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HomeMy WebLinkAbout051826 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF MAY 18, 2026 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a regular session on the 18th day of May 2025 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, Monica MickHager, Neil Nelson, and Libby Wennstrom. Staff members present were City Attorney Austin Watkins , City Manager John Mauro, Public Works Director Steve King , Community Services Director Melody Sky Weaver, Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams , Arts and Culture Coordinator Katy Goodman , Parks and Facilities Manager Michael Todd , and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) Public Works Proclamation Mayor Howard presented a proclamation to Public Works Department staff, Swan School Proclamation Mayor Howard presented a proclamation to Swan School students and teacher.. PT School District on Lincoln Building and Renovation Status Port Townsend School District Board members Matt Klontz and Simon Little and Owner/Rep Shannon Barker provided the Port Townsend School District Facilities Update for the City Council presentation which included Agenda, Four Schools, One Promise, PTHS Ranked #17 in State, The State of Our School Buildings, Community May 18, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 8 Informed Process, Proposed Campus Improvements for Port Townsend HS, Proposed Campus Improvements for Ocean School, Bond Projects Program Schedule, Project Cost, District Office Temporary Location 385 Benedict Street Nomura Building, Multi- year Facility Improvement Process, and Community Engagement. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained salvaging from Lincoln Building and hilltop space. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included Rhody Week, Evans Vista RFEI, Advisory Board Mixer, offsite City Council Workshop, Public Works Board, and social media comments. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Nemo Callaway spoke about Pride Month and Ordinance on Family Structure and Non - Discrimination. Staff or Council response, as needed In response to public comment staff and Council explained appreciation for new legislation and quick timeline and suggestions for future agendas. EXECUTIVE SESSION - PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110(1)(1)) DISCUSSION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ABOUT CURRENT OR POTENTIAL LITIGATIONS (APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES) POTENTIAL ACTION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION 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 litigation for approximately 20 minutes with potential action to follow. Council went into Executive Session at 6:50pm. Council came out of Executive Session at 7:10pm. Discussion ensued around Affordable Hometown Port Townsend's counteroffer to City's counteroffer and a shame for not being able to come to negotiated solution. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to reject Affordable Hometown Port Townsend's May 11, 2026 settlement offer. Neil Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants May 18, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 8 Approval of Minutes: March 9, 2026 Appointments/Reappointments: Historic Preservation Committee Resolution 26-009 Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement with the Olympic Peninsula YMCA to Operate the Mountain View Pool Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve the consent agenda. Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PUBLIC HEARING Ordinance 3365 Adopting the City of Port Townsend Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Functional Plan 2026, Amending the 2025 Comprehensive Plan, and Establishing an Effective Date Mayor Howard opened the Public Hearing and reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedures. Community Services Director Melody Sky Weaver provided the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Plan update 2026 which included Presentation Outline, Parks Recreation and Open Space Plan Purpose, Update Background, Project Phase Update: Timeline, RCO Requirements, Planning Context, Vision & Values 1/2, Comprehensive Plan Goals & Policies Implemented in the PROS Plan, Public Outreach & Engagement, How the Plan Has Changed 2020-2026, Level of Service, Inventory: Open Space, Inventory: Parks Classifications, Inventory: Trails, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Goals and Guiding Principles, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP): Cappy's Trails, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP): Concept Plan, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Matrix, Regionalization, How the Plan Has Changed Since April Draft, and PROS Plan: Timeline and Next Steps. Written materials were submitted in the packet. Public comment: Jim Upshaw spoke about appreciation for City collaboration with Camas Prairie Golf Park, PROs Plan updated search, and explore future housing opportunities later conversation. In response to public comment staff explained appreciation for collaboration with Friends of Port Townsend Golf Park and versions of PROs plan. May 18, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 8 In response to Council's clarifying question staff explained regionalization and Parks Foundation. Discussion ensued around Courthouse Park, spell check of Fort Worden, readable document, and previous workshop. Mayor Howard closed the public record and the Public Hearing. Motion: Monica MickHager moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3365 Adopting the City of Port Townsend Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Functional Plan 2026, Amending the 2025 Comprehensive Plan, and Establishing an Effective Date Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. OLD BUSINESS Ordinance 3364 Adopting 2026 Supplemental Budget Appropriations Finance and Technology Services Director Jodi Adams presented Ordinance 3364 Adopting 2026 Supplemental Budget Appropriations which included recap from first reading. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained there have been no changes since first reading. Public comment: There was no public comment. Motion: Fred Obee moved to approve Ordinance 3364 Adopting 2026 Supplemental Budget Appropriations Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS SUP26-001 Street Painting Application from Jefferson County Farmers Market Arts and Culture Coordinator Katy Goodman, Jefferson County Farmers Market Executive Director Amanda Millholland, and Port Townsend Pride and Good Life representative Jason Victor Serinus presented on SUP26-001 Street Painting Application from Jefferson County Farmers Market which included mural, Farmers Market background, intersection safety concerns, mural design, creating space together, public safety, feedback from City, construction, appreciation for staff, public May 18, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 8 comments, acts of affirmation, rainbow crosswalk, process, and community outreach. Public comment: Julia Cochrane spoke about importance of Uptown, making history by acknowledging importance of Farmers Market and queer community, strengthening community, joy, and approving mural. Kincaid Gould spoke about Chapter 12.11 approval criteria, objectionable, viewpoint discrimination, section of code facially unconstitutional, review code section with legal counsel, significant risk keeping code section, and to not take action tonight until discussion with legal counsel. In response to public comment staff explained reviewing Chapter 12.11 and should not need to delay action tonight. Council member Faber stated he signed onto petition as landowner in the neighborhood but does not have any conflict of interest due to not receiving any material benefit. Discussion ensued around murals are affirmations of community values, in support, public comment mostly in favor, appreciation for murals, appreciate staff revisiting code, "Joy is a form of resistance", and seeing more neighborhood street murals. Motion: Fred Obee moved to approve SUP26-001. Neil Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Recycling Collections Contract Amendment Public Works Director Steve King and Waste Connections Site Operations Manager Joey Deese presented Recycling Collections Contract Amendment which included contract background, recycling changes, Jefferson County implementation, contract amendments, contract extensions, and multifamily collection. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained multifamily, financial changes, glass cart, and cardboard. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around motion. May 18, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 8 Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve the first amendment to the comprehensive garbage, recyc/ab/es, and yard debris collection services contract. Libby Wennstrom seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Federal Funding Opportunity (Surface Transportation Block Grant) Steve King presented Federal Funding Opportunity (Surface Transportation Block Grant) which included federal funding, projects, apply for funding, hard standard to meet, $1.2-1.4 million range, restrictions/no restrictions, costs, two priority levels, Hastings, and 12th St. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained one dollar sign symbol, 12th St one dollar sign, Hasting's spot repair and preservation, chip seal, staff preference, using money by 2028 for bonus funding, and classifying something as arterial. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around priority #1 list making more sense, Discovery or Hastings being the big project, no particular favorite for project, and letting staff figure out most efficient method to utilize resources on pavement preservation. Resolution No. 26-010 authorizing the submittal of a Recreation Conservation Office grant for the park development of Hancock St. Park and authorizing the City Manager to make decisions to carry out the grant. Parks and Facilities Manager Michael Todd and Melody Sky Weaver presented Resolution 26-010 authorizing the submittal of a Recreation Conservation Office grant for the park development of Hancock St. Park and authorizing the City Manager to make decision to carry out the grant which included Recreation Conservation Office, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, Hancock St Park, grants, feedback from RCO in 2024, and ADA parking spots. Council member Faber left at 8:45pm. Presentation continued by explaining play surfacing, 2026 concept plan, community engagement, project budget, grant match, and next steps. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained port -a -lets, ADA parking on street, recommended action, design stage, and RCO input. City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues stated that Council member Faber stepped away for the discussion and vote and intends to recuse himself due to property he owns in the location. May 18, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 8 Public comment: Eric Nagle spoke about Hancock St trail, parking location, ADA accessible trail, happy to see parking moved to cul-de-sac, port -a -let fire concerns, and building a fireproof toilet similar to Kah Tai restrooms. In response to public comment staff explained ADA parking and ADA accessible trail. Motion: Owen Rowe moved to approve Resolution No. 26-010 authorizing the submittal of a Recreation Conservation Office grant for the park development of Hancock St. Park and authorizing the City Manager to make decisions to carry out the grant. Fred Obee seconded. Discussion ensued around public restrooms in the area and encouraged a permanent structure. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Council member Faber returned at 9:02pm. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mayor Howard provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included public input/engagement/advocacy discussions, water rescue training, Swan School Little Free Pantry, Proclamation re: National Boating Safety Week, Public Works Board retreat, and City of Gig Harbor lunch re: Creative District. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS Council member Obee explained having detailed warrants on consent agenda. Motion: Fred Obee moved to have detailed warrants on our consent agendas for business meetings. Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Council member MickHager stated she would like to discuss lowering speed limit on Hastings at a future meeting. Mayor Howard stated the Street Mural Code and Family Structure and Non - Discrimination proposed legislation were brought up earlier. Discussion ensued around process for Street Mural Code review and tasking staff, May 18, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 7 of 8 Motion: Libby Wennstrom moved to task staff to look into the language in the Street Mural Code. Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Discussion ensued around Family Structure and Non -Discrimination proposed legislation, needing more information, and discussing during Suggestions for Future Agendas at next meeting. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Mayor Howard asked to send her or John Mauro feedback about May 11 workshop meeting. EXECUTIVE SESSION - PURSUANT TO RCW 42.30.110 (1)(G) PERFORMANCE OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE (APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES) POTENTIAL ACTION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Howard stated Council will go into Executive Session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) Performance of a public employee for approximately 30 minutes. There will be no action to follow. Council went into Executive Session at 9:09pm. Council came out of Executive Session at 9:39pm. No action was taken. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:40pm. Attest: a R ues l!ty C May 18, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 8 of 8