HomeMy WebLinkAbout021224 City Council Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF FEBRUARY 12, 2024
CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALL
The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Session on the 12th day of February
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, Amy Howard, Monica MickHager,
Aislinn Palmer, Owen Rowe, and Libby Wennstrom with Ben Thomas excused.
Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Public Works Director Steve
King , Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations Manager Bliss Morris , Marketing and
Communications Director Shelly Leavens, Chief of Police Tom Olson , Deputy Chief Jeff
Thaxton , and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues .
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA)
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Mayor Faber suggested moving Item "B" to Item "A" due to Chief of Police being on a
call.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Sewer Rate Ordinance: Low -Income Discount and System Development Charges
Public Works Director Steve King, Communications, Marketing Director Shelly
Leavens, and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations Manager Bliss Morris
provided the Utility Rate Adjustments Low Income Discount System Development
Charges- Supplemental Presentation which included Presentation Outline, Utility Tax
Recommended Tax Disclosure, Utility Tax Calculation Verification, Rates Yard Waste
Fees, Rates Mill Road Lift Station, Rates: Capital Program 2024-2028, Rates:
Capital Program 2028+, Rates Average Residential Bill- Comparing Cities, Low
Income Discount Helping People Connect, and System Development Charge
Stormwater.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained usage@dollars/cents on
City bills, when amount rounds, rounding in final bill, fixed charge per dwelling,
information for online bills, stormwater and streets, April 1 rate increase and when
utility tax change will occur, blurb on Doxo email, possible change in online bill pay
system, Yard Waste revenue coming to City, location of Lift Station, Mill septic
system, grants, camera field trip, other city tax rates, stormwater rates, and ADU's in
relation to SDC's.
Discussion ensued around online vs in person statement, Yard Waste collections,
title of discount program, and garden irrigation.
February 12, 2024 City Council Workshop Meeting Page 1 of 2
Public Comment:
Public Comment was made.
Discussion ensued around virtual meeting issues and sewer plan timeline.
Public Safety: Annual Update and State of Police Department
Chief of Police Tom Olsen and Deputy Chief Jeff Thaxton presented the Port
Townsend Police Department Annual Report which included 2023 Annual Crime
Data, 2022/2023 Annual Crime Data Comparison, 2022/2023 Annual Collision Data
Comparison, Crime Comparison Data, Crime Comparison Data (Continued),
Introduction, Mission Statement, Vision, Values, Staffing, Our New Team Members
2023, Training, Equipment, Community Policing Efforts, Community Services, Use of
Force, Ad Hoc Committee On Law Enforcement on Public Safety Overview,
Operational Goals for 2024, and Summary.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained 2023 number is all traffic
stops, traffic stops with tickets, ticket revenue, 19th and Sheridan data, graffiti,
roundabout vs. traffic light collision data, Sheriff/EJFR navigators, lateral police
officer, ETA on vehicles to be complete, K9 services, a "strike", and School Resource
Officer.
Public Comment:
No public comment was made.
Council discussed their appreciation for the work being done.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:50pm
Attest:
Alyssa Rodrigues
City Clerk
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