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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 02202024 MinutesCITY OF PORT ANGELES CITY COUNCIL Port Angeles, Washington February 20, 2024 This meeting was conducted as a hybrid meeting. CALL TO ORDER SPECIAL MEETING Mayor Dexter called the special meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to order at 5:30 p.m. Members Present: Mayor Dexter, Deputy Mayor Carr, Council Members Meyer, Miller, Schromen-Wawrin, Schwab, and Suggs. Members Absent: None. Staff Present: City Manager West, Assistant City Attorney Cowgill, Clerk Martinez -Bailey. EXECUTIVE SESSION Based on input from Assistant City Attorney Chris Cowgill, Mayor Dexter announced the need for a Closed Session under authority of RCW 42.30.140(4), to discuss collective bargaining with an employee organization until 5:50 p.m. The Council left the Chambers and moved to the Jack Pittis Conference Room. The Closed Session convened at 5:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Dexter adjourned the Special Meeting at 5:50 p.m. CALL TO ORDER -REGULAR MEETING Mayor Dexter called the regular meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Mayor Dexter, Deputy Mayor Carr, Council Members Meyer, Miller, Schromen-Wawrin, Schwab, and Suggs. Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Manager West, Deputy City Manager Goings, Assistant City Attorney Cowgill, Clerk Martinez - Bailey, C. Delikat, B. Smith, S. Carrizosa, D. Sharp, and M. Healy. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Dexter led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. CEREMONIAL MATTERS PROCLAMATIONS & EMPLOYEE RECOGNITIONS 1. Proclamation Recognizing Black History Month The Mayor invited Chyrell Silva -Jones to the front of the Chambers and read a proclamation recognizing Black History Month. Mayor Dexter stated the City of Port Angeles celebrates the month by recommitting to fight for equity, opportunity, dignity, and voting rights to which every person is due. The Mayor presented the proclamation to Ms. Silva -Jones. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS 1. Virtual Presentation made by Representative Derek Kilmer on the Recompete Grant Congressman Derek Kilmer spoke to the benefits of the Recompete Grant, named some of the local recipients of the grant, spoke to what the hinds could be used for, shared the region was one of twenty-two finalists in the country and that the program was intended to revitalize economic activity in distressed communities. PORT ANGELES CITY COUNCIL MEETING — February 20, 2024 PUBLIC COMMENT John Ralston, city resident, spoke to energy costs as it relates to the costs of housing development. James Taylor, city resident, spoke to the evening's agenda. Steve Pelayo, residing outside the city and business owner in the city, spoke about meeting process. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS CONTINUED 1. Peninsula Housing Authority Strategic Planning - Stakeholder Clallam County Meeting City Manager Nathan West presented the agenda item and turned the matter over to the Council for discussion It was moved by Meyer and seconded by Suggs to: Appoint Council members Meyer, Miller, and Schromen-Wawrin as attendees at the Peninsula Housing Authority Strategic Planning Stakeholder meeting and appoint Deputy Mayor Carr as an alternate. Motion carried 7-0. CONSENT AGENDA At the request of Council member Miller and after hearing no objection, Mayor Dexter added J-1 East City Hall Parking Lot LID Retrofit Project #TR1215 to the consent agenda as item E-7. It was moved by Meyer and seconded by Miller to approve the Consent Agenda to include: 1. City Council Minutes of January 16 and January 23, 2024 / Approve 2. Expenditure Report: From January 27, 2024 to February 9, 2024 in the amount of $2,368,032.20 /Approve 3. Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs Body Worn Camera Grant Acceptance / Authorize the City Manager to sign a contract with Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and to make minor modifications as necessary. 4. Francis Street ADA Improvement Project TR06-16 Final Acceptance / Accept the Francis Street ADA Improvement Project No. TR06-16 as complete, and authorize staff to proceed with project closeout, and release the retainage bond in the amount of $18, 516.35 upon receipt of all required clearances. 5. Equipment Purchase — Replacement of Light Operations Division Equipment #148 / 1) Approve the purchase of a new Light Operations Division forklift that is the functional equivalent of existing vehicle #148 from Pape Material Handling for an amount not-lo-exceed $43,100.33, including tax and accessories, 2) Authorize the City Manager to approve and execute the final purchase documents and to complete the purchase and make minor changes as necessary, 3) Authorize the City Manager to surplus vehicle #148, and to dispose of that vehicle in a commercially reasonable manner, upon addition of the new vehicle to the City fleet. 6. Washington Department of Commerce Grant Acceptance- Senior Center HVAC / 1) Approve a grant agreement with the Washington Department of Commerce for the purchase of the HVAC equipment for the Port Angeles Senior Center in the amount of $450, 000.00, and 2)Authorize the City Manager to sign and execute any grant agreements through Department of Commerce or Department or Department Enterprise Services as part of the Senior Center HVAC project and to make minor modifications as necessary. 7. MOVED TO CONSENT AGENDA J-1 East City Hall Parking Lot LID Retrofit Project #TR1215 1) Approve amendment 01 to grant agreement #WQC-2023-PoPanPW-00153 with the Department of Ecology for the acceptance of an additional $376,694.00 and authorize the City Manager to execute the Amendment and to make minor modifications as necessary; and 2) Award a contract to construct the East City Hall Parking Lot LID Project to Bruch & Bruch Construction, Inc. of Port Angeles, WA for a total bid amount of $1,498,367.30 and authorize the City Manager to sign the contract and make minor modifications to the contract as necessary. Motion carried 7-0. The Mayor recessed the meeting for a break at 6:22 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 6:28 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Short Term Rental and Bed and Breakfast Regulations and Fees Deputy City Manager Goings shared slides that provided the background work done by Council, Planning Commission and staff. He stated the slides included information on the matter that related to the background and overview, outreach and engagement, project status and timing, proposed fees and codes, and staff recommendations. Page 2 of 7 PORT ANGELES CITY COUNCIL MEETING — February 20, 2024 The Mayor opened the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. Caitlin Sullivan, residing outside the city, spoke about short-term rental options available to Council that would also lead to community sustainability. Dan Anderson, city resident, spoke about the short-term rental options presented and thanked Council and staff for their work. Laurel Cripe, city resident, spoke about short-term rental options presented to Council and the need for housing, not short-term rentals. Kevin Talbot, city resident, spoke about the short-term rental options presented and suggested that density limitations should be considered in the final adoption. Carolyn, city resident, spoke about short-term rental option C as her preferred option. (Name unclear), city resident, spoke about short-term rental option C as her preferred option. Kevin Sullivan, residing outside the city, spoke about code enforcement as it relates to short-term rentals. Laurel Hargis, city resident, spoke about lack of housing in Port Angeles as it relates to short-term rentals. Richie Ahuja, city resident and a member of the City's Planning Commission, but stated he was speaking independently of his position, spoke about the need for increased housing stock to support long-term economy. Ricardo Fleischfresser, residing outside the city and former short-term rental owner, suggested the Council consider those who ran short-term rentals prior to the 2017 code, housing affordability, and said the fire safety regulations should apply also to long -tern rentals. WendyRae Johnson, city resident, stated she is a member of the Clallam County Conservation District Board, and spoke about the need for availability of housing for the work force and stated support for option C. Sean Coleman, residing outside the city, stated he would support option B and spoke about lodging tax funds as they relate to short-term rental operations in Port Angeles. Chelsea Ryder, city resident, spoke in favor of option C, her challenges to find housing, and the need for affordable housing. Rahul Luta, city resident and short -tern rental operator, spoke in favor of option B. Holden Fleming, city resident, spoke about the need for work force housing and the importance of community connections. Jim Woodling, city resident, shared he preferred option 3. Marc Lawrence, residing outside the city, commercial finance company owner, spoke about the unintended consequences of regulating short-term rentals. Christi Cox, residing outside the city, spoke about the need for affordable housing and stated she was in support of option C. Tracy Lay, city resident, and stated she is a Conservation District Board member and spoke about the need for availability of housing for the work force and stated option C. Joyce Underwood, residing outside city and Port Angeles business owner, spoke about short-term rentals being the scapegoat for the current housing crisis. Page 3 of 7 PORT ANGELES CITY COUNCIL MEETING — February 20, 2024 Steven Pelayo, residing outside the city and Port Angeles business owner, stated he supports option B, and spoke to the benefits of lodging tax funds as they benefit the community. Leslie Forsberg, residing outside city limits, spoke about housing, short-term rentals, and stated she supports option B. Brian Heberling, residing outside the city, spoke about housing, short-term rentals, and stated the need for economic velocity. The Mayor recessed the meeting for a break at 7:50 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:56 p.m. Jim Bennet, city resident, spoke about commercial office zones, conditional use permits in the proposed code, and requested the designation C would be replaced with permitted uses. David Squires, residing outside the city and short-term renal owner, spoke about compromise and supported option B. Jim Haguewood, city resident, stated the proposed option B would best fit the needs of Port Angeles. Ron Richards, residing outside the city , stated he supports option C and encouraged Council to adopt this option. Greg Maust, city resident, stated residential areas should be used for residing in, not for short-term rentals. Bruce Swenson, city resident, stated he has enjoyed the short-term rental process and looks forward to the issue being solved. Gail, city resident, stated she supports option C and encouraged Council to adopt this option and opposed to non- compliant short-term rental businesses. Jim McEntire, residing outside the city and speaking on behalf of the Port Angeles Business Association, spoke about taking proprietary information with caution. Heid Pederson, residing outside the city and long-term renter, and spoke in opposition of short-term rental businesses. Jim Halberg, city resident, spoke about the definitions and limitations in the proposed ordinance and said he is in favor of option B. Ellen Menshew, expressed a desire to strengthen work force housing. Ashlynn Emiliani, city resident, spoke about the need for more housing but that short-term rentals are not the issue and stated she supports option B. James Taylor, city resident and Planning Commission member speaking on behalf of himself, spoke about the options presented, enforcement, and zoning. Matthew Moore, city resident and renter, spoke about the negative impacts of short-term rentals. Lorrie Mittmann, city resident and business owner, stated option B is a good compromise and noted the 3% cap can be adjusted in the future as needed. Sona, residing outside the city , spoke in favor of short-term rentals and the benefits that they bring to the community in the form of lodging tax funds, and supports option B. Melissa Messineo, city resident, spoke about basic human needs, affordable housing, needs for long term housing, and stated she supports option B. Page 4 of 7 PORT ANGELES CITY COUNCIL MEETING — February 20, 2024 Tom Butler, residing outside the city, spoke about investment properties, tourism, and stated he was in favor of option C. Daisy, city resident, spoke about her negative experience living near a short-term rental and stated option C was the best option for the community. Ginny Shane, city resident, stated she supports option B, that it reflects the most balance and spoke about her experience as a renter. Kelly Johnson, city resident, spoke in favor of short-term rentals, stating they are not the cause of limited affordable housing and supports option B. Lisa Decker, states she believed option C would increase housing. Donnette Hope, city resident, encouraged Council to go with option B, stated short-term rentals support a number of individuals in the work force, and that by eliminating them will not fix the housing crisis. Julie Early, residing outside city limits, encouraged Council to go with option B. John Ralston, city resident, spoke about a report referred to by Council member Schromen-Wawrin, and spoke to a report done by Black Ball Ferry. Shireen Huchison, city resident, short-term rental owner, spoke about the income generated by the short-term rental, and stated she supports option B. Marolee Smith, city resident and a Planning Commission member but speaking independently, and asked the Council to support option B. Stanley Hope, city resident, spoke about youth opportunities that are funded through lodging tax funds and challenges to find overnight lodging. Marvin Weatherow, city resident, supports option B. Cheryl Boughman, city resident, stated she supports option C and spoke to a number of ways that can bring money the local economy without short-term rentals. Kauzma Youga, property owner and short-term rental operator, spoke of his life experiences and urged Council to chose option B. Jake Purvis, residing outside the city and Port Angeles business owner, suggested Council choose option B and made suggestions to improve. Justin (last name unknown), city resident, spoke about compliance. At 9:00 p.m., the Mayor closed the public hearing. Mayor Dexter conducted a reading of the ordinance by title, entitled, ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE of the City of Port Angeles, Washington implementing new regulations for short-term lodging operations; adopting a new Chapter 17.23 of the Port Angeles Municipal Code ("PAMC"), Short -Term Rentals; adopting a new Chapter 17.24 PAMC, Bed and Breakfasts; repealing Chapter 17.18 PAMC; amending sections 14.36.010, 17.01.020, 17.08.015, 17.08.095, 17.10.040, 17.11.040, 17.12.040, 17.14.020, 17.15,020, 17.20.020, Page 5 of 7 PORT ANGELES CITY COUNCIL MEETING — February 20, 2024 17.25.040, and 17.94.065 pertaining to short-term lodging amendments; amending the Master Fee Schedule; adopting reporting requirements; providing for severability; establishing an effective date; and staying enforcement until a date certain. The Mayor recessed the meeting for a break at 9:02 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:10 p.m. Council discussion followed. The Mayor suggested that due to the time, Council should consider extending the meeting. It was moved by Schromen-Wawrin and seconded by Suggs to: Extend the meeting until all agenda items were complete and eliminate Council reports. Motion carried 7-0. It was moved by Schromen-Wawrin and seconded by Miller to: Direct staff to prepare an ordinance based on Option C for the March 5 meeting, with narrow exemptions allowing for economic hardship to allow economically -distressed existing illegal STRs to become nonconforming licensees under temporary STR licenses, one unit per STR license, one STR license per person, one STR license per parcel. A less onerous inspection requirement. Make it clear that Type 1 is the actual primary residence, required through a common entrance, and remove the option of getting a Type 1 license on a unit that is not the primary residence. Motion carried 4-3 with Dexter, Schwab, and Meyer opposed. Staff asked for clarification on portions of the motion. The Mayor continued the matter to the March 5 meeting. LATE ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON THIS OR FUTURE AGENDAS Council member Meyer asked the Mayor to consider adding to a future agenda for Council to discuss exploring a pathway for neighborhood associations to work with the City. Council member Schwab asked the Mayor to consider adding Council cell phones to an agenda for future discussion. The Mayor recessed the meeting for a break at 10:32 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:36 p.m. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS No reports were given due to the motion made to extend the meeting and eliminate Council reports due to the time. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT John Ralston, city resident, urged the City not to adopt new energy codes and spoke about affordable housing. Carolyn, city resident, suggested a write-in opportunity on the primary ballot. Brian Heberling, residing outside the city, spoke about the Council's support of a version of option C. Steven Pelayo, residing outside the city, stated Council's support of option C showed that Council was not listening to the public. Jim Halberg, city resident, spoke about lodging tax funds that will be lost by eliminating short-term rentals and said the city is able to support. Lorrie Mittmann, city resident, spoke about how option C will directly affect her livelihood. Council member Schromen-Wawrin spoke to public comment. Kauzma Youga, spoke of his life experiences and spoke about life choices. Steve Raider -Ginsburg, city resident, said the city doesn't have enough rooms and supports option B. Page 6 of 7 PORT ANGELES CITY COUNCIL MEETING — February 20, 2024 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Dexter adjourned the meeting at 10:55 p.m. Kate Dexter, Mayor Page 7 of 7 A k -"/'- llIL Kari Martinez -Bailey, City Cler