HomeMy WebLinkAbout041425 City Council Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF APRIL 14, 2025
CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALL
The City Council met in a regular session on the 14th day of April 2025 in Council
Chambers at 540 Water Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Mayor Faber called the
meeting to order at 6:03pm.
Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Monica MickHager, Owen Rowe,
Neil Nelson, and Libby Wennstrom with Amy Howard, and Ben Thomas excused.
Staff members present were Planning and Community Development Director Emma
Bolin , Long Range Planner Adrian Smith , City Manager John Mauro, and Deputy City
Clerk Lonnie Mickle.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA)
Rick Jahnke spoke about budget trends.
CONVERSATION WITH CONGRESSWOMAN EMILY RANDALL
Mayor Faber introduced Congresswoman Emily Randall.
Congresswoman Emily Randall provided an introduction and explained her role as
Congresswoman.
In response to Council's clarifying questions Congresswoman Emily Randall
explained dealing with misinformation, funding, best way to use your voice, judicial
branch, and Field and Outreach Representative.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Comprehensive Plan Update
Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin and Long Range
Planner Adrian Smith presented the Comprehensive Plan Open House
Implementation Activity which included March 26 Open House, 1. Prepare and
prioritize individual plans for mixed -use hubs as a subarea plan for the next 10
years, 2. Implement a streets master plan to identify future uses for rights of way,
Change zoning to permit duplexes in the R-1 District, Change zoning to permit multi-
family housing in the R-II District, Change parking rules to not require off-street
parking for new projects, 6. Inventory city -owned properties for potential housing,
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and 7. Allow more small-scale commercial uses in residential areas..
Discussion ensued around multi -family housing definition, off street parking
requirements, city -owned properties for potential housing, and Housing Grant
Coordinator.
Public comment:
Rick Jahnke spoke about commercial use in residential zone.:
Discussion ensued around follow up questions, corner stores/cafe/restaurants,
Community Direction Statement, April 24 Joint PC/CC meeting, May 22 Joint PC/CC
meeting, term "bundles", appreciation for staff, Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek
Thompson, inaccuracies/accuracy of polls, engagement fatigue, zoning, and
representation/beliefs.
Quarterly Workplan Review
City Manager John Mauro and Planning and Emma Bolin presented the 2025 Strategic
Workplan which included process/timeline, Committees, Advisory Bodies, External
Committees, Invest in our People, Engage our Community, Innovate our Systems, and
Structures & Processes, and Envision our Sustainable Future and Deliver our Priority
Initiatives.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained Urban Forestry Plan.
Public Comment:
Scott Walker spoke about downtown parking management.
In response to public comment Council members explained the need for public
demand on downtown parking management.
Discussion ensued around appreciation for staff, Critical Areas Ordinance, items
going well, and Council driven reds.
Council Committee Reports
Council member MickHager provided the Finance and Budget Committee report
which included staff doing a great job, interfund policy, and check signature policy..
Council member Nelson reported that Infrastructure and Development has not met.
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Council member Rowe stated his update is in the document.
Mayor Faber stated the City will be the host for the next Intergovernmental
Collaborative Group.
Discussion ensued around feedback and External Committee updates.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:53pm,
Attest:
Aly;s odrigues
City Clerk
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