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HomeMy WebLinkAbout050321 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MAY 3, 2021 CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 3rd day of May 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 David Faber, Amy Howard, Monica MickHager, Owen Rowe, Michelle Sandoval, and Ariel Speser with Pamela Adams excused. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Finance Manager Tony Hillman, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, Library Director Melody Eisler, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders, CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Sandoval added to the agenda a brief introduction of Police Chief Thomas Olson. City Manager John Mauro welcomed Chief Olson. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Proclamation — KPTZ Radio Port Townsend Day KPTZ Programming Lead Ruby Fitch accepted the proclamation and recognized their founding members, many volunteers, and partners. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment The following individual provided written comment (the Clerk read the comment into the record): Craig Durgan extended an invitation to Council for a May 8 event at the site of the Cherry Street housing project. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants City Council Business Meeting May 3, 2021 Page 1 of 5 Vouchers 167409 through 167489 in the amount of$157,462.46 Voucher 607 in the amount of$577.50 Electronic Fund Transfer in the amount of$26,599.33 Approval of Minutes: April 12 and April 19, 2021 Resolution 21-024 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Vehicle Purchase Agreement Using the State Department of Enterprise Services Master Contract Motion: David Faber moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Ariel Speser seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Ordinance 3264 Establishing a Salary Commission and Adding Chapter 2.90 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell led the briefing and responded to questions about the number of votes needed on the referendum. She indicated 15% of the voters in the last general election would be needed. A notice would be posted soliciting candidates for the Salary Commission. There was no public comment. At or about 6:52 p.m., David Faber had intermittent connectivity and rejoined the meeting at 6:54 p.m. Councilmembers expressed support for the ordinance since there has not been any formal review since 2007 and it is preferable over taking no action or having Council adjust its own compensation. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3264 Establishing a Salary Commission and Adding Chapter 2.90 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3265 Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 13.01 Procedures for Utility Development, Chapter 13.02 Low-Income, Low-Income Disabled, and Low-Income Senior Citizen Utility Rate Program and Chapter 13.02A Certified Adult Family Home Utility Discount and Establish an Effective Date Finance Manager Tony Hillman gave a detailed review of the code changes and confirmed renewal notices would be sent 60 days prior. Referring to PTMC 13.02.030(D), there was a request to consider waiving the repayment of the undercharge on the current bill. Staff explained the customer must reapply every year and because it is an honor system, if someone no longer qualified and City Council Business Meeting May 3, 2021 Page 2 of 5 continued to accept the discount, they would be asked to repay when their income changed. There was no public comment. Motion: Ariel Speser moved to approve waiving Council Rules and adopting Ordinance 3265 Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 13.01 Procedures for Utility Development, Chapter 13.02 Low-Income, Low-Income Disabled, and Low-Income Senior Citizen Utility Rate Program and Chapter 13.02A Certified Adult Family Home Utility Discount and Establish an Effective Date. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Resolution 21-025 Adopting the City of Port Townsend Public Library's updated Policy of Confidentiality of Library Transactions and Patron Files Library Director Melody Eisler gave the staff briefing and responded to clarifications about the instances where Library Director "may approve the use of names" as listed on Exhibit A. There was no public comment. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 21-025 Adopting the City of Port Townsend Public Library's updated Policy of Confidentiality of Library Transactions and Patron Files. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Resolution 21-026 Related to Personnel, Adopting Classification Schedules for Non-Represented Employees and Authorizing Hiring of Two Seasonal Employees at a Specified Pay Range Ms. Mitchell gave the staff report noting the addition of a parks and facilities manager as well as changing the pay rate for the seasonal workers. Responding to questions about a manager versus director position as well as efforts to further parks initiatives and Golf Course future planning, staff indicated this position is focused on parks management reporting directly to the City Manager. Without funding to make those initiatives a success, there would not be much emphasis in those other areas. The Financial Sustainability Task Force would also work on the future parks funding topic. There was no public comment. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Resolution 21-026 Related to Personnel, Adopting Classification Schedules for Non-Represented Employees and Authorizing Hiring of Two Seasonal Employees at a Specified Pay Range, Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting May 3, 2021 Page 3 of 5 Amending Council Rules and Reorganizing Council Committees and Advisory Boards Mr. Mauro gave a briefing on the desire to tie advisory boards to Council Committees in a prioritization and focus on the City's work plan efforts. City Attorney Heidi Greenwood reviewed the restructuring and series of resolutions to enact the desired changes. Rules Committee Chair Ms. Speser explained the recommended text revisions and detailed committee discussion to the Rules of Procedure. Council discussed and staff addressed questions about Resolution 21-031 and use of the term "sustainability" in relation to considering long-term societal issues. Regarding Resolution 21-029, the recognition of volunteers was suggested as an ongoing activity that might fall under the Culture and Society Committee. Mayor Sandoval and Mr. Mauro led a discussion about the review and approval of work plans and budget requests by Council toward a goal of ensuring consistency with City's overall work plan and strategic plan. At 8:15 p.m. Mr. Faber dropped off the meeting at 8:17 p.m., Mr. Faber rejoined. Discussion ensued about where the control should rest for guiding advisory body work. It was suggested that the City Manager might manage requests by advisory boards until the annual retreat. Recognizing the risk of slowing and potentially interfering with Planning Commission activities, there were equal concerns about Council as policy makers having the ability to direct the activities. It was suggested the Infrastructure Committee might include the work of the housing committee although it is not explicitly stated. There was some desire for a better conduit on housing matters to Council and more time to consider the changes. Noted was the difficulty for the Infrastructure Committee to take on more than roads and streets and that community development work might need to be separate. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve tabling action on the resolutions for additional work by the Rules Committee. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Sandoval reported on the following: - Condolences were transmitted to the family of Kurt Grinnell of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe on his passing. - Letter of thanks was sent to 24th District legislative delegation to acknowledge the productive session. - Formal invitation sent to the Board of County Commissioners/Sheriff/Prosecuting Attorney to a May 24 Joint Meeting on Law Enforcement and Public Safety. - Formal invitation sent to the Fort Worden Foundation Board to attend the May 17 Council meeting. City Council Business Meeting May 3, 2021 Page 4 of 5 - Joint Oversight Board of Housing Task Force meeting last Wednesday where there was discussion of the interlocal agreement, including terms for the Housing Task Force. - Attendance at a Joint Meeting with the BOCC last Monday on the entheogens topic including Mr. Mauro and Ms. Speser who reported on the discussion and forward movement. - Attempt at convening a meeting with Washington State Ferries with concerns about no evening sailings and decreased service. - Attendance at a courthouse Port Townsend Rotary event on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro reported on departmental updates as well as the following: - Update on progress of the Fort Worden PDA, including his formation of a Nominating Committee, - Council input was solicited on the Memorandum of Understanding that lays out a Memorandum of Intent. - The PDA is working on a $32 million federal funding proposal for capital projects. - State Legislative efforts included receipt for Port Townsend of$3.1 million in dedicated funding for City infrastructure to assist with affordable housing. - Jefferson County Administrator Philip Morley has resigned his position. There were none. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting May 3, 2021 Page 5 of 5