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Home My WebLink About120423 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF DECEMBER 4, 2023 CALL TO ORDER/ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Session on the 4th day of December 2023 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David Faber called the meeting to order at 6:02pm. Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Amy Howard, Monica MickHager, Aislinn Palmer, Owen Rowe, Ben Thomas, and Libby Wennstrom. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro , Finance and Technology Services Director Connie Anderson , Public Works Director Steve King , Parks and Recreation Strategy Director Carrie Hite , Communications and Marketing Manager Shelly Leavens , Facilities and Parks Manager Michael Todd , Contract Attorney Kendra Rosenberg, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Faber suggested moving the Closed Session from Item VII to Item IV. CLOSED SESSION — PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.140 (4)(B) POLICE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS (APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES) Mayor Faber stated the Council members will go into Closed Session for approximately 15 minutes pursuant to RCW 42.30.140 (4)(b) Police Contract Negotiations. No action to be taken. Council members went into Executive Session at 6:05pm. Council members came out of Executive Session at 6:20pm. No action was taken. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Wastewater Treatment Plant 25th Consecutive Award Presentation Compliance and Enforcement Specialist for Ecology Southwest Region Office Water Quality Program Ginger Reddig and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations Manager Bliss Morris provided the Wastewater Treatment Plant 25th Consecutive Award Presentation. December 4, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 6 Wastewater Treatment Plant 25th Consecutive Award Proclamation Mayor Faber presented the Wastewater Treatment Plant 25th Consecutive Award Proclamation to Mr. Morris. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Council member MickHager was excused at 6:30pm. City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included TIB Grant, Preapproved Stock Plans, Healthier Together Independent Financial Review, Hilary Verheggen, and Gingerbread House Contest. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Forest Shomer spoke about deer population concerns. Council member MickHager returned at 6:36pm. City Staff Response CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: October 16, 2023 Appointments/Reappointments: Planning Commission Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract with Kenyon Disend, PLLC, Municipal Law Firm in an amount not to Exceed $25,000 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract the Gallup, Inc. in an Amount Not to Exceed $55,000 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract with the Preston Recruitment Group in an Amount Not to Exceed $17,000 Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve the consent agenda. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. December 4, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 6 Discussion ensued around Gallup Contract. PUBLIC HEARING Ordinance 3325 Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, For the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2024 Mayor Faber reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedure. Mr. Mauro introduced Ordinance 3325. Finance and Technology Services Director Connie Anderson presented Ordinance 3325 Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, For the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2024 which included previous discussions, key points, 2024 City Manager Budget and 2023 Review, 2024 Budget Fund Summary, Seed Funding, Strategic Use of Fund Balance, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Allocation, and Authorized Positions. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained the Director of Parks and Recreation Strategy budget change and budget for grants for Arts Commission. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Mayor Faber closed the public testimony portion of the Hearing. Discussion ensued around local tax system and appreciation for staff. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Ordinance 3325 Adopting the Proposed Budget for the City of Pon` Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2024. Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 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 first reading, explanation of tax, sunsetting tax, Finance and Budget discussion, the need for utility taxes, and recommendation. December 4, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 6 In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained contract with Port Townsend Paper Mill regarding administrative fee. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Motion: Libby Wennstrom moved to approve Ordinance 3326 Related to Public Utility Taxes and Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Section 5.84.030 Monica MickHager seconded. Discussion ensued around being a regressive tax and Olympia lobbying. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Accept Envision Final Report, Policy Direction on Mountain View Leases, and Golf Course Lease Authorization Mr. Mauro introduced Envision Final Report, Policy Direction on Mountain View Leases, and Golf Course Lease Authorization. Parks and Recreation Strategy Director Carrie Hite and Facilities and Parks Manager Michael Todd presented the Envision Final Report, Policy Direction on Mountain View Leases, and Golf Course Lease Authorization which included Groundswell Final Report Acceptance, Mountain View Lease Rates, Golf Park Lease with Friends, and GC Lease with Friends. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained KPTZ move, utilities cost in relation to City funding, affordable housing land delineation, volunteer hour report, 7c wording regarding greens, fertilizer wording, playground backup location plan wording, number of public access, and integration of foot and disc golf. Public Comment: Friends of Port Townend Golf Park President Bob Wheeler spoke about his excitement, elements of lease, appreciation for city staff, lease length, dog park, Recyclery, and Housing. Christina Albrecht spoke about rehabilitating course, volunteer hours, fertilizer, playground, and foot/disc golf running concurrently. Val Phimister spoke about golf being intergenerational, family activities, appreciation for support, and Friends of Port Townsend Golf Park. Discussion ensued around approved public access, four public events a year, goals/metrics, dog park location, 20 -year lease vs 10 -year lease, timing for housing, course open to public, including a map with lease, mountain view leases, Groundswell report, better result, envy of other municipalities in WA state, more clarification on metrics, bringing lease back next week, two-year opener, housing question, closures, minimums, corners as city parks, breach of contract, and dog park included in lease. Discussion continued around defining obligations going into December 4, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 6 future, defining in body of contract under premises the portion of property for municipal purposes, enforcement of contract, capital improvements for non -golf items, review of process for capital investment plan, process for priority of decisions for maintaining a safe environment, more refining after 2 year lease, better refine metrics for community value, "extend" wording, come back to Council at renewal point, metrics tied to quarterly reporting, Council input options, legal review timeline, potential contract extension, and returning next week. Council reviewed lease revisions/clarifications which included additional metrics tied to quarterly reporting, inclusion of volunteer hours, inclusion of dog park and clarification of city boundaries, review process after 2 -year lease before 20 -year lease, timeline for moving holes 5 and 6, and when does planning and zoning start. Motion: Aislinn Palmer moved accept the final report from Groundswell. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Motion: Libby Wennstrom moved adopt policy for Mountain View lease rates. Amy Howard seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3327 Adopting 2023 Supplemental #2 Budget Appropriations Mr. Mauro introduced Ordinance 3327, Ms. Anderson presented the Ordinance 3327 Adopting 2023 Supplemental #2 Budget Appropriations which included continuation of list, captured in one final review, why budget supplementals happen, consultants, contractor work, operating expenses, small projects/repairs, capital projects, purchase of F250 diesel truck, grant reimbursement receipts and expenses for AWC pass through grants, various transfers and expenditure authority needed, and supplemental detail. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around additional expenditure and table, Motion. Monica MickHager moved to waive Council Rules and approve Ordinance 3327 Adopting 2023 Supplemental #2 Budget Appropriations Ben Thomas seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. City Manager Signing Authority Code Revision Mr. Mauro introduced and presented the City Manager Signing Authority Code Revision which included introduction of on-call contract attorney Kendra Rosenberg, December 4, 2023 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 6