HomeMy WebLinkAbout071122CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING OF JULY 11,
2022
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Council members present at roll call were Aislinn Diamanti, David Faber, Monica
MickHager, Owen Rowe, Ben Thomas, and Libby Wennstrom. Amy Howard was
excused.
Staff members presenter were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi
Greenwood, Public Works Director Steve King, Planning and Community Development
Director Emma Bolin, Chief of Police Tom Olson, Building Official Dave Nakagawara,
and Director of Finance and Technology Services Connie Anderson
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Crystal Rogers spoke about the ice cream van coming into the City of Port Townsend,
Josie Markwick spoke about the ice cream van bringing children joy and questioning
why there is an ordinance against it.
Mr. Mauro responded to public comment by stating that this topic was brought to the
City's attention recently and has been taken as a policy recommendation to take to full
council. He explained they will need to go back and research the policy and its history.
He shared the topic is on the policy suggestion board and may be advanced into the
2023 workplan.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Suggestion Box and Workplan Review
Mr. Mauro explained the City has committed to doing a quarterly review of the workplan
with status updates. He reviewed the 2022 workplan status review (Partnership,
Participation, Proactive (Financial) Sustainability, Performance, Priority Projects,
Additional Departmental Priority Projects).
In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. Mauro shared they will have a Financial
Oversight Meeting tomorrow and he has asked the PDA board chair when they will
report out to Council but has not received a response yet. Chief Olson shared his plan
for completing the Path to Accreditation and Strategic Planning tasks and the barrier of
low staffing. In addition, he explained the type of accreditation the City is aiming to
Council discussed being pleased with the new format for the Capital Improvement
Project Status list.
Rights of Way Use
Mr. Mauro introduced the topic by stating that it is complicated and asked to focus on
what policy change could be.
Mr. King shared a presentation on the City of Port Townsend Rights of Way- Principles
and Background for Discussion which included plat widths, pre platted nature of
community, vacated right of ways, code enforcement being guided by Resolution 10-
002 directing priorities following 1997. Ms. Bolin shared the City does not have a large
log of right of way complaints. Building Official Dave Nakagawara shared the right of
way complaints are resolved mostly through education.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. King explained the adjoining property
owns the land underneath the right of way generally to the center line. He went on to
explain the real property affixed to that property which is not part of City infrastructure
system is the responsibility of property owner to maintain, however if it is installed by the
City and it is not identified by specific Code or state law then it would typically fall on the
City. Mr. King went on to say in Port Townsend the City has exercised their values
through Plans and Codes for right of way and public benefit and use. Mr. King shared
that a trail is a form of development, the City will contact property owners to fix issues of
vegetation over sidewalk, and the City does mow some roads however they have
received negative feedback and are in discussion about changing this. Mr. King
explained what drives right of way width, and T9 standard.
Public Comment:
Rick Jahnke spoke about parking in relation to affordable housing and lot sizes.
Meg Lotus asked about getting access to a lot if the entrance is fully landscaped.,
Scott Walker spoke about the non -motorized plan, housing and uses for the right of way
as well as 40% of land being a right of way.
Council discussed right a ways, fencing, utilizing space for affordable housing and
gardening.
Mayor Faber explained permitting structures in right of way will significantly reduce the
ability to use the land for alternative public purposes and expressed he is not in favor of
idea.
Council member Rowe suggested considering changes and possibility through the
comp plan revision.
Council member Wennstrom explained the importance of thinking in the future but also