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Home My WebLink About090324 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a Regular Session on the 3rd of September 2024 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Mayor Faber called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Amy Howard, Neil Nelson, Owen Rowe, and Libby Wennstrom with Monica MickHager, and Ben Thomas excused. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Public Works Director Steve King , People and Performance Director Cynthia Shaffer, Long Range Planner Adrian Smith , and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Faber stated they will add an Emergency Declaration Resolution regarding sewer main collapse as New Business item D. Deputy Mayor Howard stated adding under regular Council Discussion an ask to task Equity, Access, and Rights Advisory Board with reviewing online virtual platforms for meetings. PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) Library Card Sign Up Month Proclamation Mayor Faber presented the Library Card Sign -Up Month Proclamation to Library Director to Melody Sky -Weaver. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included Community Coffee, KPTZ, and appreciation for staff involved in sewer malfunction. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment September 3, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 5 Public comment was made. Staff or Council response, as needed In response to public comment staff explained library benefits, right to unionize, and what is currently be worked on. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: August 5, 2024, August 12, 2024 Appointments/Reappointments: Planning Commission Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve the consent agenda. Neil Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (NONE) NEW BUSINESS Employee Engagement Status Update John Mauro introduced the Employee Engagement Status Update. People and Performance Director Cynthia Shaffer and John Mauro provided the Employee Engagement Status Update presentation which included The Engagement Journey Toward Sustainability, The Items that Matter for Engagement- Gallup's Q12, City of Port Townsend Employee Engagement 2024 Overall Engagement Dashboard, and 2024 Working Timeline for Engagement Program. Public Comment: Public comment was made, Discussion ensued around looking forward to seeing the program develop, staff reaction, kick-off meeting, and not commenting on union negotiations. Growth Management Steering Committee and Countywide Planning Policies Briefing John Mauro introduced the Growth Management Steering Committee and Countywide Planning Policies Briefing. Long Range Planner Adrian Smith presented the Growth Management Steering September 3, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 5 Committee and Countywide Planning Policies Briefing which included Growth Management Steering Committee, Why Update County -Wide Planning Policies, Goal of Updating County -Wide Planning Policies, Updated County -Wide Planning Policies, Population Growth Targets, Why Adopt Population Targets?, Adopted Population Target and Allocation Method C, Method C, Selected Population Allocation, Why 40/40/20?, and Housing/AMI Alignment @ $350/ sq ft to build. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around presentation being a good overview, appreciation for staff and committee members involved, flexibility, 1992, how well County and City worked together, joint resolution timeline, higher growth rate process, and When to Expand Port Townsend's Sewer slide, Comparing the 2024 Medium Projected Growth Rate with Previous Projections and Actual Growth slide, and future next steps. Authorization of an Additional Engineering Position John Mauro introduced Authorization of an Additional Engineering Position. Public Works Director Steve King presented on Authorization of an Additional Engineering Position which included engineering function, current projects over 2-3 years in relation to staffing, estimated workload on annual average, currently 7.5 FTE's in Engineering, 4.5 FTE's dedicated to capital projects, average basis need 6.5 FTE just for capital projects, FTE deficiency, request for authorization, and engagement. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around grant applications in relation to staffing. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to authorize a revision to the position schedule to add one FTE to engineering in either one of the Project Manager or Civil Engineer classifications. Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Resolution 24-031 Declaring an Emergency, Waiving Public Bidding Requirements, and Ratifying the City Managers Approval of all Applicable Documents to Allow for the Immediate Repair of Damage to Sewer and Transportation Infrastructure (Added during Changes to the Agenda) John Mauro introduced Resolution 24-031. Steve King presented Resolution 24-031 Declaring an Emergency, Waiving Public Bidding Requirements, and Ratifying the City Managers Approval of all Applicable Documents to Allow for the Immediate Repair of Damage to Sewer and Transportation Infrastructure Emergency Sewer Repair Water Street Progress September 3, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 5 Report which included Emergency Repair Work Zone 08/03/24, Failed Pipe Photos, Pipe Condition, Work Performed- Seton and City Crews, and Stabilizing Solution - Pump Around. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained original timeline, what is being approved tonight, timing, and after the fact permits. Public Comment: Public comment was made. In response to public comment staff explained location of project. Discussion ensued around location, type of pipe, where drilling will happen, Discussion ensued around location, type of pipe, where drilling will happen, and block size. Minion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 2 -031 Declaring an Emergency, Waiving public Bidding Requirements„ and Ratifying the City Managers Approval of all Applicable Documents to Allow for the Immediate Repair of Damage to Sewer and Transportation Infrastructure Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote.. Discussion ensued around appreciation for the staff and feeling prepared. Tasking Equity, Access, and Rights Board with Reviewing Online Platforms (Added During Changes to the Agenda) City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues explained the tasking request which included having the Equity, Access, and Rights Advisory Board review online meeting platforms from an accessibility lens. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Tasking the Equity, Access, and Rights Board with Reviewing Online platforms for use in, city advisory board meeting in relation to accessibility. Libby Wennstrom seconded. Discussion ensued around Zoom being an easier platform to use and the importance of access being a part of the Equity, Access, and Rights Advisory Board. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Faber stated he did not have a Presiding Officers Report. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS There were no suggestions for future agendas. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL September 3, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 5 There were no comments from Council. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:53pm. Attest: Alyss� Rodrigues City Clerk September 3, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 5