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Home My WebLink About051820 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MAY 18, 2020 CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 18th 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, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, Finance Manager Tony Hillman, City Engineer David Peterson, Planning Manager Judy Surber, Public Works Director Steve King, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Under"Changes to the Agenda," the addition of New Business Item Resolution 20-027 authorizing the City Manager to Amend a Contract with SafeBuilt Washington LLC for Plan Review and Inspection Services. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment There were none. 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: May 7, 2020 Motion: David Faber moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Pam Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting May 18, 2020 Page 1 of 4 NEW BUSINESS Resolution 20-023 Closing Adams Street Between Jefferson and Franklin Streets to Motorized Vehicle Traffic City Engineer David Peterson gave the staff report. He responded to questions about emergency vehicular access and conversations with Assistant Fire Chief Brian Tracer who did not feel emergency vehicular access was needed at this section of Adams Street. It was also estimated that it would cost less than $2,000 for the purchase and installation of bollards. He noted that the road would remain a multi-use path managed by Public Works and that the closure criteria used for this project has not been formally adopted for use on future closures. Mr. Faber explained discussion that occurred before the Council Transportation Committee regarding Adams Street, noting there was a desire to ensure that the design separate pedestrian and bicycle uses for safety. Public Comment: Robert Gray spoke about the parking and ADA accessibility and in support of reopening Adams Street (written comment read into the record). Linda and David Lubinski spoke about the work on the Haller Fountain step and in support of closing this section Adams Street (written comment read into the record). During discussion, Council comments were to keep costs at a minimum but adding amenities when feasible and looking for safety and aesthetic enhancements including those recommended by the Active Transportation Advisory Board as well as benches and fruit trees possibly. There was also a suggestion to only allow pedestrian access for the moment and preparing a future vision and plan on future street closures, including consideration of linear parks. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 20-023 Closing Adams Street Between Jefferson and Franklin Streets to Motorized Vehicle Traffic. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Michelle Sandoval opposed. Resolution 20-024 Authorizing the City Manager to Finalize and Implement the COVID-19 Financial Assistance Utility Bill Relief Program Finance Manager Tony Hillman gave the staff report. Public Comment: Bob Gray urged using OlyCap as the organization to receive and administer donation funding (written comment read into the record). During discussion, there was interest in looking for ways to make it easy for residents to donate as well as access the low-income and the financial assistance programs. There was clarification that this would be a one-time credit offered versus multiple credits to the same residents in order to touch as many as possible. It was also noted that while there are other organizations beside OlyCap accepting donations, Staff prefers to manage and oversee this program similar to that of the low-income program. Mayor Sandoval reminded that only one of the top ten users paying the utility tax is a City Council Business Meeting May 18, 2020 Page 2 of 4 business, the rest are government users. The tax was put in place because these entities do not pay property tax. The City would have to set up a separate payment program and perhaps explore that through an ordinance for better implementation. Mr. Mauro noted this was an attempt to get up some support for the community and fill gaps as we go. Mr. Hillman said that of the 5,100 utility accounts, only about 1,200 are using automated payments. So it would be possible to send a check for most. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 20-024 Authorizing the City Manager to Finalize and Implement the COVID-19 Financial Assistance Utility Bill Relief Program. Pam Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 20-025, Authorizing and Directing the City Manager to Complete, Execute, and Submit Ecology Grant Application for the Shoreline Master Program Periodic Review and Adopting a Public Participation Program City Attorney Heidi Greenwood noted that this matter was considered necessary and routine. Planning Manager Judy Surber gave a presentation on the periodic review of the plan. When asked if there could be additions to the state and federal agencies, Ms. Surber explained how the list was developed and agreed additional agencies could be suggested from 2007 shoreline master program. Suggestion for an article in the utility bill "attention to shoreline property owners." Ms. Surber also explained 60-day GMA review is a notation that it needs to be sent to the Dept. of Commerce. When asked about the Fort Worden launch and rebuild, Ms. Surber noted some of those comments Ecology felt were not appropriate for shorelines review. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Resolution 20-025, Authorizing and Directing the City Manager to Complete, Execute, and Submit Ecology Grant Application for the Shoreline Master Program Periodic Review and Adopting a Public Participation Program (with the addition of three entities to the stakeholder list: Fort Worden Public Development Authority, Port Townsend Marine Science Center, and Northwest Maritime Center). Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 20-026, Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Interlocal Agreement with the Port of Port Townsend for the Installation of a 48- Inch Carrier Pipe Under the Jefferson County Airport Runway in an Amount not to Exceed $40,000 Public Works Director Steve King gave the staff report as detailed in the agenda bill. He responded to questions that the cost would be $40,000 or less. Regarding the shallow areas mentioned, those would be placed in the risk factor analysis, but it is cost prohibitive to replace at this time. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 20-026, Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Interlocal Agreement with the Port of Port City Council Business Meeting May 18, 2020 Page 3 of 4 Townsend for the Installation of a 48-Inch Carrier Pipe Under the Jefferson County Airport Runway in an Amount not to Exceed$40,000. Ariel Speser seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 20-027 Authorizing the City Manager to Amend a Contract with SafeBuilt Washington LLC for Plan Review and Inspection Services Development Services Director Lance Bailey reported on this item, noting the building official recently resigned and building inspector has separated employment with the City. Without either position, this resolution would allow the City to expand the Safebuilt contract to provide some of these services. He noted also the timeline for filling the position(s). There were no clarifying questions, Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Resolution 20-027 Authorizing the City Manager to Amend a Contract with SafeBuilt Washington LLC for Plan Review and Inspection Services. Pam Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Sandoval reminded of the joint meeting May 19 beginning at 5pm and urged Council to read the public comments provided to the Board of Health. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided department updates, including safety planning. At the Finance and Budget Committee, there would be discussion about the potential receipt of CARES Act funding. The Discovery Road Bike and Pedestrian design would be coming forward to Council. Aside from local agency partnerships on COVID-19, there have been discussions with Congressman Derek Kilmer and City Managers talking about federal stimulus funding. He also announced a City pilot project to be employed over the coming weekend -- an Open Streets Physical Distancing Strategy. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION In response to a request from Monica MickHager to consider changing the speed limit on Washington Street to 20 mph, Mayor Sandoval said this topic has already been noted to be addressed by the Transportation Committee. As part of the Creative District steering committee, Owen Rowe announced the City received an award of a Creative District designation from Arts WA for Downtown, Uptown and the Fort Worden campus. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting May 18, 2020 Page 4 of 4