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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03/01/2000 4142 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Port Angeles, Washington March 1, 2000 CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Doyle called the special meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to order at SPECIAL MEETING: 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Mayor Doyle, Councilmembers Erickson, Hulett, McKeown, Wiggins, and Williams. Members Absent: Councilman Campbell. Staff Present: Manager Quinn, Attorney Knutson, Clerk Upton, S. Brodhun, B. Collins, G. Cutler, D. McKeen, Y. Ziomkowski, P. Rasler, G. Kenworthy, T. Smith, T. Gloor, R. Johnson, and L. Haelmlen. Public Present: D. Perry, J. Hess, R. Gotham, R~ Kenitzer, B. Philpott, J. Haguewood, L. Lee, C. Wyatt, L. Linn, V. Jacobs, R. Schmuck, D. & B. Robins, J. Childers, J. Smart, J. Hammond, B. Luce, and J. Didrickson. PLEDGE OF The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Mayor Doyle. ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Doyle announced that the purpose of this meeting was to receive information on the Downtown Watermain/Sidewalk Project and the possible preservation of certain underground areas. He then introduced Manager Quinn who indicated this meeting would allow a more detailed review of the currently proposed four options dealing with Phase II of the project. In addition, public input is being sought to enable the Council to make a decision on how the project will proceed. Manager Quinn cautioned the audience that it is not anticipated that a decision will be made this evening. It is important to hear concerns from the public at this point, and a decision will likely not be made .until the City Council meeting of March 7 at the earliest. Manager Quinn introduced Public Works & Utilities Director Cutler. Downtown Watermain / Downtown Watermain/Sidewalk Project: Director Cutler, assisted by Engineering Sidewalk Project CADD Technician Terin Gloor, showed a brief video produced by Northland Cable Television which featured a tour of some of the underground areas being discussed. Director Cutler then presented a comprehensive review of the current project scope, complete with drawings and descriptions of the watermain replacement and sidewalk improvements. Noting that the watermains would replace those constructed in 1914, Director Cutler indicated the Water Comprehensive Plan had targeted the watermains for replacement because of age, unreliability, possible rupture due to earthquake, and fireflow improvements. The total projects costs have been estimated at $1.1 million. Director Cutler reviewed the history of the downtown streets, the sluicing of the Hog Back in 1914, and the passage of various City ordinances to improve the streets. With the aid of photos circa 1914, Director Cutler showed the early flood control methods utilized and the soil sluicing to raise the level of the downtown streets. Director Cutler then reviewed the various sites identified for possible preservation in the interest of economic development and tourism expansion: the old Elwha Theater, underground murals on West Front Street, a store front on Laurel Street, and a former brothel on Front Street. Input had been sought by Public Works & Utilities in conjunction with this project, as letters were sent to various interested organizations, citizens, and business owners. Different concepts have come forward involving possible underground retail space and public attractions. Because of these considerations, Director Cutler informed the Council and audience that staff had identified four alternatives: to proceed with the project as designed, to construct structural sidewalks, to relocate the watermains to the roadway, or to -1- CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 1, 2000 Downtown Watermain / preserve a portion of the underground as part of Phase III of the project. Should the Sidewalk Project (Cont'd) watermains be moved to the roadway, it is expected that costs will escalate by $500,000. In conjunction with each of these alternatives, Director Cutler further reviewed in detail how each could be accomplished, how the associated costs would be altered, and how various aspects of the project could possibly be eliminated. In addition, Director Cutler noted that it is unknown where the City could fred the additional funds to finance the added costs. The alternatives would not include the costs associated with the underground improvements required, such as life safety measures, compliance with ADA requirements, and the like. Based on the alternative that may be chosen, Director Cutler informed the Council as to the project completion schedules that could be anticipated. Further, he summarized unknown factors that should be considered, such as would the business community support delay of the project, would additional funds be available, would property owners support a Local Improvement District, would people take a tour or shop in the underground, would the underground be viable and profitable, and would improvements to the existing structures be required to permit occupancy in the basement areas? At this time, Mayor Doyle opened the meeting for public comment. Don Perry, 1735 W. 13th Street, commended Glenn Cutler and Terin Gloor on this evening's presentation. Representing a group of people committed to saving the underground for future development, Mr. Perry identified three issues that he felt were being considered this evening. The first issue relates to the watermain replacement, and Mr. Perry felt there is no question that the replacement is an immediate need. The second issue relates to the four areas being discussed: the mural, the brothel, the Elwha Theater, and the space under Laurel Street. His committee feels these areas are not in immediate jeopardy, because they are either on private property or are not involved in this particular phase of construction. The third issue regards the underground itself, and the reasons to protect this area are because of future development. Port Angeles has watched two main sources of revenue die off, those being logging and fishing. The Rayonier closure was devastating, and Mr. Perry expressed the opinion that it is time to replace that lost revenue -- in the form of tourism. He felt the City underground has the two ingredients for tourism, one being history and the other being a uniqueness on which we must capitalize. He cited the successes of similar endeavors in Seattle and Pendleton, Oregon, as well as the theme adopted by Leavenworth. Feeling that Port Angeles has just as much to offer, Mr. Perry felt it would be a travesty to fill in the underground. A project for the underground would fit well with the effort to revitalize the downtown area. Mr. Perry understood the additional costs that might be incurred by the City to allow for the underground project, but he chose to view it as an investment as opposed to an expense. Such an investment would be well worth the effort in the interest of generating tourism. Jim Hess, 606 South Alder, indicated that if he speaks for anyone it would have to be the Downtown Association. Mr. Hess reflected on the reasons he moved to Port Angeles, finding it God's greatest part of the world. Because the residents are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful place and to share the area with visitors, Mr. Hess expressed the need to support the efforts in the downtown area. He would like to see the underground portion saved, because it is important history. Mr. Hess played an active role in the placement of Nor'Wester Rotary's murals in downtown. A video was created in conjunction with the 'Sluicing of the Hog', and Mr. Hess indicated the associated research provided a marvelous history of how people came together to make this town what it is today. This valuable information opened his eyes, and he felt the need to support the effort to save the underground. Roy Gotham, 2029 W. 7* Street, President of the Port Angeles Downtown Association, indicated the Association's Board of Directors supports the beautification efforts already complete on First Street and urges the continuation of the project to Front Street. Efforts must be ongoing to enhance the downtown area. The Board further supports the original request for preservation of four sites - the mural, the Elwha Theater, the area above the Family Shoe Store, and the underground facade. At a meeting held earlier today, the Board of the Downtown Association passed a motion in support of the City moving forward with the watermain project as currently designed and further requested that the Phase III design include the City's consideration of saving the remaining vault system on the north side of Front Street from Lincoln to Oak. -2- 4144 C1TYCOUNCILMEErlNG March 1, 2000 Downtown Watermain/ Rolland Kenitzer, 341 Hidden Valley Road, recognizes that the City must change. Sidewall Project (Cont'd) Since logging and fishing are not going to return for many years, Mr. Kenitzer felt Port Angeles is left with tourism. He further expressed the need to develop some type of theme, similar to Leavenwoah, perhaps surrounding the time frame of the early 1900's. Mr. Kenitzer stressed the importance of attracting people to Port Angeles as a destination, and he feltth¢ underground area presented a possibility for developing a theme. He cited the different levels of the Pike Street Market as an example of what can be accomplished, and he urged the City and the business community to work together to develop this theme. Mr. Kenitzer acknowledged such a project may cost money and it will take time, but he was certain the result would be the attraction of new business, industry, and residents to the City. Bob Philpott, 1822 E. Lauridsen Boulevard, spoke in support of preserving the vaults on Front and Laurel Streets for the underground. He cited the Seattle underground tour as being interesting and enlightening, and he felt Port Angeles has a situation where people waiting for a ferry would tour the underground. He felt there is much to be preserved in the underground, even in areas beyond the slides shown this evening. Mr. Philpott urged the Council to view the additional $500,000 expense in terms of being paid over a ten-year period at $50,000 per year. He was certain the Council would find that having the underground for tourism would well pay for the expense when considering the City would have increased tourism for much longer than ten years. Lonnie Linn, 708 South Francis Street, indicated that the City Council of 1913 stood in front of a group of business people and informed them they were going to drop 10 - 14 feet of mud in their front yard! But it worked, as the people knew the sluicing had to be done to assure a quality of life that they wanted for their families. They would have to sacrifice part of their livelihood to ensure that their family's future and the future of Port Angeles would survive. Mr. Linn stated this is our heritage and is what makes Port Angeles a great place to live. He indicated the people of this City have always done what was necessary to survive and to grow. Mr. Linn felt the City has faced many situations over the past years that would have devastated most communities -- the loss of commercial fishing, logging, and the closure of the Rayonier mill. But pride in community would not let us fail. No single event better represents the determination, pride, and commitment to the community than the sluicing of the hogback. Mr. Linn cautioned the Council that the magnitude of this great event will never be seen again, and no event will take the courage, determination, and sacrifice that the sluicing took. He asked the Council to preserve the last remnants of that great event, for to lose those last remnants would be a tragedy. Jane Childers, 742 Durrwachter Road, recalled her attendance at Port Angeles High School in the late 1960's, during which time her history class toured underground Seattle. One of the teachers, Sandy Keys, advised the class at that time that Port Angeles also had an underground, and Port Angeles could be just like Seattle. This fact has stayed in Ms. Childers' mind over the years, and she now sees the need to retain the historical parts of the City. Having watched businesses fail over the years, Ms. Childers felt that preserving underground Port Angeles could be one of the best things the City Council could do to help preserve the City. Jackson Smart, 472 Mt. Pleasant Road, indicated .he has likely been one of the most emotionally involved in this project. Approximately ten years ago, he stumbled upon the underground, realized its potential, and has been fully involved in the project since that time. He commended Mr. Perry for his enthusiasm on this project, and expressed his strong feelings about the history of Port Angeles. He felt if the City could do whatever possible to preserve what we have, it would be a tremendous asset for the future. He advised th~ Council'members they have his support, and he expressed his appreciation to the staff and Council for all the work that has come forward on this project. Bill Luce, 408 South Pine Street, advised the Council that he is a newcomer to the area, but he could see the potential of this effort after viewing the presentation and hearing from others on the subject. Conversations' have taken place at the Chamber Visitor Center, where the visitors feel they are trapped here with nothing to do, and he noted the emptiness of the Landing Mall. He spoke in support of preserving the underground to draw people to the area. Mr. Luce further addressed the need to establish shuttle service between the Museum and the downtown area. Jon Didrickson, 731 E. 11th Street, spoke in support of any effort to preserve the -3- 4145 CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 1, 2000 Downtown Watermain / underground and to keep options open for the future. He shared an experience from Sidewalk Project (Cont'd) years ago where a friend visited the Pacific Northwest. Of all the various sites visited, his friend was most impressed with the tour of the Seattle underground. Mr. Didrickson felt the City has a tremendously rich historical heritage which has a potential for development. Tourism is one of the highest priorities for the City in terms of development, but he questioned what has been done to actually build the City up in this area. Mr. Didrickson encouraged some creativity and real thought in that direction. Mr. Didrickson indicated he has been given custodial responsibility for an authentic covered wagon which essentially doesn't have a place in Port Angeles. In some way, our City should exercise some creative foresight to envision things that could be done here beyond the ordinary, mundane, practical, and necessary. Discussion then ensued involving the Council members, and Councilman Williams acknowledged Ms. Childers for her comments about teacher Sandy Keys. Councilman Williams then inquired as to the life safety issues that must be addressed in this regard. Acting Fire Chief McKeen indicated there would be need for further study; however, he delineated some of the requirements in terms of fire resistant construction, sprinklered corridors, the upgrade of buildings if occupied, emergency lighting and exit signage, as well as ventilation. Councilman Williams noted that several individuals speaking in favor of the underground had already considered the life safety issues. In response to an inquiry from Councilman Wiggins, Director Cutler addressed the matter of whether structural sidewalks would be equivalent to the same seismic standards as a fill sidewalk. He informed the Council that the sidewalks would be independent of the buildings and would meet the seismic code. He agreed that the sidewalks would provide no support to the buildings. Councilman Hulett inquired as to ADA standards, and Director Cutler indicated there is a requirement to meet those standards. Mayor Doyle asked if any of this evening's speakers were downtown property owners; there were no positive responses. Manager Quinn emphasized the fact the staff was desirous of having an information exchange with the public and that no one would leave this meeting without having their questions answered. He noted the City had not heard from individual property owners. Further, if the desired project is to be accommodated, Manager Quinn indicated there would be a need to arrive at different funding options. Councilmember McKeown felt it would be appropriate to receive staff input on the matter of security in the underground, as well as life safety measures. Mayor Doyle addressed the structural sidewalk option and queried as to whether the additional $500,000 would provide any work underground. Staff responded that the proposed underground work would likely have to be f'manced via a local improvement district with the associated property owners. Discussion followed with regard to the vulnerability of those areas under sea level and the possibility of severe damage should an earthquake occur. The structural integrity of the buildings was discussed, and further discussion and clarification ensued concerning structural sidewalks. After further limited discussion, Mayor Doyle informed the audience that the next regular meeting of the City Council will take place on March 7, 2000, at 6:00 p.m. It is likely that a decision on this matter will be made at that meeting. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. t]'~ck'37JT13p~f~t,-Cif0~ Cirri[ f- -- -4-