HomeMy WebLinkAbout120219CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF DECEMBER 2, 2019
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 2nd day of December
2019 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor 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,
Amy Howard, Michelle Sandoval, Ariel Speser, and Deborah Stinson.
Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi
Greenwood, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, Interim
Public Works Director David Peterson, Development Services Director Lance Bailey,
and City Clerk Joanna Sanders.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Ecology Wastewater Treatment Plant Award
City Manager John Mauro and Interim Public Works Director David Peterson read
the letter from Ecology and recognized the significant efforts of the Wastewater
Treatment staff members Bliss Morris, Dave Rodia, Chad Holbrook, Mike Bartkus
and Bob Mackey. Operations Manager Bliss Morris commented on staffs
ongoing dedication to plant operations.
Plastic Straw Ban — Students for Sustainability
Anika Avelino read their proposal on banning plastic straws for all businesses with
the exception of grocery stores and the hospital. Oscar Levine spoke about the
impacts to sea animals and local marine industry economy due to plastics. Melanie
Bakin presented the petitions based on conversations with businesses and reusable
silicone or metal straws. Hailey Gallagher recognized some plastics may complex
healthcare needs. Lochlan Krupa pointed to statistics on the use of plastics
and their desire to next consider a ban on plastic containers and plastic lids.
Mayor Stinson reported that Council has previously expressed an interest in moving
forward with a resolution. That action would likely be brought forward in early 2020.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment
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Mike Loriz spoke about his concerns over the lack of public process on the Adams
Street closure and urged reopening the street.
Katherine Baril thanked Council for its public service. She spoke in support of the
plastic bag ban and to the new City Manager's involvement. Regarding the five-year
PROS plan, she urged the importance of including related City infrastructure,
including the pool and golf course.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Vouchers 164258 through 164331 in the amount of $604,904.20
Electronic Funds Transfer in the amount of $588,564.39
Approval of Minutes: October 21, 2019
Resolution 19-088 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute
Agreements for Services
Resolution 19-089 Approving 2020 Lodging Tax Expenditures and Authorizing
the City Manager Execute Agreements for Services
Resolution 19-090 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with
HDL Software LLC for the Purchase of Business & Licensing Software
Resolution 19-091 Amending Sections of the City's Personnel Policy Manual
to Comply with Current Rules, Regulations, and Practices
Resolution 19-092 Related to the 2020 Annual Update to the City's
Comprehensive Land Use Plan
Motion: Robert Gray moved to approve consent agenda as written. Pamela Adams
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Ordinance 3240 Adopting the Proposed Budget for the City of Port Townsend,
Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2020
Mr. Mauro introduced and discussed overall budget goals. Finance and
Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell gave the budget briefing. She noted
that the feedback provided at the last meeting would be incorporated into the final
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published budget. Questions to which Ms. Mitchell responded were on the subjects
of utility rates and revenue, REET revenues, and lodging tax revenues being used
to pay General Obligation debt.
Public Comment: There was none
There were some concerns about not being able to reduce the utility taxes as
previously considered.
Motion: David Faber moved to approve Ordinance 3240 Adopting the Proposed
Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending
December 31, 2020. Pamela Adams seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Ordinance 3241 Related to Affordable Housing; Amending Chapters 17.16,
17.18 and 19.04 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code, Amending Regulations
Related to Daylight Plan, Accessory Dwelling Units, Minimum Ground Floor
Clear Ceiling Height, Maximum Number of Dwelling Units Allowed in Any One
Structure in the R -II Zoning District and the Thresholds for SEPA Categorical
Exemptions
Development Services Director Lance Bailey gave the staff presentation on the
proposed amendments to PTMC Titles 17 (Zoning) and 19 (Environmental).
Recommendations from the public hearing have been incorporated related to the
SEPA Categorical Exemptions. In addition, he reviewed the residency requirement.
All future ADUs would still require a restrictive covenant not to use the unit as a
short-term rental, but would no longer reflect the residency requirement.
Some questions about the Exhibit D SEPA changes as discussed from the
November 5. Question about residential single family developments that would
trigger public notice and potential impact. Also noted was a question on any change
to #5 on up to 90 parking spaces.
Some Council discussion ensued about the propose large increase from nine
dwelling units to thirty. There was also some concern about the addition of ninety
parking spaces and a suggestion to make a charge to show the parking facilities in
other jurisdictions. Mr. Bailey responded that if there is land division, SEPA would
be required. There was a proposal for amendment.
Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Ordinance 3241 Related to Affordable
Housing; Amending Chapters 17.16, 17.18 and 19.04 of the Port Townsend
Municipal Code, Amending Regulations Related to Daylight Plan, Accessory
Dwelling Units, Minimum Ground Floor Clear Ceiling Height, Maximum Number of
Dwelling Units Allowed in Any One Structure in the R-11 Zoning District and the
Thresholds for SEPA Categorical Exemptions (as amended). David Faber
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Adams Street Closure
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Mr. Mauro urged caution on moving forward with the Committee recommendation to
improve the street only to consider possibly closing it formally. City Engineer David
Peterson gave the staff briefing providing history, including public comment for and
against closure. After reviewing possible options, Staff recommends keeping the
road closed. In order to reopen, the City would need to bid and then find roughly
$16,000 for the road repairs to add gravel and repair corners. He reviewed road
closure criteria and fielded questions about the previous and current road condition.
Public Comment:
Lisa Crosby said signage explaining the road status at the time of closure would
have been helpful. She is not opposed to the road closure.
Rick Jahnke recommended reopening but not further investing in the street,
When asked about the option of not graveling the road edge and installing no
parking signs for road edges, Mr. Peterson indicated there would be some cost
savings by not graveling the edge. Significant discussion ensued about the lack of
public process and opening and not opening the road.
Motion: Ariel Speser moved to approve directing staff to reopen Adams Street (for a
cost not to exceed $15,000). Pamela Adams seconded.
Vote: motion failed, 3-4 by voice vote, with David Faber, Amy Howard, Ariel Speser,
and Deborah Stinson opposed.
Motion: Deborah Stinson moved to approve directing staff to continue to keep the
street closed for a trial period of one year until March 2020. Continue to solicit
community feedback by assigning back to the Transportation Committee for further
public comment. Bring back a recommendation from the Committee to Council in
April 2020. David Faber seconded.
Vote: motion failed, 3-4 by voice vote, with Pamela Adams, Robert Gray, Michelle
Sandoval, and Ariel Speser opposed.
Mr. Mauro and Mr. Peterson agreed to bring back a short-term process and better
cost information for reopening Adams Street based on staff acquiring a quote for
minimally broadening the turning radius or other cost cutting measures.
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance 3242 Related to Business and Occupational Tax and Amending
Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapters 5.04A and 5.048
Accountant Tony Hillman gave the staff briefing on changes mandated by the state,
There was no public comment.
Motion: David Faber moved to approve waiving Council rules and adopting
Ordinance 3242 Related to Business and Occupational Tax and Amending Pon`
Townsend Municipal Code Chapters 5.04A and 5.04B. Robert Gray seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
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Ordinance 3243 Extending the Duration of the Cable Television Franchise
Held by WaveDivision I, LLC
City Attorney Heidi Greenwood noted this would extend the contract through the
end of June. In response to a Council question, she agreed to investigate prior
citizen concerns about the WAVE property noise.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Ariel Speser moved to approve first reading Ordinance 3243 Extending the
Duration of the Cable Television Franchise Held by WaveDivision 1, LLC. Robert
Gray seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Resolution 19-093 Authorizing an Interfund Loan Related to the Parks,
Recreation, and Open Space Plan
Ms. Mitchell noted that the work on the PROS plan proceeds toward completion in
early 2020 transmission line fund to community services fund. There was no public
comment.
Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 19-093 Authorizing an Interfund
Loan Related to the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan. Pamela Adams
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
Mayor Stinson reported on the following:
- Meeting with Washington Department Fish and Wildlife on deer management.
- Participation as an escort in MainStreet's Small Business Saturday
- Meeting with Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib
- Discussions on the YMCA project in preparation for Council's December 16 agenda
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager John Mauro provided an update on his activities, including the PROS
public meeting, department activities, Council Retreat scheduled for January 27 to
discuss strategic planning, and his community engagement opportunities.
SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR
STUDY SESSION
Ms. Sandoval expressed interest in the golf course and pool being mentioned in the
PROS plan. She reported on her attendance at the business roundtable with the
Lieutenant Governor where they discussed the topics of affordable housing, tax
incremental financing, and infrastructure funding, including opportunities for a public
facilities district. She proposed a future meeting between the City Manager and
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Representative Steve Tharinger to discuss regional legislative matters. She requested
an update on the Haller Fountain stairs to which Mr. Peterson responded that a low
cost option to resolve the stairs.
Mayor Stinson recommended Council and staff consider and calendar the legislative
agenda in consideration and coordination with the North Olympic Development
Council regional initiatives.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Mr. Gray reported on a $6,000 Elks grant to be combined with other matching funds to
purchase supplies for the homeless and warming shelters.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, MMC
City Clerk
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