HomeMy WebLinkAbout062121 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF JUNE 21, 2021
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 21 st day of June 2021
in the Council Chambers. Mayor Michelle Sandoval called the meeting to order at
6:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were Pamela Adams, Amy Howard, Monica
MickHager, Owen Rowe, Michelle Sandoval, and Ariel Speser with David Faber
excused.
Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, and City Clerk Joanna
Sanders,
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were none.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION — PORT HADLOCK SEWER
Jefferson County Commissioner Kate Dean, Robert Wheeler Project Manager of the
Port Hadlock UGA Sewer Project, and Monte Reinders Public Works Director/County
Engineer gave a presentation about their progress on the Port Hadlock Wastewater
System. They provided descriptions of the treatment system, reviewed the project
schedule, and costs and funding.
The County responded to a wide variety of questions. It was recognized that a
cooperative agreement may be needed with the City to process County solids from
the wastewater treatment process. While it is standard to have a mandatory
connection requirement, they have not yet made this determination and hope to
provide incentives. They spoke about the potential growth in housing and additional
commercial services. A rate study is contained within the sewer facility plan and it has
not yet been determined who would bear the cost of disconnecting septic systems.
There were also questions about changes to land use requirements for vacant land
for commercial and residential buildout and the boundaries in the sewer facility plans
related to future water needs for projected long-term growth. Mr. Reinders noted the
Phase I boundary mirrors the 2008 sewer facility plan. They also explained the Public
Infrastructure Fund (PIF) Land use requirements and how they might change was
also addressed. In reviewing the classifications of zoning for residential and minimum
lot size. What has been spent to date on the PIF fund, PIF is used to pay off bonds
and loans of$3.5million (which staff said was roughly used for property purchase,
sewer design work, groundwater studies at reuse site, and sewer facility plan.) Once
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PH becomes a UGA and has higher level of service, would Hadlock and Irondale want
to become a City of their own.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment
The following individuals submitted written public comment (the Clerk read
summaries of the comments into the record):
Julia Cochrane spoke about the eviction moratorium and urged sending a letter to
the Governor requesting an extension.
Jaime Jaynes requested lifting certain adult entertainment permit requirements
related to her new downtown business.
Jane Nelson urged making improvements to the MountainView dog park versus the
one at Chetzemoka Park.
Sarah Frankel had concerns on the homeless camp at the fairgrounds.
City staff response
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Vouchers 167580 through 167584 in the amount of$132,572.40
Voucher 167662 through 167667 in the amount of$307,555.99
Voucher 167668 through 167671 in the amount of$680.65
Voucher 167672 through 167745 in the amount of$189,790.38
Electronic Fund Transfer in the amount of$20.95
Approval of Minutes: May 3, May 17, and May 24, 2021
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve consent agenda as written. Pamela
Adams seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance 3270 Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 2.20 Office
Hours
Finance Manager Tony Hillman gave the staff briefing as outlined in the agenda bill
on a proposal for reduced hours of operation for being open to the public from 9 to
4. When asked about adding a federal holiday of Juneteenth and making that
amendment. Staff noted that the federal holiday does not go into effect until next
year, but would be addressed in the future. A potential to limit services access to
services was mentioned and Staff indicated they would monitor and track. There
was some concern about limiting access to the public.
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Motion: Pamela Adams moved to approve waiving Council Rules and approve
Ordinance 3270 Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 2.20 Office
Hours. Owen Rowe seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
Resolution 21-049 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Economic
Development Interlocal Agreement with Jefferson County, The Port of Port
Townsend, Jefferson County Public Utilities District No. 1, and Economic
Development Council Team Jefferson
City Manager John Mauro reported that the intent on this agreement already
approved by the other jurisdictions is to collaborate across municipalities and
include metrics for reporting as part of the revised scope of work. He distinguished
between the work of the Intergovernmental Collaborative Group and Team
Jefferson.
There were questions about how is the funding structure different. Port, PUD had
not previously participated and funding previously provided to the Chamber for
housing the economic development functions in their office, the City was not billed,
Public sector cabinet was explained as connecting to the long-term nature of
government beyond the traditional governmental agencies. There was interest in a
level of accountability.
Additional comments were curious about the work of the EDC, including outreach
such as on projects such as the Howard and Rainier Street subarea plan. It was
noted that the EDC has been active in the community in many ways and has
worked well as not being too political. With a focus on housing and the broader
framework. Several EDC studies and community measurement tools were
mentioned as tools to judge successful community efforts.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Resolution 21-049 Authorizing the
City Manager to Execute an Economic Development Interlocal Agreement with
Jefferson County, The Port of Port Townsend, Jefferson County Public Utilities
District No. 1, and Economic Development Council Team Jefferson. Owen Rowe
seconded.
Vote. motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
Council Committee Assignments
Mayor Sandoval reported there would be no change to the Committee assignments
for Finance and Budget or the Rules Committee. Assigned to the Culture and
Society Committee were Councilmembers Adams, Rowe and Speser and assigned
to the Infrastructure and Development were Councilmembers Faber, Sandoval and
Howard.
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Mayor Sandoval communicated the request from Port Townsend Friends Meeting to
join the growing list of mayors to sign a Mayors for Peace registration to abolish
nuclear weapons. The cost of$26/year would be paid for by the Friends group.
There was no opposition to accepting the annual gift.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Mauro provided a verbal report, including department updates.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Ms. Speser noted that regarding the eviction moratorium, the Jefferson County Pro
Bono lawyers would provide assistance for anyone facing foreclosures as does the
Northwest Justice Project. Regarding Jaime Jaynes adult entertainment business, she
asked for a review of the City Code through the InBox process or by staff.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, MMC
City Clerk
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