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Home My WebLink About02222022CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 22, 2022 CALL TO ORDERIPLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on the 22nd day of February 2022 in the Council Chambers. Mayor David Faber called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Aislinn Diamanti, David Faber, Amy Howard, Monica MickHager, Owen Rowe, Ben Thomas, and Libby Wennstrom. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Public Works Director Steve King, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Library Director Melody Sky Weaver, and City Clerk Joanna Sanders. There were none. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA SPECIAL PRESENTATION Proclamation — Reading Month Library Director Melody Sky Weaver accepted the proclamation. Proclamation — Black History Month Melody Sky Weaver made comments about books and Library programming associated with Black History Month. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment The following individuals provided written public comment (Clerk included the comments in the meeting record): Judy Alexander spoke in favor of updating the Temporary Encampment code provisions to allow more longevity. Richard Conrad spoke in favor of expanding the time period for the Temporary Tent Council Business Meeting February 22, 2022 Page 1 of 5 Encampment at Pat's Place. Jon Pinnow urged the expansion of streateries uptown similar to those downtown. Harvey Windle spoke about his concerns about downtown parking. Robert Gray urged creating a parking pass to be sold along with large public events. Robin Ornelas urged preserving the poplars. Darlene Schanfald spoke about spending City funds on poplar tree removal and urged trimming versus removal. Larry Eifert spoke against removing the poplars as a cultural resource and as included in the Gateway Plan. Melinda Bryden and Ron Hayes spoke in support of cutting down the poplar trees along Sims Way. Rachel Ganapoler spoke in opposition to cutting the poplar trees. Lois Venarchick urged preserving the poplar trees. Sheri Suryan spoke in opposition of cutting the poplar trees. Julia Cochrane spoke about concerns with new housing developments not being designed as affordable as well as urging action on extending the Temporary Tent Encampment ordinance. Jaisri Lingappa urged extending the time for public comment on the Madrona Ridge development. Peter Bonyun spoke about his concerns that the Madrona Ridge development has not had sufficient public comment. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 169119 through 169202 in the amount of $605,328.60 Approval of Minutes: January 18, February 7, and February 14, 2022 Approval of the Election of Richard Knight as Chair of the Civil Service Commission for an Additional One -Year Period Approval of the Election of Jacqueline Mention as Chair of the Library Advisory Board for an Additional One -Year Period Resolution 22-010 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute All Necessary Agreements for the Purchase of an Excavator and Street Sweeper in a Collective Amount not to Exceed $160,000 Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve the consent agenda as written. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Council Business Meeting February 22, 2022 Page 2 of 5 Resolution 22-011 Accepting the Possible Dedication of Six Acres Along Rainier Street for Stormwater Retention, Wetland Preservation, and Open Space Public Works Director Steve King gave the staff presentation consistent with the agenda bill. It is not yet known whether the development would be approved, including the dedication. The City's obligation is to respond to the application consistent with City Code and is unable to add conditions such as to require multi -family housing or higher density. There was no public comment. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Resolution 22-011 Accepting the Possible Dedication of Six Acres Along Rainier Street for Stormwater Retention, Wetland Preservation, and Open Space. Amy Howard seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 22-012 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Willamette Cultural Resources Associates to Perform a Cultural Resources Survey in an Amount not to Exceed $20,000 Steve King gave the staff report and addressed questions about the budget and commitment of staff resources which would be absorbed and/or be included in the supplemental budget. There was no public comment. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Resolution 22-012 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Willamette Cultural Resources Associates to Perform a Cultural Resources Survey in an Amount not to Exceed $20,000. Ben Thomas seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 22-013 Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for a Highway Safety Improvement Grant Civil Engineer Laura Parsons gave the staff report. Input was solicited from Council on ranking and prioritizing of the three projects. There was no public comment. Motion: Amy Howard moved to approve Resolution 22-013 Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for a Highway Safety Improvement Grant with the presented rankings of the 19th Street Corridor Safety Study (#2- including an extension of the study area by one block to include Grant Street), Sheridan and Discovery/19th Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements (1), and the San Juan, Spruce, and Admiralty Pedestrian Improvements (3). Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Council Business Meeting February 22, 2022 Page 3 of 5 Motion to Recognize the Stakeholder Committee Membership and Support Their Efforts in the Sims Way Gateway Project Technical Analysis The following individuals provided written public comment (Clerk included the comments in the meeting record): Rick Jahnke spoke in support the formation of a task force. Jodi Blanchard also spoke about the cutting of the poplars and asked about the cutting timeline. Steve King presented the staff report on the proposed stakeholder group. It was clarified that the planned structure for receiving public comment is through the Parks, Recreation, Tree and Trail advisory board with their next meeting on April 26. He noted the stakeholder group would not meet until a consultant is hired. It was confirmed that the other entities would also wait on their portions of the project for the public process. Council comments were that the stakeholder group might receive the comments by Rick Jahnke to consider. There was also an urging to treat City volunteers with respect given the contentious public opinion in opposition to each other. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve recognizing the stakeholder committee membership and support their efforts in the Sims Way Gateway project technical analysis. Aislinn Diamanti seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor David Faber reported assisting John Mauro with his presentation on the State of the City at the Chamber of Commerce. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro gave a staff report including the following: - Changes in City policy given the Covid omicron surge - Early morning construction traffic at the Seventh Haven development - East Jefferson Fire and Rescue 150 year anniversary and strategic planning process - Recent Bell Tower landscaping - State of the City report at the Chamber of Commerce lunch - Department updates SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Monica MickHager recommended adding to the suggestion board exploring an inclusionary zoning ordinance, adding to housing requirements for new developments an electric vehicle charging station, and implementing a small scale pilot project for paid Council Business Meeting February 22, 2022 Page 4 of 5 parking. Ben Thomas recommended adding off-street parking minimum requirements, and extending temporary tent encampments ordinance. Mayor Faber and Aislinn Diamanti suggested adding general upzoning, including increasing zoning density limits, revisiting accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations to consider allowing two ADUs, and reviewing the multi -family detached code amendments. John Mauro said he would review these items against the City's work plan and they would be added to the suggestion board. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m. Attest: aJXA,,-, Joanna Sanders, MMC City Clerk Council Business Meeting February 22, 2022 Page 5 of 5