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Home My WebLink About2024-02-26 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - February 26, 2024 Call to Order Mayor Matt Miller called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of February 26,2024 at 6:00 p.m. Councilmembers TJ Fantini, Ryan Walters,Anthony Young, Christine Cleland-McGrath, and Carolyn Moulton were present. Councilmembers Bruce McDougall and Amanda Hubik participated in the meeting remotely via Zoom. Pledge of Allegiance The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance. Announcements and Committee Reports Mayor Miller announced that operations crews are currently responding to the winter weather conditions, recapped the Port/City Liaison special meeting,including the discussion of an interlocal agreement regarding the West Basin development and event facility. He then announced that on Friday,March 1st will be the 2nd Annual Jazz Walk from 6-9pm,Anacortes being recognized as a Well City for the twentieth year in a row,the coming closure of the Guemes Island Ferry west parking lot beginning 5pm Monday,March 4th through Friday, March 8th, and an R Avenue Improvement Project update. Fiber Committee Mr. McDougall reported from the Fiber Committee meeting held February 22nd. The topics discussed included market statistics including nearly 2800 subscribers and a 48%take rate,the Economic Development Administration(EDA) grant and contract the Council passed last week,the four sections of the EDA project area,a 12-18 month construction timeline,network capacity during peak events such as the Super Bowl,and ongoing ad hoc projects for adding business accounts. Planning Committee Ms. Moulton reported from the Planning Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The principal topic discussed included a potential housing project adjacent to the Anacortes Cinema. Museum Committee Mr. Fantini reported from the Museum Committee meeting held February 21 st. The topics discussed included projects completed in 2023,patronage increasing over 5%compared to 2022,the WT Preston deck re-coating project, added QR codes to exhibits and signage, and expanded online oral history offerings.Upcoming projects for 2024 include a new storage and workshop building,increasing patronage, staff training on PastPerfect, and researching a new exhibit for 2025 that will include the music of Fidalgo Island and Guemes Island. Parks and Recreation Committee Mr. McDougall reported from the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting held February 15th. The topics discussed included capital facilities plan projects,the coming presentation to the Council on the Rotary/Parks project for the Cap Sante overlook,possible Lodging Tax Advisory Committee(LTAC) funding for extending the Farmers Market/Depot Plaza to the south, a possible new park at West 6th Street and Minnesota Avenue, recruiting updates,and the March 12th Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting agenda. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Mr.Walters reported from the LTAC committee meeting held on February 22nd,where new members and re- appointees were welcomed,provided an orientation for new members,and reviewed the Port's West Basin and event center proposal in advance of the Port/City Liaison Committee meeting. Mr. Walters added that he,Mr. McDougall,and Mr. Fantini will hold an informal meeting on February 27th at 6pm at the library to discuss various city issues with constituents. Anacortes City Council Minutes-February 26,2024 1 Public Comment Mayor Miller invited the public to comment on any item not on the agenda. Public comment was given as follows: Cathy Elliott of Anacortes commented on the proposed Habitat for Humanity project on West Fifth Street, voicing support for a park at West Sixth Street and Minnesota Avenue,and asking for more public outreach to the neighborhood regarding the housing project. Deborah Cole of Anacortes addressed the Habitat for Humanity project in the West 5th Street neighborhood, citing concerns about parking, and asking for a project timeline. Tarn Ohana of Anacortes thanked the library staff and community volunteers for the recent Adventure Day event at the library. Patricia Dever agreed with the comments of Ms. Elliott and Ms. Cole regarding the Habitat for Humanity project. Mr. Fantini asked what the next steps are for the Habitat for Humanity project.Mayor Miller mentioned that the Council approved staff drafting a lease. Mr. Walters added that Habitat for Humanity is responsible doing their own due diligence to assess the parcel for development. Consent Agenda Ms. Moulton moved, seconded by Mr. Fantini,to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. a. Minutes of February 20,2024 b.Approval of claims in the amount of$584,661.87 The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment: EFT numbers: 108680 through 108712,total $314,843.07 Check numbers: 108538 through 108727,total $249,070.67 Wire transfer numbers: 341293 through 342035,total $20,748.13 c. Special Event Application: Free Movie Night on Kingsway Other Business Planning, Community and Economic Development 2024 Department Update Planning, Community and Economic Development Director John Coleman provided a departmental update, referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Mayor Miller invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item.No one present wished to address the Council. Discussion topics included: • Number of housing units needed. • What are we willing to allow in our neighborhoods? • Tough decisions will need to be made. • Population growth over the last 20 years? • Trends by housing type. Anacortes City Council Minutes-February 26, 2024 2 • When were the current code provisions implemented? • Housing allocation in Anacortes relative to the area's median income. • City-owned land that could be developed for housing. • What happens if the city does not reach housing allocation targets? • Planning for growth. • Other municipalities in the area must also plan for increased demand. • Better planning leads to better climate change mitigation outcomes. • Being behind the housing requirement curve-especially affordable housing types. • Jobs are needed in addition to housing. • Mixed-use housing. 2024 Stormwater Management Program Plan Public Works Director Andrew Rheaume introduced Stormwater Manager Diane Hennebert,who presented the 2024 Stormwater Management Plan,referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Mayor Miller invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item.No one present wished to address the Council. Discussion topics included: • Using the stormwater model to facilitate development. • Eliminating downstream constraints. • Street sweeping program-requirement to move vehicles to facilitate more thorough cleaning. • Challenges of maintaining water quality. • Educating the community on mitigation measures. • Comparing the 1970s National Geographic study to present conditions. • Putting public suggestions in to the permit process. Contract Modification: Pass Lake 10-Inch Watermain Replacement Project-Design#20-071-WTR-002 Public Works Director Andrew Rheaume introduced the proposed design contract modification for the Pass Lake 10-Inch Watermain Replacement Project#20-07 1-WTR-002,referring to a map of the project area that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Discussion topics included: • Quality of the line to the northeast of the project area. • Must have a second line to ensure that Oak Harbor does not run out of water when there is a failure. • City of Anacortes does not maintain the Oak Harbor line. • Can Anacortes recoup the cost of construction and design of the water line from Oak Harbor? • Anacortes line ownership obligation ends at Deception Pass. • Water quality concerns. Where are we now and what must be done in the future? RYAN WALTERS moved, seconded by ANTHONY YOUNG,to authorize the mayor to execute the contract modification#20-071-WTR-002 with GeoEngineers.Vote: Ayes -ANTHONY YOUNG,RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH,CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL,AMANDA HUBIK, TJ FANTINI.Nays-None. Result: Passed Anacortes City Council Minutes-February 26, 2024 3 Adjournment There being no further business, at approximately 8:03 p.m.the Anacortes City Council meeting of February 26,2024 was adjourned. Anacortes City Council Minutes-February 26, 2024 4