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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/02/91TAPE #958 UNAPPROVED DRAFT CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES #0020 #0044 OCTOBER 2, 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, October 2, 1991, at 5:30 p.m., with Council Vice President Morrie Dawkins presiding. Council members present: Lon Overson, Wayne Estes, Hank Waibel, C. R. "Tiny"Collins. Council President Lynn Horton and Councilmen Russ Johnson and Spencer Horning were absent. Also present were City Attorney Ian Sievers and City Clerk Kathleen L. McCluskey. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Vice President Dawkins and Invocation given by Reverend Gary Fogelquist of the Seventh- Day Adventist Church. CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes Of Meeting - September 18, 1991, #AB91-250 M/S/C/U(Waibel/Colvin) 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 had been made available to the council. M/S/C/U(Colvin/Collins) on October 2, 1991, the Council does approve for payment those vouchers included and further described as follows: 136952, 136947, 136948, 136960 through 137066 in the total amount of $267,752.84 and Retirees' Payroll for the period ending September 30, 1991, in the total amount of $54,235.81. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS Mr. Overson assured everyone that work was underway on the waterfront project and was being carried out "behind the scenes" at this point. Progress is being made on the project and the time schedule is still relevant to that progress. He emphasized the Farmers' Market will continue through the month of October. Mr. Estes reminded everyone of the Chamber Round Table meeting every Wednesday morning at the E1 Camino Restaurant, 7:30AM. Current topics for that meeting are centering on candidates for the various elected offices as well as the initiatives. TAPE #958 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes October 2, 1991 Page 2 of 11 Mr. Colvin reported Bremerton now has 15 new Voter Registrars as a result of the recent Voter Registrar training held .September 26. During the Bremerton Central Lions Club meeting this date they heard a very interesting presentation by Judy Collins of the Literacy Council. He announced the Kitsap County Leadership Prayer Breakfast will be held October 24, at the Bayview Inn.. The guest speaker for this event will be Joe Foss, former Governor of South Dakota, war hero, sportsman, TV personality, WWII flying ace, etc. Mr. Colvin noted during WWII he was a member of an all black flying unit and during that service time Captain Joe Foss was one of his heroes. Up to now he had never met Joe Foss and was looking forward with great anticipation to meeting and hearing Joe at the Leadership Prayer Breakfast. Lastly, he is planning a Town Meeting Forum on Propositions 1 and 2 on October 29, in the City Council Chambers. He will be holding a planning meeting on this topic on Thursday, October 3, ll:00AM in the Council Conference Room. Mr. Dawkins reported at 7:30 P.M., this date, there will be a public meeting on "Open Space", at the Kitsap Pavilion. This meeting is sponsored by the Kitsap County Commissioners and Open Space Council. PUBLIC RECOGNITION Mayor Louis Mentor read a Proclamation recognizing the importance of Emergency Nurses and their endeavor to educate the public in the prevention and treatment of emergency services; and proclaimed Wednesday, October 2 as EMERGENCY NURSES' DAY. Mayor Mentor stated he attended the funeral of Puget Sound Council OF Governments (PSCOG) and announced the birth of Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). An event is scheduled this weekend titled: "Old Timers Game of softball". A banquet will be held for this group on Sunday at 12:30 P.M. He announced Kitsap Party will take place on October 12. He announced George Allen will be celebrating his 80th birthday on October 6. Mayor Mentor referenced a recent article in The Sun concerning his Public Opinion survey and he wished to clarify one point in that article via a "Letter to the editor", part of which he read as follows: "Thank you for the coverage you haue given my Public Opinion Poll. I believe this type of coverage in the news media contributes to greater citizen participation. I would like to clarify one point, however, the article on October 1, 1991, states "Mentor says he expects to have votes from far more residents than the number who TAPE #958 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes October 2, 1991 Page 3 of 11 voted in the February 1990 Special Election to make it more difficult for the City to sell Roosevelt Field to OC". Mayor Mentor stressed that quote was entirely incorrect, he did not make such a statement nor had he ever compared his Public Opinion Poll with a vote of the people. What he is surveying is simply public opinion. He never claimed the survey to be scientific, binding or a vote. He represents all the people of Bremerton and believed it was important for him to know how they feel on issues that affect the entire community. This poll does not mean an election of these issues would turn out the same way - people's vote could be very different from responses on questionnaires". Carl Johnson, Kitsap Outreach, announced the 6th Annual Kitsap Leadership Prayer Breakfast will be held October 24, 1991, 6:45 AM to 8:30 AM, at the Bayview Inn. The special guest speaker for this event will be Joe Foss, former Governor of South Dakota, war hero, sportsman and TV personality. Mr. Johnson extended an open invitation to participate in this event. Also, he announced this Saturday, 10:00AM, the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Bremerton is sponsoring a "Walk For Life", which will start from Lions Field. Vicki Vanneman, Director Of Parks and Recreation, introduced Reverend Ric Glomstad of the Sylvan Way Baptist Church, who is sponsoring a youth rally the weekend of October 4,5,6. Ms. Vanneman explained that the Parks Department was not sponsoring any of the activities planned, however, they were coordinating parks facilities. Ric Glomstad explained his 9- month planning effort to bring 1,000 teens to Bremerton for a youth rally. Rally activities include: setting up a tent city on Lions Field to house the teen on Friday evening, Kids Carnivals, participating in beach clean up around Sinclair Inlet, visitations to the elderly in nursing homes, parks beautification programs, fund raising for County Juvenile Detention facility and Adolescent Day-Treatment program of Kitsap Mental Health. Judy Collins Literacy Council, stated the Literacy Council had been in Kitsap County for 12 years and in the past two years they became a non-profit private organization, previously under the umbrella of the State Library. Currently the Literacy Council is housed in the lower portion of the 5th Avenue Public Library. They are the recipient of City Block Grant funding, which provides funding for their Office Manager and support clerical staff. All other members of the staff are volunteers. As a Board member, she is in charge of public relations and fund raising. She provided State statistics that reflected there is one in seven citizens who are TAPE #958 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes October 2, 1991 Page 4 of 11 functionally illiterate. That means they read and write below the 5th grade level. Using the 1990 census, she calculated there are over 18,000 illiterate residents in Kitsap County alone. Their organization has reached only 2,000 of these people. She emphasize most of their students come to them by word-of-mouth because they don't read, they don't use the phone book nor read the newspaper and they do not know how to network. For every student they need a tutor and their program provides free tutoring on a one-on-one basis. She requested the assistance of the public in placing publicity posters in places of business or service. The Literacy Council Office phone number is 373-1539. Del Knauss, Olympic Avenue, expressed concern over the Mayor's wording of questions on the water bill poll and the utilization of such information. He questioned why didn't the Mayor include in the question that replacement of Roosevelt Field's amenities alone would cost $665,000 and that would not include purchasing the 7.3 acres, which could cost a couple million dollars in Bremerton's core area? He questioned why didn't the Mayor give people the choice, such as: "should Bremerton retain Roosevelt Field", "help provide OC with 500 additional parking spaces close by"? He felt the Mayor's question about Roosevelt Field was a slap in the face to the 2,410 registered voters, (73%) who voted to save the parks and open space. He questioned if Mayor Mentor was trying to tell the registered voters of Bremerton that their vote does not count because his poll says 68% of 5,000 respondents say trade Roosevelt Field? .He questioned did the Mayor consider many of the respondents to the questionnaire were non-voters, out-of- state renters registered to vote in their own state, or how many of the responses were answered by single landlords who got to vote numerous time. He pointed out there are about 17,000 people who receive Bremerton's water service and 42% of them are County residents. If Mayor Mentor feels a vote taken by the registered voters does not hold more weight than a water bill poll, maybe Bremerton should start electing its Mayor and Council members with a water bill poll. He could not believe Mayor Mentor would release information about Roosevelt Field and that The Sun printed it at the same time the City was defending Roosevelt Field in Kitsap County Superior Court against OC's condemnation attempt. Dusty Rhodes, 2513 Reid Avenue, expressed his concern that the City Council disregards input by the citizens of Bremerton on many issues. He and a group of citizens have been called a small vocal group upsetting the actions of the Council, but isn't that their prerogative? Yet they are a larger group of citizens voters than the small group from OC, who mostly live TAPE #958 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes October 2, 1991 Page 5 of 11 outside the City. He alleged that OC and City officials made decisions behind doors taking property away from people now and in the future. He questioned why can the City obtain funding for such wonderful things like the waterfront and refurbishment downtown stores, but City streets are worse than old gravel roads. He felt the citizens would be better off with no elected officials and leave it to "village elders" take over. He felt two words had escaped Council, ethics and democracy, and because Council had ignored the vote of the people they should be recalled. Lena 8wanson, 2123 Snyder Avenue, encouraged everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to meet and listen to Joe Foss, whose history as a hero of our Country is most outstanding. She felt more consideration should be given to other religions, such as Jewish, Buddhism, etc., at the City Council meeting because this community is made up of people of all faiths. Mrs. Swanson referred to a Town Meeting planning meeting scheduled for October 3 and questioned who would serve as the panel member for that forum representing the current form of government? She was of the opinion that Mayor Louis Mentor would be the best person to serve as that panel member. She also had some concerns over the recent "Sun" article regarding the Mayor's Opinion Poll, especially over the amount of "free" space given to this subject. She did support the opportunity for the Mayor to gather opinions from citizens of Bremerton via the water billing system. However, she was concerned by the unclear poll statistics printed in The Sun article; and she encouraged The Sun to clarify those issues. She had been advised that those people living outside the City limits who receive City utility services could be screened out by their "larger" Utility charges. She recommended if this form of opinion poll was to be used, that it be more accurate. In reference to the condemnation of Roosevelt Field, she did not like being intimidated by Olympic College. She supports having a four year college for Bremerton but did not like the idea of them threatening to move out of the City. She was supportive of Council action to select residents of Bremerton to serve on the Committee to write statements for the Voters Pamphlet. She noted business people in the City do pay taxes, however they have an opportunity to recover those taxes through the cost of their products. The single property owners do not have the same kind of opportunity as the business owners. In reference to the proposed Housing Code, she felt somewhat intimated because her house might not be painted to the standard required and questioned if she would be fined for such a violation? She does support minimal maintenance for professional, slum landlords and absentee landlords. TAPE #958 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes October 2, 1991 Page 6 of 11 Mary Lou Long, 2433 E. Phinney Bay Drive, expressed deep concern and questioned the proposed wording of the ballot measure. A challenge to that wording has been made in Superior Court and is to be heard on Friday. She wished to alert citizens that there may be some confusion in their understanding this ballot measure due to the selected wording. It was her opinion that no one would be served well by the proposed wording. There is the potential that people who vote against a change in government adding to a vote for one of the proposed changes in government could weigh the balance as to how the outcome goes. She felt it was tricky in the way two propositions for change in government were being presented in one ballot measure. She believed that each initiative should be given to the public as an individual challenge to the present form of government. She stated she supported the present form of Government because she believed in it and felt it was the best avenue for a more democratic government, more citizen involvement and more representation and did not want to see that destroyed. Wade Lieske, 426 Bremerton Blvd., expressed his concern over the odor emitted by the Wastewater Treatment plant and the adverse affect it has on the surrounding neighborhood. He did not believe the Council or Mayor had done anything to improve on this situation over the past seven years. He again brought up the fact that because he lives outside the City limits he is charged 50% more for his water than City residents. He did not think this was fair because he is surrounded by City residents. It does not cost the City even one cent more to furnish him water as it does the people surrounding his property. He brought up a discrepancy in his water bill whereby he used less water but was charged more than previous billing. In checking on this discrepancy, he learned that water rates had been increased. This was news to him as he had not seen any publicity on such an increase in the local newspaper or on his water bill. He expressed concern over recent news that the sewer rates may be raised. No matter how he tries to conserve on water he can not get his water bill down to a reasonable amount. He emphasized ordinary people do not care about spending funds on refurbishment of the Admiral Theater but they would appreciate something being done about paying off the sewer plant and reducing their utility bills. Lena Swanson, 2123 Snyder Avenue, invited Olympic College to move out of Bremerton if they don't like our company. That property could be put to good use by opening it up to competitive business and bring more revenue back into the City. She is gravely concerned over the sewer issue and it #1804 TAPE #958 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes October 2, 1991 Page 7 of 11 was her understanding that CH2M Hill's original design of the wastewater treatment plant did provide for elimination of odors, however, that feature was deleted due to lack of' budget. It brought her grave concern that CH2M Hill would be involved in that same type of design now. She assured the Council members that she was not attacking them personally when she spoke against the current form of government. 6A RENEWAL OF LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF BREMERTON AND COOK TELECOM, INC., #AB91-251 The existing lease agreement between the City of Bremerton Department Of Municipal Utilities and Cook Telecom, Inc., for the operation of a telecommunications system expires on October 31, 1991. Attached for City Council's consideration is a proposed agreement between the City of Bremerton and Cook Telecom, Inc., to allow Cook Telecom, Inc., to continue to operate telecommunications equipment for an additional ten (10) years and to establish a monthly site rental fee of $400.00 Bill Duffy, Utilities Director, stated the only significant change is the City Attorney's office updating the contract on new agreement forms that the City has been using for about one year; and it does increase the amount of the lease making it consistent with other leases for communications facilities. Public comment - none. M/S/C/U(Overson/Collins) City Council approves the lease agreement between the City of Bremerton and Cook Telecom, Inc., and authorize the Mayor to execute said agreement subject to City Administrative Policies and Procedures. 6B - INSURANCE BROKER SERVICES CONTRACT EXTENSION - CORROON & BLACK, INC., #AB91-252 The City's existing contract for insurance broker services terminates December 31, 1991. Corroon & Black has offered to extend that agreement for an additional year with no increase in fee. The City has received excellent services from this firm and wishes to extend the agreement until December 31, 1992. Peggy Lessor, Risk Manager, stated this item had been before Council Fiscal and Budget Committee and Council Operations Committee. She emphasized this firm had delivered excellent service to the City and are fortunate to continue those services at the same price charged four years ago. #1889 TAPE #958 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes October 2, 1991 Page 8 of 11 Public comment - none. M/S/C/U(Colvin/Waibel) to approve the proposed contract extension with Corroon & Black, Inc., through December 31, 1992. Kathleen McCluskeV, City Clerk, announced Item 6C was added to the Council Agenda. 6C - CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE TO PREPARE VOTER PAMPHLET STATEMENT, #AB91-255 A Committee is needed to prepare a statement for the Voters Pamphlet against Proposition I, against Proposition II, and for retaining the present form of government in the City of Bremerton. It is recommended the following Bremerton citizens be appointed to the committee: Louis Soriano Mary Bowen Ron Gillespie Public comment - none. Ian Sievers, City Attorney, stated this is a different item than a similar item acted upon by Council on September 25. Previously, there was a legal issue involving residency requirement and the proposed list of individuals meets the City's residency requirement under Section 40 of the City Charter. Action on the requested item is a legislative matter, therefore, it would not be necessary for any Council member to step down due to a conflict of interest; as well as the fact if they did step down there would not be a quorum due to several members being absent from this meeting. Mr. Colvin pointed out it was his understanding that Council had already voted to approve Mr. Soriano and questioned if it was necessary to vote again on his appointment? Mr. Sievers stated if he was not affected by the previous vote it would not hurt including him and avoid any confusion in the vote on this issue. Mr. Estes stated last week the Mayor brought up the appearance of fairness question and he questioned how the Mayor felt at this time on that issue? Mayor Mentor stated he did not have a problem at this time. Mr. Estes stated for the record that he is a proponent for one of the ballot measures and he had no objection to any of the individuals as listed. #2015 #2109 TAPE #958 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes October 2, 1991 Page 9 of 11 Mr. Waibel stated for the record that his abstention had nothing to do with the qualifications of the three individuals listed. Mr. Collins stated he must vote no on the motion, the same as he had done on all previous actions on this subject, because he does not believe it is appropriate for the Council to act on this in any way. M/S/C(Colvin/Estes) to confirm the appointment of Louis Soriano, Mary Bowen and Ron Gillespie to the committee to prepare the voter pamphlet statement against Proposition 1 and 2 and for retaining the present form of government.2, Vote: In Favor: Opposed: Abstain: Motion carried. Overson, Estes, Colvin, Dawkins Collins Waibel 7A - ORDINANCE (FIRST READING) AMENDING BMC 2.62.020, MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE TERM, #AB91-253 The State Legislature has provided that Municipal Court Judges shall be appointed for four (4) year terms. It also provided that these terms should run in 4 year increments measured from January 1, 1986o The term of the City's current Municipal Judge expires at the end of this year. The proposed ordinance brings the term of the City's Municipal Judge in synchrony with the terms established by State law. Public comment - none. M/S/C/U(Waibel/Estes) to approve Ordinance, on first reading, amending the term of Municipal Court Judge, and amending Bremerton Municipal Code 2.62.020. 7B - ORDINANCE (FIRST READING) SETTING SALARYAND BENEFITS FOR MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1992, #AB91-254 State law provides that the compensation for Municipal Court Judges of Municipal Courts organized pursuant to Chapter 3.50 RCW be established by ordinance. On January 1, 1992, a new judicial term will begin. The attached ordinance provides a range of $50,000 to $63,000 within which an actual salary may be established and provides the same leave, insurance and deferred compensation benefits to the Judge as are provided to positions included in the Management and Professional Staff compensation program. Public comment - none. #2170 #2308 TAPE #958 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes October 2, 1991 Page 10 of 11 Mr. Overson pointed out this request looked to be supportable based on previous comments from the Mayor that this salary range had been researched and appears to be quite adequately based on this area. Mr. Colvin stated in absence of any RCW's to the contrary, he believed supporting this measure would be valid and the proper action taken. Ian Slevers, City Attorney, stated there were no RCW's to the contrary and the RCW's do say that Council will set the salary, which should include all compensation including benefits. M/S/C/U(Waibel/Estes) to approve ordinance, on first reading, setting the Municipal Court Judge's salary and benefits. 7C - ORDINANCE NO. 4343 (SECOND READING) CONDEMNATION OF 20 ACRE PARCEL OF PROPERTY - UTILITY DEPARTMENT, #AB91-242 Ian Sievers, City Attorney, stated the Department has some urgency in commencing the legal action on this matter and has requested Council to amend the ordinance to add that it take affect 10 days after passage and publication. Public comment - none. Mr. Collins questioned if there was a reason for the requested change in effective date? Mr. Sievers stated it was felt that the owner may be in some kind of negotiations which could increase the City's price unless the City gets the action filed as soon as possible. Mr. Colvin questioned the City's need for this property? Mr. Sievers stated the subject property is in an area that the Utility Department is permitting for sludge disposal land and it is a part of the Comprehensive Plan. M/S/C(Collins/Estes) to pass Ordinance #4343, on second reading, relating to the expenditure of Utility funds with which to pay the cost of acquiring land through condemnation, the land to be used for the purpose of sewage/sludge disposal, and approving the condemnation of the property; and to change the effective date to "10 days after passage and publication". Vote: In Favor: Overson, Estes, Dawkins, Collins, Colvin. Abstain: Waibel Motion carried. With no further business meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m. TAPE #958 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes October 2, 1991 Page 11 of 11 KATHLEEN McCLUSKEY, City Clerk Council President City of Bremerton KLM/LH/me cc: Normal Distribution File/Vault