HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-09 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - December 9, 2024
Call to Order
Mayor Matt Miller called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of December 9,2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers TJ Fantini,Ryan Walters,Anthony Young, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton,
Bruce McDougall and 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 congratulated the Anacortes High School football team on repeating as 2A state champions,
announced the Wonderland Walk on December 13-14 at Washington Park from 5-8pm, and recognized
Councilmember Moulton for 5 years of service to the City of Anacortes.
Police Officer Swearing In
Police Chief Dave Floyd introduced Jeremy Carter as a recently graduated officer from the Police Academy.
Mayor Miller administered the oath of office to Officer Carter,who was joined by family members and
supported by many members of the Anacortes Police Department.
Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee
Ms. Moulton reported from the Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee meeting held
December 4th. The topics discussed included sewer hook-up fees,the annual Community Development Block
Grant from the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, and a North Star project debrief from
a meeting held the previous week.
Planning Committee
Ms. Moulton reported from the Planning Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The topics discussed
included the request for proposal for the open Hearing Examiner position and a possible code amendment to the
requirement for conditional use permits for certain businesses in the commercial zone.
Port/City Liaison Committee
Mr. Fantini reported from the Port/City Liaison Committee meeting held on December 3rd. The topics
discussed included an update on the Wastewater Treatment Plant outfall project,the A-Dock sewer project,the
climate element of the Comprehensive Plan,Anacortes Housing Authority development of the Olson Building,
interlocal agreements for design, construction and operation of the event center, another interlocal agreement
for moorage of the new Anacortes Fire Department marine unit, and improving the accuracy and timeliness of
emergency alerts.
Public Safety Committee
Ms. Cleland-McGrath reported from the Public Safety Committee meeting held December 3rd. The Police
topics discussed included Officer Carter completing phase one of his training, an uptick in testing for vacancies,
a cooperative recruiting effort with Human Resources to attract more applicants,possible state grant monies for
marine enforcement to help offset the fire boat, and Officer Chad Pleadwell's exceptional efforts as a local drug
recognition enforcement specialist.Fire topics included call rate increases, a recruiting and hiring update,and
the purchase of a new vehicle for the battalion chief that will be funded equally from impact fees and the
emergency medical services levy.
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Finance Committee
Ms. Moulton reported from the Finance Committee meeting held December 5th. The topics discussed included
the unified fee schedule update that will be coming to the Council on December 16the,and a review of the
General Obligation bond issued last week,the stormwater fund, and sales tax receipts.
Fiber Committee
Mr.McDougall reported from the Fiber Committee meeting held December 5th. The topics discussed included
the general obligation bond issue to help pay for ongoing buildout of the fiber infrastructure,the number of
customers in service,the current take rate,up to 60%in some areas of the City,an online advertising campaign,
and future cash flow projections.
North Star Housing Task Force
Mr.Walters reported on a North Star Housing Task Force meeting held earlier in the day. The topics discussed
included a debrief from the meeting held the prior week, a review of the staff drafted housing element of the
North Star work plan around housing subsidies, and an update from Habitat for Humanity on the 8-unit project
in Anacortes.
Planning for Complete Streets
Ms. Moulton also reported she attended a Planning for Complete Streets webinar the previous week. The topics
discussed included how to transfer a state highway to a city's jurisdiction,tax increment financing, and
Complete Streets guidance and resources.
Mr. Young revisited the housing issue brought up by Mr. Walters,pointing out the challenges some seniors are
facing,particularly that they would like to stay in town,but have challenges in trading a single family home for
a smaller dwelling closer to downtown amenities.
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
Mr. Young moved, seconded by Mr. McDougall,to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
a. Minutes of December 2,2024
b.Approval of claims in the amount of$2,840,926.74
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 111127 through 111170 total $2,649,979.59
Check numbers: 111178 through 111183,total $175,007.14
Wire transfer numbers: 359342 through 359373,total $15,940.01
c. Ordinance 4093: Amending Chapter 9.50 regarding Conduct and Trespass from City Property
d. Contract Award: Fire Battalion 2025 Chevy Silverado#25-008-ERR-001
Other Business
Municipal Services Agreement#24-287-LEG-001 between the City and the Samish Indian Nation
City Attorney Darcy Swetnam introduced the proposed municipal services agreement#24-287-LEG-001
between the City and the Samish Indian Nation,referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet
materials for the meeting.Ms. Swetnam described the nature of the agreement,which outlines the services the
city would provide for land converted to trust by the Samish Indian Nation, and the contributions the tribe
would make in exchange for those services. The services described to be provided in the agreement are
essentially the same services the city provides to citizens, and the Samish will pay the equivalent of sales tax,
property tax, and lodging tax for those associated services sold by the tribe.
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Chairman Tom Wooten of the Samish Indian Nation then expressed that the tribe was committed to paying their
fair share, and went on to describe the many projects the Samish have completed recently for the benefit of the
city,the tribe, and community members. He expressed the tribe's desire to retain autonomy in developing
signage on tribal trust property. He concluded by pointing out that as a member of the Skagit Council of
Governments,the tribe is committed to improving the region for the entire community.
Mayor Miller thanked Chairman Wooten for his remarks and partnership with the city.
Discussion topics included:
• Appreciation for the depth of thought and communication.
• Enduring mutual partnership.
• Updating the agreement from 2016 to current.
• Signage, and the definitions of monument signs versus pole signs.
• Historic generosity of the tribe.
• Includes lands that are already in trust.
Anthony Young moved, seconded by TJ Fantini,to authorize the mayor to execute municipal services
agreement#24-287-LEG-001 with the Samish Indian Nation.
Vote: Ayes -Carolyn Moulton,Anthony Young,Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath,Bruce McDougall,
TJ Fantini.Nays -None. Abstentions -None. Result: Passed
Contract Award: City Facilities Condition Assessment#24-285-FAC-001
Operations Manager WiL Ludeman addressed council regarding the proposed contract award for a City
Facilities Condition Assessment#24-285-FAC-001, and introduced Ty Druffel,Account Executive, and Mark
Hood,Facilities Condition Assessment Program Manager, of McKinstry Industries,who detailed the
background of the company, other cities they have worked with on similar projects, and the process they use to
do an assessment,referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting.
Mayor Miller pointed out that this project would replace the 'That Looks About Right'(TLAR)method for the
city's capital planning.
Discussion topics included:
• What type of inspection would be performed, other than visual?
o Additional costs to more in depth testing,but visual inspection would likely provide the
appropriate level of assessment.
• Who are the stakeholders?
o Public works facilities team and the council would be the primary stakeholders.
o More frequent updates to the Public Works committee via remote means.
o Reports back to the council would be forthcoming,likely in multiple updates.
• What about the downtown arch as a facility?
o It is the city's discretion to define what qualifies as a facility.
• What deliverables are expected?
o Work done would go into Cartegraph
o A workbook of assessment results will be forthcoming.
o The workbook as primary data source
• Would there be a full structural review of buildings?
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• Not part of the review planned per the scope that was published by Public Works.
• Notify the Council if significant issues are identified for immediate action.
o Significant deficiencies will be included in the report.
Christine Cleland-McGrath moved, seconded by TJ Fantini,to authorize the mayor to execute contract#24-
285-FAC-001 with McKinstry Industries for the City Facilities Condition Assessment.
Vote: Ayes -Carolyn Moulton,Anthony Young,Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath,Bruce McDougall,
TJ Fantini.Nays -None. Abstentions -None. Result: Passed
Interlocal Agreement 25-007-ASC-001 with Skagit County for the 2025 Senior Services Program
Anacortes Senior Activity Center(ASAC)Administrator Karl Wolfswinkel presented information on programs
and activities at ASAC,and its relationship to the County in the proposed interlocal agreement#25-007-ASC-
001 for the 2025 Senior Services Program,referring to a slide presentation that was included in the packet
materials for the meeting.
Discussion topics included:
• Concerts and other performance events.
• Lunch available daily to the community for$5 for ages 60+.
• Senior Center used to be operated by Skagit County,and the county still provides funding for a
nutrition program.
• Senior Center needs assessment.
o More space is needed to prepare food due to increased demand county-wide.
0 200 meals per day limit for Anacortes.
Bruce McDougall moved, seconded by Carolyn Moulton,to authorize the mayor to execute interlocal
agreement#25-007-ASC-001 with Skagit County for the 2025 Senior Services Program.
Vote: Ayes -Carolyn Moulton,Anthony Young,Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath,Bruce McDougall,
TJ Fantini.Nays -None. Abstentions -None. Result: Passed
Interlocal Agreement#24-291-APD-001 for the "Handle With Care" Program
Police Chief Dave Floyd presented the Council with information on the proposed interlocal agreement for the
"Handle with Care" Program, explaining how it benefits affected students who are experiencing difficulties in
their homes.
Discussion topics included:
• Importance of the program to children experiencing trauma.
o Timely sharing of generic information to alert school officials.
o Connects stakeholders to the children who need help.
TJ Fantini moved, seconded by Anthony Young,to authorize the mayor to execute interlocal agreement#24-
291-APD-001 for the "Handle With Care" Program.
Vote: Ayes -Carolyn Moulton,Anthony Young,Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath,Bruce McDougall,
TJ Fantini.Nays -None.Abstentions -None. Result: Passed
General Obligation Bond Issue
Finance Director Steve Hoglund shared a slide presentation that was included in the packet materials for the
meeting,which illustrated the summary statistics of the General Obligation bond that was put out to issue in the
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prior week. He explained the sale went well, and buyers of the bond in the market noted the City's good
reputation and solid underlying S&P AA rating.
Resolution 3171: 2025 Legislative Priorities
Administrative Services Director Emily Schuh presented information gathered by the mayor and staff in
preparation to meet with legislators on issues of importance to cities in general,and specifically to the City of
Anacortes during the 2025 legislative session,referring to a slide presentation that was included in the packet
materials for the meeting.
Discussion topics included:
• Ist area is to propose change to the 1%limit on property tax increases.
• 2nd area for supporting resources to address behavioral health.
• 3rd area is housing supply.
o Real estate transfer tax was real estate excise tax.
• 4th is public safety,particularly permanent funding for multi jurisdictional task forces.
• 5th is indigent defense,
o The state should help address the shortage of resources and training for public defense.
• 6th is investment in local infrastructure by funding public works assistance accounts and identifying
ongoing resources.
• Items specific to Anacortes included:
o Highway 20/Commercial Ave,the 23-block stretch that is the main commercial corridor.
■ Emphasizing that this is the state's responsibility.
o Restoring the Anacortes to Sydney state ferry run.
o Resources for the Event Center.
o Maintain funding for existing Parks and Recreation grant programs.
Adi ournment
There being no further business, at approximately 8:40 pm the Anacortes City Council meeting of December 9,
2024,was adjourned.
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