HomeMy WebLinkAbout010322 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF JANUARY 3, 2022
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 3rd day of January
2022 in the Council Chambers. Deputy Mayor David Faber 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, Aislinn Diamanti, Ben Thomas, and Libby Wennstrom.
Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi
Greenwood, City Engineer Laura Parsons, Water Treatment Plan Operations
Manager Bliss Morris, Public Works Director Steve King, and City Clerk Joanna
Sanders.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: MAYOR AND DEPUTY MAYOR
City Clerk Joanna Sanders called for nominations from the floor for the position of
Mayor.
Aislinn Palmer nominated David Faber. There were no further nominations. The vote
was called and David Faber was elected Mayor by unanimous voice vote, 7-0.
Mayor David Faber asked for nominations from the floor for the office of Deputy
Mayor. Libby Wennstrom nominated Amy Howard. Monica MickHager nominated
herself. By roll call vote of 6-1 via email Amy Howard was elected Deputy Mayor.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were none..
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
The following individuals provided written public comment (Clerk included the
comments in the meeting record):
Nancy Jamieson spoke in support of affordable housing related to Resolution #21-084
passed December 20, 2021.
Duncan Kellogg spoke in support of affordable housing related to Resolution #21-084
passed December 20, 2021.
Tobi McEnerney spoke in support of affordable housing related to Resolution #21-084
passed December 20, 2021.
Peter Russo spoke about concerns over his dog.
Andrea Hegland spoke about her formal complaint against the City regarding the
proposed removal of the Sims Way poplars.
City Council Business Meeting January 3, 2022 Page 1 of 4
The following individuals also made comment:
Andrea Hegland asked for community involvement regarding the poplars. Mr. Mauro
acknowledged the remarks.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Vouchers 168859 through 168942 in the amount of$396,672.89
Electronic Fund Transfers in the amount of$27,176.96
Approval of Minutes: December 20, 2021
Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Monica
MickHager seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 22-001 Authorizing the City Manager to Submit a Permit
Application for Coverage Under the Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit,
Apply for Department of Ecology Grant Funding for a City Wastewater
Treatment Plant Analysis, and Amend the RI-112 Engineering Contract to
Include a Nutrient Analysis in the General Sewer Plan Update
Public Works Director Steve King gave the staff report on the recommendation to
seek a grant for a nutrient analysis of the City's wastewater treatment plant and
amend a contract to include the analysis in the General Sewer Plan update.
Water Treatment Plan Operations Manager Bliss Morris spoke about additional
testing and collection of nutrient data on the plant. He addressed questions about
monthly monitoring and the cost of monitoring. The grant is primarily to study what
the City needs to do to reduce its nutrient load. Other permits needed are a
Mitigated Determination of Nonsignificance (MDNS).
There was no public comment.
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Resolution 22-001 Authorizing the
City Manager to Submit a Permit Application for Coverage Under the Puget Sound
Nutrient General Permit, Apply for Department of Ecology Grant Funding for a City
Wastewater Treatment Plant Analysis, and Amend the RH2 Engineering Contract to
Include a Nutrient Analysis in the General Sewer Plan Update. Libby Wennstrom
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Resolution 22-002 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Donation
Agreement with Wildflower Landscaping for Landscaping at the Bell Tower
City Council Business Meeting January 3, 2022 Page 2 of 4
Mr. King reviewed the agenda materials related to accepting a donation agreement
for landscaping improvements to make the area leading to the Bell Tower more
attractive.
There was no public comment.
Mr. King addressed questions and spoke about Staff coordinating with the
neighbors.
Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Resolution 22-002 Authorizing the City
Manager to Execute a Donation Agreement with Wildflower Landscaping for
Landscaping at the Bell Tower. Aislinn Diamanti seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Local Road Safety Plan Briefing
City Engineer Laura Parsons gave a briefing summarizing the findings of the Local
Road Safety Plan. She and Mr. King addressed questions about the accident data,
the mitigation plan, and replacing streetlights with roundabouts such as at the
Kearney Street intersection. Regarding Group 3 not being listed in the report, Staff
agreed to request the consultants add to the plan a traffic calming or speed
reduction section. There were questions about how staff planned to incorporate
comments and suggested revisions from Local 20/20 Transportation Lab (T-Lab).
There was no public comment.
When asked about the timeline Mr. King noted the plan would be given to the
Department of Transportation. The next step for Council would be for the City to
accept the grant.
Council Committee Assignments
City Manager John Mauro led a discussion of the Council Committee assignments.
Until the Mayor has formal recommendations, it was suggested that newly elected
Councilmembers fill the same seat left by the former Councilmember in the same
position (Ben Thomas for Michelle Sandoval, Aislinn Diamanti for Ariel Speser, and
Libby Wennstrom for Pam Adams). This matter would likely come back before
Council to confirm appointments on January 18. Committee requests should be
sent to the Mayor by Friday,
There was no public comment.
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve filling the vacant Council Committee
and Outside Committee Assignments positions with newly elected Councilmembers
until another roster is established. Owen Rowe seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
There was none..
City Council Business Meeting January 3, 2022 Page 3 of 4
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Mauro gave a verbal report on department status and accomplishments for the
year, stating that a formal report would be completed in March.
SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR
STUDY SESSION
There were none.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Welcome to new Councilmembers Diamanti, Thomas, and Wennstrom.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
Attest:
Joanna Sanders, MMC
City Clerk
City Council Business Meeting January 3, 2022 Page 4 of 4