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Home My WebLink About030424 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MARCH 4, 2024 CALL TO ORDER The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Session on the 4th day of March 2024 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David Faber called the meeting to order at 6:11 pm. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Aislinn Palmer, Owen Rowe, and Ben Thomas with Amy Howard, and Monica MickHager excused and Libby Wennstrom absent. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Heidi Greenwood , Public Works Director Steve King , Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin , Long Range Planner Adrian Smith , Marketing and Communications Director Shelly Leavens , Assistant City Engineer Jeff Kostechka , City Building Official Matt Logue, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Annual Community Read Proclamation Mayor Faber presented the Annual Community Read Proclamation to Library Director Melody Sky -Weaver. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included Pool, Recruitment Video, Employee Engagement, Golf Park, Recompete Federal Grant Application, and Housing. Council member Wennstrom arrived at 6:19pm. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment City Staff Response March 4, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 6 Public Comment was made. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: January 16, 2024 Update to the Salary Classification Schedule for Non -Represented Positions Tasking the Culture and Society Committee with Specific Council Rules Revisions Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Agreements Necessary to Complete the Shoreline Master Program Periodic Review Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve the consent agenda. Ben Thomas seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING Proposed Interim Zoning Measure to Alter Current Requirements for Off -Street Parking Mayor Faber reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedures. Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, Long Range Planner Adrian Smith, and Assistant City Engineer Jeff Kostechka provided the Two Alternatives for Off -Street Parking Minimums presentation which included On -Street vs. Off -Street (On -Site), "Pushing for People Over Parking", Removal of On -Site Parking Minimums City Wide, Removal of On -Site Parking Minimums City Wide, Cities 1,000-25,000 Population, Public Feedback on Parking Minimums, PTMC 17.72, Current Issues, Proposed Interim Engineering Design Standards (EDS), Better Looking Streets (Cheaper Too), Current Code vs. Proposed Change, Similarities Between Eliminating Off -Street Parking Minimums and Right -of -Way Development, Conflicts Between Eliminating Off -Street Parking Minimums and Right -of -Way Development, Proposing Alternatives, Alternative 1: "Recommended" Instead of "Required" Minimum Parking, Alternative 1 Recommended Parking Flow Chart, Alternative 1 Benefits and Consequences, Alternative 2: Total Parking and Allowing Reductions to Minimum Parking, Alternative 2: Multi -Family and Commercial Alternative Minimum Parking Flow Chart, and Alternative 2 Benefits and Consequences. Public Comment: There were no written materials submitted.. March 4, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 6 Public comment was made. In response to Public Comment staff explained having parking maximums and Bollards. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained electric vehicle credits, how ordinance would affect large projects, difference between T9 and Edge Lane Road, cost difference metric, breakage on edge of road, possibly less costly, ADU requirements, and stormwater benefits. Mayor Faber closed the public testimony portion of the Hearing. Discussion ensued around cost vs. effect, parking on gravel, oil leaks, contaminates in stormwater, wedged curve, parking on asphalt, 24th st, looking forward, two different ways to approach standards with new development, interim ordinance, Alternative 1, review as part of Comprehensive Plan, discussion at Infrastructure and Development, interim ordinance needing to be extended every 6 months, adding costs, and letting infrastructure follow development. Discussion continued around impact fees vs increasing density, simplicity in Engineering Design Standards, decrease in costs from current standards, ways to further simplify, Alternative 1 limited data, unintended consequences, driveways, applying Engineering Design Standards, not having to widen road, limitations, which has less pavement and less cost, deeper dive on Engineering Design Standards during Comprehensive Plan, Alternative 1 increasing flexibility and decreasing cost, options to reduce requirements, limiting projects for some, ADU's, doing away with minimums, more opportunities for discussion, and Council Infrastructure and Development purview. Motion: Owen Rowe moved waive Council Rules and adopt Ordinance 3333 an Interim Ordinance of the City of Port Townsend Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 17.72 Relating to Interim Parking Regulations and Providing that the Interim Regulations, Unless Extended, Will Sunset on the Earlier of Six (6) Months from the Date of Adoption of this Ordinance or the Adoption of Regulations that Supersede This Ordinance and to be clear that is Alternate 1. Libby Wennstrom seconded. Discussion ensued around clarification of Alternative 1. Mayor Faber closed the Public Hearing and record.. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ordinance 3315 Related to Building Codes, Adopting by Reference the 2021 Version of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fire Code, International Wildland- Urban Interface Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, Washington State Energy Code (Commercial), Washington State Energy Code (Residential), and Washington State Existing Building Code and Amending Chapter 16.04 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code March 4, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 6 In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained process of when to adopt, how much of a decision Council has, projects that will be affected by requirements, energy standards on smaller dwellings, effect of not adopting, and credits. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around what happens if codes are not adopted and matching code to town needs. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Ordinance 3315 Related to Building Codes, Adopting by Reference the 2021 Version of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Fire Code, International Wild/and-Urban Interface Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, Washington State Energy Code (Commercial), Washington State Energy Code (Residential), and Washington State Existing Building Code and Amending Chapter 16.04 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code, Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Mayor Faber suggested moving New Business Item "B" to New Business Item "A". Resolution 24-011 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Donation Agreement with Libby Atkins for the Emily Carr Bronze Sculpture to be Added to the Port Townsend Public Library Collection Library Director Melody Sky Weaver and Donor Libby Atkins provided the Emily Carr Bronze Sculpture Donation presentation which included Emily Carr, The Forest Lover 2011 Community Read, Emily Carr Commemorative Statue Brochure, Barbara Paterson, For reference full sized original bronze sculpture in Victoria B.C., The actual sculpture intended for the Library, and Meet Libby Atkins, Donor. Public Comment: Public comment was made. Discussion ensued around the process through Arts Commission. Motion: Ben Thomas moved to approve Resolution 24-011 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Donation Agreement with Libby Atkins for the Emily Carr Bronze Sculpture to be Added to the Pori Townsend Public Library Collection. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. March 4, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 6 Resolution 24-005 Adopting a Collection Development Policy for the City of Port Townsend Public Library Melody Sky Weaver presented the Port Townsend Public Library Collection Development Policy presentation which included Purpose, The Library's Mission is:, Public Library Collections, Intellectual Freedom, Upholding the Following Principles, Library Bill of Rights, Changes Made from the 2018 version, and Library Advisory Board (LAB). In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained process when materials are challenged. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around appreciation for work done on revising and strengthening the policy. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Resolution 24-005 Adopting a Collection Development Policy for the City of Port Townsend Public Library Libby Wennstrom seconded. Discussion ensued around the library being a third place and thoughtful approach to the library and commitment to intellectual curiosity. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. 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 (Item was removed) Mayor Faber stated this item needs to be removed because the presenter needed to leave. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included State of the City, Jumping Mouse Fundraiser, Joint Growth Management Steering Committee Meeting, and City Manager Evaluation. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION There were no suggestions. March 4, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 6 COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Council member Palmer stated there will be a Special Meeting of the Housing Fund Board focused on shelter. Mayor Faber stated they will cancel the March Council Infrastructure and Development Committee meeting. Council member Thomas provided comments on the Golf Park public opening. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:07pm. Attest: 10 Alyssa Rodrigues City Clerk March 4, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 6