HomeMy WebLinkAbout040124 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF APRIL 1, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Session on the 1 st of April 2024 in
Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor Faber called the meeting to order at
6:OOpm.
ROLL CALL
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 Public Works Director Steve King , Planning and
Community Development Director Emma Bolin , Long Range Planner Adrian Smith ,
Communications and Marketing Director Shelly Leavens , City Attorney Alexandra
Kenyon, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues .
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were no changes to the agenda.
EXECUTIVE SESSION -PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110 (1)(G) PERFORMANCE OF A
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE. (APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES)
Council went into Executive Session at 6.01 pm for approximately 30 minutes to discuss
Performance of a Public Employee pursuant to RCW 42.30. 11 0(1)(g)).
Council came out of Executive Session at 6.31 pm. No action was taken.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Poet Laureate Presentation- National Poetry Month
Mayor Faber presented the National Poetry Month proclamation to Poet Laureate
Connor Bouchard -Roberts.
EDC Team Jefferson Presentation
EDC Team Jefferson Board Chair Mark Knudsen, EDC Team Jefferson Business
Services Director Douglas Hammel, and EDC Team Jefferson Executive Director
Cindy Brooks provided the EDC Team Jefferson City of PT presentation which
included EDC is a Unique Contributor to Economic Development, Who do we help and
why is it important?, Strengthening Community Capacity, Reporting Impact Relative to
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5 EDC Strategic Imperatives, Outcomes/Purposes of Economic Development,
Business Clusters, Business Retention and Expansion Activities, Report of EDC
Activity: Jobs & Investment, Local ROI for Business Investing in Learning, Obstacles
and Opportunities, Revenue, The Team, and Projected 2024 Activity.
In response to Council's clarifying question the EDC team explained working with local
nonprofits.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mayor Faber announced the City Managers Report was included in the packet.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment
City Staff Response
There was no public comment.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Approval of Minutes: February 5, 2024
Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into Grant Agreements with the
Department of Commerce and the Environmental Protect Agency for the Design
and Construction of the Mill Road Lift Station
Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into Engineering Design Contracts for the
Wastewater Treatment Plant Influent Wetwell Rehabilitation Project.
Resolution 24-012 Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Grant Agreement with
the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board and All Other
Agreements Necessary to Complete the Lawrence Complete Streets Project
Motion.- Monica MickHager moved to approve the consent agenda. Owen Rowe
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Faber reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedures.
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Ordinance 3335 Amending Titles 16 (Buildings and Construction) and 17
(Zoning), and Section 20.01.040 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code, Related to
Performance Standards for Emergency Housing and Shelter; Providing for
Severability; and Establishing an Effective Date
Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin and Long -Range
Planner Adrian Smith provided the Public Hearing: Emergency Housing and Shelter
Code Amendments which included Goals of Tonight's Hearing, Defining Emergency
Housing and Shelter, Why Amend PTMC to Include More Emergency Housing and
Shelter?, Comply with RCW 35.21.683, Comply with RCW 35A.21.360 Hosting the
homeless by religious organizations, Support Local Needs, Process of Drafting
Emergency Housing and Shelter Code Amendments, Drafting Process: Current
Practices, Drafting Process: What Works and Can We Improve?, Drafting Process:
External Review, Drafting Process: Creating Clear Codes, Drafting Process:
Approvals and Suggestions, Proposed Amendments, Section 17.08 New Definitions,
Section 16.06 Building Standards for Tiny Shelters, Use Tables and RCW 35.21.683,
17.62.010 Purpose, 17.62.020 Scope, 17.62.030 Application and Submittal
Contents, 17.62.030 Application and Submittal Contents, 17.62.040 Permit Review
Process, 17.62.040 Permit Review Process: Discussion Item, 17.62.050 Approval
Criteria, 17.62.050.AAI1 emergency housing and shelters offering overnight services
or beds unless exempted by state law, 17.62.050.B.3 Policies and Plans for
Emergency Indoor Housing and Emergency Indoor Shelters, 17.62.050.B.3.b Safety
and Security Plan for Emergency Indoor Housing and Emergency Indoor Shelters,
17.62.050.B.3.c Good Neighbor Policy for Emergency Indoor Housing and
Emergency Indoor Shelters, 17.62.050.B.3.d Proposed Code of Conduct,
17.62.050.B.4 Policies and Plans for Outdoor Emergency Housing and Shelters,
Excluding Standalone Safe Parking, 17.62.050.B.4.b Safety and Security Plan for
Outdoor Emergency Housing and Shelters, 17.62.050.B.4.c Transportation Plan,
17.62.050.C. Standards for Standalone Safe Parking, 17.62.050.E Siting Criteria,
17.62.060 Time Limitations, 17.62.070 Modifications, and Recommendation.
Public Comment:
There were no written materials submitted.
Public comment was made,
In response to public comment staff explained safe parking, Winter Welcoming
Center, and background checks.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained Multi housing
requirements, amount of use, anchoring systems, ten feet separation between units,
outswing door, conditional use permit process, 1 mile vs 0.5 mile in relation to
transit, 600 shelter beds by 2045, identification barriers, fencing requirements, safe
parking overnight, what is anticipated with state ordinance, timeline for state draft
ordinance, continuum of care facilities, permitting system process and timelines,
"resident" instead of "citizen", and proposed Code of Conduct.
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Public Comment:
Public comment was made.
In response to public comment staff explained continuum of care.
Mayor Faber closed the public testimony portion of the Hearing.
Discussion ensued around postponing item for another meeting and the importance
of having time for discussion.
Motion. Aislinn Palmer. moved to approve to continue the Public 1-tearing until a
Special Meeting to be held on Monday April 29, 2024 at 6pm, Monica MickHager
seconded.
Staff explained there is still an option to apply for shelter but through a different
process.
Council members agreed to keep the record open for the submittal of additional
materials and keep the public record open.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (NONE)
NEW BUSINESS
Presentation from Chickadee Forestry- Forest Management and Timber
Public Works Director Steve King introduced the Presentation from Chickadee
Forestry- Forest Management and Timber.
Chickadee Forestry Founder and Forester Malloree Weinheimer and Steve King
provided the City of Port Townsend Forest Management presentation which included
Gibbs Lake County Park, Chimacum, Chimacum Park, Chimacum, An example of
the birds that utilize the vertical diversity in a mature Douglas -fir forest. From Brown
(1985), A diagram of a stand before and after thinning with skips and gaps. Snag
height is exaggerated for visibility, Variable Density Harvest„ Types of Harvest,
Jefferson County Forestry Data, and City Forest Management.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff and consultant explained Alder at
Lords Lake,
Public Comment:
Public comment was made.
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Discussion ensued around actual management, Braiding Sweetgrass, values, and
Indian Island.
Motion: Amy Howard moved to authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a
Professional Services Contract with Chickadee Forestry for the Evaluation and
Assistance in Management and Selective Harvesting of Water Utility Owned Property
Libby Wennstrom seconded.
The consultant explained there is broader public support for the program.
Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote..
Resolution 24-013 Authorizing Angled Parking on Tyler Street
Steve King provided the Resolution 24-013 Authorizing Angled Parking on Tyler
Street presentation which included first reading purpose, grant for Tyler St,
parking schematic options, parallel parking impact, PT Main St Design Committee
concern, outreach, needs to be done this year, asking for feedback, and upcoming
workshop and Council Meeting.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained the process of adopting
first reading of resolution for angled parking and Main St community feedback.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Motion. Ben Thomas moved to approve first reading of Resolution 24-013 authorizing
Angled Parking on Tyler Street. Monica MickHager seconded.
Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Letter of Support on Behalf of City Council to
our Federal Delegation Requesting Support for Constructing the Caswell Brown
Emergency Shelter and Permanent Support Housing Facility.
Emma Bolin and Steve King provided the presentation for authorizing the Mayor to
sign a letter of support on behalf of City Council to our federal delegation requesting
support for construction the Caswell Brown Emergency Shelter and Support Housing
Facility which included previous discussion, expected closer of Legion shelter,
federal grant application, indoor shelter, importance of letter from Council, direct
appropriation requests, and posting online.
In response the Council clarifying questions discussion ensued around who should
sign the letter.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
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Discussion ensued around the timeliness of the letter and who should sign the letter..
Motion: Owen Rowe moved to authorize Mayor Faber to sign a letter of support, with
any Council edits, for a federal appropriation to fully fund the construction of the
Caswell -Brown Village Emergency Shelter and Permanent Support Housing Facility.
Monica MickHager seconded.
Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Letter of Support on Behalf of City Council for
the "Opening a Gateway Project" SR20/Mill Road Roundabout.
Steve King provided a presentation on authorizing the mayor to sign a letter of
support on behalf of the City Council for the "Opening a Gateway Project" SR20/Mill
Road Roundabout which included rewarding process, seeking federal funding direct
appropriation, state revenue package, working with County staff, website, and work
done in Washington DC.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around the process around Kearney St and Sims Way, longer
range plan submitted and vetted, WSDOT looking at Kearney currently, opportunity
for feedback to WSDOT, address public concern, more involvement from City, Right
of Way acquisition, and work
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support on
behalf of City Council for the "Opening a Gateway Project" SR20/Mill Road
Roundabout. Ben Thomas seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER?S REPORT
Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included Thank You cards,
Winter Welcoming Center, Recovery Cafe play, and Farmers Market opening.
SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR
STUDY SESSION
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Deputy Mayor Howard stated the huge success from team in regard to the Complete
Streets grant.
Mayor Faber stated the importance of having ADA ramps on Lawrence St.
Council member Thomas stated there was a public comment regarding the right turn on
Kearney St and asked staff for the reason for getting rid of shortcut.
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Council member Palmer stated there was a rain garden put in the Kearney St area to
help with flooding.
ADJOURN
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:48pm.
Attest:
Arssa Boer
ues
City Clerk
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