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HomeMy WebLinkAbout081621 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF AUGUST 16, 2021 CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 16th day of August 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, Public Works Director Steve King, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, City Engineer David Peterson, Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell, Finance Manager Tony Hillman, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA It was noted that the published agenda was amended to include New Business Item F. Appointment of Financial Sustainability Task Force members. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Joost Besijn spoke about concerns regarding the Bayside Housing LUP21-051, Public Comment (written remarks were included in the Council packet): Jeff Taylor spoke about fire preparation in Port Townsend related to the Quimper Wildlife Corridor in Cappy's Trails. Sarah Clark spoke about concerns about activities at the Jefferson County fairgrounds. City Manager John Mauro clarified the Planning Department has a formal public comment process where the full record of comment is being collected pertaining to the Bayside housing project. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 168033 through 168033 in the amount of$300 Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of$274,041.18 Vouchers 168034 through 168039 in the amount of$735.79 City Council Business Meeting August 16, 2021 Page 1 of 6 Authorizing the City Attorney to execute all documents necessary to resolve Jefferson County Case No. 21-2-00104-16 per the outlined terms Motion: David Faber moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ordinance 3271 Related to Engineering Design Standards; Adopting Standards for Street Lighting; Replacing the Interim Regulations Adopted in Ordinance 3255 City Engineer David Peterson reviewed Council's requested changes to Ordinance Exhibit A from the prior meeting regarding the priority for installation of street lights under 5(c). There was no public comment. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Ordinance 3271 Related to Engineering Design Standards; Adopting Standards for Street Lighting; Replacing the Interim Regulations Adopted in Ordinance 3255. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 21-051 Suspending Utility Shut-Offs, Late Fees and Penalties until December 31, 2021 Finance Manager Tony Hillman gave the staff report on this fourth extension of the moratorium. In response to questions on whether any funds are left in the utility donation program, Mr. Hillman indicated $1,100 has been disbursed to customers with roughly $7,000 remaining. Although donations can still be made, he recommended considering forwarding these funds to those agencies already providing broader assistance (St. Vincent DePaul and OlyCap). Mr. Hillman noted that one large overdue bill has been resolved and staff also reaches out to those past due customers to offer assistance. When asked if Council action is needed by the City in order to get funds to St. Vincent DePaul where more customers in need are likely to access the assistance, Staff recommended this matter come back before Council for formal action. There was no public comment. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Resolution 21-051 Suspending Utility Shut-Offs, Late Fees and Penalties until December 31, 2021. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting August 16, 2021 Page 2 of 6 Resolution 21-052 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Donation Agreement for Traffic Calming on Washington Street Public Works Director Steve King recognized the last meeting of outgoing City Engineer David Peterson. Mr. King gave the staff report on this project including authorization to accept a donation through a community GoFundMe campaign. Once the funds are received, the more permanent improvements would be made, Council questions to which staff responded were regarding concerns about anonymous donations, whether this action sets forth the correct procedure for other neighborhoods to follow, and whether tree roots growing in the roadway could become an issue. Although it was recognized this project is underway, there was concern about the special engineering required for such a project and future proposals coming to Council from neighborhoods who can pay without an equitable process for other areas of the City. Mr. King acknowledged the Comprehensive Streets Program would be the future mechanism. There was no public comment. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Resolution 21-052 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Donation Agreement for Traffic Calming on Washington Street. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 21-053 Authorizing the City Manager to Submit Grant Applications to Jefferson County and Execute a Surface Transportation Block Grant Program Grant Agreement if Awarded Mr. King reported the resolution would ensure the City can apply for funding associated with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) roundabouts at Mill Road and Kearney when applications for grant funding are solicited. He responded to questions about the improvements to be achieved from the $433,000 in funds versus the second priority project and noted Council previously authorized STBG funds for the Discovery Road project. Council asked about fund balances in the street fund reserves versus real estate excise tax (REET). Finance and Administrative Services Director Nora Mitchell reported REET funds used for debt payments are higher than expected. Any REET fund balance could be used for many possible projects to be considered during the budget process. Some discussion ensued and questions of the prioritization of the listed projects such as Lawrence Street pavement. It was noted that lack of facilities for pedestrians and cyclists in the roundabout project was a priority because of the leverage of WSDOT funding. There was no public comment. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 21-053 Authorizing the City Manager to Submit Grant Applications to Jefferson County and Execute a Surface Transportation Block Grant Program Grant Agreement if Awarded. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. City Council Business Meeting August 16, 2021 Page 3 of 6 Resolution 21-054 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Services Agreement with the Olympic Peninsula YMCA to Operate the Mountain View Pool in an Amount not to Exceed $400,000 Per Year Mr. King gave the staff report as detailed in the agenda bill. The YMCA believes they can assist with the program while the City focuses on the facility allowing continued operations during a two year interim period until the City can identify sustainable funding. During Council discussion, Mr. King indicated the YMCA felt they could improve pool revenues. There was some Council concern about the structure and facility itself and the need for broader community support, partnership, and community discussions to address pool end of life issues as well as bigger parks issues, including the golf course. There was Council support for a suggestion that the agreement should address any catastrophic issues that might arise during the contract period. Public Comment (written remarks were included in the Council packet): Jefferson Aquatic Coalition Board spoke in support of the outsourcing proposal with the YMCA. Nan Evans urged entering into a services agreement with the YMCA. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 21-054 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Services Agreement with the Olympic Peninsula YMCA to Operate the Mountain View Pool in an Amount not to Exceed $400,000 Per Year. Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Briefing on Proposed Code Amendments as Recommended by the Planning Commission Development Services Director Lance Bailey reviewed the four proposed housing code amendments to PTMC Chapter 17 (Zoning) as as follows: 1) Habitat for Humanity's zero lot line duplex structure housing with common wall construction, 2) staffs recommended elimination of the definition of"garden shelters"; 3) a reduction of the minimum lot size within a Planned Unit Development from 3,000 to 2,000 sq. ft., and 4) Planning Commission recommended revision to the definition of"child care"/day care facilities. Council discussion ensued on issues arising from the structures not meant for habitation, projects that fall under the Planned Unit Developments, accessory structures such as a garden and/or a shed prior to building a house, and allowing for the term "adult day care/day services" to better explain the uses. There were questions about accessory dwelling units (ADUs) being sold separately from the main house to create more housing on the same amount of lot coverage. Mr. Bailey recommended the topics of density and infill as well as possible changes to development patterns would be the next issues to address. Public Comment: Rick Jahnke speaking for himself)versus as Planning ommission member) recommended adding language in parenthesis (may include services as "adult day City Council Business Meeting August 16, 2021 Page 4 of 6 services") even though listed under child care. Jamie Maciejewski of Habitat for Humanity spoke in support of Zero lot line changes. Richard Berg also spoke in support of the code changes on zero lot line as well as the other changes The following individuals provided written public comment: Bill Wise spoke in support of the community working together to address the housing shortage. Margaret McGee spoke in support of proposed code changes to allow more affordable types of housing. Carla Main spoke in support of code changes to address the lack of workforce housing. Appointment of Financial Sustainability Task Force members - Catharine Robinson, Earll Murman, John Nowak, Richard Jahnke, and Troy Surber for a term to last until August 2022. City Manager John Mauro provided the briefing on the appointments and indicated it may be possible to appoint a nonvoting student member from the Port Townsend School District in the future. Ms. Mitchell recognized there would be a delay in beginning the work with this body. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Appointment of Financial Sustainability Task Force members - Catharine Robinson, Earll Murman, John Nowak, Richard Jahnke, and Troy Surber for a term to last until August 2022. Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Sandoval reported on the challenges with hybrid meeting and in-person Council attendance given increasing Covid numbers. There was Council support for meeting remotely for the next few months. Mr. Mauro recommended reevaluating the in-person component for the September 7 meeting. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Mauro reported on Department Updates. He announced that Council has considered in executive session entering into a purchase and sale agreement on property the location of which has not yet been disclosed pending feasibility. The amount is within his purchasing authority and is for infrastructure in support of affordable housing using State infrastructure funding. Motion: David Faber moved to approve authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a purchase and sale agreement of real property for an affordable housing development up to the City Manager's authorized limit of$10,000 for earnest money. Pamela Adams seconded. Vote. motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Monica MickHager opposed. City Council Business Meeting August 16, 2021 Page 5 of 6 Mr. Mauro also reported the City leadership team provided input into the North Olympic Development Council five-year comprehensive economic development strategy for Jefferson/Clallam counties. The collection of ideas for new legislative initiatives, included better solutions for achieving Open Public Meetings Act requirements, mental health emergency response provisions, and a local option income tax. EXECUTIVE SESSION — PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110 (1)(1)(111) LITIGATION OR LEGAL RISKS OF A PROPOSED ACTION At 8:41 p.m., Council recessed into Executive Session for 30 minutes pursuant to the following: RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)(iii). At 9:11 p.m., Council came back into open session. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:11 p.m. Attest: Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk City Council Business Meeting August 16, 2021 Page 6 of 6