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HomeMy WebLinkAbout040626 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF APRIL 6, 2026 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a regular session on the 6th day of April 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 David Faber, Amy Howard, Neil Nelson, Fred Obee, Owen Rowe, and Libby Wennstrom with Monica MickHager excused. Staff members present were City Manager John Mauro, Community Services Director Melody Sky Weaver, Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin , Housing Grants Coordinator Renata Munfrada, Marketing and Communications Director Shelly Leavens , Facilities and Parks Manager Michael Todd , Deputy Public Works Director David Dinkuhn, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) Poetry Month Proclamation Mayor Howard provided the Poetry Month Proclamation to Poet Laureate Rufina Garay. Volunteer Appreciation Month Proclamation Mayor Howard provided the Volunteer Appreciation Month proclamation to previous Planning Commission Chair Rick Jahnke and current Planning Commission Vice Chair Andreas Andreadis. Washington State Opportunity Zone 2.0 Program April 6, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 8 Housing Grants Coordinator Renata Munfrada and Executive Director of EDC Team Jefferson David Ballif presented Opportunity Zones 2.0 presentation which included What Are Opportunity Zones?, Port Townsend & Jefferson County's Rural Advantage, OZ 1.0 OZ 2.0: What's Changed, OZ 1.0 Results: What Investment Looks Like, The Rural OZ Investment Case, Washington State Nomination Process, How Nominations Are Scored, Scoring Deep Dive: Investment Readiness, Our Approach: Emerald Coast Opportunity Zone, Port Townsend & Jefferson County: Likely Eligible Census Tracts, Potential OZ Investments in Port Townsend, What Local Government & Community Can Do, and Get Involved: Help Port Townsend & Jefferson County Win. Motion: Fred Obee moved to authorize a letter of support for the proposed Emerald Coast Opportunity Zone's proposed designation, recognizing the program's potential to support local economic development, workforce housing, and rural investment under Washington's OZ 2.0 program. David Faber seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. YMCA Annual Report Presentation Olympic Peninsula YMCA CEO Wendy Bart provided the Mountain View Pool 2025- Annual Report which included Y Trivia, 1,293 Individuals & 19,738 Visits, Net Operating Income- 2025, Mountain View Pool Schedules, Geographic Distribution, Constituents by Age & Geographic Area, Member & Community Support, Youth Programming, Swim Club, School Partnerships, Additional Program Highlights, and Membership & Facility Highlights. Website Pre Launch Demo Presentation Marketing and Communications Director Shelly Leavens provided the Website Pre Launch Demo Presentation which included background, reason for update, preview of updated website, and timeline. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained the updated website's search function and mobile friendliness. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included new staff, regional Parks and Recreation, Lawrence St grant, Police Team Accreditation, and Fire Training for Umatilla house. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment April 6, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 8 Ben Casserd spoke about the importance of keeping the Winter Welcoming Center open past winter and concerns around end of lease agreement. Julia Cochrane spoke about the importance of keeping the Winter Welcoming Center open past the lease agreement dates, 5-year homeless plan, and Legion overnight shelter open until January 2027. David Thielk spoke about concerns around Daylight Plane changes in Comprehensive Plan and having to sell his house. Nathan Brader spoke about the importance of keeping the Winter Welcoming Center open past April 15. Viola Ware spoke about the importance of keeping the Winter Welcoming Center open past April 15. Ryan Hodges spoke about encouraging everyone to work together for larger outcome for County for Parks and Recreation. Rick Jahnke spoke about importance of volunteers, importance of working together as community and team, and importance of staff/public/and Council in relation to the Comprehensive Plan. Nikki Hodges spoke about importance of finding a way to support Parks and Rec and importance for kids to have other outlets. Susan Powell spoke about the importance of the Winter Welcoming Center and keeping it open all year. Leah Fulkenhagen spoke in support of the Parks and Rec and Parks spaces being prioritized by the City, shared an African Proverb, and importance of Winter Welcoming Center. Staff or Council response, as needed In response to public comment staff explained lease agreement with Winter Welcoming Center and timing. Discussion ensued around special meeting on April 13 to discuss Winter Welcoming Center. EXECUTIVE SESSION: PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110(1)(1)) DISCUSSION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ABOUT CURRENT OR POTENTIAL LITIGATIONS (APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES) Mayor Howard stated 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 30 minutes. Action will be taken. Council went into Executive Session at 7:40pm. April 6, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 8 Council came out of Executive Session at 8:10pm. Mayor Howard announced Council will be extending Executive Session for another 15 minutes. Council went back into Executive Session at 8:10pm. Council came out of Executive Session at 8:25pm. Action will be taken on New Business item A. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: January 20, 2026, February 2, 2026, February 9, 2026 Appointments/Reappointments: Civil Service Commission Council Committee Assignment: Housing Fund Board 4th Quarter Financial Reports Resolution 26-005 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute Agreements for Services Mayor Howard stated Council member Faber had left the room. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve the consent agenda. Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. Council member Faber returned. OLD BUSINESS (NONE) NEW BUSINESS Decision on Comprehensive Plan Appeal Settlement Offer Public Comment: Barney Burke spoke about concerns around adopted Comprehensive Plan and hope the City will reopen process to reflect views and values of community. John Watts spoke about being a petitioner in petition filed with Growth Board against adoption of Comprehensive Plan and involvement with Affordable Hometown Port Townsend group and submitted letter. Aleta Greenway spoke about Affordable Hometown Port Townsend having legitimate concerns and not being troublemakers, encourage City Council to listen to what they April 6, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 8 are saying, density, something to be said how leaders respond to critics, and process does matter. Jaisri Lingappa spoke about asking Council members to answer questions addressed in public comment, Mercer Island, Port Townsend City Council made same mistake as Mercer Island, no surprised it is being challenged at Growth Management Hearing Board, owe to public to explain thinking, and hope City Council will accept settlement proposal. Judy Krebs spoke about it being unfortunate the AHPT letter was not in packet, shared letter and presentation to Accountable Port Townsend, encourage picking up dialogue again, and concerns around adopted Comprehensive Plan. Discussion ensued around room for more collaboration, in favor of going to back to petitioners in hopes they can come to new agreement, no desire to have it drag out, have City make counteroffer to petitioners to find a collaborative solution, current litigation, limits to what can be done at this stage, AHPT seek a stay in appeal not withdraw, concerns around approaching counteroffer process, no one wants to wait for affordable housing, proposal requires probably waiting about 24-36 months before moving forward, appeal of SEPA, current litigation, several items proposed were not in Comprehensive Plan, no public process, Mercer Island vs. Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan, important to look forward, elements in settlement offer would set us back 2-3 years, importance of taking affordability seriously, potential counteroffer, commit to actions in the affordable housing white paper, inclusionary zoning model tailored to market, staff resources need to be dealing with affordability, can't bind future Council, docketing items that are on workplan for this year, items are nonstarters, counter proposal process, Growth Management Hearings Board is not a public process, contract, commit to taking up inclusionary zoning analysis and policy, document going to public, and broad agreement. Motion: Fred Obee moved that the City of Port Townsend make a counteroffer to the petitioners and the Growth Management Hearings Board appeal and authorize staff to enter into negotiations for a counteroffer to the petitioners. Council member Obee rescinded his motion. Discussion ensued around elements regarding inclusionary zoning and landlord tenant protection in counteroffer, request that appeal be dropped rather than appeal be stayed, and focus on forward momentum. Motion: David Faber moved to reject Affordable Hometown Port Townsend's March 18, 2026 settlement offer of their appeal to the Growth Management Hearings Board and move to authorize the City Manager to present a counteroffer to AHPT and all petitioners that includes potential revisions to the City's land capacity analysis this may include revised income banding or additional adequate provision such as inclusionary zoning programs as appropriate, perform an inclusionary zoning study April 6, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 8 based on the Port Townsend market and identifying funding sources for needed affordable housing units, performing a landlord tenant protection study focusing on further anti displacement measures based on the Port Townsend market and continuing an open and public process with significant community involvement on the work of affordable housing instead of a closed record judicial process. Owen Rowe seconded. Discussion ensued around not binding negotiations. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Authorizing the City Manager to apply for a Library Capital Improvement Program Grant for 2027-2029 for the historic Pink House exterior restoration/improvements at the Port Townsend Public Library. Community Services Director Melody Sky Weaver and Facilities and Parks Manager Michael Todd presented the Charles Pink House Library Capital Improvement Program Grant Request which included City Facilities, Library Grants & Future of Pink House, Pink House History, Current Pink House Uses, Library Capital Improvement Program, Previous Investments, Award Winning Pink House Wall, Current Condition of the Pink House, Exterior Restoration/Repair Estimated Costs, and Funding Sources $$$. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained when we would know about grant approval and timeline, siding repair, lead abatement, budget and timeline, and what to do if City does not receive grant. Public comment: Josh Kout spoke about volunteering at library, testing the siding/paint previously, curious for reasoning of deferred maintenance, and why gutters were not addressed. In response to public comment staff and Council explained addressing issues at Pink House previously and planning for the future. Discussion ensued around deferred maintenance concerns, previous renovation, partnership with woodworking school, and importance of fixing gutters and downspouts. Motion: David Faber moved to authorize the City Manager to apply for a Library Capital Improvement Program Grant for 2027-2029 for the historic Pink House exterior restoration/improvements at the Port Townsend Public Library Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Bid Award for the Chetzemoka Kitchen Shelter Rebuild April 6, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 8 Parks and Facilities Manager Michael Todd presented the Big Award for the Chetzemoka Kitchen Shelter Rebuild which included background, timing, value engineering, in house electrician, windows, material on outside of the shelter, site visit, bid tabulation, Anderson Homes, and timeline. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around appreciation for value engineering. Motion: David Faber moved to accept the bid from Anderson Homes for the Chetzemoka Picnic Shelter Rebuild in the amount of $128,312.00 Fred Obee seconded. Discussion ensued around chimneys. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Bid Award for the Discovery Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project HSIP-7627(002) Public Works Director Steve King and Deputy Public Works Director David Dinkuhn presented the Bid Award for the Discovery Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project HSIP-7627 which included reconstruction of intersection, four bids, bid amount, project history, finishes out Discovery Rd, Sheridan St, and ADA compliance around school. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained parking and drive access impact on 19th. Public comment: Rachael Nutting spoke about not doing the project during school year. In response to public comment staff explained they will not do it during school year. Discussion ensued around bulb outs and paving timeline and underground fiber optic. Motion: David Faber moved to award the construction contract for the Discovery Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project to the lowest responsive bidder, Flowline LLP, and to authorize the City Manager to sign all necessary documents and contracts to complete the project. Owen Rowe seconded. Discussion ensued around appreciation for staff work on Discovery Road project. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. April 6, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 7 of 8 PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Howard provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included Goat Parade, Museum Reopening, cutting ribbons, Swan School Q&A and proclamation, and presentation at Connectivity Summit. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Discussion ensued around next Monday's special meeting regarding the Winter Welcoming Center and AWC Salary and Benefits Survey. EXECUTIVE SESSION: PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110 (1)(G) PERFORMANCE OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE (APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES) Mayor Howard stated 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. Council went into Executive Session at 9:51 pm. Council came out of Executive Session at 10:36pm. No action was taken. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:36pm, Attest: Alys gues City Clerk April 6, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 8 of 8