HomeMy WebLinkAbout041017CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF APRIL 10, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend City Council met in workshop session on the 10th day of April 2017
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,
Amy Howard, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson with Catharine Robinson
excused.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve Gross,
Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, Public Works Director Ken
Clow, Planning Director Lance Bailey, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders.
COUNCIL RULES RELATED TO COUNCIL ORGANIZATION AND COMMITTEES
Mayor Stinson and City Manager David Timmons led a discussion of how Council should
be organized to achieve the strategic work plan objectives and support its
agenda. Referring to the range of issues and the need for coordination, they reviewed
the internal and external Council committee structure and organizational structure for
City operations. They recommended a more modernized committee structure and a
slightly modified In Box process (as outlined in Council rules) to manage the flow of new
items directed to Council or staff.
Because not all issues fit with a specific Council committee, it was suggested that ad hoc
committees might be a better format. Comments in support were as follows: members
suited to a particular issue could be assigned, having a subcommittee work on a topic
allows for more in-depth discussion and sometimes better community attendance than
can happen among the whole Council, and there would be fewer meeting
cancellations. One concern was that there could be more difficulty and unpredictability in
scheduling and informing the public and a set meeting time might be helpful. An
alternative would be to hold some of these discussions before full Council in a workshop
setting ("committee of the whole") and, as needed, assigning the matter to an advisory
group or citizen task force.
When discussing parking lot items, it was noted that the Mayor and City Manager work
together to decide when items are scheduled before Council. Mr. Timmons
then distinguished between administrative committees (Civil Service, LTAC, HPC, and
Planning Commission) and other advisory committees and citizen tasks forces. There is
a recognized need to better clarify the lines of communication for advisory bodies to
Council. It was suggested that the Chair of the advisory body might be invited to periodic
meetings at a quarterly Council workshop designated for that purpose.
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It was noted that the strategic plan has made Council more disciplined and that the
citizen concern process and the In Box process provide a mechanism for topics to come
forward. The public also has an opportunity to make comment and
give feedback through the Speak Up site. Regarding advisory boards, staff indicated
they would likely be recommending a transportation advisory committee tasked with
more specific responsibilities and a report to the full Council. There was Council support
for a quarterly reporting format and giving proper assignments to the committees so they
are not holding meetings unnecessarily. Council directed staff to move forward with the
recommended structures as presented and retain the standing Council Finance and
Budget Committee.
In June, Staff would return with the revised structure along with tasking resolutions and a
recommended advisory board structure to support those resolutions. Staff also
recognized the need to bring forward recommended updates to the Council rules
and ensure the changes do not impact the municipal code.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, CMC
City Clerk
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