HomeMy WebLinkAbout050420CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MAY 4, 2020
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 4th day of May 2020 in
Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor 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, City Engineer David Peterson, Finance and Administrative Services
Director Nora Mitchell, Finance Manager Tony Hillman, and City Clerk Joanna
Sanders.
There were none..
Public comment
There were none.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Electronic Funds Transfer in the amount of $30.00
Electronic Funds Transfer in the amount of $22,299.87
Vouchers 165260 through 165265 in the amount of $149,241.52
Vouchers 165266 through 165327 in the amount of $151,392.59
Vouchers 165328 through 165333 in the amount of $2,441.28
Vouchers 165334 in the amount of $10,969.95
Vouchers 165335 through 165337 in the amount of $1,321.01
Vouchers 165338 through 165357 in the amount of $37,750.82
Approval of Minutes: April 13 and April 20, 2020
City Council Business Meeting May 4, 2020 Page 1 of 4
Motion: David Faber moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Pam Adams
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
There was none.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 20-020 Adopting a 2020 Post -Annexation Tax Restriction Policy
Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell gave the staff briefing
on the resolution modifying the timeline and extending the discussion until summer
or early fall to inform the 2021 budget process. The City Manager would later
provide Council with a plan on possible citizen engagement options. The resolution
is for this year only and the City would need to reestablish the process for coming
years.
Public Comment:
Bob Gray urged postponing any increase of taxes,
Ms. Mitchell responded to the comment noting that this resolution merely changes
the timeline and does not decide whether or not to levy.
There was a question and some discussion about Ordinance 3059 Creating a
Separate Fund for Housing within the Budget which was not adopted. Staff
acknowledged that the Housing Trust Fund was not set up as a separate fund. The
funds to support housing come from general property tax and have been used for
deferring permit fees. If a separate fund is created, the funding would need to be
used for specific purposes.
There would be a public comment opportunity during the levy process. From the
County Assessor, there is also separate notice on the tax bill.
Motion. David Faber moved to approve Resolution 20-020 adopting a 2020 post -
annexation tax restriction policy. Owen Rowe seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Resolution 20-021 Adopting a Temporary Meeting Policy
City Manager John Mauro gave the staff report as detailed in the agenda bill,
There was no public comment.
Staff responded to a question about meetings and discussions of distribution
of funding of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and Arts Commission. With
limited staffing and financial uncertainties, the determination to proceed with
distributing existing funding is paused for the time being.
City Council Business Meeting May 4, 2020 Page 2 of 4
Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 20-021 adopting a temporary
meeting policy. Pam Adams seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Resolution 20-022 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an
Underground Utility Easement with Wave Business Solutions, LLC, Across
Portions of the City's Rotary Park Property.
City Engineer David Peterson gave the staff report as detailed in the agenda bill
describing the easement.
Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 20-022, Authorizing the City
Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Underground Utility Easement with Wave
Business Solutions, LLC, Across Portions of the City's Rotary Park Property. Pam
Adams seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Review of the 2020 Revenue Forecast
Finance Manager Tony Hillman gave the staff report as detailed in the written
memorandum explaining the revenue forecast for the General Fund, Street
Operations Fund, Library Fund, and Community Services Funds. He reviewed the
anticipated shortfalls on which the projections were prepared.
There was no public comment.
There was recognition of Staff for their advanced action in making the difficult
decision to furlough staff.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
Mayor Sandoval announced a special meeting called for Thursday, May 7 with the
Board of County Commissioners to review the possibility of requesting a variance
from the listing of the Governor's restrictions for ten select counties. The opportunity
to hear from the public would occur at a future meeting.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager John Mauro reported on departmental updates, asked for Census
participation, provided a COVID update, and the anticipated CARES Act funding
coming to the area. For the next regular business meeting, staff will present a new
resolution for utility relief and donation program.
SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR
STUDY SESSION
There were none.
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COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Amy Howard recognized that the Port Townsend School District meeting is also
occurring at the same time that Council meets with the County Commissioners on
May 7.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, MMC
City Clerk
City Council Business Meeting May 4, 2020 Page 4 of 4