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HomeMy WebLinkAbout111725 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF NOVEMBER 17, 2025 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a regular meeting on the 17th 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, Neil Nelson, Owen Rowe, and Ben Thomas with Libby Wennstrom excused. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams , Public Works Director Steve King , Planning Manager Jacob Gates, Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, Long Range Planner Adrian Smith , Housing Grants Coordinator Renata Munfrada , Civil Engineer Laura Parsons, Deputy Public Works Director David Dinkuhn, Project Accounting Specialist Isaac Johnson, Community Services Director Melody Sky Weaver, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Faber stated they will move the Lawrence Street Multimodal Improvements Project item before the Public Hearing due to length of Public Hearing. PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) Community Chorus Week Proclamation Mayor Faber provided the Community Chorus Week Proclamation to members of the Community Chorus. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City's Manager's Report which included team workshop, Poet Laureate, Summer Reading Program t-shirt design, Artist Awards, and appreciation for Advisory Board members and openings. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC November 17, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 9 Public comment Maggie spoke about document recording/administrative fees, Housing Fund Board, and giving back administrative fees. Julia Cochrane spoke about the Winter Welcoming Center new hours, severe disabilities in women, King County, Homeless Bill of Rights, and Art Wall. Staff or Council response, as needed In response to public comment Mayor Faber stated the Art Wall at Memorial Field is a Jefferson County project. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: October 27, 2025 Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve the consent agenda. Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS (MOVED DURING CHANGES TO THE AGENDA) Support for the Concept of the Lawrence Street Multimodal Improvements Project, Harrison Street to Walker Street Civil Engineer Laura Parsons, Deputy Public Works Director David Dinkuhn, and Public Works Director Steve King presented the Lawrence Street Project Harrison to Walker Street which included Lawrence Street Project (Location„ Cross Section, Schedule, Presentation Discussion Points, Concept Design, On -street Parking- with or without, Historic Homes- ,Setbacks & Mature Landscaping, Landscaping- Heritage Tree, Pedestrian Friendly Features, Sidewalks- Proposed Extent of Work, Truck/bus/fire accommodations, Traffic Calming-Diverters, Traffic Calming- Raised crossings, and Traffic Calming- Walker/Lawrence Intersection. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained getting drivers to stop on Walker and Rhody Parade schedule. Public comment: Scott Walker spoke about 25ft curb radius, Walker curb radius concerns, and 4 way stop at Walker St. Julie Jaman spoke about dark skies and native vegetation for landscaping. November 17, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 9 Linda Maclntyre spoke about correctable vs. non correctable accident records and improvements to water, sewer, and drainage. In response to public comment staff explained accident data review, native vegetation use, lighting Ordinance, and accommodating bus turning right on Walker. Discussion ensued around dark skies, four way stop concerns, and residential lighting. Motion: Amy Howard moved to support the preferred design concept, as shown in the attached presentation, for the Lawrence Street Multimodal Improvements Project, Harrison Street to Walker Street. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING Ordinance 3359 Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, For the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2026 Mayor Faber opened the Public Hearing and reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedures. Finance and Technology Servies Director Jodi Adams and Project Accounting Specialist Isaac Johnson presented the 2026 Budget City Manager Final Budget which included Agenda, General Fund is Balanced What Does that Mean?, General Fund Recurring Budget, All Funds (including transfers), The 2026 Budget Includes 23.5 Million Interfund Transfers, 2026 Actual Spending vs. Reported Total Budget, and 2026 Proposed Budget Fund Summary. There were no written materials submitted. Public comment: There was no public comment. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained staff salaries put in as ranges. Public Comment: Judy Krebs spoke about trying to understand specifics of budget, broad categories of increased spendings, speaking in favor of transparency, and there being no specifics in budget. November 17, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 9 In response to public comment staff explained previous presentations and documents presented going into detail. Discussion ensued around being thrilled with budget and presentation, appreciation for staff, support for budget, grants, transfers, proud of work, budget roadshow, bottom line budget, budget not written in stone, loving the new format, supplemental budgets, tend to over budget, must have a balanced budget, Finance and Budget Committee, budget book layout, a lot of city budgets in trouble, and future projections and sales tax revenues. Mayor Faber closed the public record and Public Hearing. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Ordinance 3359 Adopting the Budget for the City of Port Townsend, Washington, For the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2026 Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Council went into break at 7:15pm Council came out of break at 7:19pm. Ordinance 3361 Relating to Comprehensive Planning; Adopting the 2025 GMA Periodic Update to the Comprehensive Plan; Amending the Comprehensive Plan; Adopting an Active Transportation Plan, and Amending Titles 2, 12, 17, 18, and 20 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code in Connection Therewith Mayor Faber opened the Public Hearing and reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedures. Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, Long Range Planner Adrian Smith, Housing Grants Coordinator Renata Munfrada, Planning Manager Jacob Gates, Public Works Director Steve King, SCJ Alliance Principal Bill Grimes, and Community Services Director Melody Sky Weaver presented the City Council Public Hearing on the 2025 Periodic Review which included Meeting Topics, Planning Process, Planning Process- PPP, Summary of Periodic Review Events, Key Outcomes of Periodic Review Events, Summary of Periodic Review Meetings, Planning Process- Docket„ Planning Process- State Review, Planning Process - Planning Commission Review, Planning Process- Planning Commission Recommendation, Period Review Proposed Amendments, Parts of Periodic Review, Comprehensive Plan- (Introduction, rand Use, Land Use- Suggestions from 10/23/25 Housing, Land Use: Land Use Map, Land Use: Vision Map, Housing, Housing Edits Since 10/23/25 Hearing, Transportation, Utilities, Capital Facilities, Capital Facilities: Level of Service, Economic Development, Climate Resilience,. Parks, Recreation and Open Space, Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Maps, Goals, Policies, and Implementation, Goals, Policies, and Implementation - Suggestions Since 10/23/25 Hearing, Appendices), Active Transportation, Development Regulations- (Chapter 2, Chapter 12, Chapter 17 Edits for Clarity and Density, Chapter 17 Overall Edits, Chapter 17 Definition Edits Since 10/23/25, November 17, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 9 Chapter 17 Residential Zone Minimum Densities, Chapter 17 Minimum Density Options in R-IV, Chapter 17 R-IV Minimum Densities Pros and Cons, Chapter 17 Maximum Densities, Chapter 17 Maximum Density Options in R-II), Maximum 32 Unit Examples from 09/11/25 Planning Commission, Renderings of 32 Unit Maximum with Proposed Bulk and Dimensional Amendments from 09/11/25 Planning Commission, Maximum 48 Unit Examples from 09/11/25 Planning Commission, Development Regulations -(Chapter 17 R-II Maximum Densities Pros and Cons, Chapter 17 R-II Maximum Densities: Third Option, Chapter 17 Lot Sizes, Chapter 17 ADU Size and Commercial Uses in Residential Zones, Chapter 17 Setbacks, Chapter 17 Daylight Plane and Height Limits, Chapter 17 Height Limit Discussion, Chapter 17 Lot Coverage and Consistent Terms, Chapter 17 Changes for Alternative Design Tools, Chapter 17 Design Requirements, Chapter 17 Off - Street Parking, Chapter 18, Chapter 20, Discussion Aid: City Council Review Criteria, Using PTMC 20.04.080 Review Criteria, Review Criteria- PTMC 20.04.080, Recommended Motion, and Next Steps and Meetings in December. Written materials were submitted in the packet. Written material was handed to the City Clerk to be included in the packet after the meeting. Public comment: Julie Jaman spoke in opposition of the repeal and rewrite of the Communication Direction Statement which included erasing "small town atmosphere" sentence, preference for small town atmosphere, Gateway Plan and Shoreline Master Plan public participation in past, local election results show community preferences, concerns with Planning Commission and Council regarding "small town atmosphere", and community preferences ignored. Bly Windstorm spoke about agriculture in the City, help from staff, came late to process, coming back with Comprehensive Amendment in 2026, not in support of any development to penalize affordable housing and opposition to complete elimination of daylight plane. Derek Firenze spoke about emergency housing and encampment policy, lack of funding, encampment sweep, overdose, adopting Comprehensive Plan to prioritize funding lifesaving services at a funded encampment, and funding mechanisms. Viki Sonntag spoke about Active Transportation Plan, needing to be more strategic with housing, opposition to 48 units in R-II, public supports "moderate density", radical upzoning having negative consequences, and being in support of moderate density. Kathy Ryan spoke about appreciation for staff, in support of farms, in support of "small town character", in support of urban farming, no farmland lost with Dundee Hill project, Shy Acres, and positive impacts of urban agriculture. Jamie Maciejewski spoke about appreciation for work, concerns around increasing minimum density, bring in barrier to Habitat for Humanity, condominium for homeowner organization like Habitat for Humanity is not feasible, if style of housing meets density it should be allowed, and appreciation for partnership with City. November 17, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 9 Jude Rubin spoke about appreciation for work and will pursue an amendment in 2026 to be more specific around food growing as a legacy in the town. Eric Jones spoke about important housing strategies, important to pursue concepts, and statistics around Jefferson County workforce. Musa Jaman spoke in opposition of the Fundamental Concepts, Overarching Principles, and Community Direction Statement being removed in Comprehensive Plan, much public participation, concerns around public responses not being recorded and accurately presented in update„ importance of retaining Fundamental Concepts, Overarching Principles, and Community Direction Statement, and urges Council to restore sections to draft Comp Plan update in the name of conserving the community's voice. Judy Krebs spoke about mistake on Exhibit G page 21 regarding connections between Rainier and Howard St through 20th street and removing bike lane. Aleta Greenway spoke about importance for Comprehensive Plan to include wording and action to preserve agriculture land in City limits, opposition to some Chapter 17 zoning changes and a better way for public to be involved with changes, and changes to zoning Chapter 17 would make town unrecognizable. Dylan Quarles spoke about appreciation for work done and concerns around rule prohibiting living in a trailer on plot of land being developed. Mary McCurdy spoke about being careful around high maximum density, careful and mindful of what nonprofits in town can build, confusion around restaurants/grocery stores in residential areas and where it came from, residents don't know what is coming at them in regard to density, and making sure the community understands what will happen in Uptown area. Kathryn Mulley spoke about importance of permanently affordable housing providers, concerns around daylight plane, appreciation for laying out pros and cons by staff, listen to partners who are successfully building affordable housing, and concerns around big gulps in density. Keith Vixen spoke about support for thoughtful dense development, opposition to 64 units per lot, and supporting small thoughtfd,l development. Kellen Lynch spoke about support for work with Dundee Hill, importance to think of partnership holistically, gratitude for work done, call for accountability, risk in development, what is Port Townsend getting back in return, and demand something in return. Julie Jaman spoke about proposing a current amendment into draft introduction statement to include mention of local agriculture. Derek Firenze spoke about insurance maps and Port Townsend being insurable and importance for mandates of affordability. In response to public testimony staff explained unit lot subdivision changes, where restaurants and grocery stores in residential area came from, 20th St and Rainier November 17, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 9 connection trails, allowing density vs. what has actually been developed, and agriculture addressed as an economic force. In response to Council's clarifying question staff and Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Jamie Maciejewski explained consequences of having an RV/THOW while building, minimum density of 16 not being a problem for Habitat for Humanity, cottage housing, future economic analysis for guaranteed low-income housing, ADU's, inclusionary zoning, risk of developments coming in that do not help with workforce housing, vested permit application can't change the rules, why to completely strike daylight plane, Planned Unit Developments filing permit applications, staff capacity to implement an inclusionary zoning model requiring 20% affordability for PUD in excess of 12 units in single project and pair with moratorium, ADU's to be condominimized, Tiny Home on Wheels certification, eliminating design review committee process, and R-IV minimum density being something other than 16 or 32. Discussion ensued around submitting comment in written comment. Clarifying comments from the public: Mary McCurdy asked if staff will look into light with roof configuration and quality of life for neighbors, as well as setbacks. Kathryn Mulley asked if there will be open public discussion with attorney about inclusionary zoning and how that will be explored. Rick Jahnke spoke about 32 units per 40,000 sq ft in relation to larger Victorian homes. Dylan Quarles spoke about multifamily tax exemption program existing. Mayor Faber closed the Public Testimony portion of the hearing. Discussion ensued around continuing the Public Hearing, set up big topics, addressing three specific questions, discussion can be had at other meetings, letting Council members ready with question to ask them, bold and decisive action with Comp Plan, human flourishing, what do we care about and want achieved through public policy, existing zoning code is backwards, nuisance zoning code, shouldn't be limiting who can use land especially on urban core, risk factor of community backlash, make zoning and land use decision that are some manner of incremental, public comments, 6-plex on single lot in uptown not radical, cap of development, Adrians compromise, already exist in community, leave room for weirdness of subdividing, there's always a risk in everything, government is slow, explaining Housing Element, things are making more sense, 17.16.020 Exhibit Q accessory dwelling units effect on R-1 zone, and not including ADU's towards density in R-I. Discussion continued around Tiny House on Wheels not allowed as primary residences, Tiny House on Wheels Community Conditional Use Permit why it's not generally allowed outside of R-III, how many Tiny Homes on Wheels are allowed in a community, expand Tiny House on Wheels allowability, multifamily residential development standards with 5 or 6-plexes, third option for maximum density for R-II, November 17, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 7 of 9 lot area per unit, unit lot subdivision process, why it has to be 5000 sq ft minimum lot size per detached single family unit, effects on streets plan, in favor for minimum density for R-lV being 16, in favor of attached units and height limits, affordability aspects to daylight plane, concerns around incentivi ing teardowns, public policy and tradeoffs, Council Rules requirement of at least two touchpoints, can have additional readings, not comfortable voting on first reading and want to continue public hearing instead, drawback on not taking first reading tonight, motion, meeting schedule, meeting with just Comprehensive Plan, and greater community knowing about proposed changes. Motion: Amy Howard moved to adjourn the Public Hearing to December 1 during the regularly scheduled business meeting. Ben Thomas seconded. Discussion ensued around scheduling a special meeting next Monday, new edits on December 8 from Department of Commerce comments, no meeting on December 1, meet on December 8, and still have December 15 meeting as an option. Deputy Mayor Howard rescinded her motion. Motion: Amy Howard moved to adjourn the public hearing to November 24 during a special meeting of the Port Townsend City Council at 6pm. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Discussion ensued around requirements for special meetings, continuing action, public hearing includes a vote, and vote gets on special meeting agenda. Mayor Faber stated the record will stay open until 4pm local time on Monday, November 24, 2025. OLD BUSINESS (NONE) PRESIDING OFFICER?S REPORT Mayor Faber stated there was no Presiding Officer's Report, SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS Mayor Faber discussed the Bayside request for third supplemental. Motion: Monica MickHager moved have the current Bayside's request included in the budget supplement that is coming before us December 8th. Ben Thomas seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6r0 by voice vote. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Discussion ensued around December 1 meeting and whether it will be canceled. November 17, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 8 of 9 ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:00pm Attest: Alyssa Rodrigues City Clerk November 17, 2025 City Council Business Meeting Page 9 of 9