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HomeMy WebLinkAbout092820 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in special session on the 28th day of September 2020 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor Sandoval called the meeting to order at 6:54 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, David Faber, Amy Howard, Monica MickHager, Owen Rowe, Michelle Sandoval, and Ariel Speser. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. RESOLUTION 20-049 MODIFYING THE MERCHANT INFORMATION SIGN PROGRAM PER PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE 17.76.085(C)(2) Staff presentation City Manager John Mauro gave a brief introduction of the program that has been inactive for five years. Nathan Barnett of Olympic Peninsula Steam and also a member of the Main Street Board provided background on the request for changes to improve the merchant information sign program. The program in the National Historic Landmark District would be modified to repurpose and redesign the merchant signs to instead provide images, placement, and a short history, including a QR code link to a website for more information. If approved, the design group (City, Jefferson County Historical Society, and MainStreet) would move forward with sign and content development at a cost of less than $200 a sign. Mr. Barnett and staff responded to questions and explained once Council takes action, the City would cease using these as merchant information signs. The existing name plates on the 14 signs would be removed and the facing side reversed. The blank metal plate would be coated and covered with the new content. Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell explained that $3,200 in the General Fund was set aside by the previous City Manager for this project. During Council discussion, there was support for the changes and updating the outdated signs as well as some concern about spending funds on aesthetics at this time. City Council Special Business Meeting September 28, 2020 Page 1 of 4 Public comment There was no public comment other than Mr. Barnett who said Olympic Peninsula Steam would be willing to take care of some of the cost. Council deliberation and action Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 20-049 Modifying the Merchant Information Sign Program Per Port Townsend Municipal Code 17.76.085(C)(2). Pamela Adams seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Motion: David Faber moved to approve directing staff to explorelinvestigate alternative funding arrangements for the Merchant Information Sign program. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. RESOLUTION 20-050 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE WITH HOMEWARD BOUND AND BAYSIDE HOUSING AND SERVICES TO TRANSFER THE CHERRY STREET PROPERTY AND IMPROVEMENTS Staff presentation Mr. Mauro gave the staff briefing as documented in the agenda bill including a presentation on the history of the project. Ms. Mitchell explained various options before Council as follows: 1. seeking an alternative affordable housing provider, including Bayside Housing, 2. selling the property for the highest possible price, 3. developing the affordable housing project under City ownership and management, and 4. do nothing. Staffs recommendation was for either Option 1 or 2 as the most viable. Council questions were addressed by Ms. Mitchell who summarized that the previous 40-year loan arrangement between City and Homeward Bound ($925,000) would go away with a purchase, The City would still have its private placement bond payments of$63,000 yearly which is not new debt and is calculated in the City's budget for 2021. Bayside Housing would need to figure out their own financing. Homeward Bound had provided estimated costs for developing the eight units and the units are to remain affordable in perpetuity. When asked whether Bayside would be limited on what they could do with the rest of the land, Development Services Director Lance Bailey responded that there is a permit path if there was a desire to add units in the future. The current draft site plan is for the eight units currently on site. When asked whether Bayside could sell for market rate and what is the current market value, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood noted that discussing the price of real estate can hurt or harm negotiations, but could be discussed in executive session. She added that putting deed restrictions the land could impact Bayside's ability to have free and clear title. City Council Special Business Meeting September 28, 2020 Page 2 of 4 Public comment The following individuals provided written comment (the clerk read written comment into the record). Bob Gray Steve Brantner of Grace Lutheran Church Council deliberation and action There were additional comments in support of the efforts of Homeward Bound and Bayside for their interest in partnering. It was noted that the City contribution of$1.3 Million would be less than an equal match if each unit cost $325,000 and taxpayers would subsidize this portion. The City has provided a waiver of permit fees for Habitat for Humanity who has just completed its 51 st house in the community and this partnership with Bayside is similar. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 20-050 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate with Homeward Bound and Bayside Housing and Services to Transfer the Cherry Street Property and Improvements. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Monica MickHager opposed. RESOLUTION 20-051 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH JEFFERSON COUNTY FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF ADDITIONAL CARES ACT FUNDS Staff presentation Mr. Mauro gave the staff presentation explaining Council's work through the Intergovernmental Collaborative Group (ICG) on Cares Act funds. The resulting draft decision on funding was listed in the attachment. If Council were to enter into an ILA and merge funding, a challenge would be that each moment spent ranking projects is less time to spend funds by the deadline. With a few minor adjustments, nearly all of the projects could be funded and the City Manager would have authority under the resolution to made final adjustments. Public comment There was none. Council deliberation and action Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Resolution 20-051 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Interlocal Agreement with Jefferson County for the Expenditure of Additional Cares Act Funds. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. ADJOURN City Council Special Business Meeting September 28, 2020 Page 3 of 4 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Special Business Meeting September 28, 2020 Page 4 of 4