HomeMy WebLinkAbout041414CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP OF APRIL 14, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend City Council met in workshop session on April 14, 2014 in the
Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by
Mayor David King.
ROLL CALL
Council members present at roll call were Pamela Adams, Robert Gray, David King, Kris
Nelson, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval and Deborarah Stinson.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, Public Works Director Ken
Clow, Development Services Director Rick Sepler, Planning Manager Judy Surber, City
Engineer Dave Peterson, Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders, and City Clerk Pam Kolacy
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE PROCESS AND INTRODUCTION OF A DRAFT
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN
City Manager Timmons reviewed the agenda, noting there would be a follow-up to the
capital projects portion of the meeting on April 28th at a special Council meeting when
action will be requested on some of the items.
DSD Director Sepler reviewed his April 7 memo regarding the upcoming Comprehensive
Plan process. He noted that the Growth Management Act (GMA) requires review of the
following specific items: amendments to the GMA; Urban Growth Areas (UGAs) and
population projections; critical areas ordinances, and mineral resource lands
designations and development regulations. Mineral resource designations and
development are not applicable to Port Townsend. The State's recommendations for
Comp Plan review that are not required but should be considered are: the land use
element; capital facilities and transportation elements; internal and external consistency;
and inventories related to housing, capital facilities, and transportation. He added that
the City will contract with Eric Toews for an initial review and evaluation of the
existing plan.
Staff suggests three "tracks" to occur before initiation of a public involvement process
and consideration of new policies and strategies: 1) review and analysis of what has
changed, what is working and what is not working (Department of Commerce checklist
will be the starting point and will be done with an outside consultant); 2) building capacity
by sharing both the purpose and intent of the adopted plan and a "truthed" snapshot of
the community's current socio-economic profile; 3) developing a focused process and a
realistic scope.
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The following additional materials were provided: a SWOT analysis for the GMA update;
and "Primary Focus and Shortfall Areas" relating to current shortfall in resources and
staffing in DSD. Mr. Sepler stated that staff can only address the mandated aspects of
the Comprehensive Plan revision without additional allocation of resources.
Mr. Timmons asked the Council to consider allocating funds from the Council reserve to
establish a Parks and Facilities Manager position to free up Development Services
resources. Council will consider at a future regular meeting.
During discussion, it was noted that emphasizing caution and limited resources up front
may not be the best way to approach the project for the public. There were also some
suggestions about finding ways to use other staff, electeds and volunteers to assist.
Ms. Surber then reviewed the document "Public Participation Program" which outlines
various methods to educate the public, establish communications and encourage broad
participation in the update process with suggested methods and time frames. Planned
outreach includes distribution of background information, interviews/focus groups, and
on-line tools. She added that a resolution adopting the process will be brought forward
to the Council.
Council discussion emphasized the importance of participation from all parts of the
community, a desire to make participation easy, and the importance of "branding" the
process. It was also noted that the tools available today are much different from the
tools that were available at the time the Comp Plan was adopted in 1996.
2014 CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATE AND PROJECTS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR
SAFE ROUTE TO SCHOOL, BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN AND TRANSPORTATION
IMPROVEMENT BOARD (TIB) GRANT PROGRAMS
City Engineer Dave Peterson reviewed the presentation "Capital Projects Update" dated
April 14, 2014.
Council also reviewed the list of projects on the table included in the packet materials.
Staff ratings have been assigned to each project and Council members are invited to
weigh in on the project priorities.
Mr. Timmons then reviewed scenarios for stabilizing the Mountain View facility. Issues
coming before the Council in the next few months will be adoption of a long-term
strategy, finalization of a lease with the School District, adoption of a financial plan, and
authorization for contracts and grants.
There is support for starting the community discussion which will include a component
regarding the role of a voted bond in the near future for long term.
ADJOURN
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There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
Attest:
i1
Pamela Kolacy, MMC
City Clerk
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