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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING OF JULY 8, 2019
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in special session on the 8th day of July 2019 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,
Michelle Sandoval, Ariel Speser, and Deborah Stinson with Amy Howard excused.
Staff members present were Interim City Manager Nora Mitchell, City Attorney Heidi
Greenwood, City Clerk Joanna Sanders, Parks Recreation and Community Services
Director Alex Wisniewski, and Assistant City Engineer Samantha Harper.
EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110(1)(1) CURRENT OR
POTENTIAL LITIGATION
CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.140(4)(B) PLANNING OR
ADOPTING THE STRATEGY OR POSITION FOR PROFESSIONAL NEGOTIATIONS
At 6:33 p.m., the Council went into Executive Session and then a closed session for
an expected total of 30 minutes.
At 7:05 p.m., the Council came back into open session.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Report on Status of City Manager Candidate
Mayor Stinson and Interim City Manager Nora Mitchell reported that the City has
received a signed offer letter from City Manager candidate John Mauro and staff
would next be working to prepare an employment contract.
There was no public comment.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 19-061 Allocating Additional Funding for the Mountain View
Project and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Contract Change Orders
within the Approved Budget
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Alex Wisniewski provided
background on unforeseen circumstances which led to this proposed resolution for
additional allocation of funds. The City code requires fire suppression into the found
crawl space adding $25,000 for design, purchase and labor on the fire alarm sensor
City Council Special Business Meeting July 8, 2019 Pagel of 2
system. Assistant City Engineer Samantha Harper noted that this figure also
includes soft costs for the design and construction.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Pamela Adams moved to approve Resolution 19-061 Allocating Additional
Funding for the Mountain View Project and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute
Contract Change Orders within the Approved Budget. Michelle Sandoval seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
Public Education and Government (PEG) Access Television[WAVE Franchise
Agreement
City Attorney Heidi Greenwood briefed Council on the impending expiration of the
Wave franchise agreement and requested input on options for moving forward with
the PEG station and renegotiation of the franchise agreement. Ms.
Mitchell provided a report of operating expenses for station management and
supplies. Payments to the station have been exceeding the limited pass through
fees ($8,200) and are instead expended from the cable franchise fees (General
Fund monies).
She responded to questions about studio ownership, high school classes using the
studio, number of viewers/subscribers, station manager/coordinator, obligation
under the interlocal, viewership on Channels 97/98, educational benefits, high
definition streaming, neighborhood right of way concerns about WAVE and their
requirements for wiring of public facilities.
Public Comment:
Mark Welch commented on the original PTTV funding and City equipment. He also
spoke about server costs, station programming, the changing demographics and
move to streaming services, and high school learning opportunities provided by the
station. He offered to assist on next steps.
There was some Council interest in continuing the PEG station as least in the
interim period. Suggestions were to explore options including an investment in an
upgrade of chambers microphones and cameras, hiring third party station
support, offering the station and equipment to the school district to operate, and
doing a cost versus benefit analysis. Ms. Mitchell noted that it is uncertain what
support the school district would or could contribute.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, MMC
City Clerk
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