09/18/2012 - Work Study - MinutesCity of Port Orchard
Council Meeting Minutes
Work Study Session of September 18, 2012
7:00 p.m. Call to Order
Mayor Matthes called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Pro-Tem Jerry Childs
and Councilmembers Fred Chang, Carolyn Powers, Rob Putaansuu, Cindy Lucarelli, and
Jim Colebank were present. Planning Director James Weaver, Public Works Director
Mark Dorsey, City Clerk Brandy Rinearson, Office Assistant Jenine Floyd and City
Attorney Greg Jacoby were also present.
Absent: Councilmember John Clauson
1. Discussion: Port Waterfront Plan Vision
Development Director Weaver expressed the significant interest of a waterfront vision
plan for the downtown area. He presented to the Council and staff a Waterfront Vision
Master Plan Timeline, which includes 5 phases:
Phase 1, 2012 – Pre-Planning with City of Port Orchard and the Port of
Bremerton staff.
Phase 2, 2012-2013 – City of Port Orchard 2013 Budget approval and the Port of
Bremerton 2013 Budget approval.
Phase 3, 2012 – Conduct Waterfront Planning, Vision Goals and Policies,
Incorporation of Economic Development and Financial Analysis, Proposed Public
& Private Improvements, and Fiscal Plans and Preliminary Draft Document and
Analysis.
Phase 4, 2013 – Port, City & Planning Commission Review.
Phase 5, 2013 – Final Draft Waterfront Master Plan.
He also mentioned that the Planning Commission passed a resolution, which
recommended a formation of a Downtown Waterfront Committee.
Councilmember Childs stated he would like the Council to express their individual
thoughts on what they would like for the Waterfront Vision. He mentioned that the Port
of Bremerton liked the idea of getting together and discussing individual visions. He
expressed his ideas which included less asphalt and more green, moving the library, and
a water sports area.
After a brief discussion, the Council agreed of forming a Downtown Waterfront Vision
sub-committee comprised of Port Commissioners and three City Councilmembers. The
sub-committee would approach the Port of Bremerton to set a meeting date.
Council Direction: Council directed staff to send a copy of the minutes from tonight’s
Work Study Session to Councilmembers Clauson, Powers, and Childs; and for them to
approach the Port of Bremerton.
2. Discussion: Legislative Priorities
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Briana Taylor, Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs Lobbyist, updated the
Council and staff on items which they had determined to be legislative priorities, as well
as the relationship between Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs and
Gordon Thomas Honeywell Law Firm. She stated they are two separate companies,
sharing a trade name, with separate computer systems and separate management.
Ms. Taylor mentioned that the timeline for finalizing the 2012j2013 Legislative Agenda
is the end of November.
In response to Councilmember Powers, Ms. Taylor confirmed that the expanded use of
lodging tax revenues to use for special events operations will expire in June, 2013. At the
past legislative session, a bill was brought forward to remove that expiration; however, it
was strongly opposed by the hoteljmotel community and certain tourism advocate
groups.
Ms. Taylor then gave an update on the following legislative issues:
• Current status of the legislative agenda;
• Update on elections & possible outcomes;
• Update on Transportation funding;
• Update on Capital funding;
• Update on AWC legislative committee process;
• Public Records Reform efforts;
• Public Facility District sales tax extension efforts; and
• Law enforcement training;
• Bay Street Pedestrian Path; and
• Dekalb Street Public Pier and Dock.
Ms. Taylor informed the Council that she will continue to track these issues, and give
any updates as needed.
Council Direction: Council directed staff to add this discussion to the November 20,
2012, Work Study Session Agenda.
3· Discussion: LTAC Recommendation/Presentation of 2013 Hotel/Motel
Fund Distribution
Councilmember Chang informed the Council and staff that the Lodging Tax Advisory
Committee (LTAC) reviewed 15 applications submitted by organizations that are
requesting use of lodging tax funds for 2013. City Clerk Rinearson provided a document
outlining the LTAC recommendations for the Council and staff to review.
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Councilmember Putaansuu mentioned that he would like to table this discussion until
the next Work Study Session, as Councilmember Clauson is absent.
City Attorney Jacoby reminded the Council that the reason the discussion is being held
this way, is from dissatisfaction in the process in past years. It was agreed last year that
once the LTAC finished with their recommendations, they would be brought forward for
discussion at a Work Study Session. Once a consensus was reached, either at this
meeting or a different meeting, there would then be a motion, or a formal resolution of
the recommendations for the Council to vote on for the budget.
In response to Councilmember Putaansuu, Councilmember Childs· mentioned that the
Economic Development and Tourism Committee also provided recommendations for
the 2013 lodging tax funds. He felt that several of the recommendations from the LTAC
were significantly out of line with historical amounts. An example he mentioned was the
Port Orchard Bay Street Association (POBSA), who would like to market downtown
business outside of the City. POBSA is asking for $21,300; last year they asked for
$14,000 and received $6,ooo. The LTAC recommended they receive $16,460.
Councilmember Childs stated it was too much money for marketing, and the Economic
Development and Tourism Committee recommends they receive $6, 750.
Councilmember Chang mentioned that he is not ready to weigh m on the
recommendations, as he would like more time.
Councilmember Powers stated that she is very shocked at the Economic Development
and Tourism Committee coming up with different recommendations than the LTAC. She
noticed that the recommendations for the Economic Development and Tourism
Committee, Festival of Chimes and Lights, Foot Ferry and the Police Department have a
total of $17,050, which is about 20% of the total recommend amount. She would like to
know what that leaves for the other organizations, as these are all City organizations.
She would rather go with the LTAC recommendations instead of an entire re-write of the
recommendations as presented by the Economic Development and Tourism Committee.
She believes that if the Economic Development and Tourism Committee wanted to bring
forth their recommendations, they should have contact the LTAC.
In response, Councilmember Childs stated that none of this is binding, as nothing has
been decided yet. It is up to the Council to make a decision, and this is just part of the
process.
City Attorney Jacoby noted that for many years, the Council was not very interested in
how the lodging tax funds were distributed. They would approve what was brought forth
from the LTAC with very minor changes. A few years ago, the Council changed, and now
some Councilmembers are very interested in the recommendations. It is the Council's
right to bring forth recommendations for the full Council to consider.
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After a brief discussion, several Councilmembers stated they would like more time to
review the lodging tax recommendations; and to also wait until Councilmember Clauson
is in attendance.
Council Direction: Council directed staff to continue this discussion to the October
16,2012, Work Study Session.
4· Discussion: Sidney Street Road End
Public Works Director Dorsey reported the Public Property Committee is concerned
with the section of Sidney Street that ends at the right-of-way. This is the six foot
diameter circle that used to have a fountain, in from of the Port Orchard Library. He
would like the Council's input on expanding it so that trucks and vehicles cannot run
over the raised curb; and what impact that would have on ownership. He presented a
sketch to the Council of what a standard cul-de-sac would look like. He estimated that
the design would be roughly $120,000, which would include landscaping and entry
signs. The City would also need to get easements from Kitsap Transit, Mhyres, DNR, and
the Port of Bremerton.
In response to Councilmember Putaansuu, Public Works Director stated that the current
center at the end of Sidney Street could be replaced with asphalt or concrete.
Councilmember Chang noted that the Public Properties committee did not like the idea
of making the circle wider for drivers, therefore narrower for pedestrians.
Public Works Director Dorsey noted that the area is a liability for the City, as there have
been claims from citizens who vehicles were damaged from the curb. He mentioned the
best way to take care of this problem would be to cut out the circle and lay down asphalt.
Councilmember Lucarelli stated that since the Bay Street Pedestrian Pathway will be
going through there shortly, causing a lot of changes, it might be best to table this for the
time being, and work on it as a long term solution.
Councilmember Chang informed the Council that the Public Properties Committee
agreed to take out the current circle, not to expand the circle.
Council Direction: Council directed staff to add the three options as a supplemental
item under Sidney Avenue End Improvements into the 2013 budget for consideration by
the Council.
5· Discussion: Marina Pump Station-Toilet Repair
Public Works Director Dorsey reported the marina pump station has a bathroom which
does not function very well, especially in the summer. The toilet has been ripped out,
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and Mr. Dorsey would like to know if the bathroom should just be kept closed , or should
the toilet be replaced for $1,800.
Councilmember Lucarelli mentioned that during events, many people have used that
facility. She would like to address building a more welcoming facility; but in the
meantime, and with the loss of the toilet, we should have the toilet replaced.
Council Direction: Council directed staff to move forward with replacing the Marina
Pump Station toilet.
6. Discussion: Well No. 4B Water Rights
Councilmember Putaansuu reported that at the Utility Committee meeting, it was
discussed that when Well No. 4B was drilled a couple years ago, when McCormick Land
Company was first developed, the water rights was issued to the Golf Course instead of
the City. McCormick Woods is willing to transfer the water rights back to the City with
some minor conditions.
Council Direction: Council directed City Attorney Jacoby to draft an Agreement with
McCormick Woods for Well No. 4B transfer of water rights to the City.
At 9:24p.m., Mayor Matthes recessed the meeting for a 30-minute Executive Session
regarding potential litigation in accordance with RCW 42.30.no(b). City Attorney
Jacoby was invited to attend; and the Mayor announced that no action would be taken
as a result of the Executive Session.
At 9:54p.m., the meeting was adjourned.
Next Work Study Session-Tuesday, October 16, 2012
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Timothy C. Matthes, Mayor
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Brandy Rinearson, CMC, City Clerk