HomeMy WebLinkAbout041320CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP OF APRIL 13, 2020
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in workshop session on the 13th day of April
2020 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor Michelle Sandoval called the
meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were Pam Adams, David Faber, Amy Howard,
Monica MickHager, Owen Rowe, Michelle Sandoval, and Ariel Speser.
Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi
Greenwood, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, and City
Clerk Joanna Sanders.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Selah Martha urged placing a banner recognizing the closure of Aldrich's grocery.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Climate Action Committee Draft 2018 Greenhouse Gas Inventory
Planning Manager Judy Surber introduced Cindy Jayne, Chair of the Climate Action
Committee (CAC). Ms. Jayne gave a presentation of the gas emissions
inventory. CAC member Diane McDade spoke about the setting of new goals and
potentially holding a charette to develop some recommendations.
There was no public comment.
There was Council recognition of the energy and efforts in the community to
produce the inventory and the important work ahead in holding the charette
and addressing individual consumption. City Manager John Mauro spoke about the
opportunities to integrate this inventory with all City activities.
Annexation Banked Capacity Discussion
Mayor Sandoval introduced this item as the beginning of a conversation to consider
where we are now and deciding whether to use banked capacity from the fire
annexation.
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Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell gave the staff
presentation on the post annexation plans, including eligible uses detailed in the
restriction policy. She solicited input on adjusting the original timeline and when to
schedule Council's next discussion on annexation.
Mr. Mauro spoke of the real and immediate impacts due to unforeseen
circumstances of COVID-19. He urged having a Council budget discussion about
the recovery and what may be needed that was not previously in the forefront.
Responding to questions, Ms. Mitchell clarified that although the dates in the
annexation restriction policy could be amended, the levying of taxes would need to
be done by the end of November 2020 and a public hearing held the first week of
November. Council would also need to amend the policy and the timeline prior to
June. Originally, June or July was the intended timeline to review annexation as
part of the 2021 budget discussion.
Public Comment:
Bob Gray asked that there be no tax increases through the remainder of 2020, no
use of the banked capacity in 2021, and 2 percent utility tax relief.
There was Council discussion, input and interest in postponing the public process
timeline in order to consider how best to hold a meaningful community conversation
as soon as possible with recovery and resiliency of the community being of utmost
importance. There was a suggestion that the public discussion include the potential
utility tax relief against other uses for the 2% utility tax increase.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m..
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, MMC
City Clerk
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