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Home My WebLink About110325 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF NOVEMBER 3, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a Regular Session on the 3rd day of November 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, Ben Thomas, Owen Rowe, Neil Nelson, and Libby Wennstrom. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin , Public Works Director Steve King , Housing Grants Coordinator Renata Munfrada, Assistant City Engineer Jeff Kostechka , and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Faber stated they will add an Executive Session Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) Discussion with Legal Counsel about Current or Potential Litigation at the end of the meeting and the request added under Comments from Council. PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) Oath of Office- Police Officer Chief of Police Tom Olson provided the Oath of Office to Police Officer Cameron Natterstad. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included Comprehensive Plan, City Attorney new hire, Port Townsend Main Street Mobile Greeter Program award, Annual City County Manager Association Annual Conference, and encampment. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained public hearing schedule and encampment discussion. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment November 3, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 5 Cendre Hunt spoke about concerns around removal of encampment and request for administrative pause. Frankie Rafferty spoke about concerns around removal of encampment and what happens to people at encampment tomorrow. Anya Callahan spoke about concerns around removal of encampment and to spend time talking about unhoused folks at tonight's meeting. Staff or Council response, as needed Mayor Faber explained prior discussion is for a delay regarding permit and ongoing litigation. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained placement at Pat's Place. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: October 6, 2025 Appointments/Reappointments: Library Advisory Board, Arts Commission Poet Laureate Appointment Resolution 25-031 Amending the City's Personnel Policies Manual to Clarify Administration of Flexible Spending Accounts; Providing for Ratification and Severability; and Establishing an Immediate Effective Date Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve the consent agenda. Owen Rowe seconded. Discussion ensued around appointment of new Poet Laureate Rufina Garay and appreciation for work on Poet Laureate program. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. OLD BUSINESS Ordinance 3357 Revising Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 3.36, System Development Charges for Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Connections Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin and Housing Grants Coordinator Renata Munfrada presented Ordinance 3357 Revising Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 3.36, System Development Charges for Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Connections which included second reading, potential changes in zoning code with Comprehensive Plan and Periodic Update, ADU changes, density, waived fees for ADU's, housing affordability, eligible deferrals, eligible organizations, eligible units, CHIP, affordable housing tools, amendments will help with November 3, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 5 affordable housing efforts. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained rates and Infrastructure costs, after 20-year process, programs for longer -term affordability, 20 vs 25 years, scriveners error on F.1.c in Ordinance, October 20 is correct version, 8 limit, private developer, voting on October 20 ordinance, no other changes, and intended to be the same document. Public comment: There was no public comment. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve Ordinance 3357 version from October 20th Revising Port Townsend Municipal Code Chapter 3.36, System Development Charges for Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Connections Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Cherry Street Property Surplus Update Emma Bolin and Public Works Director Steve King provided the Cherry Street Property Surplus Update which included passing out updated agenda bill, reason for updated agenda bill, reviewing lot line adjustments with adjoining property owners, proposed zoning for R-II, R-II proposed density, more density could be placed on site, types of housing, deed restriction, restricts use for municipal purposes, affordable housing is municipal purpose, original Resolution for surplus, show all of the costs instead of just recent, big decisions around debt, and bringing options before Council in near future. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained transfer or ownership, decisions coming before Council in future, lot line adjustments, affordable housing definition, and review of highest AMI possible. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around being pleased with focus on affordability and more units. Active Transportation Plan Presentation and Review Steve King and Assistant City Engineer Jeff Kostechka provided the 2025 Active Transportation Plan -Update of the 2011 Non -Motorized Transportation Plan presentation which included Thank You!, Agenda, Active Transportation, Community Outreach, Community Input, Online Survey - Areas of Concern, Trails, Connected Routes, ADA Routes, Shared Vision, 2011 Non -Motorized Plan Map, 2025 Trail Map, Signature Trail Map, Stakeholder/Community Input, Non -Motorized History, Speed Safety Cameras, Summary of 2025 Active Transportation Plan, and Detailed Maps. November 3, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 5 In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained motorized vehicle definition, 20% of housing on ADA routes, and miles of public trail. Public comment: Nicole Gauthier spoke about support for the plan in relation to Jefferson Transit, Becci Kimball spoke about appreciation for staff and health benefits of exercise. Scott Walker spoke about the plan history, appreciation for staff and new plan, speed enforcement, sidewalks clear of vegetation, parking management plan, and adjacent support. Discussion ensued around great read, speed limit information, speed safety cameras, everyone's involvement, pictures, and acceptance process. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Faber stated he does not have a Presiding Officer's Report. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS There were no suggestions for Future Agendas,. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Council member Rowe stated he will not be at the November 10 meeting. Mayor Faber shared a comment about ride share apps. Council member Thomas explained the World Cup- Hood Canal Bridge Legislative Request. Executive Session: Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) Discussion with legal counsel about current or potential litigation (approximately 15 minutes)- Added During Changes to the Agenda Mayor Faber stated 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 15 minutes. No action to follow. Council went into Executive Session at 7:58pm. Council came out of Executive Session at 8:14pm. No action was taken. ADJOURN November 3, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 5 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:14pm. Attest: Alyssa Rodrigues City Clerk November 3, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 5