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HomeMy WebLinkAbout061421 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING OF JUNE 14, 2021 CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in special session on the 14th day of June 2021 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor Sandoval 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, Michelle Sandoval, and Ariel Speser. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Public Works Director Steve King, Water Resources - Operations Manager Ian Jablonski, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, Finance Manager Tony Hillman, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 21-044 Authorizing the City Manager to Accept the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Awarded through the American Rescue Plan Act and to Execute the necessary documents with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Washington State Office of Financial Management City Manager John Mauro gave the staff report as detailed in the agenda bill on the receipt of$2.7 million through the American Rescue Plan Act that is available through September 21, 2024. There was no public comment. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 21-044 Authorizing the City Manager to Accept the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Awarded through the American Rescue Plan Act and to Execute the necessary documents with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Washington State Office of Financial Management. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. DISCUSSION ITEMS Olympic Gravity Water System - Technical Findings to support Mill negotiations City Council Special Business Meeting June 14, 2021 Page 1 of 3 City Manager John Mauro reported that the detailed white paper on the capital analysis was provided. Public Works Director Steve King and Water Resources Operations Manager Ian Jablonski gave an overview of data collected, solicited additional input on the white papers, and summarized the 14 key items listed. Next steps include reviewing the details on negotiating the agreement with City Council and then adopting new water rates to support the final agreement. Staff then responded to Council questions on the following topics: water storage, external power for cathodic protection, timeline for Engage PT, longer-term financing costs, water rates and associated timelines, Little Quilcene and Big Quilcene cfs flows, connection and capacity of City Lake and Lord's Lake, number of low-flow days per year that impact Mill operations, water right capacity, the status of permitting from the National Forest Service, and long-term maintenance of the water system compared to other jurisdictions. There was no public comment. Banked Capacity Mr. Mauro noted that Council has previously done a workshop and a hearing is scheduled for August. Through these efforts, Council is investing in important projects to support in that banked capacity package. Public Works Director Steve King led the presentation briefing with the stated purpose of gathering feedback toward a final project list for formal adoption. He reviewed the project screening criteria for transportation, pavement, and parks projects and addressed Council questions about street and park priorities. Safety is inherent in street projects and while staff looked at geographic distribution, an exhaustive safety analysis was not conducted. He explained coordination with DASH on street improvements, streetscape terminology, and prioritization of Chetzemoka Shelter over demolition of the Golden Age building. Council asked how the criteria would be presented to the community and how the assessment would be reflected on the property tax bill. There was also a request for rental data on the Chetzemoka shelter. There was no public comment. Mr. Mauro indicated the individual community investment would be roughly $120-$150 annually. There was further Council discussion about the project list and the funding investment in Castle Hill area as well as the highly used areas such as the Chetzemoka shelter. It was also noted that this is an ongoing source of revenue and the City can consider other projects for future years. The alternative would be not to access any of the banked capacity. Regressive taxing in Washington State was also recognized as severely impacting infrastructure funding, while deferred maintenance has continued to compound. City Council Special Business Meeting June 14, 2021 Page 2 of 3 InBox Review Mr. Mauro reflected on the committee reports and the 2021 work plan for context in reviewing the InBox. On top of considering which items to carry forward into the work plan, he committed to ensuring scheduling its quarterly review. It was noted that many items on the InBox are complete, but there was consensus of Council to bring forward the items as part of the work plan discussion at the retreat for disposition. There was also interest improving accessibility/visibility to the document such as through a dashboard experience. Public Comment (the Clerk read the written comment into the record): Debbie Jahnke spoke about deer population concerns and asked for a correction under the Parks Recreation and Trees Advisory Board. Motion: David Faber moved to approve extending the meeting beyond 9:30 pm. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Council Committee Reports/New Committee Assignments and Intergovernmental Representation Committee Chairs Howard, Faber, Speser and Sandoval gave summaries of Council Committee achievements, items still in progress, and items on the horizon. The following reports were also given: Lodging Tax, Jefferson County Board of Health, and Climate Action Committee reports by Councilmember Adams; Creative District report by Councilmember Rowe; OlyCAP Board of Directors by Councilmember Howard; Jefferson Transit report by Councilmember Faber; and North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation and Development Council and Jefferson County/PT Regional Emergency Planning Committee reports by Councilmember MickHager. Mr. Mauro recognized Council service on the many other important committees. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Special Business Meeting June 14, 2021 Page 3 of 3