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Home My WebLink About050426 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MAY 4, 2026 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a regular session on the 4th day of May 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, Fred Obee, Neil Nelson, and Monica MickHager with David Faber excused and Libby Wennstrom absent. Staff members present were City Attorney Austin Watkins , Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams , Accountant Isaac Johnson , City Manager John Mauro , Public Works Director Steve King , People and Performance Director Cynthia Shaffer, and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) Rhody Week Proclamation and Presentation Mayor Howard presented the Rhody Week Proclamation to the Rhody Royalty,. Council member Wennstrom arrived at 6:05pm. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City Managers Report which included Evans Vista RFEI process, Advisory Board Handbook, Public Works Board, Landmark Tree Designation, and Wastewater Treatment Plant training. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment May 4, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 6 Jim Norris spoke about Lawrence Street Project Plan and eliminating proposed traffic diverters at intersections of Pierce and Lawrence and Calhoun and Lawrence due to safety concerns. Jim Brinnon spoke about Lawrence Street Project Plan and safety concerns for traffic diverters at Pierce and Lawrence and Calhoun and Lawrence. Staff or Council response, as needed In response to public comment staff explained process, design, traffic diverter, and pedestrian/vehicle access. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: February 17, 2026, March 2, 2026 Appointments/Reappointments: Arts Commission, Library Advisory Board, Historic Preservation Committee Updating the City?s Personnel Policy Manual to Comply with Current Rules, Regulations, and Practices Authorizing the City Manager to sign grant and loan agreements with the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) and Department of Commerce, Public Works Board (PWB) for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Outfall Replacement and Lawrence Street CSO Separation projects and execute all necessary contracts and agreements to complete the work. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve the consent agenda. Fred Obee seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. OLD BUSINESS (NONE) NEW BUSINESS Resolution 26-007 Supporting the Jefferson County Farmers Market for their Port Townsend Farmers Market Infrastructure Planning Project Public Works Director Steve King, Jefferson County Farmers Market Executive Director Amanda Miliholland, and Jefferson County Farmers Market President Angela Dunham presented Resolution 26-007 Supporting the Jefferson County Farmers Market for their Port Townsend Farmers Market Infrastructure Planning Project which included history, number of shoppers, weather impact, need for electricity, restrooms, partners, develop infrastructure needed, City's involvement, May 4, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 6 and informed process. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff and Jefferson County Farmer's Market representatives explained how many years it will take, vision, partnerships, and other sites. Public comment: Jude Rubin spoke about 1998 articles regarding Farmers Market, integrity of Farmers, and Farmers Market service to community. Bly Windstorm spoke about Farmers Market positive changes, Uptown site, and hope City can improve site. Discussion ensued around challenges in 2005, SNAP benefits, Uptown site, thirty farmers, and community driven project. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Resolution 26-007 Supporting the Jefferson County Farmers Market for their Port Townsend Farmers Market Infrastructure Planning Project Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Ordinance 3364 Adopting 2026 Supplemental Budget Appropriations Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams, Accountant Isaac Johnson, and Steve King presented 2026 Budget Supplement #1 which included Agenda, Supplement #1 Overview, Capital Carryforwards & Funding, What is a Cost Allocation Plan?, Why we're updating, What's changing for 2026, Cost Allocation - Supplement #1 impact, What is an IT ER&R Plan?, Why we're updating, What's changing for 2026, IT ER&R - Supplement #1 impact, PW Admin Overhead Increase, Grant Funding, and Supplement #1 Summary. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around documents being very readable, easy to understand, and deep dive review from Finance and Budget Committee. Motion: Fred Obee moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3364 Adopting 2026 Supplemental Budget Appropriations. Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Authorization to Begin Debt Issuance Preparation and Consultant Selection for Anticipated Utility Financing May 4, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 6 Jodi Adams and Steve King presented Authorization to Begin Debt Issuance Preparation and Consultation Selection for Anticipated Utility Financing which included Capital Projects plan, deferred maintenance funding, debt issuance for capital projects, General Obligation Debt, LTGO Debt, Utility Revenue Bonds, utility rates, preliminary numbers, issue with RFP/selection process to obtain bond counsel and financing, Council approval history, issuing less debt than was programmed, and Utility Revenue Bonds. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained refinancing existing debt, early repayment, contractors, bond ordinance, grants, and required upgrades. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around utility rates and community involvement, avoided worst case scenario, reason for debt, and thoughtful process of taking on debt. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute contracts for professional services to support issuance of utility revenue bonds and refinancing existing debt Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Resolution 26-008 Authorizing Jefferson County to Include the City of Port Townsend in an Amendment of the Jefferson County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan Steve King presented Resolution 26-008 Authorizing Jefferson County to Include the City of Port Townsend in an Amendment of the Jefferson County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan which included Enterprise Fund, partnership with Jefferson County, Jefferson County needs Resolution in file, City participates in plan, and updated plan changes. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained biosolids, when plan will be completed, and new recycling system. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around collaborating effectively with the County. Motion: Libby Wennstrom moved to approve Resolution 26-008 Authorizing Jefferson County to Include the City of Port Townsend in an Amendment of the Jefferson County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan Fred Obee seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. May 4, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 6 PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Howard provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included presentation at Law Day, Welcoming City Resolution, appreciation for Deputy Mayor Rowe, and upcoming City Council Workshop. Discussion ensued around participation, time of year is good, strategic thinking, just keep trying, and different location. Mayor Howard explained letter of support for Ferry Service for Rural Communities. Discussion ensued around everyone being comfortable signing the letter. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve the letter before us to the Federal Transit Administration Letter of Support for the 2026 Ferry Service for Rural Communities' Program to be signed by all Council members Fred Obee seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS There were no suggestions for future agendas. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL There were no comments from Council. EXECUTIVE SESSION - PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110 (1)(G) PERFORMANCE OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE (APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES) - POTENTIAL ACTION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION 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. There will be potential action to follow. Council went into Executive Session at 7:48pm. Council came out of Executive Session at 8:33pm. Mayor Howard explained the City Manager Evaluation process and stated the evaluation will be attached to meeting record. Councilmember Obee stated he will be abstaining from vote because he was not a Council member last year. Discussion ensued around process being the best yet, looking forward to continuing to improve process, City Manager inclusion, process over person, and future proofing. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve John Mauro's performance evaluation from City Council from January 1, 2025-December 31, 2025. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 5-0 by voice vote. May 4, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 6 ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:38pm. Attest: Alys R iigues City CI May 4, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 6