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Home My WebLink About091525 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a Regular Session on the 15th day of September 2025 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Mayor Faber called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Amy Howard, Monica MickHager, Neil Nelson, Owen Rowe, Ben Thomas, and Libby Wennstrom. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Public Works Director Steve King, Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams, Civil Engineer Mike Connelly, Streets/Stormwater/Sewer Operations Manager Brian Reid , Deputy Public Works Director David Dinkuhn, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Faber stated they will add an Executive Session before Consent Agenda with no action. PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) Arbor Day Proclamation Mayor Faber presented the Arbor Day Proclamation to Debbie Jahnke. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included tree removal on Kah Tai side of Sims Way, water supply, DSHS encampment, Planning for Our Future Open House, and new staff and promotions. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment September 15, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Pagel of 6 Maggie spoke about 25 Evans Vista Encampment porta potty service and document fees. Doug Groenig spoke about passing Ordinance denying the use of face coverings for law enforcement personnel. Staff or Council response, as needed In response to public comment staff explained City paying for porta potty and dumpster service at Evans Vista Encampment, feedback from Police Chief, 2017 Welcoming Resolution, and Washington Sheriff and Police Chief statement. 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 6:24pm. Council came out of Executive Session at 6:34pm. Mayor Faber stated they will extend for another 5 minutes and will return at 6:39pm Council went back into Executive Session at 6:34pm. Council came out of Executive Session at 6:39pm. No action was taken. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: August 11, 2025 Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve the consent agenda. Ben Thomas seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 8-0 by voice vote. OLD BUSINESS (NONE) NEW BUSINESS Status of Transportation Benefit District Funding and Investments along with Priority Streets Presentation Public Works Director Steve King, Civil Engineer Mike Connelly, Streets/Stormwater/Sewer Operations Manager Brian Reid, and Deputy Public Works Director David Dinkuhn provided the Transportation Benefit District Investments - "Clawing Back" presentation which included Finding Humor in our Work, Principal September 15, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 6 Challenge, Work Session Objective, Context- Remembering the..., Context -See how far we have come.... Context -Funds are now available!, Context- Streets are a core of our City Streets Videos, Background, Context Port Townsend Streets, 2025, The Year of the Chip Seal!, Chip Seals- Pavement Preservation Like Painting a House, Finding our Groove! 2 YR Process, When Pavement is Shot Pulverize and Chip Seal, When Chip Seal Doesn't Work Pulverize and Pave, When the Street Has a Poor Base Full Depth Reclamation with Cement Treatment, Banked Capacity 2022, Banked Capacity 2023 Thank you Council, Community and Crews, 2025- Metrics/Results, Let's Celebrate, Key Learning in 2025, Financial Strategy: Cashflow and Workflow, Recommended TBD Investment Relative Costs of Treatments, Transportation Budgeting Last Council Presentation- May 19, 2025, Cashflow-Revenue, Projected Cashflow- Expenditure Schedule, Transportation Benefit District Funding Summary, 2026 Preservation Options, 2027 Repair and Preservation Options, 2026 Hot Spot Repairs, Recommended TBD Investment Prioritization Criteria -Focus Area, and Next Steps. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained Fir St Federal Arterial, chip seal timeline, chip seal and thickened edge, environmental impact of asphalt vs chip seal, chip seal risk, asphalt vs. chip seal for wheelchair travel, and type of paint used. Public comment: Scott Walker spoke about making just presentation available to public. Maggie spoke about having access blocked for the homeless to services paid for and 30-year period review of cost for fixing roads. In response to public comment staff explained how much spent per year with 2022 dollar figure. Discussion ensued around article with slides, YouTube page, Jackson St, Bell St and Kuhn St top priorities, hot spot, Hastings worked on, Discovery after Rainier, projects not done in uptown, trusting team to strategize, FAQ, neighborhood meetings, Fir St, 47th St, and staff being in best position to make recommendations. Ordinance 3353 Relating to Bonds for City Officers and Employees; Adopting a New Chapter 2.09 and New Section 2.09.010, Official Bonds, in the Port Townsend Municipal Code (PTMC); and Adopting a New Section in 2.10.050 in the PTMC Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams provided a presentation on Ordinance 3353 Relating to Bonds for City Officers and Employees; Adopting a New Chapter 2.09 and New Section 2.09.010, Official Bonds, in the Port Townsend Municipal Code (PTMC); and Adopting a New Section in 2.10.050 in the PTMC which included requirement of State Law, recommendation of Auditors, offers protection, RCW citations, City sets dollar amount for performance bonds, and code is implementing dollar amount to purchase performance bonds. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained how often dollar amounts will change. September 15, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 6 Public comment: There was no public comment. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3353 Relating to bonds for city Officers and Employees, Adopting a New Chapter 2.09 and New Section 2.09.010, Official Bonds, in the Port Townsend Municipal Code (PTMC); and Adopting a New Section in 2.10.050 in the PTMC Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Budget: 2026 Budget Revenue Estimates Jodi Adams provided the 2026 Budget Revenue Update which included 2026 Strategic Workplan, Financial Sustainability Initiative Report Benchmark Status, MRSC, Legislation that may Affect our Budget, Property Tax- Current & Past 2 Years, Property Tax- 2026 Estimated Budget $4,095,090, Sales Tax- Current & Past 2 Years, Retail Sales Tax- 2026 Estimated Budget $3,668,405, Real Estate Excise Tax- Current & Past 2 Years, Real Estate Excise Tax-2026 Estimated Budget $682,500, Permits- 2026 Estimated Budget $475,000, Business & Occupation Tax- Current & Past 2 Years, Business & Occupation Tax- 2026 Estimated Budget $1,338,105, Lodging Tax- 2026 Estimated Budget $600,000, Transportation Benefit District- 2026 Estimated Budget $1,200,000, Utility Tax Water, Sewer, Storm- Current & Past 2 Years, Utility Tax- 2026 Estimated Budget $2,066,780, General Fund Grants $761,334, and 2025 Budget Roadshow. In response to Council's clarifying question staff explained accumulative year comparisons on graphs and separate construction on sales tax graphs. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around appreciation for graphs, Lodging Tax year over year comparison graph, easy to read graphs, Lodging Tax graph details, and budgeting conservatively. Ordinance 3354 Adopting 2025 Supplemental Budget Appropriations Jodi Adams presented Ordinance 3354 Adopting 2025 Supplemental Budget Appropriations which included Port Townsend Main Street, second supplement, General Fund, Community Services, Unemployment Expenses, Shoreline Master Grant, clean up, two CHIP Grants, Community Services emergency repairs, Facilities ERR, Public Works, Main Street funding from State, and ARPA. Public comment: There was no public comment. September 15, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 6 Discussion ensued around housekeeping and explanation. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3354 Adopting 2025 Supplemental Budget Appropriations Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 25-028 Adopting Updated Comprehensive Financial Management Policy Guidelines and Repealing Resolution 21-004 Jodi Adams presented Resolution 25-028 Adopting Updated Comprehensive Financial Management Policy Guidelines and Repealing Resolution 21-004 which included new process, housekeeping items, adding Accounts Payable processes to Finance Policies, Interfund Loan policy, temporary Interfund Loan, In response to Council's clarifying question staff explained purpose of policies. Public comment: Derek Firenze spoke about changing word "citizen" to "resident" in document. Motion: Libby Wennstrom moved to approve Resolution 25-028 Adopting Updated Comprehensive Financial Management Policy Guidelines and Repealing Resolution 21-004 Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included upcoming ICG meeting and Mayors for Peace invitation. Discussion ensued around membership fee. Motion: Ben Thomas moved to ask the Mayor to sign the Mayors for Peace registration. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Mayor Faber reported he attended a Happy Hour event with politicians at the Port. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS There were no suggestions for future agendas. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL September 15, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 6 There were no comments from Council. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:35pm.. Attest: AIy=R;drigues City Clerk September 15, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 6