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Home My WebLink About090225 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a regular session on the 2nd of September 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 John Mauro City Manager, Public Works Director Steve King, Long Range Planner Adrian Smith, Planning Manager Jacob Gates, Community Services Director Melody Sky Weaver, Project Manager Andre Harper, Wastewater Treatment/Compost Facility Operations Manager Bliss Morris , and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Faber stated they will add an Executive Session after Public Comment and before Consent Agenda regarding discussion with legal counsel for current or potential litigation to take approximately 10 minutes with no action. PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) (NONE) There were no Proclamations or Special Presentations. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included water supply, YMCA pool closure, Jefferson Healthcare Certificate of Occupancy, Place Based Learning Collaboration with PT School District, and Budget Roadshow. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Faith spoke about concerns around blinking light near Admiralty apartments. September 2, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 6 Staff or Council response, as needed In response to public comment staff explained the red blinking light in relation to traffic safety standpoint. Discussion ensued around putting up signage for drivers and orange flags. Executive Session — Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) Discussion with legal counsel about current or potential litigation (Approximately 10 minutes) (Added During Changes to the Agenda) Mayor Faber stated the Council will go into Executive Session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) discussion with legal counsel about current or potential litigation for approximately 10 minutes. No action to follow. Council went into Executive Session at 6:15pm Council came out of Executive Session at 6:25pm. No action was taken. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: July 14, 2025, July 21, 2025, August 4, 2025 Council Committee Assignment- Port Townsend School District's Facility Advisory Board Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve the consent agenda. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING Ordinance 3352 An Interim Ordinance of the City of Port Townsend Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 17.72 Relating to Interim Parking Regulations and Providing that the Interim Regulations, Unless Extended, will Sunset on the Earlier of Six (6) Months from the Date of Adoption of this Ordinance or the Adoption of Regulations that Superseded this Ordinance. Mayor Faber opened the Public Hearing and reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedure,. Long Range Planner Adrian Smith presented Ordinance 3352 An Interim Ordinance of the City of Port Townsend Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 17.72 Relating to Interim Parking Regulations and Providing that the Interim September 2, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 6 Regulations, Unless Extended, will Sunset on the Earlier of Six (6) Months from the Date of Adoption of this Ordinance or the Adoption of Regulations that Superseded this Ordinance which included March 4, 2024 Ordinance 3333, purpose for recommended vs. required, Ordinance extensions, 3rd extension of interim Ordinance, and reason for extension instead of adoption. There were no written materials submitted. Public comment: There was no public comment. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained no changes from last time, separating residential and commercial, if ordinance has impacted projects, and there being no projects proposed downtown being affected by ordinance. Mayor Faber closed the Public Testimony portion of the Hearing. Discussion ensued around projects and utilizing the Ordinance, Madrona Ridge, ADU's and parking, projects taking a long-time to plan, flexibility, knowledge is out there, reason for waiving Council Rules, and expiring Ordinance process. Motion: Ben Thomas moved to approve the findings of fact and move to waive Council Rules and approve Ordinance 3352 An Interim Ordinance of the City of Port Townsend Amending Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 17.72 Relating to Interim Parking Regulations and Providing that the Interim Regulations, Unless Extended, will Sunset on the Earlier of Six (6) Months from the Date of Adoption of this Ordinance or the Adoption of Regulations that Superseded this Ordinance. Owen Rowe seconded. Mayor Faber closed the public record and the Public Hearing. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. OLD BUSINESS (NONE) NEW BUSINESS Resolution 25-026 Renaming the Triangle I Park as the Minnie Nakano Park Community Services Director Melody Sky Weaver provided Resolution 25-026 Renaming the Triangle I Park as the Minnie Nakano Park presentation which included other park renaming's, Triangle I Park history, Parks, Recreation, Trees and Trails Advisory Board discussion, no current City Park named after a woman, woman of note information from local historians, Nakano family history, Minnie Nakano September 2, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 6 history, and staff recommendation. In response to Council's clarifying question staff explained where family farm was located and where relatives are currently located. Public comment: There was no public comment.. Discussion ensued around conflict -of -interest concern, Parks, Recreation, Trees and Trails Advisory Board thoughtful discussion, Minnie being a community member that deserves it, and proud of first park having a women's name. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Resolution 25-026 Renaming the Triangle 1 Park as the Minnie Nakano Park Monica MickHager seconded. Discussion ensued around where Triangle II Park is located. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Discussion ensued around upcoming celebration and new signs for the park renaming. Resolution 25-027 Authorizing the Application for Loan Funding for Final Design and Construction of Lawrence Street Combined Sewer Separation Project and the Wastewater Treatment Plant Outfall Project in an Amount not to Exceed $6,500,000 Public Works Director Steve King, Project Manager Andre Harper, and Wastewater Treatment/Compost Facility Operations Manager Bliss Morris provided the Resolution 25-027 Authorizing the Application for Loan Funding for Final Design and Construction of Lawrence Street Combined Sewer Separation Project and the Wastewater Treatment Plant Outfall Project in an Amount not to Exceed $6,500,000 which included Department of Ecology recommendation to include more stormwater quality treatment, adding pipe in Lawrence St, asking for more authority to apply for more funding, adding outfall project, Dept of Ecology wants City to apply, sewer outfall background, engagement, internal inspection of pipeline, findings of inspection, amended engineers report, dive assessment, locating joint, staff recommendation, applying for additional funding, prior community pushback, previous permitting process, new option, replace beach section, green light from Ecology, forgivable portions of loan, Resolution just replaces last Resolution, and no kelp/eelgrass will be disturbed. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained reason for Marine Resource Committee pushback, repayment of loans through Enterprise fund, total of outfall amount, no eelgrass disturbed, project schedule, what Department of Ecology is wanting City to do on Lawrence St, what Lawrence St will look like now with September 2, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 6 bioswales, purpose of bioswales, bioswale used for stormwater, what happens with treatment plant while work is happening, how long cast iron pipe will last, putting liner in cast iron pipe, what is going out into the Strait, education kiosk/signage, Wastewater Treatment Plant awards, rate model, difference in debt type, debt issuance being a positive, some debt can be forgiven, and community investing in itself in relation to approving funding. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around big projects being intimidating and previous amount. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Resolution 25-027 Authorizing the Application for Loan Funding for Final Design and Construction of Lawrence Street Combined Sewer Separation Project and the Wastewater Treatment Plant Outfall Project in an Amount not to Exceed $6,500,000 Monica MickHager seconded. Discussion continued around appreciation for 80/20 principle with projects, comfortable with what has been learned, State suggesting changes to Lawrence St, Monroe St Lift Station, and appreciation for Public Works teams. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included Jefferson County outreach event, Hospital Ribbon Cutting, Walking Tour on Lawrence St, and NW Maritime Center local elected event. Discussion ensued around resident concerns with Lawrence St project. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS There were no suggestions for future agendas. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL There were no comments from Council. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:48pm. September 2, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 6 Attest: Alyssa Rodrigues City Clerk September 2, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 6