HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-13 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes -June 13,2022
Call to Order
Mayor Matt Miller called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of June 13,2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers Jeremy Carter,Anthony Young,Christine Cleland-McGrath,Carolyn Moulton,and Amanda
Hubik were present.
Councilmembers Ryan Walters and Bruce McDougall were absent.
Pledge of Allegiance
The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcements and Committee Reports
Mayor Miller shared current Covid hospitalization statistics for Anacortes and Skagit County. He then read a
letter from Washington State Department of Ecology commending the Anacortes Wastewater Treatment Plant
for its operations and awarding it the 2021 Wastewater Treatment Plant Outstanding Performance Award.
CAROLYN MOULTON moved,seconded by ANTHONY YOUNG,to excuse Councilmembers Walters and
McDougall for being absent from this evening's meeting.
Vote:Ayes-JEREMY CARTER,ANTHONY YOUNG,CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH,CAROLYN
MOULTON,Amanda Hubik.Nays-None.Result:Passed.
Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee
Ms. Cleland-McGrath reported that the Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee did not
meet.
Planning Committee
Ms. Cleland-McGrath reported on the Planning Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The topics
discussed included a cell tower in Skyline and a cellular monopole with a wireless service permit being built
near a boat storage building that is subject to compliance verification with the State Environmental Policy Act
and Planning Director review. She reminded the public that the comment period expires June 15,2022. She also
mentioned Mr. Walters'desire for a report from the Planning Director about the use of departures related to
development regulations. The Committee also discussed the Shoreline Master Plan,specifically overwater piers
and related case studies.
Public Safety Committee
Mr.Carter reported from the Public Safety Committee meeting held the previous week.The topics discussed
included the newly promoted police officers being trained in their new positions and one new officer graduating
from the academy this week. Mr. Carter continued his update with topics related to the Fire Department,
including the recently purchased rescue boat,which is up and on line with crew training in progress with the
goal of having it operational for Independence Day festivities, and ongoing negotiations with the Port of
Anacortes for its moorage. He provided further updates on the completion of the Critical Areas survey for Fire
Station 3 and associated efforts for possible cooperative expansion with Skagit County Fire District 13. Mr.
Carter concluded his update by citing upcoming Fire Department participation in an integrated emergency
course offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency where the City will be evaluated for its disaster
preparedness. Mayor Miller reported that the final report to City Council for Fire Station 3 will come back in
August and that,depending on the results,could yield adequate land for a training facility and an operational
fire station.
Port/City Liaison Committee
Ms.Hubik reported from the Committee meeting held the previous week. The topics discussed included the
Anacortes City Council Minutes - June 13,2022
maritime strategic plan looking at goals for the next two years,including the Guemes Channel Trail, MJB
property development, and the City partnering with the Port of Anacortes and Northwest Marine Trade
Association on legislation related to copper bottom paint. She then mentioned a discussion of expanding the
development part of the Comprehensive Plan,taking the effects of COVID-19 and other related factors into
account. She concluded by mentioning that Jessica Kaiser from the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce and John
Sternlicht,Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County,joined the
discussion and that more than 90% ofjob growth is from existing businesses.
Public Comment
Anastasia Brencick of Anacortes thanked the City Council and the Safety Committee for alerting citizens about
death threats related to the upcoming Pride Parade on Saturday. She mentioned RCW 9A.84 and that she
understands there are groups or other people that may come from outside of Anacortes to disrupt the parade.
She expressed hope that the community will decide to continue with the parade in spite of the threats and stand
up to those threats.
Mayor Miller responded that,as the city's chief law enforcement officer,he takes threats very seriously and that
everyone has the right to peaceably assemble but will be subject to arrest ifproperty is damaged or people are
injured.
Rochelle Kaloah,expressed thanks to the City Council for their bravery and standing up to hate and passing the
resolution of Pride Month for June 202. She also mentioned that it is important to continue to fight and that the
LGBTQ+community has been targeted for doing so. She specifically asked Mayor Miller to stand up to hate
from intolerant parties and violent extremists.
Keiko McCracken of Anacortes thanked City Council for their service and dedication to the public good.As the
gender-inclusive schools coordinator for the Anacortes School District,she cited the vulnerability of LGBTQ+
community students,especially students of color. She expressed appreciation for the Council's efforts to change
the narrative and Mayor Miller's statement regarding preservation ofpublic safety. She hoped that City leaders
would attend the parade and show their support for children and all other members ofthe LGBTQ+community.
Shelly Brencick-Hageman of Anacortes thanked City Council for their leadership and making this month's
events happen. She commented that she is dismayed that she hears the same arguments she heard decades ago
but appreciates that progress has been achieved.She continued to mention that her wife received a credible
death threat from a known actor in the community, and asked others to refrain from tolerating or enabling
rhetoric that gives safe space for those who hate.
Consent Agenda
Ms.M o u 1 t o n moved, seconded by Mr.Carter,to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
a. Minutes of May 23,2022
b. Minutes of June 6,2022
c. Approval of claims in the amount of 791,496.42
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 103436 through 103458,total$609,995.61
Checknumbers: 103481through 103482,total$159,424.49
Wire transfer numbers: 305059 through 304985,total$22,076.32
d.Contract Award: 2022 Cape Seal Preparation#22-15 1-TRN-001
e. Contract Award:2022 Western Avenue Waterline Project#22-163-WTR-001
£ Contract Award: AFD Station 3 Lease 2022-2024 #22-165-AFD-001
Anacortes City Council Minutes-June 13,2022 2
Other Business
Skate Park Funding Request
Parks and Recreation Director,Jonn Lunsford,detailed a proposal regarding the Skate Park improvement
project. He stated his department's goal is to raise $850,000-$900,000 for the skate park. Funding already
received are a private donation of$500,000 from an anonymous donor, $100,000 from the Kiwanis Club
of Anacortes and $50,000 from other community donors. He requested Council consider allocation of
$100,000 from Real Estate Excise Tax(BEET)funds in order to finish the project and demonstrate to the
public that City is fully invested in the project and bringing the City within$100,000 ofthe goal.He asked
Council to instruct staff to allocate$100,000 REET funds.
Mayor Miller stated the official action would be to approve the budget amendment. Ms. Moulton asked if
the requested funds would contribute to related environmental protection. Mr. Lunsford affirmed that it would
go to the general project.Ms. Moulton responded that it would be a good idea to allocate funding to aproject that
enables our children and wider community to enjoy recreation activities at the new skate park. Mayor Miller
mentioned staff efforts to coordinate this project with a community development center and wider area re-
development.Ms. Cleland-McGrath agreed that considering significant public donations,allocating REET funds
makes sense.She asked Mr.Lunsford about the pump track. Mr.Lunsford responded that the City would love
to add it perhaps to a second phase of the project subject to an estimate from the contractor. Mr. Young asked
Mr. Lunsford to describe a pump track. Mr. Lunsford gave a brief description of the pump track features.
Ordinance 4021:Amending Title 6 AMC regarding Animals
City Attorney, Darcy Swetnam,reviewed the requested changes to Title 6 of the Anacortes Municipal Code
regarding dangerous dogs. She cited two main issues from last week's discussion. Specifically,Mr. Walters'
concern about seizure and subsequent testing for rabies of a dog that bites. She confirmed that such procedures
are standard practice for the Anacortes Police Department. She then detailed the breakdown of the definition of
provoked'in the code revision.
ANTHONY YOUNG moved,seconded by JEREMY CARTER,to approve Ordinance 4021:Amending Title 6
Anacortes Municipal Code regarding Animals.
Vote: Ayes -JEREMY CARTER,ANTHONY YOUNG,CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH,CAROLYN
MOULTON,Amanda Hubik.Nays-None.Result:Passed.
Adjournment
There being no further business,at approximately 6:32 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of June 13,
2022 was adjourned.
Anacortes City Council Minutes-June 13,2022 3