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Home My WebLink About01/31/83Tape 289 Unapproved Side 2 Minutes #0000 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 31, 1983 ~0158 Special meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton, Washington, was held in the Council Chambers, 239 Fourth Street, Bremerton, Washington, Monday, January 31, 1983 at 7:00 p.m., with Council President Anderson presiding. Those present were: E. L. Sturdivant Spencer Horning Clyde Pachek Roy Mosely Art Anderson Phil Drouin Bill Amo Jim Adrian Russell Johnson Mayor Dawkins City Attorney Broughton City Clerk McCluskey The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and the invoca- tion was given by E. L. Sturdivant. JOINT HOUSING AUTHORITY A. Anderson stated, our City A%torney has given the City C6uncil his legal opinion, that regardless of our past stated opinions or Sec. 8 housing coDtracts with the Bremerton Housing Authority we would not be an v~ol tion of the appearance of fairness act and we can sit in this ~earlng. David Hill, Attorney for the Bremerton Housing Authority stated he concurrs with Mr. Broughton's opinion. E. Sturdivant introduced a letter from HUD explaining the current status of the joint housing authority's application for approval by HUD, and asked that the letter be read by the City Clerk. The letter states that "since the joint housing authority has not been approved as a Public Housing Agency, HUD has not committed any funds". The letter further states "in view of the current approval of the existing Public Housing Agencies, we have no reason to believe that action either creating or disolving the joint housing authority would have any effect on HUD'S allocation of funds" Bill Mahan, County Commissioner stated he was pleased to see all Council Members in attendance. Mr. Mahan stated he is represent- ing the Mayors of Poulsbo, Port Orchard and Winslow and the County Commissioners. He discussed difficulties between the County and previous City Commissioners in working together on joint issues, specifying the Secondary Sewer Treatment Plant, 911 Cencom Center, SIU and the Joint Housing Authority. He stated under previous state law, counties and cities could not join housing authorities. The state legislature amended the law so housing authorities could join. He stated under the old J law, elected officials could not serve on the Housing Authority Board. The law was amended so elected officials now can be Board Members. He stated 100% of City Councils in Kitsap County voted to enact the Joint Housing Authority ordinance. He stated HUD indicated this ordinance could not creat a joint housing authority. Testimony indicated a joint housing authority would be good, but HUD did not support this idea. He stated he is present now due to a letter from HUD not to certify the Joint Housing Authority until this issue is resolved with Bremerton. He discussed accomplishments of the Joint Housing Authority: They received $1.6 million dollars in Trident Impact Funds: Call for bids for Shilo Wood to build 30 units. This is a one of a kind project. He discussed the forthcoming Task Force in Bremerton, and the need for housing and stated Bremerton will not be able to meet that need. He stated with Bremerton as a member of the Joint Housing Authority, Bremerton would help to build the necessary low income housing. #1020 #1604 #1830 #2463 #2507 rape 290 Side 1 City Council t. eting Minutes January 31, 1983 Page Two Mr. Mahan presented three options: 1) Rescind the action of the former Council and become a member of the Joint Housing Authority and establish hearings regarding membership before October 1, 1983; 2) Join before October, 1983 and withdraw in January, 1984. Establish a committee to study the value, report back prior to Oct. 1, 1983; 3) Do nothing and remove City from Joint Housing Authority. E. StuYdivant questioned Bremerton being properly represented if they are a part of the Joint Housing Authority. Mr. Mahan stated Bremerton would have 3 members on the Board and 3 votes. J. Adrian asked the significance of the October 1 date? Mr. Mahan stated the ordinance specifies 90 days notice to withdraw. The contract year commences January 1st, therefore October 1st is the deadline for 90 days notice to withdraw. There was discussion regarding letters written by the City Attorney in July, 1983 giving original notice to withdraw and November, 1982 giving 90 days notice. B. Broughton stated the most effective notice was the November letter so the City withdrawal will be effective February 4, 1983. Discussion followed regarding benefits to the City by joining the Joint Housing Authority. Willard Anderson, Commissioner of Bremerton Housing Authority dis- cussed request by Kitsap County Commissioners in 1974 for Bremerton Housing Authority to take over their programs as it was not func- tioning properly. He questioned fighting HUD on this when the money comes from HUD. He discussed payment in lieu of taxes and stated government property is not subject to taxes. Mr. Anderson suggested a study session by the Council Members to learn the operation of the Housing Authority. David Hill stated the Council's first responsibility is to the City. Mr. Hill discussed the legality of having two housing authorities in the same area. He discussed decision making and competition when two housing authorities exist. He discussed both housing authorities being agencies of Washington state. Mr. Hill raised the question of insufficient funding for two housing authorities, who then is liable? He stated if the Bremerton Housing Authority joins the Joint Housing Authority they cannot be kept separate. A. Anderson discussed possibility of City being "locked in" if they do not withdraw on February 4. Mr. Mahan stated the City can give 90 days notice to withdraw prior to January 1st of each year. B. Kennedy, Vice Chairman, Bremerton Housing Authority, discussed City and County Rehab Program and stated there has been a great working relationship with the County. Mr. Kennedy also discussed state laws regarding elected officials and need for continuity. Jim Curly, Member of Bremerton Housing Authority, discussed RCW 35.82.010 regarding necessity for a housing authority. Mr. Curly stated there should be only one housing authority. Ruth Davy, stated a decision should not be made without knowledge of assets of both housing authorities. Mary Lou Ldng stated she feels Council should have time to study this issue and not make a hasty decision. She questioned why the City waited until November to give notice. B. Broughton explained the directive by Council to terminate immediately. He did not agree with the method of notice and Municipal Research confirmed it was not proper. The proper 90 day notice was then given in November. Motion by R. Mosely and E. Sturdivant to turn down the request for extension or the forming of a Joint Housing Authority. #0115 ~0240 City Council Meeting Minutes January 31, 1983 Page Three B. Amo stated he feels Bremerton would be risking more th~n they would gain and stated he did not see the advantage to Bremerton belonging. J. Adrian stated regardless of the outcome of the vote, he hoped future dealings between Bremerton and the County would not be jeopardized. E. Sturdivant stated if there were advantages, other cities and counties would form Joint Housing Authorities. He endorses cooperation with the County. S. Horning stated he does endores the Shilo Wood concept, but does not feel this would work for the City. He supports coopera- tion with the County. A. Anderson stated the Council had the right to pull this from the agenda, but felt it was their duty to resolve this issue. Question called on the motion, carried unanimously. A. Anderson stated there is to be an executive session on Tuesday, February 8, 1983 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council offices regarding Labor Relations. This will be a closed meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. KATHLEEN L. McCLUSKEY, City C'lerk APPROVED: