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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/14/90 TAPE #718 UNAPPROVED DRAFT CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 14, 1990 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, March 14, 1990 at 5:30 p.m., with Council President Lynn Horton. Council members present were Lon Overson, Wayne Estes, Spencer Horning, Hank Waibel, Morrie Dawkins, C. R. "Tiny" Collinsf 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 Council President Horton and Invocation was given by Councilman A1 Colvin. CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes Of Meeting - February 28, 1990, #AB90-046 ~0016 M/S/C/U(Waibei/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 ROW 42.24.090~ have been recorded on a listing which has been made available to the council. #0028 M/S/C/U(Colvin/Overson) on March 14, 1990, the Council does approve for payment those vouchers included and further described as follows: 106479 through 106645, 106647 in the total amount of $115,542.04. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS Mr Estes stated in regard to slum landlords he hopes to bring some new improved Housing Code legislation to Council for consideration by December. He noted that this drafted legislation would involve a great deal of citizen input. Also, the Ethics Committee is moving forward and within approximately two months a draft ordinance will be brought to Council for consideration. He noted that another area he is vitally interested in is Animal Control and the fact that so many animals are needlessly killed each year. He and a representative of the Police Department will be investigating the possibility of getting involved with Kitsap County in a spay/neutering program. He had already discussed this proposal with Commissioners Horsley, who had somewhat favorable response to such a proposal. A trip to the City of Seattle is planned to view their spay/neutering clinic. He stressed the importance of such a program, which would reduce the over all costs of animal control as well as the needless killing of thousands of animals each year. TAPE #718 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes March 14, 1990 Page 2 of 8 Mr. Hornin~ announced the next Chamber Of Commerce's "After Hours" event will be Thursday, March 15, 5 PM - 7 PM at the Admiral Theatre. Mr. Waibel announced this Saturday a group of business people, members of Bremerton Main Street Association, as well as other individuals will be downtown cleaning up Pacific Avenue. Mr. Johnson stated with the character of the downtown area changing he believes it is time to reassess the need and desirability for extremely large billboards. When the waterfront is developed he did not feel that the large billboards would add to the new look and felt they obviate existing businesses. In regard to solid waste management, he reported that the Department Of Ecology had concluded their review and comments on Kitsap County's Solid Waste Management Plan, of which Bremerton is a part. He announced there are excellent applications coming in to the City of individuals interested in serving on the City's Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Cable Committee met on Tuesday, March 12, and two items that were discussed were Syndex provision and the Network Non-duplication, which is what is keeping Channel CBUT off the air in the Bremerton area. And, the Cable operators reported to the Committee that as of July 1, the plug will be pulled on CBUT in Seattle and Tacoma. Mr. Johnson noted he would be contacting the Mayors of both those cities and giving them a heads-up on the kinds of responses they may receive from citizens who are unhappy with such action. Mr. Johnson pointed out there isn't a lot that City government can do regarding this programming change as the Cable industry was deregulated in 1984, which made it a private sector issue. He encouraged people to contact the following Senators regarding this issue because of their involvement in follow on legislation: Adams (WA), Gorton (WA), Gore (TN), Danforth (MO), Inouye (HI), Metzenbaum (OH); and Representatives Dicks (WA), Miller (WA), Boucher (VA), Cooper (TN), and Shays (CT) (names and addresses will be available through the City Council office). Mr. Colvin complimented Ron Hough for his handling of a situation, in District 1, in a very responsive way. He also commended Councilman Johnson on his recommendation that the Council Agenda packets be reduced in size. He noted Bremerton has a great library in town and during the summer the heat inside the library is unbearable. He introduced Ellen Newberg, Director of Kitsap Regional Library, to speak on this condition. Ellen Newber~ introduced Sandy Carlson, Director of the Central Library Branch, who handed out information packets on air-conditioning/energy conservation project for the main branch of the Kitsap Regional Library. Ms. Newber~ briefly outlined why air conditioning was not included in the original design of the library building by the architect, that being due to high cost of energy sources at the TAPE $718 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes March 14, 1990 Page 3 of 8 time of development and the determination that the building could be designed without requiring air conditioning. However, over the years it became apparent that not having air conditioning has reduced the volume of use during the hot summer months. Last June a user of the library offered to put up $40,000 as matching funds for obtaining air conditioning for that building. John Johnstone of Puget Power heard about the funding program and recommended that the library look into a Puget Power Energy Saving package. At no cost to the library, Puget Power obtained a quality energy study, conducted by Art Anderson and Associates, which identified first year calculated savings of as much as $12,800 if all of the recommended improvements were installed. The estimated cost of such a project was $116,500 with a donation of $65,995 from Puget Power, which would leave a balance of $50,000 for the Library to come up with. The gentlemen who made the $40,000 donation offer has since passed away and his estate has provided $25,000. Mr. Dawkins stated he had talked with staff of the Washington State Ferry System and effort is underway to get the passenger only ferries back in service with a target date of May 1. Mr. Collins noted last week during discussion of Ivy Green Cemetery and the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier no one remembered the name of the individual who was also buried there that had been a Medal Of Honor Recipient...that person was John or Jack Nibby, born in Germany in 1847 and deceased around 1902, he fought in the Civil War at which time he was awarded the Congressional Metal Of Honor. And, he was one of the first persons to own a store in Bremerton. Mr. Collins noted there is nothing on the headstone of Mr. Nibby's grave which tells of his being a Metal Of Honor recipient and since it is very close to the area of the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier, he felt this grave site should also be included in any enhancement project. PUBLIC RECOGNITION Mayor Louis Mentor announced the clean up effort has been in production for two weeks and he displayed a sample of the tee shirts that are available, which say "Bremerton Together". The tee shirts can be purchased for $10.00 and are available through the Mayor's office. He noted that for the past two weeks Noah's Red Apple Grocery Store has been announcing clean up dates, times and places and encouraging the public to participate in this clean up effort. Employees and customers of Noah's Red Apple will be donating their time working on the clean up on Sunday March 18. Andy ParyDa, 1122 Hayward Avenue, brought before the Council some information regarding dumping of asbestos materials on City watershed property by the Utility. He outlined the steps he had taken trying to obtain confirmation of information he received as TAPE #718 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes March 14, 1990 Page 4 of 8 to whether or not the City had dumped contaminated materials on watershed property. He felt that as he asked pertinent questions he was not provided truthful answers and in turn he contacted the Bremerton/Kitsap Health DePartment. The Health Department made an inspection of the site and notified the City, by letterf that they would have 30 days in which to clean up the site and to stop any further dumping of materials in that area. Mr. Parypa provided pictures showing the area and type of materials dumped. President Horton requested the City Attorney and Mayor Mentor provide Mr. Parypa a response within the week. Mr. Sievers, City Attorney, stated he would provide Mr. Parypa explanation of a course of action being taken by the City which will provide additional information over and above the letter from the Health Department. President Horton requested that Council receive a copy of the information provided to Mr. Parypa. Mr. Don Mansford, President of Westpark Residents' Council, stated they have sent a letter to the City Council requesting the City to deed to their Council or Bremerton Housing Authority a certain parcel of land. This land would be used by their residents as a mini park to be developed and maintained for their use. The area of land is to the south of Max Meigs Fire Station, located on a deadend drive off Arsenal Way and bordered by the freeway fence. This proposal has been discussed with the Bremerton Housing Authority and has their support and approval. And, he noted they are working diligently to rid Westpark of all drug users and dealers and questioned if the City could provide some signage which declared that "drug sellers and/or users are not wanted in Westpark"? President Horton suggested that Mr. Mansford discuss this with Mayor Mentor. Don Larson, 135 Rainier Avenue, mentioned that in today's Seattle P.I. Action Column there was an article on neutering pets. In that article it stated that the Carnation Company had a program where they helped fund neutering pets for low income people. He felt a program such as this might help the residents of Bremerton. President Horton announced that Item 6A had been pulled off the agenda for two weeks. 6B - CITY TELEPHONE TAX ON ENHANCED 911 SYSTEM - REVISITED, ~AB90- 048 On March 2, 1988, the City Council agreed to the reimbursement to CenCom of the City tax on additional revenue derived from the voter approved fifty cents per phone line tax to allow for enhancing of our 911 system for a term of five years. However, during budget deliberations for 1990, the City Council changed its policy and decided to not reimburse this tax amounting to approximately $6,000 annually. City staff did not notify CenCom until February 1990 of TAPE #718 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes March 14, 1990 Page 5 of 8 this change. Public comment invited - none received. Mr. Overson stated this is a controversial issue and he presented, as he did last time, that if the City intends to provide CenCom approximately $6,000 per year this is not the vehicle to do it. This sets an adverse precedent - the tax should be kept by the City, as provided by law, and if the City wants to give Cencom $6,0000 then they can do that up front in the budget the same way funds are allocated for other agencies. Therefore, he would not support this proposal as presented. Mr. Homing stated he sponsored this Agenda Bill as one of the three City representatives who sit on CenCom's Board Of Directors. The public voted to enhance CenCom emergency services and they voted it with a 50 cent per user line tax and that was specifically dedicated to upgrade and enhance their emergency response system. The voters expected and the City represented to the citizens that the money would go purely into the service. In the very fact that the physical location of the switch is located inside the City limits allows the City, per State statute, the opportunity to have a tax of 6.3~. This amounted to a windfall to the City and a year ago Council recognized that and took action which directed those funds back to the emergency enhanced system for the good of the people. Because it was allowed that this issue be revisited on an annual basis, that during the 1990 budget deliberations it was eliminated and funds included as part of the City's budget. The City did not notify CenCom of their change in plan for those funds until February 1990. He felt this was not reasonable notice to CenCom and felt the City should allow the reimbursement for 1990. And, he believes the relationship with CenCom goes far beyond the $6,000 and that a review of the entire relation with CenCom be given in a timely manner. He urged Council members to support this proposal as written. Mr. Collins stated when the citizens of the County and especially the City decided to support Enhanced 911, they voted to have 50 cents each month go toward that emergency service. The Council does not have as much a responsibility to CenCom or to what is fair to CenCom as it does to the citizens. Because the City is a franchising agent of the telephone company, the City is allowed a tax, therefore, anything that the telephone company bills the City receives a portion. He did not support taking away a portion of that funding source. Mr. Johnson questioned if CenCom had provided the City with quarterly telephone billing showing actual charges that would be reimbursed? Kathleen McCluske¥, City Clerk, stated yes, and they TAPE #718 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes March 14, 1990 Page 6 of 8 amounted to slightly over $6,000.00. Mr. Johnson stated he did not feel the City was taking any funds unfairly away from Enhanced 911. When the City applies for grant monies from the State or Federal Government, included in that grant are costs for license fees, permits, etc.; certainly this was a known expense by CenCom at the time they determined how much funding was needed on the levy. If it is determined that CenCom is short of funds to run the Enhanced 911 emergency system and there is a need for a subsidy from the City greater than the 50 cents, he would be happy to give it some consideration. However, the Agenda Bill did not include information as to the source of funding available to grant the $6,000 to CenCom, and questioned if the funds would be taken out of someone's salary, less departmental supplies, etc.? Therefore, he stated he could not support this proposal as presented unless he knew the City's funding source. Mr. Dawkins suggested taking the $6,000 out of the Police/Fire/Utility budgets as they are the departments getting the most use out of the service; and let them come back to Council for a budget adjustment. Mr. Estes questioned for clarification if this issue was "a one year deal" and would be discontinued at the end of 19907 President Horton stated yes, although she could not say that CenCom might not try and lobby the Council to continue the funding. Mr. Colvin questioned if funding was not continued this year what impact would that have on Enhanced 911 services? President Horton stated it would a $6,600 shortfall to CenCom's budget - that means that all the participating municipalities in Kitsap County who utilize Enhanced 911 would be assessed additional funds. Therefore, the City would be paying some portion but not the full $6,600. Mr. Colvin questioned if the City had agreed to provide these funds for 19907 President Horton stated the City did not notify CenCom that the funds would not be available until February 1990. Mr. Colvin stated he felt it was bad business to treat anyone like that - especially if they counted on those funds in establishing their 1990 budget. If the City should decide to withdraw such funding, he stressed the importance of giving CenCom much more advanced notice. Mr. Johnson stated he felt CenCom was just doing a big lobby effort...a year ago Council was very clear that they were not granting funding for a five year period, but would address it annually. And, it sounded like if an allocation of the real cost is determined, Bremerton would be responsible for a lesser cost than the $6,600. If the City does pay the full $6,600 then the City is subsidizing people in other areas, who are in better financial shape than the City of Bremerton. TAPE #718 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes March 14, 1990 Page 7 of 8 President Horton stated in the long term she agreed with Mr. Johnson and Mr. Overson and the City should not be rebating the $6,600, and if the City chooses to do so it should not be done in the form of a tax rebate...it should come through a different mechanism. However, she did believe that the City was remiss by forwarding notice in February to CenCom that funding would not be provided for 1990. She felt this was the City's mistake and the City should go forward and fund the $6,600 this year and then well in advance of the budget season address it again and determined if it is to be funded long term, short term or not at all. Mr. Overson expressed concern that he did not feel there was an urgency in making a decision at this time and felt it would be best to review this issue now and possibly address the entire funding commitment of the City to CenCom. Mr. Hornin~ stated he felt it was a matter of urgency due to the fact that CenCom had a shortfall in their carryover and if the City did not agree to fund the $6,600 then CenCom would experience an addition shortfall in that amount. He stated he felt it was important that the City honor its word, the City was late in notification and it would be proper to continue the tax for 1990. Mr. Waibel questioned if the reimbursement is being made on a quarterly basis? Ms. McCluske¥ stated the reimbursement is being made on a quarterly basis upon receipt of their verification billing. Mr. Waibel pointed out that since we are near the end of the first quarter of 1990, discussion revolves around whether or not they would receive their first payment. He noted he served on the CenCom board last year and he cautioned to keep in mind that CenCom's initial budget for 1990 was going to charge the City $46,000 more than what was able to be worked out with them because CenCom did recognize that Bremerton was in some economic difficulty and there were adjustments made with the Kitsap County picking up additional funding so the budget would work. Mr. Colvin questioned if reimbursing the tax to CenCom was legal? Mr. Sievers, City Attorney, stated it was not illegal for the City to take such action. Mr. Johnson noted he had a lot of respect for CenCom, their staff and service to Bremerton. However, he emphasized the problem in identifying where the City will find $6,600 to give to CenCom. Ms. McCluske¥ stated following up on Mr. Johnson's comments there is a process for budget adjustments which needs to be pursued to identify where funding would be found within the City's budget. TAPE #718 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes March 14, 1990 Page 8 of 8 #1624 M/S/(Horning/Dawkins) to approve the continuation of reimbursement of City tax to CenCom in the approximate amount of $6,000 on Enhanced 911 in tax year 1990; and further request the Mayor to revisit complete funding relationship of Cencom to the City of Bremerton later this calendar year. ~1848 M/S/C/U(Johnson/Waibel) to table the motion for two weeks. With no further business meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m. EEN~. MCCLUSKEY, CITY CLERK APPROVED City of Bremerton KLM/LH/me cc: Normal Distribution File/Vault