HomeMy WebLinkAbout062023 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF JUNE 20, 2023
CALL TO ORDER/ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Business Meeting on the 20th day of
June 2023 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David Faber called the
meeting to order at 6:00pm
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Monica MickHager, Aislinn
Palmer, 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 , Assistant City Engineer
Jeff Kostechka, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were no changes to the agenda.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
There were no Special Presentations.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment
City Staff Response
There was no public comment.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Approval of Minutes: May 1, 2023, May 08, 2023, May 15, 2023
Appointments/Reappointments: Parks, Recreation, Trees and Trails Advisory
Board, Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Library Advisory Board, Historic
Preservation Committee, Arts Commission,
Mountain View Campus Pool Roof Repairs
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Resolution 23-036 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Agreements
Necessary to Complete the Library Window Replacement Project
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve the consent agenda. Owen Rowe
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Ordinance 3314 Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 10.28 Speed
Limits Established by Adding Four New Section
Mr. Mauro introduced Ordinance 3314.
Public Works Director Steve King presented Ordinance 3314 Amending Port
Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 10.28 Speed Limits Established by Adding Four
New Sections which included second reading, autonomous vehicle, ELR data on
speed reduction, corners, and staff recommending moving forward.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained cost is in the annual
striping contract, action tonight proposed for three ELR's for this year, tracking
success statics, and self -driving cars model in relation to ELR's
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Council discussed not having code revisions for every ELR, autonomous vehicles,
positives of ELR's, GIS maps in relation to ELR's, state and federal roads unpaved
in United States, and future technology changes.
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Ordinance 3314 Amending Port
Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 10.28 Speed Limits Established by Adding Four
New Sections Aislinn Palmer seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 23-037 Renaming the Port Townsend Skate Park to Seamus Sims
Memorial Skate Park and Resolution 23-038 Renaming Triangle III Park as
Speakers' Corner
Mr. Mauro introduced Resolution 23-037 and Resolution 23-038.
Mr. King provided background on Triangle III Park as Speaker's Corner.
Deborah Berreth provided background on Seamus Sims and Port Townsend Skate
Park creation, as well as Seamus Sims Memorial Skate Park renaming.
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In response to Council's clarifying questions, the Mayor confirmed per policy the City
will have to wait until next February to rename. In addition, staff explained the process
for naming the park and receiving feedback from family, Mayor confirmed they will
send it to Parks, Recreation, Trees and Trails Advisory Board for final confirmation and
it will come back on future consent agenda.
Public Comment:
Benny Early spoke about Seamus Sims and the Seamus Sims Memorial Skate Park
renaming.
Bo Winterburn spoke about Seamus Sims and the Seamus Sims Memorial Skate
Park renaming.
Scott Walker spoke about former Council member and County Commissioner Dan
Harpole and his role in the Port Townsend Skate Park.
Micah Van Lelyveld spoke about Seamus Sims and the Seamus Sims Memorial
Skate Park renaming.
Council discussed history of Port Townsend Skate Park, appreciation for public
comment, honoring Seamus Sims, honoring civic spirit, and Parks, Recreation,
Trees and Trails Advisory Board recommendation of name changes.
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Resolution 23-038 Renaming Triangle 111
Park to Speakers' Corner. Aislinn Palmer seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
Motion: Ben Thomas moved to approve Resolution 23-037 Renaming the Port
Townsend Skate Park to Seamus Sims Memorial Skate Park subject to consultation
with Parks Board and family and further action by Council effective one year after its
passing on February 18, 2024. Aislinn Palmer seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
Envision Golf Course and Mountain View Commons Council Debrief
Mr. Mauro introduced the Envision Golf Course and Mountain View Commons
Council Debrief.
Park and Recreation Strategy Director Carrie Hite and Principal and Landscape
Architect, Groundswell Studio, Chris Jones presented the Golf Course and Mountain
View Commons Concept Planning presentation which included Agenda, Project
Purpose, Creating a Vision, Project Goal, Project Facts, Project Schedule, Golf
Course Analysis, Viability of Par 3 Golf, Open House #1, What We've Heard,
Decision Making Criteria, Focused Outreach, Online/In Person Combined, Online
Survey, High School Engagement, High School Priorities- Golf Course, High School
Priorities- Mt. View, Open House #2, Concept #1- Restored Golf Course, Concept
#2- Hybrid Golf Course, Concept #2a- Space For Nature, Concept #3- Central Park,
Open House #2 Results, Open House #3, Central Park, Hybrid Golf Course and
Discussion.
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In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. Jones and Ms. Hite explained not
having a return on investment from Operator or City, state grant funding, affordable
housing decision process and residential zoning, possibility of organic Golf Course,
Kah Tai history tie in, walkable trail hybrid plan, possible conflict between holes,
operational costs for City for each scheme having been reviewed In addition, they
explained no shielding for pedestrians from golf balls north of C, hybrid Golf Course
would limit use of Golf Course, considering operational hours, competitiveness of
RCO grants, not getting grants to move holes, grant process, adding native plants,
aligning internal trails to neighborhood feeder trails, costs associated with water use,
opportunity for limitation on seasons, portable buildings will remain on Mt. View
campus, and accessibility and cultural shift.
Public Comment:
David Meissner spoke about keeping the Golf Course.
Robert Horner spoke about alternative hybrid plan presented by golfers.
Forest Shomer spoke about the Shore Aquatic Center in Port Angeles and parking,
as well as central dog park parking requirements.
Council discussed designated parking on Mt. View site and services, dog parks in
neighborhoods, volunteer labor, maintenance, hybrid use being limited for non -golf
use, and having an engaged community.
First Quarter 2023 Financial Update
Mr. Mauro introduced the First Quarter 2023 Financial Update.
Finance and Technology Service Director Connie Anderson presented the First
Quarter 2023 Financial Update which included the Revenue vs. Expense Summary
For the Period Ending March 31, 2023.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained Golf Course contract
and timing.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Council discussed appreciation for level of detail in report.
Evans Vista Update Briefing
Mr. Mauro introduced Evans Vista Update Briefing.
Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin presented the Evans
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Vista Update Briefing which included previous briefings, engagement opportunities,
Technical Advisory Group, survey, youth engagement, site concepts discussion, public
engagement, site investigation phase, clean up event, homelessness, contractor,
wetland, and no trespass posting on site.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained community involvement
with clean up, survey engagement, and survey timing.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Council discussed appreciation for staff and sensitive approach to people living on
the site.
Public Works Fee Briefing
Mr. Mauro introduced Public Works Fee Briefing.
Mr. King presented the Public Works Fee Briefing which included previous
discussions, County approach to Transfer Station changing, outdated fees, connection
to other items, water meter turn off charges, and Jefferson County Transfer Station
minimum tipping fee.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained County decision around
tipping fees, General Sewer Plan expenses, increase in curbside pickup for City
residents, lack of volume shortage, and possible mixed loads on small quantities.
Mr. King continued with his presentation which included water fee updates, nominal
charges, after hours emergency shut off fees, hourly equipment charges, operator
charges, retail rates, Sims Way banner fees, and vertical banner fees.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained when water testing is
needed and process, Sims Way banner charge including install and removal,
Intergovernmental Rates, infrastructure incentive funds, 1.5 or 2 inches would be
commercial or multi family, and nine years since increase.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Council discussed when it will come back to Council.
Ordinance 3316 Related to Sidewalk Improvements and Amending Port
Townsend Municipal Code Section 12.04.140
Mr. Mauro introduced Ordinance 3316.
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Assistant City Engineer Jeff Kostechka presented Ordinance 3316 Related to
Sidewalk Improvements and Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Section
12.04.140 which included Agenda and Problem Statement, Consider, How Did we Get
Here?, Current Challenges, Austin- 1600 Miles Missing Sidewalk, Travis County,
Texas, *Other Cities, Towns, Counties, Fee in Lieu: Washington State, Business as
Usual, PT Sidewalk Inventory, 3rd Option, Fee in Lieu of Program, Allowed Per:, EDS
Sidewalk Requirements:, Example: San Juan near 47th, Example: San Juan to Kuhn,
Example: 19th San Juan to Landes, Castle Hill, Downtown and Uptown, North Beach,
Fee in Lieu of Sidewalk, Non -Motorized Plan Projects, Fee Determination, Process,
Recommendations and Next Steps, and Sources.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained Transportation Impact
Fees in relation to sidewalks/streets, grant matching, Fee in Lieu for Sidewalks being
an option, fees going into one bucket and target all areas of town, Fee in Lieu prices in
relation to building sidewalk prices, and non -motorized plan.
Public Comment:
Meg Lodes spoke about Fee in Lieu of Sidewalks and sidewalk requirement financial
burden for developers of lots.
Staff confirmed R1 does not require sidewalks.
Council discussed this not being an additional fee, permit issued in last five years
where sidewalk was waived, not refunding money, fairness of priority list, five years
set by RCW, and discount rate.
Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3316 Related to
Sidewalk Improvements and Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Section
12.04.140. Libby Wennstrom seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included Field Operators Day
and Gregg Colburn - Homelessness is a Housing Problem presentation.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included promotions, recruitment,
department director training, Kearney St bids, Discovery Rd bids, Springbrook Software
Conversion, Alarm System, Financial Sustainability Initiative, and Financial Sustainability
Task Force.
SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR
STUDY SESSION
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No suggestions were made.
No comments were made.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
f 1f1 "G I:7:1
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:35pm.
Attest:
Alyssa Rodrigues
City Clerk
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