HomeMy WebLinkAbout090721 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 7th day of September
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, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There was no Council objection to moving the Approval of the Fort Worden Public
Development Authority's private placement/sale of debt to Kitsap Bank as the first
item under New Business.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Proclamation — Eat Local Month
Kellie Henwood, Program Coordinator for the WSU Regional Small Farms Program
accepted the proclamation.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment
(Clerk Note: The following individuals provided comment on the Bayside Tent
Encampment application. The application is being processed as a Type II land use
permit. All comments are for Council information only and have been forwarded to
Development Services. The Director's decision will include a response to comments
and all comment letters will be included as an Exhibit. The Director's decision,
anticipated by the end of the month, may only be appealed by applicants or parties of
record to the hearing examiner in accordance with PTMC Chapter 1.14):
Libby Palmer
Peter West
Aleah Lawrence-Pine
Deborah Stinson
Scott Rosekrans
Sarah Grossman
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Annette Huenke
Gretchen Sleicher
Thomas Buell
Jamie Elsbury
James Schultz
Lane Lindberg
Jane Patrick
Linda Egan
Scott Campbell
Peter von Christierson
Bill Testerman
Tess Taft
The following individuals provided general public comment (written remarks were
added to the meeting record):
Celine Santiago of the Port Townsend Preservation Alliance supporting housing code
changes to PTMC Chapter 17.
Martha Trolin and Libby Atkins spoke about work on housing by Justine Gonzales-
Berg and Kellen Lynch of the Jefferson Community Foundation.
Carol McCreary spoke in support of proposed housing code amendments in Chapter
17.
Barbara Morey spoke in support of code amendments to permit increased building of
duplexes and family housing.
Charles Cannon spoke in support of passed Resolution 21-052 for Traffic Calming on
Washington Street.
Carolyn Woods supported zoning code changes promoting affordable housing.
Deborah Pederson spoke in support of the proposed zoning code changes.
Richard Berg supported the proposed zoning code changes.
Eileen Baratuci spoke in support of more housing solutions.
Harvey Windle spoke about the need for parking enforcement and about rain
gardens.
Jim Golden spoke in support of the proposed zoning code amendments.
Those individuals providing additional public comment were:
Charles Law speaking in favor of a study for encouraging food waste composting.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Vouchers 168040 through 168129 in the amount of$132,620.94
Vouchers 168135 through 168209 in the amount of$406,668.30
Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of$1,184,038.58
Approval of Minutes: August 2, 2021
Motion: David Faber moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Pamela
Adams seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
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NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 21-055 Authorizing the City Manager to Award and Sign all
Contracts for Construction of the Gaines Street Pump Station Within the City
Budget
Public Works Director Steve King gave the staff report on the recommended award
of the contract in order to reconstruct the critical sewage facility. He addressed that
the fiberglass structure would provide 30 years of longevity.
There were no public comments.
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Resolution 21-055 Authorizing the
City Manager to Award and Sign all Contracts for Construction of the Gaines Street
Pump Station Within the City Budget. David Faber seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Resolution 21-056 Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Partial Release of a
Utility Easement in the Southerly 15 Feet of Property of the Phoenix Addition
Block 2 Lots 1 & 16
Mr. King gave the staff report as written in the agenda bill, noting an error in the
agenda bill although the language in the resolution is correct. When asked if there
is an associated street vacation of the 20th Street right of way, Mr. King confirmed
this is only a release of that easement.
There was no public comment.
Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 21-056 Authorizing the City
Manager to Sign a Partial Release of a Utility Easement in the Southerly 15 Feet of
Property of the Phoenix Addition Block 2 Lots 1 & 16. Ariel Speser seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Approving the Fort Worden Public Development Authority's private
placement/sale of debt to Kitsap Bank
City Manager John Mauro gave the staff report on the PDA's request and explained
the Financial Oversight Committee supported the private placement.
Fort Worden Public Development Authority Board Chair David King provided
Council with a detailed briefing on restructuring, scope of refinancing existing bond
debt, and future cost sharing arrangements. Addressing Council questions, he and
Interim Director David Timmons explained the debt refinancing page and the three
funds that need to be restored (glamping, energy efficiency, and restoration).
There were Council questions about the documents provided by the PDA and
specifically what responsibility the City given a dissolution of the PDA. Mr. Timmons
responded that the ultimate responsibility for settling PDA accounts would be the
responsibility of the City. When asked when the financial audit would be complete,
Mr. Timmons indicated it does not appear anything new has been discovered that
City Council Business Meeting September 7, 2021 Page 3 of 5
was not already presented to the auditors, but once the PDA completes 2019 and
2020, they recommend proceeding with the annual audit and the audit report is still
several weeks out from being completed. The restoration bond would be used to
restore money for those project operations.
Mr. King said once the private placement of debt is complete to restore capital, the
PDA would be able to begin to address the next issue. He admitted more work is
needed with the partners, including State Parks, Makers, the Foundation, and
hospitality to identify and quantify the debts.
There were questions and concern about Makers Square Foundation responsibility
for debt repayment without discussions with those foundation partners. Mr.
Timmons noted that debt service would begin in 2023 (state parks, makers square
payments) and the PDA hopes to establish a capital reserve fund to provide support
until payments begin.
Council requested the two public comments received after the deadline be read into
the record:
Theresa Shea had concerns and requested delaying the decision until more public
comment was received.
Mark Blatter spoke about his concerns about $2.13 million in debt.
During Council deliberation, there was uncertainty about the revenue from rentals
or Makers Square if the projects are delayed. Given the Foundation is not
connected to the PDA, there was also concern about the repayment plan and
entering into leases.
Motion: Pamela Adams moved to approve the Fort Worden Public Development
Authority's private placement/sale of debt to Kitsap Bank. David Faber seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
Mayor Sandoval reported on the following:
-Attendance at Housing Task Force and Joint Oversight Board
- Attendance the BOCC meeting today to voice support for Dr. Allison Berry's
mandate on showing vaccination cards at restaurants and bars as well as support for
Conservation Futures tax funding in support of the Quimper Wildlife Corridor
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager John Mauro provided a briefing on reported on the following:
- Grief counseling resources over the loss of a staff member
- Mask mandate
- PT MainStreet provided their half year update
- East Jefferson Fire Rescue Chief Brett Black's participation in Brewocracy Now
- Department updates
EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110 (1)(1)(111) LITIGATION OR
LEGAL RISKS OF A PROPOSED ACTION
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At 8:14 p.m., the Council recessed into Executive Session for 30 minutes with no
action to follow.
At 8:39 p.m., the Council came back into open session.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m,
Attest:
Jost ria Sanders, MMC
City Clerk
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