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Home My WebLink About051925 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MAY 19, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a regular session on the 19th day of May 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, Monica MickHager, Neil Nelson, Owen Rowe, Ben Thomas, and Libby Wennstrom with Amy Howard excused. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Public Works Director Steve King, Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams , Project Accounting Specialist Isaac Johnson, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) National Public Works Week Proclamation Mayor Faber presented the National Public Works Week Proclamation to Public Works Director Steve King. Special Presentation on Dundee Hill CHIP Sub -Recipient Agreement- Olympic Housing Trust Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin and Olympic Housing Trust's Outreach and Development Manager Kellen Lynch provided the Olympic Housing Trust Connecting Housing Through Infrastructure Program (CHIP) which included Project Introduction, Tactical Infill, Connecting Housing through Infrastructure (CHIP), Port Townsend is CHIP ready!, CHIP Funding Success, Overall Funding, and Project Next Steps. Discussion ensued around model project, what happens after 25 years, allotment for maintenance, condo vs. townhome, Port Townsend builders, and appreciation for hard work. May 19, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 7 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included Rhody weekend, new staff, pool, Pink House renovations, Skate Park lights, Transportation budget/projects, San Juan Road and trees, Tyler St. project, hospitals new building, and Arts Commission grant round. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Kaya Keesey spoke about speed tables on 49th street. Derek Firenze spoke about Port Townsend Paper Mill and health risks.. Staff or Council response, as needed In response to public comment staff explained traffic calming systematic approach, speed tables, complexity around jurisdictions, air quality, and Climate Action Committee. 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 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. No action will be taken. Council went into Executive Session at 6:37pm. Council came out of Executive Session at 6:57pm. No action was taken. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: March 26, 2025, April 7, 2025, April 14, 2025 Appointments/Reappointments: Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Library Advisory Board Authorizing the City Manager to Sign for the Purchase of a Street Sweeper May 19, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 7 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Agreements Necessary to complete the engineering design, permitting, specifications and bidding for the Lord's Lake East Dam Seismic Stability Project combined with the Lord's Lake Pipeline Improvements. 2025 First Quarter Financial Update Discussion ensued around the price of street sweepers.. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve the consent agenda. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. OLD BUSINESS (NONE) NEW BUSINESS Changes at Jefferson County Solid Waste and the Impacts to the City Steve King and Waste Connections Site Operations Manager Joey Deese provided the Jefferson Co. Solid Waste Update Anticipated Changes on the Horizon presentation which included Organizational Responsibilities, City Solid Waste Management: Three -Legged Stool, Solid Waste Advisory Board (SWAC), Presentation Objective, Jefferson County Solid Waste Budgets, Transfer Station Equipment Reserve Capital Fund: ($1.8 Million) Short, Transfer Station Capital: Short term Investments- $3.6 million, Transfer Station Capital: Long-term goals, New Tipping Fees: Before Tax $15 Capital Surcharge, $15 Tipping Fee Capital Surcharge, How Does Jefferson County Compare with Equal or Higher Level of Service?, Capital Surcharge- City Customers, Changing Gears to the Topic of Recycling, Current Recycling Program in Jefferson Co. All- Source Separated, Recycling Markets- What is Happening?, Climate impacts?, Self Haul Impacts to the Transfer Station, Changes in this Year's Legislature, Recycling Changes Under Consideration by County Commissioners, Impacts to the City, How to Address Impacts of Changes to the Recycling Landscape?, and Recommendations/Discussion. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) City votes, SWAC membership, previous fee increase, previous increase on bill for city residents, when city residents will see pass through fee on bills, automatic increase to recycling costs for city residents, cost of new plastic containers, dollar amount per customer increase, letter of support for county change, options for how often recycling is picked up, timeline, where plastic goes, effects on Skookum, and "glassphalt". Public comment: John spoke about trash revenues. May 19, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 7 In response to public comment staff explained additional cost of handling glass. Discussion ensued around appreciation for presentation, not being comfortable sending letter of ,support, City part of Jefferson County, private contract, big change for County, SWAC voted, surcharge, needing more details from County, allowable charges set at statewide level, County situation, cardboard recycling, single stream recycling costs, other communities data, costs, value of doing a letter, need more details, letter is about privatization, timing of letter, solves issues for County, provide feedback to County from City, issues with current design, impact on City contract, drop off fee for recycling, Public Hearing, and not being required to take action. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to table the item. Ben Thomas seconded. Discussion ensued around providing a reason for concern. Vote: motion carried, 4-2 by voice vote, Neil Nelson, and Owen Rowe opposed. 2025 Arterial Street Chip Seal Project- Alternative Bid Council member Wennstrom left at 8:10pm. Steve King presented the 2025 Arterial Street Chip Seal Project- Alternative Bid which included two main preservation efforts, County, contractors, add streets when there are good prices, bid opening, TBD Funds, come back after bids, and include alternative in bid schedule. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained having more options, will come back, TBD fund, and three block radius recusals. Council member Thomas stated he will recuse himself due to the location of his home in relation to the project. Public comment: There was no public comment. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to authorize additional funds to be available for a potential bid alternative for adding Kearney Street to the 2025 Chip Seal project. Neil Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 4-0 by voice vote. Council member Thomas recused. Purchase of a Traffic Speed Radar Feedback Trailer May 19, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 7 Steve King and John Mauro presented the Purchase of a Traffic Speed Radar Feedback Trailer which included donation for $5,000, current traffic speed trailers not working well, Traffic Calming budget allocation, Hoodsport traffic speed trailer, active participation speed trailer, campaign, small investment, traffic calming measures, data collections for officer enforcement, tubes, Traffic Calming Manual, donation, Council alignment, and not needing approval from Council. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained Transportation Benefit District fund, total amount, will do more than old trailers, speed citation cameras, location, and Shared Streets Law. Public comment: David Thielk spoke about behavior changes and enforcement. Rebecca Kimball spoke about enforcement and automatic traffic safety cameras. Derek Firenze spoke about automatic traffic safety cameras and laws. Discussion ensued around having future conversations about enforcement cameras, appreciation for resident involvement, and education preference. Motion: Ben Thomas moved to support the purchase of traffic speed radar feedback trailer estimated at $12, 000 including contingency and tax Owen Rowe seconded. Discussion ensued around importance of traffic trailer to collect data. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3350 Adopting 2025 Supplemental Budget Appropriations Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams and Project Accounting Specialist Isaac Johnson presented Ordinance 3350 Adopting 2025 Supplemental Budget Appropriation which included budget amendment process, General Fund - Professional Services, Water Meter purchases, Community Services, Arts Department, Internal Service Funds, Public Works allocation items, and having right amount of information for supplemental. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained information sharing with other Council members. Public comment: There was no public comment. May 19, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 7 Discussion ensued around appreciation for staff, Kearney St carry forward, page numbers on supplements, and narratives. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3350 Adopting 2025 Supplemental Budget Appropriations Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included fourth grade field trip, Rhody Parade, Joint Council/Planning Commission meeting, and Port Townsend Family Portrait. 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 20 MINUTES) Mayor Faber stated the Council will go into Executive Session Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) Performance of a public employee for approximately 20 minutes. Possible action to follow. Council went into Executive Session at 9:01 pm. Council came out of Executive Session at 9:21 pm. Discussion ensued around the completion of the City Manager evaluation and salary adjustment. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to increase the City Manager's salary by 3%. Monica MickHager seconded. Discussion ensued around why Council member Thomas is voting against it. Vote: motion carried, 4-1 by voice vote, Ben Thomas opposed. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:37pm. Attest: May 19, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 7 v y ss Rodrigues City Clerk May 19, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 7 of 7