HomeMy WebLinkAbout072726 Special Session City Council Meeting MinutesCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF JULY 27, 2026
CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALL
The City Council met in a special meeting on the 27th day of July 2026 in Council
Chambers at 540 Water St, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Mayor Howard called the meeting to
order at 6:00pm.
Councilmembers present at roll call were Amy Howard, Owen Rowe, David Faber, Fred
Obee, Libby Wennstrom, Neil Nelson, and Monica MickHager.
Staff members present were City Attorney Austin Watkins, City Manager John Mauro, Public
Works Director Steve King, People and Performance Director Cynthia Shaffer, and City
Clerk Alyssa Rodrigues .
DISCUSSION ITEMS
City Manager Transition Planning
Mayor Howard introduced the City Manager Transition Planning discussion.
People and Performance Director Cynthia Shaffer presented the City Manager Transition
Planning which included the City Manager Transition and Recruitment Discussion
Framework document.
In response to Council's clarifying question staff explained salary and benefits.
Mayor Howard stated they will take public comment before questions and discussion.
Public comment:
Aleta Greenway spoke about her farewell to John Mauro, having public be a part of process
going forward, County levy, and partnership and transparency with County budget.
Jason Victor Serinus spoke about expecting a full room due to conversations about John
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and Council, people are not here, and it would help if people were informed before
criticism.
Discussion ensued around opening a second public comment session at end of the
meeting.
Discussion ensued around approaches laid out clearly, reviewingjob description, only two
current Council members on Council when John was recruited, AWC conversations, last
time process was done was pretty good, what City Council/City Manager does, what public
does, previous process documentation, disincorporate as City, Strong Mayor form of
government, immediate appt, internal candidate Steve King, continuity of internal
candidate, issues with external interim, approach #2 or #3, do not want department head
to do two jobs, what would happen with Public Works, season for hiring City Managers,
election cycles, limiting to State of Washington vs. Nationwide search, do not want to limit
too much, what do we want for next City Manager, get public involved in what we want in
City Manager, Deputy Public Works Director, length of "extended", backfill Public Works
positions, Council responsible for only hiring City Manager, currently have momentum
especially in Public Works, any current Director could do the job, have good staff support
for process, internal staff apply, social media and Strong Mayor communication, Strong
Mayor process, and previous vote for City Manager.
Discussion continued around amount of Washington cities that are Strong Mayor, executive
recruiter, need consultant who understands why Port Townsend is unique, pros and cons
of executive recruiter, considerations in recruiting the recruiter, HR involvement, public
engagement, relocation requirements, timeline for next decision points, learn more about
Steve's interest and impact on Public Works, internal candidate and approaches, Open
Session/Executive Session, receive information from Steve as part of upcoming packet,
decision point at regular meeting, idea of opening up to all department heads, have next
steps plan before beginning of September, upcoming meetings, broad support from other
Directors for Steve taking interim, Directors possibly interested in applying for permanent
role, space between City Managers, moving quickly vs. moving slowly, Steve is acting City
Manager during Johns final weeks, better position to engage the community, and want it to
be an open/clear/transparent process.
Public comment:
Deborah Kronenberg spoke about being delighted to hear Council talk, interim time period
is crucial and can be used as opportunity, and Council will learn different things about the
role from someone else.
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Debbie Jahnke spoke about last recruiter and contacting them again because it worked
well.
Jason Victor Serinus spoke about how people work together, hope more people watch
meetings like this, energy shared is special, and virtual public process.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:30pm,.
Attest:
lyss Rodrigues
City Clerk
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