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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06/30/19922284 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Port Angeles, Washington June 30, 1992 CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Hallett called the special meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to order SPECIAL MEETING: at 5:02 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Mayor Hallett, Councilmen Braun, Nicholson and Ostrowski, Councilwoman Sargent, and Councilmen Schueler and Wight. Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Manager Pomeranz, Attorney Knutson, Clerk Upton, B. Collins, and D. Sawyer. Public Present: R. Kingsley, O.C. Taper, O. Campbell, C. Brown, D. Charles, and D. Rudolph. County-wide Mayor Hallett reviewed information pertinent to the second draft of the County-wide Planning Policy Planning Policy which has been modified and recommended for ratification by the Clallam County Growth Management Steering Committee. The various jurisdictions involved have been meeting for nearly a year to formulate procedures and policies for guiding the development of comprehensive plans which will be consistent with each other. The Steering Committee reached consensus on the policy language; ratification is required by the agreements and State law to be made by July 1, 1992. Planning Director Collins distributed a letter just received from the Clallam County Commissioners delineating various minor changes to the policy language. Director Collins reviewed these changes in detail, noting the changes, except for one, are consistent with the Steering Committee's recommendations. In the review of the changes and in conjunction with Urban Growth Areas, Policy 5, Page 7, the City Council agreed with Sequim's suggestion that the words "is a requirement that" be deleted from the second sentence. Upon completion of the review of changes, Director Collins referenced Appendix A and Appendix B. The latter appendix relates to population trends which were used to base the population projections in the Urban Growth Area Policies, and Director Collins felt the trends were shortsighted. After further review, Councilman Wight moved to approve the third draft of the County-wide Planning Policy, dated June 30, 1992, as modified. Councilwoman Sargent seconded the motion. Mayor Hallett commended the efforts of Councilwoman Sargent and staff for their diligence in this project. Councilwoman Sargent reported the Steering Committee arrived at a consensus on the policy, and she foresees no problems with the policy's application. Discussion was held concerning the fmancial impacts, and Councilwoman Sargent responded to a concern expressed by Councilman Schueler by noting the County is having a financial analysis conducted. The results, however, won't be available until the end of July. Councilman Wight pointed out that the City may wish to defer any City analysis until after the time the level of services has been determined. The suggestion was made that the City may need to budget for a study of this type. Discussion then ensued about the possibility of the City and County sharing the tax base during the transitional period. Director Collins indicated he received notification that the City of Sequim intends to ratify the County-wide Planning Policy; however, Sequim has expressed concern with the fact that the County has not established the Urban Growth Areas. Director Collins was not aware of any disagreement between the City of Port Angeles and the County concerning the UGA, and he was not convinced that any definitive answer in that regard would prove to be helpful at this point. The amount of State funds available for Growth Management has been decreased, and Director Collins indicated next year's funding level will be approximately $150,000 to be shared by the jurisdictions. Therefore, the City will have to pay a -1- 2285 CITY COUNCIL MEETING June 30, 1992 greater share of the additional costs incurred because of the Growth Management Act. After further brief discussion, a vote was taken on the motion which carried unanimously. Elwha River Ecosystem Mayor Hallett reviewed the chronology of events involving the "Elwha River and Fisheries Restoration Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act" and the specific portion relating to Ediz Act Hook. The Mayor summarized the Council's position that the City's interests must be protected and, in that regard, testimony has been personally submitted to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. A great deal of Council and staff time has been expended on this matter. Mayor Hallett referenced the proposal of June 25 submitted by Senators Adams and Gorton specifically relating to the language in the proposed legislation having to do with the disposition of certain land on Ediz Hook. The Council held a meeting on that date to consider the proposal and, at that time, arrived at the conclusion that less land should be considered for lease to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. However, the City has been informed that the Washington delegation is not receptive to any consideration of less than 600 feet for lease to the Tribe. The City Council was also of the opinion that the western-most area of what is now leased to the Salmon Club could be considered. At this time, attention was directed to the map reflecting the proposed alternative site selection. The Council considered the various options as outlined by the City Manager and City Attorney and concluded that Option 3 and Option 4 (a) and (b) could be viewed positively by the citizens, as follows: the City would maintain a 99-year extension on its current lease, public access to the beach and the Waterfront Trail would be maintained, additional public parking would be required, and any tribal construction would be subject to Federal, State and City laws. Councilman Wight offered clarification that the Federal Government would lease directly to the Tribe and not through a City sublease. Lengthy discussion followed and Councilman Ostrowski urged the Council to solicit public comment on this issue. Mayor Hallett invited anyone wishing to speak on this matter to approach the podium. Don Rudolph, speaking on behalf of the Olympic Peninsula Economic Research Association, indicated the Association would more than likely agree to the proposal as long as it doesn't include the roadway. Mr. Rudolph was advised the roadway would not be included. He then added commentaries concerning the proposed removal of the Elwha dams and his concern about the future lack of electricity. O. C. Taper, Salmon Club, indicated the matter will be taken before its membership for consideration at a meeting Wednesday evening. However, Mr. Taper noted his support of the proposed changes as outlined and noted on the map. David Charles, Councilman from the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, indicated the Tribe has not been able to review the details of the proposal. However, he assured the Council of the Tribe's ongoing commitment to work with the City on this matter. Councilman Wight called Mr. Charles' attention to the fact that the City's proposal would involve more usable square footage than that proposed by the Senators. Discussion then ensued as to the size of a longhouse, which Mr. Charles indicated is determined by the number of people using the structure. The longhouse at Lincoln Park is 100 feet by 60 feet. Ed Johnson, a Port Angeles resident, reminded those in attendance that sand and gravel have been prevented from flowing down the Elwha due to the dams. Once the dams are removed, Ediz Hook will be strengthened and, therefore, may not require the expensive rip rap maintenance. He urged both groups to continue working on a resolution of the issue. Brooke Taylor, representing the Puget Sound Pilots Association, indicated there would be no opposition to the proposal if the Pilots' Association sublease is not negatively impacted. Orville Campbell, Daishowa America, thanked the City Council and the Elwha Tribe for "taking the high road" in resolving this most difficult issue. He expressed the opinion that the City's counter proposal represents a fine compromise. Additionally, his understanding of the proposed legislation is such that this is not the end of the discussion. Rather, he felt it to be the beginning of the consideration as to how -2- 2286 CITY COUNCIL MEETING June 30, 1992 Elwha River Ecosystem removal of the dams can be accomplished. and Fisheries Restoration Act (Cont'd) Mayor Hallett expressed appreciation for the public's input and noted this has been a long process. The process involved has been placed in question by City leaders, and this has been brought to the attention of the Washington delegation. Mayor Hallett then provided each Council member the opportunity to express an opinion on the counter proposal. Council members outlined the positive and negative aspects of the proposal. Councilman Ostrowski indicated the public should be made aware that the City is not losing the Hook. It has been leased and has not been under City ownership. The opportunity to extend the lease is to the City's advantage. Councilman Wight expressed the opinion that, had the City and the Tribe approached this possibility on its own volition, the results may have been similar. He reviewed the history of the legislation and noted there are still outstanding issues which are beyond the City's control, such as a potential lack of funding. Councilwoman Sargent stressed the importance of protecting the City's interests throughout this process, in spite of personal opinions. Another equally strong consideration is the industry in the City. She felt we had reached the best agreement possible. Councilman Schueler didn't necessarily disagree with the conclusions; however, he took strong exception to the process incorporated throughout. Councilman Braun noted the City has spent in excess of $10,000 on this issue alone. After further discussion, Councilman Wight moved to recommend, as set forth in the memorandum from the City Manager and City Attorney, Option 4 (a) and (b). Councilwoman Sargent seconded the motion with the proviso that Option 3 also be included in the recommendation. Councilman Wight agreed. Councilman Hallett advised the Council that the Washington delegation had sincerely apologized for the lack of proper notification in submitting this to the City Council. In addition, further testimony from the City has been invited for July 9 in Washington, D.C. Mayor Hallett may plan to participate. A vote was then taken on the motion which carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Clerk q- -3-