HomeMy WebLinkAbout042417CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING OF APRIL 24, 2017
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in special session on the 24th day of April 2017 in
the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor Deborah Stinson called the meeting
to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, David Faber, Robert Gray,
Michelle Sandoval, Amy Howard, and Deborah Stinson with Catharine Robinson
excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve Gross,
Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, Public Works Director Ken
Clow, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 17-019 Related to Affordable Housing at the City's Cherry Street
Properties; Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an
Agreement with Homeward Bound D/B/A Olympic Housing Trust, and
Authorizing a Loan
City Manager David Timmons gave the staff report on the parcel as detailed in his
memorandum and briefed Council on the residential zoning and the financing needed.
He introduced Mark Blatter formerly of Bainbridge Island who is assisting with
coordination of this project with Nickels Brothers House Moving. The purchase price
and relocation fee is $205,000, and there is a "not to exceed" amount of $250,000
which should include site preparation costs. If the Olympic Housing Trust is unable
to put together the financing, the City might need to establish another
partnership. If not used for affordable housing, the property and unit would revert back
to the City. To provide the loan, General Fund reserves would be used and a 2017
supplemental budget request would be sought. Next steps in the tight timeline include
site design preparation, possibly lessening the slope on the property, and water
line upgrade and relocation. A hearing notice has been set for May 8 to surplus the
property. He distributed a handout with a photograph of the four-plex unit.
Mr. Timmons reiterated the long-term goal of using this property for affordable
housing. He responded to Council questions about General Fund
expenditures and said Staff could explore alternatives such as system development
charge revenues to complete the water main and fire protection instead of
using Council reserves. He addressed questions about the potential for a property
exchange with Grace Lutheran Church to address the current encroachment. He and
Mr. Blatter also estimated development costs to be $150,000 to $175,000 to excavate,
City Council Special Business Meeting April 24, 2017 Page 1 of 2
build the foundation, and hook up the utilities. The four additional units in the
basement would require additional conversion and that space would be unfinished for
the time being.
There was Council discussion about the timing, acquisition and development cost as
well as interest in targeting this unit for very low income versus low income. Staff
noted there would need to be further exploration of additional financing to make it
more affordable.
Public comment: Coe Hutchison, the Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, had questions
about clearing and grading and encroachments and requested more information to
share with their members.
Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 17-019 Related to Affordable
Housing at the City's Cherry Street Properties; Authorizing the City Manager to
Negotiate and Execute an Agreement with Homeward Bound D/B/A Olympic Housing
Trust, and Authorizing a Loan. David Faber seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, CMC
City Clerk
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