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HomeMy WebLinkAbout080717CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF AUGUST 7, 2017 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 7th day of August 2017 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor Deborah Stinson called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, David Faber, Amy Howard, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Deborah Stinson with Robert Gray excused. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney Steve Gross, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Karma Tenzing Wangchuck read three poems about homelessness. David Thielk commented about public process concerns on the Water Street project. Carol McCreary commented about her concerns about public participation. Deborah Pederson spoke about the Home Opportunity Fund and urged Council to take a position on the Jefferson County proposition. Pat Teal urged Council's support of the Home Opportunity Fund. Scott Walker spoke about the Water Street project public process. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 157458 through 157603 and Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of $875,599.57. Approval of Minutes: July 17, 2017 City Council Business Meeting August 7, 2017 Page I of Appointment of George Randels (Position 3, Term Expires May 1, 2020) and Kathleen Croston (Position 7, Term Expires May 1, 2019) to the Historic Preservation Committee; Appointment of Teresa Verraes (Non-voting Position 13, Term Expires May 1, 2020) to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Motion: David Faber moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Amy Howard seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ordinance 3177 Related to the Code of Ethics; Adopting State Ethics Requirements and Amending Chapter 2.80 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code City Attorney Steve Gross gave the staff report noting that questions from Council were summarized in the agenda bill regarding hearing examiner selection, gift limitations, and ensuring independent investigations. City Manager David Timmons commented that the current code of ethics provisions are duplicative of those outlined in state code. A series of specific questions were asked about hearing examiner selection and authority as well as the process for expanding the list of hearing examiners. It was noted that complaints would still be made to the City according to procedures. There was a suggestion to outline in writing how complaints are processed, including the choices available to Council depending on the party named. Public Comment: Mark Cole spoke about his concerns on the actions to change or repeal the ethics code. Dale (undecipherable last name) spoke about the lack of public awareness on changing the ethics code. Monica Bell spoke about her concerns about adopting the ordinance. Tammy Markham urged expanding the public process. Ms. Sandoval disclosed Mr. Cole was a former client. Mayor Stinson summarized that this ordinance is an attempt to simplify the process and use a code consistent across jurisdictions. Ms. Sandoval reviewed the history on the creation this particular ethics code and commented on what she felt was its goal which was to damage the personal integrity of a Council member. Given the complexity of perceptions, distrust and stated public confusion about the changes being proposed, there was discussion about postponing action until the City Council Business Meeting August 7, 2017 Page 2 of 4 public has more opportunity to understand the changes. Suggestions included creating a Council ad hoc committee, outlining in procedure the process to be followed to avoid future confusion, educating the public about the issues, being more specific on the process for selecting a hearing examiner, and creating opportunities for citizens to engage with Council to discuss the matter. Mr. Timmons noted that the City is currently undergoing a review of how the city communicates with the public. In the meantime, there continue to exist a variety of opportunities for public comment. Mr. Gross reviewed the procedures for the processing of complaints. He noted thal the existing code language is nearly word for word from state code with the exception of the requirement to track disclosures of potential conflicts. For the Council committee, he agreed to clarify and compare code language between the City and State, prepare enforcement options, and include the comparison to codes from other jurisdictions. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve forming an ad hoc committee comprised of David Faber, Amy Howard and Pam Adams to review the ethics code, including the process for how complaints are adjudicated or investigated and consider conversion to the state code. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 17-036 Related to Personnel, Adopting Classification Schedules for Represented and Non -Represented Employees Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell briefed Council on the addition of three new positions to the non -represented salary classification schedule (shown as Exhibit A to the resolution) and one new position to the General Government Contract Appendix (shown as Exhibit B). There was no public comment. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 17-036 Related to Personnel, Adopting Classification Schedules for Represented and Non - Represented Employees. Amy Howard seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Draft Letter to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Regarding Section 106 Consultations for the Proposed Increase in EA -18G Growler Operations Mayor Stinson solicited Council input on the draft letter. There was consensus to authorize the mayor to revise the letter disagreeing with the conclusion, repeating the request, and adding a comment that the City is extremely disappointed in the lack of action. City Council Business Meeting August 7, 2017 Page 3 of 4 Mayor Stinson reported on the following activities: - Attendance at the Association of Planners forum - Beginning EJFR Oversight Board discussions about fire annexation - Attendance at US Navy Fleet week on Elliott Bay - Port Townsend is now listed in Cities opposed to the withdrawal from Paris climate accord - Council draft resolution on the matter of affordable housing CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons distributed a list of upcoming priority issues to consider as Council moves forward with projects and the housing topic, including the budget calendar. He distributed a possible resolution for consideration at the next Council workshop on the housing matter. He reported that the biosolids facility produced its 100th batch of compost and staff would be recognized at a future meeting with an award from Ecology. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION There was a request for the matter of Council Committees and Advisory boards to come forward. Mayor Stinson responded that this item would come forward with the communication strategy results. Ms. Sandoval spoke about the spread of misinformation and how she felt Council committees were effective in the past for building public trust. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, CMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting August 7, 2017 Page 4 of