City Council Meeting - 2021-06-21

Detailed briefing

City Council Meeting — June 21, 2021 • Council approved the consent agenda. During public comment, Larry Harris called for the city to stop issuing short-term-rental licenses, treat short-term rentals as business activity, and direct applications through Planning Commission and/or Zoning Board of Appeals processes. He also described continuing concerns at 491 State Street, including noise, fires, and yard conditions. A written comment in the packet from David Miller raised concerns about downtown sidewalk merchandise displays and neon signs. • Council approved a July 4 traffic-control order addressing chairs, blankets, and other objects placed along the route. Chief Knight said enforcement will begin at 7 a.m., replacing an earlier 9 a.m. approach that had not worked well. Items placed too early may be picked up by city crews, stored, and held for five days. No penalty will be assessed this year, and the chief said he will report back next month. • Marina Park continues to develop with landscaping, games, tables, benches, and public use reported. Because shade sails will not be installed, the project’s initially expected cost is reduced by $15,000. The Marina Park Committee proposed more umbrellas, a flower bed near the EV charging station, and more bike racks. Council expressed consensus to move ahead; no formal vote was recorded. • Council revisited Ford Park launch-ramp commercial permit fees and usage. The Harbor Commission had voted 7-2 not to request commercial-user data, citing uncertainty about how the data would be useful without total ramp-use figures. Council members disagreed over whether commercial use needs further study and whether permits are chiefly for launching or also relate to limited trailer parking. No new fee, data-collection plan, or other action was adopted. • The city manager said auditors were wrapping up work on the 2019 and 2020 audits. Rachel Roon was hired as Parks and Recreation Director and is scheduled to begin July 6. Pickleball supporters had raised $800 toward a $7,200 fundraising goal for court improvements. The city also traded an older chipper with emissions problems for a newer one. • Staff said state requirements for Efficiency United/conservation programming are ending. Council will later decide whether, and at what level, to continue efficiency measures funded through electric-user fees. Worth watching: • Whether the July 4 chair-placement order improves enforcement and what the chief reports next month. • Whether the Harbor Commission or council returns to commercial launch-ramp permit definitions, fees, or usage data. • Council’s later decision on continuing energy-efficiency programs after the state requirement ends. Upcoming: A Planning Commission housing public-input session is scheduled for June 22 at 6 p.m.; Headlee Amendment override discussions are scheduled for June 23, July 21, and August 25. Why it matters: The meeting addressed public-space management, park investments, waterfront access, housing concerns, and upcoming choices affecting city services and fees.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.