HomeMy WebLinkAbout112023 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF NOVEMBER 20, 2023
CALL TO ORDER/ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Session on the 20th day of November
2023 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David Faber called the meeting
to order at 6:01 pm.
ROLL CALL
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
, Finance and Technology Services Director Connie Anderson , People and
Performance Director Cynthia Shaffer, Chief of Police Tom Olson , Public Works
Director Steve King , Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin , and
City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were no changes to the agenda.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Officer Swearing In
Chief of Police Tom Olson swore in Officer Juan Vallejo.
City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included Kearney
St, Zero Emission Cooperative Launch, Lawrence St Test Block, Housing,
Intergovernmental Collaborative Group, Comprehensive Plan, Healthier Together, and
Golf Contract.
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Public comment
Julia Cochrane spoke about the Winter Welcoming Center.
Stephen Schumacher spoke about Transportation Benefit District and tax.
Debbie Jahnke spoke about Electric Vehicle Presentation/Ribbon Cutting and public
transit.
City Staff Response
In response to Public Comment staff explained flexibility of core needs, Transportation
Benefit District (TBD) fact sheet, Comprehensive Streets, funding, transportation types,
and ADA Accessible.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Approval of Minutes: October 9, 2023, October 16, 2023
Resolution 23-054 Setting the Time of a Public Hearing Regarding the Vacation of Fifteen -
Foot -Wide Strip of Cass Street Adjoining the Grace Lutheran Church Property
Facility Rental Fee Waiver for the Winter Warming Shelter at Pope Marine
Authorize the City Manager to amend the Professional Service Contract with L&L
Enterprises for the Library Restroom Remodel Project to an Amount Not To Exceed
$90,000 and Execute Other Contracts Needed to Complete the Construction.
Motion: Aislinn Palmer moved to approve the consent agenda. Owen Rowe seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
Preliminary Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending
in December 31, 2024.
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Mayor Faber reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedure.
Mr. Mauro introduced the Preliminary Budget for the City of Port Townsend,
Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2024.
Finance and Technology Services Director Connie Anderson presented the Preliminary
Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending
December 31, 2024 which included previous discussions, 2024 Proposed Budget Fund
Summary, Transportation Benefit District, Banked Capacity, RCO Grants, Equipment
Replacement Reserves, tax timeline, Seed funding, Forecast, Salary Schedule and FTE
Count, Compensation Policy and Salary Schedule, Policy Considerations, Debt
Management Policy, and Electronic Funds Policy.
Council member Wennstrom arrived at 6:38pm.
Ms. Anderson continued her presentation which included the Purchasing Policy Matrix,
Authorizing FTE Changes by City Manager, 2023 Salary Schedule, and Code changes.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained Council monthly stipends,
Library Fund and Financial Sustainability.
Mayor Faber closed the public testimony portion of the Hearing.
Discussion ensued around Purchasing Policy, and street equipment.
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3325 Adopting
the Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending
December 31, 2024. Ben Thomas seconded.
Mayor Faber closed the Public Hearing.
Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Ordinance 3324 Fixing and Adopting 2024 Property Tax Levies for the General and Library
Levy with a Total Increase of One Percent (1.00%) and a Voter -Approved Tax Levy for the
Mountain View Commons Capital Improvements of $150,000 for the Unlimited Tax
General Obligation Bonds
Mayor Faber reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedure.
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City Manager John Mauro introduced Ordinance 3324.
Ms. Anderson presented Ordinance 3324 Fixing and Adopting 2024 Property Tax
Levies for the General and Library Levy with a Total Increase of One Percent (1.00%)
and a Voter -Approved Tax Levy for the Mountain View Commons Capital Improvements
of $150,000 for the Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds which included How
Property Tax Works in Washington, State Max Rate, Taxable Property Valuations,
Property Tax Detail, City of Port Townsend Levy Rates 2019-2024, and 2022 for 2023
Property Tax Recommendation.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Mayor Faber closed the public testimony portion of the Hearing.
Discussion ensued around Washington property state tax system.
Motion: Owen Rowe moved waive Council rules and approve Ordinance 3324 Fixing
and Adopting 2024 Property Tax Levies for the General and Library Levy with a Total
Increase of One Percent (1.00%) and a Voter -Approved Tax Levy for the Mountain View
Commons Capital Improvements of $150,000 for the Unlimited Tax General Obligation
Bonds Libby Wennstrom seconded.
Discussion ensued around clear illustration of where property taxes go and what 1 %
means.
Mayor Faber closed the Public Hearing.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (NONE)
NEW BUSINESS
Compensation and Salary Survey Presentation
Mr. Mauro introduced the Compensation and Salary Survey Presentation.
People and Performance Director Cynthia Shaffer, Ms. Anderson, Mr. Mauro, and
Public Sector Personnel Consultants President Matthew Weatherly presented the FY
2023 Compensation Study presentation which included Project Scope, Salary Survey
Notes, Additional Survey Notes- Illustration, Salary Survey Highlights- Non -Rep, Salary
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Survey Highlights- Represented, Pay Plan Updating, Goals, Internal Equity, and Step
System.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around the importance of paying appropriately, transparency,
internal equity, and consistent structure.
Motion. Monica MickHager moved to approve the 2024 Salary Grade Range and
Compensation Policy and amending the Personnel Policy Manual. Amy Howard
seconded.
Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Capital Budget Presentation
Mr. Mauro introduced the Capital Budget Presentation.
Public Works Director Steve King presented the Capital Budget Presentation which
included Forecasting and Projecting, history, Capital Funds, categories, budget sheets,
General Governmental Capital, Streets Capital, Water/Sewer Capital, Stormwater
Capital, Arts Commission allocation line item, and Project Managers.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained standpipe coating.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Council discussed 1 % for Art, Pink House, old pictures, and budget packet.
Ordinance 3326 Related to Public Utility Taxes and Amending Port Townsend Municipal
Code Section 5.84.030
Mr. Mauro introduced Ordinance 3326.
Ms. Anderson presented Ordinance 3326 Related to Public Utility Taxes and Amending
Port Townsend Municipal Code Section 5.84.030 which included history, portion of tax
sunsetting, request to extend, streamlining process, General Revenue, General
Receipts, proposal, 2015 meeting minutes, and utilization of dollars.
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In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained argument for Utility Tax,
Property Tax, Percentage of properties in City not paying property taxes, #3 in
Ordinance, and having no sunset date.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around 1.5% on General Fund history, end date vs. no date on tax,
date being for whole Utility Tax, rates, looking at costs in another way, costing money to
bring back, 1% property tax increase, political decision, tax system needing to be fixed,
bringing item back, tax equity issues, Community Services staffing, maintaining staff
discussion, capital gains tax, and budget development process.
Motion: Aislinn Palmer moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3326 Related to
Public Utility Taxes and Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Section 5.84.030
including the amendment to strike item #3 of recitals. Amy Howard seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Evans Vista Pro Forma, Final Design, and Next Steps
Mr. Mauro introduced the Evans Vista Pro Forma, Final Design, and Next Steps.
Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, Ron Thomas, Principal,
and Amos Callender, Associate Principle and Project Manager„ Thomas Architecture
Studios, Richard Berg„ Local Architect and Morgan Shook, Director and James Kim,
Project Manager, Econorthwest provided the Evans Vista Master Plan Pro Forma and
Final Design which included What We Have Heard, Tonight's Request, Project
Schedule, Meetings & Outreach, Site Plan- Recap, Conceptual Renderings, What the
Master Plan Considers, Evans Vista Neighborhood Development Feasibility Analysis
Findings, Evans Vista Process, Project Goals, Housing and Affordability Goals„ Goals:
How Much Would it Cost to Live Here?, Conceptual Uses, Starting point, analyze
without subsidies, What Would it Cost Today to Build This?, What are the housing
prices today? What are "market" prices today, Does it "Pencil"?, A Short Time Ago,
Federal Reserve Responds by Raising the Cost of Borrowing, Housing is Highly
Sensitive to Interest Rates, Would it Pencil Today?, Return to Pre -Pandemic
Conditions?, Interest Rates Will Stay High for Several Years, Timing of Development is
Challenging, Implications for RFP and Land Disposition, Time for Additional Pre -
Development, Options for Near Term Actions, Case for Affordability Housing with
LIHTC: Summary, City: Evans Vista Technical Advisory Group, Next Steps, Flexibility in
Master Plan, Phasing Example, and Next steps... Strategies and Timelines.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff and consultants explained ratio of
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rental/ownership, rental to condo ownership transition model, selling underlying land,
AMI number, podium style construction reasoning, and developer selection.
Public Comment:
Jane Armstrong spoke about baseline without costs.
In response to Public Comment staff and consultants explained costs included in
number.
Council discussed recommended action, Council involvement, and moving forward,
Motion. Ben Thomas moved to approve Exhibit A, the final site design for the Evans
Vista Master Plan so the Project Team can apply for subdivision entitlements. Aislinn
Palmer seconded.
Discussion ensued around Washington Department of Commerce having staff posted
on their website, new housing being expensive, and the importance of preparing.
Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
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Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included Golf Course Lease
timeline.
Motion. Owen Rowe moved to authorize the extended timeline. Libby Wennstrom
seconded.
Motion: Owen Rowe amended his motion to bring the Golf Course Lease back in
December. Libby Wennstrom seconded.
Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Mayor Faber continued his Presiding Officers Report which included Chambers
Upgrade in January and upcoming December meetings.
SESSION,STUDY
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Deputy Mayor Howard asked about adoption of AWC legislative agenda or adopting
City of Port Townsends own legislative agenda at upcoming meeting.
Council member Rowe reported out on Port Townsend Film Studio meeting.
Deputy Mayor Howard reported out on 150th Anniversary Proclamation at First
Presbyterian Church.
Mayor Faber reported on previous pool meeting and appreciation for community and
staff attendance.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9-.36pm.
Attest:
Alyssa Rodrigues
City Clerk
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