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Home My WebLink About022024 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 20, 2024 CALL TO ORDER The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Session on the 20th day of February 2024 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Deputy Mayor Howard called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Amy Howard, Monica MickHager, Aislinn Palmer, Owen Rowe, and Libby Wennstrom with David Faber, and Ben Thomas absent. Staff members present were Public Works Director Steve King , City Attorney Heidi Greenwood , City Manager John Mauro, Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, Code Compliance Officer KT LaBadie , People and Performance Director Cynthia Shaffer, Communications and Marketing Director Shelly Leavens, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS (NONE) There were no Special Presentations. CITY MANAGER?S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided his City Manager's report which included PT Leader Insert, State of the City, Staffing Update, Legislative Happenings, Kah Tai Caretaker Host Site, Community Wildfire Protection Program, Jefferson Transit Authority Training, Banked Capacity Work, and State Parks meeting. Council member Thomas arrived at 6:06pm. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment City Staff Response There was no public comment. February 20, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 6 Council agreed to move New Business Item "D" to Item "A". CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: December 4, 2023 revised, January 2, 2024, January 8, 2024 Appointments/Reappointments: Civil Service Commission Resolution 24-009 Related to Personnel, Adopting Classification Schedules for Represented and Non -Represented Employees Approval to Sign all Documents Necessary to Effectuate Membership and Participating in the ZEV Co-op. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve the consent agenda. Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolution 23-037 Renaming the Port Townsend Skate Park as Seamus Sims Memorial Skate Park Public Works Director Steve King presented Resolution 23-037 which included history, code requirements, support from Parks Board and Council, need for Resolution finalizing, signing options, and staff recommendation. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained funding and having the word "memorial" removed. Public Comment: Public comment was made. Motion: Libby Wennstrom moved to approve Resolution 23-037 Renaming the Port Townsend Skate Park as Seamus Sims Skate Park. Aislinn Palmer seconded. Discussion ensued around the importance of passing the Resolution. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3329 Related to Public Utility Taxes and Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Section 5.84.030 Steve King presented Ordinance 3329 which included no substantial changes, previous discussions, verified math, and general fund revenue. February 20, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 6 Public Comment: There was no public comment. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Ordinance 3329 Related to Public Utility Taxes and Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Section 5.84.030 Monica MickHager seconded. Discussion ensued around there being previous discussion and no increases. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3330 Revising Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 13.03, System Development Charges for Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Connections and Amending the Rates--- Ordinance 3331 Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 13.01 Procedures for Utility Development, Chapter 13.02 Low -Income, Low -Income Disabled, and Low -Income Senior Citizen Utility Rate Program and Establishing an Effective Date.--- Ordinance 3332 Related to Utility Rates; Amending the Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Rates, Amending Chapter 13.05 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code, and Establishing an Effective Date. Steve King presented on Ordinance 3330, Ordinance 3331, and Ordinance 3332 which included previous discussions, System Development Charges, graduated scales, stormwater update, and ADU exemptions from SDC's. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained System Development Charge code reviser mark and typo. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Ordinance 3330 Revising Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 13.03, System Development Charges for Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Connections and Amending the Rates. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Motion: Aislinn Palmer moved to approve Ordinance 3331 Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 13.01 Procedures for Utility Development, Chapter 13.02 Low -Income, Low -Income Disabled, and Low- Income Senior Citizen Utility Rate Program and Establishing an Effective Date as well as approve Ordinance 3332 Related to Utility Rates. Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS On -Call Contract for Environmental Public Health Services February 20, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 6 Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin provided the On -Call Contract for Environmental Public Health Services presentation which included two sites in need of clean up (Evans Vista site and Kah Tai Lagoon), ongoing expense, enforcement and nuisance issue, public health and sanitation problem, additional property in public right of way, work done internally on policies and procedures for public right of way clean ups, public comment, local government needing more tools, inequitable single family zoning practices, and attempt to stay on top of issue. Mayor Faber arrived at 6:31 pm. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained funding. Public Comment: Public comment was made.. Right of Way, not being sure how to solve the problem,* assisting in cleaning up at adjoining properties, OlyCAP guidelines for Caswell Brown being looked at, not a -• • alleviating public health issue. Motion: Aislinn Palmer moved to authorize the City Manager to execute an on -call contract for environmental public health services for City property and rights of way Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 4-010 Setting a Public Nearing Concerning the Assumption of the Port Townsend Transportation Benefit District?s Rights, Powers, Functions, and Obligations City Attorney Heidi Greenwood presented on Resolution 24-010 which included setting a public hearing, timeline, public hearing publishing requirements, March 18 public hearing, and City Council becoming the Transportation Benefit District Board. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained sales tax timeline and actions. Public Comment: There was no public comment. I• • Aislinn Palmer moved to approve Resolution 24-0 10 Setting a PublicHearing Conceming the Assumption of the Port Townsend Transportation Benefit District's Rights, Powers, Functions, and Obligations Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: • o- • unanimously,by • • - Confirmation of Non -Motorized Plan Update Stakeholder Committee February 20, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 6 Steve King presented on the Confirmation of Non -Motorized Plan Update Stakeholder Committee which included work with Comprehensive Plan, confirm diverse stakeholder group, purpose of stakeholder group, presentation in packet material, roles and responsibilities, items to be looked at, issues, and current trends. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained Advisory Group vs. Board, outreach, and PCD Professional Services budget. Public Comment: Public comment was made. Discussion ensued around scriveners edit. Motion: David Faber moved to approve membership of volunteers interested in serving on the Stakeholder Group to support the 2024 Update of the Non -Motorized Transportation Plan (NMTP). Ben Thomas seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Complete Streets Grant Priority Steve King provided the Complete Streets Priority presentation which included grant opportunities, purpose of Complete Streets, projects due March 1, project completed in 2024, applying on March 1, option to still apply in August, Tyler Street paving project, ADA bulb outs, Lawrence St paving work, DASH priority, not a complicated application, staff recommends doing now, feedback, not a street closure project, and Tyler St having temporary closures. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained doing bulb outs now, Lawrence St re -paving being less costly, consultation with Jefferson Transit and Rhody Festival, sidewalk repair around trees, replanting trees on Tyler St, trees on Lawrence St, arborist evaluation, work must be done in 2024, anything bumped on workplan for 2024, hired out work, local construction companies, money needed from 2024 budget, amount in Transportation Benefit District fund from taxes, back up funding plan, and discussion with staff regarding option to not apply. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around tree on Lawrence and Polk St, support for Option #2, appreciation for work with DASH and Jefferson Transit, Lawrence St needs help, and section between Polk and Tyler St being in bad shape for a long time. Motion: Aislinn Palmer moved to authorize the City Manager to apply for a Complete Streets Grant for Lawrence Street American with Disabilities Act and pedestrian safety improvements. Owen Rowe seconded. February 20, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 6 Discussion ensued around importance of ADA accessibility. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER?S REPORT Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officers Report which included State of the City, City Manager Evaluations, Washington State Ferry letter, and Olympic Community Health Group report. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION There were no suggestions. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Council member Plamer stated there will be an upcoming Community Conversations Committee of the Housing Fund Board meeting regarding future of local shelters. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:38pm. Attest: Alyssa Rodrigs City Clerk February 20, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 6