HomeMy WebLinkAbout032723 City Council Special Session Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE R SESSION OF MARCH 27, 2023
CALL TO ORDER/ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in a Special Session Business Meeting on the 27th
day of March 2023 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David Faber called
the meeting to order at 6:00pm.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Aislinn Diamanti, Monica
MickHager, Ben Thomas, Owen Rowe, Libby Wennstrom, and Amy Howard.
Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Planning and Community
Development Director Emma Bolin , Public Works Director Steve King , City Attorney
Heidi Greenwood , Planning Manager Judy Surber, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Ordinance 3306 Related to Increasing Residential Building Capacity; Amending
Titles 17, 18, and 20 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code
City Manager John Mauro introduced Ordinance 3306 Related to Increasing
Residential Building Capacity; Amending Titles 17,18 and 20 of the Port Townsend
Municipal Code.
Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin and Planning Manager
Judy Surber provided the Ordinance 3306 presentation which included 2023
Housing Code Amendments, Long Range Planner starting in next two weeks,
Comprehensive Plan amendment, and first phase of periodic update of 2025
Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Bolin went on to explain changes made after first reading
of Ordinance 3306, recommended motion, and adding the authorization of staff to
correct any inaccurate citations.
Ms. Bolin reviewed changes made from first reading.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Bolin explained the Tiny House on
Wheels community no longer has the porch requirement, maximum cottage density
per lot discussed previously, increasing maximum lot coverage forADU's to 45%
being achievable for R-1 and R -II and could be added in changes for tonight but
cautioned reserving R-1 increases for comprehensive plan amendment.
Kat Murphy spoke about the importance of mandating affordable housing and
personal rental experience.
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Liz Revord spoke about proposed amendments being helpful for housing options,
HSN recognizing work of city staff, community engagement, looking forward to next
phase, celebration of community, and small wins to enact big change.
Jamie Maciejewski spoke about being thankful for amount of work done by city staff,
big wins, tools for Habitat for Humanity, and encouraged development of
comprehensive affordable housing plan.
Rick Jahnke spoke about encouraged approval of ordinance, Ordinance 3200, no
affordable units built through process in Ordinance 3200, and the importance of
addressing all available strategies for housing challenges.
Discussion ensued around minimum lot size for cottage housing.
Motion: Libby Wennstrom moved to amend the table in Exhibit N to show R-111 also
have a 5,000sf minimum lot size. Owen Rowe seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Discussion ensued around R -II maximum lot coverage increasing up to 45%, future
development of ADU, and deed restriction process.
Motion: David Faber moved to amend the R-11 maximum lot coverage for
development with ADU's to 45%. Monica MickHager seconded.
Discussion ensued around stormwater with R-1.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Discussion ensued around Tiny Houses on Wheels and if electricity precludes solar,
health codes regarding utility connections for Tiny Houses on Wheels and
permitting.
Motion: Libby Wennstrom moved to amend Exhibit Z in 17.58.030 subitem C to be
re written to read "C. Utilities. Tiny Houses on Wheels shall be connected to
municipal utilities as required by City and State Law". Amy Howard seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Mayor Faber discussed housing affordability, next phase, guarantee affordable
housing is built in Port Townsend, H131110, challenges around building four-plexes,
market challenges, housing providers to do more with land for less money, target
working community, and appreciation for staff.
Discussion ensued around development pressure, challenges around local funding
and bonding, shortage of builders, Long Range Planner, importance of community
showing up, tasking Planning Commission with looking at affordability as next
highest priority and setting up next phase.
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Motion: Aislinn Diamanti moved to approve Ordinance 3306 Related to Increasing
Residential Building Capacity, Amending Titles 17, 18, and 20 of the Port Townsend
Municipal Code and authorize staff correct any inaccurate citations as amended.
Amy Howard seconded.
Discussion ensued around a scrivener's error on pg. 23 of Exhibits to state, "Private
space shall create a sense of privacy..." instead of "Private space shall to create a
sense of privacy..."
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
Poet Laureate
Mr. Mauro introduced the Poet Laureate program.
City Attorney Heidi Greenwood introduced Nhatt Nichols and Lindsay Wayland from
the Arts Commission. Ms. Greenwood introduced the Poet Laureate program and
proposal. Ms. Nichols and Ms. Wayland provided the Poet Laureate presentation
which included, resiliency, pilot program, Small Kindnesses poem, more connectivity
amongst people in community with Poet Laureate, other people's experiences with
Poet Laureates in other towns, explore if literary arts position is sustainable and
viability program for Port Townsend, inspired by program, work done to create
program, excitement in community, Copper Canyon Press, excitement around poetry,
civic third place, and Arts being an essential way to relate between civic bodies and
general populous.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Nichols and Ms. Wayland confirmed
the Poet Laureate would be paid out of next year's budget and Mayor appointed Poet
Laureate.
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around appreciation for Arts Commission for their work on Poet
Laureate and proposal, well laid out proposal, and excitement for next year's Poet
Laureate.
Motion: Ben Thomas moved to authorize the Mayor to appoint a Port Townsend Poet
Laureate, as recommended by the Port Townsend Arts Commission, for calendar year
2024 Owen Rowe seconded.
Discussion ensued around the good work done with Poet Laureate proposal and
appreciation for Small Kindnesses poem.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
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Ms. Greenwood explained the Arts Commission recommends Council member
Thomas as the member of City Council to the Selection Panel.
Mayor Faber appointed Council member Thomas as the member of City Council to the
Selection Panel.
Year End Financial Report
Mr. Mauro introduced the Year End Financial Report.
Finance and Technology Services Director Connie Anderson presented the Year End
Financial Report which included the Revenue vs. Expense Summary for the Period
Ending December 31, 2022.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Ms. Anderson explained regarding
Fire/EMS she would need to look into why it was budgeted the way it was, and
Custodial/Refundable deposits are related to construction hold backs.
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around appreciation for Ms. Anderson answering questions, look
at strategic projects that could use reserves, Financial Sustainability/Council
Workshop, paid off debt, transparency, color coding of financial reports, and staffing
level concerns.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:34pm.
Attest:
Alyssa Rodrigues
City Clerk
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