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Home My WebLink About030623 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MARCH 6, 2023 CALL TO ORDER/ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Business Meeting on the 6th day of March 2023 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David Faber called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Aislinn Diamanti, Monica MickHager, Owen Rowe, Ben Thomas, Libby Wennstrom, and David Faber with Amy Howard absent. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Director of Finance and Technology Services Connie Anderson, Library Director Melody Weaver, Public Works Director Steve King, Public Works Operations Manager Brian Reid, Chief of Police Thomas Olson, and Acting City Clerk Haylie Clement. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Faber noted two proposed additions to the agenda. The agenda was unanimously approved with adding the Mountain View Pool Annual Report to Special Presentations and adding the City Manager Evaluation item under New Business. EXECUTIVE SESSION Council entered into executive session at 6:04 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes pursuant to RCW 42.30. 110 (1)(c) To consider the minimum price at which real estate will be offered for sale or lease when public knowledge regarding such consideration would cause a likelihood of decreased price. Council returned to open session at 6:27 p.m. No action was taken. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Reading Month Proclamation Mayor Faber proclaimed the month of March as Reading Month 2023. Library Director Melody Weaver accepted the proclamation and spoke about the 2023 Community Read. Annual Crime and Activity Report Chief of Police Thomas Olson presented the 2023 police department annual report, highlighting crime data, new staff, and operational goals for 2023. City Council Business Meeting March 6, 2023 Page 1 of 4 Mountain View Pool - 2022 Annual Report Olympic Peninsula YMCA Chief Executive Officer Wendy Bart provided the 2022 annual update of the Mountain View Pool. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC There were no comments from the public. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 171574 through 171575 in the amount of $1,049.00 Vouchers 171576 through 171641 in the amount of $181,475.80 Vouchers 171570 through 171573 in the amount of $143,781.45 Vouchers 171474 through 171481 in the amount of $213,783.32 Approval of Minutes: February 13, 2023 Joint Workshop Resolution 23-019 Authorizing the changes to the City's Salary Classification Schedule and the Union Wage Scale and Authorizing the Filling of One Position in the City Parks and Maintenance Division of Public Works Within the Available Job Classifications. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve the consent agenda. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 23-020 Authorizing the Defeasance of the City's Outstanding Limited Tax General Obligation Refunding Bonds, 2012, and Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds, 2017B (Taxable) Director of Finance and Technology Services Connie Anderson presented on the item. The work of the Finance and Budget Committee and staff was reviewed. It was noted that this action will save the city just over $100,000. There was no public comment. Motion. Libby Wennstrom moved to approve Resolution 23-020 Authorizing the Defeasance of the City's Outstanding Limited Tax General Obligation Refunding Bonds, 2012, and Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds, 2017B (Taxable). Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting March 6, 2023 Page 2 of 4 Ordinance 3305 Related to Library Donations and Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Section 3.42.070 Library Director Melody Weaver presented on the proposed code amendment. Council and staff discussed the decision to specifically name the Friends of the Library and Library Foundation in the code. It was mentioned that annual updates will likely occur moving forward to keep Council informed and provide exposure to the work of the Friends and Foundation. There was no public comment. Motion. Aislinn Diamanti moved to waive Council Rules and approve Ordinance 3305 Related to Library Donations and Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Section 3.42.070. Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Vegetation Control in Public Right of Ways Public Works Director Steve King made the staff presentation. The location and extent of property owner maintenance responsibilities was reviewed along with types of vegetation control and landscaping in the right of way. Upcoming code updates and next steps related to right of way maintenance was also discussed,. There was no public comment. Staff responded to clarifying questions and comments from council, Hood Canal Bridge Closure Steve King provided an overview of the scheduled closures and the current status reported from Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). There was no public comment. Council discussed community concerns and mitigation methods. The option to write a response letter either adding to or similar to the letter written by the Board of County Commissioners was proposed. The preference to move Chief Black's comments regarding emergency response to the top of the letter was discussed. Other key components of the proposed letter included mitigation/marketing funding, request for clear communication about the plan, the addition of relief options such as a ferry, as well as a request for fewer, longer closures. There was consensus for Councilmember Thomas to be the lead representative of City Council on the issue. Motion: David Faber moved to direct staff to prepare a letter to the Washington State Department of Transportation pertaining to the summer 2023 bridge closure, based on feedback from Council tonight and authorizing the Mayor to sign on behalf of Councilmembers, cc'ing Washington State Ferries. Ben Thomas seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting March 6, 2023 Page 3 of 4 City Manager Evaluation Mayor Faber provided an overview of the RFP process and and response. expressed concerns about the budget versus expectation. There was no public comment. Concern was expressed about the budgeted amount and expectations. Council discussed the reasoning for outsourcing the evaluation process as opposed to conducting the evaluation in-house. Council discussed the importance of having a formalized evaluation process and creating consistent objective standards. Motion. Monica MickHager moved to approve a contract with Prothman. Aislinn Diamanti seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Faber reported on an upcoming tour of high school, opening day of the yacht club, meetings with the Housing Solutions Network, Jefferson Community Foundation, and the Bar Association, discussions with the Senator Patty Murray about City priorities, and coverage for the city newsletter. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro thanked Steve King for his efforts as Acting City Manager. Kudos was also given to the Department Heads. Reflections from recent trip were provided along with priorities following return. City Manager Mauro spoke about the Port and sea level rise mitigation, comprehensive streets, ADA Transition Plan, RAISE Grant, EV car share, Mill Road roundabout, Evans Vista contract, and Healthier Together. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION The next regular meeting is schedule for March 13, 2023. Councilmember Diamanti commented on the second special session with the Planning Commission on March 27, 2023. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL There were no comments from Council. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:34 p.m. Attest: Alyssa Rodrigues City Clerk City Council Business Meeting March 6, 2023 Page 4 of 4