HomeMy WebLinkAbout011226 City Council Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF JANUARY 12, 2026
CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALL
City Council met in a regular session on the 12th day of January 2026 in Council
Chambers at 540 Water Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Mayor Howard called the
meeting to order at 6:00pm.
Councilmembers present at roll call were David Faber, Amy Howard, Monica MickHager,
Neil Nelson, Fred Obee, Owen Rowe, and Libby Wennstrom.
Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Public Works Director Steve
King , Civil Engineer Mike Connelly, Streets/Stormwater/Sewer Operations Manager
Brian Reid , City Attorney Austin Watkins, Community Services Director Melody Sky
Weaver, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA)
There was no public comment.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Changes to Recycling Program at the County
Public Works Director Steve King and County Engineer/Roads & Fleet Operations
Manager Monte Reinders provided a presentation on Updates on Recycling Program
Changes at Jefferson Co. Solid Waste which included Presentation Objective,
Background: City Solid Waste Management: Three -Legged Stool, Background:
Recalling Organizational Responsibilities, Background: Solid Waste Advisory
Committee (SWAC), Background: Jefferson County Solid Waste Budgets, Background:
Tipping Fees $15 Surcharge Effective 8/1125, Background: How Does Jefferson
County Compare with Equal or Higher Level of Service?, Background: Capital
Surcharge- City Customers, Background: Recycling Subsidy, Background: Recycling,
Background: Current Recycling Program in Jefferson Co. All -Source Separated,
Background: Recycling Markets, Recycling Program Update: Changes approved by
BOCC, Proposed Recycling Program in Jefferson Co. Single Stream- Effective April 1,
2026, Recycling Program Update: How will recyclables be handled?, Recycling
Program Update: Producer Responsibility, Recycling Program Update Impacts to City
Customers, and Next Steps.
Public comment:
There was no public comment.
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Discussion ensued around sliding scale qualifying for water and Olympic Disposal
bill, single stream model, curbside sorting, contamination, truck costs, schedule,
current contract, bills, and pass through fee for recycling.
Streets Preservation and Repair Projects for 2026 and 2027
Steve King, Civil Engineer Mike Connelly, and Streets/Stormwater/Sewer Operations
Manager Brian Reid presented the Transportation Benefit District 2026 Update
which included Thank you Jefferson County!, Background and Historical Context,
Context- Transportation Benefit District Funding is Leveraging Grants!,
Recommended TBD Investment Prioritization Criteria- Focus Areas, Context -
Reference -Past Council Actions, Context- See how far we have
come..., Transportation Benefit District and Previous Work, Work Plan Overview-
2025, Work Plan for 2026, Work Plan Overview- 2026, 2026 Street Work in Detail -
Chip Seal, 2026 Street Work in Detail- Hotspot Repairs, 2026 Street Work in Detail -
Drainage Improvements 2026/ Chip Seal 2027, 2026 Street Work in Detail- Shoulder
Work, 2026 Street Improvements in Detail - Grant Funded Projects, Planned
Strategies to Implement Work, Budget and Funding Overview, Transportation Benefit
District Budget Revenue vs. Actual Revenue, Transportation Benefit District 24 vs.
25, Transportation Benefit District 2026 Budget Overview, TBD and REET Tracking,
Transportation Benefit District Fund Distribution, Schedule and Next Steps.
Public Comment:
Scott Walker spoke about 45k Bishop Canyon Hwy 20 project.
Rick Jahnke spoke about REET being used as reliable source of money.
In response to public comment Council and staff spoke about not dowsing,
In response to public comment Council and staff spoke about not dowsing and 45k
match for Bishop Canyon Hwy 20 project.
Discussion ensued around appreciation for staff, potholes, hot patch repairs,
prioritization of which potholes get fixed first, when roads get into bigger queue,
shoulder work story, neighborhood outreach, walkability and ditching, street
inventory, interfund loan, and Polk St timeline.
Quarterly Workplan Review
City Manager John Mauro presented the Quarterly Strategic Workplan: update,
selected priorities, and enhancements to engagement presentation which included
Overview, 2025 Strategic Workplan: 10 Accomplishments, 2026 Strategic Workplan:
5 Priority Areas, 2026 Strategic Workplan: 10 Select Priorities, Enhancements to
Advisory Body Engagement, and Enhancements to Community Engagement.
In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained Water rate model..
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Public comment:
There was no public comment.
Discussion ensued around workshop retreat style, best public response when there
is specific topic for public to review, e-newsletter, balancing feedback with
information, childcare, connecting to other channels, Golf Park playground, Mountain
View property, RCO grant, and lease.
Council Committee Reports
Council member MickHager provided the Finance and Budget Committee report
which included budget and purchasing policy.
Council member Nelson provided the Infrastructure and Development Committee
report which included one meeting in 2025 due to Comprehensive Plan.
Council member Rowe provided the Culture and Society Committee report which
included Volunteer Appreciation, revisions to Council Rules, new City Attorney,
Council member Obee will be attending in Ben Thomas's place, regular review, and
Ethics Code review.
Discussion ensued around Council Committee assignments coming in February.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:20pm..
Attest:
Alyssa Rodrigues
City Clerk
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