HomeMy WebLinkAbout050624 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MAY 6, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Session on the 6th of May 2024 in
Council Chambers at 540 Water Street, Port Townsend, WA. Mayor Faber called the
meeting to order at 6:02pm.
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 City Manager John Mauro, Public Works Director Steve
King , Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin , Marketing and
Communications Director Shelly Leavens , Library Director Melody Sky -Weaver, and
City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues .
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were no changes to the agenda.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
55th Professional Municipal Clerks Week Proclamation
Mayor Faber provided the 55th Professional Municipal Clerks Week Proclamation to
City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues.
Jefferson County Community Wildfire Prevention Plan Briefing
City Manager John Mauro introduced the Jefferson County Community Wildfire
Prevention Plan Briefing.
Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin and East Jefferson Fire
District Fire Chief Brett Black presented the Jefferson County Community Wildfire
Protection Plan Briefing which included Why CWPP?, Port Townsend Field
Assessment, Field Assessment vs. Composite Risk -Hazard Model, Areas of Concern,
Wildfire risk vs fire risk, and Mitigation Strategies.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff and the Fire Chief explained Land
Density Transfer programs, wood pile, plastic jugs, definition "Extreme Risk", forested
area concerns, building materials concerns, not legislative, older homes, permit
communication, community wide evacuation practice, and neighborhood preparedness
groups.
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Discussion ensued around building code increases.
Fort Worden Public Development Authority 2023 Annual Report
John Mauro introduced the Fort Worden Public Development Authority 2023 Annual
Report,
Fort Warden Public Development Authority interim Executive Director Celeste Tell and
Board Chair David King presented the Fort Worden Public Development Authority
2023 Annual Report which included City Code Section 2.84.140, History of Fort
Worden in Port Townsend, Recent timeline, FWPDA 2023 Highlights, 2023
Accomplishments, 2023 Cash Basis P&L to Budget, 2023 Balance Sheet Items (cash
basis, year-end), Current challenges, Opportunities moving forward, and Board,
Liaisons & Staff.
Discussion ensued local control and oversight as well as the hard work done by the
PDA.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included the Golf Park event,
federal funding, handicap accessible podium, training, staff appreciation training, staff
engagement survey, Comprehensive Plan Kickoff event, City newsletter, Water Quality
report, and other upcoming events.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment
City Staff Response
Public comment was made.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Approval of Minutes: March 11, 2024, March 18, 2024, April 1, 2024
Appointments/Reappointments: Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Library
Advisory Board
Resolution 24-018 Authorizing the City Manager to Sign the Interlocal Agreement
Between the Fort Worden Public Development Authority and the City of Port
Townsend
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Motion: Amy Howard moved to approve the consent agenda. Owen Rowe seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (NONE)
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 24-016 Establishing the "Port Townsend Public Library Internet
Policy"
John Mauro introduced Resolution 24-016 Establishing the "Port Townsend Library
Internet Policy".
Library Director Melody Sky -Weaver presented the Port Townsend Public Library
Updated Internet Policy which included Purpose, The Library's Mission Is:, Public
Computers, Policy Updates/Changes from 2019, LibTech, Children's Internet
Protection Act, E-Rate, and Library Advisory Board (LAB).
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained CIPA, site reviewed in
"timely manner", and printing for public.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around scanning.
Motion: Ben Thomas moved to approve Resolution 24-016 Establishing the "Port
Townsend Public Library Internet Policy"' Owen Rowe seconded.
Discussion ensued around appreciation for staff and Library Advisory Board as well as
word filter.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Resolution 24-017 Adopting a General Sewer Plan
John Mauro introduced Resolution 24-017 Adopting a General Sewer Plan.
Public Works Director Steve King, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations Manager
Bliss Morris, Streets/Stormwater/Sewer Operations Manager Brian Reid, RH2
Engineering Director Dan Mahlum, and presented Resolution 24-017 Adopting a
General Sewer Plan which included previous discussion, income -based discount,
highlights of plan, how to handle age issues, medium growth projection,
Comprehensive Plan, 2037 work to deal with plant capacity, Monroe Lift Station,
rates, 20 years since original plan, capital work, repair/replacement, Department of
Ecology, next steps based on changes, and Department of Ecology timeline and
process.
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In response to Council's clarifying questions staff and consultant explained growth
projection impact, Tier system, septic systems in the city, public restrooms, Mill lift
station area, and new plan.
Public Comment:
Public comment was made.
Motion: Aislinn Palmer moved to approve Resolution 24-017 Adopting a General
Sewer Plan.. Amy Howard seconded.
Discussion ensued around appreciation for work done on plan.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Washington Collaborative Elected Leaders Institute Training Opportunity
Deputy Mayor Howard presented the Washington Collaborative Elected Leaders
Institute Training Opportunity presentation which included design for program,
investing in training opportunities for elected officials, first offering, apply for cohort,
and informational webinar.
In response to Councils clarifying questions Deputy Mayor Howard explained the
pilot program.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around city elected officials, possible staff participation, cohorts
from neighboring cities, availability in the future, capacity concerns, funding
available, meeting schedule, civic engagement, Council training, quorum,
OPA/PRA, application, and neighboring jurisdiction..
Motion: Libby Wennstrom moved to self-select a group of Council members to apply to
participate in the Washington Collaborative Elected Leaders Institute. Aislinn Palmer
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officer's report which included Breakwater event,
TLAB event, Connectivity Fair, Camas Prairie Park event, Comprehensive Plan event,
staff appreciation event, and Tri-Area Food Bank.
Council member Palmer announced her resignation effective end of May due to moving
to Seattle.
Mayor Faber announced needing to appoint a successor and to discuss process at
upcoming meeting.
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Discussion ensued around process in Council Rules, statutory process, discussion at the
next Business Meeting, process, and appreciation for Council member Palmer.
SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR
STUDY SESSION
Council member MickHager asked to have a discussion regarding safety on arterials and
corridors for pedestrians and bikers.
Discussion ensued around scale of concern, proper meeting to voice concern, and
Hastings Ave.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Council member Thomas announced he is holding a Community Congress.
Council went into break at 8:43pm.
Council came back from break at 8:46pm.
EXECUTIVE SESSION — PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110 (1)(G) PERFORMANCE OF A
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE. (APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES)
Council went into Executive Session at 8:46pm for approximately 30 minutes to discuss
Performance of a Public Employee pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)).
Council came out of Executive Session at 9:16pm.
Mayor Faber announced they will extend Executive Session for 15 minutes.
Council went back into Executive Session at 9:16. Council came out of Executive
Session at 9:31 pm. No action was taken.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:32pm.
Attest:
Alyssa Rodrigues
City Clerk
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