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HomeMy WebLinkAbout090721 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 7th day of September 2021 in the Council Chambers. Mayor Michelle 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, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There was no Council objection to moving the Approval of the Fort Worden Public Development Authority's private placement/sale of debt to Kitsap Bank as the first item under New Business. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Proclamation — Eat Local Month Kellie Henwood, Program Coordinator for the WSU Regional Small Farms Program accepted the proclamation. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment (Clerk Note: The following individuals provided comment on the Bayside Tent Encampment application. The application is being processed as a Type II land use permit. All comments are for Council information only and have been forwarded to Development Services. The Director's decision will include a response to comments and all comment letters will be included as an Exhibit. The Director's decision, anticipated by the end of the month, may only be appealed by applicants or parties of record to the hearing examiner in accordance with PTMC Chapter 1.14): Libby Palmer Peter West Aleah Lawrence-Pine Deborah Stinson Scott Rosekrans Sarah Grossman City Council Business Meeting September 7, 2021 Page 1 of 5 Annette Huenke Gretchen Sleicher Thomas Buell Jamie Elsbury James Schultz Lane Lindberg Jane Patrick Linda Egan Scott Campbell Peter von Christierson Bill Testerman Tess Taft The following individuals provided general public comment (written remarks were added to the meeting record): Celine Santiago of the Port Townsend Preservation Alliance supporting housing code changes to PTMC Chapter 17. Martha Trolin and Libby Atkins spoke about work on housing by Justine Gonzales- Berg and Kellen Lynch of the Jefferson Community Foundation. Carol McCreary spoke in support of proposed housing code amendments in Chapter 17. Barbara Morey spoke in support of code amendments to permit increased building of duplexes and family housing. Charles Cannon spoke in support of passed Resolution 21-052 for Traffic Calming on Washington Street. Carolyn Woods supported zoning code changes promoting affordable housing. Deborah Pederson spoke in support of the proposed zoning code changes. Richard Berg supported the proposed zoning code changes. Eileen Baratuci spoke in support of more housing solutions. Harvey Windle spoke about the need for parking enforcement and about rain gardens. Jim Golden spoke in support of the proposed zoning code amendments. Those individuals providing additional public comment were: Charles Law speaking in favor of a study for encouraging food waste composting. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 168040 through 168129 in the amount of$132,620.94 Vouchers 168135 through 168209 in the amount of$406,668.30 Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of$1,184,038.58 Approval of Minutes: August 2, 2021 Motion: David Faber moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting September 7, 2021 Page 2 of 5 NEW BUSINESS Resolution 21-055 Authorizing the City Manager to Award and Sign all Contracts for Construction of the Gaines Street Pump Station Within the City Budget Public Works Director Steve King gave the staff report on the recommended award of the contract in order to reconstruct the critical sewage facility. He addressed that the fiberglass structure would provide 30 years of longevity. There were no public comments. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Resolution 21-055 Authorizing the City Manager to Award and Sign all Contracts for Construction of the Gaines Street Pump Station Within the City Budget. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 21-056 Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Partial Release of a Utility Easement in the Southerly 15 Feet of Property of the Phoenix Addition Block 2 Lots 1 & 16 Mr. King gave the staff report as written in the agenda bill, noting an error in the agenda bill although the language in the resolution is correct. When asked if there is an associated street vacation of the 20th Street right of way, Mr. King confirmed this is only a release of that easement. There was no public comment. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 21-056 Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Partial Release of a Utility Easement in the Southerly 15 Feet of Property of the Phoenix Addition Block 2 Lots 1 & 16. Ariel Speser seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Approving the Fort Worden Public Development Authority's private placement/sale of debt to Kitsap Bank City Manager John Mauro gave the staff report on the PDA's request and explained the Financial Oversight Committee supported the private placement. Fort Worden Public Development Authority Board Chair David King provided Council with a detailed briefing on restructuring, scope of refinancing existing bond debt, and future cost sharing arrangements. Addressing Council questions, he and Interim Director David Timmons explained the debt refinancing page and the three funds that need to be restored (glamping, energy efficiency, and restoration). There were Council questions about the documents provided by the PDA and specifically what responsibility the City given a dissolution of the PDA. Mr. Timmons responded that the ultimate responsibility for settling PDA accounts would be the responsibility of the City. When asked when the financial audit would be complete, Mr. Timmons indicated it does not appear anything new has been discovered that City Council Business Meeting September 7, 2021 Page 3 of 5 was not already presented to the auditors, but once the PDA completes 2019 and 2020, they recommend proceeding with the annual audit and the audit report is still several weeks out from being completed. The restoration bond would be used to restore money for those project operations. Mr. King said once the private placement of debt is complete to restore capital, the PDA would be able to begin to address the next issue. He admitted more work is needed with the partners, including State Parks, Makers, the Foundation, and hospitality to identify and quantify the debts. There were questions and concern about Makers Square Foundation responsibility for debt repayment without discussions with those foundation partners. Mr. Timmons noted that debt service would begin in 2023 (state parks, makers square payments) and the PDA hopes to establish a capital reserve fund to provide support until payments begin. Council requested the two public comments received after the deadline be read into the record: Theresa Shea had concerns and requested delaying the decision until more public comment was received. Mark Blatter spoke about his concerns about $2.13 million in debt. During Council deliberation, there was uncertainty about the revenue from rentals or Makers Square if the projects are delayed. Given the Foundation is not connected to the PDA, there was also concern about the repayment plan and entering into leases. Motion: Pamela Adams moved to approve the Fort Worden Public Development Authority's private placement/sale of debt to Kitsap Bank. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Sandoval reported on the following: -Attendance at Housing Task Force and Joint Oversight Board - Attendance the BOCC meeting today to voice support for Dr. Allison Berry's mandate on showing vaccination cards at restaurants and bars as well as support for Conservation Futures tax funding in support of the Quimper Wildlife Corridor CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided a briefing on reported on the following: - Grief counseling resources over the loss of a staff member - Mask mandate - PT MainStreet provided their half year update - East Jefferson Fire Rescue Chief Brett Black's participation in Brewocracy Now - Department updates EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110 (1)(1)(111) LITIGATION OR LEGAL RISKS OF A PROPOSED ACTION City Council Business Meeting September 7, 2021 Page 4 of 5 At 8:14 p.m., the Council recessed into Executive Session for 30 minutes with no action to follow. At 8:39 p.m., the Council came back into open session. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m, Attest: Jost ria Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting September 7, 2021 Page 5 of 5