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Home My WebLink About061526 City Council Business Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF JUNE 15, 2026 CALL TO ORDER The City Council met in a regular session on the 15th day of June 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 , Planning Manager Ryan Harriman , Public Works Director Steve King , Deputy Public Works Director David Dinkuhn, Community Services Director Melody Sky Weaver, Facilities and Parks Manager Michael Todd , Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, Senior Planner Adrian Smith , and City Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues . CHANGES TO THE AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda, PROCLAMATION(S) OR SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S): Chetzemoka Park Improvements/Projects Community Services Director Melody Sky Weaver and Facilities and Parks Manager Michael Todd presented the 2026 Chetzemoka Park Project Update which included Chetzemoka Park Concept Plan 2020, 2025-2030 Capital Facilities Plan, Kitchen Shelter Rebuild, New Shelter Design, Construction timeline and ribbon cutting date, Budget and Funding, Abatement by Removal Project, Chetzemoka Caretaker House Current Condition, Goldenage Club Current Condition, Phase 2- 2027-2028 Addition of RV Caretaker site and Chetzemoka Dog Park expansion, Budget and Timeline, Universal Play Equipment and Swingset Replacement Project, Current Conditions, New play equipment and swing set, Timeline, Construction and Ribbon Cutting, Budget and Funding, Gazebo Repairs and Maintenance, Current Conditions, Budget and Timeframe, and Next Steps and Communications. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT June 15, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 1 of 6 City Manager John Mauro provided the City Manager's Report which included new staff, Lincoln Building Memorial, Skatepark Artist Mural event, ICG meeting, Growth Management Hearings Board brief, and July Workplan Retreat. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Tara spoke about Together Around Food program. Tana Morehead spoke about disaster survivors impacted by December storms in 2025 and disaster loan program through Small Business Administration. Kincaid Gould spoke about comment from Council about press release from Bainbridge Island. Staff or Council response, as needed CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Approval of Minutes: April 6, 2026 Resolution 26-011 Approving the Final Planned Unit Development and Final Plat for Madrona Ridge- Phase 2, Located in Jefferson County, Washington, City File No. LUP25-059 2026 First Quarter Financial Reports Authorizing Deferral of Building Fees and Utility Connection Charges for Habitat for Humanity Low Income Housing Unit- Rosalynn Cout Mayor Howard stated she will recuse herself from the vote as she is a paid employee of Habitat for Humanity. Motion: Fred Obee moved to approve the consent agenda. Monica MickHager seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 6-0 by voice vote. Amy Howard recused. PUBLIC HEARING June 15, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 2 of 6 Resolution 26-012 Setting the Conditions to Vacate Street Right of Ways in Cappy's Trails and Directing the City Manager to Prepare the Vacation Ordinance When all Conditions are Met Mayor Howard opened the Public Hearing and reviewed the Public Hearing Rules of Procedures. Public Works Director Steve King and Planning Manager Ryan Harriman presented Resolution 26-012 Setting the Conditions to Vacate Street Right of Ways in Cappy's Trails and Directing the City Manager to Prepare the Vacation Ordinance When all Conditions are Met which included previous Resolution, vacating Right of Way process, Comprehensive Plan, vacation request, City and Land Trust property, existing utilities, public infrastructure, public access, value, Conditions of Approval, grant funds, real legal descriptions, agreement, and will likely do again. Public comment: Dave Dover spoke about notice in the paper, nobody knows what City is doing, own property on Cappy's Trails, deed/will one lot per kid/grandchild, Land Trust people controlling as park, half of town is park land, and paying taxes on lots. Marlow Moser spoke about Jefferson Land Trust, partnership with City of Port Townsend, Cappy's Trails, protection of Quimper Wildlife Corridor, Right of Way vacation, legal access to individual owned property would not be compromised, benefit public interest, and will benefit City regarding infrastructure. In response to public comment staff explained sharing map. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained start of process and thin black lines. Public comment: Dave Dover spoke about receiving a copy of map and tax office,. Discussion ensued around private property holdings, preserving Cappy's Trails and Quimper Wildlife Corridor, preserving public access through existing public trails, access to private land ownership, purpose of vacation, and public notice. Mayor Howard closed the public record and the Public Hearing. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Resolution 26-012 Setting the Conditions to Vacate Street Right of Ways in Cappy's Trails and Directing the City Manager to June 15, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 3 of 6 Prepare the Vacation Ordinance When all Conditions are Met Owen Rowe seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. OLD BUSINESS Ordinance 3366 Relating to Conversion of Existing Buildings to Residential Uses and the Addition of Residential Uses in Existing Buildings in Accordance with HB 1757; Amending Development Regulations in Title 17 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code; and Establishing an Effective Date Planning and Community Development Director Emma Bolin, Planning Manager Ryan Harriman, Senior Planner Adrian Smith, Western Washington University interns Rory Clark, Kelsey Fetters, and Ashlyn Winsheimer presented Proposed Amendments for Residential Uses in Existing Buildings which included Purpose: Amend PTMC to Comply with HB 1757, Implementing HB 1757: Types of Amendments, New Chapter of PTMC Title 17, New Chapter: Applicability, New Chapter: Affordability, New Chapter: Ground Floor Commercial, New Chapter: Applying Energy Code, Example of Applying Energy Code in a Residential Building, Amendments to Existing Chapters of PTMC, Amendments to 12.06 Transportation Concurrency Management, Amendments to 17.16 Residential Code, Proposed Amendments to 17.20 Commercial Zoning, Amendments to 17.31 Rainier Street/Upper Sims Way Subarea, Process and Next Steps, and Recommended Motion. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained transitional housing, Commerce review, major pedestrian corridors, maximum density, and allowing 50% more than limit. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around rules being more flexible and appreciating staff's intention. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Ordinance 3366 Relating to Conversion of Existing Buildings to Residential Uses and the Addition of Residential Uses in Existing Buildings in Accordance with HB 1757, Amending Development Regulations in Title 17 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code; and Establishing an Effective Date Fred Obee seconded. Discussion ensued around mentioning changes to Chapter 12 and 17 in motion. Council member Faber rescinded his motion. Motion: David Faber moved to amend Ordinance 3366 to insert the words "Title 12 and" before Title 17. Owen Rowe seconded. June 15, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 4 of 6 Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote.. Motion: David Faber moved to approve Ordinance 3366 Relating to Conversion of Existing Buildings to Residential Uses and the Addition of Residential Uses in Existing Buildings in Accordance with HB 1757; Amending Development Regulations in Title 12 and Title 17 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code; and Establishing an Effective Date Monica MickHager seconded. Discussion ensued around scrivener's error provision. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Transportation Improvement Board Grant Application Priorities Steve King and Deputy Public Works Director Dave Dinkuhn presented Transportation Improvement Board Grant Application Priorities which included projects, Transportation Improvement Board, varying costs, Discovery Road Paving, Bike Paths, and Sidewalk on S Side, Chip Seal Walker/Cherry St, Chip Seal Blaine Street, Washington Street Paving and Sidewalks, Lawrence Street Sidewalk and Bicycle Lanes, 12th Street and Landes Street Sidewalk and Curb Ramps, Chip Seal 19th Street, budget, competing with other cities in region, and funding. In response to Council's clarifying questions staff explained PT Preservation Alliance project, Lawrence St- Walker to Kearney sidewalk, project most likely to be approved, and EAR board recommendation for 12th St. Public comment: There was no public comment. Discussion ensued around scriveners' error on agenda bill, should say $600,000 not $600,000 million and applying for all of them. Motion: David Faber moved to support Transportation Improvement Board (T/B) grant applications committing to funding match up to $600, 000 combined for all four grant programs. Fred Obee seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Pre -work and preparation for the July 13th Strategic Workplan Retreat Mayor Howard provided the Presiding Officer's Report which included appreciation for Deputy Mayor Rowe for stepping in as Presiding Officer and upcoming Strategic workplan homework. June 15, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 5 of 6 SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL Deputy Mayor Rowe stated there is an upcoming ICG meeting on Thursday. Council member Faber asked to confirm if at the next Infrastructure and Development Committee meeting, they will continue discussion around street development standards and our requirement in conjunction with no parking minimum rules. Mayor Howard stated she will be participating in a dunk tank at Brinnon Shrimp Fest. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:54pm. Attest: A sa 'R drigues ty Clerk June 15, 2026 City Council Business Meeting Page 6 of 6