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Home My WebLink About01/03/2007 DIGITAL RECORDING JAN l' 2~~? CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, January 3, 2007 The weekly meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton was called to order in the City Council Chambers, of the NORM DICKS GOVERNMENT CENTER 345 6th Street, Bremerton, Washington, Wednesday, January 3, 2007, at 5:30 PM, with Council President Cecil McConnell presiding. Council members present were Nick Wofford, Will Maupin, Carol Arends, Dianne Robinson, Mike Shepherd, Wendy Priest, Adam Brockus, and Brad Gehring. Also present were City Attorney Roger Lubovich; City Clerk Paula Johnston; and Legislative Assistant Lori Smith. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Brad Gehrin~ followed by the invocation provided by Chaplain Bill Martin of Abundant life Foursquare Church. President McConnell announced that a Pre-Council Session to discuss General Council Business and was held prior to the meeting. ELECTION OF CITY COUNCIL OFFICERS President McConnell opened nominations for City Council President/Mayor Pro Tempore for 2007. Carol Arends nominated Cecil McConnell for City Council President/Mayor Pro Tempore. Dianne Robinson nominated Will Maupin for City Council President/Mayor Pro Tempore. President McConnell closed the nominations. 05:36:25 Position of City Council President/Mayor Pro Tempore for 2007: Voted for Will Maupin: Brockus, Priest, Shepherd, Robinson, Maupin, Wofford (6 Votes) Voted for Cecil McConnell: Gehring, McConnell, Arends (3 Votes) Will Maupin was named City Council President. President Maupin opened nominations for City Council Vice-President. Dianne Robinson nominated Brad Gehring for City Council Vice-President. Nick Wofford nominated Wendy Priest for City Council Vice-President. President Maupin closed the nominations. 05:40:25 Position of City Council Vice President for 2007: Voted for Wendy Priest: Priest, Shepherd, Maupin, Wofford (4 Votes) Voted for Brad Gehring: Gehring, McConnell, Brockus, Robinson, Arends (5 Votes) Brad Gehrin~ was named City Council Vice-President. The Council then continued with the regular business meeting. . . MAYOR'S REPORT - Mayor Bozeman... · Thanked Cecil McConnell for his service as Council President for 2006, commenting that he led with a steady hand; and that he appreciated getting to know him better. He also congratulated incoming Chairs Will Maupin and Brad Gehring, and looked forward to working with them in 2007; · Read a Proclamation to declare the Month of January as "Youth Mentoring Month", The proclamation was accepted by Marvellen De La Pena-, who invited the Council Members and members of the public to attend a "Kick-off Event" on Monday, January 8, 2007 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in the Chambers of the Norm Dicks Government Center; City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes Wednesday, January 3, 2007 Page 2 of 4 . Was pleased to see that the City ended the year with a strong 4th Quarter, and therefore the budget numbers came in as projected. He indicated that final numbers will be available in the next three weeks; . Mentioned that construction of the new Police Headquarters on Burwell was on time and within budget, and thanked Gary Sexton for the great job he has done with this project which is expected to be completed February 1,2007; . Discussed the status of the new marina with Commissioners from the Port of Bremerton and was happy to report that the project was coming along on time and within the budget; . Unfortunately the Harborside Condominiums is slightly behind schedule due to minor problems, but the project is still expected to be completed by April 1, 2007; and . The remodel project of the Municipal Court is on time and is expected to be completed by February 1,2007. He warned that the Court will shut down operations for approximately two days during the move to the new building. PUBLIC RECOGNITION & ANNOUNCEMENTS Helen Miler expressed her opinion that the Mayor and Council were remiss in not thanking Carol Arends for the work she did as Council Vice President for 2006. Cherry Rachal wanted the public to be aware of the work being done by the "REACH" program (Reaching Educational Achievement by Completing High school), which partners together with the Bremerton School District, City of Bremerton, and Olympic College to work with young, African- American males, or any young person who might need help. She, along with Pastor Dennis Payne of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, encouraged anyone interested in volunteering their time to mentor young people to please contact them, even if only to take a few minutes to show the kids you care because with help from the community, they believe we can "take education to a new level in Bremerton". Abby Crisp, with the Bremerton Housing Authority, explained that she works at the Westpark Community Center to manage the "Westpark Youth Program", which offers assistance to school-age children living in the Westpark area. She also asked for volunteers to mentor youth. Mike Walton, Marketing Director for the Kitsap Family YMCA, provided a monthly update of the activities taking place at the "Y", including Military Date Night the first Saturday of each month; Christmas gifts were provided to ten deserving military families; signups for Youth Instructional Basketball, Run/Walk Series, and ballet; Teen Late Night every Friday; Splash & Jam; and the upcoming Valentine Social on Tuesday, February 13 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Wendy Priest invited the public to attend a special art showing from 4:00 to 6:00 PM by Bremerton High School students as part of the First Friday Art Walk event at the Wesley Gallery, which is located by Evergreen Park and is open from 11 :00 AM to 11 :00 PM. Mike Shepherd announced the next phase of the Gorst Creek Restoration Project would take place on Saturday, January 13 at 9:00 AM at Glenn Jarstad Park. Volunteers will be asked to pull evasive weeds along the creek shoreline so sturdy gloves and rain boots are recommended. Dianne Robinson encouraged the Council and the public to attend the unveiling of an exclusive piece of public art designed by Yancy Wright for the wall of the Bremerton National Guard Readiness Center located at 1201 Union Avenue, on Friday, January 5, 2007 at 7:00 PM. CONSENT AGENDA A. Check Numbers 313773 through 313776; and EFT-9441 through EFT-9452 in the amount of $95,365.16 for the period ending December 31, 2006; and Retiree Payroll in the amount of $75,970.10 for the pay period ending December 31,2006 (#AB07-001) B. Minutes of Meeting - December 27,2006 (#AB07-002) City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes Wednesday, January 3, 2007 Page 3 of 4 C. Professional Services Agreement with SCHEER & ZEHNDER LLP for Legal Services (#AB07-003) There were no comments from the public. 06:01 :50 M/S/C/U (Priest/Arends) Move to approve the CONSENT AGENDA as presented. GENERAL BUSINESS 7 A - PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH PARAMETRIX FOR A NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORATION PLAN (#AB07-004): Michael Mecham, City Engineer, announced that the Engineering Division has selected PARAMETRIX to develop a Non-Motorized Transportation Plan. The plan will address safe routes to schools, bicycle routes and walking routes to important destinations throughout Bremerton. Helen Miller asked if this plan meant that more sidewalks would be provided. Mr. Mecham explained that yes, an integral part of this plan was to develop safe routes to schools for students. 06:12:40 M/S/C/U (Arends/McConnell) Move to approve the Professional Services Agreement with PARAMETRIX for the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan and authorize the Mayor to finalize and execute the necessary documents for this agreement, and to amend the 2007 budget to carry forward $50,000 of 2006 budgeted funds for this work. 78 - STATE PARTICIPATING AGREEMENT FOR UTILITY RELOCATIONS WITH THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (WSDOT) ON THE DOWNTOWN BREMERTON PEDESTRIAN/BTCACCESS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (#AB07-005): Phil Williams, Public Works & Utilities Director, explained that the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is planning for the construction of the Downtown Bremerton Pedestrian/BTC Access Improvement Project which will require the relocation of electrical facilities and new electrical service work. The agreement identifies the work that will be performed by the City, with reimbursement by the State. There were no comments from the public. 06:20:17 M/S/C/U (Arends/Wofford) Move to authorize the Mayor to finalize and execute the State Participating Agreement for utility relocations with Washington State Department of Transportation on the Downtown Pedestrian/BTC Access Improvement Project. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS Brad GehrinQ thanked the Council for their support in electing him the Council Vice-President for 2007; and was pleased to see USC win the Rose Bowl on New Years Day. Adam Brockus congratulated new Council President Maupin and Council Vice President Gehring. He also expressed his enthusiasm for the Seattle Seahawks making the playoffs. "Go Hawks!" Mike Shepherd announced that members of the Evergreen Neighborhood Association would be planting lavender plants at Evergreen Park on Saturday, January 20, 2007 beginning at 9:00 AM; and would then retire to Augustino Cafe for refreshments and a neighborhood meeting. Dianne Robinson congratulated new Council President Maupin and Council Vice President Gehring; and everyone a Happy New Year. She also mentioned that she has some projects she will be pursuing this coming year. Carol Arends also congratulated new Council President Maupin and Council Vice President Gehring; and everyone a Happy New Year. She encouraged everyone to participate in this weeks First Friday Art Walk activities. City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes Wednesday, January 3, 2007 Page 4 of 4 Cecil McConnell congratulated new Council President Maupin and Council Vice President Gehring; and also thanked the Mayor, the employees, and Council Members for their hard work in 2006. He specifically thanked Roger Lubovich and Laura Lyon for all their help throughout the year and for "keeping him out of trouble". He also thanked Council staff Lori Smith and Christine Grenier, and noted that without their help, nobody could do a decent job of President for this Council. Nick Wofford congratulated new Council President Maupin and Council Vice President Gehring; and thanked outgoing Chairs Cecil McConnell and Carol Arends for all their hard work. He reminded the public that the Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers for their New Hope Project. Will Maupin congratulated the WSU Cougar for being chosen as the best College football mascot in the Nation! He also agreed that he was remiss in thanking Carol Arends for all of her hard work last year as the Council's Vice President. President Maupin asked the Council Members to reconvene in the Conference Room for a brief discussion. With no further business, the Council Meeting was adjourned at 6:28 PM. ~nd Submitted by: -~~ LORI SMITH Legislative Assistant ... WM:PJ:ls:cg