HomeMy WebLinkAbout120522CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF DECEMBER 5, 2022
CALL TO ORDER/ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Business Meeting on the 5th day of
December 2022 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David Faber called the
meeting to order at 6:30pm.
ROLL CALL
Council members present at roll call were Aislinn Diamanti, David Faber, Amy Howard,
Monica MickHager, Owen Rowe, Ben Thomas, and Libby Wennstrom.
Staff present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, Planning
and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, Director of Finance and Technology
Connie Anderson, Director of Parks and Recreation Strategy Carrie Hite, Public Works
Director Steve King, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Mayor Faber suggested moving item f. under New Business to item a. under New
Business.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Recognizing the Inherent Rights of the Southern Resident Orcas Proclamation
Mayor Faber presented the Recognizing the Inherent Rights of the Southern Resident
Orcas Proclamation to the Co -Chair of the Green Sanctuary Environmental Action Team
from Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Patrick Johnson.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment
Kevin Mason spoke about the Raccoon Lodge he built and City requirements.
Jan Ellis spoke about supporting Rights for the Salish Sea and her support for the
Racoon House.
Cliff Moore spoke about his support for the Raccoon Lodge and City requirements.
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Barney Burke spoke about the Racoon Lodge and City priorities.
Matt Kiffen spoke about the Raccoon Lodge, public way, and allegations.
Heather Nicholson spoke about her appreciation for the recognition of the Inherent
Rights of the Southern Resident Orcas.
Emelia De Souza spoke about declaring the City of Port Townsend a Human Rights
City.
Artis spoke about the lack of City involvement when the tree fell on Kevin Mason's
property.
Deborah Mattson spoke about the Raccoon Lodge and residents walking on the street.
Steve Dowdell spoke about the Raccoon Lodge and unintended consequences on
local art.
Mark Mattson spoke about lack of City involvement while Raccoon Lodge was being
constructed.
Matt Kiffen spoke about the Racoon Lodge and how it does not need a building permit.
Jan Ellis thanked City Council for the work they do.
City Staff Response
In response to Public Comment City Manager John Mauro guided public to the Q&A
on City Website. He went on to explain City staff have worked through this item in a
collaborative approach and the City wants to find a solution that works for everyone. In
addition, he explained Council does not have prosecutorial authority on this issue. He
stated he would like to find a way to get there together while also following public
safety and codes.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Approval of Minutes: November 7, 2022 November 14, 2022
Advisory Board Appointments: Fort Worden PDA, Planning Commission
Ordinance No. 3298 Fixing and Adopting 2023 Property Tax Levies for the
General Levy with a Total Increase of One Percent (1.00%), Levy of $311,548.61 of
Banked Capacity, An Increase of 14.4 Percent (14.4%) and a Voter -Approved Tax
Levy for the Mountain View Commons Capital Improvements of $150,000 for the
Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds.
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Sodium Hypochlorite Purchase for Water Quality and Wastewater Departments
Resolution 22-047 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Lease with the
Jefferson County Historical Society for Historic City Hall Space
Resolution 22-046 A Joint Resolution of Jefferson County, the City of Port
Townsend, the Port of Port Townsend and Jefferson County Public Utility District
#1, Establishing a Multi -Governmental Process for Collaborating on Issues of
Mutual Importance
Habitat for Humanity Fee Deferral
Deputy Mayor Howard recused herself from Consent Agenda vote due to her
relationship with Habitat for Humanity. Motion: Aislinn Diamanti moved to approve the
consent agenda. Libby Wennstrom seconded.
Vote: Motion carried, 6-0 with 1 abstention by voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
Ordinance 3301 Adopting the Capital Improvement Plan for 2023 through 2028.
Mayor Faber reviewed the public hearing procedures.
Mr. Mauro introduced 2023-2028 Capital Facilities Plan (CFP)
Public Works Director Steve King presented the 2023-2028 Capital Facilities Plan
which included Background -Regulatory -Why?, Background -Why?, History,
Objectives of the Plan, Public Feedback, Key Points of the Plan, and Conclusion.
Public Comment:
Written material was attached to the agenda packet.
There was no in person/virtual public comment.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Mr. King confirmed the CFP will be
reviewed every year in the budget process and takes the place of the Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP). In addition, he explained technically it can be reviewed
every two years so there may be years staff recommends skipping an update. Mr.
King shared he will be attending the Arts Commissions meeting later this month to
explain the 1 % for the Arts. He explained there is language in the document that
references 1 % for Arts and in future budgets tables he will include a 1 % for Arts line
item. Mr. King explained the City starts writing the CFP early in the year and as the
City goes through the budget process it gets updated. However, he stated there is
only one official adopting process annually at the end of the year. Mr. King explained
the CFP does not supersede the budget it is supplemental. He went on to state he
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will look into why page 103 of pdf states the year as 19 (blank). He confirmed it
would be beneficial to put a note next to City Hall section stating City Hall Chambers
is the oldest continuously operating City Hall Chambers in Washington State.
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to waive Council Rules and adopt Ordinance
3301 Adopting the Capital Improvement Plan for 2023 through 2028. Ben Thomas
seconded.
There being no further discussion, Mayor Faber closed the Public Hearing.
Vote: Motion passed unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Ordinance 3299 Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington,
for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2023
Mayor Faber reviewed the public hearing procedures„
Mr. Mauro introduced the 2023 City Manager Proposed Budget.
Director of Finance and Technology Connie Anderson presented the 2023 City
Manager Proposed Budget which included Overview, What is a Budget?, How are
City Services Funded?, Municipal Budget Fund Breakdown, 2023 Budget Fund
Summary, General Fund & Contingency Fund, General Fund Budget Summary,
Drug Enforcement/ Contingency Fund Budget Summary, Capital Funds, 2023 Key
Notes Capital Budgets, 2023 Capital Budgets General Government, 2023 Capital
Budgets Street Capital, 2023 Key Notes Capital Budgets, 2023 Capital Budgets
Water/Sewer Capital, 2023 Capital Budgets Stormwater Capital, Proposed ARPA
Allocation 2022-2024, Authorized Positions, Level of Service 2023 Position
Considerations, and Recommendations.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Anderson stated she is happy to
put the budget documents into a binder. Ms. Anderson stated the final document will
be on the Finance Department page and will be listed as the 2023 Adopted Budget.
Mr. Mauro shared there is a preliminary spot on EngagePT which will link to the
section referenced by Ms. Anderson and will stay all year.
Mayor Faber shared he was pleased with the priorities laid out in budget.
Motion: Amy Howard moved to adopt Ordinance 2299 Adopting the Budget for the
City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2023.
Monica MickHager seconded.
Vote: Motion passed unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS (NONE)
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance 3302 Adopting 2022 Supplemental #3 Budget Appropriations
Mr. Mauro introduced the 2022 Supplemental #3 Budget Appropriations.
Ms. Anderson presented the 2022 Supplemental #3 Budget Appropriations which
included projects and initiatives, Community Development code updates (consultant
work), Healthier Together Initiative, misc. appropriations and adjustments, Laurel
Shade ROW Escrow, CDBG Loan, Fire & EMS Timing, Unemployment Reserve,
and Misc. Public Works Operational Repairs and Adjustments.
In response to Council clarifying questions, Ms. Anderson stated the structural
damage to the pool was from a car accident. She explained there is insurance
money coming in to cover expenses but since the City is repairing it, we need the
expenditure. She confirmed there were two incidents where people drove into the
pillars at the pool. Ms. Anderson confirmed the Community Block Grant is a new
loan and every year in the budget the City guesses how much they will give out in
community loans for any operating needs in the Historic District. She explained the
CDBG loans generate themselves. Mr. King confirmed the Street Lighting and Tyler
Street Plaza are the partnership project with PT Main Street and most costs are
reimbursed by PT Main Street.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to waive Council Rules and approve Ordinance
3302 Adopting 2022 Supplemental #3 Budget Appropriations. Libby Wennstrom
seconded.
Vote: Motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Resolution 22-048 Related to the 2023 Annual Update to the City's
Comprehensive Land Use Plan
Mr. Mauro introduced the 2023 Annual Update to the City's Comprehensive Land
Use Plan.
Ms. Bolin presented the 2023 Annual Update to the City's Comprehensive Land Use
Plan which included history around suggested amendments. In addition, she
explained there are mandated amendments (site specific or rezones, anything time
sensitive or deficiencies identified in comprehensive plan during project review). She
explained they are working on large projects currently which includes the tactical
infill project to build residential capacity and unlock barriers for affordable, dense,
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and quality infill housing. She went on to explain the plan is to focus on public
outreach and distill it into suggested amendments which staff can use to look for
priorities and present at Joint Council/Planning Commission workshop meeting in
February. She went on to explain the City is still working on Evans Vista Project,
Shoreline Master Program and Critical Areas Update as well as other capital and
private projects. She explained the Long -Range Planner has been approved and it is
anticipated this position will be online in early Spring which is when they will need to
finish the priority housing project and look at what the suggested staff annual
amendments will be. She explained there is another opportunity before the 2025
comprehensive plan update next year where the code allows to open the docket for
suggested amendments during Phase 1.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Bolin explained she doesn't believe
they have done a new amendment since possibly 2019 but she will look into any
information related to a member of the public proposing an amendment. Ms. Bolin
explained the public can share suggestions by going to the tactical infill project,
suggestions board, and next year could potentially have periodic update and Phase
1 which involves scoping and public participation plan which gets reviewed and
ratified by Council. In addition, she suggested starting the process earlier than
December because this decision should be made before budget.
Ms. Bolin went on to state the City is close to fully changing the department name to
Planning and Community Development Department. Ms. Bolin explained the fee for
formal application is in the four -digit range. She went on to most fees do not cover
the cost of planning, but she will look into getting the exact number. She confirmed
there is a mandated Periodic Update next year which is part of the Public
Participation Plan which will launch at the same time as the initial scope
is developed and determine if the City would like to open the annual docket for a
September 2024 decision. Ms. Bolin confirmed the City would take suggestions
related to affordable housing only as part of the tactical infill project. In addition,
she explained a development code amendment could cost between $25,000-50,000.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Motion: Ben Thomas moved to approve Resolution 22-048 Related to the 2023
Annual Update to the City's Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Aislinn
Diamanti seconded.
Mayor Faber explained his excitement for doing the process this way. He shared this
is the first time since he has been on Council in which he felt the energy is going in
the right direction regarding housing and dealing with the components of the
Comprehensive Plan needing to change in order to fundamentally alter the trajectory
of housing affordably in the community. He shared he is pleased with the
intentionality and his excitement for the future.
Vote: Motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
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Resolution 22-049 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Documents
Necessary to Complete the First Phase of the Healthier Together Planning
Process
Mr. Mauro introduced Healthier Together.
Director of Park Strategy Carrie Hite presented the Healthier Together presentation
which included Purpose, Council Action Requested, Community Outreach and
Involvement, Community Engagement (Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 4-5), and
Recommendation.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Hite explained the City hasn't
launched the Community Engagement process yet, so this has not been defined.
Ms. Hite stated she will look into the edit in the MOU sentence regarding documents
provided by the YMCA and see if JCA needs to be added. In addition, she asked
for grammatical edits to be emailed to her. Ms. Hite confirmed the City will be fiscally
responsible for Phase 1.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around how old the pool is, the need for it to be fixed, the large
amount of money spent to keep the pool working, City priorities, and how this is not
just a City project.
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Resolution 22-049 Authorizing the
City Manager to Execute all Documents Necessary to Complete the First Phase of
the Healthier Together Planning Process. Owen Rowe seconded.
Vote: Motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Resolution 22-050 Authorizing the Addition of the Utility Billing/ Collection
Specialist to the City's Salary Classification Schedule and the Union Wage Scale
and Authorizing the Filling of Three Positions in the City Engineering Division
within the Available Job Classifications
Mr. Mauro introduced the Addition of the Utility Billing/ Collection Specialist to the City's
Salary Classification Schedule and the Union Wage Scale and Authorizing the Filling
of Three Positions in the City Engineering Division within the Available Job
Classifications.
Ms. Anderson presented the Addition of the Utility Billing/ Collection Specialist to the
City's Salary Classification Schedule and the Union Wage Scale and Authorizing the
Filling of Three Positions in the City Engineering Division within the Available Job
Classification. She explained the Utility Billing Collections Specialist position. She went
on to explain the recommendation is to approve the salary schedule which must be
part of the union contract to approve this position.
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In addition, she stated the Engineering division is asking for hiring flexibility. She
explained this will open all positions in salary schedule for Engineers but will only fill
three of the positions. Mr. King confirmed it does not change the FTE count. Mr. Mauro
explained this process makes it fit for purpose.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Motion: Ben Thomas moved to approve Resolution 22-050 Authorizing the Addition
of the Utility Billing/ Collection Specialist to the City's Salary Classification Schedule
and the Union Wage Scale and Authorizing the Filling of Three Positions in the City
Engineering Division within the Available Job Classifications. Aislinn Diamanti
seconded.
Vote: Motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Resolution 22-051 Updating and Providing for Planning and Community
Development Department Fees
Mr. Mauro introduced Resolution 22-051 Updating and Providing for Planning and
Community Development Department Fees.
Ms. Anderson presented Resolution 22-051 Updating and Providing for Planning and
Community Development Department Fees. She explained a previous resolution was
approved by Council a year ago which reviewed all fees updates, it included provisions
to review CPI data from the June -to -June index rate and to be able to adjust fees
accordingly on an annual basis. She went on to explain this Resolution is bringing in
front you the results of the CPI increase at the end of June resulting in 9.1 %. She
explained annually updating these fees is the fiscally responsible thing to do.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Anderson explained it must go before
Council because it is a revenue increase, and all revenue increases and rates are
brought before the public and in a public forum for Council to review. Ms.
Bolin confirmed the fees are based off the valuation of the ADU project. Ms. Bolin
explained the Building Plan Review Fees are a percentage of the total cost for the
permit. Ms. Bolin explained there is a fee deferral process and fee waivers which are
available for builders of affordable housing. Ms. Greenwood explained Council
approved a deferral in Consent and the City does have the ability to waive fees under
$500 based on certain circumstances. Ms. Greenwood confirmed the Fee Deferral
process for affordable housing is in the City Code. Ms. Bolin confirmed there is an
application on the website. Mr. Mauro confirmed the fee deferral process is not for
individuals.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
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Motion: Aislinn Diamanti moved to approve Resolution 22-051 Updating and
Providing for Planning and Community Development Department Fees. Ben
Thomas seconded.
Vote: Motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Options for City Council Healthcare Coverage
Mr. Mauro and Ms. Greenwood presented Options for City Council Healthcare
Coverage which included Background, New Information, Legality, Terms of
Participation, Alternatives, Process and Options, Emerging Principles, and
Discussion Questions.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Greenwood explained the
Washington State Health Exchange was set up under Obamacare for individual
purchase. Mr. Mauro explained there is also a set of pathways to elect to include
health coverage as a stipend in which each member could decide on their own
outside of City coverage if the process is followed to be considered as salary and
moved forward to next election.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around favoring Option B and the importance of matching to
what is already in current policies and equity with staff members. In addition, Council
discussed future Council's and if having health insurance will help their decision to
run.
Council discussed Option E and that it allows the individual to take any other option
but only comes into effect after seat is elected and whether Option B will be covered
at 50% or 85%. Discussion ensued around the length of time this topic has been
talked about and how the Washington State Health Exchange Plans are not
comparable to City health insurance, and how the money is set aside already to help
pay for City health insurance. Council discussed Option D and whether this will get
decided tonight.
Discussion ensued around not being able to get insurance unless four Council
members enroll, the difference between employees and elected officials, having a
higher coverage from the City for Council, and having Option E and Option D.
Discussion ensued around the importance of going to Salary Commission for full
benefits package.
Discussion continued around favoring Option B.
Motion: Libby Wennstrom moved to select Option B and direct the City Manager to
act on the required steps. Aislinn Diamanti seconded.
Vote: Motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
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Mayor Faber gave his Presiding Officer's Report which included the Main Street Kiwanis
Club Tree Lighting Ceremony, Judge John Hodgman Event, and Change of Council
Meeting start times.
Motion: David Faber moved to task staff to bring back whatever change to the Code is
necessary to make City Council meetings start at Spm. Monica MickHager seconded.
Vote: Motion passed unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Mauro presented the City Manager's Report which included staffing updates, Chief
Olson Best Officer of the Law 2022, staff appreciation, TIB grant, December 15 Special
Session Planning Commission Open Mic Meeting, gingerbread Housing Contest at
Library, AWC award for East Jefferson Fire Rescue, Fort Worden PDA updates,
Legislative Housing Agenda, Evans Vista update, Healthier lagether, golf Course
Stakeholder Meeting, Pope Marine Warming Shelter, and Ichikawa Sister City meeting.
SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR
STUDY SESSION
Motion: Owen Rowe moved to task Culture and Society Committee with looking into
making Port Townsend a Human Rights City. Aislinn Diamanti seconded.
Vote: Motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Discussion ensued around Deer Management presentation at the December 12
Workshop and the Infrastructure and Development meeting being canceled on
Wednesday. In addition, Council discussed the Raccoon Lodge and suggested Council
member Thomas as Council liaison to brief the Arts Commission about the Racoon
Lodge and the Donation policy and process.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Deputy Mayor Howard announced she will be attending an AWC board meeting on
Friday.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:51 pm.
Attest:
City Clerk
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