06/10/2002 - Regular - MinutesPort Orchard, Washington
June 10, 2002
Council of the City of Port Orchard, Washington, called to regular session by Mayor Weatherill at 7:30 P.M.
at City Hall, 216 Prospect Street. Council members present: Clauson, Morrison, Geiger, Powers, Rider, and
Cramer. Councilman Wyatt excused. Staff present: City Engineer Curies, City Treasurer Tompkins, City
Attorney Combs, Deputy Clerk Merlino, and City Clerk Parks.
Councilwoman Powers led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Weatherill asked for audience comments for items not listed on this agenda. No comments were
received at this time.
Mayor Weatherill referred to letter fmm Roy Carr representing Sidney Museum and Arts Association. Mr.
Carr spoke to Council concerning financial problems the Sidney Museum and Arts Association has been
experiencing. Mr. Carr expressed a concern with the lack of parking available to potential customers due to
a change in the parking restrictions on Prospect Street from four-hour parking to two-hour parking. In
conclusion ivir. Carr asked for the City's heip to insure the Sidney Gaiiery can remain open. iViayor
Weatherill placed this matter into the Finance Committee for review.
Bremerton Mayor Cary Bozeman thanked the Mayor and Council for the invitation to bring the City of Port
Orchard up to date on the renovation plans for the City of Bremerton. Mayor Bozeman gave a brief
history of Bremerton's past 15 years and the turmoil they have experienced. Mayor Bozeman advised the
City of Bremerton is totally committed to the city's renovation plans. At this time Mayor Bozeman
introduced Gary Sexton, Economic Development Director for the City of Bremerton.
Mr. Sexton presented a schematic of Bremerton's five-year downtown revitalization plan. Mr. Sexton
spoke about the proposed projects that are anticipated in the future:
• Conference Center Hotel and Parking Garage-partnered with Kitsap Transit and Kitsap County
• Governance Center-partnered with Kitsap Consolidated Housing Authority and Kitsap County
• 200 unit waterfront condominiums -partnered with Kitsap Consolidated Housing Authority
• Maritime Park-partnered with Navy Shipyard
Expanded Marina-partnered with Port of Bremerton
East Park Development -partnered with private investor
= West Park Redevelopment-partnered with Bremerton Housing Authority
Mr. Sexton stated the total investment for the five-year plan is approximately $139-149 million dollars.
City Treasurer Tompkins presented staff report on the Business License Program and the proposed fees.
City Treasurer Tompkins discussed data her staff has compiled in a survey of comparable cities with a
population between 5,000 and 11,000. City Treasurer Tompkins referred to the current city Business
License Ordinance No. 1701, which states "If the city does not break even on ratio of costs to revenue,
fees will be charged in the future." In conclusion City Treasurer Tompkins informed the Council the
Business License Program been operating with a negative cash flow.
Frances Marsh, owner of three businesses, spoke in opposition to a proposed business license fee,
stating some her businesses cannot afford any additional expenses.
Laura Pittman-Hewitt, representing Port Orchard Farmers Market, expressed a concern on how a
business license fee will affect the vendors at the market, who only sell one or two times a season. This
could potentially cause them to not participate in the market. Ms. Pitman-Hewitt suggested charging the
Port Orchard Farmers Market organization a business license fee and not the individual vendors.
City Attorney Combs advised that each Council member who does business within the city must disclose
their business venture(s) and if anyone has a concern or objection to their participating in the business
license discussion or any action on the issue, they should voice that concern/objection at this time.
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Councilman Cramer-Mrs. Cramer has a dental lab within their residence
a Councilman Rider-owns two businesses: Harborside Bar and Grill and Northwest Tree Service
Councilman Geiger-owns two businesses: Plaza Twin Theatre and Geiger Pharmacy
Councilman Morrison -owns Whoco Consultants.
No one present voiced any concern/objection to these council members participation in discussions or
subsequent actions on the business license program/fee issue. Council continued their discussion.
Councilman Morrison moved to implement a business license fee of $30.00 per year, seconded by
Councilman Clauson.
Councilman Geiger presented a motion to table the implementation of a business license fee of $30.00
per year; Councilman Rider seconded the motion. Motion failed with 3 ayes, 3 nays with Mayor
Weatherill voting nay to break the tie. Council members Powers, Clauson, and Morrison voting nay.
Council members Rider, Cramer, and Geiger voting aye.
After considerable discussion on the merits of business licenses and potential fee variations, the Council
approved the original motion, as presented, to implement a business license fee of $30.00 per year.
Motion passed with 3 ayes, 3 nays with Mayor Weatherill voting aye to break the tie. Council members
Powers, Clauson, and Morrison voted aye. Council members Rider, Cramer, and Geiger voted nay.
Councilman Clauson, Telecommunications Committee Chair, presented committee report on the progress
to develop a Telecommunication Ordinance and an agreement with Kitsap Public Utility District that will
facilitate KPUD installing a fiber optics backbone infrastructure to serve the Port Orchard area. The
Telecommunication Committee has met Don Hogaboum, an attorney with McGavick Graves law firm, who
has worked extensively on telecommunication issues. Mr. Hogaboum has recommended the city
proceed with negotiating an inter-governmental agreement with KPUD to locate the backbone fiber
infrastructure in city right-of-way. By proceeding with this agreement the city can take more time
developing a telecommunications regulatory ordinance and draft franchise agreement.
On motion by Councilman Clauson, seconded by Councilman Morrison, Council approved the consent
agenda items as follows:
a. Minutes of the May 28, 2002 regular City Council meeting, as distributed and corrected.
b. Approval of Claim Warrants Numbers 37189-37278 in the amount of $252,376.49 and May 2002
Payroll Warrants Numbers 136370-136450 and direct deposits in the amount of $278,108.95.
c. Surplus 1979 Ford/Bruco Redi-Tower Aerial Device Fire Truck
d. Resolution No. 1981 adopting the 2000 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
e. Approval of two Firework Stands located at (1) 370 Sedgwick Road, sponsored by Jim Strode
and (2) A & W parking lot, 1700 Mile Hill Drive, sponsored by South Kitsap Western Little league.
At 9:15 PM Mayor Weatherill called for a 1 0-minute recess with meeting reconvening at 9:25 PM.
Councilman Clauson read letter from Washington State Auditor Brain Sonntag regarding the City's 12
consecutive audit with no findings. The Mayor, Council, and City Attorney congratulated the City
Treasurer and her staff on a job well done.
Councilman Clauson reported the responses to the marquee survey from the downtown business owners
and merchants indicate they prefer to implement the "Light Touch" improvements to the Bay Street
Marquee.
June 10, 2002
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Kim Abel, 338 Goldenrod, expressed a concern with the Council discussing the marquee and making a
decision without the subject being on the agenda to let downtown property owners, merchants, and
citizens know that the Council would be discussing the issue.
Councilman Clauson clarified the intent of the survey was to get input from the property owners and
further commented the City Council feels strongly the results of the survey indicate the property owners
and merchants prefer the light tough improvements.
On motion by Councilman Clauson, seconded by Councilman Geiger, Council instructed the Street
Committee to work together with the Public Works Department to determine the best way to improve
lighting under the marquee and address any other repairs/maintenance; and then proceed with the
budget process to provide for implementing the "Light Touch" improvements to the Bay Street Marquee.
Motion passed with 4 ayes and 2 nays. Council members Powers, Geiger, Morrison, and Geiger voted
aye. Council members Cramer and Rider voted nay.
On motion by Councilwoman Powers, seconded by Councilman Cramer, Council excused Councilman
\fJyatt from this Council meeting.
At 10:00 PM Mayor Weatherill adjourned the meeting.
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Michelle Merlino, Deputy City Clerk LESLIE J. WE.A.THER!LL, MAYOR