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Home My WebLink About052024 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MAY 20, 2024 CALL TO ORDER The Port Townsend City Council met in a Regular Session on the 20th of May 2024 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street, Port Townsend, WA. Mayor Faber called the meeting to order at 6:03pm. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Amy Howard, Monica MickHager, Aislinn Palmer, Owen Rowe, and Ben Thomas with Libby Wennstrom excused. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Public Works Director Steve King , Marketing and Communications Director Shelly Leavens, Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. EXECUTIVE SESSION: PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110 (1)(G) PERFORMANCE OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE. (APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES) Council went into Executive Session at 6:04pm for approximately 15 minutes to discuss Performance of a Public Employee pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)). Council came out of Executive Session at 6:19pm. No action was taken. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Faber stated consent item E. Safe Routes to Schools and Bike Ped Grant Applications will be placed under New Business as Item "C". SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Public Works Proclamation Mayor Faber presented the Public Works Proclamation to Public Works Director Steve King. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included Occupational Burnout training, Rhody festival, "How your City Works" program, Quarterly May 20, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 5 newsletter, and Lawrence St project. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment City Staff Response Public comment was made. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: April 8, 2024 and April 15, 2024 Appointments/Reappointments: Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Delegation of all voting responsibilities on behalf of the City of Port Townsend at the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Annual Conference in Vancouver, WA, on dune 18-21, to Deputy Mayor Amy Howard Authorizing an Update to the Non -Bargaining Employee Position Classification Salary Schedule to add Seasonal Employees for Public Works Projects Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve the consent agenda. Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (NONE) NEW BUSINESS Resolution 24-019 Adopting a Process and Timeline for Filling Vacated City Council Seat, Position #2 John Mauro and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues presented Resolution 24-019 Adopting and Process and Timeline for Filling Vacated City Council Seat, Position #2 which included State law, Council Rules and Procedures, community expectation, determination of process details, Agenda Bill details, timeline options, pros and cons, and staff recommendation. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained types of questions for application and interview and Executive Session. Public Comment: There was no public comment. May 20, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 5 Discussion ensued around workplan workshop timing, filing week timeline, workshop at next Council meeting, preference for Option B, what is being pushed off from business meetings, July 22 retreat work, interim Committee and External Appointments, modifying Option B, adding special meeting week of July 22 for interviews, deciding on application on June 3, application live 06/05-07/05, potential candidates attending July 22 workshop, reviewing application materials for June 3 meeting, adopting application on June 3, moving interview process up, planning to be done August 12, not having to wait until August 12, Option B as amended, Executive Session to decide candidates on July 15, July 23 for interviews 3-6pm, and Deliberation and Decision on August 5. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Resolution 24-019 Adopting a Process and Timeline for Filling Vacated City Council Seat, Position #2 as following Option B with the amendments. Ben Thomas seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Resolution 24-018 To Begin to Issue Final Decisions on Residential Building Permit Applications Within 90 Calendar Days and Determine a Fee Structure Allowing the City to Provide Consolidated Permit Review Within 90 Calendar Days Effective July 1, 2024 John Mauro introduced Resolution 24-018. Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin presented Resolution 24- 018 To Begin to Issue Final Decisions on Residential Building Permit Applications Within 90 Calendar Days and Determine a Fee Structure Allowing the City to Provide Consolidated Permit Review Within 90 Calendar Days Effective July 1, 2024 which included details of grant, Senate Bill 5290 details, competitive amount, getting building permits out as efficient as possible, passing resolution, fee ordinance, consolidated building permit review, residential building permit review, being already compliant with deadlines, relieving staff with on call consultant, upcoming retirement in department, restructuring fees to incentivize middle housing, importance of getting permits out as soon as possible, future proofing, and making procedures better. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained maximum award amount, any issues with being within 90-day window, and any staff hesitation to go for grant. Public Comment: Public comment was made. In response to public comment staff explained public doing a good job covering neighborhood meeting, draft white paper, propagating errors of the past, development of housing for income qualified households, and layers of complexity. Discussion ensued around having staff write grant application, keeping money in line with middle housing, housing crisis, lining up well with Comprehensive Plan process, May 20, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 5 bigger more ambitious goal for turning around permits, technology grant, tied to 90 days, land use and building permit time allocation, stock plan program, auditing land use permit requirements, administrative procedures, and engineering standards. Iml Weview Within •N Calendar Days Effective July 1, 2024Ben Thomas• •-• Vote:• ♦ -• unanimously,6-0 by voice vote. Safe Routes to Schools and Bike Ped Grant Applications John Mauro introduced Safe Routes to Schools and Bike Ped Grant Applications. Public Works Director Steve King presented on Safe Routes to Schools and Bike Ped Grant Applications which included Discovery Rd Safe Routes to school 19th and San Juan, considering developing Safe Routes Master Plan around high school, and granting timeline. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained adding planning and construction grant. Public Comment: Public comment was made. Discussion ensued around the proposed action, Discovery Rd, safe route on 20th before housing is built, two different grant programs, Council preferences, working with high school, and Safe Routes being school driven. Motion: Aisfinn Palmer moved to approve Safe Routes to Schools and Bike Pedestrian Grant Applications Monica.•• • •-dr • -: motion carried unanimously,,r I by • • - PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included Comprehensive Plan Kick Off event, staff appreciation event, Rhody Parade, Senior Project Symposium, Kiwanis Teen Leaders Award, and Council member Palmers last meeting. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Deputy Mayor Howard announced June 15 Discovery Road Grand Opening. Mayor Faber suggested assigning Council Job Description to Culture and Society Committee. May 20. 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 5 Motion: Monica MickHager moved send to Culture and Society the task of generating the position description for Council members. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Council members stated how they will miss Council member Palmer. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:54pm.. Attest: Alyss ROdr goues City Clerk May 20, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 5