HomeMy WebLinkAbout092523 Special Session City Council Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2023
CALL TO ORDER/ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in a Special Session on the 25th 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, Ben Thomas, and Libby Wennstrom.
Staff members present were Parks and Recreation Strategy Director Carrie Hite, City
Manager John Mauro, Communications and Marketing Manager Shelly Leavens, Public
Works Director Steve King, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues .
NEW BUSINESS
Golf Course Decision
Parks and Recreation Strategy Director Carrie Hite and Groundswell Landscape
Architecture Principal Chris Jones presented the Golf Course Decision which included
the details of Phase 1: 2024, Phase 2: 2025-2029, Phase 3: 2030-2034, and Phase 4.
2035-2045.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff and consultant explained number of
townhouses vs. apartment buildings not being set yet, public restrooms, Golf Course
lease next steps, wiggle room within phases, negotiation process, amount of 24/7
access trails, ADA compliant trails, trail on hole 5, and basis for timing of phasing.
Public Comment:
Musa spoke about the Golf Course.
Forest Shomer spoke about the Golf Course.
Eli Amerson spoke about the Golf Course.
Erik Jones, Recyclery representative spoke about the Golf Course.
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Bob DeWeese spoke about the Golf Course.
Gabe Van Lelyveld spoke about the Golf Course.
In response to Public Comment staff explained prairie expansion, lighting in trails, ADA
accessible trails, and expense of Golf Course restoration.
Discussion ensued around previous discussions of future of Golf Course, losing faith in
plans, importance of equity in park resources, nonprofit, playground, public restrooms,
smallest amount of city money used as possible, not tying future City Council hands,
possible future affordable housing, Recyclery, trail grade, lease for restaurant with
nonprofit, compromise, something everyone is proud of, social media, policy decision,
and ending an adversarial relationship.
Discussion continued around Recyclery lease, non -golf uses, appreciation for staff and
consultant, motivated community members, something the community is proud of,
equity or parks, represented democracy, high level concept, operations for staff, Dark
Sky City, deed restrictions in relation to housing, better space as a community, plan
addressing a lot of concerns, master planning, partnering with nonprofit, community
asset, community room, represented vs. direct democracy, compromise by addition,
future potential housing, limiting lighting, RCO grants in other areas of town, leverage
capital dollars for RCO grants, prairie expansion in regards to contract, and timeline for
potential housing moved to Phase 3.
Discussion continued around restaurant sublease, subleasing, reverter clause, idea of
phasing plan, moving holes 5 and 6, metrics in contract, attainable housing timing and
process, operator and capital planning, pocket playgrounds, amount and location of
trails, extending housing down closer to San Juan, timing of lease, official name of
nonprofit entity, providing resources and help to nonprofit, master plan, setting
expectations on both sides, grant for playground, more activities for youth, specifics
listed in phasing, time sharing, community access, no pesticides, move to completely
organic, city not involved in irrigation, minimum of one day, macro list, reporting, strong
support for as much community access as possible, financial sustainability, contract will
come back to Council, importance of general access, 100 year celebration, and park
administrative rules.
Motion. David Faber moved direct staff to negotiate contract terms based upon the
phasing and access plan and Council discussions on September 18, 2023 and
September 25, 2023 with the Friends of Port Townsend Public Golf Park and bring a
draft contract back to City Council by November of 2023. Aislinn Palmer seconded.
Discussion ensued around the name Port Townsend Public Golf Park being the working
name.
Mayor Faber withdrew his motion.
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Motion: David Faber moved to approve direct staff to negotiate contract terms based
upon the phasing and access plan and Council discussions on September 18, 2023 and
September 25, 2023 with the Friends of Port Townsend Public Golf Park or other entity
name and bring a draft contract back to City Council by November of 2023. Aislinn
Palmer seconded.
Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
INFORMATION ITEM
Transportation Benefit District Fact Sheet
Mr. Mauro and Communications and Marketing Manager Shelly Leavens explained the
Transportation Benefit District Fact Sheet which included format, purpose, location,
numerical error, and upcoming Finance and Budget Council Committee.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:25pm.
Attest:
Alyssa Rodrigues
City Clerk
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