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HomeMy WebLinkAbout121624 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF DECEMBER 16, 2024 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a Regular Session on the 16th day of December 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, Ben Thomas, Owen Rowe, and Libby Wennstrom with Monica MickHager excused. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Public Works Director Steve King, Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, Project Manager Tyler Johnson, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Faber stated due to presenter having not yet arrived they will do the Encampment Update first and then Forest Management Study Results. PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) Encampment Update Presentation Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin presented on the Encampment Update which included collective City response to ongoing abatement of unsanctioned encampments in City's Rights of Way, City staff time, cost, minimize nuisance conditions, Code Compliance Officer, ongoing situation from Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Evans Vista property, City Right -of -Way contains wetland, funding for on -call abatement contractor, Trash Task Force, dumpsters and Sani-Cans, tours, 2025 budget, help from partners, staff time not budgeted, Jeff Com, most geographic response area in city, do not qualify for low barrier shelters, community response, continue to manage encampment clean ups in 2025, Legion Shelter, no recommended action just discussion tonight, how to be proactive towards zero barrier shelter option, UGA expansion with Jefferson County, a challenge a lot of communities are facing, and supporting zoning/permitting scheme. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff stated they will look into the Department of Commerce Right of Way Safety Initiative and Mayor added a public comment period. Public Comment: Public comment was made.. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained Mountain View Commons rezone, land use zoning map component, emergency basis, lease, Disaster Relief December 16, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 6 Shelter, and moving Porta Potties and dumpster. Discussion ensued around homelessness, housing, Porta Potties and Dumpster in budget, and work with agency partners. Forest Management Study Results Presentation Project Manager Tyler Johnson, Public Works Director Steve King, and Malloree Weinheimer from Chickadee Forestry LLC presented on the Forest Management Study Results Presentation which included location of properties, Water Utilities job, General Fund, asset management, Chimacum Park, Chimacum, Estimated time in years for each stand condition, An example of the birds that utilize the vertical diversity in a mature Douglas -fir forest, prior/post treatment, Variable Density Harvest, City Limits parcel, City Lake parcel, Lords Lake parcel, and Estimated Revenue. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff and consultant explained wildfires, windfall, carbon holding capacity, erosion, projection for Lords Lake parcel, City Limits property's role in water utility, and location of City Limits property. Public Comment: Public comment was made, In response to public comment staff and consultant explained trees going to sawmill and climate action goals in modeling. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included vandalism at Cotton Building, King Tide, sidewalk debris, retirements, Advisory Board appreciation, and City Manager Report format. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment There was no public comment. Staff or Council response, as needed EXECUTIVE SESSION- PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110(1)(1) DISCUSSION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ABOUT CURRENT OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION (APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES) Mayor Faber stated the Council will go into Executive Session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) Discussion with legal counsel about current or potential litigation for approximately 10 minutes. No action will be taken. December 16, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 6 Council went into Executive Session at 7:11 pm Council came out of Executive Session at 7:21 pm. There was no action taken. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: December 2, 2024 Appointments/Reappointments: Climate Action Committee, Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Planning Commission Authorization of Not to Exceed $63,000 in PCD Personnel Funding to Hire a Successor Planning Manager and Overlap with the Outgoing Planning Manager Resolution 24-040 Adopting the City of Port Townsend Public Library's Displays and Exhibits Policy Authorize the City Manager to Sign the Amendment for the Financial Assistance Loan with the Department of Ecology and All Other Necessary Agreements and Contracts to Accomplish the Work for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Outfall Update of the Salary Classification Schedule for Non -Represented Positions Motion: Amy Howard moved to approve the consent agenda. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ordinance 3346 Adopting 2024 Supplemental #2 Budget Appropriations Finance Manager Richard Gould presented Ordinance 3346 Adopting 2024 Supplemental #2 Budget Appropriations which included differences between first and second reading, reconciling interfund transfers to ensure they balance, nothing significant enough to change the Ordinance, and State Auditors review. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained investment income fund and Community Services Fund- Arts Commission Poet Laureate. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Ordinance 3346 Adopting 2024 Supplemental #2 Budget Appropriations Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. December 16, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 6 Ordinance 3344 Adopting the Capital Improvement Plan for 2025 Through 2030 Public Works Director Steve ling presented Ordinance 3344 Adopting the Capital Improvement Plan for 2025 Through 2030 which included intersection of Planning and PublicWorks/Engineering, road map for all capital improvements, received a couple grants since first reading, and staff support for street projects. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained red boxes on document. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Vote:Motion.- Ben Thomas moved to approve Ordinance 3344 Adopting the Capital Improvement Plan for 2025 Through 2030 Owen Rowe seconded, motion _• unanimously, lb voice vote, Resolution 24-041 Adopting the City's 2025 State Legislative Agenda City Manager John Mauro presented Resolution 24-041 Adopting the City's 2025 State Legislative Agenda which included previous workshop discussions and clean/redlined drafts. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff and the Mayor explained vacant land tax and infrastructure. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around vacant land tax, legislative agenda process, rent stabilization bullet, concerns and wording amendment to state, "Provide greater tools and authority for local municipalities to address escalating rents and help ensure housing stability", policy advice, actively supporting other legislative agendas. Motion.° Libby Wennstrom moved to approve Resolution 24-041 Adopting the 2025 State Legislative Agenda as amended and direct the City Manager to communicate the agenda to our state legislative delegation and agency partners. Amy Howard seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 24-042 Updating and Providing for Building and Planning & Community Development Fees Emma Bolin presented on Resolution 24-042 Updating and Providing for Building and Planning & Community Development Fees which included annual fee update, December 16, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 6 resolution, 3%, Exhibit A, site plan adaptation review fee, East Jefferson Fire Rescue, building official, land use, increase technology fee 5%, and recommended action. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around needing to update the acronym "DSD" in document. Motion: Amy Howard moved to approve Resolution 24-042 Updating and Providing for Building and Planning & Community Development Fees Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Resolution 24-043 Relating to Postponing the 2025 Annual Update of the City's Comprehensive Plan During the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review and Development Regulations Emma Bolin presented on Resolution 24-043 Relating to Postponing the 2025 Annual Update of the City's Comprehensive Plan During the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review and Development Regulations which included whether or not to open the Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment Cycle, code states City can't run Annual Amendment and Period Update concurrently during Phase 2, staff capacity, last year Council resolved to combine 2024 Annual Docket with Periodic Update, postpone 2025 to 2026, action done every year to determine what happens with Annual Docket, distinction between Annual and Period Update. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained this is about terminology and housekeeping. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around not limiting people's ability to get items heard or before Council. Motion: Amy Howard moved to approve Resolution 24-043 Relating to Postponing the 2025 Annual Update of the City's Comprehensive Plan During the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review and Development Regulations Ben Thomas seconded. Discussion ensued around phrasing. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included Brent Shirley's passing, Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, and Gingerbread House Contest. December 16, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 6 SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS There were no suggestions for future agendas. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Council member Thomas stated there is a memorial for Brent Shirley at Maritime Center on Saturday, December 21 at noon and upcoming Solstice Party at Fairgrounds. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:20pm. Attest: Alyssa 4d'rigues City Clerk December 16, 2024 City Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 6