyone did an admiral job processing and responding to the high volume of emergencies. Mrs. Fits noted CENCOM indicated the reason they only had 1,283 calls was due to the fact many people were without phone service following the storm. Had all phones been in use, they believed they would have had many more. Today, she attended the Kitsap Regional Planning Council meeting for the first time and commended Mrs. Horton for her commitment and participation in that organization. She emphasized the meetings of four different agencies created a marathon of meetings. She found those meetings to be very interesting and she will be attending the monthly sessions. She reported on a call from one of her constituents in the North Cambrian area alerting her to the fact that efforts would be made to "trap" TAPE #1086 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 3, 1993 Page 3 of 12 cats that are around her residence. Mrs. Fitz cautioned residents in that area to please keep their cats inside so that they do not get trapped and picked up by Bremerton Animal Control. Lastly, she thanked her fellow Council members for their assist to her as their new City Council President, as well as Council Legislative Assistant Merilynn Erhart. PUBLIC RECOGNITION Mayor Louis Mentor introduced Susan Myer and her son Brandon. Mrs. Meyers related an incident that happened on Monday, February 1, where her young son Brandon dislodged a piece of candy stuck in her baby's throat, which saved the baby's life. Mayor Mentor presented Brandon a Certificate Of Commendation for his bravery and mature response in assisting his baby sister. Mayor Mentor read a Proclamation that proclaimed the month of February as "AMERICAN HEART MONTH". Ron Bright, President of the Kitsap Division of the American Heart Association, accepted the Proclamation and announced the Heart Fund residential fund drive will begin February 13 through 22. He noted they expect approximately 35,000 volunteers, state wide, will be knocking on doors seeking donations for the Heart Association. They anticipate collecting one million dollars in the State of Washington during this fund drive and approximately 71% of those funds will go to cardiovascular research, most of which is carried out at the University Of Washington. Mayor Mentor reported on Saturday, January 30, he had the opportunity to welcome the State Association Of Business and Professional Women to Bremerton and Kitsap County at the Bayview Inn. Approximately 155 members attended that meeting. He thanked Maryellen Babbitt, a City employee, for her influence in bringing this group to the Bremerton area. He reported a significate year end statistic from the Visitor and Convention Bureau...total number of walk-ins to their office in 1992 amounted to 21,000+, which surpasses the number of 14,000+ in 1991. He referenced a past Study Session regarding the proposed Parking Lot Tax and the fact that a large number of people spoke against it at that time. At the conclusions of that meeting, it appeared he did not have a lot of support either from the audience or City Council to implement such a tax. He referenced a recent news article in which Councilman Johnson stated "we have to do something to fix up City streets but what Mayor is going to propose a tax in an election year". Mayor Mentor stressed if five Council members what to bring up the Parking Tax issue he would be happy to present it. He emphasized the issue was not going away because it is an TAPE #1086 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 3, 1993 Page 4 of 12 election year, but rather because there did not seem to be any support for it. Bob Sauter, SGT Major US Army Retired, Veterans Of Foreign Wars, announced Reverend John Eichmann was absent during a recent Awards Ceremony at Retsil, however, he was singled out by the veterans and auxiliaries within Kitsap County to receive the Congressional Award, which was to be handed out by Senator Slade Gordon at that event. It was Mr. Sauter's pleasure to call Mr. Eichmann forward at this time to receive that award. Reverend Eichmann expressed his thanks for this honor and extended special thanks to the City Council and Mayor Mentor for everything that has been done to assist him in all that has been done in relationship to active duty military and veterans in this area. Mr. Sauter, SGT Major US Army Retired, Veterans Of Foreign Wars, reported that he attended a State Legislative meeting in Olympia last week where he learned of a Budget Proposal Impact Statement that indicated if the 1994-95 budget is adopted as presented, the Department Of Veterans Affairs will be cut 16.8% across the board. The result of that cutback will mean that the Field Service Office on Auto Center Way will be closed permanently. All other Field Service Offices within the State will also close. Consequently, there will be 650,000 veterans running around trying to find out how they can get their benefits and claim forms made out. With the downsizing that is contemplated for the military, this will only compound the problem. Several weeks ago he came up with the idea of establishing a Veterans Center, located in Bremerton, and staffed with volunteer veterans to do the things the Service Officers currently handle as well as helping the homeless veterans. All of the mechanics for such a program is available, however, they do not have office space to operate out of. He put out a plea to property owners who may be interested in providing that space, at no cost, to please contact him. Also, he alerted everyone that Senate Bill #5096 will be heard on February 5, which would do away with counting active duty military personnel and their families in the Population Density Count. If this Bill is approved, such personnel will be excluded along with criminals and inmates of any asylum homes, etc. He emphasized the military personnel are very upset over this because they feel they are being equated to criminals. He noted a similar situation happened during WWII, and was considered to be an act of discrimination. He also stressed a lot of funding for schools, watershed and ecology issues all come from the Federal Government and are based on population density. He emphasized the active duty personnel in this state contribute TAPE #1086 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 3, 1993 Page 5 of 12 110 million dollars per month into the economy. He questioned if they are not counted as the population, what are they? He urged citizens of Kitsap County to call the Legislative Hotline 1-800-562-6000 and voice their opinion to VOTE NO on SB-5096. Also, at the same time to voice their opinion to exempt the Department Of Veteran Affairs from the budget cut. President Fit~ noted City officials and staff are also concerned over some measures that will be coming up before the Legislature that directly affect our City and will be closely monitored. Don Larson, 135 Rainier Avenue, President of the Washington Scuba Alliance For The Puget Sound Area, spoke on the issue of artificial reefs and recent projects in British Columbia. He reported Senator Bob Oak, of the 26th Legislative District, will be sponsoring legislation which would direct the State Parks and Recreation Commission to establish a system of underwater parks to provide for recreational diving in the State of Washington, as well as conserve and protect unique marine resources. This proposed legislation will be discussed at a public hearing on February 12, 10:00 AM, in Senate Room #3. For those who cannot attend that meeting but wish to voice their concerns, they may call the Legislative Hotline - 1-800- 562-6000. Mr. Larson reported Mayor Mentor sent a letter to the Senate in support of this proposed legislation. Lastly, he announced a Citizens Advisory Committee meeting will be held on February 5, at the Silverdale Target Store, 7:00 P.M. in the Employees Meeting Room. Representatives from the Department Of Ecology and the committee will be planning an "Earth Day Clean Up" for Sinclair Inlet. Gordy Byrd, P.O. Box 930, reported as of this date he had collected $16,957.86 for his shelter for the homeless. A group called "Helping Hands" at Bremerton High School are selling corsages as a funding raising event. Proceeds from that effort will be donated to his shelter project. Also, they are sponsoring a Dance on February 26 and proceeds from that event will also be donated to the "Byrd's Nest" shelter. If anyone was having difficulty in reaching him on the telephone in person, he wanted to explain that due to some threatening phone calls he is letting his answering machine take all calls so that he could screen them before responding. He noted in two weeks he would be turning 37 years old. Daniel Rickabau~h, 241 5th Street, Town Manor, stated for the past five months he has experienced having neighbors who are drug dealers. They were recently arrested, however, it took a total of five months for that to happen. He questioned why did it have to take so long? He felt that his own life was at TAPE #1086 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 3, 1993 Page 6 of 12 stake and he had cooperated with the Police Department by taking down license plates and keeping a daily log of drug activities. He hears that it is a running joke for Police to respond to calls from Town Manor because they are low income. He questioned if Bremerton has such a bad problem with parking, why not use the railroad track that goes through an industrial area and connect it with a large parking lot so that people could park their vehicles and then use a bike trail to get to work in the Shipyard by bicycle? President Fits questioned if Mr. Rickabaugh had talked with Chief McNeal? Mr. Rickabau~h explained he had talked with Chief McNeal,the Task Force, Mayor Mentor and the owners of Town Manner. 6A - PROPOSED ORDINANCE FOR COMMUTE TRIP REDUCTION, #AB93-020 The Washington State Legislature, in an effort to improve air quality, conserve energy and reduce traffic congestion, passed the Commute Trip Reduction Law. This law mandates certain local governments (with the help of State funds) to adopt local commute trip reduction ordinances by January 31, 1993. Kitsap County and its cities asked Kitsap Transit to use a public/private committee to develop a Commute Trip Reduction Ordinance which all Kitsap jurisdictions would use. The proposed ordinance is a product of that committee's work. Bob Ferguson, Transportation Planner for Kitsap Transit, stated in an effort to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion in our State, the 1991 State Legislature passed the Commute Trip Reduction Law. This law requires Kitsap County and cities of Port Orchard, Bremerton, Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island to develop and adopt ordinances and Commute Trip Reduction Plans. These ordinances would require major employers to develop and implement Commute Trip Reduction Programs aimed at reducing the number of employee commuter trips made in single occupant vehicles (SOY) to employer work sites. Through an interlocal agreement, Kitsap Transit became the lead agency responsible for the implementation and administration of these Commute Trip Reduction Ordinances. In September 1992, Kitsap Transit formed a Steering Committee, made up of representatives from the jurisdictions involved as well as representatives from major employers throughout Kitsap County. This committee developed the proposed Commute Trip Reduction Plan and Ordinance. This plan and ordinance has been approved by the Washington state Commuter Trip Reduction Task Force Technical Team, Kitsap County Civil Prosecutors, several City Attorneys and Kitsap Transit's own attorney. The County and the four major cities all have the same plan and ordinance. The cities of Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo and Port Orchard have already adopted the plan and ordinance. TAPE #1086 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 3, 1993 Page 7 of 12 The State of Washington is well aware of some of the costs involved with implementing these Commuter Trip Reduction Plans and has provided funds to help each jurisdiction accomplish these tasks. Mr. Ferguson presented Mayor Mentor with a check in the amount of $20,000. He explained this money must be used solely for completing the task outlined in the Commute Trip Reduction Plan. In summary, this Commute Trip Reduction Ordinance will help reduce the number of drive alone commuters coming into the City and is a positive step reducing air pollution and traffic congestion. It will require companies with 100 or more full time employees to develop programs that will entice employees to voluntarily leave their automobile at home. It is important to note that this ordinance, from the beginning, was developed by representatives from the major employers within the City. As a representative from Kitsap Transit and a member of Kitsap County's Commute Trip Reduction Steering Committee, he urged the City of Bremerton to adopt the proposed ordinance and plan as presented. Mrs. Hotton stated during Council's budget discussions in November that $20,000 was discussed and the City does have plans to move forward with implementation of the plan. She noted the City is in the process of filling a Civil Engineering position with transportation expertise to assist the City and to act as a liaison with Kitsap Transit to accomplish that task. Mr. Overson reported the majority of the Council had attended a lengthy study session on this issue. Mr. Ferquson explained at that particular meeting, the major employers were represented. Public comment - none. Mr. Overson questioned who are the major employers in the area that are being impacted and how will they work with Kitsap Transit on this issue? Mr. Fer~uson stated the affected employers are employers that employ 100 or more full time employees that commute to work between the hours of 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM, 12 months of the year. Some of the representatives on the steering Committee that developed the proposed ordinance were: City of Bremerton - Don Pratt, Director Of Community Development, Harrison Hospital - Leon Smith, PSNS - CDR John Gordon, Administrative Officer, The Sun -Ron Muhleman, General Manager, as well as other representatives from major employers throughout the County. Mr. Overson questioned if he was correct that the parameters TAPE #1086 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes Febz1/ary 3, 1993 Page 8 of 12 were 15% reduction by 1995, 25% by 1997, 35% by 1999, in both number of SOY trips as well as vehicles miles. Mr. Ferquson stated Mr. Overson was correct. The Cities within the County as well as the County are within one commute trip reduction zone and in that zone, through computer modeling and extensive data, they have determined that 85% of the commuters commute to work in a SOV and they commute approximately 7.5 miles. All major employers need to reduce SOY commute rate by 15% of the 85% and by the year 1999 it will be 35% less the 85%. In 1999, if everything is successful, 55% of the employees commuting to major employer work sites will be driving a single occupant vehicle and 45% will be getting to work in another manner. Mr. Overson pointed out if a single employer has already 50% of their employees commuting in a SOY, they already meet the requirement of the ordinance. Mr. Ferguson stated that was correct. Mr. Overson raised a question under the following scenario: in 1999 there is an employer of 350+ employees and 335 of those employees are still commuting in SOV's... "what will you do"? Mr. Ferguson stated first of all the State Commute Trip Reduction Task Force, the members of which were appointed by the Governor, will be reviewing the ordinances in 1995 to see if the Commute Trip Reduction Law is effective and cost effective. There are no penalties included in the ordinance for not meeting the goals. There are only penalties for not developing and implementing a Commute Trip Reduction program for their employees. He sees no problems because the major employers are working with them to develop the ordinance and plan and are 100% supportive. Mr. Colvin questioned how many employers did Mr. Ferguson consider "major employers" other than the shipyard? Mr. Fer~uson stated they have identified approximately 40. Mr. Colvinquestioned the number of employees that would involve? Mr. Ferguson stated 25-30,000 within Kitsap County. If the ordinance is adopted, an affected employer has within 90 days to identify themselves as an affected employer, which includes the City of Bremerton. Mr. Collins requested Mr. Ferguson explain how the commute from the shipyard has changed over time. Mr. Ferguson stated there have been eight Counties involved in developing this law and Kitsap County is unique for its Worker/Driver Program, which the other Counties do not have nor know about such a program. That program consists of approximately 50 buses that go into the shipyard and work cooperatively with the shipyard. Kitsap Transit also has the use of OPTICOM, which is not found in any other State in the nation, which enhances the transit system. Richard Hayes, General Manager of Kitsap Transit, TAPE #1086 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 3, 1993 Page 9 of 12 stated the information referenced by Mr. Collins was based on a study conducted by Parametrix Inc., in cooperation and for the City on a new entrance to Bremerton. That information showed that during the afternoon commute over 60% of the people were in other than a SOV, with approximately 13% in worker/driver buses and a similar number in van pools. He has been using this data to look at the prospect of development of a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane through that area, which also might be a distinctive one because it may be the first one in the state to have the requirement of having four or more people in the vehicle to use that lane. It is the highest HOV occupancy percentage in the State of Washington, at this time, and that includes the facilities on the other side of the sound that have separate HOV lanes. Mr. Collins pointed out the shipyard and their employees have done a tremendous job of going into a multiple rider vehicles. Mr. Hayes added the shipyard has had a plan for some considerable length of time since development of the steam plant on a large area of the shipyard. He noted with all the efforts already implemented by the Shipyard, they may already be in compliance with the ordinance as well as being State wide leaders. Mr. Johnson stated he support this proposal because State law mandates it, however, he also predicted that this is just the beginning and starting out like the solid waste issue - wait until this one comes through with the "bottom" line. He questioned the end result - will parking requirements be reduced for new development? He cautioned that there may be other things coming out on this issue that will come out as requirements. He was concerned that the non-commuter will get sucked into this thing and find out that there aren't going to be facilities that should be there. It was also interesting to note that major State agencies, like Olympic College, do not have to participate. He totally supported encouraging people to take advantage of HOV's, however, when it came to putting out "carrots" or "sticks" to use such programs he did have some concerns. Mrs. Hotton stated she believed the option in 15 years from now, if we don't work on something like this, is that we may still stick to our single family vehicle and we will be quagmired in traffic for hours at a time. Los Angeles County has finally launched a light rail system and thus far has been fairly successful for the same reason we are now trying to reduce our SOV's. Mr. Johnson stated he is all for mass transit and it should be made accessible for people so they will use it, but the tack and approach he sees being taken now is the "stick" approach and not the "carrot" approach. Rather than seeing more frequent bus service in expanded areas, he is hearing... "lower parking standards for a company to build so it become harder to find TAPE #1086 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 3, 1993 Page 10 of 12 a place to park". He is asking the City Council and all those working with this proposal to pursue more of the "carrot" side and less on the "stick" side. Mrs. Hotton stated there is no one in the audience, at this time, from the business community and yet she believes Kitsap Transit has worked diligently with those major employers and that they have come collectively in support of this proposal. She believes Kitsap Transit has done an admiral job working with the employers. Mr. Johnson stated Kitsap Transit is doing what they are suppose to do, however, there are major businesses kicking Transit buses out of their parking lots, thereby making it more inconvenient to the citizen. Mr. Dawkins referenced recent activities in large cities, like New York, where not only bus service is being made available by the employers but also by the large shopping centers. He believed more of that type activity will come about to attract participation and at the same time alleviate traffic congestion. President Fits stated she did not believe that anyone thought this would be a painless process. We, on the west coast, have relied on our automobiles rather than mass transportation or buses. She felt Bremerton is "ahead of the game" with this proposal. Mr. Colvin questioned if the HOV experiment had been successful in other areas? Mr. Hayes stated yes, lots of these programs have a fairly long track record. Some of both the "carrot" and "stick" programs are having good success in Southern California, particularly in Los Angeles. He noted the fact that Olympic College is a State institution does not exempt it and at the staff level they may have to be a participant. The student population is exempted but there is progress being made to extend the "U. PASS" program at the community college level. He believes the concerns being raised are also becoming quite apparent to other people on a broader basis...this is a major social change and it has to be approached from every direction. Mr. Johnson pointed out no one complained about the Recycling Ordinance and there was positive responses for passing it. However, now that the program is implemented the City is receiving negative responses from the citizens. He believed a similar situation could arise out of this proposal. Mr. Hayes stated Kitsap Transit has a lot more resources and high level of commitment to make this work. #2228 M/S/C/U(Horton/Colvin) approve recommended Commute Trip TAPE #1086 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 3, 1993 Page 11 of 12 Reduction Draft Ordinance and direct Attorney to prepare Bremerton Ordinance and direct staff to prepare Resolution adopting the Commute Trip Reduction Plan. Mr. Hayes announced on February 23, Kitsap Transit is hosting the people who now park in the residential area on the hillside above the Transit System. Their cars wills be leafletted in regard to moving the residential parking program into that area. Transit will be offering them a months free ride on any part of the service to get them to work other than in their vehicle. He views this as a "carrot" and "stick" approach, which he hopes to make work. Mr. Nevillequestioned if Mr. Hayes was willing to extend that approach into all affected neighborhoods? Mr. Hayes stated yes, they have policy support from their Board to carry out that kind of program. 7A - ORDINANCE NO. 4403 (SECOND READING) CONDEMNATION OF PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF FIRE TOWER CONSTRUCTION, #AB93-016 Public comment - none. #2358 M/S/C(Johnson/Colvin) to pass Ordinance #4403, on second reading, relating to expenditure of Fire Department Fund 307 with wish to pay the cost of acquiring land through condemnation, the land to be used for the purpose of a Fire Department training facility, and approving the condemnation of the property. Vote on motion: Motion carried. In Favor: Overson, Neville, Horton, Fitz, Dawkins, Colvin, Johnson Abstain: Collins 7B - ORDINANCE NO. 4404 (SECOND READING) REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 4220. VACATING PORTIONS OF KITSAP WAY ]&BUTTING LOTS 25 THROUGH 28, BLOCK A, OYSTER BAY ADDITION, #KB93-018 Public comment - none. #2410 M/S/C/U(Horton/Dawkins) to pass Ordinance #4404, on second reading, repealing Ordinance No.4220, vacating portions of Kitsap Way abutting lots 25 through 28, Block A, "Oyster Bay Addition". TAPE #1086 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 3, 1993 Page 12 of 12 With no further business meeting adjourned at 6:50 P.M. KA~HLEE~NL~ S Y, City Clerk EILEEN FITZ, Council President City of Bremerton KLM/EF/me cc: Normal Distribution File/Vault