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) November 18, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 5 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. November 18, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 5 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. November 18, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 5 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. Q116111WkJ There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 8:05pm Attest: m Alyssa Rodrigues City Clerk November 18, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 5