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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-15 City Council Minutes ApprovedAnacortes City Council Minutes - September 15, 2025 1 Anacortes City Council Minutes - September 15, 2025 Call to Order Mayor Matt Miller called to order the September 15, 2025, Anacortes City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. Councilmembers TJ Fantini, Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton, and Bruce McDougall were present. Councilmember Amanda Hubik participated in the meeting remotely via Zoom. Councilmember Anthony Young was absent. Mr. Fantini moved, seconded by Ms. Moulton, to excuse the absence of Mr. Young. 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 John Stables, Civil Service Commissioner since 2006, passed away last week, extending the city’s condolences to his family. He then reported on a successful Residential Cleanup Day and Senior Resource Fair, thanking volunteers, employees, and participants. He then announced that the downtown hanging baskets would be brought down in the near term for the fall and winter season, and that the Skagit County Technical Advisory Group would evaluate possible Guemes Island Ferry replacement options, with applications to join the group due by September 26th at 4:30 pm. Finance Committee Ms. Moulton reported from the Finance Committee meeting held September 11th. The topics discussed included the Capital Facilities Plan General Government section which the council would discuss later in the agenda. Public Works Committee Mayor Miller announced that the Public Works Committee did not meet as scheduled. Fiber Committee Mr. McDougall reported from the Fiber Committee meeting held September 11th. The topics discussed included a subscription update (55% take rate with nearly 2800 subscribers), a construction update with the network build-out being nearly complete, and revenue projections that the fiber network would be a net contributor to city revenues in 2027 after payments for construction and debt service, and the pending renewal of the contract with the current network operations center provider. Economic Development Committee Ms. Hubik reported from the Economic Development Committee meeting held September 9th. The topics discussed included follow-up questions to Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jesica Kiser after her presentation to the council, the lack of reporting back from local hotels via electronic means due to the high cost of participation, and volunteerism for downtown events, the visitor information center, mentorship, business counseling, and at the Senior Activity Center. Ms. Moulton mentioned that Fidalgo Bay Day was a successful event over the past weekend for the 21st year running. Public Comment Mayor Miller invited the public to comment on any item not on the agenda. He mentioned the written public comment from Todd Harris regarding motorbikes in the Anacortes Community Forest Lands, adding that the Forest Advisory Board voted on September 4th to recommend an updated Forest Plan for council consideration at a date to be determined, which did not include any major policy shifts. Anacortes City Council Minutes - September 15, 2025 2 No one present wished to address the Council on any topic not already on the agenda. Consent Agenda Ms. Hubik moved, seconded by Ms. Moulton, to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. a. Minutes of September 8, 2025 b. Approval of claims in the amount of $1,746,818.64 The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment: EFT numbers: 113503 through 113554 total $1,370,644.56 Check numbers: 113555 through 113582, total $359,031.68 Wire transfer numbers: 375485 through 375806, total $17,142.40 c. Special Event: Walk With Santa Holiday Parade d. Special Event: Coastal Christmas Tree Lighting e. Special Event: Bier Near the Pier f. Special Event: Downtown Anacortes Trick or Treat Other Business Downtown Anacortes Alliance Consumer Survey Presentation - Jordan Hay Planning, Community, and Economic Development Director John Coleman introduced Downtown Anacortes Alliance Executive Director Jordan Hay, who presented the results of a consumer survey, referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Resolution 3187: 2025 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Appointments Mr. Walters introduced Resolution 3187 that would appoint the members of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee for 2025, mentioning that the committee is statutorily obligated to be composed of equal numbers of those who receive benefits and those who contribute lodging tax to the city, that current year grant applications have been received from applicants, and that the committee is ready to do the work of evaluating those funding requests and awarding grants after the council acts to appoint its membership for 2025. TJ Fantini moved, seconded by Amanda Hubik, to adopt Resolution 3187 approving the appointment of Lodging Tax Advisory Committee members for 2025. Vote: Ayes - Carolyn Moulton, Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Bruce McDougall, Amanda Hubik, TJ Fantini. Nays - None. Abstentions - None. Result: Passed North Star Opioid Settlement Funds Proposal Mayor Miller welcomed Skagit County Commissioner Ron Wesen and introduced Skagit County Director of Strategic Initiatives Monica Negrila and Skagit County Community Services Manager George Kosovich, who presented the North Star Opioid Settlement Funds proposal, referring to a slide presentation that was included in the packet materials for the meeting. Discussion topics included: • Star Center service areas o Mental health crisis stabilization o Adding acute detox, co-occurring treatment. o Located in Sedro-Woolley • What happens after the initial two-year pilot project? o Search for replacement revenue streams. • Medicaid and Medicare funding sustainability or stability. Anacortes City Council Minutes - September 15, 2025 3 o The uninsured category is the most concerning demographic. • Joint meetings on September 30th and November 6th to consider the draft interlocal agreement. • Funds would go to either Skagit County or directly to the providers. o The funding vehicle would be either a budget line item, resolution, or interlocal agreement. • Data includes the two most recent settlements with opioid producers. • What grant funding is available to expand program capacity? o Incremental approach, one project at a time. • 17-year payout, is it allocated for other projects? o Represents one-third of the amount. • Estimate of pending settlements. • A dire need for services. The county and its cities need to work together. • Restrictions are laid out in the One Washington Memorandum of Understanding, which are broken down into three categories: treatment, prevention, and providing connections to care and services. • How would we know that the funds that are provided to the county will be spent on those designated projects? o Interlocal agreement. • Other funding sources include state grant(s) and a request for funding to the Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization. • Staggered start-up if the opioid funds are not available immediately. • The other participating city councils will be briefed before the September 30th meeting. • Are there any measures to target the underlying causes of drug use? Mayor Miller invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item. Steve Anderson of Anacortes spoke about the funding for the endeavor being an expense as opposed to an investment. Susan Hill of Anacortes asked about the private part of the public - private nature of the North Star Project. Ms. Negrila responded that the private part of North Star is the community service providers for behavioral health and housing providers. Ms. Negrila added that there is a tentative ribbon cutting for the Star Center on December 16th. Capital Facilities Plan (2026-2031) - General Government Finance Director Steve Hoglund and Finance Manager Rhonda Peck introduced the Capital Facilities Plan discussion for General Government, referring to a handout that was included in the packet materials for the meeting. Discussion topics included: Breakwater Repair (Planning, Community, and Economic Development Director John Coleman) • Confidence level in funding required. o No official bids pursued yet. o Based on numbers that the Fidalgo Marina association did for their project in the past year. Anacortes City Council Minutes - September 15, 2025 4 Fire and Police (Fire Chief Bill Harris and Police Chief Dave Floyd) • Fire and EMS Boat o $100k contribution is from Skagit County. • The museum storage facility will be converted to be used for the antique fire engine. o Paid for through private contributions. • Plan to recalculate impact fees for fire. o In progress with consultant to develop a new plan by the end of the year. • Facilities remodel impact fee recalculation basis. Fiber (Administrative Services Director Emily Schuh) • Extending fiber eastward on the Highway 20 corridor. o Decided not to go through with the extension due to low density, focus on provision to higher density areas. • Developer materials are funded to facilitate fiber provision to new developments. o Not reimbursed by developers, cost savings to city with other utilities being installed. Parks and Recreation (Director Jonn Lunsford) • 2026 projects at West End Park — fencing, irrigation, or drainage and working with community groups to identify desired features. o 4-foot fence to mitigate the sloped area on the north end from a retention pond and protect children from surrounding traffic. • Grant and contribution funding. • Pickleball infrastructure project. o Remove pickleball from Clearidge to a more central and suitable location. o Articulate plans to move the courts elsewhere and solicit financial support from willing community donors. • Cranberry Lake improvements fell off from 2025 CFP o Design for a dock could not be found to service the south end and design a different structure on the east side. • Causland Park wall repair o The consideration is meeting the stonemason's schedule. • Guemes Channel Trail o Are the grants secured? o Plans are vague because the land is not available. o Where is the available funding?  From the transportation budget in a 12- to 15-year cycle and not having the land is an impediment to guaranteeing funding. • Improving the infrastructure around trailheads for access and safety. Contract Award: Three Police Patrol Chevrolet Tahoes #25-235-ERR-001 Operations Manager WiL Ludemann introduced the purchase of three additional police vehicles due to the order being cancelled and the current purchase window being open for a limited time. Discussion topics included: Anacortes City Council Minutes - September 15, 2025 5 • This is the all-in price excluding decals. TJ Fantini moved, seconded by Christine Cleland-McGrath, to authorize the mayor to sign Purchase Order #25- 235-ERR-001 for three police patrol Chevrolet Tahoes. Vote: Ayes - Carolyn Moulton, Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Bruce McDougall, Amanda Hubik, TJ Fantini. Nays - None. Abstentions - None. Result: Passed Continued | City Council Procedures & Committee Structure Workshop Administrative Services Director Emily Schuh re-introduced the City Council Procedures and Committee Structure workshop, providing a summary of what was covered in the last regular meeting and laying out what remains to be considered, and the process involved in compiling the discussion into an updated City Council procedures resolution. Discussion topics included: • Ethics • Expectations of Staff • Open Public Meetings Act • Miscellaneous Mayor Miller invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item. No one present wished to address the Council. Executive Session Potential Real Estate Transaction per RCW 42.30.110(1) (10 minutes) Mayor Miller announced that City Council would convene in Executive Session per RCW 42.30.110 (1) for approximately 10 minutes to discuss a potential real estate transaction. The mayor advised that the regular meeting would then adjourn with no final action having been taken. Councilmembers TJ Fantini, Anthony Young, Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton, Bruce McDougall and Amanda Hubik attended the executive session. Adjournment There being no further business, at approximately 8:41 pm, the Anacortes City Council meeting of September 15, 2025, was adjourned.