HomeMy WebLinkAbout050123 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MAY 1, 2023
CALL TO ORDER/ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Business Meeting on the 1st day of
May 2023 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David Faber called the
meeting to order at 6:01 pm.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were Aisiinn 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,
Parks and Recreation Strategy Director Carrie Hite , Finance and Technology Services
Director Connie Anderson , Public Works Director Steve King, Wastewater Treatment
Plant Operations Manager Bliss Morris, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues .
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Mayor Faber announced they will be pushing the Swearing in of Officer to the next
Business meeting and reminded everyone there will be an Executive Session at the
beginning and end of Council meeting.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Swearing in of Officer
Mental Health Awareness Month Proclamation
Mayor Faber presented the Mental Health Awareness Month Proclamation to
representatives from Discovery Behavioral Health and The Benji Project.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment
There was no public comment.
City Staff Response
EXECUTIVE SESSION — PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110 (1)(1) DISCUSSION WITH
LEGAL COUNSEL ABOUT LEGAL RISKS OF CURRENT OR PROPOSED ACTION
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(APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES)
City Attorney Heidi Greenwood stated the Council will go into Executive Session to
discuss RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) Discussion with legal counsel about legal risks of current or
proposed action for approximately 20 minutes.
Council went into Executive Session at 6:11 pm
Council came out of Executive Session at 6:31 pm. No action was taken.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Approval of Minutes: April 3, 2023
Resolution 23-029 Related to Personnel, Adopting Classification Schedules for
Non -Represented Employees
Resolution 23-030 Authorizing Execution of Documents and Disbursement of
Funds for a Loan of Community Development Block Grant Funds Pursuant to
Resolution 15-001; Applicant: A Little Uptown LLC
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve the consent agenda. Aislinn Diamanti
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Ordinance 3308 Related to Increasing Park Rules and Amending Title 11 of the
Port Townsend Municipal Code
City Manager John Mauro introduced Ordinance 3308.
Parks and Recreation Strategy Director Carrie Hite presented Ordinance 3308
Related to Increasing Park Rules and Amending Title 11 of the Port Townsend
Municipal Code which included Parks Rules and Administrative Regulations first
reading on April 3, recommendation for Council to adopt tonight, updated documents
based off changes discussed previously, and review of updates.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment,.
Discussion ensued around the difference between Chetzemoka and Pope
Marine/Cotton Building rules and the reservation language being consistent to
Chetzemoka language. In addition, Council discussed electric assisted bicycles on
trails rules and feedback from Parks, Recreations, Trees and Trails Advisory Board,
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concerns around pedestrian and electric assisted bicycles sharing trails, designated
bike trails, administrative rules allowing for change regarding bikes/pedestrians,
speed differential issue, motor vehicle vs. motor device, and administrative rules vs.
ordinance in relation to Council approval. As well as providing proper titles in
Ordinance and updating Ordinance to reflect regular meeting and not special
meeting.
Motion: Libby Wennstrom moved to approve Ordinance 3308 Related to Increasing
Park Rules and Amending Title 11 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code as amended,
Owen Rowe seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Ordinance 3310 Adopting 2023 Supplemental Budget Appropriations
Mr. Mauro introduced Ordinance 3310.
Finance and Technology Services Director Connie Anderson presented Ordinance
3310 Adopting 2023 Supplemental Budget Appropriations which included second
reading of first supplemental budget of 2023, needs for a supplemental budget,
reasons for this supplemental budget due to carry forward budget for capital,
utilization of consultants, expenses to cover city wide initiatives, recommendations of
final approval and adoption of supplement budget.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Hite explained the breakdown for
Healthier Together funds.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment,
Discussion ensued around the proper procedure for second reading.
Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Ordinance 3310 Adopting 2023 Supplemental
Budget Appropriations Monica MickHager seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
Jefferson County Solid Waste and Yard Waste Minimum Tipping Fee Increase
Presentation
Mr. Mauro introduced the Jefferson County Solid Waste and Yard Waste Minimum
Tipping Fee Increase.
Public Works Director Steve King, Jefferson County Solid Waste Manager Al Cairns,
and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations Manager Bliss Morris presented the
Compost and Yard Waste at the Jefferson County Transfer Station- Tipping Fees
Adjustment presentation which included Presentation Objectives, Solid Waste in
Jefferson County, Compost Program Developed in 1992, Sources of Yard Waste
(Local), City/County 30 -YR Partnership Compost Facility at the Transfer Station,
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County/City History of Cooperation, Transfer Station Trends, Looking Forward to the
Next 20 Years, Solid Waste Facilities Replacement Planning Process 2022/2023,
Study Objective, Study Considerations, Fees Fund Solid Waste Management, How
Do We Compare?, Addressing Congestion, Yard Waste Tipping Fee Adjustment, and
Next Steps- Fee Resolution.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. Cairns confirmed in the comparison
of counties table minimum fee weight should be pounds not dollars and stated
anecdotally customers come in with two separate loads and if they are the same
price they may not separate. Mr. King shared he believes they will still be separate
loads if they come in with an over the weight limit. Mr. Cairns confirmed $4 of the fee
goes to the County and $1 goes to the City and explained Snohomish stopped
collecting yard waste in June 2022 because they were overwhelmed and pushed
customers into the private sector. Mr. Cairns went on to confirm there are a couple
private sectors in Jefferson County. In addition, he explained they are trying to make
a philosophical shift to try to get ahead of congestion problems and get the
customers to understand the impact of their visits as well as to consider less
frequent and heavier loads or curb side service.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. King explained they must pay to
have yard waste ground which is $40,000-$610,000 a year and the General Sewer
Plan currently underway will have significant revenue needs. He explained this item
is ahead of General Sewer Plan because they are lining up with what County is
doing and stated he is not sure what the counts will be until it happens, Mr. Cairns
confirmed the principal problem is to manage congestion better and explained the
constraints of expanding. In addition, Mr. Cairns confirmed they are just raising the
minimum fee not the cost per ton and confirmed facilities like Snohomish do not use
yard waste to process bio solids in the same way as we do. He confirmed the solid
waste tipping fees is the County's purview and the only subject before City Council is
the Yard Waste Tipping Fees.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around mixing yard waste and garbage, making yard waste
slightly lower cost to avoid mixing, perception the price had quadrupled to bring out
yard waste, using client recycle bins for yard waste, hard to get a lot of weight in,
incentive for separating, right at tipping point for yard waste collection, history of
yard waste collection and charges, recovery rate of methane production, free yard
waste pick up, communication to private sector vendors, county customers coming
with small loads in lieu of curb side pickup, importance of communicating the price
change, greenhouse gas emissions in congested line, concerns around incentivizing
burning of material, appreciation for planning for future, perception differential,
increase extra yard waste days by curb side pickup, ten year contract with Waste
Connections, neighborhood yard waste day, open yard waste day idea, and
backyard composting.
Resolution 23-031 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Site Host
Agreement for a Car Share Parking Location in Uptown Port Townsend
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Mr. Mauro introduced Resolution 23-031,
Mr. King presented Resolution 23-031 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Site
Host Agreement for Car Share Parking Location in Uptown Port Townsend which
included car share grant, uptown location for car share, applying for additional vehicles
at visitor's center, and hopes to keep expanding.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. King confirmed the car share at
OlyCap is intended to serve the Castle Hill neighborhoods and confirmed the person is
pre -qualified and then you can reserve the car via an app.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around uptown being very well serviced by transit, side streets
being a better location than Lawrence St, car sharing being accessible for everyone,
climate change, cost to rent car, potential location at Park and Ride, need for north
end of town, Evans Vista location, important to target for everyone, different types of
incomes living in uptown, central/visible part of uptown, and needs in north side of
town.
Motion: Libby Wennstrom moved to approve Resolution 23-031 Authorizing the City
Manager to Execute a Site Host Agreement for a Car Share Parking Location in
Uptown Port Townsend Owen Rowe seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Notice of Potential Changes to Eligible Area Maps for USDA Rural Development
Housing Programs in Washington State
Mr. Mauro presented the Notice of Potential Changes to Eligible Area Maps for
USDA Rural Development Housing Programs in Washington State which included a
meeting with Senator Murray, housing priority, eligibility for funding concerns, USDA
process, USDA criteria, negative impact, public comment period, work with local
advocates, and potential next steps.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. Mauro confirmed Port Townsend
wants to get cleared off review list due to criteria.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around Port Townsend not being an easy commute to
metropolitan statistical areas, demonstrable lack of mortgage credit for lower and
moderate -income families, importance of participating, Representative Kilmer's help,
large local hospital impact, significant value as submitting as full Council, and
process for drafting letter.
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Motion: Monica MickHager moved to direct the City Manager to draft a letter to the
USDA for Council consideration, signature and action at the next business meeting.
Aislinn Diamanti seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included Brewocracy Now,
HSN Open House and discussions, Harms Reduction Coordinator for Jefferson County
Public Health discussion regarding Naloxone placement, Golf Course Open House, and
Rhody Parade.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Mauro provided the City Manager's report which included legislative session update,
Open Houses, Maritime Washington National Heritage Area Partner Launch invitation,
De -Escalation and Communications training, Discovery Road Construction, Sewer Pipe
Condition, Golf Course well, Bishop Park playground construction, Coffee with City
Manager, Brewocracy Now, LTAC grant application, Hood Canal Bridge,
Bainbridge/Seattle ferry impact during Wooden Boat Festival, Building Official,
Communications and Marketing Manager, Chambers staffing, and People and
Performance Director conditional offer.
SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR
STUDY SESSION
Deputy Mayor Howard announced she will be present at the upcoming Council Culture
and Society Committee meeting.
Council member Thomas asked about the Skate Park naming timeline, having Parks,
Recreation, Trees, and Trails Advisory Board look into speed limit posting for electric
bikes, and commented on Seattle/Bainbridge ferry being passenger only.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
There was no comment from Council.
EXECUTIVE SESSION — PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110 (1)(G) PERFORMANCE OF A
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE. (APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES)
City Attorney Heidi Greenwood stated the Council will go into Executive Session to
discuss RCW 42.30.110 (1)(g) Performance of a Public Employee for approximately 15
minutes.
Council went into Executive Session at 8:29pm
Council came out of Executive Session at 8:44pm.
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Ms. Greenwood announced Executive Session will be extended for an additional 15
minutes.
Council went back into Executive Session at 8:44pm.
Council came out of Executive Session at 9:01 pm. No action was taken.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:02pm.
Attest:
Alyssa Rodrigues
City Clerk
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