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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 11/21/2017 CITY COUNCIL MEETING Port Angeles, Washington November 21, 2017 CALL TO ORDER-REGULAR MEETING: Mayor Downie called the regular meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to order at 6:00 pjn ROLL CALL: Members Present: Mayor Downie,Deputy Mayor Kidd,COUncilmembers Bruch,Collins,(,'iase, Merideth and Whetham. Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Acting City Manager West,Attorney Bloor,Clerk Veneklasen,C.Delikat, K. Dubuc,C.Fulton, B. Smith,T. Agesson,A. Brekke, S. Carrizosa,and A.Fountain. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Queen of Angeles Boy Scout Troup 1473 led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. CEREMONIAL MAT'T'ERS,PROCLAMATIONS & EMPLOYEE, RECOGNITIONS 1. Port Angeles Police Department Life Saving Awards Police Chief Brian Smith and Karl Hatton, Regional 911 Director, presented Communication Officers Heather Conway and Jessica DeFilippo with Life Saving Medals for their job performance that saved the life of another. PUBLIC COMMENT: Teresa Hammond, 1914 South Pine Street Unit C3, spoke about the two suicides from the 8" Street Bridges in the past 6 months. She spoke in favor of installing suicide prevention barriers on the bridges. Richard Wishart,201 Skyline Drive,said that his daughter's death from the 81h Street Bridge was avoidable. He said that no amount of money can be put on a person's life,and asked that Council do something to prevent other suicides from the bridges. Doron Metlay,Vice President of NAMI(National Alliance on Mental Illness)of Clallarn County,P.O.Box 2878,said the MIAMI Board of Directors was fully in favor of the City installing barriers on the bridges,and that the organization was starting a GoFundMe page to help pay for the construction. Ingrid Carmean,316 South Cherry,asked Council to put up suicide barriers on the 811 Street Bridges. She shared her personal experience with her mother committing suicide. She encouraged all efforts to prevent suicide. Alexander Teel, 1325 Bent Cedars Way, spoke in favor of installing barriers or nets on the 81h Street Bridges.He said he works with teenagers as a drug and alcohol interventionist and that his sister,Stephanie Caldwell,jumped from the bridge.Ile asked elected officials to do everything in their power to prevent this type of suicide. Mon Frothingham, 1320 West Fifth Street, spoke about suicides from the Aurora Bridge in Seattle and said that fencing had eventually been installed to prevent suicides. She asked what message it sends when the aesthetics of a bridge are more important than the people in the community. Tammy Greggory, 4209 South Reddick Road, said there is public demand for higher fencing on the bridges. Sbe shared a personal story of grabbing a 15-year-old girl who was crying on the bridges. Site read a letter from that girl who is now in college,majoring in biology. Susan Moorehead,West Thirteenth Street, asked when the fluoride decision would be coming. She said the majority had spoken,and she asked that the fluoride equipment be,taken apart. PORTANGELES CITY COUNCIL MEETING —November 21, 2(:11.7 Al Oman, 214 Hancock Avenue, offered condolences for the tragic loss of loved ones. lie described what he called guardian screens that could be installed on the 8,h Street Bridges to protect citizens.lie said the entire town is affected by these suicides and that senseless deaths also take a toll on first responders. He asked the City to set up an account where the community could donate funds to install guardian screens. Sandy Royalty, 526 East Eleventh Street, said it's too easy for someone in the moment to decide they are going to jump from the bridges, especially young people, and that without barriers there's not enough time if you're a driver on that bridge to try and help someone. Bernadette Teel, 1325 Bent Cedars Way,said her sister-in-law Stephanie Caldwell jumped from Valley Street Bridge three years ago,She expressed frustration with the City's lack of action,and said that a barrier tells the broken person that their community cares. Michael Sutton,3322 Upland Lane,said that if life were a video game we'd all have extra lives,but that the decisions we make have real and lasting,impact.He asked Council to reprioritize and pay for barriers on the bridges.He donated $1,000 towards the effort, Jesse Fanner, 4218 Mount Angeles Road, asked Council to address the fluoridation issue. lie spoke in favor of installing barriers on bridges. lie told Council to install the bridges now and to get the funding later. Ron Breitbach,802 South I Street,spoke in favor of installing barriers on the bridges and said he is willing to help in whatever way he can. Ed Fitzpatrick, 962 West Hendrickson Road in Sequini, spoke about his personal experiences with suicide and his work at Peninsula Behavioral Health. He read a statement from his son Zach who works at Peninsula Behavioral Health. Z,ach said in the letter that for most part, death by falling is a spontaneous act, and that tire 811 Street Bridges have become more and more associated with suicide. Council discussion followed. It was moved by Kidd and seconded by Bruch to: Direct staff to prepare documents for safety barrier addition for the bridges to the Capital Facilities Plan and bring back to the next Council meeting. Motion carried 7-0. It was moved by Kidd and seconded by Gast to: Direct staff to evaluate engineering based guardian options for the bridges which include short-term and long-term options, Motion carried 7-0. Council discussion followed. It was moved by Bruch and seconded by Whetham to: Have the City open its doors to collect funding for whatever the solution might be, with financial tracking, and that all money goes to bridge,but should there be,any leftover it goes to mental health. Motion carried 7-0. Mayor Downie recessed the meeting for a break at 7:36 pm. The meeting reconvened at 7:52 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Property Tax Levy for Collection in 2018 Budget Officer Sarina Carrizosa introduced the agenda item, noting that there had been a presentation of estimated revenues provided at tire public hearing on October 17". Page 2 of 7 PORT ANGELES CITY COUNCIL MEETING—November 21, 2017 Mayor Downic continued the public hearing at 7:53 p.ni.Thcre being no public comment,the Mayor closed the public hearing. Mayor Downie conducted a second reading of the ordinance by title,entitled, ORDINANCE NO.3592 AN ORDINANCE of the City of Port Angeles, Washington, levying regular ad valorem property taxes for the fiscal year 2018,and directing the City Clerk to certify said amount to the Board of Clallam County Commissioners. It was moved by Kidd and seconded by Gase to: Adopt[ordinance]as read. Motion carried 7-0. 2. Assumption of the Port Angeles Transportation Benefit District(TBD) Public Works and Utilities Director Craig Fulton said the ordinance would abolish the TBD Board in order to simplify, administrative measures and save money, Mayor Downie continued the public hearing at 7:56 p.m. [)an Bateham,207 Wolcott Street,asked if Council was qualified to serve as the Transportation Benefit District Board. Director Fulton responded that the seven City Councilittembers already serve as the Board, so there would be no change to governance. Mayor Downie closed the public hearing. Council discussion followed. Mayor Downie conducted a second reading of the ordinance by title,entitled, ORDINANCE NO.3593 AN ORDINANCE of the City of Port Angeles,Washington,by which the City assumes the rights,powers, functions, and obligations of the Port Angeles Transportation Benefit District, and amending Chapter 11.20 of the Port Angeles municipal code. It was moved by Bruch and seconded by Kidd to: Adopt [ordinance] as read. Motion carried 7-0. 3. 2018 Budget Acting Manager West said that staff was happy to present a balanced 2018 budget.Budget Officer Carrizosa provided a brief presentation on the City Manager's Recommended Budget. She spoke about budget development and noted that the preliminary budget was delivered on October 13 and a Council work session held on October 24. Mayor Downie opened the public hearing at 8:13 p.m. David Mabrey, 1014 Georgiana,commended the 2018 balanced budget and the hard work of staff who he said,through the budget process,takes what we want to do and turns it into what we call do. Michael Sutton, 322 Upland Lane, asked if Council could make cuts in the budget in order to move forward with funding for the 8111 Street Bridges. Susan Hinton,318 West Eighth Street,said that the budget is a heck of a lot of money for Council to tell the community that they need to do fundraising for the bridges.She said barriers need to go up immediately in order to prevent suicides as we,go into the most depressive season of the year. Jesse Farmer, 4218 Mount Angeles Road, said that that City does not have to pay for the bridge all at once, that Council could issue a bond and pay for it over the course of 50 years. Page 3 of 7 PORTANGELES CITY COUNCIL ME'E"DING November 21, 2017 Dan Bateliam,207 Wolcott Street,spoke about suicides from the bridges and asked Council to put up a barrier. Rachel Johnson,2301 West Eighteenth Street, said her nieces live beneath the bridges and suffer,too,when suicides happen. She said Council needs to cut the budget and pay for barriers on the bridges. Mike Libera,316 Powerplant Road,said he ran a crisis line and remembers that not a single caller ever said they were going to jump offthe bridge,but that now it's always about the bridges and he thinks it's because it's too easy. Doreen Northrup,317 West Ninth Street,spoke about her personal experiences with a loved one who jumped from a bridge in 1990. She said barriers need to go up on the 81"Street Bridges. Daniel Myrick, Port Angeles General Delivery, said one time expenditures pulled from the departments are needed every year, and that he heard Councilmernber Wbethani say that "at any time we want to we can liquidate our reserves". He said the public should direct their Councilmembers to use money in reserves to go forward with tile barriers immediately. Mayor continued the public hearing to December 51". Mayor Downie conducted a first reading of the ordinance by title,entitled., ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE of the City of Port Angeles, Washington, adopting the 2018 budget for the fiscal year ending December 31,2018. Council discussion followed, ORDINANCES NOT REQUIRING COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Parks&Recreation Municipal Code Updates Parks & Recreation Director Corey Delikat introduced the item, noting the proposed changes to the skatepark and three additional housekeeping items were reviewed at the last Council meeting, and that the Parks, Recreation & Beautification Commission approved the changes on October 19,2017. Mayor Downie conducted a second reading of the ordinance by title,entitled, ORDINANCE NO.3594 AN ORDINANCE of the City of Port Angeles, Washington amending Chapters 3.70, IU6, 12.04, and 12.12 pertaining to housekeeping changes in City parks fees,definitions and operations of the Port Angeles Municipal Code as follows. It was moved by Kidd and seconded by Gase to: Adopt[ordinance]as read. Motion carried 7-0. LATE ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON THIS OR FUTURE AGENDAS as deteriniiied by Go Manarer or Councilotember- 1. At the request of Councilmember Whetham,Council agreed by consensus to discuss fluoride at the December 511 meeting. CONSENT AGENDA: Council discussed the Consent Agenda. It was moved by Gane and seconded by INIerideth to approve the Consent Agenda to include: 1. City Council Minutes: November 7, 2'017 2. Expenditure Report-From October 28 to November /0, 2017 in the amount of$3,371„539.79 3. Lincoln StreetfWhidby Avenue Roadway Repair Page 4 0l'7 PORT ANGELES CITY COUNCIL MEETING—November 21, 2017 4. Amendment to Resolution for Property Tax Collection in 2018. (Resolution No.26-17 amending Resolution No. 25-17). 5. Water Quality Stormwater Capacity Grant Agreement 6. Partial Release of Utility Easement Motion carried 7-0. ORDINANCES NOT REQUIRING COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS CONTINUED: 2. Cost of Living Adjustment for Non-Represented Management and Administrative Personnel Human Resources Manager Abbigail Fountain said that included in the 2018 budget is Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for two of its union groups,and the City has also prepared a proposal for a 3%COLA for the management, administrative and non-represented personnel effective January 1,2018. Mayor Downie conducted a first reading of the ordinance by title,entitled, ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE of the City of Port Angeles, Washington, amending Ordinance 3524, relating to salaries, wages and benefits for the City's non-represented management and administrative personnel. Mayor Downie continued the matter to December 51. 3. Creation of Transportation Benefit District(TBD)Fund Acting Finance Director Tess Agesson said staff is asking Council to approve the creation of a TBD Fund in order to better track expenditures. City Treasurer Trina Nevaril said creation of the fund will result in more transparent, streamlined accounting for TBD funds. Mayor Downie conducted a first reading of the ordinance by title,entitled, ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE of the City of Port Angeles, Washington, adding a new section, 3.43, to Chapter 3 of the Port Angeles Municipal Code to create a fund for the administration and accounting of revenue from the Port Angeles Transportation Benefit District for the sole benefit of transportation infrastructure improvements in the City. Mayor Downie continued the matter to December 5". 4. 2017 Budget Amendment#3 Budget Officer Carrizosa said the 2017 Budget is being amended for the third and final time to adjust several funds to reflect changes in revenues and expenditures that have occurred during the final months of the year. Mayor Downie conducted a first reading of the ordinance by title,entitled, ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE of the City of Port Angeles,Washington amending the 2017 budget and funds. Mayor Downie continued the matter to December 5h. RESOLUTIONS NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Street Vacation Resolution Planning Manager Allyson Brekke said Council was being asked to approve the recommendation of the Hearing Examiner to vacate a portion of alley right-of-way between West Third and Fourth Streets. Council discussion followed. Planning Manager Brekke read the proposed motion to: Approve and adopt the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Recommendations of the Hearing Examiner and approve resolution approving the recommendation of the Hearing Examiner to vacation a portion of alley right-of- way between West Third and Fourth Streets in Port Angeles,Clallam County, Washington. Page 5 of 7 PORT ANGELES CITY COUNCIL MEETING—November 21, 2017 Mayor Downie read the resolution by title,entitled, RESOLUTION NO.27-17 A RESOLUTION of the City of Port Angeles,Washington,approving the recommendation of the Hearing Examiner to vacation a portion of alley right-of-way between West 3rd and 4th Streets in Port Angeles, Clallam County, Washington. It was moved by Gase and seconded by Collins to: Approve the recommendation as read by Allyson Brekke. Motion carried 7-0. CONTRACTS & PURCHASING 1. Wayfinding Professional Services Agreement Manager Brekke said the City issued a Request for Proposals for professional design services in support of the update to the City"s Wayfinding Plan.She outlined the selection panel Is process as well as the terms of the contract and scope of work. She noted that Tangram,Design intends to use Zenovic, a local business, as a subcontractor on the project. Council discussion followed. It was moved by Collins and seconded by Gase to: Approve the Professional Services Agreement with Tangram Design,LLC and authorize the City Manager to sign the design agreement,and to make minor modifications to the agreement,if necessary. Motion carried 7-0. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS: Councilmember Merideth attended the Veteran's Day Ceremony at the Coast Guard Base. Deputy Mayor Kidd also attended the Veteran's Day Ceremony at Coast Guard Base and said the event was fantastic and had record attendance. Councilmember Gase also attended the Veteran's Day Ceremony.He described it as very patriotic and emotional, and he encouraged others to attend. Councilmember Collins inquired as to who from the Council would be at the Farmer's Market on Saturday. Mayor Downie attended the Remembrance Day Ceremony in Victoria,B. C.,and the recent Tourism Summit. He received an update of Waterfront Center property development and expects there will be public announcements in January. No other reports were given. INFORMATION: Acting Manager West spoke regarding the reports included in the packet and said that staff would follow through on developing a donation acceptance policy for the 8,h Street Bridges and would bring it back to Council at the December 5'meeting. In addition,the fluoride issue would be placed on the December 5'agenda per Council direction. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT: Eric Richardson, 1010 Olympus Avenue,spoke in favor of installing barriers on the 8" Street Bridges. He expressed frustration over Council's inaction. Dan Bateham, 207 Wolcott Street, suggested that Police patrol the 8111 Street Bridges more often as a temporary measure. He said that once again the people of Port Angeles have overwhelmingly said they do not want fluoride.He asked that fluoride materials be dismantled. Page 6 of 7 PORT ANGELES C11"YCOUNCIL, MEETING —November 21, 2017 Jesse Farruer, 4218 Mount Angeles Road, said there must be a temporary solution on the bridges that can happen immediately. Juliet Kindred, 1010 Olympus Avenue,, raid jumping from bridges is almost becoming a trend among young people. She said there needs to be a fast plan of action to install fences. Michael Surton,322 Upland Lane,asked Council to prioritize lifesaving projects over others. He said the community is not willing to wait for state and federal funding to take care of instilling barriers on the bridges. Ellen Fetchet, 204 Columbus Avenue, asked about the bidding,permitting, and contracting process and whether the bridge barriers could be considered an emergency. Daniel Myrick, Port Angeles General Delivery, asked why those that jumped from the bridges did not know how much they were loved.He spoke about the chronically homeless condition. ADJOURNNIENT: Mayor Downie adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m. _....... �..__ ..__A" ............... !N(�Aa Patri -Downie,Mayor J&urifertVeneklasen,City Clerk Page 7 of 7