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HomeMy WebLinkAbout102025 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF OCTOBER 20, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a Regular Session on the 20th day of October 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 Amy Howard, David Faber, Neil Nelson, Monica MickHager, Owen Rowe, Ben Thomas, and Libby Wennstrom. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Public Works Director Steve King , Planning and Community Development Director Steve King , City Attorney Joanna Eide , Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams , Housing Grants Coordinator Renata Munfrada , Community Services Director Melody Sky Weaver, Arts and Culture Coordinator Katy Goodman, Project Manager Tyler Johnson, Deputy Public Works Director David Dinkuhn, Civil Engineer Laura Parsons, Project Accounting Specialist Isaac Johnson, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Faber explained the Tentative Walk On Item Resolution 25-030 under New Business. PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) Food for All Day Proclamation Mayor Faber presented the Food for All Day Proclamation to the Jefferson County Food Bank Association Executive Director Patricia Hennessy. PT Main Street 03 Update Port Townsend Main Street Executive Director Natalie Maitland presented the Port Townsend Main Street Program 2025 Review and 2026 Goals presentation which included 4 Points of Main Street, Main Street Wins in 2025, Planning for 2026 and Beyond, Organization, Promotions, Design, Economic Vitality, and Collaboration and Communication Keys to Future Success. October 20, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 9 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included Cityscape, Farmer's Market, and Encampment. In response to Council's clarifying question staff explained expediting permits, November 3rd date, and expectation on November 4. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Walter McQuillen spoke about being a sanctuary city and concerns around federal government. Derek Firenze spoke about concerns around removal of encampment and timing. Wednesday Sophia spoke about concerns around removal of encampment and timing. Julia Cochrane spoke about concern around removal of encampment and timing. Tulsi Leathers spoke about concerns around removal of encampment and timing. Elena Bary spoke about concerns around removal of encampment and timing. Viola Ware spoke about concerns around removal of encampment and timing. Maggie spoke about concerns around removal of encampment and timing. Holly Morgan spoke about concerns around removal of encampment and Caswell Brown Village. Anya Callahan spoke about concerns around removal of encampment and timing. David Griffiths spoke about concerns around removal of encampment and timing. Staff or Council response, as needed In response to public comment Mayor Faber explained being a policy making body, permit supported encampment, encampment at Evans Vista, limited capacity, Special Meeting next week, need for service providers, deeply concerning, City identified potential land, hope to find a solution, and calling a Special Meeting. Discussion ensued around policy action by Council, update and discussion, location of meeting, purpose of Special meeting, public comment, and Monday, October 27 at 6pm. October 20, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 9 CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: September 8, 2025, September 15, 2025 Bid Award for the Mill Road and Discovery Road Improvements Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve the consent agenda. Monica MickHager seconded. Discussion ensued around appreciation for Mill Road and Discovery Road improvements. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING Ordinance 3356 Fixing and Adopting 2026 Property Tax Levies for the General Levy with a Total Increase of One Percent (1.00%) and a Voter -Approved Tax Levy for the Mountain View Commons Capital Improvements of $150,000 for the Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds Council member MickHager went on break at 7:24pm. Mayor Faber opened the Public Hearing and reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedure. Discussion ensued around Council member MickHager involvement in the Public Hearing since she is currently on break. Council member MickHager came back from break at 7:26pm. Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams provided the 2026 Property Tax Levy Public Hearing presentation which included Property Tax Detail 2025 Levy Rate 8.706%, City of Port Townsend Levy Rates 2023-2026, Implicit Price Deflator, and 2025 for 2026 Property Tax Recommendation. Discussion ensued around how tax is determined. Public comment: Rick Jahnke spoke about levy amounts. In response to public comment staff stated the comment was accurate. October 20, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 9 In response to Council's clarifying question staff and Council explained not taking the 1 % in the past. Mayor Faber closed the Public Testimony portion of the Hearing. Discussion ensued around action being fairly performative, required to do it, recessive taxes, Senior Exemption, and reason for waiving Council Rules. Mayor Faber closed the public record and public hearing. Motion: Ben Thomas moved to waive Council Rules and approve on first reading Ordinance 3356 Fixing and Adopting 2026 Property Tax Levies for the General Levy with a Total Increase of One Percent (1.00%) and a Voter -Approved Tax Levy for the Mountain View Commons Capital Improvements of $150,000 for the Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3357 Revising Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 3.36, System Development Charges for Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Connections Mayor Faber opened the Public Hearing and reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedure. Housing Grants Coordinator Renata Munfrada and Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin presented Ordinance 3357 Revising Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 3.36, System Development Charges for Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Connections which included background, SDC Chapter amended, new changes in state law, Comprehensive Plan, ADU's and state law, housing affordability, incentivize with SDC deferrals or waiver, expand for Community Land Trust and private developers, Growth Management Act and affordable housing, Ordinance 3235, Chapter 13.36, waived fee process, incorporate stormwater into SDC referrals, expand eligibility to include community land trust and private developers, expand to include ADLYs, CHIP funding, and administration and monitoring of program. There were no written materials submitted. Public comment: There was no public comment. October 20, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 9 In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained expanding affordable housing definition, managing deed restrictions, CHIP grant process, other programs, ADU SDC's, Comprehensive Plan Update, 1000 sq ft, condoization, change in state law made costs go up, help so it's not a disincentive for building an ADU, state law making it harder to build ADU, and how to meet criteria. Mayor Faber closed the Public Testimony portion of the Hearing. Discussion ensued around appreciation for being proactive, retroactive, 80% AMI, door is not closed, charitable purpose, and importance of second reading. Mayor Faber closed the record and Public Hearing. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3357 Revising Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 3.36, System Development Charges for Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Connections Ben Thomas seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. OLD 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 Community Services Director Melody Sky Weaver and Arts and Culture Coordinator Katy Goodman 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 first reading, capital facilities program and 1 % for the Arts, new code language update, body of Code remains unchanged, now includes utilities, capital projects, and more flexible and can be used in more locations. In response to Council's clarifying question staff explained change in Ordinance language and no other changes in Exhibit A. Public comment: There was no public comment. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve 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. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS October 20, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 9 Tentative Walk on Item: Resolution 25-030 Declaring an Emergency, Waiving Public Bidding Requirements, and Ratifying the City Manager's Approval of all Applicable Documents to Allow for the Immediate Repair of Damage to the Big Quilcene River Diversion Apron, which Feeds the Olympic Gravity Water System (Added During Changes to the Agenda) Project Manager Tyler Johnson and Public Works Director Steve King presented Resolution 25-030 Declaring an Emergency, Waiving Public Bidding Requirements, and Ratifying the City Manager's Approval of all Applicable Documents to Allow for the Immediate Repair of Damage to the Big Quilcene River Diversion Apron, which Feeds the Olympic Gravity Water System which included Big Quilcene Diversion - Apron Repairs, concrete splashpad in 1986, 2014 storm, 2018 slab wore out, 2018 completed, 2025 large gap concerns, immediate emergency, emergency declaration needed for emergency hydraulic permit and possible contract, conditions as of now, not easy, Mill welding crews will help, and more secure solution next year. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained water levels, long term fix design, timing, Fish and Wildlife involvement, timing for replacing building structure where actual diversion is, reason for urgency, reference to cost, and OGWS Fund. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around appreciation for Tyler Johnson presentation and OGWS fund. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Resolution 25-030 Declaring an Emergency, Waiving Public Bidding Requirements, and Ratifying the City Manager's Approval of all Applicable Documents to Allow for the Immediate Repair of Damage to the Big Quilcene River Diversion Apron, which Feeds the Olympic Gravity Water System Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution 25-029 Establishing a Port Townsend Poet Laureate Katy Goodman and Melody Sky Weaver provided the Port Townsend Poet Laureate Program presentation which included 2023-2025, Events, City Publications, Program Support, and 2025-2027. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained funding and stipend. Public comment: There was no public comment. October 20, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 9 Discussion ensued around appreciation for how it has gone, Conner Bouchard - Roberts, budget, and successful program. Motion: Ben Thomas moved to approve Resolution 25-029 Establishing a Port Townsend Poet Laureate Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Information Presentation of Preliminary Design Concepts for the Lawrence Street Multimodal Project Steve King, Deputy Public Works Director David Dinkuhn, and Civil Engineer Laura Parsons presented Information of Preliminary Design Concepts for the Lawrence Street Multimodal Project which included walk through with residents, overview, no action, public outreach, property owners, trees, Lawrence Street (Harrison to Walker)- Proposed, cross section, Connected Routes Project: Southeastern Quadrant, intent of median, bulb -outs, Walker Street Collision Data Summary, PUD undergrounding, sewer system, next steps, schedule, on street parking and landscaping, public engagement, and feedback. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained conduit, schedule, when information presented to community, on street parking, width of road and speed control, center line, bike lanes with bulb -outs, possibility of raised sidewalks in future, blocking cross traffic locations, staging for Rhody parade, community acceptance of diverters, and decision -making factors. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around Mayor Faber being a resident on Calhoun St, Council member Thomas stated he lives one block away from project, greenway in Portland, easier to cross the street, Lawrence/Walker intersection speeds, unintended consequences, not a huge downside, stormwater retention, walker friendly, removing on -street parking, and trees. 2026 Preliminary Capital Budget Presentation Steve King and Project Accounting Specialist Isaac Johnson provided the 2026 Capital Budgets Presentation which included Thank you!, References, Work Session Objective, Capital Funds 101, Capital Facilities Plan- Reference, Capital Budget Sheets- See Attached, 2026 General Capital Budget Summary, 2026 Streets Capital Budget Summary, 2026 Water Capital Budget Summary Includes OGWS, 2026 Wastewater Capital Budget Summary, 2026 Stormwater Capital Budget Summary, Key Discussion Points, Storm/Sewer-Debt Issuance, Transportation Benefit District Update, Real Estate Excise Tax, Art Fund Summary, and Next Steps. October 20, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 7 of 9 In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained LTGO bond, REET forecast for next year, prioritization, Pink House, budget for Pink House as historic home, view of all facilities, and money in capital budget for Pink House. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around this being the first touch and siding on Pink House. 2026 Preliminary Budget Presentation and Revenue Update Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams provided the 2026 Budget City Manager's Preliminary Budget which included Overview, Timeline: Preparing the 2026 Budget, 2026 Budget Considerations, 2026 Strategic Workplan, 2026 One-time requests, Departments & Key One -Time Investments, Non -General Fund & 2025 Carry Forward, Investing in our People, Level of Service 2026 Staffing, Long Term Sustainability, 2026 Revenue Estimates, Budget Considerations, Budget Considerations: Inflationary Adjustments & Costs, Budget Considerations: Rainy -Day Fund Policy, and Department Operational Requests General Fund. In response to Council's clarifying question staff explained City Manager Innovation Fund, repetitive numbers, Niche Academy, records, and Parks Master Plan. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around volunteer appreciation fund, policy to direct equitable spending, and does not need to happen in advance of budget. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Faber stated he will skip the Presiding Officer's Report. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS City Manager John Mauro explained a request for a December 8 Joint meeting with Board of County Commissioners and Council to discuss the 2025-2030 Homeless and Affordable Housing Services Plan. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL October 20, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 8 of 9 There were no comments from Council. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:38pm. Attest: Alyssa Rodrigues City Clerk October 20, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 9 of 9