HomeMy WebLinkAbout081020 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING OF AUGUST 10,
2020
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in special session on the 10th day of August 2020
in the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor Michelle Sandoval called the
meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were Pam Adams, David Faber, Amy Howard,
Monica MickHager, Owen Rowe, Michelle Sandoval, and Ariel Speser.
Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Finance and Administrative
Services Director Nora Mitchell, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, and City Clerk
Joanna Sanders.
BRIEFING ON ENGAGE PT
Staff presentation
City Manager John Mauro talked about the difficulties achieving engagement with
citizens during this time. In place of the normal methods, he reviewed a presentation
showing the work to develop an engagement campaign called EngagePT on the City
website through a set of online tools.
Public comment
The following individuals provided written comment (the clerk read written comment
into the record).
Bob and Barbara Gray spoke about their desire for other topics such as housing and
job creation.
Council deliberation
Mr. Mauro clarified that the engagement strategy focuses on the ten primary topics
that require a decision from Council this year. He recognized these are not the only
pressing issues facing the City and that other topics of interest raised by the
community could come forward through this same process. Council comments were
that given the complexity of timelines and decisions, a top-level directory would be
appreciated as would alternatives for participants with physical or auditory disabilities.
Mr. Mauro acknowledged the need to draw a larger map of opportunities across
initiatives and show when and where decisions might come on different timelines.
Council Special Business Meeting August 10, 2020 Page 1 of 3
RESOLUTION 20-043 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL
AGREEMENTS AND DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO EXPEND THE CARES ACT
FUNDS FOR THE LISTED PROJECTS
Staff presentation
Mr. Mauro reviewed the guiding principles adopted as part of Resolution 20-035 and
those listed in the current resolution. October 31 is the deadline for approval of the
Covid expenditures. Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell noted
that the City has yet to be billed for the unemployment insurance expenses estimated
at around $100,000 and that there are many moving points at this time.
Public comment
There was none.
Council deliberation and action
Mr. Mauro responded to a variety of questions about the recommended first floor
design modifications pointing to improvements in customer service, greater
security, and staff cross training benefits. Under leveraging the funds with partnering
governments, a question was whether any of the items listed include partnering with
other agencies. Another comment was that there is some community expectation that
other health and safety issues might be available to be addressed with the funding
such as washing stations supporting community events. When asked if County funds
might be available for such opportunities, Mr. Mauro noted that it is uncertain whether
there would be an extension of the October 31 deadline for reimbursement.
Alternatively, the Intergovernmental collaborative effort might generate funding
priorities.
Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 20-043 Authorizing the City
Manager to Execute All Agreements and Documents Necessary to Expend the
CARES Act Funds for the Listed Projects. Pam Adams seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
RESOLUTION 20-044 APPROVING THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
AND LAW ENFORCEMENT WORK PLAN
Staff presentation
City Attorney Heidi Greenwood gave the staff briefing and reviewed the slight
modifications of the work plan as described on the resolution.
There were no clarifying questions about the work plan except for a desire for the list
of requested items to be brought back to the body. Ms. Greenwood noted that
information is anticipated to be brought forward on August 24.
Council Special Business Meeting August 10, 2020 Page 2 of 3
There was some Council desire for alternative forums other than public comment for
engagement on this matter and also recognition of the concurrent budget
discussions. Mayor Sandoval noted that the intention was to gather information from
our police force and discuss the policies and statistics prior to doing further outreach
to the Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) community. A suggestion was to ask
other law enforcement agencies to participate as liaisons with the committee. There
was some desire to gain as much information and data as possible with the upcoming
budget process/timeline so that the data might inform discussions of alternatives to
law enforcement. It was emphasized that inviting the BIPOC to submit their
experiences would be helpful while Council continues to collect information. Mr.
Mauro noted that this topic is also one of the ten initiatives in Engage PT and is a
conduit for comment.
Public comment
There was none.
Council deliberation and action
Motion. David Faber moved to approve Resolution 20-044 Approving the Ad Hoc
Committee on Public Safety and Law Enforcement Work Plan. Owen Rowe
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
Attest:
o na Sanders, MMC
City Clerk
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