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HomeMy WebLinkAbout020926 City Council Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OF FEBRUARY 9, 2026 CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALL City Council met in a regular session on the 9th day of February 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 Public Works Director Steve King , Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams, Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Public Comment Staff or Council response, as needed There was no public comment. DISCUSSION ITEMS Water Utility Rates Update Work Plan Preview Public Works Director Steve King and Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams provided the Water Rates Update Overview which included Presentation Objective, Background- Enterprise Fund, Background-2019 Water System Plan, Background -Olympic Gravity Water System, Background Water Supply Agreement 2021, Background OGWS and Water Funds, City of Port Townsend OGWS Fund Budget Summary, Background Water Rate Ordinances, Background 2024 Sewer and Storm Rate Ordinance, Background 2024 Income Based Discount, Rate Modeling, Raw Water Rate Model Work Plan, Potable Water Rate Model Work Plan, and Next Steps Re -cap. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained operation and maintenance costs, agricultural water, separating agriculture water use from wastewater utility, drilling a new well for irrigation, participants in income -based discount program, social media push, application in alternative languages, rainwater/grey water systems, cost of potential failures, investment income revenues, and increasing Lords Lake costs. April 2, 2026 City Council Workshop Meeting Page 1 of 4 Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around appreciation for attention to income -based discount program. Recycling Collections Options Discussion Olympic Disposal District Manager Joey Deese and Steve King provided the Recycling Collections Contract Options which included Presentation Objective, Background- January 12, 2026: City Solid Waste Management: Three -Legged Stool, Background- January 12, 2026: Recalling Organizational Responsibilities, Background- January 12, 2026: Recycling subsidy, Background: Recycling, Background- January 12, 2026: Recycling Markets, Background -January 12, 2026: Changes approved by BOCC, Background- January 12, 2026: Changed Recycling Program in Jefferson Co. Single Stream- Effective April 1, 2026, Background - January 12, 2026: Recycling Program Update Impacts to City Customers, City Collection Services Options, Option 1- Keep Source Separated, Option 2- Single Stream Collection, and Staff Recommendation for Discussion. In response to Council's clarifying question staff and Joey Deese explained increase in bill, downtime with specialized trucks, life source match contract, don't have to sort now but must separate glass, option 1 contract, spillage from wind/animals, possibility of increase with option 2, amount of times recycling comes, rates/size per bin, cardboard next to bin, how to ask for smaller can, 96 gallon bin space, size of yard waste bin, residential family size in Sequim, price difference between 64 and 96 gallons, glass truck, repurpose trucks as part of option 2, 220 lbs. of recycling/garbage to transfer station, and fees the same between Option 1 and 2. Discussion ensued around single stream being very normal and garbage and income -based discounts. Public comment: There was no public comment.. Discussion ensued around residences inside city limits of Port Townsend, glass stability, glass bins, preference for option 2, concerns about buying a new truck, hazardous waste, and vehicle miles traveled. Economic Development and Review of Glen Cove Utility Extensions Analysis Steve King and Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin provided the Part1: Economic Development Part 2: Glen Cover Infrastructure Analysis Report which included Presentation Objective: Provoking Discussion, Part April 2, 2026 City Council Workshop Meeting Page 2 of 4 1: Economic Development Context, Part 1: Economic Development Context- Fiscal Reality, Part 1: Economic Development Context Why?, Part 1: Economic Development Looking Back at History, Part 1: Economic Development Present- Part of a World Economy, Part 1: Economic Development Jobs by Sector, Part 1: Economic Development Present- Projected Employment Growth, Part 1: Economic Development Present- Loss of Jobs in PT, Part 1: Economic Development Present - Jobs to Household Ratio, Part 1: Economic Development Present- Household Income Distribution, Part 1: Economic Development Present- Renter/Ownership income distribution, Part 1: Economic Development Present- Hourly wage by sector, Part 1: Economic Development Present- Housing, Part 1: Economic Development Present- Commercial Property and Space, Part 1: Economic Development Present - Strip Development Pattern, Part 1: Economic Development Present- Leakage, Pat 1: Economic Development Future, Part 1: Economic Development Future - Comprehensive Plan, Part 1: Economic Development Dollars and Cents (sense), Part 1: Economic Development Who does it?, Part 1: Economic Development What about the City?, and Part 1: Economic Development Discussion. Public comment: Pheobe Reid spoke about being Economic Development Council support, appreciation for ICG work, EDC strategic plan, culture of yes, ready to collaborate on Glen Cove, and EDC being a lead partner. Discussion ensued around construction jobs, what makes sustainability, technical education, "Works in Progress- the housing theory of everything" article, walkable community, and upcoming ICG meeting. Steve King and Emma Bolin continued the presentation which included Part 2: Glen Cove Light Industrial Area, Part 2: Glen Cove Light Industrial Area Why?, Part 2: Glen Cove Light Industrial Area Refinement of Study Focus, Part 2: Glen Cove Light Industrial Area Preferred Alternative, Part 2: Glen Cove Light Industrial Area Current LAMIRD, Part 2: Glen Cove Light Industrial Area Vision, Part 2: Glen Cove Light Industrial Area Vision -Concerns and Opportunities, Part 2: Glen Cove Light Industrial Area City Infrastructure - Water/Sewer, Part 2: Glen Cove Light Industrial Area City Sewer, Part 2: Glen Cove Light Industrial Area 2024 General Sewer Plan, Part 2: Glen Cove Light Industrial Area Special Study Area, Part 2: Glen Cove Light Industrial Area Mill Rd. LS Budget, and Discussion. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around growing existing businesses, pricing, resistance to annexation, pro formas, natural flow, expanded user base fund infrastructure that already exists, water supply plan and capacity, control of mix of businesses, retail commercial, and value for City. ADJOURN April 2, 2026 City Council Workshop Meeting Page 3 of 4 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:32pm. Attest:. Alyssa Rodrigues City Clerk April 2, 2026 City Council Workshop Meeting Page 4 of 4