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HomeMy WebLinkAbout041023 City Council Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF APRIL 10, 2023 CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALL The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Workshop Meeting on the 10th day of April 2023 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David Faber called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. Councilmembers present at roll call were Aislinn Diamanti, David Faber, Monica MickHager, Owen Rowe, Ben Thomas, and Libby Wennstrom with Amy Howard excused. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood , Public Works Director Steve King , Parks and Recreation Strategy Director Carrie Hite, Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA) There was no public comment. DISCUSSION ITEMS EDI Statement Discussion City Manager John Mauro introduced the EDI Statement Discussion. City Attorney Heidi Greenwood presented the EDI Statement Discussion which included Culture and Society Committee tasking and recommendation from ad hoc committee on Law Enforcement and Public Safety. Ms. Greenwood stated she is looking to seek any changes or edits on statement and reviewed questions for Council. Mayor Faber suggested going to public comment first and then Council Discussion. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Council member Rowe explained the statement is not finished and the Committee is seeking feedback and discussion from Council. Discussion ensued around statement being adopted in Code, where statement should live and how it is adopted, removing the term "seeking", striking first "our" in third bullet, removing extra space in front of "Attracting", and including a comma after "underrepresented communities". April 10, 2023 City Council Workshop Meeting Page 1 of 5 Council went on to discuss the term "seeking", including statement on website, Council Rules, and employee handbook. In addition, they discussed the importance of including statement as a Resolution, affordable housing reference, historical context, future steps with statement, including equitable access to social determinants of health, and adding in a statement about working with other institutions and community agencies. In addition, Council discussed appreciation for Heidi's work on statement, proposal for Equity Access and Rights (EAR) Advisory Board, EAR Advisory Board advising Council on revisions and partnerships, removing "other" in front of local, adding tribal governments, and next steps. Suggestion Box and Workplan Review Mr. Mauro introduced the Suggestion Box and Workplan Review. Mr. Mauro presented the Quarterly Workplan Status Report which included Overview and 2023 Workplan Priorities. Library Director Melody Sky Weaver presented on 2023 Workplan Status- Invest In Our People. Discussion ensued around the "N" in relation to the budget, bolded items being City Council policy decision, and Advisory Board Handbook being in process. Ms. Greenwood presented on 2023 Workplan Status- Engage Our Community. Finance and Technology Service Director Connie Anderson presented on 2023 Workplan Status- Strengthen Our Financial Position. Parks and Recreation Strategy Director Carrie Hite presented on 2023 Workplan Status- Envision Our Sustainable Future. Discussion ensued around the City getting a membership to the car share. In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Hite explained the Capital Facilities Plan is adopted with the budget and happens every two years, Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin and Public Works Director Steve King explained Tree Conservation Ordinance next steps and eligible trees list for Right of Way. Discussion ensued about Carbon Sequestration services and location on website regarding information about Trees and Landscaping in Right of Ways. Ms. Bolin presented on 2023 Workplan Status- Embrace and Resolve Our Communities Challenges. In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Bolin stated possibly in May there will be a touchpoint with Cherry St. Project, Mr. King explained consultants are working through layout of Cherry Street Project and Church's parking plan; Ms. Bolin stated the City is working with Mr. Grimes for a couple more months and he is still tasked with looking ahead. Discussion ensued around parking management plan which included possibly having a conversation in the near future as was previously discussed, the need for a City Engineer, lack of staffing, difficulties in following through with plan, enforcing April 10, 2023 City Council Workshop Meeting Page 2 of 5 handicapped parking, and community conversation. In addition, discussion ensued around the importance of prioritization, deer management timeline/State partnership, and multiple public engagements. In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Bolin stated there will be Council discussion on prioritization from Long Range Planner Helena and stated they are focusing on implementing code and working on other items that need to be addressed. In addition, Ms. Bolin suggested watching the May Infrastructure and Development Committee meeting. Mr. King presented on 2023 Workplan Status- Deliver the Basics. In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. King explained the other options for outfall project which included Chinese Garden Lagoon possibly playing into solutions, hot patch repair update, seasonal workers, and maximum usage for hot patch repair. Mr. King explained Sims Way Construction- Port and PUD update which included reasons for delay due to supply chain issues. Mr. King confirmed hot patch repair equipment will arrive in July. He went on to state if bids come in high for Discovery Rd it will depend on how high and there will be an evaluation on if they want to redo bids or go ahead. Mr. King confirmed repave on Lawrence St is a test strip for hot patch repair. In response Council's clarifying questions Ms. Sky Weaver stated the $172,000 is a library capital grant through the state and is still pending final state legislature budget approval. She explained the ARPA funding is a match for the grant, which is for bathroom remodel in library and windows replacement in the annex. Discussion ensued around thanking staff for new pathway on Hastings. Mr. Mauro went on to present 2023 Workplan Status Anticipated Surprises (the short list), and 2023 Workplan Status Everything else to Serve Our Community! Discussion ensued around the importance to keep the list due to community wondering what the City does. Mr. Mauro went on to present the Policy Suggestion Board: Status. In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. Mauro explained there is an organic troubleshooting process to get to intent, Mr. Mauro confirmed "Legislation on rent control" should state, "rent increase notification". Mr. Mauro went on to present Key Messages and Questions for Discussion. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around Financial Sustainability Task Force presentation regarding level of service expanding across all areas in City, upcoming Workshop with Financial Sustainability Task Force, and importance of preparing public for Financial Sustainability Task Force discussions. In response to Council's clarifying questions Chief Olson stated interviews for Deputy Police Chief are on April 25, Ms. Hite confirmed dates of Envision Golf April 10, 2023 City Council Workshop Meeting Page 3 of 5 Course and Healthier Together Open Houses. In addition, she explained the importance of getting County feedback. Ms. Hite confirmed there will be social media posts and website posts for Open Houses. In response To Council's clarifying questions Mr. Mauro started they are working with finalist candidate for Marketing and Communications Director.. Discussion ensued around the thoroughness of the quarterly reports, next steps, and July's quarterly meeting. • • • • a�.X as wesi as grams,•ncerns Trom SKateparK neighbo county'sand the for •.lights. Council Committee Reports Council member MickHager reported out on the Finance and Budget Committee which included Financial Sustainability Task Force topics and reports. Council member Diamanti reported out on Infrastructure and Development Committee which included the ADA transition plan, Comprehensive Streets, funding sources and levels of funding that are possible. Council member Rowe reported out on Culture and Society Committee which included the Human Rights City Resolution, Poet Laureate Program, DEI Statement, Equity Access Rights Advisory Board Proposal, Volunteer Recognition Proclamation, Thank you Cards, Sister City Relationship and April meeting being canceled. Council member Wennstrom reported out that Kate Dean is on the State Board of Health and Fort Worden PDA will move back Financial Oversight meeting due to employee reasons. Council member Thomas reported out that Jefferson Transit is working on idling topic, two board members will be added to Jefferson Transit from School District and the need for staffing. Mayor Faber reported out regarding Jefferson Transit and there being conversations about expanded service frequency and lateness of operations. Council member Diamanti reported out on Housing Fund Board which included appointing two new members, adjusting Committees due to the addition of new appointed members which included 5 -year plan work being a committee of the whole and creation of Data and Deeds Assessment Committee. Council member MickHager reported out that the EDC is still working on Strategic Plan and Incident Management is working on Hood Canal closures. April 10, 2023 City Council Workshop Meeting Page 4 of 5 Council member Wennstrom reported out regarding Rural Designation feedback for Port Townsend. Council member Thomas reported out on Hood Canal Bridge closure changes and interest in Communications person coming on due to communication challenges. Mayor Faber reported out the LEOFF 1 will be having their first meeting of the year on April 11, 2023. In addition, Mayor Faber confirmed the first reading of City Ordinance Amending City Nuisance Code Concerning Right of Way Maintenance has been pushed to May 1, 2023. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:09pm. Attest: Alyssa Rodrigues City Clerk April 10, 2023 City Council Workshop Meeting Page 5 of 5