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Home My WebLink About020623 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 6, 2023 CALL TO ORDER/ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Business Meeting on the 6th day of February 2023 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David Faber called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Monica MickHager, Aislinn Diamanti, Owen Rowe, Libby Wennstrom, Ben Thomas, and Amy Howard. Staff members present were Public Works Director Steve King, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Finance and Technology Services Director Connie Anderson, Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. pb k * 0 ra ,11 11 Mayor Faber announced it was Black History Month and the potential for a Black History Month Proclamation coming through Council. In addition, he shared the Port Townsend Library has Black History Month projects occurring in February. Public comment Kellen Lynch spoke about housing accessibility and Olympic Housing Trust construction project on Dundee Hill. City Staff Response In response to Public Comment Mr. King stated the upcoming Planning Commission will include a lot of discussion around tactical infill. Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin explained the purpose and the work that will be done at the February 13 Joint Planning and Council Workshop Meeting. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants February 6, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 5 Approval of Minutes: January 9, January 17 Election of Chairs (Civil Service Commission, Planning Commission) Minutes Correction (September 6, 2022 -January 2, 2023) Short Estate Settlement Resolution 23-012 Authorizing Investment of City of Port Townsend Monies in the Local Government Investment Pool Council member Thomas explained on item °e" it states quick claim instead of quit claim. City Attorney Heidi Greenwood confirmed this was a scrivener's error and will be updated. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve the consent agenda. Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (NONE) NEW BUSINESS Resolution 23-013 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with FCS Group to Update the City's Retail Sewer and Stormwater Rate Models in an Amount not to Exceed $60,000 Mr. King explained Resolution 23-013 which is a request for authorization to hire FCS Group to provide a rate model update. He went on to explain this will set new rates for sewer and stormwater and on January 1, 2024, the rate ordinance runs out which means it is time to do this update. In addition, he stated this study coincides with two regulation efforts which are NPDES Phase 11 and an NPDES related item involving sewer system and nutrient reduction which is wrapped into the General Sewer Plan update. Mr. King went on to explain rate studies and utility operations as well as FCS doing City rate models previously. Mr. King stated staff recommends moving forward with FCS group with hope to bring draft information in September and final ordinance adoption in October for effective rates of January 1, 2024. In response to Council's clarifying question Mr. King explained what would happen if they did not move forward with recommendation, infrastructure per person, NPDES stormwater regulation process and added resources to invest in stormwater system which will be reflected in rates. He went on to explain the steps and what information will be brought forward to Council to make a decision in October for final Ordinance February 6, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 5 adoption. Mr. King shared the staffing impact and need for new NPDES Stormwater regulations since Port Townsend is now over 10,000 in population. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Motion: Ben Thomas moved to approve Resolution 23-013 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with FCS Group to Update the City's Retail Sewer and Stormwater Rate Models in an Amount not to Exceed $60, 000. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 23-014 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with a Qualified Consultant for the Development of a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Phase II Program in an Amount not to Exceed $30,000. Mr. King explained Resolution 23-014 is for developing the NPDES Phase II Program and explained the details of what the program entails and partnership with other cities. In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. King explained the net impact on Stormwater if work was done internally and confirmed the money needs to be moved to the right fund in budget. In addition, Mr. King stated he was being literal when creating Agenda Bill, but the money is included in the 2023 Budget. In addition, he explained the process will make the stormwater cleaner and will open the City to availability of grants. Mr. King explained the outfall does not have a filtration system it has a chlorine contact chamber and before it is released to the strait it is dechlorinated, and stated PFAS attaches itself to solids. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Motion. Aislinn Diamanti moved to approve Resolution 23-014 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with a Qualified Consultant for the Development of a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Phase 11 Program in an Amount not to Exceed $30, 000. Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 23-015 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Agreements Necessary to Inspect and Evaluate Existing Sewer Mains in a Total Amount not to Exceed $45,000 Mr. King explained Resolution 23-015 which included needing to evaluate asbestos concrete pipes. He explained the City has 40,000 ft of AC pipe and he is quite certain the area of impact is small and limited to places where there is a force main discharge. He explained they are hoping to inspect up to 10,000ft of pipe to review its condition so they can take proactive measures to line pipes before they collapse especially in areas where impact is significant. He explained they will have consultant RH2 Engineering February 6, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 5 look at camera video footage and help select the right solution to rehabilitate the pipes. In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. King explained the Public Works Board Emergency Repair Loan program and details, AC Pipe in drinking water, water testing process, quality of water supply, reasoning for starting with the selected 10,000ft of pipe, reasoning for why a forced main makes the sulfuric acid concentration higher, why asbestos was used in the pipe, age of pipes, and potentially expanding search for more pipe if needed. Public Comment: Stephen Schumacher spoke about asbestos fiber on inside of water pipes. In response to public comment Mr. King stated the reinforcement is embedded in the pipe and it is only when there is corrosion that the fiber is exposed. Discussion ensued around the risk of asbestos in the Sewer System, the importance of reaching out to other cities and learning from them, as well as the importance of getting ahead of issues before they become disasters. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Resolution 23-015 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Agreements Necessary to Inspect and Evaluate Existing Sewer Mains in a Total Amount not to Exceed $45, 000. Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included Judge John Hodgeman event, Jefferson Transit Trolley Ribbon Cutting, and fourth grade field trip to City Hall. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. King provided the City Manager's report which included updates on the Fall in Love with Your Library event, Code Enforcement Case- Raccoon Lodge, WSDOT roundabout delay, Feb 13 Joint Workshop meeting, DUI report from weekend, Letter of Support for PIF funding for Port, and Comprehensive Streets. #M01:8 got "fin NM STUDY • Councilmember Thomas asked to put 1 % for the Arts funding potential for utility dollars on an upcoming agenda. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL There were no comments from Council. February 6, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 5 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:23pm. Attest'. City Clerk February G.%U23City Council Business Meeting Page 5of5