Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout051721 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MAY 17, 2021 CALL TO ORDERIPLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 17th 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 Pamela Adams, David Faber, Amy Howard, Owen Rowe, Michelle Sandoval, and Ariel Speser with Monica MickHager excused. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Building Official David Nakagawara, City Engineer David Peterson, Public Works Director Steve King, Civil Engineer Laura Parsons, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Sandoval noted that public comment would be summarized due to the lengthy agenda. With the recent hostile remarks on masking requirements, she emphasized the City would continue to support local business who require customer masking as well as following the state mandates for public safety. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Fort Worden Foundation Herb Cook and Cindy Finnie President and Vice President respectively of the Fort Worden Foundation gave a brief overview of the Foundation. They read bios of the Board of the Directors and the mission. The purpose of the Foundation is raising, holding, and investing funds in an endowment and using those funds to benefit of Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Center. During Council discussion, Mr. Cook addressed questions about options for developing Makers Square, stating that partner organizations have expressed interest and there might also be a request for proposals. The Foundation is an independent public charity versus private foundation and the only staff is Dave Robison whose consulting contract ends May 31, 2021. However, they are close to finalizing an office manager position. There was an explanation of the timing of organizational changes at the Foundation as well as joint financial oversight of the Foundation and the PDA. Mr. Cook noted the tax returns of the foundation are a public record. City Council Business Meeting May 17, 2021 Page 1 of 7 Commissioner Greg Brotherton on the Homeless Campus Commissioner Brotherton spoke about ideas for a housing hub concept for the emergency housing shelter as the eviction moratorium ends, the interlocal agreement in process, and assessment on the type of partnership that might exist with the City. The intent of proposal criteria is to have low barriers of entry. There were questions about facilities and access. Ms. Sandoval agreed to provide updates to Council given her participation at Shelter and Housing Task Force meetings. Proclamation — Public Works Week Public Works Director Steve King accepted the proclamation. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment The following individuals submitted written public comment (the Clerk read summaries of the comments into the record): Zoe Cook of Port Townsend wrote about affordable housing concerns and urged Council action. Harvey Windle of Forest Gems Gallery in Port Townsend commented about the lack of response from City Council and Staff regarding the process to convert parking at Water and Adams. Mike Morrissey and the following spoke in support of a resolution by the Port Townsend Psychedelic Society. Anne Paisley of Port Townsend Niles Powell of Port Townsend Sylvia Platt Chris Nock Kris Heyting Erin Reading Mark Cooper Bruce Klanke of Brinnon Frank Rick of Quilcene Sally Gecas Suzi of Port Angeles Andy Fischer-Price Juan-Carlos Foust Kalyn Marab of Quilcene Joseph Karniewicz Stephen Mcdevitt of Port Townsend Jennifer Rotermund of Port Townsend City Manager John Mauro acknowledged the comments and said there may be related discussion of this topic at the May 24 joint meeting with the County on public safety and law enforcement. City Council Business Meeting May 17, 2021 Page 2 of 7 CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 167404 through 167408 in the amount of$136,789.92 Vouchers 167490 through 167579 in the amount of$457,747.39 Electronic Fund Transfer in the amount of$358,324.34 Approval of Minutes: May 10, 2021 Resolution 21-034 Authorizing the City Manager Execute a Utility Easement with Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Port Townsend Motion: David Faber moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED 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 gave the staff briefing for this second reading following prior discussions April 12 and May 3. Barring a referendum petition by the public, any increase the Commission recommends would be binding as of October 1. Any recommended salary decrease would begin with the new Council terms. There was no public comment. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Ordinance 3264 Establishing a Salary Commission and Adding Chapter 2.90 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Ordinance 3266 Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 13.32 Stormwater Management Requirements City Engineer David Peterson explained the required code amendments to implement the Rainier Regional Stormwater Facility program. There was no public comment. City Council Business Meeting May 17, 2021 Page 3 of 7 Motion: David Faber moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3266 Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 13.32 Stormwater Management Requirements. Ariel Speser seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3267 Adopting the Stormwater Management Mitigation Payment Program for Stormwater Flow Detention In-Lieu-Of On-Site Construction for the Rainier Regional Stormwater Facility Benefit Area Mr. Peterson presented the ordinance creating the program with an inflation of the fee over time along with the loan cost. The spreadsheet shows how the Public Works department would implement the program. A large developer has already opted into the program and there may be other developers who request to be included. There was no public comment. Motion: David Faber moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3267 Adopting the Stormwater Management Mitigation Payment Program for Stormwater Flow Detention In-Lieu-Of On-Site Construction for the Rainier Regional Stormwater Facility Benefit Area. Ariel Speser seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3268 Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 11.02 Camping, Smoking, and Vaping in Parks Public Works Director Steve King reported that Jefferson County's ordinance does not apply in the City limits without the City also amending its code. With the Parks Department enforcing parks rules, their role would be public education and not an enforcement priority. Ms. Adams, as County Board of Health City representative, noted that the desire was to bring awareness that vaping should not be occurring anywhere where children are present. During discussion, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood was consulted on adding a definition of smoking alongside the others. She explained that the common dictionary definition for smoking would be assumed. A Council suggestion was that banning camping in parks be a future discussion topic in light of the Boise legal case. Ms. Greenwood acknowledged this may merit future consideration. There was no public comment. Motion: Pamela Adams moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3268 Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 11.02 Camping, Smoking, and Vaping in Parks. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3269 Related to Building Codes; Adopting by Reference the 2018 Version of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fire Code, Uniform Plumbing City Council Business Meeting May 17, 2021 Page 4 of 7 Code, Washington State Energy Code (Commercial) and Washington State Energy Code (Residential) and Amending Chapter 16.04 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code Development Services Director Lance Bailey and new Building Official Dave Nakagawara gave a staff briefing on the code amendments that would go into effect June 1. There was no public comment. Motion: David Faber moved to approve waiving Council Rules and approving Ordinance 3269 Related to Building Codes; Adopting by Reference the 2018 Version of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fire Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, Washington State Energy Code (Commercial) and Washington State Energy Code (Residential) and Amending Chapter 16.04 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code. Ariel Speser seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Resolution 21-035 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Grant Agreement with the Transportation Improvement Board and an Interlocal Agreement with the Jefferson County Public Utilities District for the Replacement of Streetlights Mr. King gave the staff briefing on this matter recognizing the public comment received to date. The resolution would allow the ordering of the lights. The light choice 2,700K low temperature light that is able to be dimmed. The following individuals submitted written public comment (the Clerk read summaries of the comments into the record): Julie Jaman spoke in support of an LED lighting program of 2,200K or less to prevent overlighted industrial glare and its harmful effects. Linda Corbett spoke in support of LED lighting and fewer street lights. Diane Jones urged using sky saver lights and non-glare lighting and encouraging the PUD to do the same. Carol Lindcroft spoke about her experiences with LED lighting at Cass and Clay and urged figuring out the solutions before spending time and money on installation. Bill Wise commented in support of a darker night sky and using LEDs if it reduces the cost. Katherine Reed was supportive of LED lights and as many as possible. Brent Vadopalas spoke in support of reducing the number and brightness of street lights. Patrick Tompkins forwarded an article on Light Pollution from the International Dark Sky Association and urged caution in implementing a replacement program. Gail Workman and Mark Baclawski spoke in opposition of using LED lights. Forest Shomer made comments in support of LED lamps and access to a dark sky. Jack Kopald had concerns of more and/or brighter street lights and in support of street lights that are dark sky compliant. City Council Business Meeting May 17, 2021 Page 5 of 7 Mike Morrissey spoke in support of LED street lights. Sherry Southern was supportive of the Relight Washington grant and had concern about adding more street lights to residential areas. Everett Moran spoke in support of the lighting changes and forwarded dark sky articles, including one written by his sister a LED lighting advocate. Inger Rankins was supportive of a move to LED lighting and dark skies and also had concerns about lights going on and off in the dark mornings. Debbie Moran urged seeking a full IDA Dark Sky Community status. Scott Walker made comments in support of this change and encouraged action on private lighting. Mr. King agreed to provide an update on the collection of additional comment as well as comments solicited from Disability Awareness Starts Here (DASH). Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 21-035 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Grant Agreement with the Transportation Improvement Board and an Interlocal Agreement with the Jefferson County Public Utilities District for the Replacement of Streetlights. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Resolution 21-036 Approving the Design Concept for the Discovery Road Bikeway and Sidewalk Project and Authorizing Completion of Design Documents and Advertising for Construction Bids Civil Engineer Laura Parson gave the staff report following a review of the concept design presented at the last Council workshop. The detailed design for the $5,356,374 project would be finalized in June. Construction begins in the spring of 2022 and is expected to be complete by fall 2022. Staff explained the intended flexibility in the design concept. The public could request email notifications when there are web-posted project updates. Mr. King addressed questions regarding the rationale behind sidewalks on both sides, but limiting bicycle traffic to the south side. The desire was to maximize the right of way width given constraints, including retaining wall and driveway intersections. Public comment: Scott Walker spoke about 88 comments submitted one quarter of which spoke against the two-way cycle track and urged creating a 3-foot shoulder on the north side. Additional Council discussion recognized the significant effort and input on evaluating the alternatives. Comments were in favor of faster cyclists being able to pass safely and also allow parents and children to safely use the track. Ms. King said five feet is the designed width and allows people to walk side by side, although DASH recommended six feet. In designing in this physically constrained environment, the desire is to get as many people using sidewalks as possible and balancing the needs of the community. City Council Business Meeting May 17, 2021 Page 6 of 7 Motion: Ariel Speser moved to approve Resolution 21-036 Approving the Design Concept for the Discovery Road Bikeway and Sidewalk Project and Authorizing Completion of Design Documents and Advertising for Construction Bids. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Sandoval reported on the following: - Participation in Housing Task Force meetings working on the campus shelter and shelter concept; additions to the draft interlocal agreement related to the 1590 funds, and another forthcoming RFP process. - Reading a proclamation on KPTZ for Radio Port Townsend Day CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro reported on the following: - Acknowledged candidate filing week - Urged that national, state and local guidelines be followed, including masking indoors. - continued recruitment for PDA board members - May 20 Intergovernmental Collaborative Group on the subject of economic development - May 24 joint meeting with the County on public safety and law enforcement to discuss policy and issues of mutual interest - Request for federal funding for homelessness - Recognizing today is Sergeant/Police Chief Troy Surber's last day of work - Many department updates were also provided ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting May 17, 2021 Page 7 of 7