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CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 11, 1989
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, January 11, 1989, at 5:30 p.m.,
with Council President Spencer Horning presiding. Council
members present were Lon Overson, Shirley Marty Crutcher, Lynn
Horton, Hank Waibel, C. R. "Tiny" Collins, A1 Coivin, Morrie
Dawkins, 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 Spencer Horning and Invocation was given by Reverend
John Eichmann of the Bremerton Servicemen's Center.
President Hornin~ announced that Item 6A had been
Agenda for one week.
pulled off the
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes of Meeting Held - December 28, 1988, #AB89-006
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 which has been made available to the council.
M/S/C/U(Colvin/Crutcner) on January 11, 1989, the Council does
approve for payment those vouchers included and further described
as follows: 40731 through 40860 in the total amount of
$142,554.01 and Regular Payroll in the total amount of
$380,933.68.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Mr. Crutcher reported the Council Operations Committee met this
date with new Committee Chair Lynn Horton. Also, he announced
the Martin Luther King celebration on Sunday, 1:30 p.m., at the
Kitsap Golf and Country Club - a fund raiser and award of
scholarships.
Mrs. Horton reported during Council Operations Committee they
discussed setting up a Street Light Police Guidelines. She noted
this was a difficult issue due to limitation of funds available
for street lighting.
Mr. Collins announced Scalawat" Fair Committee is sponsoring a
fund raising event/raffle - scheduled for February 11, 9:00 p.m.,
at the Oyster Bay Inn. This event will include a wine/cheese
tasting along with a silent auction.
Mr. Colvin announced there will be a Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance Program, providing free tax help with basic tax
returns for elderly, handicapped and Spanish speaking citizens.
The service, staffed with volunteers, will begin February 3
through April 14, available Mondays through Friday at the
Sheridan Park Recreation Center. For more information call
Margaret Khine..377-7307. Mr. Coivln reported he had received
an invitation to and artended the inaugural ceremonies of the
joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives this
date. He noted the ceremony was very impressive. As part of
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the ceremonies Governor Gardner noted, in his speech, that he
felt the voters should decide if there is to be a State income
Tax and Mr. Coivin agreed with this position.
Mr. Johnson noted since his comments regarding Gold Mountain
Golf Course at last weeks City Council meeting he has become
involved with Morrie Dawkins and the Golf Course Committee
helping to develop a long range plan for the golf course. Also,
Mr. Johnson reported the Council Bulletin Board System has been
accessed by a large number of citizens, however, currently we are
having problems with the system and efforts are underway to
correct them.
President Horning announced Council will hold an Executive
Session regarding "labor relations" immediately following Council
meeting.
PUBLIC RECOGNITION
Mayor Gene Lobe read a Proclamation honoring Martin Luther King
Jr.., for his contribution to mankind in helping to bring peoples
of all races together, with Mayor Lobe proclaiming Monday,
January 16, 1989, as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and invited all
citizens to join in honoring his memory and achievements. Mr.
Colvin noted the Emmanual Apostolic Church was chosen to receive
this Proclamation because of their service to the community. A
representative of Emmanual Apostolic Church expressed
appreciation of being asked to appear and receive the
Proclamation and thanked the Mayor and City Council for making
such a fine jesture. He stated it was a goal of their church to
be of service in the community. He acknowledged the greatness of
Martin Luther King Jr., and without his courage and leadership it
would not have been possible for people of different races to
come together as was happening today.
Roy McInnis, 2711 Maple Street, stated he was happy to be back
from a well deserved vacation and he looked forward to being
involved in City government in the coming year.
6B - PETITION TO MAKE 15TH AND HIGH INTERSECTION A FOUR-WAY STOP,
#AB89-008
A petltion and letters o~ endorsement have been received to make
the intersection at 15th and High a four-way stop. The reasons
given for wanting the stop signs installed are "speeding traffic"
and "a blind corner"
Kathleen McCluskey, City Clerk, stated based on Engineering
studies the Engineering Department determined that the
intersection does not warrant installation of a four-way stop.
The Engineering Department recommends disapproval of this
request.
Walt Meeker, 1710 15th Street, main speaker for the petition
signers, stated he did not nave much more to add than that
already presented on the petition. However, he did note that
vehicles making a left hand turn on 15th often cut the corner
quite a bit presenting a traffic hazard. He stated he had lived
at his residence for 10 years and had noticed an increased number
of children living in that area plus additional children at a
school bus zone near the new High School. Since September there
have been two accidents needing ambulances...he did not recall
such a short span of time of injury accidents. Mr. Meeker read
into the record a letter addressed to Bremerton Engineering
Department from Katnleen Hale, Operations Supervisor Kitsap
Transit which states: "Having monitored traffic in the vicinity
of 15th and High it was observed that traffic turning left on
High from 15th would encounter traffic traveling straight on
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High. It appears to be a safety hazard. Kitsap Transit
operates a route in this area and our drivers have commented on
the need for a stop sign placed on 15th at High on the SW side"
The following individuals spoke in favor of the requested four-
way stop: Jennie Snyder, 1813 15th St.; Nat Sifton, 1731 High;
Terry Adams, 1901 15th St.; Wanda Meeker,1710 15th St.;
Elizabeth Keith, 1419 High; Jim Pierce, 1468 17th; Leo Perry,
1515 High; Tina Henbur~, 1526 High. Following are comments made
by the above named speakers: speeding vehicles making turn onto
15th (not observing 15 MPH sign; safety hazard for children
living in area and those using School Bus Stop near Bremerton
High School; vehicles not stopping for School Bus "stop for
loading" sign; Telephone poles being sheered off due to vehicles
traveling at high speed; broken ankle incurred when pedestrian
tried to get out of way of speeding vehicle; car accident/vehicle
totaled; safety of hearing or sight impaired pedestrians; not all
accidents being reported to Police; increased number of injury
accidents within shorter periods of time; question - how many
accidents have been reported?
Mrs. Horton stated this problem was brought to the Engineering
Department several months ago by Mr. Meeker. He was told no..oit
did not warrant a stop sign. He then contacted Mrs. Horton and
she in turn contacted the Engineering Department and was given
the same response. She noted part of the problem with the
Engineering report denying this request is that it is being
identified as a four-way intersection. Mrs. Horton pointed out
that in fact it is a three-way intersection since one roadway is
the entrance to Ehe High School and the north end of High is not
officially considered a street. Due to faulty information she
feels the study is not correct. To her understanding, the
primary reason for not adopting a four-way stop is because at
that point the City could become liable. She was of the opinion
in the event of an injury accident at this intersection, an
attorney would point out that it was in deed a three-way
intersection and not a four-way and at that point the City would
be just as liable. Mrs. Horton stated she would rather see
common sense prevail and a four-way stop installed. She noted
it is not an area in a downward growth cycle but rather an old
neighborhood that is starting to turn over to young families and
the problem is only going to get worse as time goes by. She
fully supported the efforts of citizens bringing a petition
before the City Council and stated she believed that our country
was founded on the fact that people have gotten together, decided
a change should be made and fought for those changes...that is
why we are the Country we are. Mrs. Horton pointed out that
Bremerton High School, Kitsap Transit and 150 residents lend
their support to this request. Also, Mrs. Horton noted that
since the City had made the College by-pass along 13th Street,
that area has become an unofficial arterial and the people who
iive in the area are aware of the hazard but the people traveling
out to Kitsap Way may not be aware of it and travel at speeds
much higher than those posted.
President Horning stated, as part of the committee review, if
Mr. Baker continues to not support some type of stop sign
arrangement he can expect the committee to ask "what can be done"
and questioned if Mr. Baker had spoken with the Police
Department for accident counts? Dave Baker, City Engineer,
stated yes, and there are not enough accidents to warrant a stop
sign...iess than two accidents per year and in some years none at
all. President Hornin~ stated he felt this may be a more complex
issue, that not all injury or non-injury accidents were reported.
Also, he requested Mr. Baker to look into the shoulder along that
street in response to the issue pointed out in early testimony.
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January 11, 1989
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Mr. Johnson stated he did not support the motion as it did not
include a deadline for the Committee to return with a response.
He pointed out other requests for stop signs had been requested
and he had not seen any request be responded to with placement of
a stop sign, however, other signs seem to grow like toad stools
throughout the City...Kitsap Way, downtown Bremerton, Wheaton
Way. Considering the complaints voiced over this particular
intersection, he supported placement of a stop sign at this
intersection. Also, Mr. Johnson questioned why all of a sudden
the State criteria is being cited? Mr. Baker stated it has not
come up all of a sudden...it is the criteria they work by as
professionals for the City of Bremerton. He stated the City had
adopted the MUTCD (Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices)
and thereby required to obey it.
Mr. Collins stated there are speed limit signs posted and he
felt control in this area should be by enforcement and questioned
if it would be more appropriate for the City Council to address a
letter to the Police Department to put an emphasis patrol in that
area to enforce the speed limit? Mr. Baker stated this had been
the Engineeing Department's assumption from the beginning. The
area in question is a 25 mile an hour zone, both sides of the
approaches of the curve indicate a curve, indicate minor streets
coming off of the curve and a 15 MPH platter.
Mr. Dawkins questioned if people were using back roads more as a
way to beat the traffic than sticking to the arterial streets and
has the City made a check on how much collector roads are
impacted? Mr. Baker stated yes, traffic counts have been made at
the intersection.
Mr. Crutcher expressed concern that accidents might increase if a
stop sign was placed at the bottom of 15th since there is a blind
area when approaching the intersection.
Mr. Overson stated he would only support a motion that has a time
line and from the testimony given, and information provided of
iife threatening condition he supported placement of stop signs
on High and 15th. Also, he encouraged the committee to review
the intersection at 13th and Ohio.
Mr. Johnson stated he believed people obey stop signs more than
15 MPH speed limit sign.
Mr. Collins stated ne concurs with the neighborhood that there is
a problem and believes it is a problem that needs to be resolved
through a scientic approach. He stated his opposition To placing
a stop sign if it would put the City in jeopardy or ~ability
position.
Mrs. Horton requested Mr. Baker to look into the restrictions
that the State has put on the City once the City adopted
State criteria. She felt this is not an isolated intersection in
this City or any city. There are always exceptions to the rule
and she requested Mr. Baker to see if there was some latitude in
that guideline. If there is a latitude within the guideline,
then do the necessary things that common sense dictates rather
than the document itseiE. Mr. Baker questioned if Mrs. Horton
was requesting this from him or the City Attorney? Mrs. Horton
stated she would assure the neighborhood that something will
occur at this intersection - not promising that it will be a
four-way stop but there will be something to regulate the traffic
speed. She noted that the Committee will come back to Council in
three weeks with a recommendation.
#1365 M/S/C(Waibel/Coivin) to send this item to the Council Operations
#2038
#2441
#2441
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City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes
January 11, 1989
Page 5 of 7
reviewed in terms of all things that might be necessary to solve
and identify as a problem.
MOTION AMENDMENT
M/S/C/U(Collins/Colvin) an amendment to the motion that a letter
be sent to the Police Department to request a emphasis patrol at
this intersection.
VOTE ON MAIN MOTION
Vote: In Favor:
Oppose:
Overson, Crutcher, Horton, Horning, Waibel,
Collins, Dawkins, Coivin
johnson
6C -LABOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL #437, #AB89-009
This agreement sets the wages, hours and other terms and
conditions of employment for employees included in the bargaining
unit represented by IAFF Local #437 for the period January 1
through December 31, 1989. The Agreement replaces all existing
agreements between the City and Local #437 and provides for a
three (3~) percent salary increase effective January I, 1989. No
substantial changes to existing benefits have been made; however,
the administrative processes governing vacation scheduling,
assignment of overtime and other work assignments which have been
the subject of two grievances and one Unfair Labor Practice
complaint have been clarified and the disputes in question are
now resolved.
Caroline Marshall, Director of Personnel, noted the only change
was restatement and restructuring the formal agreement and it had
taken a little longer than anticipated, however, it did provide a
clear agreement.
M/S/C/U(Waibel/Coilins) to approve the Agreement and authorize
Mayor Gene Lobe to execute the contract.
6D - PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT - CABOT DOW ASSOCIATES,
#AB89-010
This Agreement replaces the former Professional Services
Agreement with Cabot Dow Associates oE January 21, 1987, which
provided for Cabot Dow to perform negotiations and other labor
relations services on behalf of the City for Police and Fire
bargaining units at an hourly rate of $75.00.
The new Agreement makes the professional labor relations services
of Cabot Dow Associates available to the City at an hourly rate
of $80.00 upon the specific request of the Personnel Director on
an as needed basis.
Caroline Marshall, Director of Personnel, explained this is a
replacement agreement Eor Cabot Dow who was performing labor
negotiations on behalf of the City for Police and Fire. As
Director of Personnel, she has assumed that responsibility and
this amendment provides access to their staff as needed.
Mr. Overson questioned if this was budgeted in the 1989 budget
and why the difference between $85.00 per hour for Cabot Dow and
only $65.00 per hour for servisces provided by associates? Ms.
Marshall explained she has in her '89 budget Professional
Services fund. And, she explained that she would be using about
three times as much work through the Associates as that through
Cabot Down. The a~±era±]on in the contract would reduced her
budget by $8,750.00.
M/S/C/U(Horton/Colvin) to approve the replacement Professional
Services Agreement with Cabot Dow Associates and authorize Mayor
Gene Lobe to execute the contract.
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January 11, 1989
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7A - ORDINANCE (FIRST READING) AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A $1.5
MILLION TAX ANTICIPATION NOTE, #AB89-011
As indicated in the projection, the City's General Fund operates
in a deficit cash position for several months during the year.
These deficits are due to timing differences between the funds
revenues and expenditures and the small overage cash balance
compared to the monthly cash flow. Issuance of a Tax
Anticipation Note is recommended as the most advantageous method
of financing this cash flow.
Rich Hanna, City Treasurer, stated the purpose of this measure
is not to balance the budget of the General Fund but to provide
temporary financing for a cash flow shortage experienced because
timing differences between the flow of expenditures and revenues
received. Principally, this is created on the revenue side of
the budget by sales tax and property taxes - first half of
property taxes are not received by the City until the month of
May. He requested that a correction be made to the proposed
ordinance: "Section 2, 3rd sentence...The Notes shall be issued
in such amounts, shall be dated, shall be in such denominations,
shall bear such interest at a rate or rates not exceeding 94 per
annum computed on a 360 day or 365 day basis, and shall mature on
such date, but not later than February 1~ 1990 .... "
Mr. Dawkins questioned if this action was a standard used by
other municipalities and governmental entities? Alex Fisken,
representative of Prudential-Bache Securities, Inc., of Seattle,
WA, stated it is very standard throughout the country...Cities,
School Districts and Counties have used this method for years.
Mr. Johnson questioned if Bond Counsel had review this action and
that it is in compliance with State laws? Mr. Hanna noted the
proposed ordinance was drafted by Bond Counsel. Mr. Johnson
quesitoned if the amount requested is the maximum allowed by law?
Mr. Hanna stated no, current Federal Tax Law permits the City to
issue this note in the amount of the greatest projected cash
deficit plus one months operating expendi±ures so the note could
have been slightly larger than proposed. The reason it was sized
for 1.5 million dollars is because that is the same amount used
for the past two years and it provides a more consistent
appearance of the City's financial transactions both in terms
of budgeting and in our annual reporting. Mr. Johnson questioned
if the City were on a Biannual Budget could the City do a two
year Tax Anticipation Note instead of a one year? Mr. Hanna
stated, to his understanding, a two year note could be written
up...the reason in the past these have been 364 day span of time
is that by staying under one year the City is not required to
issue a Registered Note, avoiding some additional overhead costs.
Mr. Overson questioned absence of validation provisions of
payment of the 1990 funds in the ordinance and is it necessary
that a validation of payment be issued when 1990 funds are paid?
Mr. Hanna stated one of the leading requirements associa~d
with this type of financing is that we have to demonstrate
capability to pay the retiring notes with monies other than the
proceeds of the notes being issued under this ordinance.
Therefore, there would be no need to issue a notice of validation
upon repayment of the 1990 funds.
Mr. Waibel requested a more specific definition of '~slight"
relating to the amount the Tax Anticipation Note could have been
written for? Mr. Hanna explained i± could have been 1/4 of a
million dollars larger in sizing of the Tax Anticipation Note
than is being proposed.
#2717 M/S/C/U(Waibel/Dawkins) to approve Ordinance, on first reading,
TAPE #603
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City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes
January 11, 1989
Page 7 of 7
authorizing the issuance of Tax Anticipation Notes for the
purpose of paying City expenses pending the receipt of general
City taxes; creating a note redemption fund; and providing for
the sale of those notes to Prudential-Bache Securities Inc., of
Seattle, Washington and making the correction to the date of
maturity to be "1990".
7B - ORDINANCE (FIRST READING) METHOD OF
SALARY, #AB89-012
The proposed Ordinance amends Ordinance
payment of Council salary on the City's
payroll.
PAYMENT OF COUNCIL
#4009 to allow for
regular semi-monthly
Kathleen McCluskey, City Clerk, stated the proposal would provide
for equal 1/24 amounts spread out over the year and for an
adjustment to Section 1 of the prior ordinance, which requires
$100.00 per meeting to a maximum of $6,000 is not met there is a
provision to make adjustments.
Mr. Collins pointed out that during the course of a year City
Council uses up the maximum amount of $6,000 prior to the end of
the year. During 1988 and 1987 Council has received no pay from
approximately October to the end of the year...(during 1987 City
Council had 78 quorumed meetings; 1988 Council had 87 quorumed
meeting). By spreading the payroll over the full year it allows
Council members to budget as well as allow Social Security credit
in the last quarter of the year.
M/S/C/U(Crutcher/Collins) to approve Ordinance, on first reading,
setting forth the method of payment of salary for the Bremerton
City Council and amending Ordinance #4009
With no further business meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
KATHLEEN L. MCCLUSKEY, CITY CLERK
APPROVED
-H . WAID 11 President
C~ y of Bre
KLM/HW/me
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