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Home My WebLink About102725 Special Session City Council Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION CITY COUNCIL OF OCTOBER 27, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in special session on October 27, 2025, at The Evans Vista Road, Port Townsend, WA 98368 and Council Chambers at 540 Water Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Mayor Faber called the meeting to order at 4:33pm at The Evans Vista Road, Port Townsend, WA 98368. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present during roll call were David Faber, Amy Howard, Owen Rowe, Ben Thomas, Libby Wennstrom, Monica MickHager, and Neil Nelson. Staff members present were Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, Chief of Police Tom Olson, Public Works Director Steve King, and Communications and Marketing Director Shelly Leavens. ENCAMPMENT UPATE Council, Service Providers, and staff provided an Encampment update. Council explained schedule and purpose of the Council meeting. Believe in Recovery provided an update regarding getting people into services. The new Police Navigator was introduced. The REAL Team provided an update on getting people into transitional housing. Bayside Housing provided an update on helping people get into Pats Place, Woodley's Place, and Peters' Place. Discovery Behavioral Health provided an update on offering services. The Jefferson County Health Department provided an update on harm reduction services, mobile team every Friday, Porta potties, hygiene supplies, coordinated entry, 218 people on the list, and criticizing the City for closing the encampment. OlyCAP provided an update on the shelter, housing taking time, and reports regarding predictors of homelessness and impacts of trauma. October 27, 2025 City Council Special Session Business Meeting Page 1 of 4 Reach Out provided an update on there being a success of thirty people to now seven currently in the encampment, Public Comment was given. BREAK Council went into break at 5:31 pm and moved to Council Chambers, 540 Water Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Council reconvened from break at 6:00pm at Council Chambers, 540 Water Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368. All Council members were present. NEW BUSINESS Ordinance 3358 Establishing Interim Land Use Regulations as Authorized by the Growth Management Act, Amending Chapter 17.62 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code Relating to Shelter and Emergency Housing Performance Standards, Providing for Severability, and Establishing an Effective Date. Mayor Faber reviewed Public Hearing Rules of Procedures. City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues and Public Works Director Steve King stated this agenda item is not a Public Hearing. Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin and Steve King provided a presentation on Ordinance 3358 Establishing Interim Land Use Regulations as Authorized by the Growth Management Act, Amending Chapter 17.62 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code Relating to Shelter and Emergency Housing Performance Standards, Providing for Severability, and Establishing an Effective Date which included interim ordinances, Growth Management Act moratoria, 2024 Ordinance details, purpose of zoning, health and safety, streamline permit in Ordinance, November 3 date, interim Ordinance, change type III to type IA, limit appeal rights, City can modify/withdraw/revoke permits for noncompliance, sanitation, potable water, site needs to be managed, setback with neighboring properties, requirements that child is with legal guardian, striking any language related to public hearing, conditional use permit, meeting with City Council, regulating type III to Type I -A permit, Pat's Place, successful, and history behind original code. In response to Council's clarifying question staff explained purpose of agenda item tonight, effective immediately, fees or hurdles related to permit application process, bar to entry with permitting type, and City financial assistance and process. October 27, 2025 City Council Special Session Business Meeting Page 2 of 4 Public comment: Pat Keaty spoke about importance of public input and timing of removal of encampment. Viola Ware spoke about date of removal of encampment and prioritization for applications intended to provide low barrier services. Viki Sonntag spoke about the 5-year plan, federal funding concerns, concerns around 184 available beds, utility bills, and safety of people in encampments. Cameron Jones spoke about Behavioral Health Consortium and timeframe and community knowledge and wisdom. Maggie spoke about Grants Pass vs. Johnson case, criminalizing the status of being homeless, Julia Cochrane spoke about County encampment removal policy. Lori Wake spoke about disregard for wellbeing for most vulnerable people, who are the residents of Port Townsend, servants of public, and to reconsider decision. Mayor Faber stated the public comment is in regard to permits and changing code. Anya Callahan spoke about choosing humanities, public service, extending deadline, and calling another meeting.. James Holthaus spoke about Bayside Housing, effective case management, and passing permit process. Chris Hannon spoke about no permits submitted to City, second legislative session, budget deficit, funding, pass ordinance, and assist and fund service providers interested in providing services. Gary Keister spoke about importance of permit, additional people at Pat Place, interim, permanent camp at San Juan property, United Methodist Church in Hadlock, Woodley Place, and downtown shelter. Discussion ensued around prioritization of application and fast tracking, not being able to discuss utilities and City assistance, special session process, a step in providing longer term permitted encampment, following rules of government, food handling and storage facilities, food service needs to meet public health requirements, does not have to have a food system, and 17.62.050 D insert "any" food handling and storage facilities "shall'. Motion: Libby Wennstrom made a motion to amend 17.62.050D to read "any food handling and storage facilities shall meet all public health requirements (including those in chapter 246-215WAC), including but not limited to proper temperature control for food storage and an educational program for shelter residents; and. Amy Howard seconded. October 27, 2025 City Council Special Session Business Meeting Page 3 of 4 Vote: Motion passed unanimously. Discussion ensued around page number of change, safe parking Type I -A scrivener's error, lowest barrier shelters, public hearing process, possible backlash, and Pat's Place. Motion: Ben Thomas made a motion to waive Council Rules and approve Ordinance 3358 Establishing Interim Land Use Regulations as Authorized by the Growth Management Act, Amending Chapter 17.62 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code Relating to Shelter and Emergency Housing Performance Standards, Providing for Severability, and Establishing an Effective Date as amended. Amy Howard seconded. Discussion ensued around being comfortable moving forward, possible backlash, difficulties of elected office, reducing barriers, funding, and future discussions. Vote: Motion passed unanimously. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:53pm Attest Alyssa R " ri�gues City Clerk October 27, 2025 City Council Special Session Business Meeting Page 4 of 4