HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-23 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - September 23, 2024
Call to Order
Mayor Matt Miller called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of September 23,2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers TJ Fantini,Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath,Bruce McDougall and Amanda Hubik
were present. Councilmembers Anthony Young and Carolyn Moulton were absent.
Mr. Fantini moved, seconded by Ms. Hubik,to excuse the absence of Mr. Young and Ms. Moulton. The motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
Pledge of Allegiance
The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcements and Committee Reports
Mayor Miller thanked the city staff for their work during Fall Cleanup Day on Saturday and Oyster Run on
Sunday. He then announced that there would be no City Council meeting on September 30th. He then thanked
Fire Chief Bill Harris and city staff for the successful execution of an emergency response drill,reminded the
public that the A-Town magazine would be delivered via the mail this week, and invited public input on the
transportation survey that will guide mobility and safety improvements over the next 20 years as part of the
2025 Comprehensive Plan update.
Mr. Walters announced that he would be teaching a course on the Growth Management Act and Comprehensive
Planning on November 5th, 12th,and 19th from 4-6pm at the Anacortes Senior College.
Mr. Fantini announced that he would be holding a town hall in the community room on Thursday, September
26th,from 6-8pm at the Anacortes Public Library.
Planning Committee
Ms. Cleland-McGrath reported from the Planning Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The topics
discussed included a response to public concerns regarding the former use of planning unit developments,
development code cleanup,and permit review timelines.
Economic Development Committee
Ms. Hubik reported from the Economic Development Committee meeting held on September 17th. The topics
discussed included fine-tuning survey questions, survey testing before release to respondents and consideration
of in-person discussions.
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
Mr. Walters reported from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee meeting held earlier in the day. The topics
discussed included 2025 funding requests.
Public Comment
Mayor Miller invited the public to comment on any item not on the agenda.
Public comment was delivered as follows:
Anastasia Brencick of Anacortes commented on the national day of remembrance for Native American or
Indian boarding schools of September 30th,mentioning that Anacortes families have members who were
survivors of these institutions and that their experiences should be listened to and grieved for by the community.
Anacortes City Council Minutes- September 23,2024
1
She asked that the City Council adopt a resolution commemorating the day and that the occasion is an
opportunity to find a way forward through healing by listening, learning, and committing to remembering.Ms.
Brencick suggested that all people wear orange shirts on September 30th to honor being together as one human
family and support the notion that every child matters.
Theresa Baker of Anacortes commented on the proposed grant for the purchase of a public safety boat for the
Fire Department. She mentioned that there are additional long-term costs and commitments that come with
operating a boat, including moorage,insurance,maintenance, and crew training requirements.
Consent Agenda
Mr. McDougall moved, seconded by Ms. Hubik, to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
a. Minutes of September 16,2024
b.Approval of claims in the amount of$877,516.37
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 110502 through 110541 total $692,689.46
Check numbers: 110542 through 110569,total $152,247.67
Wire transfer numbers: 354615 through 355009,total $32,579.24
c. Special Event Application Modification: Turkey Trot
Other Business
Contract Award: Cap Saute Viewpoint#24-177-PRK-002
Parks and Recreation Director Jonn Lunsford introduced the proposed contract#24-177-PRK-002 with
Strandberg Construction,Inc.,referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the
meeting. He then introduced Anacortes Rotary Club President Marta McClintock,who mentioned that the
project is within the organization's budget and that the lodging tax funds that were appropriated for the project
should not be needed. She emphasized the importance of the project making the site more accessible to visitors
and community members alike, and thanked the City Council,mayor,and city staff for their cooperative efforts
in bringing the project to fruition.
Discussion topics included:
• Traffic control during the project.No expected closure.
• Appreciation for the Rotary Club efforts with project design.
RYAN WALTERS moved, seconded by CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH,to approve contract#24-177-
PRK-002 with Strandberg Construction,Inc. for construction of the Cap Sante Viewpoint.
Vote: Ayes-RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH,BRUCE MCDOUGALL,AMANDA
HUBIK, TJ FANTINI.Nays-None. Result: Passed
Interlocal Agreement#24-253-APD-001 for the Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit task
force(SCIDEU)
Police Chief Dave Floyd introduced the proposed interlocal agreement#24-253-APD-001 with Skagit County
for the Drug Enforcement Unit task force,which would be a renewal of the regional task force. He mentioned
the principal changes to the agreement being the addition of the City of Oak Harbor Police Department and a
contingent funding model due to the Washington State Department of Commerce allocating federal funds to
other programs. He specified that the contingent funding is capped at$100,000 and that Anacortes'contribution
would be limited to ten percent of any emergent funding requirements.
Anacortes City Council Minutes- September 23,2024
2
Discussion topics included:
• 2025 budget estimate.
• Designated as a high-intensity drug trafficking area task force,which allows for funding for operations
and additional capabilities.
• Executive board composition,team,and administrative staffing requirements.
BRUCE MCDOUGALL moved, seconded by AMANDA HUBIK,to authorize the mayor to execute interlocal
agreement#24-253-APD-001 with Skagit County.
Vote: Ayes-RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH,BRUCE MCDOUGALL,AMANDA
HUBIK, TJ FANTINI.Nays-None. Result: Passed
Contract Modification: Social Worker Agreement#23-113-APD-001
Police Chief Dave Floyd and Anacortes Family Center Executive Director Dustin Johnson detailed recent
community outreach efforts of the Anacortes Police Department and Anacortes Family Center,referring to a
slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. The presentation supported the
proposed modification to contract#23-113-APD-001 that would extend the contract for a social worker through
the end of 2025.
Discussion topics included:
• Not a quick fix,but enduring support.
• The effectiveness of outreach directly tied to the personality and talents of the outreach team.
• City Council after-action discussion of T Avenue actions and resolution.
• Where have former T Avenue encampment residents ended up?Who have we not been able to help?
• November 4th Northwest Planners forum discussion.
• Persistence in maintaining contact with individuals and offering services.
• Triggering event to seek services.
• Building trust with individuals in extremis.
• Consistent availability of services and support.
• Willingness to invest in disadvantaged members of the community.
Ms. Cleland-McGrath announced that, as a serving board member of the Anacortes Family Center,that she
would abstain from the vote.
AMANDA HUBIK moved, seconded by TJ FANTINI,to authorize the mayor to sign the modification to
contract#23-113-APD-001.
Vote: Ayes-RYAN WALTERS,BRUCE MCDOUGALL,AMANDA HUBIK, TJ FANTINI.Nays-None.
Abstentions: CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH. Result: Passed
Port Security Grant to Purchase a Public Safety Boat for the Anacortes Fire Department
Assistant Fire Chief Joe Burbank introduced the proposed port security grant for the purchase of a public safety
boat for the Anacortes Fire Department,referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials
for the meeting. Fire Chief Bill Harris explained the grant award acceptance timeline being 30 days from the
award date of September 13th. He added that the build timeline would be 24 months and that the matching
funds would be sourced from casino impact funds from the 2024 and 2025 budgets, as well as possible support
from Skagit County Emergency Medical Services.
Anacortes City Council Minutes- September 23,2024
3
Discussion topics included:
• Will there be additional firefighters?
• The goal is to train one-third of the department to operate the new boat.
• A maritime community does not have adequate maritime response capability.
• Offsetting purchase and maintenance costs with assistance from other entities.
• Including needs in the 20-year capital facilities plan.
• Discussing operations and maintenance plans with the Samish Indian Nation.
• Number of annual call responses with the current boat.
• Moorage plan with the Port of Anacortes.
• Conditions of the grant? -36 months from grant acceptance to spend the funds.
• Insurance costs?Licensing requirements?
• Any possibility to recoup the costs of saving individuals'lives?
• Training requirements?
• Legal obligation or liability to respond to certain incidents and interoperability with the Coast Guard.
• Reassurance for the community and visitors alike.
• Concern for ongoing maintenance costs.
• Possible future interlocal with Island County for cooperative operations
• Area of operations? - Skagit County and Department of Natural Resources islands.
• Expansion of current services?
• Possible ramifications of not using the grant money.
• Vital capability for community safety.
• The Council must hear about critical needs before the solution is determined.
Adi ournment
There being no further business, at approximately 07:48 p.m.the Anacortes City Council meeting of September
23,2024,was adjourned.
Anacortes City Council Minutes- September 23,2024
4