Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/26/2019pet wOML DIGITAL RECORDING D n CITY COUNCIL JOINT PLANNING SESSION MINUTES Saturday, January 26, 2019 A Joint Planning Session between the City Council, Mayor, and Department Directors of the City of Bremerton was called to order in the Mayor's Council Conference Room 637 of the Norm Dicks Government Center, Bremerton, Washington, on Saturday, January 26, 2019, at 9:00 AM, with Council President Eric Younger presiding. Council Members present were Pat Sullivan, Leslie Daugs, Kevin Gorman, Lori Wheat, Michael Goodnow, and Richard Huddy. Also in attendance were Mayor Greg Wheeler, City Attorney Roger Lubovich, Police Chief Jim Burchett, Interim Fire Chief Pat McGanney, Financial Services Director DeWayne Pitts, Public Works & Utilities Director Chal Martin, City Engineer Tom Knuckey, Public Works Administration Division Manager Milenka Hawkins -Bates, Parks & Recreation Director Jeff Elevado, Community Development Director Andrea Spencer, and Municipal Court Administrator Dawn Nelson. Lori Smith, Legislative Office Manager was present to provide staff support. President Younger welcomed and thanked everyone for taking time on a Saturday to attend the Joint Planning Session. He then began by leading the Council on a review of the Council Rules & Procedures: ✓ Several noted housekeeping updates will be made; and ✓ Rule 1, Item 7 "Telephonic Appearance" will be reviewed Due to continued interest, he suggested that Council Members review the sections of the document that they wish to bring up further discussion or for consideration of proposed changes at a future Study Session, President Younger then led the Council on a review of the 2018 Council Goals to determine which Goals would move forward; followed by a discussion on additional 2019 Council Goals: 1. Local Streets and Sidewalks Improvements Keep for 2019 (Public Works Committee) • Develop a Sidewalk Policy and Work Plan • Action Plan for Local Street Repair • Update Streetlights; Support Development of Master Lighting Agreement • Secure Additional Funding (Finance, Investment & Parking Committee) Per a suggestion by President Younger, he would like to create/change the policy for the City to be 100% responsible to repair and replace sidewalks with in-house staff. 2. Economic Development Keep for 2019 Suppoft Opportunity Zones designated On the Gity Accomplished • Consider Code Changes to Support Development for: o Wheaton Way Corridor o Callow Business District Site Reuse and Revitalization o East -side Employment Center (Harrison) Study • Review/Revise Guidelines for the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee City Council Joint Planning Workshop Minutes Saturday, January 26, 2018 Page 2 of 4 Council offered their support for efforts by Mayor Wheeler, who will be following Legislative Sessions that include discussions offering assistance that promote small new businesses. Regarding repurposing vacant commercial structures, Fire Chief McGanney joined in the discussion on fire sprinklers, acknowledging they are expensive, but they save lives. Mayor Wheeler recommends that the Council not lower the current requirements. Chief McGanney addressed the inquiry of whether or not there are other more affordable plan options that do not lower the standards, stating that it all depends on the type of business, and whether or not there will be high occupancy (i.e. a restaurant), which require multiple exits, versus a business with a smaller occupancy (i.e. a )outique). Council inquired about the possibility of being able to offer a tax break or other similar incentive as was applied for the B&O tax exemption. City Attorney Roger Lubovich added it would require a "class" to be created that would apply the same criteria. Council agreed that they wanted more research for possible B&O and other tax incentives for vacant buildings. It was suggested that a program called "Spaceworks Tacoma —Vacancy to Vitality' could be explored as a possible economic development and revitalization tool that is currently being used successfully in Tacoma, could be used in Bremerton. Mayor Wheeler offered to explore this concept further. 3. Improve lntra-City Traffic Flow and Reduce Parking Congestion Keep for 2019 • Implement Parking Plan Strategies (Includes on -going review at the Committee level) • Work with Kitsap Transit to Improve Public Transportation in Bremerton Mayor Wheeler discussed proposed updates to the enforcement process, including the implementation of a new data collection tool that will be ready by October 1 for a 90-day testing period. This will provide the technology to gather all the data needed to know where changes are necessary. 4. Code Enforcement Keep for 2019 • Review Noise Ordinance It was suggested that Council continue to review and support all current ordinances that ensure enforcement... Mayor Wheeler also added that he is working with the Neighborhood Block Watch Captains to address the Hate Flyers. 6. Qualify Affordable Housing • Rental Housing Safety Program • Continue connection with Bremerton Housing Authority and Kitsap Community Resources • Explore opportunities with other stakeholders • As a member of the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council, work collaboratively on a County -wide response to homeless issues Additional comments included ways to do more to help the homeless not only to help them, but because they can be an impediment to a strong business climate in the downtown. Council agreed that a transitional housing program (outside of the downtown area) would not simply feed the City Council Joint Planning Workshop Minutes Saturday, January 26, 2018 Page 3 of 4 homeless, but more importantly would provide needed housing. Mayor Wheeler responded that he is currently on the search for appropriate property, and now that the City of Bremerton is a member of KRCC, he can collaboratively work through their agency to address this and other region -wide issues. There was discussion about potential zoning code changes to encourage affordable housing options. Department of Community Development Director Andrea Spencer discussed the work program of the Planning Commission for the coming year, and indicated that there would be more code changes for the City Council to consider, including in 2019. 7. Improve Kitsap Lake Water Quality Keep for 2019 8. Increase Public Outreach Keep for 2019 • Outreach Program with Bremerton High School Youth Advisory Council • Strengthen Relationship with Naval Base Kitsap and PSNS-IMF • Proposed Goal: Develop and communicate City Mission Vision, and Values Statement President Younger indicated that he has been in touch with Lynn Wall, Community Planning Liaison Officer at Naval Base Kitsap, and that she would assist him in inviting representatives to a future Study Session and organizing a tour to continue strengthening relationships with the Navy and PSNS. A Resolution was proposed to declare the City of Bremerton is inclusive (The conversation on whether to delete or retain specific language that lists "immigration status" from the proposed resolution could not be resolved; therefore the conversation of this issue will be scheduled for further discussion at a future Study Session). The possibility was also raised for the Council to develop and implement a Mission Statement indicating that the City of Bremerton is all-inclusive. Mayor Wheeler mentioned that the Human Resources Department will soon be working on a Diversity Plan that will ultimately lead to a Committee for further development. President Younger called a recess for a lunch from Noon until approx. 12:35 PM... He then reopened the Joint Planning Work Session... Under Goal No. 6 "Quality Affordable Housing": Rental Housing Safety Program: Reference material was distributed, including an article from the City of Lakewood "Renters deserve safe, healthy places to live" addressing affordable housing; a fee schedule from the City of Seattle of 'Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance (RR/O) Program Fees"; and from the City of Lakewood 'Rental Housing Safety Program Inspection Checklist' to use as examples for similar items to include in a proposed program for the City of Bremerton to implement in 2021. It was suggested the City Auditor can perform a forensic audit to determine who is renting their property out without a license, perhaps by reviewing utility bills... Additional potential 2019 Council Goals: ➢ Annexation (New Goal for 2019) • Work with the Department of Community Development to Encourage Annexation Community Development Director Andrea Spencer spoke to the subject; which included a suggested City Council Joint Planning Workshop Minutes Saturday, January 26, 2018 Page 4 of 4 joint meeting with Mayor Wheeler, Council President Younger, and County Commissioners to further discuss the subject of annexing "islands", areas under County jurisdiction, but surrounded by the City of Bremerton. Under Goal No. 1 "Local Streets and Sidewalks Improvements": Update Streetlights; Support Development of Master Lighting Agreement Public Works &Utility Director Chal Martin and City Engineer Tom Knuckey added to the discussion raised by Council regarding ways to conserve energy and save money with PSE and City owned streetlights. It was mentioned that the City is currently working with PSE to develop a Master Lighting Agreement that will include an audit of all lighting systems (an inventory), including the possible conversion to LEDs. Under Goal No. 2 "Economic Development': • Review/Revise Guidelines for the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Auditor is working to review how other cities are allocating Lodging Tax funds, including how many other cities directed all or most of the funding towards City -owned projects instead of local events and festivals. It was acknowledged that this philosophy, if adopted, would be a drastic change to the process. Comments also included that the Council's priority for funding should be communicated to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee ahead of their deliberations; and that stricter requirements to provide more "proof' of "heads on beds" should be discussed. President Younger closed the meeting by briefly reviewing the Committee assignments for each goal, and emphasized that these Committees and the Council of the whole will have the responsibility to ensure that Council Goals are met. With no further business, President Younger adjourned the City Council Joint Planning Session at 2:20 PM. Prepared and Submitted by: i LORI SMITH, Legislative Office Manager APPR VED by the City Council on the 20th day of February, 2019. ERIC YOUNGER, ATTEST' EY:AW:Is:cg Council President