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Home My WebLink About100520 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF OCTOBER 5, 2020 CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 5th day of October 2020 in the Council chambers at 540 Water Street. Deputy Mayor David Faber called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, David Faber, Amy Howard, Monica MickHager, Owen Rowe, and Ariel Speser with Michelle Sandoval excused. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, Finance Manager Tony Hillman, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA The addition of an executive session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(c). SPECIAL PRESENTATION Proclamation - Mental Health Awareness Week Immediate Past President of National Alliance on Mental Illness Valerie Phimister accepted the proclamation along current President Patrick Johnson. Mr. Johnson spoke about mental illness in our community, the Sims Way banner, current activities and education classes. Brian Richardson of the Recovery Cafe also spoke about their activities. Proclamation - National Arts and Humanities Month Vice President of the Jefferson County Clemente Foundation accepted the proclamation and talked about their efforts/activities. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Written public comments were read by the Clerk as follows: Craig Durgan supported allowing a Blue Lives Matter Mural Francesco Totorici opposed to a Blue Lives Mural Judy Tough opposed to a Blue Lives Mural City Council Business Meeting October 5, 2020 Page 1 of 5 Cameron Jones urged protecting voices of BIPOC residents Callie Wilson urged support of law enforcement Gabriella Guthrie supporting a Blue Lives Matter mural Terri W speaking about Port Townsend crime Emily Hiatt opposed a Blue Lives Matter Mural Anna Martinez opposition to a Blue Lives Matter mural Corvus Woolf opposition to Blue Lives Matter mural Emily Bea opposition to Blue Lives Matter mural Winn Family supporting a law enforcement memorial Gloria Gould-Wessen shared a letter from neighbors with concerns at Campers at the Jefferson County fairgrounds Dominica Lord-Wood spoke opposition to Blue Lives Matter mural Barbara Jo Blair with comments from Native Connections Action Group about the Golf Course Rick Jahnke spoke about the Cherry Street project City staff response Mr. Mauro acknowledged the comments and noted the policy currently being considered by the Arts Commission would be coming back before City Council. No decision on painting on the street has been approved. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 165960 through 165968 in the amount of$293,560.77 Vouchers 166000 through 166137 in the amount of$1,074,531.58 Electronic Fund Transfer in the amount of$502,484.14 Approval of Minutes: September 8 and September 14, 2020 Motion: Ariel Speser moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote, NEW BUSINESS Ordinance 3253 Providing for the Issuance of a Limited Tax General Obligation and Refunding Bond in the Principal Amount of $3,658,350 to Provide Funds to Refund the City's Outstanding Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds, 2010, to Repay the City's Limited Tax General Obligation Bond Anticipation Note, 2019, To Finance Capital Improvements and to Pay Costs of Issuing the Bond; Authorizing the Sale of the Bond to Kitsap Bank; and Fixing the Terms and Covenants of the Bond Finance Manager Tony Hillman gave the staff report as written. He responded to questions about refinancing 2020 bonds, current debt service, and how it would be City Council Business Meeting October 5, 2020 Page 2 of 5 reduced resulting in a slightly lower debt payment. He further explained Washington State recommended benchmarks and how the refinancing plan meets those benchmarks. There were questions about the characterization of$900,000 as new debt as this is effectively turning short term debt into long-term debt. Mr. Mauro also addressed a concern about adding the Discovery Road project into the General Obligation debt. The following individuals provided written comment (the clerk read written comment into the record). Robert Gray spoke in support of the Discovery Road improvements Motion: Ariel Speser moved to approve first reading Ordinance 3253 Providing for the Issuance of a Limited Tax General Obligation and Refunding Bored in the Principal Amount of$3,658,350 to Provide Funds to Refund the City's Outstanding Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds, 2010, to Repay the City's Limited Tax General Obligation Bond Anticipation Note, 2019, To Finance Capital Improvements and to Pay Costs of Issuing the Bond; Authorizing the Sale of the Bond to Kitsap Bank; and Fixing the Terms and Covenants of the Bond (as amended to correct typographical errors as mentioned on page 2 to read Fort Worden Building 202 and the certification should reference Ordinance 3253 versus 3254). Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3254 Providing for the Issuance of a Water and Sewer Revenue Bond in the Principal Amount of $1,914,980 to Provide Funds to Pay Part of the Cost of Constructing Water System Improvements, to Repay the City's Water and Sewer Revenue Bond Anticipation Note, 2016 and to Pay Costs of Issuing the Bond; Authorizing the Sale of the Bond to Kitsap Bank; and Fixing the Terms and Covenants of the Bond Mr. Hillman gave the staff report as written in the agenda bill. There was no public comment. Motion: Ariel Speser moved to approve first reading Ordinance 3254 Providing for the Issuance of a Water and Sewer Revenue Bond in the Principal Amount of $1,914,980 to Provide Funds to Pay Part of the Cost of Constructing Water System Improvements, to Repay the City's Water and Sewer Revenue Bond Anticipation Note, 2016 and to Pay Costs of Issuing the Bond; Authorizing the Sale of the Bond to Kitsap Bank; and Fixing the Terms and Covenants of the Bond. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Resolution 20-052 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract Amendment with the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce for Visitor Center Operations and Marketing Services City Council Business Meeting October 5, 2020 Page 3 of 5 City Manager John Mauro gave the staff report noting the significant reduction in Lodging Tax revenue. During Council discussion, it was noted that this amendment would bring the Chamber contract into line with revenues and there would also need to be a broader review of the 2021 LTAC budget. Ms. Mitchell reported that even with a reduction of expenditures, the 2020 LTAC budget results in a $200,000 deficit. There was some Council concern about Chamber deliverables for 2020 and a request whether the Chamber might provide an end of year report of activities. Mr. Mauro responded that this report would likely occur through the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. There was no public comment. Motion: Ariel Speser moved to approve Resolution 20-052 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract Amendment with the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce for Visitor Center Operations and Marketing Services. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Mauro provided an update covering the following items: - COVID status and CARES Act funding - Department budget preparations and many department project updates - October 12 presentation on a multi-family housing project in the Rainier Street Corridor, including participation in the regional stormwater project - JeffCom financial sustainability - Police Chief recruitment efforts and timeline - October 27 Intergovernmental Collaborative Group by Michael Schuman lecture on community economics - Engage PT and KPTZ briefings EXECUTIVE SESSION At 8:30 p.m., Council Executive Session went into executive session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(c), regarding consideration of the minimum offering price for sale or lease of real estate if there's a likelihood that disclosure would decrease the price, estimated at 10 minutes with no action to follow. At 8:58 p.m., the Council came back into open session. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION There were none. City Council Business Meeting October 5, 2020 Page 4 of 5 ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting October 5, 2020 Page 5 of 5