Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/10/91TAPE #935 UNAPPROVED RAFT CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 10, 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, July 10, 1991, at 5:30 p.m., with Council President Lynn Horton presiding. Council members present: Lon Overson, Wayne Estes, Spencer Horning, Hank Waibel, C. R. "Tiny" Collins, Morrie Dawkins, A1 Colvin and Russ Johnson. 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 David Zaske of the United Methodist Church. President Morton announced Item 6B had been pulled off the Agenda for one week. CONSENT AGENDA - None #0031 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/Waibel) on July 10, 1991, the Council does approve for payment those vouchers included and further described as follows: 132604 through 132736 in the total amount of $276,382.78 and Regular Payroll for the period ending June 30, 1991, in the total amount of $425,049.72. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS Mr. Estes stated he was questioned as to why the City didn't offer free dog/cat license to senior citizens. He felt this might be worth considering, such as 2-licenses per senior household free. On Sunday he visited Cherry Python, Jack The Gripper and Boa George, all constricting reptiles. He noted those animals were kept in good shape and pampered. Their owner also owned a potbellied pig. He hoped the City would come up with an ordinance whereby those who own such pets will provide self-policing within their organization, lend assistance to the Police Department when needed, and offer community educational programs. He corrected a previous statement he made regarding filing fee for City Council positions...when filing for such positions a $60.00 fee is charged. He attended the Chamber Of Commerce luncheon, this date, where representatives from the State Department Of Corrections made a presentation on "Pre-Release Facility". To his knowledge the only TAPE #935 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes July 10, 1991 Page 2 of 9 people against having such a facility in Bremerton were those who had never visited such a facility. In order to educate more citizens on this subject, he will be organizing visits to the Steilacoom site. Mr. Morning reported he attended the Chamber of Commerce luncheon, which was very interesting. During the Pre-Release Facility presentation he learned that people are curious enough to want more information and very few have closed their minds totally in either direction. He would support whatever the community truly wanted and he felt as long as they were informed that decision would be a good decision. Mr. Waibel stated he was glad to be back in Washington after visiting Texas for two weeks. Mr. Johnson stated last week he referenced a city (Oak Harbor) having discord between the City Council and Mayor/when actually it was the City of Gig Harbor. He stressed the important thing relating to City government was to make sure good people ran for elected positions and to elect good people. During his tenure on Council he had noticed the County changes its mind every few years as to filing fees and it seemed they financially impacted only those even numbered Council positions. When City laws are passed they aren't made for the type of people who are law abiding and responsible citizens, but for those who are less responsible and who do not obey laws. Mr. Colvim congratulated Parks Department personnel for doing such a good job in cleaning up Lions Field in spite of the vandalism that occurred over the 4th of July. Representatives of the Bremerton Central Lions Club will meet with Mayor Mentor, Vicki Vanneman of the Parks Department and Police Department to discuss ways to prevent such destruction happening.next year. Mr. Collins announced the next meting of Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency will be Thursday, July 11. Recently he was contacted by Ed Rollman, who inquired about the City providing some type of signage on "historical" significant homes/places within the City. Mr. Collins felt this might be a good idea of identifying such places as the Bramen house, old Soriano market, etc. He requested help from his fellow Council members and the Historic Society to see if there was some way to identify such places and add to tourist type activities available in the Bremerton area. He wished Mike Thornley happy birthday on his 90th birthday. Mrs. Morton reported she also attended the Chamber of Commerce luncheon, which was very informative. She felt it would be an advantage to have similar type forums on other issues, helping to educate the public on both sides of issues. TAPE #935 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes July 10, 1991 Page 3 of 9 PUBLIC RECOGNITION Mayor Mentor reported on his recent trip to Washington, D.C., accompanying the Bremerton Knights Band for the 4th of July celebration in that city. He had nothing but high praise for the students and adult chaperons on their conduct and performance during this event. He was pleased and somewhat surprised with the warm welcome the Bremerton contingency received from the thousands of people along the parade route. He noted the students were great ambassadors and their parade performance was outstanding. Eric Nelson, fund raiser and coordinator of the trip, briefly outlined the trip agenda, which included visits to many memorials. The band and drill team, who represented the entire State of Washington, and competed with 47 High School Bands, received the Spirit Of America Award by a unanimous vote. This award is suppose to typify the unit that best exemplifies the spirit and patriotism in the parade. And, they won 4th place in the Parade Competition. This was a national competition and many bands had 100-250 members. Jeff Miller, Bremerton Knights Band Director, gave a glowing report on the bands participation in the entire event. He appreciated having an adult, Eric Nelson, take on the fund raising responsibility, which freed him up to concentrate on the band's performance. The students enthusiasm was incredible and this trip was the highlight of his career as a band director. Del Knauss, Olympic Avenue, referenced a news article which stated "Activists pay off", relating to retention of park land in a neighboring community. He applauded the three Kitsap County Commissioners for standing up to the State to save park land in South Kitsap. He emphasized the Commissioners did what the citizens asked them to do. He accused the City Council and Mayor of not representing the citizens of Bremerton in their support of selling Roosevelt Field. Mr. Knauss disagreed with Mr. Collins' statement last week that Sean Newsome was doing a disservice when talking with people about the proposed new entrance into Bremerton. He felt Mr. Newsome was doing just the opposite and providing factual information to those residents. In regard to the Pre- Release Prison facility, Mr. Knauss pointed out that in 1990, 8 inmates escaped the Steilcoom facility and so far this year there had been two escapes, with three of those prisoners still at large. He believed people in Steilacoom didn't mind living next to a Pre- Release facility when they knew it might be moved to another community. He questioned if Mr. Estes voted to trade Roosevelt Field in support for his proposal to bring a prison to Bremerton? Wade Leiske suggested the City eliminate all parking meters except for the long-term commuter parking spaces. He questioned the need for any kind of a route that would direct 40,000 vehicles per day into Bremerton. He again expressed his concern over the way City calculates sewer charges on the amount of water used. His home is TAPE #935 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes July 10, 1991 Page 4 of 9 located to the south of the sewer treatment plant and he has to put up with offensive odors each summer. He questioned why wasn't the City correcting the system so it worked properly and eliminated the odor. Sean Mewsome, N. Cambrian, wished Mike Thornley happy birthday on his 90th birthday. He noted his wife is an avid bus rider and he supports her efforts to help reduce the number of vehicles on the streets. He felt there should be more emphasis on alternative transportation than on expanding roadways into the City, which would carry large volumes of traffic. In reference to the new proposed entrance to Bremerton, he emphasized he did have up-to-day information on what the City is looking at as the new entrance into Bremerton and believed he knew more about the project than the average person. He read a letter from Mrs. Hurlins, Patten Avenue, stating she did not support the proposed route for the new entrance into Bremerton, particularly the portion that would divide Forest Ridge Park. Don Atkinson, Bremerton Main street Association, extended an open invitation to everyone to attend the Sunday Farmers' Market. Ed Hume, well known Horticulturist, will be featured at the Market stating at 12:00 noon. Roy McInnis, 2711 Maple Street, stated he was concerned over a situation that was unjust and unfair and would first talk with the City Attorney and Chief Of Police. However, if he did not get some kind of resolution to his concern he will come back to Council. Roy Runion, 644 N. Charleston, stated he supported Sean Newsome and Del Knauss's efforts regarding the proposed new entrance into Bremerton. He felt the City should take this opportunity to move away from reliance on the automobile and concentrate on enhanced transit use. He did not think Bremerton should be turned into a convenience for commuters. He recognized the economic importance of the shipyard and Navy but believed effort should go into looking at mass transit. 6A - PARKIMG GARAGE SECURITY, #ABgl-180 City staff and the Mayor have looked at number of possible solutions to the City Parking Garage security problems. Some of the potential solutions required major structural modification and were therefore rejected. In working with Jim Lambert of Diamond Parking, the consensus reached was that several security measures should be taken as follows: 1. Install gates at level two automobile entrance and exit. Levels one and two are visible from street level and less prone to vandalism. TAPE #935 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes July 10, 1991 Page 5 of 9 2. Install gates at pedestrian exit/entrance on Fourth Street and on Washington Avenue and as needed on Fifth Street to restrict entrance. The doors will be equipped with a panic bar for emergency exit. 3. Close garage at 7:00 p.m. and reopen at 5:00 a.m. - Monday through Friday (except floors one and two which will remain open). These hours should accommodate most monthly parkers in the garage. 4. Floors one and two (which remain open) should be available for hourly and daily parking (no monthly) thereby accommodating those attending evening functions in Bremerton or Seattle. 5. Hire security guard for eight hour shift, Monday through Friday. Hours to be varied between 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. It is suggested that the security guard (or guards, this could be several part-time people) be hired on a contract initially or be hired by Diamond and reimbursed under their contract. 6. Levels one and two only will remain open on week-ends at this time. Based upon current use, the sixty spaces available on levels one and two will accommodate week-end parking. The garage can be fully open for special events such as Seahawk football games, Armed Forces events, etc. Week-end reopening of the entire facility will depend upon demand. 7. Diamond Parking staff will secure the gates and doors at 7:00 p.m. and reopen at 5:00 a.m. The cost of the above proposal is as follows: Security Guard $1,000/month Gates at pedestrian entrance/exit and at vehicle entrance/exit $20,350 Gates to be of wrought iron and colored so as to soften look. You will receive a proposal shortly to raise parking fees and institute a Parking Lot Tax as provided for in the last legislative session. These funds will help off-set the cost of security measures. Kathleen McCluskey, City Clerk, stated because revenues for the garage and parking infractions were coming in higher than estimated and expenditures were running slightly lower than estimated, funding would be available to make the suggested improvements. She pointed out the number of incident reports from the garage were running high, being pure vandalism, theft type activities. If something is not done soon, the City will loose revenues as people TAPE #935 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes July 10, 1991 Page 6 of 9 stop using the facility. President Morton questioned if this item had been heard by Council Fiscal and Budget Committee? Mrs. McCluskey stated yes. Mayor Mentor stated security within the parking garage had been a "headache" since he became Mayor and after looking at many ideas as to what could be done he felt this proposal would provide needed security and was affordable. Besides the vandalism to automobiles, there is vandalism to the elevator and walkways. President Morton questioned if the elevator would be blocked off during the hours of closure of the upper floors? Mayor Mentor stated yes, the elevators and stairways would be blocked off. Public comment - none. Mr. Overson noted that proceeding with this project could have been expedited had the Budget Adjust and proposed rate increases been included with this proposal. Mr. Johnson questioned who would the proposed security guard work for? Mrs. McCluskey stated they were proposed to hire a temporary person through Diamond Parking, who manages the garage. Mr. Johnson questioned why would the City approve what Diamond Parking did? Mrs. McCluskey stated the City would fund this temporary person through a negotiated amendment to the contract. It was felt that the City wants to specify the levels of security and not leave it up to Diamond Parking to make those decisions. Mr. Johnson emphasized that what was needed was a contract amendment to the Diamond Parking contract to provide staffing of a security guard. Mrs. McCluskey stated that was the intent of the proposal. Mr. Johnson felt $20,000 was an excessive amount for two gates. He questioned if the City shut down the elevator then it would do away with having a handicapped access to the garage. President morton emphasized that the bottom two floors would be the only available parking once the upper floors were gated and that would eliminate the need for use of the elevator. Mrs. McCluskey stated those using the two floors that would be available after 7:00 PM, would have to enter at the front of the garage on Washington Avenue. President Morton stated her support of this proposal, requesting staff bring the appropriate Budget Adjustment back to Council for approval in order to keep this project moving forward. Mr. Collins stated he did not understand the mechanism that would allow a commuter to get their vehicle out of the garage if they arrived after the 7:00 P.M. gate closure. He felt there would be times when someone could not, for whatever reason, move their vehicle out of the garage upper floors prior to the 7:00 P.M. closure. Mrs. McCluskeV stated under this proposal it would be #1881 TAPE #935 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes July 10, 1991 Page 7 of 9 impossible to accommodate everyone and the City would have to do a good job of public relations informing the public of the changes. If someone was consistently working beyond 7:00 P.M., then they would not be able to park in the garage. In the situation where someone would be parking in the garage after closure time, there would be a system whereby someone could call Diamond Parking, who would then provide access to the garage for the removal of that vehicle. There would probably be some arrangement with the City's Police Department to respond as a backup. President Morton questioned if a"key card" access system had been considered? Mrs. McOluskeV stated that type of system had not come up in discussion with Diamond Parking, however, she will give it further study. Mr. Morning felt that Council's comment that they want to do something to improve security should be enough for the Mayor and staff to proceed. He was supportive of the proposal, however, he felt the security guard should stay later than the 7: 00 P.M. closure time. Mrs. McCluskey stated the reason they proposed to close the upper floors at 7:00 PM and the security person would leave at that time, was because only the lower two floors would be open to the public. The major area of concern related to the upper parking levels and by closing them off from access it was felt there would be no need for the security guard to stay beyond 7:00 P.M. M/S/C/U(Horning/Colvin) to ask the Mayor and staff to bring back recommendations including specifics as to exact hours of operatiohs of the garage, budget adjustment identifying funding, proposed increase in parking rates and modification of the Diamond Parking Contract. Councilman Collins left the Council Chambers at 6:30 P.M. 7A - ORDINANCE #4335 (SECOND READING) ADOPTING WASHINGTON STATE ENERGY CODE AND WASHINGTON STATE INDOOR AIR OUALITY CODE AND REPEALING ORDINANCE #4246 AND ORDINANCE #4223, SECTION 1(9), #AB 91-172 Public comment - none Mr. Johnson stated in reading through the codes, there were a number of exceptions that apply to buildings that are properly approved as historic preservation projects. Reference is made to local "Historic Preservation Commission", approved according to State and Federal Standards, which could be formed to function within local jurisdictions. He anticipated bringing further information to Council on forming such a Commission at the August or September Council Study Session. Mr. Overson commended Mr. Johnson for reading the entire Code documents, analyzing them and #1954 #2790 TAPE #935 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes July 10, 1991 Page 8 of 9 giving the Council good, solid guidance. M/S/C/U(Waibel/Estes) to pass Ordinance #4335, on second reading, amending Section 17.04 of the Bremerton Building and Fire Safety Code, adopting the 1991 Washington State Energy Code and the Washington State Indoor Air Quality Code and repealing the Northwest Energy Code. 7B - RESOLUTION #2353, PROPOSED L.I.D. LAKEHURST DRIVE STREET IMPROVEMENT, #AB91-182 A petition was accepted by City Council on April 10, 1991, for a L.I.D. on Lakehurst Drive from Cedarwood Drive south to Dockside. Engineering has completed their review of this petition and prepared the preliminary assessment roll necessary to proceed with this L.I.D. Engineering is now requesting Council approval of the proposed resolution establishing the L.I.D. and setting the hearing date. Public comment - none. Mr. Johnson questioned if this stretch of road was the last of the graveled streets in the City? Jan Stemkoski, Assistant City Engineer, stated there were a few others in the City. Mr. Johnson noted the financial burden of such a proposal on the residents was not as significant as one might think. Mr. Stemkoski stated the resident assessment would run for three years. Mr. Overson questioned if this street improvement would be developed according to City standards and once finished would be the City's responsibility to maintain? Mr. Stemkoski stated the City already had the responsibility to maintain the street, even in its graveled state, and would have the responsibility for future paving needs. Mr. Dawkins questioned how soon would the project be completed? Mr. Stemkoski stated a public hearing on this issue is scheduled for August 7th and after that there is a 30-day waiting period with a projected start date of September 8. Mr. Waibel pointed out the L.I.D. method of improvement was open to any residents in the City and Council should be encouraging use of this method for other areas needing improvement. Mr. Stemkoski stated they have four alleys that will be improved through this process soon. M/S/C/U(Johnson/Colvin) to approve Resolution #5253, establishing a Local Improvement District (L.I.D.) for Lakehurst Drive from Cedarwood Drive south to the Plat of Dockside. TAPE #935 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes July 10, 1991 Page 9 of 9 Mr. Overson reminded Council members of the July 15th Study Session to address "1992 Goals and Objectives". With no further business meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m. KATHLEEN L. MCCLUSKEY, C~'I'~ CLERK APPROVED LY~ HORTON, Council President City of Bremerton KLM/LH/me cc: Normal Distribution File/Vault