HomeMy WebLinkAbout111824 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF NOVEMBER 18, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council met in a Regular Session on the 18th day of November 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, Monica MickHager,
Neil Nelson, Owen Rowe, and Ben Thomas with Libby Wennstrom excused.
Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Finance and Technology
Services Director Jodi Adams, Public Works Director Steve King, Planning and
Community Development Director Emma Bolin, Project Manager Andre Harper, and City
Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were no changes to the agenda.
PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S)
There were no Proclamations or Special Presentations.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included new staff,
professional development, East Jefferson Fire Rescue Fire CARES teams, Lawrence St,
and Winter Welcoming Center.
Council member Wennstrom arrived at 6:03pm.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment
There was no public comment.
Staff or Council response, as needed
CLOSED SESSION- PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.140 (4)(B) GENERAL GOVERNMENT
NEGOTIATIONS (APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES)
EXECUTIVE SESSION- PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110(1)(1) DISCUSSION WITH
LEGAL COUNSEL ABOUT CURRENT OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION (APPROXIMATELY
15 MINUTES)
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Mayor Faber stated the Council will go into Closed Session pursuant to RCW
42.30.140(4)(b) General Government Negotiations for approximately 15 minutes and
Executive Session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) Discussion with legal counsel about
current or potential litigation for approximately 15 minutes. No action will be taken.
Council went into Closed and Executive Session at 6:08pm.
Council came out of Closed and Executive Session at 6:38pm. There was no action
taken.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Approval of Minutes: October 21, 2024
Appointment/Reappointment: Arts Commission
2024 Second Quarter Financial Update
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve the consent agenda. Ben Thomas
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARING (CONTINUED)
Preliminary Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal
Year Ending in December 31, 2025.
Mayor Faber reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedures.
Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams provided the 2025 Budget
City Manager's Proposed Budget which included Overview, 2025 Proposed Budget
Fund Summary, Department Operational Requests General Fund, General Fund
one-time transfers, Streets, LTAC- Lodging Tax, Library, Community Services, Fleet,
REET- Real Estate Excise Tax, Golf Course, Level of Service 2025 Staffing, Policy
Considerations, and Objective: Balancing the Budget- and Building Financial
Sustainability.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained Fleet replacement funds
and new staffing numbers.
There were no written materials submitted.
Public comment:
There was no public comment.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained grant funding for Library
upgrades, Parks Recreation Community Services Admin Support Specialist,
Discovery Rd arrow, Cherry St Professional Services, and budgeted positions.
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Discussion ensued around vacancy rate and Transportation Benefit District.
Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3343 Adopting the
Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, for the Fiscal Year Ending
December 31, 2025. Amy Howard seconded.
Mayor Faber stated the record will remain open until the end of this item on December
2, 2024.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
Ordinance 3342 Adopting the General Sewer Plan, Providing for Severability, and
Establishing an Effective Date
Mayor Faber reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedures.
Public Works Director Steve King presented Ordinance 3342 Adopting the General
Sewer Plan, Providing for Severability, and Establishing an Effective Date which
included background, Department of Ecology edits, SEPA Determination, Final
Adoption, Functional Plans Portfolio, and being incorporated into Comprehensive
Plan.
There were no written materials submitted.
Public comment:
There was no public comment.
Mayor Faber closed the public testimony portion of the hearing.
Motion: Ben Thomas moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3342 Adopting the
General Sewer Plan, Providing for Severability, and Establishing an Effective Date
Owen Rowe seconded.
Discussion ensued around it being a huge project, public engagement, getting in front
of Infrastructure concerns, and sewer systems.
Mayor Faber closed the public hearing.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (NONE)
NEW BUSINESS
Letter of Support to Jefferson County Expansion of the UGA to Include Publicly -
Owned Parcels of Public Purpose Uses, Including the Caswell -Brown Village for
Housing Services
Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin presented the Letter of
Support to Jefferson County Expansion of the UGA to Include Publicly -Owned
Parcels of Public Purpose Uses, Including the Caswell -Brown Village for Housing
Services which included appreciation for Jefferson County Department of
Community Development, Caswell -Brown Village sewer, Conditional Use permit,
November 18, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 5
shelter beds for 20-year planning period, 180 shelter beds to provide in the City,
apply for Dept of Commerce funding for sewer utility connections and REET
payment of city development connection deferrals, expanding Urban Growth Area,
Jefferson County Planning Commission, Board of County Commissioners final
decision, letter of support, Growth Management Steering Committee, Land Capacity
Analysis, and UGA land swap.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained public land uses, and air
tests in area.
Public comment:
There was no public comment.
Motion: David Faber moved to approve the letter of support endorsing County's
proposal to expand the City's UGA boundary to include Caswell -Brown Village (CBV)
and the additional stated parcels and authorize the Mayor to sign the letter on behalf
of the City Council. Amy Howard seconded.
Discussion ensued around staff collaboration between the City and Jefferson
County, air testing in relation to City's purview, policy tool, and intention behind a
UGA.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Authorize the City Manager to Sign a Contract with Active Construction
Incorporated (ACI) for Construction of the Water Street Sewer Replacement
Project in the Amount of $ 2,360,360 Including WSST and Enter into Agreement
with RH2 Inc. Consulting Firm and Other Firms Necessary to Provide
Construction Management Services.
Project Manager Andre Harper presented on Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a
Contract with Active Construction Incorporated (ACI) for Construction of the Water
Street Sewer Replacement Project in the Amount of $2,360,360 Including WSST
and Enter into Agreement with RH2 Inc. Consulting Firm and Other Firms Necessary
to Provide Construction Management Services which included repair needs, pipe
failures, additional pipe, repaired section quickly, budget, bids, deficit, and approval
of additional $318,000.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained the sewer fund.
Public comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around community interest in sewers, sewer reserves, rate
analysis, general start date, acronyms, and December 27 pipe failure.
Motion: Amy Howard moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into contracts with
ACI Inc. Inc. for the Water Street Sewer Replace Project construction in an amount of
$2,360,360.00 and RH2 Inc., Inc. for the Water Street Sewer Replace Project
construction management services in an amount of $41,000.00. Monica MickHager
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Discussion ensued around photo of sink hole.
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PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included riding on the
Kiwanis Choo Choo for the upcoming Tree Lighting Celebration.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
Deputy Mayor Howard stated she will be out for the Intergovernmental Collaborative
Group meeting.
Discussion ensued around attendance for the Intergovernmental Collaborative Group
meeting.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Council member Thomas commented about recycling bins at Evans Vista and glass
recycling.
Staff explained recycling bins at Evans Vista and glass recycling.
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There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 8:05pm
Attest:
m
Alyssa Rodrigues
City Clerk
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