HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/04/2008
DIGITAL RECORDING
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JUN 1 6 2008
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
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 Stree~, Bremerton,
Washington, Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at 5:30 PM, with Council President Will Maupin presiding.
Council Members present were Nick Wofford, Carol Arends, Dianne Robinson, Mike Shepherd,
Roy Runyon, Adam Brockus, Cecil McConnell, and Brad Gehring. Also present were Assistant
City Attorney Ken Bagwell; City Clerk Carol Etgen; and Legislative Assistant Lori Smith.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Brad GehrinQ followed by the invocation
provided by Associate Pastor Bob Westfall of Bremerton First Church of the Nazarene.
President Maupin announced that prior to the meeting, a Pre-Council Session was held to
discuss General Council Business.
MAYOR'S REPORT
. Was pleased that the Grand Opening of the new Bremerton Marina exceeded all their
expectations; and thanked the Port of Bremerton for providing a "world class marina";
. Thanked City Finance Director Laura Lyon, Public Works Director Phil Williams, and
Community Development Director Andrea Spencer for their work on the proposed SKIA
annexation; and also the work of Ms. Lyon on the LIFT proposal;
. Commented that a lot of new activity should soon be kicking in at the museum; and lastly,
. Mentioned that progress has been made toward finding a positive solution for the relocation of
the Municipal Court building.
PUBLIC RECOGNITION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Adam Brockus encouraged the public to attend the 1 st Public Outreach Meeting for the Manette
Business District Sub-Area Plan on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the
Chambers of the Norm Dicks Government Center.
Roy Runyon announced that the next District 4 Meeting would be held on Tuesday, June 17,2008
beginning at 5:30 PM in the Council Conference Room of the Norm Dicks Government Center.
The program would be "Pets in the City" with Rance McEntyre of the Kitsap Humane Society.
Brad Gehrinq reminded citizens to attend the Bremerton Farmers Market every Thursday until
October 9, from 4:00 to 7:30 PM in the Seaside Church parking lot across from Evergreen Park.
Nick Wofford invited the public to attend the First Friday Art Walk events scheduled this week in
Charleston, Downtown, and in the Manette area. .
CONSENT AGENDA '\
A. Check Numbers 324823 through 325076; and EFT-7873 through EFT-7905 in the amount of
$2,815,722.86; Reissue of a final pension check in the amount of $109.48; and Retiree Payroll
in the amount $78,531.10 for the pay-period ending May 31, 2008 (#AB08-132)
B. Minutes of Meeting - May 21,2008 (#AB08-133)
C. Minutes of Meeting - May 28,2008 (#AB08-134)
D. Re-Appointment of Eric Anderson to the Bremerton Housing Authority Board of
Commissioners (#AB08-135)
City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Page 2 of 5
E. Approval of Remedial Action Grant Agreement with the Department of Ecology for the former
Chevron property (#AB08-136)
F. Approval of a 10-year Land Lease Agreement between the City of Bremerton and Donna
Hammargren for Sewage Pump Station EB-4 (#AB08-137)
G. Contract Award for Construction of Reservoir Seismic Valve Upgrade to STAN PALMER
CONSTRUCTION (#AB08-138)
H. Resolution No. 3061, authorizing an application to the Washington State Recreation and
Conservation Office for a Lions Park Grant (#AB08-139)
There were no comments from the public...
05:40:15 M/S/C (Runyon/Wofford) Move to approve the CONSENT AGENDA as presented.
Voted in favor of Motion: Gehring, McConnell, Runyon, Shepherd, Robinson, Arends, Wofford,
Maupin
Abstained: Brockus
Motion carried: 8-Yes; 1-Abstention
GENERAL BUSINESS
6A - REDEVELOPMENT GRANT CONTRACT WITH WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF
ECOLOGY FOR LIONS PARK (#AB08-140): Parks & Recreation Director Wyn Birkenthal stated
that the grant agreement with the Department of Ecology will provide one million dollars toward the
redevelopment of Lions Park. Under the agreement, the City will use Low Impact Development
Techniques (LID) to construct a new Park restroom, improve parking, use of native plantings to
stop shoreline erosion, create a waterfront trail, and construct a child-friendly play meadow at the
north end of the park. The project has been endorsed by the Bremerton Central Lions Club and
has been reviewed by the Park Board, Council Finance Committee, and the Parks & Public Safety
Committee. The 25% grant match will be provided by the Parks portion of real estate excise tax
and in-kind services including planting, site preparation, project design and project management.
Richard Nerf and Bill North, members of the Parks Commission, provided comments in support
of this request, and also discussed highlights of what this grant would provide for the Park.
John Starton liked the plan, but was concerned that there was a potential for losing too many
needed parking spaces. Mr. Birkenthal explained that by re-striping the current parking lot, and
increasing the parking in the upper area, there was only a net-loss of 4 parking spaces with the
implementation of this plan.
05:54:45 M/S/C/U (Arends/Runyon) Move to authorize the Mayor to enter into the Lions Park
Redevelopment Grant Contract with the Department of Ecology; and to finalize and execute the
agreement with substantially the same terms and conditions as presented.
6B - AGREEMENT WITH THE U.S. GOLF ASSOCIATION FOR THE 2011 JUNIOR AMATEUR
CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT (#AB08-141): Daryl Metheney, Head Golf Pro at Gold
Mountain Golf Course, explained that following the success of the 2006 U.S. Public Links
Championship at Bremerton's Gold Mountain Golf Course, the City's golf professionals with the
support and encouragement of the Gold Mountain Board of Directors and staff pursued bringing
an additional major tournament to Bremerton. The agreement with the U.S. Golf Association
outlines the conditions and terms for the 2011 Junior Amateur Championship. The agreement is
similar to the one executed for the 2006 Public Links event. The event to be held July 18-23,
City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes
Wednesday, June 4,2008
Page 3 of 5
2011, will raise the profile of Gold Mountain within the national golf community and bring a healthy
economic boost to Bremerton's hotels, restaurants, and retail stores owing to the influx of golfers
and attendees from out of town. Local fund raising will be needed to put on the event and the Golf
Professionals have obtained a great deal of positive interest from the sponsors of the 2006 Public
Links Championship. The agreement has been reviewed by the City Attorney, and endorsed in
principal by the Gold Mountain Board of Directors at their April 2008 meeting. Mr. Metheney
provided a POWERPOINT@ presentation to provide further highlights and benefits of bringing such a
high profile championship tournament to our area, and added that the event will be televised.
06:08:55 M/S/C/U (McConnell/Brockus) Move to approve the agreement with the U.S. Golf
Association for the 2011 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship Tournament at Gold Mountain; and
authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement in substantially the same form as presented.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7 A - ORDINANCE NO. 5052. CREATING THE BREMERTON HARBORSIDE REVENUE
DEVELOPMENT AREA (#AB08-142): Laura Lyon, Financial Services Director, provided a
POWERPOINT@ presentation to provide further details as she explained that Washington State
enacted legislation creating the Local Infrastructure Financing Tool (LIFT). The LIFT Legislation
creates an opportunity to redirect existing revenue sources to projects that benefit the local
community by designating a Revenue Development Area (RDA). The City must obtain permission
form the State to use this authority. To secure the State's permission, the City must participate in
a process specified by law and compete against other interested government agencies throughout
the state. The selection of Bremerton would authorize the City (within the approved and
established RDA) to finance certain economic development public infrastructure improvements
through the reallocation of various existing property and excise taxes. Use of LIFT does not
increase property or sales tax rates.
The estimated period in which local infrastructure financing is contemplated to be used is twenty-
five (25) years. If the City is selected by the State for this program, LIFT would commence as
early as July 1, 2011 and conclude no later than June 30, 2039.
Staff has completed the required notification procedures and ensured all conditions of the
proposed Revenue Development Area meet the eligibility criteria and therefore recommend that
the City Council approve the ordinance creating the Bremerton Harborside Revenue Development
Area.
Mark Saterthwait was not so concerned with the tax rate, but the fact that property taxes will
escalate; and was also concerned with the lack of information that has been provided so far to the
public.
Joe Hudson, owner of Evergreen Trophies was concerned that at least 25% of businesses will be
negatively affected, and would also like additional information.
John Starton would like to have the mitigation plan explained in further detail.
Pat ROQers provided comments in support of this plan, noting that it fits the City's Comprehensive
Plan; and applauds what the City has done so far.
Fred Zash read from a list of questions.
Mike Walton speaking as a representative of Kitsap Public Facilities District asked about the
displacement of sales tax.
Terry Boyle applauds this effort and encouraged the Council to vote in support of the LIFT.
City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Page 4 of 5
Ms. Lyon addressed the issue of increased property values, stating that it was a goal of the City
with or without the LIFT; agreed that only a summary was provided tonight, but that additional
information would be included in the analysis that would be provided as part of the application and
would be made readily available to the public on the City's website. She addressed the issues of
growth assumption; how many low income multi-family units would be available, stated that quite a
bit of growth in the downtown area is part of the City's growth management plan; explained that
the mitigation plan is included in Exhibit E of the ordinance; discussed that the Small Business
Development Center offers assistance to small businesses to help them be successful; and there
is also the multi-tax abatement program that offers tax incentives; and that customized work force
training programs are all available to help mitigate some of the impact that might occur. She also
listed several organizations and programs that assist people with locating low-income housing and
aid if they are displaced. .
Ms. Lyon further added that the LIFT funding is not dependent on the Boardwalk Project funding;
the LIFT is not tied to the upgrade of the Manette Bridge; and she is not aware of any other cities
in the County who have applied for this funding, but explained that they are also not required to
disclose that information. For those cities that are competing this year, it may be the last group
unless the Legislature approves additional funding. $2.5 million has been made available per
year, for 25-years, and it 500 new multi-family residential units are expected 2009 through 2039,
but it is unknown how many of them would be low income. Mr. Maupin pointed out that the tax
abatement program provides incentives for multi-family, low-income housing.
Director of Public Works & Utilities Phil Williams addressed in further detail the questions related
to the Boardwalk project; and stated the State has funding set aside for replacing the Manette
Bridge between 2010 and 2012 and it is the hope of the City to have funding available for the
Boardwalk project between 2010 and 2011. Property owners are encouraged to contact the Public
Works Department to discuss any additional concerns.
7:13:13 to 7:33:48
Council Members asked for clarification, expressed concern, and provided comments in support of
the proposed LlFT...
07:33:48 M/S/C/U (Robinson/Arends) Move to approve Ordinance No. 5052 creating a Revenue
Development Area (RDA) to be known as the Bremerton Harborside Revenue Development Area.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Adam Brockus reiterated information about the first public workshop on the Manette Sub Area
Plan; and commented that he had a wonderful time at the grand opening of the Marina.
Roy Runyon echoed the positive comments about the grand opening of the Marina; and
commented on the Parking & Animal Control Committee meeting held last evening and thanked
the citizens who attended to provide comment.
Mike Shepherd further commented on the Parking & Animal Control Committee meeting; as well
as the meeting to discuss the upcoming Evergreen Park Birthday celebration.
Carol Arends reminded citizens to attend the First Friday Artwalk activities; and that it was cold in
here tonight!
Nick Wofford thanked citizens who volunteer their time to serve on committees.
City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes
Wednesday, June 4,2008
Page 5 of 5
With no further business, President Maupin adjourned the Council Meeting at 7:38 PM.
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CAROL ET , City erk
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Prepared and Submitted by:
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Legislative Assistant