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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02/15/1984 100 CITY COUNCIL MEETING Work Session Port Angeles, Washington February 15, 1984 I CALL TO ORDER Mayor Duncan called the special meeting/work session to order at 8:10 P.M. The purpose of the special meeting/work session was to consider the City's utility service policy. I II ROLL CALL Members Present: Mayor Duncan, Councilmen Gerberding, Haguewood, Hordyk, Schermer, Quast, Whidden. Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Manager Flodstrom, Attorney Knutson, P. Carr, L. Cosens, J. Pittis. public Present: R. Bauman, R. Levin, L. Torres, H. Hamm. III - VI SUSPENDED VII LEGISLATION Contents of Work Session Manager Flodstrom referred the Council and those present to that portion of the City's Comprehensive Plan that pertains to the City's current utility extension policy which prohibits the extension of utility service outside the corporate City limits. The policy, adopted in the late 1970's, allows utilities to be supplied only to areas annexed to the City. He then intro- duced Louie Torres, a member of the County Subdivision Advisory Board and I representing Clark & Associates; Ralph E. Bauman of the Economic Develop- ment Committee of the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce; Bob Levin of the EDC; and Henry Hamm of the Clallam County Health Department. He also presented a letter from Jim Falk, County Planner, to the Council. City Planner Carr summarized what brought about the current policy on utility extensions. Mayor Duncan read a portion of the letter from the Clallam County Commissioners stating that the availability of sewer and water service to land designated for industrial development is crucial to attract industries, and requesting adjustments in the City's policies since the City is the primary provider of these services, to facilitate economic growth in planned industrial areas south of the City. Councilman Hordyk agreed that reassessing the policy was in order because the full capacity of the sewer treatment plant is not currently being used, and could treat industrial wastes that might present environmental prob- lems. He stated that if the Council decides to extend service outside the City for any reason, a restrictive covenant should be signed by the new customer, that if the City desires to annex that particular piece of prop- erty, they would not oppose the annexation. Louie Torres then addressed the Council, supporting policy changes. He stated that during the past year it has become more apparent that the State is opposed to small, independently developed utility systems if they are not owned and operated by a government entity which can provide a strong economic base and treatment facilities. The Council and staff discussed the cost of building a second treatment plant, etc., at some length. Public Works Director pittis stated that the present treatment plant some- times exceeds its design capacity due to heavy rainfall. I Councilman Hordyk voiced concern over uniformity in service if annexation were not required. Councilman Gerberding agreed, stating that intermingl- ing utilities would expand problems. He stated the policy should remain; that the City can now check its capabilities to serve an area prior to annexation, and avoid problems. Mayor Duncan surmized, from further discussion, that one of the cautions to consider is the hidden costs. She also surmized that one of the reasons favoring a change in the policy is to prevent urban sprawl and centralize development. CITY COUNCIL MEETING February l5, 1984 Ralph Bauman inquired as to whether or not the proposed DelHur annexation east of the City limits will overtax the City's system. The staff responded that it would not. He then stated that the only reason the City should consider selling utilities outside the City limits is to promote economic growth. Manager Flodstrom stated that the Council does support economic growth, and is concerned with that growth inside the City. Louie Torres stated that separate, higher fees could be charged for services outside the City limits. I Councilman Haguewood stated that making annexation a requirement for utility service creates the least amount of problems. He also noted that if an industry were built outside the City limits, taxes would go to the County rather than the City. Bob Levin then addressed the Council, stating that he had polled the members of the EDC and that the Board is in agreement that the City should reconsider its policy and extend utility services beyond the City limits, where the costs are fully recoverable. He stated that cost recovery would be a process decision, not a policy decision. City Planner Carr stated emphatically that this issue is a policy decision because it affects the future of Port Angeles, whether the City is to grow or to die. Mr. Levin stated that publications have been requested by the EDC on other municipalities that sell services to outlying areas. Mayor Duncan surmized that the general consensus of the Council was that if the City of Port angeles is going to grow and develop economically, more aggressive procedures that will benefit the City need to be implemented. Councilman Quast stated that the City should work to facilitate and assist in an annexation when one is requested. I Manager Flodstrom then surmized that the City should look at streamlining the annexation policy by eliminating institutional obstacles and by creating some type of encouragement to developers to proceed in a timely manner. He also stated that the City needs to become more aggressive in accomplishing annexation within the framework of a desired service area, and economic growth that is to be achieved without compromising the potential tax base for the City. VI II ADJOURNMENT Mayor Duncan adjourned the meeting at 9:55 P.M. ~..lJuLi c2 c:;fCl/J1~fI~ lerk ~LL- Mayor I 101