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Home My WebLink About031521 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MARCH 15, 2021 CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 15th day of March 2021 in the Council Chambers. Mayor Michelle Sandoval 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, Michelle Sandoval, and Ariel Speser. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Public Works Director Steve King, Library Director Melody Sky Eisler, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Sandoval noted that the Fort Worden Public Development Authority Board would be joining Council for discussion of Old Business Item: Ordinance 3262 relating to Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Center, Amending PTMC Chapter 2.84. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment The following individuals provided written comment (the Clerk read the comments into the record): Jane Hall-Lazelle and Keith Lazelle urging passage of a resolution in support of a Statewide Single-Payer Healthcare System. Harvey Windle spoke about downtown parking concerns. Lori Bernstein urging passage of a resolution in support of a Statewide Single-Payer Healthcare System. Gail Chatfield urging passage of a resolution in support of a Statewide Single-Payer Healthcare System. Judy D'Amore urging passage of a resolution in support of a Statewide Single-Payer Healthcare System. Oltra Ola spoke about safety issues on Cappy's Trails. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 1667043 through 167194 in the amount of$589,134.25 Electronic Fund Transfer in the amount of$401.70 City Council Business Meeting March 15, 2021 Page 1 of 4 Approval of Minutes: March 1 (Special), March 1 (Regular), and March 8, 2021 Appointment of Sondra McConnell to the Arts Commission (Position 6, Term Expires May 1, 2022) Motion: David Faber moved to approve the consent agenda as written with corrections to the minutes of 030121 to reflect attendance by Councilmembers Faber and Speser. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 21-017 Approving the Locations for the Creative District's Art Markers and Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Agreements Necessary for Their Installation Mr. Rowe noted he would recuse on the decision because he sits on the Creative District. Library Director Melody Eisler gave the staff report along with Public Works Director Steve King. Executive Director of PT Main Street and Kris Nelson of the Creative District were also present to discuss the process. Council questions related to markers at the Community Center and at Fort Worden were addressed by Mari Mullen and Kris Nelson. Public Works Director Steve King indicated the marker are not movable, but there is some room on either side to maneuver around them. It was also noted the markers are not owned by the City as public art and would be managed by the Creative District. There was no public comment. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 21-017 Approving the Locations for the Creative District's Art Markers and Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Agreements Necessary for their Installation. Ariel Speser seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Resolution 21-018 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Twenty-Year No- Cost Lease with Radio Port Townsend D/B/A KPTZ for Morgan Hill Communication Facilities Mr. King gave the staff report as detailed in the agenda bill. The following individual provided written comment (the Clerk read the comments into the record): Emergency Service Coordinator/Amateur Radio Club President Richard Illman spoke in support of the lease with KPTZ. Ms. MickHager disclosed being on the KPTZ Board and wished to abstain from the vote. Ariel Speser disclosed that her husband is on the KPTZ Board and would not City Council Business Meeting March 15, 2021 Page 2 of 4 plan to recuse herself from the vote. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 21-018 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Twenty-Year No-Cost Lease with Radio Port Townsend DIBIA KPTZ for Morgan Hill Communication Facilities. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Joint Discussion with the Fort Worden Public Development Authority on its Restructuring and Ordinance 3262 Relating to the Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Center Public Development Authority; Amending Chapter 2.84 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code Mayor Sandoval pointed out some of the public misperceptions about the Fort Worden Public Development Authority (PDA) and reviewed the challenges as a result of Covid- 19 for which the PDA has tried to find solutions. She outlined that a state auditor review would address concerns of financial improprieties and that the City wants to see the PDA succeed. City Manager John Mauro spoke about the City's involvement and coordination to ensure the right balance of oversight. The following individuals provided written comment (the Clerk read the comments into the record): Robert Gray urged that any agreements between the City and the PDA include annual audit requirements for the nonprofits as well as reporting on the progress of lifelong learning. Mark Blatter spoke about concerns on the reorganization. Interim Executive Director David Timmons gave a detailed presentation on how the PDA has responded to the crisis. He reviewed the financial condition, recommended code changes as well as board reorganization, and the support being requested of the City. Packet materials provided by the PDA included a Frequently Asked Questions document and memorandum. The PDA board spoke about many financial gains thanks to City contributions, the Board's hard work in fundraising, and the challenging times the PDA has experienced. There was emphasis on the importance of having a board that understands the complex nature of the enterprise and concerns that difficulties might arise in finding new Board Members in a structure where the City has more authority and oversight and yet the PDA maintains responsibility. There were cautions about making the recommended code language changes as written without further consideration of that oversight. It was noted that the PDA self-reported financial irregularities to the State Auditor and addressed personnel issues. In addition, the PDA was responsive in addressing the public and council concerns about improved financial reporting to the City. Council comments and questions were about the PDA's recommendations for a Board reorganization and what support is being requested on securing the loans. Mayor Sandoval urged that oversight mechanisms be put in place between the PDA executive director and the Board so the Board is aware of City requests for reporting. Mr. Timmons acknowledged that transparency mechanisms are needed, including how City Council Business Meeting March 15, 2021 Page 3 of 4 the PDA is fulfilling its mission for lifelong learning. Mr. Hutton talked about the important role of Fort Worden Collaborative to work with the PDA on refining its business practices and spoke about the difficulties in defining lifelong learning. There being no further business of the PDA, Mr. Tonina adjourned their meeting at 9:17 p.m. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Sandoval reported on many meetings with the PDA, State Parks, and the Housing Task Force. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Mauro reported on department updates, Covid cases, and vaccine availability. Council input is being solicited by Friday on an RFP that Jefferson County will submit for the Port of Port Townsend to be an Associate Development Organization (ADO) to the Dept. of Commerce to perform Economic Development Services. He explained that Lodging Tax Advisory Committee voted to approve utilizing $25,000 pivot marketing funds and the approval is part of City budget discussions. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Ms. MickHager reported that the Emergency Operating Command held a test run on an additional vaccine site in Chimacum. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting March 15, 2021 Page 4 of 4