HomeMy WebLinkAbout021825 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 18, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council met in a Regular Session on the 18th day of February 2025 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, Ben Thomas, and Libby Wennstrom with Monica MickHager excused.
Staff members present were Public Works Director Steve King , Marketing and
Communications Director Shelly Leavens , Project Manager Tyler Johnson , Finance and
Technology Services Director Jodi Adams , and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues .
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Mayor Faber suggested adding Item C. regarding new Media Guidelines and Item D.
regarding downtown paid parking program.
PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) (NONE)
There were no Proclamations or Special Presentations.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mayor Faber stated the City Manager's Report was attached to the packet.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment
Staff or Council response, as needed
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around moving new Item C and D up in the agenda.
February 18, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 6
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Approval of Minutes: January 27, 2025
Equipment Purchases
Interlocal Agreement by and between Jefferson County and the City of Port
Townsend for Law Enforcement Services
Council member Nelson mentioned he was present for the January 27, 2025 meeting.
Motion: Owen Rowe moved' to approve the consent agenda with correction to roll can in
minutes. Libby Wennstrorn seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
Media Guidelines (Added During Changes to the Agenda)
wars � •• .�:
�•• w s • 's
responsivew media, accurate communications,
» • systems _
nd
guideline development, » point of • being
stanidard, media guidelines
internal and external, pressure of local reporters deadlines, and it being productive
to meet with media.
In response to Council"s clarifying questions staff explained communications
guidelines timeline, expedience of information, and coordination of responses.
Public comment:
Jason Victor Serinus spoke about deadlines and perception with media.
Reneene Robertson spoke about residential parking zones.
Discussion =w around how Councilwss guidelines,
public records requests,a• • •» adversarial
relationship with
media,organ •na�, URUs not• • on »•
Agendas/Minutes/Videos, search tool.
February 18, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 6
Downtown Paid Parking Program (Added During Changes to the Agenda)
Mayor Faber and Steve King presented the Downtown Paid Parking Program which
included the Mayor's City Newsletter and social media piece regarding downtown
paid parking program, FAQ, parking study, pilot program, and permit systems.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained size of pilot.
Public comment:
Reneene Robertson spoke about Admiralty Apartments, City of Seattle residential
parking permit, and cameras on van access slots.
Scott Walker spoke about starting smaller, Taylor St, attention on topic, timing of day,
dynamic fees, parking garage, and Hood River.
Discussion ensued around going too far, getting to right size, Jefferson Transit, pilot
program, ways to pay, permits, information gap, free parking will fill up, private paid
parking, challenging solutions, park and go on ferry, parking surveys wanted a
definitive action, lot near downtown, Park and Ride, impact, negative side effects,
increase function of business district, alternatives to driving, large pilot size, bring
back smaller pilot size, tourist season, some solution isn't any solution, business
community, streateries, enforcement, residential permits, employee parking, next
steps, scope of pilot, parking fine amount, Seattle policies, Hood River,
Leavenworth, public information, strategies, and revenue.
Resolution 25-006 Declaring an Emergency, Waiving Public Bidding
Requirements, and Ratifying the City Manager's Approval of all Applicable
Documents to Allow for the Immediate Repair of Damage to the OGWS
Transmission Pipeline Near Fuller Road at the Andrews Creek Crossing
Project Manager Tyler Johnson and Steve King presented Resolution 25-006
Declaring an Emergency, Waiving Public Bidding Requirements, and Ratifying the
City Manager's Approval of all Applicable Documents to Allow for the Immediate
Repair of Damage to the OGWS Transmission Pipeline Near Fuller Road at the
Andrews Creek Crossing which included February 6, 2025 call, project, water break,
19.5 Miles of Pipeline to Search, Fuller Road crossing of Andrews Creek, oldest
pipe, highest pressure, 1/2 million gallons of water spilled, Emergency Declaration,
Nordland Construction Northwest, Hutchins Metal Work, IDGAF, City Lake concerns,
Emergency Hydraulic permit, Fish and Wildlife, Critical Areas permit, amount for
project, native vegetation, and Thanks to All Who Helped to Repair the Pipeline.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained age of pipe, turning off
flow of water, trigger, drones, and drainage.
Public comment:
There was no public comment.
February 18, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 6
Discussion ensued around pictures, urgency to build capital funding for replacement
of pipe, bureaucratic slowdown, and Emergency Declaration.
•
Discussion ensued around appreciation for the staff and contractors.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
Council member Thomas announced there was someone needing to make an
emergent comment. Mayor Faber allowed the public comment.
Public Comment:
Maggie stated the toilets are malfunctioning at 209 Monroe St Shelter, asked if Cotton
Building restrooms will be open, and people are sick and too close together.
Discussion ensued around Cotton Building restrooms and having a conversation with
Bayside.
Task the Equity, Access, and Rights Advisory Board with Reviewing their Scope
of Work within Resolution 23-027 and Providing Edits, Suggestions, and
Updates.
as tasked by City Council" review, board seated since May and tasked with two
Public comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensuedaround engaging • of Access,• Rights
Advisory Board,• • .• - with request,new •s. • concern around
Advisory to Council,ar• • remove guardrail y- -• by •
concerns,organization, concernsreview ) implies • •mar tasking, Listeningi,
concerns from Council, need more information, need more clarification, tasked with
prepiarinig presentation,• Scope of • to move faster with emergen',
issues, right sizing the work, suggest�ions for Scope of Work, and sharing concern
from Council to board.
February 18, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 6
Motion: Ben Thomas moved to task the Equity, Access, and Rights Advisory Board
with reviewing their Scope of Work within Resolution 23-027 and suggesting edits,
other suggestions, and updates. Owen Rowe seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
Mayor Faber stated he did not have a Presiding Officer's Report.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
Council member Thomas suggested having the Culture and Society Committee look at
public engagement.
Discussion ensued around WA-CELI trainings, Culture and Society schedule, and
appropriate to look at in future.
Motion: David Faber moved to task Culture and Society with reviewing the City of Port
Townsend's public engagement processes. Ben Thomas seconded.
Discussion ensued around engaging Equity, Access, and Rights Advisory Board in work.
Mayor Faber withdrew his motion.
Motion: David Faber moved to task Culture and Society with reviewing the City of Port
Townsend's public engagement processes and delegating power to Culture and Society
to task the Equity, Access, and Rights Advisory board with parts of that process. Ben
Thomas seconded.
Discussion ensued around getting more engagement at Culture and Society and general
lack of attendance at Committee meetings.
Mayor Faber mentioned concerns from a community member about animal abuse and
leaving dogs outside overnight.
Discussion ensued around putting this topic on the suggestion board and where the
suggestion board lives.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
Deputy Mayor Howard stated an upcoming Intergovernmental Collaborative Group
conflict.
Discussion ensued around having a quorum for the Intergovernmental Collaborative
Group meeting.
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ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:11 pm.
Attest:
Alygls'a Rodrigues.
City Clerk
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