HomeMy WebLinkAbout091123 City Council Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2023
CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALL
The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Session on the 11th day of September
2023 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David Faber called the meeting to
order at 6:00pm.
Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Amy Howard, Monica MickHager,
Aislinn Palmer, Owen Rowe, and Ben Thomas with Libby Wennstrom excused.
Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood,
Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin , Public Works Director
Steve King , People and Performance Director Cynthia Shaffer, Communications and
Marketing Manager Shelly Leavens, Library Director Melody Sky -Weaver, and City Clerk
Alyssa Rodrigues.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA)
Viki Sonntag spoke about Evans Vista and affordable housing.
Jim Scarantino spoke about Mayor Faber's social media posts and consultant costs.
Stephen Schumacher spoke about project costs and tax increases.
In response to Public Comment City Manager John Mauro explained priorities for City,
AMI for Evans Vista, need for longer conversation, process for projects. In response to
Public Comment Mayor Faber explained his social media presence.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Facilitated Workshop and Discussion about our Community's Assets
Mr. Mauro introduced the Facilitated Workshop and Discussion about our
Community's Assets which included introducing the facilitator, Maggie Chumbley. In
addition, Mr. Mauro introduced People and Performance Director Cynthia Shaffer.
Ms. Chumbley provided the presentation which included Introduce Appreciative
Inquiry, practice applying it, reflect on what it makes possible for our council work,
think of a time we helped steward a win for our community, and What did we hear
about the helpful conditions for success?.
Council and staff discussed a time when they helped steward a win for the
community and what they heard about the helpful conditions for success.
The presentation continued with Appreciation Inquiry, a problem centric paradigm,
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shift focus from problems to strengths, Peter Drucker quote, 4D Approach to
Appreciative Inquiry, The Power of Positive Questions, Powerful questions help us
uncover our strengths, value, and the best of what we are, and the questions we ask
shape our reality.
Council and staff discussed what questions they might ask, how often they take the
time to evaluate their own strengths?, What is the proportion of Appreciative vs.
Deficit thinking that they use in their regular City Council discourse? How does it
feel?, and What does an appreciate approach make possible?.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around how to handle negative feedback.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:31 pm.
Attest:
Alyssa Rodrigues
City Clerk
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