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HomeMy WebLinkAbout071723 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF JULY 17, 2023 CALL TO ORDER/ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Business Meeting on the 17th day of July 2023 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David Faber called the meeting to order at 6:OOpm. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Amy Howard, Monica MickHager, Aislinn Palmer, 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 , Public Works Director Steve King , and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Faber suggested moving items under Unfinished Business to July 24, 2023. Council agreed. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included staffing, Financial Sustainability initiative, pool process, streets, and housing. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Swearing in of Officers Chief of Police Tom Olson swore in Sergeant Kamal Sharif and Deputy Chief Jeff Thaxton. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment July 17, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 8 Deborah Pedersen spoke about Council Chamber upgrades. Bill Wolfe spoke about prohibition of camping and vacating park signs. City Staff Response Mr. Mauro provided a City Staff Response which included signage at Evans Vista property and taking a humanitarian approach. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: June 20, 2023 Approval to Authorize Agreement for City Council Chambers Upgrades Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve the consent agenda. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING Resolution 23-041 Approving the 2024-2029 Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program Mayor Faber reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedures. Mr. Mauro introduced Resolution 23-041. Public Works Director Steve King presented on Resolution 23-041 Approving the 2024-2029 Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program which included process, planning, grant funding, Washington State requirements, amount of need, grant match, changes from last year, costs, Olympic Discovery Trail, Sims Way projects, 2023 banked capacity projects, and staff recommendation. Public Comment: There were no written materials submitted, There was no public comment. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff stated they will update the spelling of Worden. In addition, in response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained Kearney to Washington St and roundabout and location of intersection on Washington St. July 17, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 8 Mayor Faber closed the public testimony of hearing. Council and staff discussed moving up 19th and Blaine St timeline, non -motorized request for Hood St and Shasta St having own line and adding San Juan 19th to Lopez St traffic calming. Motion: Ben Thomas moved to approve Resolution 23-041 Approving the 2024-2029 Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program with modifications and typos. Libby Wennstrom seconded. Discussion ensued around knowing there are more projects to be completed and staff seeing what needs to be done. Mayor Faber closed the public hearing. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote, UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ordinance 3317 Related to Peace, Morals, and Safety Repealing Chapters 9.08 - Nuisances, 9.10- Punishment and Abatement of Nuisances, 9.12- Burning Permits, 9.16- Storage of Petroleum Products, and 9.32- Malt Liquor Sales and Distribution of the Port Townsend Municipal Code and Adopting a New Chapter 9.08 Nuisances This item was moved to July 24, 2023 Council meeting. Ordinance 3318 Related to Minor Landscaping in the Right of Way and Amending Sections 12.04.030 and 12.04.075 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code This item was moved to July 24, 2023 Council meeting. NEW BUSINESS City Council Presentation on the Envision Port Townsend Golf Course and Mountain View Commons Community Discussion Mr. Mauro introduced City Council Presentation on the Envision Port Townsend Golf Course and Mountain View Commons Community Discussion. Parks and Recreation Strategy Director Carrie Hite and Groundswell Landscape Architecture Principal Chris Jones provided the Golf Course and Mt. View Commons Concept Planning presentation which included Welcome, Open House#3, Central Park, Hybrid Golf Course, Purpose, Stakeholder- Decision Making Criteria, Alternate Plan, Online Survey Results, Stakeholder Poll Results, Stakeholder Final Thoughts, Financing- Central Park, Financing- Hybrid Golf Course, Financing- Side by Side, Phasing, Project Purpose, Golf Course Analysis, Viability of Par 3 Golf, Open House #1 Results, Online Survey, High School Priorities- Golf Course, Creating a Vision, Open House #2 Results, Housing, PRTTAB Recommendation, and Recommendation and Discussion. July 17, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 8 In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. Jones and Ms. Hite explained the percentage of land transitions in plans, housing in municipal use, aggressive grade for housing, and ROM definition. Public Comment: Bruce Bode spoke about the Golf Course. Robert Horner spoke about the Golf Course. Rita Beebe spoke about the Golf Course. Cathy Beatty spoke about the Golf Course. Ed Thompson spoke about the Golf Course. Tim Caldwell spoke about the Golf Course. Forest Shomer spoke about the Golf Course. Mark Welch spoke about the Golf Course. George Bush spoke about the Golf Course. Jason Victor Serinus spoke about the Golf Course, Gabe Van Lelyveld spoke about the Golf Course. Cynthia Koan spoke about the Golf Course. Ginny Adams spoke about the Golf Course. Roscoe Barry spoke about the Golf Course. Cody Olson spoke about the Golf Course. Susan Auer spoke about the Golf Course. Bud Omeara spoke about the Golf Course. Ben Krabill spoke about the Golf Course. Musa spoke about the Golf Course and Pool. Dorothy Cotton spoke about the Golf Course. Michelle Sandoval spoke about the Golf Course. Jon Anderson spoke about the Golf Course. Jon Burke spoke about the Golf Course. Paul Hausman spoke about the Golf Course. July 17, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 8 Morningstar Garden spoke about the Golf Course, Patsy Caldwell spoke about the Golf Course. Julie Jaman spoke about the Golf Couirse, Steve Grimm spoke about the Golf Course,. Annie Bartos and daughter spoke about the Golf Course, Joni Blanchard spoke about the Golf Course. Dale Dell'ario spoke about the Golf Course. Christina Dunlap spoke about the Golf Course. Kathleen Schott spoke about the Golf Course. George Rezendes spoke about the Golf Course. Mary McCurdy spoke about the Golf Course. Rick Jahnke spoke about the Golf Course, Deborah Pederson spoke about the Golf Course. Flossie Bode spoke about the Golf Course. Jon Langdon spoke about the Golf Course. Mayor Faber reviewed the task of Council for the agenda item. Council discussed appreciation for public and staff, divided community, task force vote, hybrid plan, second set of affordable housing, land accessible to many, Golf Course for RFP, too early on decision, carve out land, Financial Sustainability Task Force report, grants, park desert, keep looking at Golf Course, issues with entity who is running it currently, non-profit with board option, volunteer options. In addition, Council discussed importance of passionate stories from the past, Golf Course feeling like someone else's place, more people on Golf Course site, appreciation for what we already have, possible phased approach if it doesn't grow, non-profit with oversight from City, and having a day or two a week open to public with no golf. Council continued discussions which included change and loss, City being responsible for stewarding land, land not being well tended, pedigreed course, lack of promotion, legacy decision, what do we want for future, rounds of golf played, volunteer hours needing to be counted appropriately, change being needed to care about Golf Course, dog park, finding a spot for a driving range, being chased off Golf Course, having it be a place for everyone, and appreciation for history. Council discussion ensued around Golf Course not welcoming larger community, City subsidizing a private business, concerns as steward for property, not happy with alternatives proposed, what is valued as a community, affordable housing, city July 17, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 8 owned land, land acquisition costs, and more conceptual development. In addition, Council discussed decision making criteria, Financial Sustainability criteria, current operation of Golf Course not meeting criteria, alternatives requiring investment, RCO grants, need for access, trails, ability to walk across Golf Course, changes in operating hours, changes in layout, need for housing, concept drawing not being the right place for affordable housing, consideration of where housing could be, honoring history, and native prairie. Council went on to discuss public subsidy being used by a small amount of people not being appropriate, public who have not felt comfortable speaking, public property being used by more people, and not enough information to make decision. In addition, Council discussed history of Golf Course decision process, Golf declining in popularity, RFP option not fair for community, hybrid options not reasonable, driving range, Robert Horner's plan, closed green space, central park option concerns, central park option with nod to golf, keeping driving range and putting green, deed restriction„ south side along Blaine St for affordable housing, Kah Tai Prairie, Dog Park on corner, and something that benefits more the community. Discussion continued around plans being staged together, metrics to measure success, native plantings, driving range success in five years„ relying on numbers, pieces being there, stakeholder group focused on use of the property, hiring someone to manage golf side, suggestions being conceptual plans and details will have to be worked out, RFP not being only option, crafting master plan for concepts, rejuvenating the clubhouse, more restaurants, long term planning, potentially no operations, no Central Park option as of January 1, version of hybrid best solution, not being pleased with current options, and exploring more options of hybrid. Council, staff and consultant discussed asking stakeholder group to discuss option brought up at end of their meeting„ clarity in what Council is interested in, Council/community priorities„ connectivity being disruptive„ ideas not being prioritized and not all fitting on site, better understanding of Council's priorities, legacy before space was changed, Financial Sustainability, challenge of splitting use time and programmatic elements, and proforma being attached to Council priorities. Council and staff discussion continued which included a good compromise not existing, Golf Course operations, RCO grants, other Golf Courses in greater community, housing on non -deed restricted area, important to Golfers, ranked choices with groups. Council member Palmer was excused from meeting at 10:08pm. Council discussed process for next steps. Council listed their top priorities which included space for future affordable housing, something for children/family, restaurant, Housing, pedestrian connectivity, neighborhood connectivity, natural legacy, Financial Sustainability, golf legacy, expanded prairie, dog park, public access to open space, community center, equity among people served, and third space. Council discussed time vs. space issues and a version of Robert Horner's plan. Motion: David Faber moved to approve tasking staff with developing a new alternative based on priorities listed by Council members. Libby Wennstrom seconded. July 17, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 8 Discussion ensued around last stakeholder meeting discussion, timeline, RFP timing, and one option to accommodate priorities. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Motion: Ben Thomas moved to approve being brought more formally to Council a design that does not move holes 5 and 6 and keeps the driving range but frees up two corners by moving tee boxes (southeast and southwest corner). Monica MickHager seconded. Discussion ensued around timeline, being like Robert Horner's plan, and having one plan brought back. Vote. motion failed, 3-3 by voice vote, with David Faber, Amy Howard, and Libby Wennstrom opposed. Resolution 23-042 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Agreements Necessary to Complete Discovery Road Improvement Project Mr. Mauro introduced Resolution 23-042. Mr. King presented Resolution 23-042 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Agreements Necessary to Complete Discovery Road Improvement Project which included bids coming in higher, staff recommendation, $377,000 additional cost, grant resources. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained 6% increase and using future banked capacity. Public Comment: Gabe Van Lelyveld asked about the scope of project. Staff explained the scope of the project. Motion: Amy Howard moved to approve Resolution 23-042 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Agreements Necessary to Complete the Discovery Road Improvement Project. Owen Rowe seconded. Discussion ensued around taking a local bid, supplemental questions, grant funding, and infrastructure resilience. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included upcoming Council meeting regarding exploring Transportation Benefit District. July 17, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 7 of 8 SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION There were no suggestions. There were no comments. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:43pm. Attest:..,..mr��.._ Alyssa Rodrigues City Clerk July 17, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 8 of 8