HomeMy WebLinkAbout042924 Special Session City Council Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF APRIL 29, 2024
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Port Townsend City Council met in a Special Session on the 29th of April 2024 in
Council Chambers at 540 Water Street, Port Townsend, WA. Mayor Faber called the
meeting to order at 6:00pm.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Amy Howard, Monica
MickHager, Aislinn Palmer, Owen Rowe, and Ben Thomas with Libby Wennstrom
absent.
Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Long Range Planner Adrian
Smith, Communications and Marketing Director Shelly Leavens, Planning and
Community Development Director Emma Bolin, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues.
PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED
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
Mayor Faber reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedures and stated this was a
Public Hearing continuance.
Council member Wennstrom arrived at 6:04pm.
Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin and Long Ranger Planner
Adrian Smith provided the Draft Emergency Shelter and Housing Code presentation
which included Draft code goals -housing and safety, Draft code goals- administration,
Changes after 04/01/24 meeting, Safe parking Alternatives drafted after 04/01/24
meeting, Staff Recommends: Draft Alternative A or B, and Draft Alternative C.
Public Comment:
There were no written materials submitted..
Public comment was made,
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In response to Public Comment staff explained Disaster Relief Shelter in ordinance.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained Disaster Relief Shelter
permits, overnight occupancy, C.B update to state "may not provide any overnight
accommodations", revisiting Ordinance, emergency shelter label, Fee waivers/deferrals
for cost of permits, site plan of property drawn to scale details, educational program for
shelter residents statement, mail delivery, vacation of shelter timeline, code of conduct
in relation to Port Townsend Municipal Code, Homeless Client Management Information
System, tiny shelters and dwelling units, tiny shelter duplex, fire extinguishers, Type I vs
Type II permit review process, children under 18, electric kettles, stand-alone safe
parking in City, partnership with Church, perimeter fencing for safe parking, building
official guidelines for occupancy, tiny shelter use for 5 years, carbon
monoxide detectors, gap between nonprofit and churches, gap between nonprofit and
individual homeowner, and site owned/leased by applicant.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around 2026 State Code, label stating Emergency Shelter,
importance of mail delivery, ID requirement language, perimeter fencing rules, electric
kettle, setbacks, vacation of shelter timeline, and shelter facility language.
Motion: David Faber moved to amend 17.62.050A.7 to replace the first instance of
"shelter" with "shelter facility" and replace the phrase "within one calendar week" with
"within two weeks". Aislinn Palmer seconded.
Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Discussion continued around displacement of onsite parking.
Motion. Libby Wennstrom moved to amend 17.62.050E.6 to read "it is recommended
that Emergency Housing and Shelter Facilities be cited in a manner which displaces
onsite parking on the host property" Ben Thomas seconded.
Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Discussion ensued around requirements for wrap around services at safe parking
facilities, favoring Option C, multiple smaller sites vs large parking sites, religious
organizations, reviewing again after state updates, disadvantages of Option C, RV's
already on the street, narrowing back down, rescinding permits, staff time, code
compliance, weekend disasters, residents and visitors' language, oxford commas, Free
Exercise clause, allowing further options, continuation of public hearing, and action.
Motion: David Faber moved waive Council Rules and approve Ordinance 3335
Amending Titles 16 (Building and Construction) and 17 (Zoning), and Section
20.010.040 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code, Related to Performance Standards
for Emergency Housing and Shelter; Providing for Severability; and Establishing an
April 29, 2024 Special Session City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 3
Effective Date utilizing Alternative C in Exhibits C.A through C.O as amended. Aislinn
Palmer seconded.
Mayor Faber withdrew his motion.
Motion. David Faber moved waive Council Rules and approve Ordinance 3335
Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Title 16 (Building and Construction) and Title
17 (Zoning) to establish Performance Standards for Emergency Housing and Shelter
and authorize the City Staff to work with the Code Publisher to make scriveners edits as
appropriate, adopting Alternative C Exhibits C.A through C. O as amended. Aislinn
Palmer seconded.
Mayor Faber closed the public hearing.
Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:18pm.
Attest:
P zdrigues
lyssa
City Clerk
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