Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout101022CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF OCTOBER 10, 2022 CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALL The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Workshop Meeting on the 10th day of October 2022 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David Faber called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm. Council members present at roll call were Aislinn Diamanti, David Faber, Amy Howard, Owen Rowe, Monica MickHager and Libby Wennstrom. Ben Thomas arrived at 7:14pm. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Publics Work Director Steve King, Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, Director of Parks and Recreation Strategy Carrie Hite, Library Director Melody Sky -Weaver, Chief of Police Tom Olson, Director of Finance and Technology Services Connie Anderson and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. Mayor Faber announced today is Indigenous Peoples Day and read aloud the Land Acknowledgment. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA) There was no public comment„ DISCUSSION ITEMS Presentation from Olympic Trails Coalition on Completing the Olympic Discovery Trail City Manager John Mauro introduced Jeff Bohman from the Peninsula Trails Coalition. Mr. Bohman gave a presentation which included background, goal for continuing the Olympic Discovery Trail, County led study, and Peninsula Trails Coalitions role. He shared the Olympic Discovery Trail has been identified as the western end of a cross country trail which resulted in the trail receiving additional attention. He went on to explain Peninsula Trails Coalition along with two other nonprofit organizations representing other pieces of the trail in this area are collaborating to pursue a RAISE grant proposal which would allow them to accomplish (within the limits of the grant) completing the undone portions of the Great American Rail Trail from Winslow to La Push. Mr. Bohman explained The Bainbridge Island Parks and Trails Foundation, The North Kitsap Trails Association, and Peninsula Trails Coalition have jointly committed to funding up to 50k each which is the cost of hiring consultant to develop RAISE proposal. He went on to share they are putting together the various interorganizational agreements, have interviewed consultants and will be deciding in the next weeks on a consultant with the goal to complete grant application for the sum of $25 million. He stated when this time comes, they would like jurisdictional support. October 10, 2022 City Council Workshop Meeting Page 1 of 5 In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. Bohman shared he does not need anything from the City of Port Townsend at this time. He explained there may be need for jurisdictional staff help to provide consultant with information. In addition, he shared there may be matching requirements if grant is successful. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Council shared their appreciation for the information and amount of work put into process. Suggestion Box and Workplan Review Mr. Mauro presented the Suggestion Box and Workplan Review which included an Overview, 2022 Workplan Priorities, and Partnerships. In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. Mauro explained the comment on "How the City Works" initiative cell explains the initiative this year as being a pilot the library spearheaded and based on its success will be turned into something more robust. Library Director Melody Sky -Weaver shared the next "How the City Works" event is about the water system on Tuesday, October 25 via zoom. Mr. Mauro continued his presentation which included Proactive (Financial) Sustainability, Performance, and Priority Projects. Mayor Faber announced he has reached out to Executive Director of the Fort Worden PDA David Timmons to come back to continue discussion regarding the Fort Worden PDAAnnual Report at the November 7 Council Meeting. Mr. Mauro continued his presentation which included Departmental Priority Projects. In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. King shared Lords Lake East Dam project will be partly funded by FEMA and the City is still waiting on funding to arrive. City Attorney Heidi Greenwood explained there is a retention schedule provided by state archives in terms of what must be retained and what can be destroyed, and the process involved. She continued to explain the process is more in relation to digitizing records instead of retaining paper copies. Mr. Mauro went on to share the Suggestion Board, which included Health Insurance for City Council Members, Website accessibility, Housing, Land -use, Planning, Zoning and Community Development. In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. Mauro took under advisement to broaden Street Vending to include more than just PTMC 5.32.070. Mr. Mauro continued his presentation which included Streets, Parks and Facilities, Finance and Financial Sustainability, Diversity and Inclusion and Democratic Engagement, and Miscellaneous. In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Greenwood shared the importance of having a clear definition of what the student liaison will do because there are provisions in Washington State Code which states who can sit on Council. Mr. King October 10, 2022 City Council Workshop Meeting Page 2 of 5 confirmed the Discovery Road Speed Control is in relation to the design. Mr. Mauro explained this process will move quickly and the idea is to do a comprehensive look and put everything on the table. Ms. Hite explained it is hard to make commitments during a public process. Mr. King shared it is not as simple or cheap as it seems to put up a shade structure. Mr. Mauro shared the public should get involved in the process and share their hopes for the dog park. Mr. Mauro went onto to explain the City solicited for contributions to the system so City could help pay water bills, the Finance team reached out to people to help get public set up with resources. In addition, he stated the first thing is not to shut off the water. Finance Director Connie Anderson shared getting water shut off does not happen very often and explained there are organizations that work with people when they are unable to make payment and City staff shares these resources. In addition, she shared during COVID the City did not shut off anyone's water and after the moratorium there were people with high balances in which the City used resources to help get these paid off as well as created an additional COVID grant program which had great success. Mayor Faber shared policy rationale for utility opt out. In response to Council's clarifying questions Council member Rowe shared the Culture and Society Committee meeting is discussing what form the Race and Social Justice Advisory Board will take, what role it will have, as well as how it relates to the Equity Diversity Inclusion statement. Mr. Mauro shared there are moving parts regarding health insurance for Council members including cost, plan options, number of participants, reviewing other communities, best practices, and price difference between coverages. He shared they will come to Council in November with information. Mr. Mauro continued his presentation which included Resolved Items. Public Comment: Debbie Jahnke spoke about illegal encampments at Kah Tai in relation to Park Camping Policy. In response to the Public Comment Mr. Mauro shared the importance of honoring and enforcing the current existing law which does not allow camping in parks, respecting the Boise decision and what it means for the use of Right of Way, what it means to move residents, and keeping the public safe and the park in maintained status. He went on to explain the City is trying to figure out what set of mechanisms it can use when someone may need assistant and what procedures are in place to protect the safety of volunteers. He went on to explain there have been internal conversations about this topic including conversations with providers who practice crisis prevention and the City's Parks and Facilities Manager. There was on Council discussion. Budget and the 2023 Workplan Mr. Mauro introduced the Budget and the 2023 Workplan. Ms. Anderson presented the Budget and the 2023 Workplan which included an Overview, Coordinating Efforts & Timescales, Plans that Work Together, Strengthen our Financial Position, Where We Left Off (July 2022), Where we Are Now (Oct 2022), Preliminary Estimates including October 10, 2022 City Council Workshop Meeting Page 3 of 5 uncosted workplan items, Breaking Down ARPA (Oct 2022), Debt Analysis & Strategic One -Time Use of Funds, Level of Service/ 2023 Position Considerations, and Grant Funded Positions. In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Bolin explained the Housing Grants Coordinator role. Ms. Anderson continued her presentation which included Existing Positions, Change in Duties & Responsibilities, and considering policy change for Budgeted FTE. Discussion ensued around the addition of words to City of Port Townsend Salary Schedule and the importance of the City Manager being able to adjust positions, duties, and salaries within the number of budgeted FTE's as well as within the budgeted salaries and benefit amounts. Council discussed the importance of receiving information regarding position changes. Ms. Anderson continued her presentation which included Final Thoughts and Decisions. Council shared their immediate thoughts which included, Long Range Planner, City Hall Phase 3 Planning, barriers to housing, spending money to generate money, spending money now to save money in the future, opportunity costs related to Public Information Officer, five seasonal workers, and Deputy Police Chief. Public Comment: Viki Sonntag spoke about a one-time amount and whether it is associated with Cherry St or Zoning Code changes. In response to Public Comment Mr. Mauro explained the one-time amount is related to the initial ballpark for Long Range Planner and consultant. Mayor Faber shared he would like to see part of the goal for the Long -Range Planner to be housing at all income levels with a focus on workforce affordable housing and felt it should be part of the actual job description. Discussion ensued around the forming process of the Long -Range Planning position and Council's involvement. Legislative Agenda Mr. Mauro introduced the Legislative Agenda which included 2020 Legislative Agenda, 2021 Legislative Agenda, 2022 Legislative Agenda, and 2023 Legislative Agenda: Framing (questions. In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. Mauro explained the session being virtual. He went on to explained it was helpful NOLA was there and once session returns in person he will plan on attending. October 10, 2022 City Council Workshop Meeting Page 4 of 5 Council member Howard shared the AWC Legislative Priorities and the importance of attending session. Mr. Mauro explained the importance of partnerships. He continued to share his presentation which included 2023 Legislative Agenda: Initial Thoughts (Housing, Transportation, Climate). Discussion ensued around Ferry Service challenges. Public Comment: There was no public comment Council member Diamanti noted the Fort Worden PDA is doing their own legislation ask for $32 million. In addition, she shared more people may be interested in Electric Bikes. Council member MickHager asked to see Sea Level Rise Action Plan under Climate Change. In addition, she shared the importance of changing verbiage regarding housing and agreeing with having "fix and enhance ferries" on legislative list. Council member Howard shared her appreciation for the new format of reviewing the Legislative Agenda ahead of time. Council Committee Reports Council member MickHager shared Ms. Anderson has already shared information with full council. Council member Diamanti shared the committee received the Greenhouse Emissions and Trees presentation and will be digging back into Comprehensive Streets. Council member Rowe shared the committee will be discussing Race and Social Justice Advisory Board, finished Tenants Rights Rent Increase notice, and submitted input into Proclamation. In addition, the committee will be hearing from Arts Commission regarding their budget requests. ADJOURN AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, THOSE REQUIRING ACCOMMODATION FOR THIS MEETING SHOULD NOTIFY THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING AT (360) 379-5083. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:16pm. Attest: City Clerk October 10, 2022 City Council Workshop Meeting Page 5 of 5