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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 01/02/2007 e CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR MEETING: ROLL CALL: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: PRESENTATIONS, CEREMONIAL MATTERS & PROCLAMATIONS: WORK SESSION: LATE ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON THIS OR FUTURE AGENDAS & PUBLIC COMMENT: CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS: RESOLUTIONS: School District Levy - Proposition No. I, Maintenance and Operations Levy Resolution No. 1-07 e 6015 CITY COUNCIL MEETING Port Angeles, Washington January 2, 2007 Mayor Rogers called the regular meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to order at 6:05 p.m. Members Present: Mayor Rogers, Deputy Mayor Williams, Councilmembers Braun, Headrick, Munro, Petersen, and Wharton. Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Manager Madsen, Attorney Bloor, Clerk Upton, G. Cutler, D. McKeen, T. Riepe, Y. Ziomkowski, L. Dunbar, and S. Roberds. Public Present: P. Lamoureux, C. Kidd, and B. Cardoza. All others present in the audience failed to sign the roster. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Councilmember Braun, followed by a moment of silence for former President Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States. None. None. There were no late items added to the agenda. Mayor Rogers issued a reminder of the next Community Conversations on Tuesday of next week with Councilmembers Headrick and Braun. None. 1. School District Levy - Proposition No.1, Maintenance and Operations Levy: Port Angeles School District Superintendent Gary Cohn introduced Past President Jeff Hinds and Steve Methner, PACE. Dr. Cohn used PowerPoint slides to present information on the Maintenance and Operations Levy Renewal for the years, 2008 _ 2011, scheduled for a special election on February 6,2007. He discussed advocacy, achievement of students, accountability Issues, as well as the performance of students on W ASL tests, verbal and mathematics SAT's, music programs, vocational and technical programs, and cultural awareness. Dr. Cohn also summarized the District's efforts toward fiscal responsibility, more resources into instruction, fewer resources into central administration, and more efficient facility use with declining enrollment. . Dr. Cohn also discussed the current sources of funding for the School District. - I - 6016 CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 2, 2007 RESOLUTIONS: (Cont'd) School District Levy - Proposition No.1, Maintenance and Operations Levy Resolution No. 1-07 (Cont'd) Break PUBLIC HEARINGS - OTHER: Surplus Timber at Landfill Jeff Hinds approached the podium and discussed the amount to be placed before the voters and the anticipated impacts during that four-year period. Mr. Hinds summarized in depth the amounts requested for each year and the cost to the taxpayers based on _ assessed valuation. . Steve Methner, a member ofP ACE, asked for a vote in support of the levy. He shared information relative to families and businesses moving to the Port Angeles area and the importance of the school system for those newcomers. He felt that support for the levy is critical for business and growth, and he stressed this is a replacement levy of $7.5 million over a four-year period. Discussion followed, with the School District representatives answering various questions posed by the Council. Mayor Rogers then opened the floor to public comment. Paul Lamoureux, 602 Whidby, previously worked on school levies, and he suggested that levy proponents educate the people and the community at their level. He felt that past levies failed because the educational efforts weren't in place. Mr. Lamoureux felt the community is facing tough times by virtue of cost increases in such areas as medicare premiums, garbage rates, water rates, and property taxes. He questioned the validity of the figures used in referencing the assessed valuation. Cherie Kidd, 101 E. 10th Street, spoke in support of the levy. She felt the public didn't receive the most important information during the last levy campaign in terms of the "replacement" issue, and she indicated every effort will be made to get the word out this time. She encouraged the youth to get out and seek support for the levy. Mayor Rogers read the Resolution by title, entitled RESOLUTION NO. 1-07 A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Port Angeles, Washington, in support of the Port Angeles School District No. 121 maintenance and operations levy for the 2008-2011 school years. Councilmember Braun moved to pass the Resolution as read by title. Councilmember Petersen seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Mayor Rogers recessed the meeting for a break at 6:58 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7: 13 p.m. 2. Surplus Timber at Landfill: Public Works & Utilities Director Cutler summarized the need to surplus harvestable timber located at the south end of the Landfill on or adjacent to the site where the Federal Government will build a water treatment plant in conjunction with the Elwha dam removal project. Mayor Rogers opened the public hearing at 7: 16 p.m. There being no public testimony, the public hearing was closed at 7: 16 p.m. Councilmember Munro moved to declare as surplus the timber at the Landfill and authorize the Director of Public Works & Utilities to dispose ofit in the most efficient manner. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Braun. Deputy M~yor Williams moved to amend the motion that the proceeds from the e timber be used toward funding a public vote on fluoride. The motion failed for lack of a second. - 2 - e PUBLIC HEARINGS - OTHER: (Cont'd) Surplus Timber at Landfill (Cont'd) Surplus City Property at 215 South Lincoln Street Smart Metering and Time Based Rates e CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 2,2007 6017 Councilmember Wharton moved to amend the motion that the proceeds from the timber be used for a tree planting and maintenance fund. The motion died for lack of a second. Director Cutler clarified that this particular property was purchased by the Water Fund for this project, and any funds derived from a sale oftimber should be returned to the Water Utility. A vote was taken on the motion, which carried unanimously. 3. Surplus City Property at 215 South Lincoln Street: Manager Madsen indicated this particular property is located between Veterans Park and the Carnegie Library. It previously housed the fire hall and other City functions and has been discussed for some time for possible surplus since the City doesn't have need for the building as a government facility. Another consideration is the cost of maintaining the building in terms of basic safety if the building were to be used for a public purpose. Mayor Rogers opened the public hearing at 7 :21 p.m. There being no public testimony, the public hearing was closed at 7:22 p.m. Deputy Mayor Williams moved to declare the property surplus pursuant to RCW 39.33.020 and Chapter 2.60 P AMC. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Braun. Discussion followed as to the possibility of requiring a buyer to maintain the historical appearance of the building and, following further input from Attorney Bloor, it was agreed that several other preliminary steps need to be taken before such a requirement is considered. A vote was taken on the motion, which carried unanimously. 4. Smart Metering and Time Based Rates: Director Cutler introduced the subject of smart metering and time based rates, and Power Resources Manager Dunbar used PowerPoint slides to present information relative to the Energy Policy Act of2005. Mr. Dunbar indicated the Act requires all electric utilities in the United States to offer smart metering and time-based rates to the customers no later than February 8, 2007. Mr. Dunbar noted that 44% of utility costs are for the distribution system, and the remainder is for wholesale power cost. He indicated that 56% of the City's total cost represents power, and 96% of the power costs are based on time of day. He summarized a slide showing time-based components and hours of heavy load compared to light load, all of which are priced differently. Mr. Dunbar indicated that smart meters and optional time of use rates are being addressed at this time and, for the second part of the Energy Policy Act, staffwill be returning on August 8lh to consider whether to continue the rates as an option or make them mandatory. Power Resources Manager Dunbar indicated that this consideration will be based on cost and benefits, and it includes automatic meter reading for electric as well as water. There is also a mandate to adopt interconnection and net metering standards, something that will also be addressed in August. Mr. Dunbar reviewed the time of use rates (TOU), noting there would be significant cost for the utility to purchase and install smart meters, a cost that will ultimately be paid by the customer. He further discussed possible monthly savings and indicated that, from an energy management standpoint, this is a smart thing to do as the use of energy between 6 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. is more costly and resources could be used more wisely. It is being recommended that TOU rates should be an option with a term of one year. Discussion ensued on such matters as to whether the average billing plan would still be available, how this proposal would be presented to the customers, and the fact that the City wouldn't encourage or discourage the rate. In keeping with the requirement to conduct a first reading of the Ordinance, Mayor Rogers read the Ordinance by title, entitled - 3 - 6018 CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 2, 2007 PUBLIC HEARINGS - OTHER: (Cont'd) Smart Metering and Time Based Rates (Cont'd) PUBLIC HEARINGS - QUASI-JUDICIAL: ORDINANCES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS: Water System Developer Reimbursement Ordinance Amendment Paramedic Intercept Charge and Fee Adjustment Ordinance No. 3268 ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE of the City of Port Angeles, Washington, revising electric utility rates and service fees, and amending Chapters 13.12 and 3.70 of the Port Angeles Municipal Code. e Mayor Rogers opened the public hearing at 8:02 p.m. Paul Lamoureux, 602 Whidby, was not supportive of the concept, and he was certain the community wouldn't change it's lifestyle. Cherie Kidd, 101 E. 10lh Street, felt that smart metering and time based rates would be ineffective, inefficient, and impractical, as very few residents would want to do dishes and laundry before 6:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. There being no further testimony, the public hearing was continued to January 16, 2007. Brief discussion ensued. 5. Lipman Street Vacation: Planning Manager Roberds indicated that significant information has come forward on the Lipman Street Vacation; she felt it advisable to refer the matter back to the Real Estate Committee. Therefore, the matter should be continued to the January 16 Council meeting, to which the Council agreed. None. 1. Water System Developer Reimbursement Ordinance Amendment: Director Cutler indicated this Ordinance was previously deferred pending questions raised by the Council. He reported that the RCW s establish that a time period for developer reimbursement agreements shall not exceed 15 years. Staffis recommending adoption of the Ordinance. Discussion followed, with the suggestion being made that the RCW should be referenced in the body ofthe Ordinance. Attorney Bloor indicated this is an authorizing Ordinance as allowed by State law. Also, discussion centered around who has the discretionary powers in determining the period of time, and Director Cutler felt the developers would want the maximum amount of time to recover as much as possible. Attorney Bloor concurred, noting the developers would likely request the amount of time for the agreement. Further, he indicated that outside circumstances sometimes place a time limit on the reimbursement but, otherwise, the developers would want the maximum time. A shorter period would not be imposed by the City. It was requested that the language, "as requested by the developer" be added to the Ordinance. The Ordinance will be returned to the next Council meeting. 2. Paramedic Intercept Charge and Fee Adjustment: Fire Chief McKeen indicated this would be the second reading of the Ordinance, which would add paramedic intercept charges and an adjustment to the advanced life support transport fee. Mayor Rogers read the Ordiriance by title, entitled ORDINANCE NO. 3268 AN ORDINANCE of the City of Port Angeles, Washington, adjusting the Medic I base transport charge for advanced life support services and adding a paramedic intercept service charge to cover a gap in the e current ordinance, and amending Ordinance 3143, as amended, and Chapter 3.70 of the Port Angeles Municipal Code. - 4 - e Paramedic Intercept Charge and Fee Adjustment Ordinance No. 3268 (Cont'd) RESOLUTIONS: (Cont'd) Declaration of Emergency and Appointment of 2 Contacts for FEMA Resolution No. 2-07 OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: FINANCE: CONSENT AGENDA: INFORMATION: EXECUTIVE SESSION: ADJOURNMENT: e CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 2,2007 6019 Councilmember Munro moved to adopt the Ordinance as read by title. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Braun and carried unanimously. 2. Declaration of Emergency and Appointment of 2 Contacts for FEMA: Chief McKeen reviewed the recent severe weather event resulting in damage to City infrastructure in December. He asked to have the event declared as a disaster in order to recover all or a portion of the cost in federal or state funds. The ResolutIon under consideration also appoints the authorized representative and alternate to work with the funding agencies should funds become available. Mayor Rogers read the Resolution by title, entitled RESOLUTION NO. 2-07 A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Port Angeles, Washington, declaring a state of emergency and authorizing the exercise of emergency powers and the request of state and/or federal emergency relief and/or assistance. Councilmember Braun moved to pass the Resolution as read by title. Councilmember Headrick seconded the motion, after which brief discussion was held on the process for declaration of an emergency and how funds can be made available. A vote was taken on the motion, which carried unanimously. None. None. Deputy Mayor Williams moved to accept the Consent Agenda, to include: 1.) City Council Minutes dated December 19; 2.) Leased Computing Equipment for 2007; 3.) Sommers Street Vacation; and 4.) Expenditure Approval List: 12/9 - 12/22 - $744,418.31. The motion was seconded by Council member Braun and carried unanimously. Manager Madsen referenced packet information containing reports received from the Port Angeles Downtown Association. Brief discussion followed. Deputy Mayor Williams inquired as to funding for the Hurricane Ridge ski bus; Manager Madsen indicated that a contract for service needs to be in place before funds are paid for the bus. None. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. b~5P~~~ Becky J. Upt , ity erk - 5 -