HomeMy WebLinkAbout25-016 Dissolving the Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Public Development Authority (PDA)Resolution 25-016
RESOLUTION NO.25-016
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND,
WASHINGTON, DISSOLVING THE FORT WORDEN LIFELONG LEARNING
PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (PDA)
WHEREAS, The Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Center Public Development Authority
(PDA) was originally chartered by the City in 2009 and then reorganized in 2011 "to provide an
independent legal entity to manage, promote, develop, secure funding and enhance Fort Worden
State Park;" and
WHEREAS, The City has respected the independence of the PDA to operate the campus
and to manage their financial affairs but has played an increasingly important role in providing
financial oversight over the past 3-4 years with a focus on enabling greater financial transparency
and solvency; and
WHEREAS, With growing concerns raised through the City's financial oversight role and
using the new mechanisms available to it through the code changes agreed by City Council in
2021, the City initiated and drafted a corrective action plan for the PDA that was structured as a
more collaborative approach through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the PDA,
the City, and Washington State Parks; and
WHEREAS, A new interim Executive Director and PDA board members have been highly
instrumental in delivering on a cogent and concise strategic planning process and in daylighting
the financial realities with a clarity and lucidity that was previously absent; and
WHEREAS, Enhanced clarity, progress, and partnership was insufficient to overcome
financial and structural challenges that make the PDA's existence increasingly unlikely; and
WHEREAS, The PDA board of directors voted on August 1, 2024, to request dissolution
of the PDA as per PTMC 2.84.120(A)(1); and
WHEREAS, The Superior Court appointment of a receiver put a stay on any consideration
of dissolution of the PDA, although this stay was lifted with the termination of the receivership on
March 24, 2025, when the Court entered an "Order Granting Receiver's Motion to Distribute
Funds, Approve the Final Report and Accounting, Discharge Receiver, Exonerate Bond and Close
Case"; and
WHEREAS, The requests from the PDA to dissolve itself as an entity, (by resolution of
the Board on August 1, 2024 and most recently by letter dated May 19, 2025) constitutes a
circumstance listed in PTMC 2.84.120(A)(1) whereby the City Council may initiate dissolution;
and
WHEREAS, The City Council has considered the dissolution of the PDA and has
determined affirmatively that dissolution is warranted on the basis of facts, including but not
limited to the PDA's financial insolvency and Washington State Parks' rejection of the PDA's
Master Lease; and
WHEREAS, As required by PTMC 2.84.120(B), a public hearing was noticed at least 60
days in advance and held on June 2, 2025;
Resolution 25-016
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Port
Townsend as follows:
Section L recitals lncor orated. The above -stated recitals are incorporated herein as if
fully set forth below as findings of the City Council.
Section 2. Dissolution - Findings. Pursuant to the authority under PTMC 2.84.120, the
City Council hereby dissolves the Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Public Development Authority.
The City Council affirmatively finds that dissolution is warranted, necessary, and appropriate for
the reasons set forth in the recitals and based on the request of the PDA. The City Manager or
designee is directed to indicate such dissolution by inscription of "charter cancelled" on the
original charter of the PDA, on file with the clerk of the city, and, when available, on the duplicate
original in possession of the PDA.
Section
. DisPOSition
of g te=ainin PICA Property. Per PTMC 2.84.120(D), title to all
remaining assets property y of PDA vest to the City. To the extent the City receives restitution
checks from the "Diane Moody" case, the City Manager shall use such payments to reimburse
unpaid vendors, if applicable, and then to the City water utility for unpaid invoices.
Section 4. Effective Date. This resolution shall be effective immediately upon its
adoption.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City f Port Townsend at a regular meeting thereof, held
this 2°d day of June, 2025.
Davic J.
Mayor
Attest:
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pd`Ro&ZgLies
City Clerk