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Home My WebLink About030226 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MARCH 2, 2026 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a regular session on the 2nd day of March 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 Amy Howard, Owen Rowe, David Faber, Fred Obee, Neil Nelson, Libby Wennstrom, and Monica MickHager. Staff members present were City Attorney Austin Watkins , City Manager John Mauro, Community Services Director Melody Sky Weaver, Library Manager - Public & Technical Services Keith Darrock, Chief of Police Tom Olson, Deputy Chief Kamal Sharif, Project Manager Tyler Johnson, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) Reading Month Proclamation Mayor Howard presented the Reading Month Proclamation to Community Services Director Melody Sky Weaver and Library Manager - Public & Technical Services Keith Darrock. Friends of the Library Presentation Melody Sky Weaver and Friends of the Port Townsend Library President Cindy Johnson presented the Port Townsend Library Friends and Foundation presentation which included Read Across America, Two separate nonprofits support the PT Library until 2024, Our Friends History: Supporting our library for nearly 50 years!, In 1994 The Port Townsend Public Library Foundation is organized and incorporated to support library facilities, equipment, collections, A Little History 2011-2013, Bond and Beyond, Friends & Foundation Merge PTLFF 1/1/2024, What the Friends make possible: Capital Projects, What the Friends makes possible Programs, Collections, Services, Don't forget to take a Friends sponsored spice kit on your travels, How do we do it?, March 2, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 5 PTLFF 2026 Commits BIG $$$, Get Involved, Community Read 2026, and Thank you, Friends, for truly helping our library do more! Port Townsend Police Department Annual Report Chief of Police Tom Olson and Deputy Chief Kamal Sharif provided the Port Townsend Police Department Annual Report which included Overview, Port Townsend Police Department Mission Statement and Vision, Port Townsend Police Department Values, State of the Department, Staffing, Our New Team Members 2025, New Team Members and Promotion, Training Received in 2025, Volunteer Program, Drone Program, Equipment, Community Policing Efforts, Community Services, Technology Improvement, Use Of Force, 2025 Annual Crime Data, 2025 Pro -Active Policing, Annual Pro -Active Policing Comparison, Annual Collision Data Comparison, Crime Comparison Data, Case Status and Disposition, 2025 & 2026 Review of Goals, Operational Goals for 2025, Operational Goals for 2026, Summary, Immigration and the Role of the Police Department, Documents Providing Guidance and Direction for PTPD, and Immigration Restrictions. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained increase in DUI's and immigration hold requests. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included staffing, State Legislative Session, two boat service from Washington State Ferries, pool, Soundcheck, Coffee with the City Manager, and Annual State of the City Address. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Barney Burke spoke about the Annual Report and pie charts. Julia Cochrane spoke about importance of the library and police navigator role. Staff or Council response, as needed In response to public comment staff explained calls for service and appreciation for looking at Annual Report. Motion: Libby Wennstrom moved to amend the agenda to have a forty -minute session for executive session since they both relate to current and active litigation. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. March 2, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 5 EXECUTIVE SESSION: PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110(1)(1)) DISCUSSION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ABOUT CURRENT OR POTENTIAL LITIGATIONS (APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES) EXECUTIVE SESSION: PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110(1)(1)) DISCUSSION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ABOUT CURRENT OR POTENTIAL LITIGATIONS (APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES) Mayor Howard stated the Council will go into Executive Session Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)) Discussion with legal counsel about current or potential litigations for approximately 40 minutes. No action to follow. Council went into Executive Session at 7:41 pm. Council came out of Executive Session at 8:21 pm. No action was taken. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: ICG-(December 4, 2025, December 11, 2025) Council - (January 5, 2026) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute all Agreements Necessary to Complete the Engineering Design, Permitting, Specifications and Bid Ready Documents for the Big Quilcene River Diversion Interim Apron Repairs Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve the consent agenda. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. OLD BUSINESS (NONE) NEW BUSINESS Resolution 26-002 Declaring an Emergency, Waiving Public Bidding Requirements, and Ratifying the City Manager's Approval of all Applicable Documents to Allow for the Immediate Repair of Damage to the OGWS Transmission Pipeline Near 223 Aerie Lane Project Manager Tyler Johnson presented Resolution 26-002 Declaring an Emergency, Waiving Public Bidding Requirements, and Ratifying the City Manager's Approval of all Applicable Documents to Allow for the Immediate Repair of Damage to the OGWS Transmission Pipeline Near 223 Aerie Lane which included neighbor report, leak source, Declaration of Emergency request, contract with Seton, challenges, 8-inch leak, temporary repair band, Theater Road Break 11/2025, and Engineered Encapsulated Coupler 67 Southport Lane Break 1/2025. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained it was successful, leave it open to inspect, mill workers will make rounds, and accessible by road. March 2, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 5 Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around couplers, last January, importance of current funding model, and 1946 pipe. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 26-002 Declaring an Emergency, Waiving Public Bidding Requirements, and Ratifying the City Manager's Approval of all Applicable Documents to Allow for the Immediate Repair of Damage to the OG WS Transmission Pipeline Near 223 Aerie Lane Fred Obee seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Tyler Johnson shared his gratitude to all who helped repair the pipeline.. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Howard provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included Soundcheck, March 4 State of the City, Connectivity Summit, Equity, Access, and Rights Enabling Resolution and tasking to Culture and Society. Equity, Access, and Rights Enabling Resolution Motion: David Faber moved to assign review of the Equity, Access, and Rights Enabling Resolution to the Culture and Society Committee. Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS There were no suggestions for future agendas. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL There were no comments from Council. Council member Faber left at 8:37pm. EXECUTIVE SESSION: PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110 (1)(G) PERFORMANCE OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE (APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES) Mayor Howard stated the Council will go into Executive Session Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) Performance of a public employee for approximately 45 minutes. No action to follow. March 2, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 5 Council went into Executive Session at 8:28pm. Council came out of Executive Session at 9:23pm. Mayor Howard stated they need to extend Executive Session for approximately 22 minutes. Still no action to follow. Council went back into Executive Session at 9:23pm. Council came out of Executive Session at 9:45pm. No action was taken. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:45pm. Attest: Alysa Rodrigues City Clerk March 2, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 5