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HomeMy WebLinkAbout011921 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF JANUARY 19, 2021 CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 19th day of January 2021 in the Council Chambers. Deputy Mayor David Faber called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, David Faber, Amy Howard, Monica MickHager, Owen Rowe, and Ariel Speser with Michelle Sandoval excused. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There was none. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment The following individuals provided written comment (the comments were read into the record by the Clerk). Donald Mazzola opposed to military training in Washington State Parks. Mark Hardy urged decriminalizing entheogens in Port Townsend. David Berrian spoke about the January 22 celebration on the United Nations Treaty banning nuclear weapons. Lois Barnett thanked Council for the passing of a resolution supporting a ban on nuclear weapons. Peter von Christierson thanked Council for the passing of a resolution supporting a ban on nuclear weapons. Dee Sweeney asked Council to reverse its agenda bill 20-057 decision on the golf course. Jeanie Murphy thanked Council for the passing of a resolution supporting a ban on nuclear weapons. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants City Council Business Meeting January 19, 2021 Page 1 of 4 Voucher 166689 in the amount of$7,095.48 Vouchers 166732 through 166860 in the amount of$1,226,459.11 Approval of Minutes: January 4, 2021 Mr. Mauro acknowledged the comments. It was noted that with the Mayor absent, the nuclear ban proclamation would be addressed at a future time. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Ariel Speser seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolution 20-066 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Operating Agreement with Rasier, LLC for Transportation Network Operations City Attorney Heidi Greenwood gave the staff report as written in the agenda bill. Questions addressed by Ms. Greenwood included fees and where funds are deposited, about the pilot program which could be terminated after a year, and about PTMC 5.40 the For Hire section of the municipal code. There were additional questions about who would enforce the agreement (business licenses, business occupation, and the for hire driver's license endorsement). Public Comment: There were none. The clerk noted Rebecca Kimbell submitted comments after the deadline and therefore they were unavailable for the meeting. During Council discussion, there was concern about Uber's business and employment practices as well as an increase in carbon emissions. Uber Eats was absent from the agreement, but if included, might compete with local delivery services. Those on the Transportation Committee noted advantages include an ease on downtown parking and reducing the number of those drinking and driving. When Council takes up the Transportation Benefit District, there was interest in what revenues might become available to invest in a local ride share and transit options. While there was a lack of support for the resolution, there was recognition that the current bus service does not serve residents in off hours and saving lives by keeping drunk drivers off the road is a compelling reason to consider it in the future. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to table Resolution 20-066 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Operating Agreement with Rasier, LLC for Transportation Network Operations for one year. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS City Council Business Meeting January 19, 2021 Page 2 of 4 Ordinance 3260 Relating to Street Use Permits — Street Art All Districts Amending the Port Townsend Municipal Code Title 12 by Adding a New Chapter 12.11 Ms. Greenwood gave the staff report including the history, including a draft ordinance with amendments to PTMC Chapter 3.50. To address Arts Commission concerns on the approval criteria and to prepare an ordinance that is legally defensible, Staff recommended moving the language from Chapter 3 to Chapter 12 with Street Use provisions. She also reviewed issues around public forums and addressed questions about chalk on streets and street safety. During discussion, there were comments for and against the term "mural" and a desire for using a term with the widest applicability so that it is understandable. It was noted the ordinance does not preclude "decoration" proposals. It was suggested that a definition of"decoration" might also be needed. Ms. Greenwood agreed to come back with amendments in alignment with the discussion. There was no public comment. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve first reading of 3260 Relating to Street Use Permits— Street Art All Districts Amending the Port Townsend Municipal Code Title 12 by Adding a New Chapter 12.11 with the change of the word "art"to "decoration" in most instances and clarification of the meaning of the word "decoration."Amy Howard seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Comments on SEPA Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance for US Navy proposal to conduct special operations training in Washington State parks City Manager John Mauro noted that the SEPA process has been extended to January 26. The proposed letter has stayed within the scope of SEPA. The following individual provided written comment (the comments were read into the record by the Clerk). Donald Mazzola urged opposing military training in Washington State Parks. Motion: Amy Howard moved to approve the Mayor signing the City's comments on the Washington State Parks and Recreation's SEPA Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (with the noted changes in the last paragraph third sentence to reflect "any and all"and being from "Mayor on behalf of the City Council."Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Deputy Mayor Faber commented that he appreciates the formality in referring to fellow Councilmembers and meant no disrespect by informal references. City Council Business Meeting January 19, 2021 Page 3 of 4 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro reported on the following: Covid update, Intergovernmental Government Collaborative special meeting on February 4 at 5pm on Stronger Towns, Council Retreat recap on the 2021 work plan, and Department updates, the State Auditor Entrance Audit last week, and Police Chief final work is being done and expected to be done in early to late February. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Pam Adams reported that the Jefferson County Board of Health is encouraging COVID vaccinations for those 80 and that population is roughly 5,000 in the County. EXECUTIVE SESSION — PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.11 0(l)(1) CURRENT OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION At 8:17 p.m., Council went into Executive Session for a period of 20 minutes with no action to be taken. At 8:40 p.m., Council came back into open session. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Attest: �-�-0)61�lna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting January 19, 2021 Page 4 of 4