HomeMy WebLinkAbout112116 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF NOVEMBER 21, 2016
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 21 st day of November
2016 in the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor Deborah Stinson called the
meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, David Faber, Robert Gray,
Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, Deborah Stinson, and Amy Howard.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve Gross,
Public Works Director Ken Clow, Finance Director Nora Mitchell, Police Chief Michael
Evans, Senior Planner John McDonagh, Senior Planner Judy Surber, Finance Manager
Sheila Danielson, City Clerk Joanna Sanders, and Operations Manager John Merchant.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were none.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION -WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OUTSTANDING
PERFORMANCE AWARDS PRESENTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY
Pat Bailey from the Department of Ecology presented the awards for 2015.
Operations Manager John Merchant introduced staff represented at the meeting who are
responsible for the Biosolids and Wastewater Treatment Plant operations.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment
Karma Tenzing Wangchuk spoke about homelessness and read a few poems about
homelessness.
Libby Palmer encouraged the City to join other sanctuary cities and institute a policy
discouraging fear and harassment in the City to protect immigrants.
Paul Rice endorsed the previous commenter's remarks and encouraged the City to
take action against discrimination.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
City Council Business Meeting November 21, 2016 Page 1 of 6
DRAFT
Vouchers 155422 through 155535 and Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of
$2,268,245.62.
Approval of Minutes: October 17, October 27 and November 7, 2016
Resolution 16-047 Providing Continued Support of the Employee Wellness
Program
I
Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Pamela
Adams seconded.
Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
Ordinance 3162 Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington,
for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2017
Finance Director Nora Mitchell reviewed that staff has been working to address
Council questions as they arise. She provided an overview of the 2017 budget
appropriations as written. City Manager David Timmons reminded that the budget is
approved at a fund summary level.
Concerning General Fund debt capacity, Mr. Gray inquired about the authorization of
interfund loans and the upper limits of Councilmanic debt. Staff reviewed the
relationship between debt and general fund revenues and listed projects to be funded
by Councilmanic debt as well as projects with outside funding sources. Mr. Timmons
noted that while projects are allocated in the budget, separate action is needed to
approve financing of revenue bonds. It is expected that the bond refunding would
come back to Council sometime in January.
Mr. Timmons responded to questions about Lodging Tax budget recommendations
and revenue distributions to the City and County. There was Council interest
in receiving Lodging Tax Advisory Committee detailed budget information and
minutes during the budget season. There was also interest in improving access to
Public Development Authority minutes.
Ms. Mitchell responded to questions about the property tax allocation used for
affordable housing permit waivers. It was suggested that rather than declining waivers,
that Council receive notice in order to authorize use of Council reserves for permit
waivers up to $10,000 each year. It was noted that $6,500 versus $10,000 was
budgeted this year. An explanation of system development charge deferrals was
provided by staff. Staff agreed to return with more information about the number of
house permit waivers and waiver of system development charges.
Staff further explained debt financing and reminded that prior Council authorization of
capital projects led to the City Manager's budget recommendations on future
borrowing and bond refinancing to further those projects. Regarding the Visitor Center
project, Mr. Gray suggested the possibility of breaking funding into smaller segments.
Staff noted there would be certain fixed costs associated with bond refinancing.
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Mayor Stinson noted the public hearing would remain open.
Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3162
Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year
Ending December 31, 2017. Michelle Sandoval seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Ordinance 3158 Adopting Permanent Zoning Regulations and Standards
Relating to both Medical and Recreational Marijuana, and Amending Port
Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 17.08 Definitions, Chapter 17.16 Residential
Zoning Districts, Chapter 17.18 Mixed Use Zoning Districts, Chapter 17.20
Commercial Zoning Districts, and Chapter 17.22 Marine-Related and
Manufacturing Zoning Districts
Senior Planner John McDonagh reviewed the ordinance adopting permanent zoning
regulations that were formerly temporary related to integrating medical and
recreational marijuana markets. Also under discussion are buffers related to
production, processing and licensing.
In response to a recommendation that family daycares in homes have a 100-foot
buffer, Staff said while some are already in the 1,000 foot buffer, there would be some
difficulty tracking these locations. Another question related to whether the existing
buffer would apply if a new playground were developed in Town Point.
There was additional discussion of the distinction between buffers for publicly-
owned versus privately-owned playgrounds and impacts to and buffers for medical
marijuana growers. Staff also referred to maps in the agenda packet showing family
home daycare facilities for which they are aware. There was Council disagreement
with adding additional regulations that would require map amendments each time a
family home daycare center is sited and also concerns over reducing buffers as
recommended.
Motion: David Faber moved to approve Ordinance 3158 Adopting Permanent Zoning
Regulations and Standards Relating to both Medical and Recreational Marijuana, and
Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 17.08 Definitions, Chapter 17.16
Residential Zoning Districts, Chapter 17.18 Mixed Use Zoning Districts, Chapter 17.20
Commercial Zoning Districts, and Chapter 17.22 Marine-Related and Manufacturing
Zoning Districts. Pamela Adams seconded,
Motion: Robert Gray moved to approve amending the main motion to include adding a
500-foot buffer around identified family home childcare centers and preschools.
Catharine Robinson seconded.
Vote: motion failed, 2-5 by voice vote, with Pamela Adams, David Faber, Michelle
Sandoval, Deborah Stinson, and Amy Howard opposed.
Motion. Catharine Robinson moved to approve amending the main motion to have a
500-foot buffer around public parks that do not have playground equipment in them.
Robert Gray seconded.
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During discussion of the amendment, there was concern about this eliminating the
potential for locating businesses in downtown commercial areas. It was also noted that
the City also currently has reached its limit of two stores.
Vote: motion failed, 2-5 by voice vote, with Pamela Adams, David Faber, Michelle
Sandoval, Deborah Stinson, and Amy Howard opposed.
Vote on Main Motion:
Vote: motion carried, 5-2 by voice vote, Robert Gray, and Catharine Robinson
opposed.
At 7:57 p.m., Council recessed for the purposes of a break.
At 8:03 p.m., the meeting resumed.
NEW BUSINESS
Tasking staff and the Planning Commission in their 2017 work plan with further
consideration of amendments to the City's marijuana regulations
Mr. McDonagh gave the staff report explaining this item would task Planning
Commission to explore further amendments related to marijuana.
There were no clarifying questions from Council.
Public Comment:
Steve Workman spoke about concerns about marijuana use by youth in our
community and encouraged getting additional input from other agencies and
jurisdictions.
Rick Jahnke noted that marijuana is still illegal federally. He urged going slow on
loosening regulations because of the negative impact those actions can have to
businesses and individuals in our community.
During deliberations, staff responded to questions about licensing and zoning
for outdoor production of recreational marijuana, current manufacturing zones, and
conditional uses. There was discussion of allowable commercial zoning and state
requirements for medical marijuana cooperatives and the social justice implications of
requiring only indoor grow operations.
Motion: David Faber moved to approve tasking staff to examine further marijuana
code amendments that consider allowing outdoor production of recreational marijuana
and allowing the operation of medical marijuana cooperatives within attached single-
family and multi-family dwellings and take the proposed amendments to the Planning
Commission during 2017 and bring the Planning Commission's recommendations
back to the full Council. Pamela Adams seconded.
Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Catharine Robinson opposed.
City Council Business Meeting November 21, 2016 Page 4 of 6
DRAFT
Resolution 16-049 Related to the 2017 Annual Update to the City's
Comprehensive Land Use Plan
Senior Planner Judy Surber reviewed the annual update process for suggested
amendments. She asked for Council input on whether to focus instead on the Critical
Areas Ordinance update and any site specific amendments, time sensitive, and
amendments necessary to address deficiencies.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 16-049 Related to the 2017
t Annual Update to the City's Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Catharine Robinson
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
Approval of the City Manager's Evaluation
Mayor Stinson reported on her recent visit to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station on the
topic of their recent Environmental Impact Statement issued for public input
on additional Growler aircraft. She noted a December 5 public meeting in Port
Townsend. Although Council previously commented on this EIS, she noted Council
might decide to provide additional comment following the December meeting.
Motion. Catharine Robinson moved to approve the City Manager's evaluation for 2016.
Robert Gray seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager reported on the following:
- Mountain View boilers are working
- Water treatment plant progress and January open house
- Housing opportunities and a successful homelessness forum
- Downtown construction project activity pertaining to the Clapp Building and Surf
Building demolition
- Contracted plan review and inspection assistance
- Status of Transportation Improvement Board applications for Discovery (Sheridan to
Howard), and Visitor Center site work. Key Bank may be a partner in these
improvements.
SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR
STUDY SESSION
Mr. Faber suggested that in response to public comments and to assuage
fears, Council consider reiterating the City's position that it does not actively enforce or
investigate undocumented persons. Ms. Sandoval noted that although a sanctuary city
resolution could jeopardize the City's eligibility for federal funding, a previous resolution
provided guidance about how the City would interact with Border patrol. Staff agreed to
return to Council with an affirmation and guidance on this matter.
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DRAFT
Mr. Gray spoke about the homelessness forum. He urged joining Seattle, Bellingham,
and Vancouver in considering a property tax increase to support addressing
homelessness. He also noted HB2263 would allow for a small voted increase to address
homelessness. He encouraged Council to receive a briefing on this house bill or discuss
in work session.
Ms. Sandoval asked when the short-term vacation rental recommendation would return.
Staff noted the Planning Commission recommendation would come after the first of the
year.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m..
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, CMC
City Clerk
City Council Business Meeting November 21, 2016 Page 6 of 6