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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/02/2009 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES ~ I'Dt31) II' 1 t 2009 DIGITAL RECORDING Wednesday, September 2, 2009 The weekly meeting of the City Council of the City of Bremerton was called to order Wednesday, September 2, 2009, at 5:00 PM in Council Conference Room 603 of the NORM DICKS GOVERNMENT CENTER, 345 6th Street, Bremerton, Washington, with Council President Cecil McConnell presiding. Council Members present were Nick Wofford, Will Maupin, Carol Arends, Dianne Robinson, Mike Shepherd, Roy Runyon, Adam Brockus, and Brad Gehring. Also present were City Attorney Roger Lubovich, City Clerk Carol Etgen, and Legislative Assistant Lori Smith. A COUNCIL BRIEFING was held to discuss General Council Business; and at 5:30 PM the meeting moved to the First Floor Meeting Chambers. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Brad GehrinQ followed by the invocation provided by Council Member Carol Arends. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Pro Tem Cecil McConnell was pleased to present City Clerk Carol EtQen with a plaque awarded by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in recognition of her efforts in earning the designation of MMC (Master Municipal Clerk), which is granted only to those municipal clerks who complete demanding education requirement; and who have a record of significant contributions to their local government, their community, and state. PUBLIC RECOGNITION & ANNOUNCEMENTS Brad GehrinQ reported that an earthquake drill organized by the Department of Emergency Management would be held on Wednesday, September 16 at 10: 15 AM. Adam Brockus mentioned several of the activities that are scheduled to take place during the Manette Fest event on Saturday, September 12 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Roy Runyon provided details about the first annual Bremerton Party to be held on Saturday, September 19 from 7:00 to 11 :00 PM in the Chambers of the Norm Dicks Government Center at a cost of $50 per person to benefit the Bremerton Foodline and charities of the East Bremerton Rotary. Dianne Robinson asked neighbors in the Anderson Cove area to attend a Matan Park Neighborhood Meeting on Thursday, September 3 at 5:30 PM and bring ideas on how to improve the park. Nick Wofford encouraged attendance at the Blackberry Festival that will be held this weekend on the downtown boardwalk. Gordy Byrd introduced the Council to Reverend GreQ Franco who mentioned that he was interested in local government and also recently opened a "healing room" downtown. Chris Gallacaher, Business & Technology instructor at Olympic College, announced that a 2-quarter Manufacturing Technology Program is being offered tuition free, and anyone interested can contact him at (360) 475-7676. The classes will be held on Monday and Wednesday from 3:00 to 6:15 PM; and on Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 to 6:15 PM at the West Sound Skill Center. CONSENT AGENDA A. Check Numbers 333393 through 333593; and EFT-9041 through EFT-9084 in the amount of $1,547,332.84; Regular Payroll for the pay period ending August 31,2009 in the amount of $761,227.29; and Retiree Payroll for the pay period ending August 31,2009 in the amount of $82,185.19. B. Minutes of Meeting - August 19, 2009 C. Minutes of Study Session - August 26, 2009 City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes Wednesday, September 2, 2009 Page 2 of 4 There were no questions or comments from the public. . . 05:44:25 M/S/C/U (Runyon/Wofford) Move to approve the CONSENT AGENDA as presented. GENERAL BUSINESS 6A - LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN EMERALD BAY YACHTS. LLC AND THE CITY OF BREMERTON: Gary Sexton, Economic Development Projects Administrator, explained that the proposed lease between the City of Bremerton and EMERALD BAY YACHTS, LLC is a 5-year lease with an option for an additional There were no comments from the public... 05:47:30 Main Motion was made and seconded as discussion by Council Members continued... 05:47:30 A-M/F (Runyon) An amendment to the Main Motion was made to approve the lease between the City of Bremerton and Emerald Bay Yachts, LLC; and authorize the Mayor to finalize and execute the agreement subject to a change in the lease term to one-year with a possible one- year extension. The amendment died for lack of a second. Will Maupin commented that it was good for the City to have a tenant willing to commit to a 5-year lease and Bremerton should be "business friendly" and not hold up the lease. Brad Gehrin~ felt that in this difficult economic climate, it was good for the City to help all businesses succeed. Adam Brockus has heard of the controversy or conflict between EMERALD BAY YACHTS and the BREMERTON MAINSTREAM ASSOCIATION and therefore proposed a motion to continue action on this matter until the next Council Meeting scheduled Wednesday, September 16. Carol Arends agreed with the comments made by fellow Council Members Maupin and Gehring about encouraging business in Bremerton, and believed that the Council should make a decision on this action tonight. Roy Runyon commented that he supported the amendment to continue this action, and even though he too was "pro" business, he wanted the Council to do more research to make an informed decision. Mike Shepherd added that the underlying issue was the use of the space on the boardwalk and believed it was time to develop a process to better organize local events. Nick Wofford reminded the Council that the issue before them was to approve a lease agreement. Dianne Robinson asked what the conflict was about. Mr. Runyon responded that he was aware of discussions held by members of the administration and the parties involved over a conflict about use of the boardwalk directly outside the location of EMERALD BAY YACHTS for a beer garden. Will Maupin stated that none of the arguments proposed are relevant to the 5-year lease of the space, and holding the lease is not the way to solve the issue. 05:59:23 C-M/S/F (Brockus/Runyon) Move to continue action on the Main Motion to Wednesday, September 16. Voted in favor to Continue: Runyon, Shepherd, Robinson, Brockus Voted opposed to Continue: Arends, Maupin, Wofford, Gehring, McConnell Motion failed: 4-Yes; 5-No City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes Wednesday, September 2, 2009 Page 3 of 4 Vote on Main Motion.... 06:00:00 M/S/C (Arends/Wofford) Move to approve the lease between the City of Bremerton and EMERALD BAY YACHTS, LLC; and authorize the Mayor to finalize and execute the agreement with substantially the same terms and conditions as presented. Voted in favor of Main Motion: Shepherd, Arends, Maupin, Wofford, Gehring, McConnell Voted opposed to Main Motion: Runyon, Robinson Abstained: Brockus . Motion carried: 6-Yes; 2-No; 1-Abstention 6B - ACCEPTANCE OF BROWNSFIELD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (BED!) GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING & URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD): Phil Williams, Public Works & Utilities Director stated that the City was verbally notified on August 19 that it will be offered a $1,175,000 Brownsfield Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support construction of the Bremerton Boardwalk, and a written award letter is forthcoming. HUD indicated they will require formal acceptance of the grant by September 14, 2009. This grant for the Boardwalk is conditioned upon the City's submittal of a Section 108 loan application for $2,800,000 within 60-days, and later acceptance of the loan. The requested action before the Council is acceptance of a BED I Grant and authorization to apply for a $2,800,000 Section 108 Loan. Thomas Knuckev with the Public Works Engineering Department and Marie Vila, CDBG Program Administrator, were also available to answer questions. 06:04:09 Main Motion was made and seconded as discussion by the Council began... 06:08:10 An amendment was proposed by Council Member Runyon, which was accepted as a "friendly amendment" by both the maker and seconder of the Main Motion... Carol Arends admitted that she liked the word "grant" but was a little nervous about the word "loan"; and understands the City can accept the grant, and then has 60-days to apply for the loan, but questioned which fund would repay that loan. Mr. Williams answered that he may not be able to provide a "crisp" answer on exactly which funds would be used to repay the loan but pointed out that the terms to repay the loan were very generous including no pre-payment penalty and no obligation to spend the full amount of the loan; and that the economic study provides positive reinforcement that there will be some additional resources coming to the City as a result of the project which may not exactly match, but will offset the requirement for some of the debt service of the loan. Mr. Williams further added that it was important to keep in mind that this project would provide a recreational amenity for the entire City and something that the citizens are looking forward to even if the project does not completely pay for itself entirely. Dianne Robinson expressed her concern that grants are not being pursued for use in the Anderson Cove area, and she supports this project, but not using these funds. Cecil McConnell was initially concerned about applying for a loan before the project was approved, but now understands that the City will not spend the money until the project gets the go ahead. 06:34:11 M/S/C (Brockus/Shepherd) Move to accept a $1.750,000 Brownsfields Economic Development Initiative Grant conditionally offered to the City; and authorize staff to apply for a $2,800,000 Section 108 Loan with acceptance of the loan and expenditure of loan proceeds subject to Council approval. Voted in favor of Motion: Shepherd, Maupin, Wofford, Gehring, Brockus, Runyon, McConnell Voted opposed to Motion: Robinson Abstained: Arends Motion carried: 7- Yes; 1-No; 1-Abstention City Council Reg. Mtg. Minutes Wednesday, September 2,2009 Page 4 of 4 COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS Brad GehrinQ mentioned that the First Friday Art Walk events will kick off the weekend events; and thanked Public Works and CDBG staff for all their efforts on these applications. Adam Brockus added the "tiniest parade" is also a Manette Fest event planned to begin at 12:30 PM; and thanked the crew of the USS BREMERTON for a recent tour of their ship. Roy Runyon reported on the showing of the Clean Tech movie and thanked all the sponsors. Mike Shepherd reported on his attendance at the NES Workshop which looked at environmental sustainable practices, and was particularly interested in transitioning from "free" to "paid" parking and ride share programs. Dianne Robinson reiterated information about the Matan Park Neighborhood Meeting on Thursday, September 3 at 5:30 PM and encouraged neighbors to participate. Carol Arends hoped that most City employees will be attending their annual City of Bremerton picnic at Evergreen Rotary Park, and mentioned that President and Mayor Pro Tem Cecil McConnell will be the head "chef" sharing the duties with the Department Directors. Will Maupin enjoyed attending several events this past week included the "Farewell to Japanese Exchange Students Picnic"; the "Listening Lunch with the Homeless" hosted by the Salvation Army; a get together at the Kitsap Historical Society where an interesting discussion was held on the history of Marine Drive; and had lunch with the Captain and crew of the USS BREMERTON. Cecil McConnell had the pleasure of being taken out to the USS BREMERTON to ride it back into Bremerton and mentioned that you couldn't meet a nicer group of people than their crew. He thanked them all for their hospitality at the lunch and reception, and most importantly, for their service and dedication to the country. With no further business, President McConnell adjourned the Council Meeting at 6:45 PM. p~ Submitted by: rS4WiA ) LORI SMITH - Legislative Assistant Attest: ~~~~ CfS.. OL N, City lerk ~C;;~# CECIL McCONN LL, City Council President CM:CE:ls:cg