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Home My WebLink About100625 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF OCTOBER 6, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a Regular Session on the 6th day of October 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, Neil Nelson, Monica MickHager, Libby Wennstrom, Owen Rowe, and Ben Thomas. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Community Services Director Melody Sky Weaver, Chief of Police Tom Olson , Facilities and Parks Manager Michael Todd , Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams, Arts and Culture Coordinator Katy Goodman, and Deputy City Clerk Lonnie Mickle . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) Oath of Office- Police Officer Chief of Police Tom Olson provided the Oath of Office to Police Officer Eric Morris. Friends of the Library Week Proclamation Mayor Faber presented the Friends of the Library Week Proclamation to Port Townsend Library Friends and Foundation President Cindy Johnson. Indigenous Peoples' Day Proclamation Mayor Faber presented the Indigenous Peoples' Day Proclamation to Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe Tribal Council members. Port Townsend Golf Park Presentation October 6, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 6 City Manager John Mauro, Community Services Director Melody Sky Weaver, Parks and Facilities Manager Michael Todd, provided the Port Townsend Golf Park presentation which included Community Services Department Vision, Purpose of tonight's presentations, Background, Partnership, City Maintenance, City Capital Investment & More, Lease Phasing and Milestones Phase 1: 2024-2025, State Recreation & Conservation Office Grant, and Coffee with the City Manager Coming to Coyote & Crow Restaurant in 2026. Friends of the Port Townsend Golf Park President Bob Wheeler and Board Members Ben Krabill and Mac Little provided the Camas Prairie Park presentation which included Agenda, Introduction & Leadership Team, Historic Legacy & Transformation, Lease Overview & Strategic Commitments, Strategic Focus Areas, Selected Community Program Accomplishments, Community Engagement & Volunteer Impact, Enhanced Community Access & Inclusive Programming, Recent Events, Ecological Stewardship & Environmental Excellence, Operational Capacity & Infrastructure Improvements, Strategic Partnership Network, 501(c)(3) Status & National Links Trust Partnership, Future Vision, Expansion, and Master Use Plan, Future Vision & Expansion Plans, Financial Sustainability Achievement, Revenue Model & Breaking Even Projection, Business & Capital Investment Plan, Metrics Achievement & Performance Tracking, and Camas Prairie Park Mission. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained consultant letters, future partnerships, board composition and recruitment, how to volunteer or express interest to join board, particular skills needed, and SWOT Analysis. Discussion ensued around the Business Plan, History of Golf section, partnerships, community growing in support, thoughtful job financially for next five years, KPTZ, walking on Golf Park, East/West trail, comfort in supporting plan, meeting space rentals, appreciation for work done, brunch menu, and being very impressed. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included water supply, encampment, sunk vessel, September Open House, RCO Grant, and Coffee with the City Manager. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained other agencies thoughts around encampment timeline. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Nat Jacob spoke about RCO Grant, play facilities and fixing the roads. Elena Bary spoke about opposition for the encampment sweep. Sarafina Landis spoke about evacuating community members at DSHS and concerns around where they will go. Dylan Quarles spoke about concerns around intersection on 19th and Sheridan. October 6, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 6 Staff or Council response, as needed In response to public comment staff explained changes coming for 19th and Sheridan intersection, encampment conversations and timeline, dispersal of people, where public can comment, Housing Fund Board meeting, Behavioral Health Consortium, and partnership with service providers. EXECUTIVE SESSION: PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110(1)(1) DISCUSSION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ABOUT CURRENT OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION (APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES) Mayor Faber stated the Council will go into Executive Session to discuss RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) Discussion with legal counsel about current or potential litigation for approximately 20 minutes. No action to follow. Council went into Executive Session at 7:53pm. Council came out of Executive Session at 8:13pm. No action was taken. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: February 18, 2025 (Updated), August 18, 2025, September 2, 2025 Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve the consent agenda. Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. OLD BUSINESS Ordinance 3354 Adopting 2025 Supplemental Budget Appropriations Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams presented Ordinance 3354 Adopting 2025 Supplemental Budget Appropriations which included second reading, no changes to supplement from first reading, updated agenda bill, increase to Main Street contribution, and Shoreline Master Program Grant. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained unemployment costs. Public comment: There was no public comment. October 6, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 6 Discussion ensued around what has not happened and budget to expenditure comparison. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Ordinance 3354 Adopting 2025 Supplemental Budget Appropriations Ben Thomas seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. 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 Jodi Adams presented 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 second reading, updating municipal code, recommendation during audit, common practice, WCIA, and no changes from first reading. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around topic coming before Finance and Budget and Council prior, required to put in code, and research on other cities. Motion: Libby Wennstrom moved to approve 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 Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Ordinance 3355 Repealing and Replacing Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 3.50 Relating to the City's Public Arts Program; Providing for Severability; and Establishing an Effective Date Arts and Culture Coordinator Katy Goodman and Melody Sky Weaver presented Ordinance 3355 Repealing and Replacing Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 3.50 Relating to the City's Public Arts Program; Providing for Severability; and Establishing an Effective Date which included history, better address 1 % for the Arts, priority for Port Townsend Arts Commission, changes over 20 years, Repeal and Replace original code, code specifically talks about how 1 % is funded, utilities projects, more flexiblle program, capital projects, funding can build up, Municipal Arts Fund, Capital Budgets, PTAC review and support, and supporting Public Art Plan. October 6, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 6 In response to Council's clarifying questions, staff explained seeing 1% in upcoming budget, public art maintenance, grant funding/city's funds, and ordinance wording. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around appreciation for more art, maintenance, fund, in support, waiving Council Rules option, second reading on October 20, previous Arts Commission discussions, and great for community. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3355 Repealing and Replacing Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 3.50 Relating to the City's Public Art's Program; Providing for Severability; and Establishing an Effective Date Ben Thomas seconded. Discussion ensued around making true what was initially intended, funding in future, forward looking and expansive, maintaining current public art, and leverages abilities of Art Commission members. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Faber provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included Farmers Market, America Walks, Peoples First Board Meeting, and Dove House Open House. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS John Mauro stated the next workshop meeting is canceled and will send an update. Discussion ensued around chance of fourth meeting and converting workshops to special business meetings. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL There were no comments from Council. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:52pm. Attest: October 6, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 6 Alyssa Rodrigues City Clerk October 6, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 6