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HomeMy WebLinkAbout091823 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 CALL TO ORDER/ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Session on the 18th day of September 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, Amy Howard, Monica MickHager, Aislinn Palmer, Owen Rowe, and Ben Thomas with Libby Wennstrom absent. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Parks and Recreation Strategy Director Carrie Hite , City Attorney Heidi Greenwood , and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS (NONE) There were no Special Presentations. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's report which included Kearney St Roundabout, Pool, ICG Meeting, Building Code delay, and Marina Cafe Coffee with City Manager. 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: August 14, 2023 September 18, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 4 2023 Mid -Year Financial Update Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve the consent agenda. Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (NONE) NEW BUSINESS Golf Course Workshop Mayor Faber explained the flow of the Workshop. Mr. Mauro introduced the Golf Course Workshop. Council member Wennstrom arrived at 6:10pm. Parks and Recreation Strategy Director Carrie Hite and Groundswell Landscape Architecture Principal Chris Jones provided the City of Port Townsend Golf Course and Mt. View commons Concept Planning presentation which included Opening Comments, Agenda, Central Park and Hybrid Golf Course Concepts, Council Feedback on Public Input, Council Priorities, Housing Considerations, Amendment Design Criteria, Concept A Concept B, Council Priorities, Financing- Side by Side, Alternate Site Plan -ROM, Financing, Operations and Maintenance, Golf Course Financial Analysis, PI R Squared Plan, and Next Steps. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff and consultant explained water costs, creating a sense of community and adding housing, apartment buildings along Blaine St, item F separate from financing shown, housing and miniature golf separate from financing shown, costs of fencing for dog park, Amphitheater, Recyclery location in basement of Club House, Labor -City Staff costs, grant requests and phasing of work, and receiving multiple grants. Public Comment: Michelle Sandoval spoke about the Golf Course, Steve Hampton spoke about the Golf Course. Council moved to the workshop table for the Golf Course Workshop Discussion. Ms. Hite and Mr. Jones described the Golf Course Workshop Exercise which included a puzzle exercise to organize kit of parts at Golf Course. Council participated in exercise. Council, staff, and consultant discussed fitting community priorities on site, geotechnical report for strip along Blaine St, community trails on 9 -hole vs 6 -hole Golf Course, community trail connections on street ends, opening to public at certain times, netting for trails, public restrooms, attainable and workforce housing in the September 18, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 4 future, value from consultants, timeline, appreciation for connectivity and access, importance of sharing view and property, Discussion ensued around housing follow up to Evans Vista if necessary, comprehensive plan process and timeline, permanent affordability, citizen nonprofit hybrid option, the need for more housing in the future, importance of rehabilitating the Golf Course at a minimum, third space, purposeful athletic space, community group and financial responsibility, where the housing would be, park services, and time sharing of Golf Course. Representatives of the nonprofit citizen group Tim Caldwell and Christina Albrecht explained the time sharing of Golf Course, revenue projections, and extension of one-year lease. Discussion continued with Council, staff, and representatives of the nonprofit citizen group around importance of long-term lease, order of decisions, pledges, key performance metrics, meetings to work out details, capital investments, Recyclery, location of dog park, community space in basement of Golf Course, Friends of Port Townsend Public Golf Park, lease, business as usual with Golf Course being a nonstarter, Open House results, community priorities, January 1 assignment of new lease, playground, Blaine St housing, deed restriction, prairie restoration and expansion, expanded public use, multi recreational opportunities, physical vs virtual driving range, outdoor concert space, importance of open dialogue, safe public access, moving holes, native plantings across fairways, and next steps. Discussion continued around how many trails are needed and their purpose, multi- use, 6 -hole golf course with driving range acceptability, phased year vision, facts and findings, stakeholder process, placing trails where people walk naturally, Peninsula Trails Coalition, what is needed before decision is made, process with nonprofit, goal of certified organic golf course, irrigation system and process, management of prairie and working with groups, bird sanctuary, minimum public days, trails open all the time, community access all the time, elements to be explored by operations, creative compatible uses, importance of having numbers about volunteerism and participation, and volunteer hours in relation to grants. Public Comment: Gabe Van Lelyveld spoke about the Golf Course, Mark Welch spoke about the Golf Course. Discussion ensued around finding compromise, significant shift in culture and usage, metrics, increasing community access and use of Golf Course, financially and environmentally sustainability operated, and adding activities for youth. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Ir 1 31611111I:I:l September 18, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 4 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:55pm. Attest: Alyssa Rodrigues City Clerk September 18, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 4