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HomeMy WebLinkAbout010526 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF JANUARY 5, 2026 CALL TO ORDER City Council met in a regular session on the 5th day of January 2026 in Council Chambers at 540 Water Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368. City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. OATH OF OFFICE Fred Obee Neil Nelson Libby Wennstrom City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues administered the ceremonial oath of office to Fred Obee, Neil Nelson, and Libby Wennstrom. The official oath was administered previously in order for the Council members to take office on January 1. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Amy Howard, Neil Nelson, Fred Obee, Libby Wennstrom, Monica MickHager, and Owen Rowe. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, City Attorney Austin Watkins, Public Works Director Steve King , Project Manager Andre Harper, Wastewater Treatment/Compost Facility Operations Manager Bliss Morris, Chief of Police Tom Olson, Deputy Chief Kamal Sharif , and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: MAYOR AND DEPUTY MAYOR THE CITY CLERK WILL CONDUCT THE ELECTION FOR MAYOR. EACH COUNCIL MEMBER IS PERMITTED TO NOMINATE ONE PERSON, AND NOMINATION SHALL NOT REQUIRE A SECOND. A NOMINEE MAY DECLINE THE NOMINATION. EXCEPT WHEN THERE IS ONLY ONE NOMINEE, ELECTION SHALL BE BY WRITTEN BALLOT. EACH MEMBERS' VOTE SHALL BE SIGNED AND THE CLERK WILL ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION. IF ONLY ONE PERSON IS NOMINATED, A VOICE VOTE SHALL BE TAKEN. THE MAYOR WILL THEN CONDUCT THE ELECTION FOR DEPUTY MAYOR, FOLLOWING THE SAME PROCEDURE. Alyssa Rodrigues called for nominations from the floor for position of Mayor. Council member Faber nominated Amy Howard. There were no further nominations. The vote was called, and Amy Howard was nominated Mayor by a vote of 7-0. January 5, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 4 Mayor Howard asked for nominations for Deputy Mayor. Council member MickHager nominated herself. Council member Wennstrom nominated Owen Rowe. There were no further nominations. Paper ballots were distributed to Council members and collected by the Clerk for a count. Owen Rowe was elected Deputy Mayor by a vote of 5-2. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. PROCLAMATION (S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) Poet Laureate Welcome and Proclamation Mayor Howard presented the Poet Laureate Proclamation and welcomed the new Poet Laureate Rufina C. Garay. Poet Laureate Rufina C. Garay provided a welcoming presentation. Oath of Office- Police Officers and Deputy Chief Chief Olson presented the Police Officers Oath of Office to Nestor Escalante and Sofian Hammou and the Deputy Chief Oath of Office to Kamal Sharif. Blue Bridge and Donation Chief Olson and Deputy Chief Sharif provided the Blue Bridge and Donation presentation which included What is BlueBridge Alliance?, How Does This Affect Community Safety?, and What's Next? In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained integration with Police Navigator. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included Washington/Walker St sidewalk project, Well City program, Coffee with Community, City Attorney Austin Watkins welcome, and appreciation for City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment January 5, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 4 Julia Cochrane spoke about appreciation and being proud of Mayor Howard and treating Council members with respect and kindness. Kellen Lynch spoke about seeing more creative energy, poetry, change form going ahead, looking for commitments stated through Comprehensive Plan process, inclusionary housing going forward, affirmative leadership from Council to have housing providers involved, and tactical infill discussions. Staff or Council response, as needed Discussion ensued around docketing for Comprehensive Plan in February, hope everyone keeps showing up, and appreciation for Julia Cochrane. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: November 3, 2025, November 17, 2025 Resolution Numbering Update Motion: David Faber moved to approve the consent agenda. Fred Obee seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. OLD BUSINESS (NONE) NEW BUSINESS Award of a Construction Contract for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Influent Wetwell Rehabilitation Project to Rognlin's Inc and all other Contracts Necessary to Complete Construction Public Works Director Steve King, Project Manager Andre Harper, and Wastewater Treatment/Compost Facility Operations Manager Bliss Morris presented the Award for Construction Contract for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Influent Wetwell Rehabilitation Project to Rognlin's Inc and all other Contracts Necessary to Complete Construction which included sewer project, project scope, necessary work, contracts, bids, recommend award to Rognlin's Inc, costs, budget, construction schedule, staff recommendation, vital component, first steps in a major electronic replacement in upcoming years, and pumps. In response to Council's clarifying question staff explained rate study. January 5, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 4 Public comment: There was no public comment. Motion: David Faber moved to award a contract to Rognlin's Inc in the amount of $1, 253, 997.50 and authorize the City Manager to execute all other necessary contracts to complete the project within budget. Owen Rowe seconded. Discussion ensued around this being something that has to be done and appreciation for work done by team. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Howard provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included committee/outside board assignments and upcoming absence. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS Council member MickHager asked to look at Hastings St and lowering speed limit. Discussion ensued around Councilmember Obee's temporary committee assignments. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL There were no comments from Council. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:17pm. Attest: Alys a odrigues City Clerk January 5, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 4