HomeMy WebLinkAbout071023 City Council Retreat Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND DEPARTMENT
DIRECTOR WORKPLAN RETREAT MEETING OF JULY 10, 2023
ARRIVAL, TEA AND COFFEE, PASTRIES
Port Townsend City Council and Department Directors arrived for tea, coffee, and pastries at 9:00am as staff
finished setting up.
The Port Townsend City Council met for their annual workplan retreat with the City Manager and all
Department Directors on Monday July 10, 2023 at the Port Pavilion, 355 Hudson St, Port Townsend, WA
98368. Mayor Faber called to order at 9:34am.
Councilmembers present were Aislinn Palmer, Amy Howard, Ben Thomas, David Faber, Libby Wennstrom,
Monica MickHager, and Owen Rowe.
Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Parks and Recreation Strategy Director Carrie Hite,
Finance and Technology Director Connie Anderson, Planning and Community Development Director Emma
Bolin, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Library Director Melody Weaver, Public Works Director Steve King,
Police Chief Tom Olson, and Long -Range Planner Helena Smith.
OPENING KICK-OFF, INTRODUCTIONS, PURPOSE AND INTENTIONS, GETTING TO KNOW
EACHOTHER BETTER
Mayor Faber and City Manager John Mauro provided opening remarks. Mr. Mauro provided and an agenda
overview. In addition, he explained the five main exercises/sections of the day as well as their purposes and
the desired outcomes. Mr. Mauro then introduced an exercise in which each participant described where
they were at in one word, one thing they wanted to get out of the day and one thing they were grateful for.
LEG 1: LOOKING BACK AT OUR WAKE- 2023 WORKPLAN STATUS, SUCCESS AND STRUGGLES
Mr. Mauro introduced the agenda item. Staff department directors went through the seven key focus areas
of the strategic workplan, indicating status (red/yellow/green), successes, challenges, and carry over work
(into 2024+). Discussion ensued on each category.
LEG 2: USING OUR STARS TO NAVIGATE- ADVISORY BODY REFLECTIONS ON PRIORITIES
Mayor Faber welcomed Advisory Body chairs present and invited them to read their prepared letter
outlining their board's response to the Mayor's letter requesting, among other things, their level priorities
for 2024. Council liaisons read the letters from Advisory Bodies not present.
LEG 3: DEAD RECKONING- OVERVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL STAINABILITY TASK FORCE REPORT
071023 City Council Retreat Meeting
Mayor Faber welcomed the Financial Sustainability Task Force members.
The Financial Sustainability Task Force joined the City Council and Department Director Workplan Retreat on
Monday July 10, 2023 at the Port Pavilion, 355 Hudson St, Port Townsend, WA 98368. They were called to
order at 11:01am.
Financial Sustainability Task Force members present were Rick Jahnke, Catharine Robinson, John Nowak,
and Earll Murman.
Mr. Mauro introduced the Task Force Report and provided a brief overview. Mr. Mauro requested Council to
focus on questions based on their reading of the report and the previous briefing provided at a prior Council
meeting on 7/3/23. Questions and discussions ensued.
A CAPTAIN'S WELCOME FROM PORT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ERON BERG
CONTINUED CITY COUNCIL/DIRECTOR DISCUSSION AND CONNECTIONS OVER LUNCH (LUNCH PROVIDED)
Port of Port Townsend Executive Director Eron Berg gave a brief welcome to the group in advance of a
shared lunch.
LEG 4: GPS CHECK- DRAFT 2024 WORKPLAN, Q&A DISCUSSION
Mr. Mauro introduced the 2024 workplan draft, noting a few new categories from previous years' versions
(e.g., "Delivers on FSI" and "Tiers"). City staff presented initiatives under each of the main seven categories.
Staff answered questions. Mr. Mauro invited Councilmembers to provide feedback on the priorities and use
three green dots to indicate their priorities on a large sheet showing the workplan, as well as red dots to
indicate de -prioritization. Mr. Mauro summarized findings, focusing on groups of green and red, and then
the group discussed.
LEG 5: OFF THE CHART(S)- POLICY MAPPING OUR PRIORITIES
Mr. Mauro introduced the exercise, referencing last year's retreat and similar policy mapping exercise. Small
groups formed to work through three policy maps, (streets, parks, and housing). Each of the three exercises
started with populating sticky notes on the desired outcome, then worked backward to policy decisions,
then actions for each of three time periods (2023, 2024, 2025+). The group reviewed and summarized each.
RECAP, ACTIONS, REFLECTIONS, NEXT STEPS
Mr. Mauro summarized next steps and requested a round -the -room reflection from each participant.
There being no further business, the Financial Sustainability Task Force and City Council Workshop meeting
adjourned at 4:06pm.
Port Townsend City Council and Leadership gathered at the Bishop Bottleshop, 714 Washington St, Port
Townsend at 4:30pm for a Social Get Together.
071023 City Council Retreat Meeting