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Home My WebLink About08/08/2007 I'(MIUI\U ~ DIGITAL RECORDING CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUG 1 5"iOO7 VVednesday, August 8, 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, VVashington, VVednesday, August 8,2007, at 5:30 PM, with Council President Maupin presiding. Council members present were Nick VVofford, Carol Arends, Adam Brockus, Cecil McConnell, and Brad Gehring. Council Members VVendy Priest, Mike Shepherd, and Dianne Robinson were absent. Also present were City Attorney Roger Lubovich; Deputy City Clerk Cherie Henry; and Legislative Assistant Lori Smith. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Brad GehrinQ followed by the invocation provided by Council Member Carol Arends. President Maupin announced that a Pre-Council Session to discuss General Council Business was held prior to the meeting to discuss general Council business and to hear a presentation by VVyn Birkenthal, Parks Director on "Conservation Futures Tax"funding collected by Kitsap County. PUBLIC RECOGNITION & ANNOUNCEMENTS - There were no comments or announcements... CONSENT AGENDA A. Check Numbers 318642 through 318790; and EFT -7280 through EFT -7296 in the amount of $908,044.87 for the period ending July 31,2007; and Regular Payroll in the amount of $786,413.09 for the pay period ending July 31, 2007 (#AB07-191) B. Minutes of Meeting - August 1, 2007 (#AB07 -192) 05:33:30 M/S/C/U (Arends/Brockus) Move to approve the CONSENT AGENDA as presented. President Will Maupin explained that the following item was first presented to the Council on August .1, 2007; and that action was postponed until tonight. Now, Council would resume deliberation on Resolution No. 3032. GENERAL BUSINESS 5A - RESOLUTION NO. 3032. AUTHORIZING THE PLACEMENT OF THE QUESTION ON THE NOVEMBER 6. 2007 BALLOT REGARDING AN INCREASE IN THE CITY'S REGULAR PROPERTY TAX LEVY TO FUND SPECIFIED CITY PROGRAMS ("NEIGHBORHOODS NOW! REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE") (#AB07-190): Laura Lvon, Financial Services Director, reiterated that the next phase of revitalization for the City extends the renewal out to City neighborhoods, and there has been a considerable amount of time and consideration devoted to the development of the Neighborhoods Now! plan that has three major components: c:::> Phase I focuses on parks (maintenance and development), community improvements, and sidewalks; c:::> Phase II will zero in on preservation and repair of neighborhood streets; and ~ Phase III will bring it all together by connecting neighborhoods with some transformational trail projects. First up for Council action is Phase 1. In order to provide funding for these proposed programs and activities, a proposition is recommended to be taken to the voters of the City of Bremerton in the upcoming general election on November 6,2007. Council approval of Resolution No. 3032 tonight would authorize a levy lift proposal to adequately fund programs that would: . Improve Maintenance of Existing and Future Parks & Recreational Facilities City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes VVednesday, August 8, 2007 Page 2 of 3 . Renovate, Improve, and Develop Neighborhood Parks . Establish a Community Improvement Program; and . Improve and Construct New Neighborhood Sidewalks Mayor Bozeman' first thanked the staff, led by Laura Lyon, Phil Williams, and Wyn Birkenthal, for the incredible amount of work they have put in for the last few years to develop solutions for the ongoing street maintenance and park maintenance funding needs, and community improvement. He understands it is difficult to ask people to raise their taxes, but he explained that this proposal will address the issues that the Council, Administration, and even citizens have determined to be important for the City. President Maupin opened discussion to the public. . . Ed Wolfe and Jerrv Reid expressed their support for this initiative and then introduced several members of the Bremerton Boys & Girls Club, including Sean Finch, Kayla O'Brvan, Caden Guido, and Nicholas Smidt who each explained that all kids like parks and provided reasons why they think parks are important. Rev. Larrv Robertson agreed with the kids that parks are important for everyone and encouraged the Council to support this Resolution to place this item on the ballot. GUY Stitt admitted that he first wanted the City to improve streets, but now agrees that we all need parks, and the issues addressed in this plan are important Charmaine Parsons also agreed that parks were important, but offered suggestions for providing more control and security at the parks. Billie Schmidt, Branch Director of the Bremerton Boys & Girls Club expressed how important the parks are to children they serve and for all of their programs. Kelly Finch explained that as a parent, parks are very important in helping to raise kids. Jordy Ander with the Manette Neighborhood Coalition thanked the staff for their presentation and expressed the Coalition's support of this proposal. Odette Marshon also with the Manette Neighborhood Coalition asked if the City has plans to provide a dog park on the Eastside of Bremerton. Ms. Parsons cautioned the City not to combine a dog park with the same park as children for safety reasons. John Strauss reminded everyone that the issue tonight was not whether or not to support this Initiative but whether or not this issue should be placed on the ballot for approval by the voters. With no further requests to speak, President Maupin closed comment from the public at 6:08 PM... Mr. McConnell, Mr. Wofford, and Mr. Brockus asked for further explanation about when funding for street improvements can take place. Ms. Lyon and Mr. Williams responded that House Bill 185.8 was passed by the Legislature this year but requires cities to wait 6-months before acting on it, which is January 22, 2008. So the City has to wait, but it allows time to collect citizen input before implementing Phase II of the plan. Mr. Gehrina discussed the positive aspects of the new Community Improvement Program; and the prioritization of spending the funds. Also !=It his request, Mr. Birkenthal addressed details about the land acquisition in Anderson Cove; and Mr. Williams addressed details about sidewalk inventory. City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes VVednesday,August8,2007 Page 3 of 3 Mr. Maupin expressed his support for placing this item on the ballot for the citizens to vote, and also thanked the Mayor and his staff for the proposal that has been presented. Mr. Brockus thanked everyone for their comments, and agreed that it was a good idea to place this item on the ballot. 6:26:53 M/S/C/U (Brockus/VVofford) Move to approve Resolution No. 3032, as amended, authorizing the placement of the question on the November 6,2007 ballot regarding an increase in the City's regular property tax levy to fund specified City programs. VVith no further business, President Maupin adjourned the Council Meeting at 6:27 PM. p~rls;;;;Z/J LORI SMITH '-/ Legislative Assistant Attest: 0.(.A 1~ .J~~~C~ ~~. F- PAULA JOHN ON, City lerk VVM:PJ:ls:cg