HomeMy WebLinkAbout010824 City Council Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF JANUARY 8, 2024
CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALL
The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Session on the 8th day of January
2024 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, Monica MickHager, Owen Rowe,
Ben Thomas, and Libby Wennstrom with Aislinn Palmer, and Amy Howard excused.
Staff members present were City Attorney Heidi Greenwood , Planning and Community
Development Director Emma Bolin , Parks and Recreation Strategy Director Carrie Hite ,
City Manager John Mauro , Public Works Director Steve King , Communications and
Marketing Director Shelly Leavens , People and Performance Director Cynthia Shaffer ,
and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues .
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA)
Public comment was made.
Council member Palmer arrived at 6:02pm.
In response to public comment staff explained details of pool reports.
Discussion ensued around sending Council a copy of the report discussed and explained
it is on the website.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Policy Suggestion Board, 2023 Workplan Review, and Quarterly 2024 Workplan
Overview
City Manager John Mauro, Planning and Community Development Director Emma
Bolin, People and Performance Director Cynthia Shaffer, Communications and
Marketing Director Shelly Leavens, Parks and Recreation Strategy Director Carrie
Hite, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood, and Public Works Director Steve King provided
the Policy Suggestion Board, 2023 Workplan Review, and Quarterly 2024 Workplan
Overview presentation which included Overview, Strategic Workplan: 7 Priority
Areas, 2023 High -Level Review, 2024 Workplan, Comprehensive Plan Process and
Timeline, Engagement Survey, Communications and Marketing goals, Parks and
Recreation Strategy priorities, Legal priorities, Public Works priorities, Policy
Suggestion Board, and What's Next- we've got this.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained definition of
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engagement, engagement participation strategy, previous policy suggestion board
items, and public safety update.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment,
General Sewer Plan and Rate Impacts
Steve King, Shelly Leavens, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations Manager Bliss
Morris, Project Managers Andre Harper and Tyler Johnson, Streets, Stormwater, and
Sewer Collections Operations Manager Brian Reid, Financial Solutions Consulting
Group Chris Gonzales and Devin Tryon, and RH2 Engineering Consultant Dan
Mahlum presented the General Sewer Plan Sewer and Stormwater Rate Study
Focused Policies Discussion which included Introductions, Context (3 -Yr Process to
Update the General Sewer Plan, Sewer Utility, Stormwater Utility, Sewer and
Stormwater Rate Ordinance), Workshop Objective (Focus on General Sewer Plan
and Rates, Much to Cover in this Workshop, General Sewer Plan Background, Video
Sharing our Sewer System, General Sewer Plan (Drainage Basins, System
Backbone), General Sewer Plan- Assessment Key Findings, General Sewer Plan -
Planning (Distribution of Growth, Special Study Area -Mill Road Area, Flow and
Loading Growth), General Sewer Plan- Key Policies Chapter 5, General Sewer Plan -
Planning WWTF Key Dates (Years), General Sewer Plan Thinking Long Term,
General Sewer Plan- Capital Plan Chapter 10: Table 10-3, and Rates and Charges
Financial Solutions Consulting Group.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained Chinese Gardens
Lagoon, County Solid Waste Transfer Facility, population equivalent calculation,
Urban Growth Area swaps, timing of City strongly encouraging density, how many
miles of piping the City has, owning land across the street from current Waste Water
Treatment Plant , pump parts at Monroe Lift Station, and grants risks.
Mayor Faber was excused at 7:40pm.
Mayor Faber returned at 7:43pm.
Financial Solutions Consulting Group consultants Chris Gonzalez provided the 2023
Sewer and Stormwater Rate &SDC Update presentation which included Agenda,
System Development Charge (SDC) Analysis, System Development Charges
(SDCs), SDC Survey (3/4" Single -Family Connection), Options to Promote
Attainable Housing Through SDCs, Case Study: City of Oak Harbor, WA, Expected
Occupants by House Size, Scaled Sewer SDC Alternative Based on Home Size,
Utility Financial Plans, Utility Ratemaking Methodology, Utility Policy Assumptions,
Recommended Policy Changes, Operating Forecast, Sewer Financial Plan, Sewer
Capital Needs Forecast, Sewer Rate Revenue Requirement, Long -Term Forecast:
Sewer Utility Reserves, A Tale of Sewer Rate Forecasts, Stormwater Financial Plan,
Stormwater Capital Needs Forecast, Stormwater Rate Revenue Requirement,
Sample Bill Comparison (3/4" Single -Family@ 3,000 Gallons), Promoting
"Affordable" Rates, How Can We Evaluate Rate Affordability?, Alternative
Affordability Assessment: AR20, Affordability Assessment, A More Reasonable
Goal..., and Summary of Recommendations.
In response to Council's clarifying questions consultant and staff explained size
meter in comparison to single family home, incentives, rate increases at other cities,
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impact of density and infill on curve, being proactive in investments, and cut off for
low-income discounts.
Staff continued their presentation which included Schedule, Policy Setting Rates,
Policy Low Income Qualifications, Policy Debt Issuance- Revenue Bonds, Policy
Connection Fees- Lower Debt, Policy Connection Fees -Options, Policy Expanding
Sewer System, Policy Stormwater and Urban Forestry, Policy Utility Tax, and Policy
How to Mitigate Financial Impacts?
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained staff time for low-income
discount program, scale options, and SDC and rates.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around Urban Forestry charge, next steps, Chapter 11 and 5,
Ecology next steps, February I&D Committee, reaching out to staff with questions,
1993 treatment plant price, rate increases now, housing density development, and
population projection growth.
Council Committee Reports
Council member MickHager provided the Finance and Budget Committee report
which included not having a meeting.
Council member Palmer provided the Infrastructure and Development Committee
report which included the same topic as discussed tonight, Comprehensive Plan
Update, Urban Forestry Plan, and interim Parking Ordinance.
Council member Rowe provided the Culture and Society Committee report which
included the upcoming topic of Ceasefire Resolution, launch of the Equity, Access,
and Rights Advisory Board applications process, and Public Comment form.
Council member Rowe explained there will be an upcoming Lodging Business Mixer
Council member MickHager questioned if there will be an upcoming Finance and
Budget Committee.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:17pm.
Attest:
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Alyssa Rodrigues
City Clerk
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