HomeMy WebLinkAbout031725 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MARCH 17, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council met in a regular session on the 17th day of March 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, Monica MickHager,
Neil Nelson, Owen Rowe, and Ben Thomas with Libby Wennstrom excused.
Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Public Works Director Steve
King , City Attorney Alexandra Kenyon, Planning and Community Development Director
Emma Bolin, Long Range Planner Adrian Smith, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Mayor Faber stated they will be removing item XIV. Executive Session: Pursuant to RCW
42.30.110(1)(g) and will move Jefferson County Commission, District 1, Heather Dudley-
Nollette presentation first.
PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S)
Jefferson County Commissioner, District 1, Heather Dudley-Nollette
Jefferson County Commissioner, District 1, Heather Dudley-Nollette provided an
introduction and spoke about being the new Jefferson County Commissioner for
District 1.
Council member Wennstrom arrived at 6:03pm.
Discussion ensued around radio show, County Commissioners at City Council
meetings, and City and County relationship.
Oath of Office- Police Officer
Chief of Police Tom Olson presented the Oath of Office -Police Officer to Peter Klos.
Olympic Disposal 2024 Annual Report
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Public Works Director Steve King introduced Waste Connections Site Manager Joey
Deese.
Joey Deese provided the Olympic Disposal 2024 Annual Report which included
Service Notables, Residential Recycling, Residential Yard -waste and MSW,
Commercial Recycle and MSW, Roll -off MSW Tons, and Donations.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Joey explained Municipal Solid Waste
(MSW), new customers, glass recycling, downtown overflowing garbage cans process,
and sticker with phone number on garbage can.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included PT Main
Street 40th Celebration, Shorelines Open House, new staff, directional drilling on Water
Street, retirements, and the passing of John McDonagh.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Public comment
Artis spoke about Admiralty Apartments and downtown paid parking.
Reneene spoke about Admiralty Apartments and downtown paid parking.
Scott Walker spoke about downtown paid parking.
Bobby spoke about downtown paid parking.
Maggie spoke about creating an urban rest stop with available healthcare.
Staff or Council response, as needed
EXECUTIVE SESSION: PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110(1)(1) TO DISCUSS WITH
LEGAL COUNSEL REPRESENTING THE AGENCY LITIGATION OR POTENTIAL
LITIGATION (APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES)
Mayor Faber stated the Council will go into an Executive Session Pursuant to RCW
42.30.110(1)(i) To discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or
potential litigation for approximately 20 minutes. Action will follow on the agenda.
Council went into Executive Session at 6:57pm.
Council came out of Executive Session at 7:17pm.
Mayor Faber stated they will extend Executive Session for an additional 5 minutes.
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Council went into Executive Session at 7:17pm.
Council came out of Executive Session at 7:22pm.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants
Approval of Minutes: January 15, 2025, February 18, 2025
2024 4th Quarter Financial Update
Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Contract to Complete the Pink House
Restoration Project Not to Exceed $253,000.
Resolution 25-007 Approving Final Plat and PUD for Madrona Ridge Phase 1
Application, Located in Jefferson County Tax Parcel NOS: 001091002;
001092005; 001092006; 973800201; 973800301.
Authorizing the City Manager to Sign an Easement as the Grantee and the
Associated Agreement
Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve the consent agenda. Monica MickHager
seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
OLD BUSINESS
Ordinance 3348 Amending the Critical Areas Ordinance Codified in Chapter 19.05
of the Port Townsend Municipal Code
Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin and Long Range
Planner Adrian Smith presented Ordinance 3348 Amending the Critical Areas
Ordinance Codified in Chapter 19.05 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code which
included previous presentation, public hearing, requirement of Shoreline Planning
Grant, timeline, and staff recommendation.
Public comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around changes and clarifications, easier read, appreciation for
changes, buffer and setback numbering error, and links.
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Ordinance 3348 Amending the Critical
Areas Ordinance Codified in Chapter 19.05 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code Ben
Thomas seconded.
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Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance 3349 Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 2.80 Relating
to the City's Code of Ethics; Providing for Severability; and Establishing an
Effective Date
Due to active Ethics Complaints Mayor Faber„ Council member Wennstrom, Deputy
Mayor Howard, and City Manager John Mauro recused themselves and left room for
the discussion and vote.
City Attorney Alexandra Kenyon stated the recusal would not need to happen for a
legal reason but rather an optics reason and is a choice by staff and Council members.
Council member MickHager has been made Presiding Officer for discussion and vote
on New Business Item: X.A Ordinance 3349 Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code
Chapter 2.80 Relating to the City's Code of Ethics; Providing for Severability; and
Establishing an Effective Date.
Council member Rowe and City Attorney Alexandra Kenyon presented Ordinance
3349 Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 2.80 Relating to the City's
Code of Ethics; Providing for Severability; and Establishing an Effective Date which
included Culture and Society review, last fall decision re: ethics complaint, memo
from Phil Olbrechts regarding changes and improvement suggestions,, Culture and
Society Committee tasking, investigations conducted by Hearing Examiner, imposing
penalties, and no legal requirements.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Council member Rowe and staff
explained if changes are applied to current ethics complaints, importance of standing
requirements, out of state filings, other jurisdiction standing requirements, definition
of "frivolous", statute of limitations, completeness criteria, penalties, 1 year vs. 3
years for statute of (limitations, date or discovery of violation, and reapplication.
Public comment:
David Johnson spoke about Code of Ethics concerns.
Julie Jaman spoke about Code of Ethics concerns.
Discussion ensued around City Manager/Council complaints, Clerk process in
deeming incomplete/complete, fee, long term relationship people have with the city,
current or past relationship with the city, waiving Council Rules, 3 years to 1 year,
and appearance of fairness.
Motion: Ben Thomas moved to change language under 2.80.030 Statute of Limitations
to state, "...the City Clerk no later than 3 years from the alleged date of the violation or
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1 year from discovery of violation." Owen Rowe seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote.
Amy Howard, David Faber, and Libby Wennstrom were recused.
Discussion continued around removing the word "frivolous".
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to change the sentence to take out two words, the
word" frivolous" twice and would like this sentence to read in the ordinance, "No
person shall knowingly file a false complaint or a false report of a violation of this Code
of Ethics". Ben Thomas seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote.
Amy Howard, David Faber, and Libby Wennstrom were recused.
Discussion ensued around penalties, rejecting the complaint, and complainant being
free to resubmit.
Motion: Ben Thomas moved to add, "...though the complainant is free to refile." Owen
Rowe seconded.
Discussion ensued around criteria for completeness being clear, appearance of
fairness, standing, and Clerk letting complainant know what is missing.
Council member Thomas withdrew his original motion.
Motion: Ben Thomas moved to have wording state, "shall reject the complaint with
written rationale and the complainant is welcome to resubmit. " Owen Rowe seconded.
Discussion ensued around suggested language for motion.
Council member Thomas withdrew his motion..
Motion: Ben Thomas moved to update wording to state "...reject in writing including
rationale for the rejection. The complainant may resubmit the complaint with the
missing information." Owen Rowe seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote.
Amy Howard, David Faber, and Libby Wennstrom were recused..
Discussion ensued around complainant signing under oath process, "current or
former", and living outside of City.
Motion: Monica MickHager moved to change sentence to state, "a complainant must
demonstrate that they hold a current city business license, are currently employed in
within the city, have done business with the city, or a current or past resident, or
property owner within the city. "Ben Thomas seconded.
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Discussion ensued around what "doing business" means, "done business with the
city", and making them not just current.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote.
Amy Howard, David Faber, and Libby Wennstrom were recused.
Motion: Owen Rowe moved to waive Council Rules and approve Ordinance 3349
Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 2.80 Relating to the City's Code of
Ethics as amended, Providing for Severability, and Establishing an Effective Date Neil
Nelson seconded.
Discussion ensued around waiving the rules, addressed a lot of concerns, can be
reviewed later, and not applying retroactively.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote.
Amy Howard, David Faber, and Libby Wennstrom were recused.
Council went into break at 8:52pm.
Council came out of break at 8:55pm.
Tyler Street Bid Award
Public Works Director Steve King presented the Tyler Street Bid Award which
included receiving 6 bids, project history, cement treated base, better bids than
expected„ lowest budder Northern Asphalt, add $178k of Transportation Benefit
District Funding, what grant does not pay for, amazing project, fixing huge liability,
project details, sidewalk work, significant cost increase, budget expenditure amount
should be $178k, $750 arts contribution, three options, Farmers Market, and overlay
not being an option.
In response to Council's clarifying question staff explained Transportation Benefit
District funds, other street project, how many years until street will have to be
addressed again, typical amount to send something out bid, 1 % for the arts,
groundbreaking date, and conversations with Farmers Market.
Public comment:
There was no public comment.
Motion: Ben Thomas moved to award the Tyler Street Paving project to the lowest
responsive bidder, Northern Asphalt and authorize a budget amendment in the amount
of $178,000 of additional Transportation Infrastructure Funded funds. Owen Rowe
seconded.
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Discussion ensued around excitement to spend Transportation Benefit District Funds,
the importance of asking for money, reality of increased costs on projects, Polk St
property owned by Mayor Faber, good feedback from community, appreciation for
Transportation Benefit District, importance of communications, and spelling out
acronyms.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
Resolution 25-008 Noticing a Public Hearing Date to Consider Dissolution of the
Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Public Development Authority (PDA)
City Manager John Mauro and Alexandra Kenyon presented Resolution 25-008
Noticing a Public Hearing Date to Consider Dissolution of the Fort Worden Lifelong
Learning Public Development Authority (PDA) which included setting hearing date,
receivership, dissolving Fort Worden PDA, difficult path forward, public comment,
June hearing date, and Agenda Bill.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff and Council member Wennstrom
explained draft dissolution statement figures.
Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around recusals, current accounts receivable, and utility
payment.
Council member MickHager recused herself from the vote due to her involvement on
the KPTZ board.
Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Resolution 25-008 Noticing a Public Hearing
Date to Consider Dissolution of the Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Public Development
Authority (PDA) Libby Wennstrom seconded.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote.
Monica MickHager was recused.
PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT
Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included upcoming meeting
and pausing work on parking management.
Motion: Amy Howard moved to direct staff to cease work on the parking plan until later
directed. Owen Rowe seconded.
Discussion ensued around needing a motion.
Public comment:
There was no public comment.
Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.
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SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
There were no suggestions for future agendas.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL
There were no comments from Council.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110 (1)(G) PERFORMANCE OF A
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE (APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES) (THIS ITEM WAS REMOVED
DURING CHANGES TO THE AGENDA)
EXECUTIVE SESSION: PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110(1)(1) TO DISCUSS WITH
LEGAL COUNSEL REPRESENTING THE AGENCY LITIGATION OR POTENTIAL
LITIGATION (APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES)
Mayor Faber stated the Council will go into an Executive Session Pursuant to RCW
42.30.110(1)(i) To discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or
potential litigation for approximately 10 minutes.
Council went into Executive Session at 9:34pm.
Council came out of Executive Session at 9:44pm.
Mayor Faber stated they will extend Executive Session for an additional 10 minutes.
Council went into Executive Session at 9:44pm.
Council came out of Executive Session at 9:54pm. No action was taken.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:54pm.
Attest:
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City Clerk
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