HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-04 City Council Minutes Approved (2) Anacortes City Council Special Joint Meeting with the Port of Anacortes
Commission Minutes - November 4, 2024
Call to Order Special Joint Meeting with the Port of Anacortes Commission
Mayor Matt Miller called to order the advertised special joint meeting of the Anacortes City Council and the
Port of Anacortes Commission of November 4,2024, at 5:00 p.m. Councilmembers TJ Fantini,Ryan Walters,
Anthony Young, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton,Bruce McDougall and Amanda Hubik were
present.
Port of Anacortes Commissioner Shawn Ottenbreit called the meeting to order for the Port.
Other Business
Community Event Facility Update
Mayor Miller and Port of Anacortes Executive Director Brett Greenwood,provided an overview of the process,
past,present and future of the cooperative efforts to build and develop an event facility in Anacortes,referring
to slide presentations that were added to the packet materials for the meeting. Jeff McClure of RMC Architects
gave a brief on the design and conceptual drawings of the facility and surrounding park land,parking areas,and
project cost estimates,referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting.
Councilmember Ryan Walters outlined the draft interlocal agreements for construction and operations,detailing
the process from cost estimates,design, going out to bid for construction,the proposed responsibilities,possible
exit points, and risks for each agency,referring to a memorandum that was added to the packet materials for the
meeting. The term of the proposed interlocal agreement for operations would be thirty years.
Discussion topics included:
• Moving forward on dialog between the port and city with the additional proposal of another developer.
• Continue development of construction and operations interlocals,while keeping an eye on the private
development proposal.
• Marina is tied to downtown and an event center would be a great economic asset for the community.
• Consideration of depreciation of the building plus operating expenses as total costs for planning.
• Adequate parking for the marina and event facility.
• The West Basin master plan will continue regardless of the event facility project.
• The project would require$200k annual profit for the Port to be made whole,but a worthy investment
for the community.
• Consider future growth and development in the planning and design of the facility.
• Flexible design and materials for community needs and a location that is tied to the downtown.
• Fulfilling the cultural, artistic, and social community needs. Providing public access to the waterfront
for those who do not otherwise have the means to do so.
• Jump-start for West Basin development.
Public Comment
Mayor Miller invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item.
Public comment was given as follows:
Mary LaFleur of Anacortes commented that the city and port should not be in the event center business and that
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the two organizations will not always work cooperatively. She pointed out that the private sector is better suited
to fulfill community needs regarding an even facility,that there is no hurry for development, and that industry
will build the facility at less cost to the community. She concluded that the role of local government is to permit
developers to undertake the project,but otherwise refrain from being involved in the construction and operation
of the facility.
Meredith McIlmoyle of Anacortes and Executive Director of the Anacortes Arts Festival and Administrator of
the Creative Arts District commented that the city and port are responsible for creating the vibrancy of the
community through provision of a venue for events related to the arts,culture and other activities. She urged the
port and city to continue down the path of developing the venue to include recreation opportunities and to think
bigger. She offered assistance with bringing the project to fruition.
William Gartz of Seattle expressed support for the current site and pointed out that the site located at loth Street
and Commercial Avenue would be less desirable.He asked if it would be possible to develop a request for
proposal for private development of the site identified in the port/city plan.
Pat Barrett of Anacortes pointed out that the location being considered by the port and city is the best one in the
community. He then addressed funding and the project's effect on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee funds
for community non-profits. He advocated that consideration must be paid to ensuring that the building is
affordable for non-profits to utilize.
Adi ournment
There being no further business, at approximately 5:56 pm the Anacortes City Council special joint meeting
with the Port of Anacortes Commission of November 4,2024,was adjourned.
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