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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 01/27/2009 e CALL TO ORDER- SPECIAL MEETING: ROLL CALL: RESOLUTIONS: Resolution Initiating Formation of a Metropolitan Park District Resolution No. 2-09 e 6392 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Port Angeles, Washington January 27, 2009 Mayor Braun called the special meeting ofthe Port Angeles City Council to order at 5 :00 p.m. Members Present: Mayor Braun, Deputy Mayor Wharton, and Councilmembers Di Guilio, Kidd, Perry, Rogers, and Williams. Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Manager Myers, Attorney Bloor, Clerk Upton, G. Cutler, N. West, Y. Ziomkowski, R. Bonine, and 1. Lafferty. Public Present: D. Pilling, O. Campbell, P. Gagnon, E. Chadd, and L. Button. All others present in the audience failed to sign the roster. 1. Resolution Initiating Formation of a Metropolitan Park District: Mayor Braun invited Clallam County Commissioner Chapman to the microphone. Commissioner Chapman informed the Council that the Commissioners took action earlier in the day, adopting a Resolution calling for a May 19 election for a Metropolitan Park District, inclusive ofthe County sharing the cost of the election, an appointed board, and the boundaries of the Port Angeles School District. Commissioner Chapman stated his appreciation of the work ofthe Save the Pool Committee, and he expressed hope that the Council would pass a Resolution this evening. Copies of the County's Resolution were distributed to the Council. Manager Myers referenced the last City Council meeting, at which time a number of questions were raised. Two memos had been distributed to the Council that addressed those questions, and Manager Myers read the memos aloud, answering questions related to how Pool donations would be received and tracked, the potential for Pool Pass refunds, Metropolitan Park District election costs, sales tax revenue as relates to a Nippon Paper refund, investment revenue, and a possible overpayment to the City of Real Estate Excise Tax funds. The second memo addressed questions raised by Councilmember Williams on the matter of possibly funding City Parks and Recreation facilities and activities through the Metropolitan Park District. Manager Myers indicated the levy can go up to $.75 per $1,000 in assessed valuation. Finance Director Ziomkowski informed the Council that the City's share of the sales tax refund to Nippon is $20,000, which is significantly less than the original amount of $198,000 as stated by the Department of Revenue. - . Discussion ensued, and Councilmember Rogers felt it important to form a Port Angeles Aquatics and Parks District that would leave the door open to perhaps later add other facilities at some future date. She asked for an inclusive MPD that addresses saving the Pool, but also allows for possible future consideration the right to add other facilities, such as Civic Field. Councilmember Williams has promoted an MPD for many years, as Parks & Recreation must compete against other General Fund departments. He proposed alternate language, leaving a placeholder in the Resolution for expansion to other Parks & Recreation activities and facilities. The ability to fund all programs is becoming more - 1 - 6393 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING January 27,2009 RESOLUTIONS: (Cont'd) Resolution Initiating Formation of a Metropolitan Park District Resolution No. 2-09 (Cont'd) Resolution Affirming the Creation and Purposes of the Port Angeles Harbor Works Development Authority Resolution No. 3-09 Break and more difficult. Councilmembers Rogers and Williams emphasized that the added language to the alternate Resolution merely states legislative intent for the future ability to pursue such an option. Lengthy discussion and debate followed. AttQrney Bloor provided clarification as to the authorities and powers of the Metropolitan Pi!rk District as provided by State law. Individual Councilmembers stated their positions on the expanded versus the narrow version of the Resolution, and it was pointed out that the partnership with the County may be placed in jeopardy should the expanded version be accepted. County Commissioner Chapman approached the podium and informed the Council that, if the Resolution were to be expanded, he felt the County would withdraw from participation in the election. e Following further discussion, Mayor Braun read the Resolution by title, entitled RESOLUTION NO. 2-09 A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City ofPort Angeles, Washington, requesting the Auditor of Clallam County to call a special election to put the formation of a Metropolitan Park District to the voters of the City of Port Angeles and voters of Clallam County located within the boundaries of the Port Angeles School District No. 121. Councilmember Di Guilio moved to pass the Resolution as read by title. Councilmember P~rry seconded the motion. Attorney Bloor clarified that the name of the Metropolitan Park District must be set forth in the Resolution. Councilmember Di Guilio amended his motion to include the name, William Shore Memorial Pool District. As seconder of the motion, Councilmember Perry agreed to the amendment. A vote was taken on the motion, which carried 5 - 2, with Councilmembers Rogers and Williams voting in opposition. 2. Resolution Affirming the Creation and Purposes of the Port Angeles HarborWorks Development Authority: Community & Economic Development Director West referenced the discussion held at the December 9, 2008, joint meeting between the City Council and the Port of Port Angeles Commissioners, at which time many important issues were addressed as relates to the Port Angeles HarborWorks Development Authority. Director West felt it important that there be support for the implementation ofthe vision for the Rayonier site; and the proposed Resolution reflects further support for the efforts ofthe PDA. Attorney Bloor informed the Council that an alternate Resolution had been provided, incorporating language changes to Section 2. Mayor Braun recessed the meeting for a break at 5:58 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 6:08 p.m. Mayor Braun read the resolution by title, entitled RESOLUTION NO. 3-09 A RESOLUTION of the City ofPort Angeles affirming its commitment to the Port Angeles HarborWorks Development Authority. Manager Myers read the revised language in Section 2 for the benefit of the public, and minor grammatical modifications were then suggested. He noted the most important portion of the Resolution relates to the City's affirmation of its commitment to the Port Angeles HarborW orks Development Authority, partnership with the Port of Port Angeles and the Port Angeles community, for the purposes stated upon its creation May 20, 2008. e Discussion followed, and individual Councilmembers spoke to the importance of the PDA - 2 - e e Resolution Affirming the Creation and Purposes of the Port Angeles Harbor Works Development Authority Resolution No. 3-09 (Cont'd) ADJOURNMENT: CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING 6394 January 27, 2009 serving as the appropriate tool to redevelop the Rayonier site and serving as a community voice in the revitalization of the Harbor. It was stated that the Public Development Authority has the role of the cleanup facilitator, and it represents a good partnership in a combined effort. Opinions were expressed that there were some flaws in the creation of the Authority, but the importance of moving forward on an inclusive basis was emphasized. Councilmembers spoke in support of the cleanup format that has been put . in place, urging the process to move forward. It was hoped the Board ofthe Port Angeles HarborWorks Development Authority would be receptive to ongoing questions about anything that is not clear, as it is important for the citizens to know that the liability of cleanup won't fall on the community. Further, it was pointed out that there needs to be a full understanding of the PDA's direction and that the public process is being respected along the way. Mayor Braun again read the Resolution by title, after which Councilmember Perry moved to pass the Resolution as read by title. The motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor Wharton and carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:22 p.m. ,IA ~ I ~, . ~-~. ~. Gary Brau~Mayor - 3 - If10 ~ ~~ 1)ptoA Becky 1. 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