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Home My WebLink About021726 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 17, 2026 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a regular session on the 17th day of February 2026 in Council Chambers at 540 Water St, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Mayor Howard called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Monica MickHager, Libby Wennstrom, Fred Obee, David Faber, Neil Nelson, Owen Rowe, and Amy Howard. Staff members present were Public Works Director Steve King, Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams , Deputy Public Works Director David Dinkuhn , City Attorney Austin Watkins, Housing Grants Coordinator Renata Munfrada, and Deputy City Clerk Lonnie Mickle. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Howard stated there will be no City Manager's Report on agenda. PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S)- (NONE) There were no Proclamations or Special Presentations. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT There was no City Manager's Report. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Jude Rubin spoke about utility rate study and irrigation rates. Staff or Council response, as needed February 17, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 5 In response to public comment staff explained water rate model update, upcoming Council discussion opportunities, why irrigation rates are higher, and collecting rainwater. City Attorney Austin Watkins stated there is a technical difficulty with zoom link, but public is still able to watch online. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: December 8, 2025, December 15, 2025 Appointments/Reappointments: Planning Commission Project Budget Increase -Mill Road and Discovery Road Improvements Project Project Budget Increase - Washington St. and Walker St. Improvement Project 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 Forgiving a Back Billing Error for the Urban Forestry Fee in the Storm Water Utility and Correction of a Scrivener Error Concerning Sewer Rates in PTMC 13.05.040 Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams presented Forgiving a Back Billing Error for the Urban Forestry Fess in the Storm Water Utility and Correction of a Scrivener Error Concerning Sewer Rates in PTMC 13.05.040 which included error related to Urban Forestry Fee, variable rate not imposed for over 3000sgft, estimated loss of $25k, corrected error, need Council approval to not back bill, scriveners error missed correction for 2026 fee, no financial impact, want to update codified language, request to update table and put on Code Publishing. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained the Urban Forestry Fee and capping out at $1. Public comment: There was no public comment. February 17, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 5 Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve forgiveness of back billing associated with the Urban Forestry Fee billing error. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Motion: Libby Wennstrom moved to approve staff correction of the scrivener's error in Ordinance 3332, as detailed in Attachment 2, to the sewer rate tables in PTMC 13.05.040, as adopted on February 20, 2024 and amended on March 18, 2024. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. 2026 Local Road Safety Plan Adoption and Authorization for Submittal of Grants under City Safety Program, Pedestrian/Bicyclist Program, and Safe Routes to School Program Deputy Public Works Director David Dinkuhn presented the 2026 Local Road Safety Plan Adoption and Authorization for Submittal of Grants under City Safety Program, Pedestrian/Bicyclist Program, and Safe Routes to School Program which included application due dates and seven projects proposed. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained applying for all 3 programs, prioritize one each for Safe Routes, on street parking on Lawrence St, on street parking on Monroe St, Hastings Ave raised sidewalk, Blaine St raised sidewalk at Walker, 12th St and Landes foot traffic from Safeway to bus stop, Safeway entry way changes, zero match grants, crosswalk at entrance to Park and Ride, trees at Safeway, Blaine St hill crossing, and 12th and Landes Stormwater. Public comment: Debbie Jahnke spoke about importance of crossing near Claridge Court and 19th and Landes crossing. In response to public comment staff explained Landes/19th crossing is already funded. Discussion ensued around liking all projects, captured areas where people walk all the time, hard to choose, apply for all in City Safety Program, choosing between 4 or 5 and 6 or 7, rely on data, uphill of what is already funded on 19th, and just providing an idea of prioritization. Motion: David Faber moved to adopt the 2026 Local Road Safety Plan. Fred Obee seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Motion: David Faber moved to authorize the City Manager to apply for prioritized projects under the City Safety Program, Pedestrian/Bicyclist Program, and Safe Routes to School Program. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Evans Vista Development Solicitation Discussion February 17, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 5 Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin and Housing Grants Coordinator Renata Munfrada presented the Evans Vista Development Solicitation Discussion which included Evans Vista Neighborhood, Roadmap to Disposition, Draft Development Solicitation, Solicitation Process, Developer Feedback, Fair Housing Consideration, Evans Vista Neighborhood Themes, Master Site Plan Approved 2023, Scoring the RFEI, LIHTC at Work in Jefferson County, CHIP Grant Requirements, Local & Community Project Funding, Housing Affordability Calculations, Housing Costs for a Family of Two, What's on the homeownership market, What's on the rental market?, Port Townsend Paper Mill, Air Quality Monitoring, Ambient (Particulate Matter) AQI Categories, 2026 Ecology AirToxScreen Results, 2026 ORCAAAir Quality Results, Regional Comparison, Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR), Key Takeaways, Finding the Right Developer, Development Structure (TBD), RFEI Components, RFEI Bonus Scoring Criteria, Next Steps: Fall & Winter 2026, and City Council Discussion. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained looking for three top applications, responses so far, Evaluation Committee members, Council access to applications, different companies building different parts, Jefferson County Housing Authority, and long-term maintenance strategies/provision of onsite services. Public comment: Derek Firenze spoke about air quality data and sulfur concerns. Dylan Quarles spoke about socioeconomically mixed neighborhoods and positive impact. In response to public comment staff explained Ecology conversations and ATSDR conversation. Discussion ensued around optional facilities, open space a City park, possibility for community garden, income mixing, mixed use commercial, focusing on rentals, importance of flexibility, long-term maintenance, goal of 50-75% affordability up to 80% AMI and lower, not having socioeconomic diversity risk, affordable housing needed all over City, possibility of mixed -use commercial, higher priority on childcare/community garden/onsite support services, making open space City park, large amount of affordable housing, need rental housing rather than buying, mix of income levels, commercial space low priority, community gathering spaces, phased over time, community amenities may come later, priority of apartment buildings and rentals, appreciate flexibility of proposal, four over one too expensive, parking, should be a mixture, don't prioritize commercial, importance of community meeting space, City park and ownership of land, in favor of rentals, 50 to 75% affordability, importance of diversity in commercial, bonus points and middle housing, offer bonus points for community space in park area, allowed to have community garden, importance of childcare, Quimper Mercantile, don't put any unnecessary restrictions on developers, more option to look at proposals, I&D involved in discussion of what is being proposed, agencies in town with homeowner focus, equity, importance of third space, mill emissions, and solidify committee format. February 17, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 5 PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Howard provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included the Quimper Events Collective Wedding Show, Sound Check, and Community Read. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS Deputy Mayor Rowe stated the Culture and Society Committee would like to be tasked with an annual review of Ethics Code ongoing annually. Council member MickHager discussed the stipends for volunteers coming to full Council, Discussion ensued around evaluating stipends for Commission/Advisory Boards and volunteer appreciation amounts. Motion: David Faber moved to task Finance and Budget with reviewing potential for stipends for Advisory Boards. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to task Culture and Society to annually review the City Council Ethics Procedures. Fred Obee seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Discussion ensued around when Comprehensive Plan docketing will be coming back to Council. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL There were no comments from Council. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:17pm. Attest: Alyssa. Ro tigues City Clerk February 17, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 5