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HomeMy WebLinkAbout081919CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF AUGUST 19, 2019 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 19th day of August 2019 in 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 David Faber, Robert Gray, Amy Howard, Michelle Sandoval, Ariel Speser, and Deborah Stinson with Pamela Adams excused. Staff members present were Interim City Manager Nora Mitchell, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Public Works Director Greg Lanning, Development Services Director Lance Bailey, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Item F. Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Letter Regarding the City Council and Community's Concerns with Aerial Spraying of Glyphosate was removed from the Consent Agenda to New Business. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Will O'Donnell spoke about the Jefferson County PUD's permit for the first community solar installation next to the PUD substation at Lawrence and Kearney Streets. Rebecca Ramsey of the Port Townsend Psychedelic Society spoke about decriminalizing cartheogenic plants and fungi. Michael Brahier spoke in support of stopping enforcement related to cartheogenic plants. Bernie Donanberg urged completing the water testing as soon as possible. Cassan Trainer spoke in favor of a resolution legalizing psychedelic drugs. Jason Victor Serinus spoke in support of the benefits of psychedelics and with concerns about available housing. City staff response City Council Business Meeting August 19, 2019 Page 1 of 6 There was Council support for adding the suggestion about psychedelic drugs to the Council InBox. Ms. Mitchell recognized the housing issue is already under discussion. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 163404 through 163534 in the amount of $593,090.78 Electronic Funds Transfer in the amount of $381.59 Approval of Minutes: June 17 (Special), June 17 (Regular), June 19, June 24, July 1 and July 8, 2019 Resolution 19-071 Authorizing the City Manager to Sign Professional Services Agreements with Epic Land Solutions and Integra Reality Resources to Provide On -Call Appraisal and Appraisal Review Services Resolution 19-072 Authorizing the City Manager to Award and Sign a Public Works Contract for the 2019 Sewer Maintenance Hole Replacement Project Resolution 19-073 Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the City on Bike Automatic Counters for SR -20 (Sims Way) Motion: David Faber moved to approve consent agenda as written with the removal to New Business the Authorization for a Letter on Concerns with Aerial Spraying of Glyphosate. Amy Howard seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Letter Regarding the City Council and Community's Concerns with Aerial Spraying of Glyphosate Ms. Stinson reported that the City has no jurisdiction over the properties being sprayed and does not allow spraying on its properties in the watershed. She summarized the letter, recognized the concerns being shared, as well as the desire to add to the list of addressees the Department of Agriculture. She responded that the City does not spray broadleaf but can spot spray and noted some very limited use is allowed in the County. Public Comment: City Council Business Meeting August 19, 2019 Page 2 of 6 Chelsea Pronovost noted that spraying took place today on the road at City Lake. She provided some documentation about the danger of the chemicals. Ellen O'Shea asked for action about the spraying concerns around and near City Lake and how their prior spraying killed her bees. Robin Sharan spoke against aerial spraying, Dianne Diamond spoke in opposition of aerial spraying practice. Lissy Andrews spoke about the direct threat by the helicopter in spraying protestors. Marta Peterson spoke in opposition of aerial spraying and to the spraying of protestors. Beau Bricklemeyer spoke in support of a letter and water testing. He noted the Aquatic Resources Conservation Group has spoken with Washington Department of Agriculture. Gail Chatfield urged creating an ordinance to stop all aerial spraying to protect the water. Forest Shomer spoke with concerns about the spraying programs by Pope in addition to Washington State Department of Transportation. Amber Jones urged amending the letter to state that it directly affects the City and monitoring the drinking water. Lee Falkenhagen suggested the City review its own practices on spot spraying in order to strengthen its position against Pope Resources. Judith Alexander urged action on ending aerial spraying. She has worked with Henery's Hardware to stop carrying the product. Rose Choynye had concerns over the poisoning of livestock and general animal safety on her 24 acres. Jennifer Viscula spoke against aerial spraying and the use of Round Up Peter Schwartzman, a surface water hydrologist geologist, spoke in support of wellhead protection, watershed management programs, and proactive safety measures. He asked that results of the testing be communicated to residents. Rachel Luss who lives on Eaglemount spoke about her car being doused by the helicopter spraying Round Up. Andrew Luss noted that his house is three quarters of a mile from City Lake. Round Up product literature says to not let livestock graze for up to a year. City Council Business Meeting August 19, 2019 Page 3 of 6 Public Works Director Greg Lanning answered questions about City Lake in proximity to the reservoir. The City owns and controls the property through property management agreements. He reviewed state and federal guidelines for water filtration and testing. Staff has gathered materials to begin testing for glyphosate at a cost of $250 a test and is consulting with the State Department of Health. Several changes were suggested including requesting to the Washington Department of Agricultural that spraying be stopped until the matter is investigated. There was support for the City Attorney collecting and incorporating changes into a revised letter to be published in September 3 agenda packet. It was suggested that the letter be delivered to Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz and the Attorney General at a weekend community event. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve authorizing the Mayor to sign a letter to permitting agencies expressing concerns and requesting to cease spraying glyphosate and urging an investigation into the direct spraying of individuals. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Letter Regarding the City Council and Community's Concerns with Aerial Spraying of Glyphosate (addressed to the governor, attorney general, and public land commissioner) to be hand delivered to certain elected officials by Mayor Stinson. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING Ordinance 3232 Related to Development Regulations Within the Rainier Street Subarea, Amending the Zoning Map and Adding a New Chapter 17.31 "Rainier Street Upper Sims Way Subarea" to the Port Townsend Municipal Code Mayor Stinson reviewed the procedures for the public hearing continued from the August 5 hearing. Development Services Director Lance Bailey reported that Council opened the public hearing on August 5. At that time, Council asked staff to invite Planning Commissioners to discuss with Council some of the some of the regulations being proposed, including the rationale on the two-story building requirement in the subarea. Mr. Bailey, Commission Chair Paul Rice, Vice Chair Rick Jahnke spoke for the Planning Commission addressing a variety of questions about the subarea including regulations for accessory dwelling units, car lot sales, sub area signage and the desire for an area park. Other Commissioners present had an opportunity to share their vision and concept for the plan area. Taking the multi -family out of the commercial overlay was noted as one of the dissenting decisions among the Commission. There was no public comment nor written testimony. Mayor Stinson closed public testimony. City Council Business Meeting August 19, 2019 Page 4 of 6 Mr. Bailey suggested Council consider raising the retail conditional use threshold above 10,000 s.f. (Page 14). He then recorded additional changes as follows. Under the Use Table 17.31.030 changing "Owner/Operator Residences," "Accessory Dwelling," and "Home Occupation" from permitted to prohibited, including "Agriculture" as a permitted accessory use in Table 17.31.070, and incorporated a reference to reflect that interim regulations would be superseded by this ordinance. Motion: David Faber moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3232 Related to Development Regulations Within the Rainier Street Subarea, Amending the Zoning Map and Adding a New Chapter 17.31 "Rainier Street Upper Sims Way Subarea" to the Port Townsend Municipal Code (with modifications as noted). Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ordinance 3230 Adopting the City of Port Townsend 2019 Water System Plan and Establishing an Effective Date Mr. Lanning gave the staff report. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Ordinance 3230 Adopting the City of Port Townsend 2019 Water System Plan and Establishing an Effective Date. Ariel Speser seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Stinson reported that she, David Faber and Interim City Manager Nora Mitchell visited Port Townsend Paper Corporation (PTPC) for a tour. Ms. Mitchell and Mr. Lanning would be meeting to consider alternatives on contract negotiations with PTPC on the Olympic Gravity Water System. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Interim City Manager Nora Mitchell reported on the following: - City applied for a $5 million grant for Discovery Road - Samantha Harper has taken a position with the Jefferson County Public Utility District and was recognized for her fine work. - The Mountain View dog park is under construction SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Mr. Gray reported that Brent Shirley may seek a letter of support for a portable shower and toilet. City Council Business Meeting August 19, 2019 Page 5 of 6 Ms. Sandoval urged taking down the one-way sign next to the totem pole at the Northwest Maritime Center. There is also a broken lamp near that intersection. Holiday light recommendations from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee were discussed with PUD Jeff Randall. Mr. Lanning and Ms. Mitchell noted there are cost considerations beyond the Water Street Enhancement project for which funding has not been identified. A review and recommendation is forthcoming from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee after they meet in October. There were none. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Attest: all, ) Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting August 19, 2019 Page 6 of 6