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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/06/91TAPE #887 UNAPPROVED DF 7T CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES #0018 #0035 FEBRUARY 6, 1991 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 6, 1991, at 5:30 p.m., with Council President Lynn Horton presiding. Council members present: Wayne Estes, Spencer Horning, Hank Waibel, Morrie Dawkins, A1 Colvin and Russ Johnson. Councilmen Lon Overson and C. R. "Tiny" Collins were absent. Also present were City Attorney Ian Sievers and City Clerk Kathleen McCluskey. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by President Lynn Horton and the Invocation given by Reverend Doug Barker of Olympic Evangelical Free Church. President Horton announced Council would hold a Study Session immediately following the Council meeting to discuss the City's "Ethics Ordinance". CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes Of Meeting - January 23, 1991, #AB91-026 M/S/C/U(Waibel/Dawkins) to approve 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 has been made available to the council. M/S/C/U(Colvin/Estes) on February 6, 1991, the Council does approve for payment those vouchers included and further described as follows: 123782, 123783, 123787, 124147 through 124292 in the total amount of $378,544.27. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS Mr. Colvin reported the School Bond Issue appeared to be passing and he hoped it would be validated. He reminded everyone that the Bremerton Central Lions Club's KITZ Radio-Thon will take place on February 7 and 8. He thanked Bill Duffy, Utilities Director and Ian Sievers, City Attorney, for the proposal relating to the former Manette Treatment Plant property. He announced NARF Group of Kitsap County would be providing an Income Tax Preparation And Assistance Program, Mondays and Fridays, 12:00 noon - 4:00 PM, at the Sheridan Park Community Center. This free service was available to all senior citizens. Mr. Dawkins noted the positive voter response to the School Bond Issue and felt it was another step in the right direction for TAPE #887 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 6, 1991 Page 2 of 8 improving the community. He urged everyone to continue praying for the military forces in the middle east. Mr. Rstes announced "Lady Washington", the tall sailing ship based in Aberdeen, will be in Bremerton on May 23 and 24 for public tours. He hoped the visit of the Lady Washington could become an annual event. As reported by Bob Sauter, the memorial for the USS Saratoga had arrived and will be set in place soon, followed by a special ceremony this spring. Mr. Estes extended a special "thank you" to Bob for his diligence in promoting the uniqueness of Ivy Green Cemetery. Mr. Homing attended the Kitsap Executive Planning Council meeting this date. During the discussions on CenCom, the Department Of Emergency Management provided a debriefing memo outlining what happened during the storms in December, what happened after the storms passed and what was affected. If anyone in the community wished to provide input or comment on this report, they should contact Mayor Mentor. Mr. Horning noted there were many things done behind the scenes that were very significant during and after the December storms. On the issue of Transit, he noted they are in the process of receiving new buses that will be of benefit to the ridership, including the handicapped. During the Board of Health segment, discussion was held on "water rights" and proposed legislation. The Kitsap Sub-Regional Council selected Mark Kaulas, Chelan County Planner, as their Director. Annexation policies will be one of the first issues addressed by the new Director. A Recreational Summit is scheduled for March 9th that will deal primarily with programming and working together with all Parks groups throughout the County. Mary McClure, a consultant of Kitsap County, was designated point person on this event. Lastly, Mr. Horning expressed great concern over a recent newspaper article in the Sun in which the headline read "No Conflict, says Horning". He adamantly protested that this was an untruth - a conflict of interest is a very serious charge and a financial statement that he could have benefitted from a decision made by a vote of the Council, of which he was a member. He stated strongly that the allegation was not true, that he had no financial interest of any kind; and because he is an elected official The Sun apparently believed they could say anything they wanted to, regardless of the truth. The Sun's attorney stated to Mr. Horning that they did not make their case and the article was not correct. He also spoke with the City's attorney, Ian Sievers, who advised him that there was no conflict. In his opinion, The Sun's actions reflected the same style of journalism as the National Inquirer. He pointed out this was not the way to get people to read and understand government. He felt it brought about "character assignation" and that it must stop. He emphasized he was not the first elected official to feel an attempt in that manner. He believed The Sun personally attacked him, who he is and his family and he is very TAPE #887 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 6, 1991 Page 3 of 8 offended by their actions. Had he been aware that anything would be made of his having a business relationship with Mr. McCluskey, he would have stepped down on the ambulance transporting issue. He explained that two or three weeks prior, during a rezone hearing on an apartment complex, he willing offered to step down due to the fact that he was in the business of building multi-family housing. However, there was no objection made by anyone to his remaining seated on that issue. He elaborated on the fact that Council members readily stepped down from hearing issues when there appeared to be a valid conflict of interest. It was no wonder that Mr. Estes had asked the question "why don't more people run for public office" when this sort of treatment is given to elected officials. And, Mr. Horning was appalled by The Sun's willingness to do such a thing and had they called their attorney first they would have known there was no conflict of interest. Mr. Waibel stated he was very gratified that enough citizens of Bremerton had the interest in exercising their right, that military forces were fighting for, to get out and vote and that they were far-sighted enough to vote in favor of the School Bond levy. President Hotton extended a "thank you" to each and everyone who voted and cast a yes vote for the future of our schools and the City of Bremerton. Even though in years past Bremerton had a bad reputation as to quality of schools, she felt a large part of that was attributed to the lack of adequate facilities. PUBLIC RECOGNITION Mayor Mentor reminded every one of the planned marches showing support of our military forces on February 9 (starting from Fred Meyers and progressing down Wheaton Way to Sylvan) and February 16 (starting at 10:30 AM at Wycoff Park and proceeding north on Pacific). Mayor Mentor introduced his wife, Paulette, and asked her to read a Proclamation recognizing Deaf Awareness Week and special activities scheduled at Crownhill Elementary School. Paulette Mentor read the Proclamation by using sign language, which accentuated the limitations of the hearing impaired. Mayor Mentor then read the Proclamation out loud and Proclaimed the Week of February 11 through 15 as DEAF AWARENESS WEEK. Hila Cochran, teacher at Crownhill School, accepted the Proclamation on behalf of Principal Jerry Johnson and the staff at Crownhill School. As teachers working with hearing impaired children, they feel their job is two parts: (1) to train the child and educate the child how to become happy, whole, healthy, contributing member of society; and (2) to educate the society to accept the hearing impaired. Deaf Awareness Week started last year and because of its success they decided to make it an annual event at the school. This event provides an opportunity for children and adults to learn about TAPE #887 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 6, 1991 Page 4 of 8 special equipment used by the hearing impaired, such as hearing aids, to listen to simulated tapes of different types of hearing losses, learn about special equipment that helps the hearing impaired, such as a special alarm clock and light flashers for the telephone and doorbell, etc. Ms. Cochran outlined the "Signing" program started at the school and noted the large response of students who have taken on the extra learning of sign language as an after school activity. She invited everyone to come and share this learning experience at Crownhill School during Deaf Awareness Week. Mayor Mentor noted he and his wife would be attending the special Story Telling event on Friday evening. Carol Jenkins, Code 108 Puget Sound Naval Shipyard -EEO Office, read a press release announcing Black History Month (February) activities planned for Puget Sound Naval shipyard and Kitsap County. A Community Unity Banquet is scheduled for February 23, 1991, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Kitsap Pavilion. This banquet is open to all individuals and to make the theme a community reality, the military, civilian employees, local community organizations and Kitsap County leaders agreed to sponsor this one combined event rather than individual commemorations. Tickets for this event are $16.00 and may be purchased until February 15 at the following locations: Olympic College Multi-Cultural Center (478-6976); Kitsap Mall Information Booth, NAACP (479-2398); Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Ticket Office in the Base gym (476-7576); Keyport- EEO Office; Naval Base Bangor and Blacks In government (476-8813). Graham Kent, representing Bremerton Central Lions Club, announced the Club's annual Eye Bank Radio-Thon would take place over Radio Station KITZ on February 7 and 8. He encouraged everyone to participate and help raise funds that will be used to support the Lions Eye Bank. Mr. Kent gave a brief history of the establishment of the Eye Bank and participation by local Lions Club members. Bill Holt announced the Radio-Thon would include an auction and encouraged everyone to tune in and participate in this worthwhile event. Mr. Dawkins and Mr. Colvin noted a number of interesting experiences when transporting donated eyes to the University of Washington. Mayor Mentor noted a Letter To The Editor Of The Sun newspaper credited the City for placement of American flags along Pacific Avenue on Wednesdays. Mayor Mentor noted the City could not take the credit as the Bremerton Central Lions Club had undertaken that project. Don Larson, 135 Rainier Avenue, announced on Thursday, February 7, 4:00 PM, Washington Sea Grant would hold a meeting in Silverdale at All Star Lanes to discuss water quality of Puget Sound. The Washington Sea Grant Committee would be seeking volunteers to assist in this endeavor. Mr. Larson reported he had a continuing TAPE #887 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 6, 1991 Page 5 of 8 disagreement with Brem-Air Disposal, Inc., over the minimum garbage collection rate and was not sure how to resolve it. The disputed issue related to a $1.75 monthly rate, as cited in the Garbage Contract, for those households who do not generate collectible garbage. He also noted that the Garbage Contract calls for the garbage collection company to pick up all garbage and he provided photos showing that this was not the case in some instances. He noted an old couch in the alleyway behind City Hall had not been removed even after he brought it to the City's attention several months ago. He reported that another garbage strewn area, located at 107 1/2 Rainier Avenue, had not been cleaned up even after he had reported it to the City several months ago. He noted the Garbage Contract was very specific about the responsibility of the garbage collection company's responsibility to leave areas clean and sanitary when picking up garbage. Lastly, he related a recent incident where a guest of his received a parking ticket for overtime parking in front of his residence. He questioned if only short term parking is allowed what could he do in the event he had an out-of-state guest? President Hotton directed Mr. Larson to talk with City Clerk on the on these issues. 6A - SURPLUS OF CITY VEHICLES, #AB91-027 The City has recently had two vehicles totaled in traffic accidents. (City employees were not at fault in either event.) A declaration of surplus is needed to allow for the disposal of these vehicles. Rich Hanna, City Treasurer, stated the original intent was to replace the older vehicle (#1454) this year when the new patrol cars were delivered, however circumstances did not comply with intended plans. Vehicle #1241 was a more recent addition to the City's fleet and unfortunately was in service for only a short time. In both instances, City employees, who were in the vehicles at the time of accidents, were not seriously injured. And, Mr. Hanna pointed out the City is self-insured and did not carry coverage for collision or this type of vehicle damage. These vehicles will be replaced with funds from the Equipment Rental Fund and Risk Management Fund. Public comment - none. Mr. Homing questioned if the City would make effort to recover the costs from the persons at fault in the incidents? Mr. Hanna stated it was hoped that eventually the City would recover the values of the vehicles through that process, particularly in the case of the Mercury. Mr. Walbel pointed out that the City employees involved in the accidents were wearing seat belts. #1475 TAPE #887 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 6, 1991 Page 6 of 8 M/S/C/U(Waibel/Horning) to declare Vehicles #1241 and #1454 surplus and to authorize their disposal in the best interest of the City. 7A - RESOLUTION #2335, INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT: PENINSULA REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PIANI~IN~ OR~]&NIZ~TION, #~Bgl-0~ The Growth Management Act of 1990, authorized the creation of Regional Transportation Planning Organizations to coordinate Regional Transportation Planning. The Peninsula RTPO proposes to include jurisdictions in Clallam, Mason, Jefferson and Kitsap Counties. Council authorization is required for signature to an Interlocal Agreement. Richard Haves, Executive Director Kitsap Transit, stated he was speaking on behalf of Kitsap Transit and Don Pratt, Director of Community development, in recommending that the City participate in the Olympic Regional Transportation Planning Organization (ORTPO). They have observed an initial inkling of the value of such an organization in their efforts to put together a collective Kitsap point of view on ferry service. It was that kind of combined effort that would be needed over the next few years to survive the anticipated growth. This action would not lock the City into a choice between Puget Sound Council Of Governments and Olympic RTPO. He also believes there will be a new era of cooperation between State agencies and local planning activities. Public comment - none. Mr. Johnson questioned if the Indian Tribes would be included in the proposed agreement? Mr. Hayes stated involvement of the Tribes would wait on discussion that Kitsap Subsregional Council was carrying forward. The concepts that would be arrived at could be carried over into this agreement. Mr. Johnson emphasized that Bremerton was strongly supportive of cooperating with the Tribes in regional planning; and he wished to see that continued in the transportation field as well. And, he expressed concern, in Section 5, over the Washington State Department Of Transportation being named the lead agency and not one of the Peninsula governments. He questioned if Mr. Hayes saw any problems with such a designation? Mr. HaVes stated that was explicitly a temporary designation to June 30, 1991. That agency, which is also the source of funding, made a strong commitment to support the staffing as well. And, none of the local governmental entitles had staff available to take that project on and get it up and running. Effort will be made during this six month period to define a more permanent solution to the lead agency designation. Mr. Colvin questioned if the Indian Tribes had been contacted #1963 TAPE #887 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 6, 1991 Page 7 of 8 regarding this issue? Mr. Homing stated he was part of a group and in some ways acting as a mediator between the Tribes and Kitsap County delegate. The discussion on Tribal involvement is primarily aimed for the Puget Sound Council Of Governments. He does not recall if the Tribes had been asked specifically to join in this agreement, however, he would see that they were if they had not been. It was his feeling that the Tribes would not be at full participation at every level because of their Federal tie. The Tribes have indicated their thanks to the Bremerton City Council and Mayor Mentor for supporting their becoming a part of such planning. Mr. Horning pointed out that the City had a six month window to give notice of withdrawal to either or both RTPOs. He felt the City was in an excellent position to form this RTPO, work with the players and make things right for the good of all entities. Mr. Hayes stated he would carry Council's concern relating to Tribal participation to the work group that would be meeting on February 9. Mr. Waibel stated having reviewed the Agreement and proposed Resolution, he requested that the word "Olympic" be deleted from the Resolution. M/S/C/U(Waibel/Johnson) to adopt Resolution #2335, with the deletion of the word "O1Vmpic," that authorizes the Mayor to sign the Peninsula Regional Transportation Organization Interlocal Agreement. Mr. Homing noted additional copy of the Peninsula RTPO Work Plan was available to review. 7B - RESOLUTION #2336, SETTING ASIDE A PORTION OF IVY GREEN CEMETERY FOR THE USE OF UNITED STATES SUBMARINE VETERANS, #AB91-028 The United States Submarine Veterans have requested that a portion of Ivy Green Cemetery be set aside for their use so that they may be buried in the same area. A total of 40 burial sites would be reserved for their use. Each member would be responsible for purchasing their own plot and headstone. Collectively, the U.S. Submarine Veterans would erect a monument commemorating those veterans who served in the U.S. Navy Submarines. Mr. Estes stated Ivy Green Cemetery had to be one of the most unique cemeteries in the nation as it contained a replica of the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier, the upcoming USS Saratoga Monument, honoring the unknown American sailors, Monument for Grand Army Of The Republic, section for the SpanishAmerican War Veterans and now the proposed set aside section for United States Submarine Veterans. There would be no cost to the City for this proposal as individual Submarine Veterans would be responsible to purchase the cemetery lots; and it would provide another group of volunteers to help maintain the cemetery area. Also, the Resolution will be #2119 TAPE #887 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes February 6, 1991 Page 8 of 8 forwarded to the National organization and they in turn would publicize the establishment and availability of the designated area. Public comment - none. ME. Johnson noted he served 12 years in the Submarine Service and thanked Mr. Estes for his work in setting up this proposal. He felt it would be a beautiful section of the cemetery when completed. He stressed the fact that Ivy Green Cemetery served the purpose for the general citizens and even indigents; plus a large portion is used for the final resting place of many military personnel. Effort is currently underway to seek National military recognition of the cemetery site and Mr. Johnson volunteered to help in this endeavor. M/S/C/U(Estes/Johnson) to adopt Resolution #2336, setting aside a portion of Ivy Green Cemetery For The Use Of United States Submarine Veterans. With no further business meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. ~LEEN L.t~CCLUS~Y, CITY CLER~ APPROVED tTO,~x Council President City of Bremerton KLM/LH/me cc: Normal Distribution File/Vault