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Home My WebLink About032023 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MARCH 20, 2023 CALL TO ORDER/ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 20th day of March 2023 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David Faber called the meeting to order at 6:02pm. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Aislinn Diamanti, David Faber, Amy Howard, Monica MickHager, Owen Rowe, Ben Thomas, and Libby Wennstrom. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin , Public Works Director Steve King, Planning Manager Judy Surber, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Faber announced the PT Main Street, Year End Financial Report and Poet Laureate presentations will be moved to April 3. In addition, he stated an Executive Session will be added before Special Presentations. Council members went into Executive Session to discuss RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) discussion of legal counsel about legal risks of current or proposed action for approximately 15 minutes. Council members went into Executive Session at 6:05pm Council members reconvened from Executive Session at 6:20pm. No action was taken. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Women's History Month Proclamation Mayor Faber presented the Women's Health History Month Proclamation to an AAUW representative. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment City Staff Response There was no public comment. March 20, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 7 CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: None Resolution 23-021 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Economic Development Interlocal Agreement with Jefferson County, The Port of Port Townsend, Jefferson County Public Utilities District No. 1, and Economic Development Council Team Jefferson (EDC) Motion. Monica l r8'lckHagerµ moved adapt the consent agenda. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, "-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING Resolution 23-022 Adopting an Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan for Public Rights of Way Mayor Faber reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedures. City Manager John Mauro introduced Resolution 23-022 Adopting an Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan for Public Rights Plan. City Engineer III Laura Parsons RE, GIS Coordinator Tyler Johnson and Public Works Director Steve King presented the 2023 ADA Transition Plan which included ADA Transition Plan Description, ADA Transition Plan, ADA Transition Plan Content, ADA Transition Plan Context and Strategy, ADA Transition Plan Accessible Sidewalks Map, ADA Transition Plan More accessible sidewalk routes, ADA Transition Plan Community Involvement Next Steps, ADA Transition Plan Public Outreach- Summary, ADA Transition Plan Public Outreach- Public Hearing, and ADA Transition Plan Public Outreach- Presentation. There were no written materials to submit. Public Comment: Pat Teal spoke about her appreciation for the staff and work that went into ADA Transition Plan and DASH's support. Lani Peterson spoke about National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and Developmental Disabilities Awareness history and current work being done. Council and staff discussed priority routes, non -motorized plan, next steps, and staff vacancies. March 20, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 7 Council discussed volunteer efforts regarding inventory, working on priority pathways, hearing device issue, and appreciation for staff and partnerships. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Resolution 23-022 Adopting an Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan for Public Rights of Way. Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3306 Related to Increasing Residential Building Capacity; Amending Titles 17, 18, and 20 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code Mayor Faber reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedures. Mr. Mauro introduced Ordinance 3306 Related to Increasing Residential Building Capacity; Amending Titles 17, 18, and 20 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code. Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, Planning Manager Judy Surber, and SCJ Alliance President Bill Grimes presented the Port Townsend Tactical Infill Housing presentation which included Introduction, What do we mean by "tactical infill?", Process, April 1, 2023, Approach for Tonight's Hearing, Zoning Approach Packets, Accessory dwelling units- Packet A, Accessory dwelling units - Planning Commission, Unintended Consequences, Options, Impact of Staff Recommendations and Possible Unit Mix/Match, Staff Recommendation, Cottage Housing- Planning Commission, THOW and Long -Term Implementation, THOW- Planning Commission, THOW- Issues and Options, Max. Densities and Unit Lot Subdivisions Packets D and 1, Single-family attached- Planning Commission, Unit lot Subdivisions- Planning Commission, Parking- Planning Commission, Employer Provided Housing- Planning Commission, Collective Ownership- Packet G, Floor Area Ratio (FAR)- Planning Commission, Setbacks- Planning Commission, and Final Motion. Written materials were submitted to the record. Public Comment: Liz Revord spoke about appreciation for community involvement and the importance of addressing affordable housing. Kim Herman spoke about the need to address affordable housing and taking other actions. Jane Armstrong spoke about the need for mandates on affordable housing, Tiny House on Wheels, and community involvement. Viki Sonntag spoke in favor of the proposed changes in the zoning code and spoke about the community benefits they will bring. Meg Lodes spoke about reforms not leading to affordable housing, concerns about affordability being addressed during code reform, and unaffordable building. Kellen Lynch spoke about a five -unit townhouse building project and its permanent affordability, the need for collective end destination, the need for City to listen to different resources, and mandating affordability. March 20, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 7 Carolyn Woods spoke about the importance of having a housing affordability strategy and own rental experience. Todd McKellips spoke about personal family experience with finding housing and support for Tiny Homes on Wheels. Morningstar Garden spoke about the importance of traditional values, native and pioneer families, and the importance of long-term solutions. Naushard Cader spoke about the importance of doing analysis and research before adopting as well as supply and demand in relation to affordable housing. Kristina Hestenes-Stimson spoke about Floor Area Ratio Bonuses for Developers. Sarah Liljegren spoke about the importance of nature, unintended benefits of affordable housing focus, and prioritizing affordability. Alethea Cary spoke about Tiny Houses on Wheels regulations and employee housing regarding income. Scott Walker spoke about undeveloped lots, ADU's and ownership, GMA requirements, and parking requirements for ADU's. Zach Giffin spoke about tiny homes, sample Ordinances for Planning Commission, Washington State building codes, and energy efficiency for Tiny Homes. Lani Peterson spoke about being a homeowner in Port Townsend and the importance of housing affordability. Siobhan Canty spoke about public comment in the record, support for 30% set aside for all triplexes and more, real estate pressure for selling land, and the importance of not creating a gap. Ginny Wilson spoke about personal housing challenges, working class and lack of housing, need to look at 30% for affordable housing, and unethical housing. Buster Ferris spoke about creating and protecting housing for workers. Christopher Chimenti spoke about the need for affordable housing in Port Townsend amongst workers, adverse consequences from code changes, and the need for alternative incentives. Lily Queen spoke about personal privilege, expense of building housing, incentivize affordability in new construction, and more flexibility on lot coverage and setbacks. Carla Main spoke about the importance of being creative, supporting non-profit communities/organizations working on housing affordability, and partnerships. Judith Alexander spoke about outside the box ideas to help with housing. Naushard Cader spoke about using existing land that belong to public or can be donated by private parties and how it can be done. Sarah Liljegren spoke about career investors vs. brokers and investors cutting down March 20, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 7 trees for land to build. Ms. Bolin shared her appreciation for everyone's comments, the City currently being in Step 1, mandatory affordability exploration, ADU tax revenue/construction tax, ending exclusionary zoning practices, FAR being about bulk and dimension, and Landlord Tenant Law in relation to employer provided housing. In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Bolin, Ms. Surber, and Mr. Grimes explained ANSI standard park models being built in Washington, Tiny House on Wheels Communities being in residential use table in packet, R -III is in residential use chart as conditional use, minimum porch size requirement in communities, missing "to" in first Whereas sentence in Ordinance, maximum lot coverage size should be 25%, #1 and #2 sentences are the same under Certifications, 50ft setback for arterials being used for commercial uses and definition, Tiny Homes on Wheels communities explanation from Planning Commission request, zero lot line reasoning for ADUs, housing affordability monitoring program through Evan's Vista, adding in Floor Area Ratio later, front yard setbacks, should 1 cottage dwelling unit/1500sgft for R -II and R -III, minimum lot sizes should be 10-5-10, could be changed to 5ft setbacks, and front yard ADUs. Council discussed typos within the ordinance which included Pg.1 of Exhibit A changing "his/her" to "their", Pg. 2 Exhibit B 3rd line "and occupied" addressed as a mistake, pg. 10 Exhibit C "to others" needs to be struck, pg. 20 Exhibit P "primarily intended for 1- and 2 -persons households" needs to be struck. In addition, discussion ensued around the need for 60 ft porches on Tiny Houses on Wheels in Tiny Houses in Communities and wanting it removed, multi -step process and permanent affordability, the need for a deep dive conversation about what a government entity can do that is reasonable, Council members working in this community, the need for community to utilize changes to create housing, and the biggest risk is doing nothing. Council members continued to discuss the difficulties around housing affordability, desperate need for affordability, material changes, community-based solutions, staff appreciation, tax revenue, changes to help move the needle, July 1 implementation date, and being thankful for the challenge. Staff recommended the record to be closed at 4:30pm on March 27, 2023. Motion: David Faber moved to keep the record open until 4:30pm local time on March 27, 2023. Amy Howard seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3306 Related to Increasing Residential Building Capacity, Amending Titles 17, 18, and 20 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code with three amendments, changes, and additions suggested as a Council. Aislinn Diamanti seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Council members recessed for break at 10:09pm. Council members reconvened from break at 10:15pm. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NONE SCHEDULED NEW BUSINESS March 20, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 7 Ordinance 3307 Related to City Municipal Office hours and Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code section 2.20.010 Mr. Mauro introduced Ordinance 3307 Related to City Municipal Office hours and Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code section 2.20.010. He went on to explain the pilot program for City Hall hours, assessment of pilot program, advantages/disadvantages of office hours, services available online 24/7, and the change applying to all facilities except the Library. In response to Council's clarifying questions City Attorney Heidi Greenwood explained the process/timing for Ordinance approval in relation to waiving Council Rules and approving on first reading. Mr. Mauro explained they have seen public call extensions directly when City Hall was closed which could get resolved through better communication and training. There was no public comment. Motion: Aislinn Diamanti moved to waive Council Rules and approve 3307 Related to City Municipal Office hours and Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code section 2.20.010 Ren Thomas seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 23-023 Designating an American with Disabilities Act Coordinator and Adopting an Americans with Disabilities Act Grievance Procedure Mr. Mauro introduced Resolution 23-023 Designating an American with Disabilities Act Coordinator and Adopting an Americans with Disabilities Act Grievance Procedure. Ms. Greenwood provided a presentation on Resolution 23-023 which included designating the City Clerk as the ADA Coordinator and changes to the timelines in the Grievance Procedure to 15 days as well as adding language to the resolution of any specific grievance. In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Greenwood confirmed she will update the language in Step 3 to reflect an additional 15 days after Step 2 meeting. There was no public comment. Motion: Aislinn Diamanti moved to approve Resolution 23-023 Designating an American with Disabilities Act Coordinator and Adopting an Americans with Disabilities Act Grievance Procedure noting changes to the complete procedure timeline. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officers Report which included the City Manager Evaluation process/schedule. In addition, he explained HB 1628 and asked for March 20, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 7 authorization from Council members for him to send an additional letter in support of the bill. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to authorize Mayor Faber to send an additional letter of support for HB1628. Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Mayor Faber went on to share he will be presenting the Citizen of the Year Award. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included staff appreciation, and legislative bills. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Deputy Mayor Howard shared there is an AWC call every Friday to discuss legislative updates/changes for that week which Council members can attend. Council member Wennstrom thanked Deputy Mayor Howard for her work with AWC. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:33pm. Attest: Alyssa Rodrigues City Clerk March 20, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 7 of 7