Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout021621 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 16, 2021 CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 16th day of February 2021 in the Council Chambers. Mayor Michelle Sandoval called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela 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, Public Works Director Steve King, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were none. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Proclamation — Black History Month Mayor Sandoval read the City-initiated proclamation. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment The following individuals provided written public comment (City Clerk read the comments into the record): Bridgette Ramsey urged passing a $4/per hour hazard pay legislation. Bernard Donanberg support in support for decriminalizing entheogens. Sylvia Platt spoke in support for decriminalizing entheogens. Bertram Levy spoke of the possibilities of Howard Street as Port Townsend West - a Strong Town Annex Michael Brahier urged decriminalizing entheogenic plants and fungi. Joanne Tompkins urged decriminalizing entheogenic plants and fungi. Erin Reading urged urged decriminalizing entheogens. Kris Heyting urged decriminalizing entheogens. Julia Cochrane urged creating a commission to review and recommendation fair compensation for elected City officials in the next budget cycle. City Council Business Meeting February 16, 2021 Page 1 of 5 Jennifer Rotermund urged decriminalizing entheogens. Joseph Karniewicz urged decriminalizing entheogens. City staff response City Manager John Mauro noted that while the City could schedule a resolution to make entheogenic plants a lower enforcement priority once it hears the final report from the committee, it would not be able to take action on the decriminalization. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 166939 through 167037 in the amount of$420,627.62 Electronic Fund Transfer in the amount of$1,346.91 Approval of Minutes: January 19, February 1, and February 8, 2021 Resolution 21-012 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Interlocal Agreement with the Jefferson County Noxious Control Weed Board for Three Years of Weed Control Efforts Motion: David Faber moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ordinance 3261 Related to Utility Rates; Amending the Water Rates, Amending Chapter 13.05 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code, and Establishing an Effective Date Public Works Director Steve King gave the staff report on the second reading. Public Comment: Robert Gray urged having a waiver process from well irrigation rates. Responding to public comment, Mr. King noted that the City could not waive rates and the rates are lower for irrigation purposes. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Ordinance 3261 Related to Utility Rates; Amending the Water Rates, Amending Chapter 13.05 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code, and Establishing an Effective Date. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS City Council Business Meeting February 16, 2021 Page 2 of 5 Resolution 21-013 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement for Engineering Services to Update the Wastewater Comprehensive Plan in an Amount not to Exceed $130,000 Mr. King presented the staff report and recommendation. When asked about a scope of work for this project, he reported that it would include the long-term needs of the sewer plan and compost facility. There was no public comment. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Resolution 21-013 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement for Engineering Services to Update the Wastewater Comprehensive Plan in an Amount not to Exceed$130,000. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 21-014 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Three-Year HVAC Maintenance Agreement in an Amount Not to Exceed $30,000 Mr. King gave the staff report as documented in the agenda bill. There was no public comment. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Resolution 21-014 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Three-Year HVAC Maintenance Agreement in an Amount Not to Exceed $30,000. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 21-015 Approving the Final Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Law Enforcement and Public Safety, Directing the City Manager to Implement the Recommendations, and Sunsetting the Committee City Attorney Heidi Greenwood gave the staff report and stated further work would be done to schedule the items from the report and could include a resolution mentioned in public comment on the lower enforcement priority of entheogenic substances. When asked about how staff would prioritize bringing the material back to Council, Ms. Greenwood proposed the City reach out to other elected bodies on calendaring. The meeting schedule reflects entheogens tentatively at the April workshop. Public Comment: Robert Gray urged expanding community services and navigator programs and recruiting more women and minorities to the Police Department. A detailed discussion ensued to modify report language as it relates to the use of "should" versus "shall." Ms. Greenwood responded distinguishing the "shall" statements as tasks for the City Manager versus "should" for those items where Council cannot direct City staff. There were also proposed changes for broader and stronger language on item 4 on implementing a policy that does not simply discourage but does not tolerate membership and sympathy with white nationalists City Council Business Meeting February 16, 2021 Page 3 of 5 or supremacist organizations. In addition, there was a desire to better memorialize in the Lexipol policies the department's working relationship with ICE to ensure Police Department staff are receiving training. Interim Chief Surber concurred the policy would be better memorialized in Lexipol. Following additional discussion on item 4, there was support for proceeding without modifying the language in the final report, but instead tasking to the City Manager to amend the resolution or bring back another tasking resolution to make the policy applicable to all City employees. It was noted that Lexipol does have a policy on prejudice, but there remained a desire to have additional policy direction in the form of a resolution. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 21-015 Approving the Final Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Law Enforcement and Public Safety, Directing the City Manager to Implement the Recommendations, and Sunsetting the Committee. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Motion: David Faber moved to approve the minutes of the January 25, 2021 meeting (as amended to include Ariel Speser's arrival). Ariel Speser seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve tasking the City Manager to work with the Chief of Police and with the City Unions to generate a policy for all City employees to be added to the code of ethics regarding Council's policy that white supremacy or white nationalism and membership in those organizations is not tolerated amongst all of us. Ariel Speser seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Discussion of Possible Amendments to Chapter 2.84 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code and the Fort Worden Public Development Authority Charter City Manager John Mauro reported that given the difficulties of the PDA during the pandemic, the staff would be returning with a proposal and recommended across four areas affecting the City relationship with the Public Development Authority to increase oversight. Future Council action and amendments to the PDA charter and Ordinance amending the prior ordinance is scheduled to occur on March 15. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Sandoval reported on her participation in recent housing meetings and warming shelter discussions. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro gave a detailed staff report including the following: Covid cases with the County and movement to Phase II, the upcoming February 18 Intergovernmental Collaborative Group meeting with Congressman Kilmer, community concerns on the reorganization of public health, and a legislative session update. He also gave departmental updates, including work on the warming shelter City Council Business Meeting February 16, 2021 Page 4 of 5 with a potential to transition to an overnight overflow shelter, snow removal efforts, and forthcoming draft City annual report. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION There was some Council support for a suggestion to move the topic of entheogens scheduled for April meeting to an earlier meeting if possible. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Pam Adams expressed appreciation for the Public Utility District restoring power on Saturday. EXECUTIVE SESSION — PURSUANT TO RCW 42.20.11 0(l)(1)(111) LITIGATION OR THE LEGAL RISKS OF A PROPOSED ACTION OR CURRENT PRACTICE THAT THE AGENCY HAS IDENTIFIED WHEN PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF THE LITIGATION OR LEGAL RISKS IS LIKELY TO RESULT IN ADVERSE LEGAL OR FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCE TO THE AGENCY At 8:49 p.m., the Council went into Executive Session for 45 minutes with no action taken following. At 9:38 p.m., the City Attorney notified the Clerk that Council would need to extend the session for another 25 minutes. Council came back into open session at 10:05 p.m. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting February 16, 2021 Page 5 of 5