Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout100322CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF OCTOBER 3, 2022 ROLL CALL The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Business Meeting on the 3rd day of October 2022 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David Faber called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. Council members present at roll call were Aislinn Diamanti, David Faber, Owen Rowe, Ben Thomas, and Libby Wennstrom. Amy Howard was excused. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, Director of Finance and Technology Services Connie Anderson, Accounting Manager Karen Taylor, Director of Parks and Recreation Strategy Carrie Hite and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Proclamation for Arbor Day Mayor Faber presented the Arbor Day Proclamation to the Chair of the Parks, Recreation, Trees, and Trails Advisory Board Debbie Jahnke and declared October 23, 2022, as Arbor Day. Proclamation for Mental Health Awareness Week Mayor Faber presented the Mental Health Awareness Week Proclamation to NAMI Jefferson County Program Manager Val Phimister and declared October 2-8, 2022, as Mental Health Awareness Week. Proclamation for East Jefferson Fire Rescue Anniversary Mayor Faber presented the East Jefferson Fire Rescue Proclamation to Fire Chief Bret Black and declared October 8, 2022, as the 150th Anniversary of Fire and EMS Services in the City of Port Townsend. October 3, 2022 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 8 East Jefferson Fire Rescue Grant Mr. Mauro introduced the East Jefferson Fire Rescue Grant. Chief Black explained the Communication Assistance Referral Education Services (CARES) program. He shared the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) has the Alternate Response Team grant which will allow them to do a CARES pilot program. He went on to explain that only cities are allowed to apply for the grant and requested if the City would serve as the host agency for the grant. Mr. Mauro explained because there is no match requirement Council action is not required. In response to Council's clarifying questions Chief Black explained the grant is only a 6 -month performance period but there are discussions about funding these on a long- term basis. He went on to explain Poulsbo is funding the health side of their program from other city revenue sources and the fire department is funding it from the fire side. Fort Worden PDA Annual Report Mr. Mauro introduced the Fort Worden PDAAnnual Report. Executive Director of Fort Worden Public Development Authority David Timmons presented the Annual Report which included Code Requirement, PreseR,ing a National Historic Landmark, Heritage Land Acknowledgement, A State Park and Lifelong Learning Center 'Together, The Goals and Mission Remains Unchanged, Fort Worden PDA Business Planning History, A Unique and Special Place: Lifelong Learning Center, Onsite Program Partners, Longevity and Creativity, Summary of Significant Accomplishments, List of Depositories Used, Summary of projects and activities to be undertaken during the current year, List of Board and Bond Officials, Other Matters and Financial Plan per PTMC 2.84.140, Campus Management is an Existential Threat, The Solution, Recognizing Challenges and Risks, The Listening Phase, Capital Facility Phase, Capital Facility Funding Opportunities Pending, and Business Operating Plan Phase. Council agreed to move the 2022 Fort Worden City Council Report to a future meeting for further discussion. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Katie Davis Court spoke about Mayor Faber's history of inappropriate and controversial tweets and whether he believes they are a good representation of an elected official. Amy Sousa spoke about safety and boundaries for women and girls. Julie Jaman spoke about gender identity, safety for women and girls, August 15 protest, and Advisory Committee. Grace Rosen read aloud a poem titled, "We are Unity in our Community". October 3, 2022 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 8 Allison Hedlund spoke about vaccine injuries and read aloud an abstract by Russell Blaylock. Bethel Prescott spoke about insults and safety in regard to people assuming she is transgender. Anna Wolf spoke about the history of transgender people. Hannah McFarland spoke about how advocating for women and girls' privacy does not mean she is transphobic. City Staff Response No City Staff response was made.. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: June 13, 2022, August 15, 2022, September 19, 2022 Appointment: Russell Hill to Parks, Recreation, Trees and Trails Appointment: David Tolmie to Library Advisory Board Council Member MickHager stated on the August 15, 2022 minutes under Supplemental Budget Ordinance 3294 the dollar amount should be $2,755,388 not $,755,388. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to adopt the consent agenda with the amendment to the August 15, 2022 minutes. Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: Motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (NONE) There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS Revenue Estimates and Department Budget Requests Mr. Mauro introduced the Revenue Estimates and Department Budget Requests. Ms. Anderson introduced new Accounting Manager Karen Taylor, October 3, 2022 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 8 Ms. Anderson presented the 2023 Budget- Estimated Revenues and Department Expenditures Requests which included an Overview, Coordinating Efforts and Timescales, 2022 Estimated Fund Level Summary, 2023 Fund Level Summary, 2023 Revenue Estimates, General Fund Budget Detail and Summary, 2023 Department Request, Level of Service- 2023 Staffing, and Level of Service- 2023 Position Considerations. In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Anderson explained the Marketing Director is also the Communications Director and the position will come out of the General Fund with some dollars coming out of Lodging Tax, but it needs to go through the Advisory Committee. In addition, she explained this position does have to do with tourism and the next time this information will go out publicly will be at the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. Mr. Mauro explained they will be discussing this kind of item at the October 10 workshop. Ms. Anderson continued her presentation which included Plans that Work Together, Strengthen our Financial Position, and Debt Analysis- Strategic One -Time use of Funds Options Table. In response to Council's clarifying question Ms. Anderson explained if they chose Option B it will keep the City well within the appropriate range for revenue requirement and currently the General Fund without ARPA money in it is at 23.3% at the end of 2023 which is well above 15% of revenue requirement. She went on to explain the projected ending fund balance for 2022 is $5.3 million and that includes some ARPA dollars. Ms. Anderson continued her presentation which included the Budget Schedule: Preparing the 2023 Budget. In response to Council's clarifying questions Mayor Faber explained the Council Reserve dollars and its history but is unsure of its status. Ms. Anderson explained she is not positive what the Council Reserve balance is but will get that information. She went on to explain there are dollars that have been put into Council budget for Council training and the upgrade to Council Chambers is not in the Council budget. Ms. Anderson continued to say the Mayor and Council percentage increase reflects adding additional benefits, but the number needs to be scrubbed, the Finance department percentage increase is because they are fully staffed, as well as there being a change in budgeting for the Public Experience Liaisons. In addition, she shared the City Clerk percentage increase reflects restructuring and staff changes. Public Comment: Viki Sonntag spoke about her support for funding the Planning and Development Services Long Term Planner in preliminary budget. Discussion ensued around how well the presentation was laid out, support for Option B, excitement for Long -Range Planner, using banked capacity and a 1 % tax levy. Council discussed wanting more information about the Marketing/Communications Director position in the future. Council continued to discuss if Option A were chosen could the additional funds be used to purchase new equipment based off staff recommendation and asked for a list. Council member Thomas went on to say he is in favor of Option B unless there is something that can leverage effective work for the City with Option A. Mayor Faber shared he is in favor of 1 % property tax levy and using banked October 3, 2022 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 8 capacity. He went on to say he is in favor of Option B and shared the possibility of medium risk issue of potential recession. He went on to say he believes the risk is low enough at this point. He shared his excitement for the Long -Range Planner and Public Information Officer. He went on to say the Marketing role is not something he wants to see money spent on; he asked if there is a way to conceptualize it as tendentially related to tourism as opposed to it being marketing and will learn more about it later. Ms. Anderson thanked Mayor Faber for his explanation of the medium risk and explained what would happen if a recession hit. She also noted she is not suggesting using the entire reserve balance per policy. Ordinance 3296- Notice of Residential Rent Increase and Amending the Port Townsend Municipal Code Title 9 and Adding a New Chapter 9.60 Residential Rent Increase Notice Ms. Greenwood introduced and explained Ordinance 3296. Council member Rowe asked if there needs to be two readings of the ordinance because it is a new chapter of Code. Ms. Greenwood stated it does not require a second reading. Public Comment: Viki Sonntag spoke about her appreciation for Council acting in a timely manner. She went on to ask about a lack of reference to a period in which these increases are allowed and asked what is to prevent a landlord under current working of ordinance from stacking monthly rent increases. Mayor Faber explained putting a limit on number of rent increases per year would violate RCW 35.21.830 which imposes a statewide preemption on any form of rent control. Discussion ensued around landlords stacking percentages. Ms. Greenwood explained the main thing that would stop that would be a long-term lease because of a lease provision. Council went on to discuss the ordinance fosters a better relationship between tenants and landlords. They went on to explain the ordinance is not to make it so a landlord cannot raise rent but because of the low vacancy rental market in Jefferson County it allows tenants more time to find a new home. Motion: Libby Wennstrom moved to waive Council Rules and adopt on first reading Ordinance 3296 Notice of Residential Rent Increase and Amending the Port Townsend Municipal Code Title 9 and Adding a New Chapter 9.60 Residential Rent Increase Notice. Ben Thomas seconded. Vote: Motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Community Health and Wellness Center Briefing October 3, 2022 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 8 Mr. Mauro introduced the Community Health and Wellness Center Briefing. Parks and Recreation Strategy Director Carrie Hite presented the Community Health and Wellness Center Briefing which included the Purpose, Project Overview, Project Background, Milestones, Community Outreach and Involvement, Community Engagement, and Recommendation. In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Hite shared being cautious about making the project a center for all things, she explained Jefferson Healthcare is interested in having the center incorporate preventive medicine in some capacity, but she is unaware if the project will encompass mental health services and if it did, they would need to engage other partners that are familiar in that area. She went on to explain looking at multiuse center options, but she explained it is difficult to combine parks and recreation and showering/homeless day center. She shared they could look at the hours to accommodate everyone. Public Comment: Jane Armstrong spoke about appreciation for the City bringing forward a framework as a proposal, JeffCo Aquatic Coalition being a partner organization, and the need and support for the Community Health and Wellness Center. David Hero spoke about his involvement in the MakeWaves Project and the pool maintenance status, mental health in regard to physical activity and importance of having an activity center so locals have something to do. Discussion ensued around the need to rebuild the pool and the importance of having the right entities at the table. Council discussed their appreciation for how the process is structured and how ambitious the plan is. City Manager Compensation Mayor Faber explained the City Manager Compensation and shared Mr. Mauro has not received performance increases since he was hired. Mayor Faber went on to say the contract states, "the City of Port Townsend shall increase the City Managers salary dependent upon performance review" he continued on to say he has received no increase in 2021 despite having a significantly positive performance review and stated he failed to bring this up as part of his review at beginning of the year. Mayor Faber went on to explain the details of pay are in agenda packet but explained the City Manager will receive a 10% performance increase to $189,297.00 per year, a one-time retention incentive which will be paid back if City Manager were to quit prior to year from now, a vehicle allowance increases of $100 per month, and 12 -month severance pay if City Manager were to be fired. Mayor Faber went on to explain elected officials get paid less, shared the salaries of other City Managers in Washington State, and explained Mr. Mauro will be the fourth highest paid public executive in Jefferson County. Council discussed the effective date of new pay being the next pay period. Public Comment: No public comment was made October 3, 2022 City Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 8 Discussion ensued around support for Mr. Mauro's pay increase. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to authorize the Mayor to sign a contract amendment with the proposed changes and amend the upper range of the salary schedule to reflect this change. Aislinn Diamanti seconded. Vote: Motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Faber explained he will be attending a roundtable event at the Port of Port Townsend with Senator Maria Cantwell to talk about economic development. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Mauro provided the City Manager's report which included welcoming Accounting Manager Karen Taylor, hiring updates, streets restoration and repair, launch of Envision Golf Course Stakeholder group, Electric Vehicle Expo and City's involvement with electric vehicles, North Olympic Development Council updates, Farmers Market wrap up, Under the Tent, Bike Walk and Roll Panel, International City Council Managers Association, Senator Maria Cantwell, and strong staff partnerships between Port and City. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Council member MickHager asked to add City Council Health Benefits to next business meeting. Mr. Mauro explained there is a lot of background material that needs to be researched by HR and Finance before information can be brought forward to Council for a vote. He went on to share he will discuss with Mayor to get on agenda this year. Council member Wennstrom explained they need to make benefit decisions by December 15 and hopes this can move forward in a timely fashion. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Council member MickHager thanked Mayor Faber for what he does as Mayor, she is happy to support him in representation of Council and believes he is a strong human being. ►111611RIL, There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:11 pm. October 3, 2022 City Council Business Meeting Page 7 of 8 Attest: City Clerk October 3, 2022 City Council Business Meeting Page 8 of 8