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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-02 City Council Minutes ApprovedAnacortes City Council Minutes - September 2, 2025 1 Anacortes City Council Minutes - September 2, 2025 Call to Order Mayor Matt Miller called to order the September 2, 2025, Anacortes City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. Councilmembers TJ Fantini, Anthony Young, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton, Bruce McDougall and Amanda Hubik were present. Councilmember Ryan Walters was absent. Ms. Moulton moved, seconded by Ms. Hubik, to excuse the absence of Mr. Walters. 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 that September 3rd is back to school for the Anacortes School District and that all drivers should be careful with buses, cyclists, and pedestrians in school zones. He then reminded the public that the Skagit County Department of Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation Plan Open House will be held on September 9th 6:30-8:30pm in City Council chambers where public input will be taken on proposed mitigation actions for the 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan, and that several community events will occur on September 13th, including Residential Cleanup Day, the Senior Resource Fair, and Fidalgo Bay Day sponsored by the Skagit Marine Resources Committee at the Fidalgo Bay Resort. Civilian Life-Saving Awards Mayor Miller welcomed the US Navy personnel in the audience, including Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Commanding Officer, Captain Nathan Gammache. Fire Chief Bill Harris read the award citation for Breanne Perry, an active duty US Navy Sailor, John Butler, a retired Marine, and Skyler Crocket, who demonstrated extraordinary heroism and swift action in the face of imminent danger by entering an apartment that was on fire and removing a disabled occupant to safety at the Parallel 49 Apartments on July 27, 2025. Mayor Miller presented Ms. Perry, Mr. Butler and Mr. Crocket with Civilian Lifesaving Awards. Finance Committee Mayor Miller announced that the Finance Committee did not meet as scheduled. Public Works Committee Ms. Moulton reported from the Public Works Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The topics discussed included a discussion with residents of Coho Way about safety issues around the intersection at the entrance to the Skyline neighborhood and the associated costs with any additional safety measures and possible funding sources, and other safety issues including speeding, signs and parking. The committee was briefed on staff recommendations for addressing the issues but did not take any action. She concluded by announcing that more details on the specific issues will follow. Museum Committee Mr. Fantini reported from the Museum Committee meeting held August 28th. The topics discussed included the Music of Anacortes exhibit coming in late October, an update on the development of the circumnavigation cruise of Fidalgo Island in partnership with Island Adventures, a storage workshop building project update to include re-zoning of the building, and an update on the fall hours for the Maritime Heritage Center and the W.T. Preston. Port / City Liaison Committee Ms. Cleland-McGrath and Mr. Fantini reported from the Port / City Liaison Committee meeting held earlier during the day. The topics discussed included the event center design process, an interest in having stakeholders Anacortes City Council Minutes - September 2, 2025 2 who will use the facility to have input on the design, a 30-day delay on the Commercial Avenue and 12th Street intersection project due to the unexpected discovery of electrical lines and coming shipments of large pipe going to the port via the heavy haul truck route during the day. Public Safety Committee Ms. Hubik reported from the Public Safety Committee meeting held earlier in the day. The topics discussed included a staffing and training update, a new 911 user fee model for 2026 that will reduce the cost to the city by approximately $13,000, and possible options for early warning systems and Department of Natural Resources service capabilities in the event of a wildfire evacuation. Mr. Fantini announced that there was a significant amount of public engagement and discussion about the Comprehensive Plan update during the Planning Commission meeting the previous Wednesday. 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 Ms. Hubik moved, seconded by Mr. Young, to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. a. Minutes of August 25, 2025 b. Approval of claims in the amount of $848,665.10 The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment: EFT numbers: 113416 through 113434 total $701,183.08 Check numbers: 113435 through 113458, total $134,166.56 Wire transfer numbers: 374915 through 375088, total $13,315.46 c. Special Event Application: Bike MS Deception Pass Classic Other Business General Sewer Plan - Status Update and Draft Capital Facilities Plan Public Works Director Andrew Rheaume introduced Kenneth Packard of HDR Engineering, who presented the draft General Sewer Plan, referring to a slide presentation that was included in the packet materials for the meeting. Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager Brian Walker, Mr. Packard, and Mr. Rheaume answered questions from the Council. Finance Manager Rhonda Peck presented the financial analysis of the required capital projects outlined under the plan for sewer and stormwater, 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: • Timeline for the Department of Ecology regulating nitrogen discharge. o No official timeline. • Density growth throughout the city. • Repairing sewer infrastructure before developing or adding housing. • Incorporation of alternative ecological strategies in the plan? o The study focused on solving existing problems. o Innovative solutions could be incorporated at the end of the process. • What is creating a higher level of nitrogen? Are there actions the city / public can take to mitigate the effects? Anacortes City Council Minutes - September 2, 2025 3 o There are some measures that could be taken in the near term, but a full plant upgrade will eventually be required. • How do the projects align with the Capital Facilities Plan (CFP)? o This presentation and model will inform the CFP, which will look different from past years. • Permitted capacity is 4.5 million gallons per day but could shift based on regulatory requirements. • The model is helpful for informing, maintaining current capacity and adapting to changing regulatory conditions. • Current revenues are insufficient to cover operational and capital expenses. Ordinance 5004: Amending AMC Section 5.04.030 Regarding Business Licensing Finance Director Steve Hoglund introduced Ordinance 5004 that would amend Anacortes Municipal Code section 5.04.030 regarding business licensing, as the State has directed that the minimum revenue threshold for businesses that do not maintain a business in the city be increased from $2,000 in annual gross revenues to $4,000 in annual gross revenues. Discussion topics included: • A business license costs $50 and a $5 annual renewal fee. • How many out-of-town businesses have licenses? • It does not include home businesses within city limits. Ms. Moulton moved without objection that the ordinance be placed on the consent agenda at the next regular City Council meeting. Resolution 3185: Waiving the competitive bidding requirements for the maintenance/repair of Flygt pumps Public Works Director Andrew Rheaume introduced Resolution 3185 that would waive the state competitive bidding requirements for the regular maintenance and repair of Flygt pumps and accessories performed by Whitney Equipment Company Inc. as the sole source supplier. TJ Fantini moved, seconded by Anthony Young, to approve Resolution 3185 waiving the competitive bidding requirements for the maintenance or repair of Flygt pumps. Vote: Ayes - Carolyn Moulton, Anthony Young, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Bruce McDougall, Amanda Hubik, TJ Fantini. Nays - None. Abstentions - None. Result: Passed Adjournment There being no further business, at approximately 7:11 pm the Anacortes City Council meeting of September 2, 2025, was adjourned.