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. February 18, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 6 ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:11 pm. Attest: Alygls'a Rodrigues. City Clerk February 18, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 6