HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-20 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - February 20, 2024
Call to Order
Mayor Matt Miller called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of February 20,2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers TJ Fantini, Ryan Walters, and Anthony Young were present. Councilmembers Amanda
Hubik, Carolyn Moulton(left at 7:33 pm due to technical problems with the remote meeting connection and did
not rejoin)and Bruce McDougall(joined at 6:22 pm)participated in the meeting remotely via Zoom.
Councilmember Christine Cleland-McGrath was absent.
Mr. Walters moved, seconded by Mr. Young,to excuse the absence of Ms. Cleland-McGrath. The motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
Pledge of Allegiance
The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcements and Committee Reports
Mayor Miller announced the visit of the mobile office of the Department of Social and Health Services on
February 22nd at the Salvation Army,thanked library staff and volunteers for a successful Adventure Day
event, and provided an R Avenue Improvement Project update.
Economic Development Committee
Mr. Young reported from the Economic Development Committee meeting held February 13th. The topics
discussed included the onboarding of new committee members, establishing partnerships,identifying
stakeholders, and defining the scope of work for the committee.
Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee
Ms. Moulton reported from the Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee meeting held the
previous Thursday. The topics discussed included a discussion with Community Action Resource Center
Coordinator, support services for seniors,and Salvation Army services.
Public Works Committee
Mr. Walters reported from the Public Works Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The topics
discussed included recent parking code changes,the waterlines serving Oak Harbor, Skagit County fee
increases for solid waste handling, Capital Facilities Plan projects including the downtown arch rehabilitation,
Ninth Street connectivity with Commercial Avenue and the marina, a parking study,the stormwater
management plan, and an upcoming presentation from Alta Design on the Commercial Avenue Corridor
project.
Parks and Recreation Committee
Mayor Miller announced that Mr. McDougall would report from the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting
held February 15th at a later date.
Skagit County Law and Justice Council
Mr. Fantini reported from the Skagit County Law and Justice Council meeting held on February 13th. The
topics discussed included facilitative mediation,the North Star Project, expanding crisis and co-response
services throughout the county, coordination of opioid settlement funds, expanding Julota software use to
facilitate Interagency communication and coordination, and updating countywide land use policies to promote
housing growth.
Police Officers Swearing In
Police Chief Dave Floyd introduced the officers to be sworn in,including Officer Tim Vanderkooy, Officer
Demarkus Carter,and Officer Roberto Cheeseboro.
Anacortes City Council Minutes-February 20,2024
1
Mayor Miller administered the oath of office to Officers Vanderkooy, Carter and Cheeseboro.
Anacortes Public Library Board of Directors Appointment
Mayor Miller presented the appointment of Briana Lindquist to the Anacortes Public Library Board of Directors
for a five-year term through December 31,2028.
Mr. Fantini moved, seconded by Mr. Young,to confirm the appointment of Briana Lindquist to the Anacortes
Public Library Board of Directors. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Mr.Walters announced that he,Mr. McDougall, and Mr. Fantini will host an informal opportunity to discuss
city issues on February 27th at the Library at 6:00 pm.Mr.Walters added that he,Ms. Moulton,and Ms.
Cleland-McGrath will attend a meeting of the Fidalgo Democrats Club to discuss the 2025 Comprehensive Plan
Update on March 12th at 7:00pm.at the Library.
Public Comment
Mayor Miller invited the public to comment on any item not on the agenda.No one present wished to address
the Council on any topic not already on the agenda.
Consent Agenda
Ms. Hubik moved, seconded by Mr.Fantini,to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
a. Minutes of February 12,2024
b.Approval of claims in the amount of$941,153.52
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 108607 through 108663,total$900,257.80
Check numbers: 108664 through 108679,total $40,530.58
Wire transfer numbers: 341292 through 341707,total $365.14
Other Business
Habitat for Humanity Lease
Skagit Habitat for Humanity Executive Director,Tina Tate,presented an overview of the organization's mission
and future housing projects in Anacortes,referring to a slide presentation that was included in the packet
materials for the meeting.Mr. Walters outlined the proposed lease agreement,referring to a slide that was
added to the packet materials for the meeting.
Mayor Miller invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item.
Public comment was given as follows:
George Salatka of Anacortes commented that the proposed location is unfavorable and the number of units in
the proposed development is excessive. He also expressed concerns around equity considerations.
Discussion topics included:
• Flexibility for the period of the lease and ensuring affordability.
• Perpetual affordability.
• Home transfer and equity considerations.
• Home design,neighborhood integration,parking space, and refuse receptacle location.
• Consideration of number of units.
• Reason for lot choice.
Anacortes City Council Minutes-February 20, 2024
2
• Threshold consideration for moving forward with the lease.
• Construction timeline.
• Opportunities for public input and ensuring that concerns are heard.
• Creating housing under market conditions and possible future acquisition.
Contract Award: Access Anacortes Fiber Internet EDA Expansion Backbone Construction#23-013-
FBR-002
Fiber Manager Jim Lemberg introduced the proposed contract award for the Access Anacortes Fiber Internet
EDA Expansion Backbone Construction#23-013-FBR-002
Discussion topics included:
• Grant funding total.
• Scope of work of the contract.
• Aerial versus underground infrastructure work.
• Project budget and actual expenses.
• Increased costs due to supply chain issues.
• Saved funds on having the city complete make-ready work.
• Local contractor.
ANTHONY YOUNG moved, seconded by TJ FANTINI,to authorize the mayor to sign contract#23-013-FBR-
002 with Summit Contractors Inc.Vote: Ayes-ANTHONY YOUNG,RYAN WALTERS,BRUCE
MCDOUGALL,AMANDA HUBIK, TJ FANTINI.Nays-None. Result: Passed
Contract Award: 16th Street and D Avenue Improvement Project—Design#22-213-TRN-002
Public Works Director Andrew Rheaume introduced Lead Engineering Technician Steve Lange who detailed
the proposed design contract award for the 16th Street and D Avenue Improvement Project#22-213-TRN-002,
referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting.
Discussion topics included:
• Community and neighborhood meetings to make sure all concerns are heard.
• Childcare is a significant community need.
• Un-built portion of C Avenue between 16th Street and 17th Street.
• Traffic-calming measures.
Mr.Walters abstained from voting due to having previously managed the project.
ANTHONY YOUNG moved, seconded by AMANDA HUBIK,to authorize the mayor to sign contract 422-
213-TRN-002 with HW Lochner Inc.Vote: Ayes -ANTHONY YOUNG,BRUCE MCDOUGALL,AMANDA
HUBIK, TJ FANTINI.Nays-None. Abstentions: RYAN WALTERS. Result: Passed
Ordinance 4074: Title 9 Update
City Attorney Darcy Swetnam and Police Chief Dave Floyd introduced proposed Ordinance 4074, detailing the
changes to Title 9 of the Anacortes Municipal Code that would re-introduce provoking assault and disorderly
conduct.
Mayor Miller invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item.No one present wished to
address the Council.
Anacortes City Council Minutes-February 20, 2024
3
Discussion topics included:
• Ability to charge individuals with provoking assault for using racial slurs.
• Intentional requirement in Section I.A.5.
• The reason the provisions were omitted from the current version.
• Instances where the previous code language would have helped.
• Language is important and it can harm.
• Incitement goes beyond free speech.
Ordinance 4073: Adoption of Updated Washington State Building Codes
Planning, Community,and Economic Development Director John Coleman introduced Building Official Rob
Frisinger,who detailed proposed Ordinance 4073: Adoption of Updated Washington State Building Codes,
outlining the key elements of the code changes, including the wildland urban interface code,minimum elevator
size,maximum vegetation height,and heating requirements for office buildings and homes.
Mayor Miller invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item.No one present wished to
address the Council.
Discussion topics included:
• Eliminate fee information from the code and place it on the unified fee schedule.
• Refer penalties to Title 20,code enforcement title.
• Ordinance will be back before the Council on February 26th.
Ordinance 4068: Amending the 2023 Budget
Finance Director Steve Hoglund re-introduced Ordinance 4068: Amending the 2023 Budget.
Discussion topics included:
• Including the "Fund Balance" line to reflect$113,300 for the Washington Park re-roof project in the
Washington Park fund.
• Using the most restricted funding source.
• Staff budgeting skill.
ANTHONY YOUNG moved, seconded by RYAN WALTERS,to approve Ordinance 4068 with the prescribed
change to the revenue line for Washington Park fund.Vote: Ayes-ANTHONY YOUNG,RYAN WALTERS,
BRUCE MCDOUGALL,AMANDA HUBIK, TJ FANTINI.Nays -None. Result: Passed
Adi ournment
There being no further business,at approximately 8:22 p.m.the Anacortes City Council meeting of February
20,2024 was adjourned.
Anacortes City Council Minutes-February 20, 2024
4