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Home My WebLink About2024-04-01 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - April 1, 2024 Call to Order Mayor Matt Miller called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of April 1,2024 at 6:00 p.m. Councilmembers TJ Fantini,Ryan Walters,Anthony Young, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton, and Bruce McDougall were present. Councilmember Amanda Hubik was absent. Ms. Moulton moved, seconded by Mr.Young,to excuse the absence of Ms. Hubik. 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 A Avenue Landfill public meeting to be held by the Department of Ecology on April 15,2024, at 4pm in Council Chambers at City Hall,highlights of the 2024 legislative session,the completed installation of lights at the Ben Root Skate Park, an Enterprise Resource Program replacement request for proposal update, food waste prevention week, and recognition of Anacortes as Tree City USA for 2023. Fiber Committee Mr. McDougall reported from the Fiber Committee meeting held March 28th. The topics discussed included a subscriber update,monthly installation numbers,the construction project for connecting the remaining sections of the city,the check availability feature on the Geographic Information Systems interactive map, and an upgrade to a 100 gigabit physical port connection. Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee Ms. Moulton reported from the Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee meeting held March 28th. The meeting included a field trip tour of the Salvation Army facility, including a food pantry, after- school care, community meeting spaces, and new lead personnel. Public Works Committee Ms. Moulton reported from the Public Works Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The topics discussed included the role of the committee and member expectations, and the format of the Traffic Safety Committee. Library Committee Mr. Fantini reported from the Library Committee meeting held March 27th. The topics discussed included funding sources, community programs,the library newsletter,the teen area remodel,the Skagit Library Consortium, summer reading programs, and a staffing update. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Mr. Walters reported from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee meeting held March 27th. The topics discussed included the joint Port-City event venue, lodging tax requests from the Majestic Hotel and the Depot (City of Anacortes), funding models that include the new event center, and a new application from the Chamber of Commerce for an event tent. Economic Development Committee Mr. Young provided an update on the Economic Development Committee's activities prior to the next regular meeting. Ms. Moulton reported attending a class on National Emergency Management System at the Skagit County Anacortes City Council Minutes-April 1,2024 1 Emergency Operations Center. Mr.Young shared that Community Action held its annual banquet over the past weekend. Public Comment Mayor Miller invited the public to comment on any item not on the agenda. Public comment was given as follows: Linnea McCord of Anacortes commented on Habitat for Humanity and its relationship with the World Economic Forum. Judy Billings of Anacortes thanked Mr. Fantini and Mr. Young for their support of the Anacortes Cinema lease revision proposal last week and commented on diversity, equity and inclusion training and policies, asserting that merit should be the principal consideration in corporate employment, academic admissions,municipal job access, and political promotion. She asked that the city not require employees to complete diversity, equity and inclusion training. Sally Fleming of Anacortes addressed the Habitat for Humanity project, including concerns about the safety of the walking community, asked when the public meeting about the project would be held, and suggested that the Council conduct a site visit of the project parcel. Suzanne Rohner of Anacortes commented on the Anacortes Cinema lease,mentioning the discussion and vote at the previous City Council meeting. She spoke about the Council's possible motivation for voting and asked what the plans were for future use of the land. Mike Wenger of Anacortes expressed his opposition to the West 5th Avenue project and asked that the neighbors who are concerned or opposed to the project be adequately consulted regarding the issue. Xuhua Mu of Anacortes commented on an email response she received from Mr. Walters regarding the proposed Habitat for Humanity project,particularly project funding, assessed value of the land,the proposed lease amount, land value over time,the status of Skagit County and Habitat for Humanity as property managers, and the number of units. Pat Gardner of Anacortes commented on the small number of indoor community event spaces available to the public during inclement weather, and expressed that she would like the theater to remain one of those places. Becky Mifflin of Anacortes expressed strong opposition to the proposed Habitat for Humanity project on West 5th Street and suggested that the Anacortes Cinema site on O Avenue would be a better location for affordable housing than the proposed location on West 5th Avenue. Consent Agenda Mr. Walters moved, seconded by Mr. McDougall,to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. a. Minutes of March 25,2024 b. Approval of claims in the amount of$1,715,757.29 The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment: EFT numbers: 108999 through 109049,total $1,655,347.54 Check numbers: 109050 through 109063,total $16,843.65 Wire transfer numbers: 344031 through 344454,total$43,566.10 Anacortes City Council Minutes-April 1,2024 2 c. Special Event-Whale of a Sale d. Special Event-Fourth of July Parade e. Special Event-Anacortes Farmers Market Other Business Alternative Response Team Community Paramedic Steve Monrad and Anacortes Family Center Resource and Care Coordinator Ashley Wick, delivered a presentation detailing the 2023 activities of the Alternative Response Team,referring to a presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Discussion topics included: • Reduction in 911 calls and partnership with Island Health. • Anacortes Family Center Community Resource Manager Nina Lundsten. • Cost versus benefit of the program in a time of limited budgets. • Barriers to retaining and attaining housing. • Care and compassion. • Providing connections for isolated community members. • Program continuation. • Integration with North Star Project. 12th Street and Commercial Avenue Intersection-Complete Streets Phase 1 Public Works Director Andrew Rheaume introduced the 12th Street and Commercial Avenue intersection discussion,providing a brief background on previous actions taken, funding sources and deadlines,project timeline and the different options before the Council,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. Public comment was given as follows: Pat Gardner of Anacortes expressed satisfaction with the Council moving toward a signalized intersection and that the roundabout would have been a viable option if Safeway was not there. Discussion topics included: • Amounts for land acquisition and a project estimate that is adjusted for inflation. • Technology development for signalization. • Transportation Improvement Board grant. • Re-visiting the design contract. • Time requirement for changing the project scope of work. • Funding priorities and limitations. • Signalized intersection safer for pedestrians and cyclists than the roundabout design. • Right-of-way acquisition. • Effect of the revised intersection at 12th Street on the 1 Ith Street and Commercial Avenue intersection. • Improving other parts of Commercial Avenue first. • Changing the orientation of parking stalls in the Safeway parking lot. • Pave 1 lth Street and improve 1 lth Street and Commercial Avenue as part of the project. Anacortes City Council Minutes-April 1,2024 3 TJ FANTINI moved, seconded by RYAN WALTERS,to proceed with the planning of a signalized intersection at 12th Street and Commercial Avenue and to work with our funding partners to make changes to the scope and schedule of the project. Vote: Ayes -ANTHONY YOUNG,RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND- MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL, TJ FANTINI.Nays -None. Result: Passed Contract Award: 2024 Waterline Replacements#24-010-WTR-001 Public Works Director Andrew Rheaume introduced contract#24-010-WTR-001 for 2024 waterline replacements with C Johnson Construction,referring to an area map that was included in the packet materials for the meeting, ANTHONY YOUNG moved, seconded by TJ FANTINI,to authorize the mayor to sign contract#24-010- WTR-001 with C Johnson Construction. Vote: Ayes-ANTHONY YOUNG,RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL, TJ FANTINI.Nays-None. Result: Passed Contract Award: Solid Waste Consulting Services#24-114-SAN-001 Public Works Director Andrew Rheaume introduced contract#24-114-SAN-001 with Hans Van Dusen to consult with the City for solid waste consulting services. Discussion topics include: • Past consultant for solid waste contract negotiation. • Consultant selection for this contract. • Negotiating as a collective with other municipalities. • More details to follow for Council consideration. BRUCE MCDOUGALL moved, seconded by ANTHONY YOUNG,to authorize the mayor to sign contract #24-114-SAN-001 with Hans Van Dusen for solid waste consulting. Vote: Ayes-ANTHONY YOUNG, RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL, TJ FANTINI.Nays-None. Result: Passed Resolution 3153: Lodging Tax Funding use for Phase 2 Rotary Park Cap Sante Viewpoint project Planning, Community, and Economic Development Director John Coleman introduced Resolution 3153 that would provide Lodging Tax Committee funding for the Phase 2 Rotary Park Cap Sante Viewpoint project. RYAN WALTERS moved, seconded by TJ FANTINI,to approve the resolution as presented with the addition of"funding must be obligated within 12 months and lodging tax funds may be spent only if other funds are not available to cover the project cost."Vote: Ayes-ANTHONY YOUNG,RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON, BRUCE MCDOUGALL, TJ FANTINI. Nays -None. Result: Passed Interlocal Agreement with WA Dept. of Commerce for Climate Planning Grant#24-120-PLN-001 Planning, Community, and Economic Development Director John Coleman introduced interlocal agreement #24-120-PLN-001 with the Washington State Department of Commerce accepting a$500,000 grant for the climate element of the Comprehensive Plan update. Discussion topics included: Anacortes City Council Minutes-April 1,2024 4 • Grant includes process deliverable dates. • Extension of statutory deadline for the Comprehensive Plan to December 31, 2025, and effect on grant. CAROLYN MOULTON moved, seconded by BRUCE MCDOUGALL,to authorize the mayor to execute interlocal agreement#24-120-PLN-001 with the Washington State Department of Commerce for climate planning. Vote: Ayes -ANTHONY YOUNG,RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL, TJ FANTINI.Nays -None. Result: Passed Adjournment There being no further business, at approximately 8:22 p.m.the Anacortes City Council meeting of April 1, 2024 was adjourned. Anacortes City Council Minutes-April 1,2024 5