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Home My WebLink About2017-06-12 City Council Minutes Approved City Council Minutes—June 12,2017 Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the regular Anacortes City Council meeting of June 12,2017 at 6:00 p.m. Councilmembers Eric Johnson,Ryan Walters,Erica Pickett,Brad Adams,Liz Lovelett,Bruce McDougall and Matt Miller were present. The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance. Announcements and Committee Reports Planning Committee: Mr.Adams reported from the committee meeting earlier in the evening at which the members discussed potential routes for the Tommy Thompson train. Ms. Pickett reported from the recent Port/City Liaison Committee meeting at which members discussed prilled sulfur payments from the Port, coordinating plans for the Depot area, Port renovations of the Demopoulos block, and the upcoming 4r'of July events. Mayor Gere announced that on Wednesday and Thursday Heart Lake Road would be closed from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for shoulder work. Public Comment No one present wished to address Council on any topic not already on the agenda. Consent Agenda Mr. Johnson removed Item 5b, Contract Award: Water Treatment Plant LED Lighting Retrofit& Upgrade Project, from the Consent Agenda. Ms. Lovelett moved, seconded by Ms. Pickett,to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote. a. Approval of Claims in the amount of: $411,060.93 c. Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Decision: CUP-2017-0001, Anacortes School District, Cap Sante High School Portable(s) The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment: EFT numbers: 85219 through 85270,total$204,269.50 Check numbers: 85271 through 85333,total$208,808.64 Wire transfer numbers: 216786 through 217335,total $15,201.09 b. Contract Award: Water Treatment Plant LED Lighting Retrofit&Upgrade Project Mr. Johnson observed that the$110K grant funded project was estimated to save the plant more than $16,000 annually in electricity costs. He thanked staff for its ongoing efforts to conserve energy and funds over time. Mr. McDougall added that based on figures provided by Resource Conservation Manager Russ Pittis,the project would save 255KwH per year or 242,000 pounds of CO2. Mr. Johnson moved, seconded by Mr. Adams,to approve Consent Agenda Item 5b. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote. OTHER BUSINESS Island Hospital Community Education Presentation Warren Tessler, Island Hospital Commissioner, introduced the hospital's CEO,Vince Oliver, and its Human Relations Director,Dennis Richards. Mr. Tessler shared a slide presentation regarding the Anacortes City Council Minutes June 12,2017 1 upcoming property tax levy ballot that would yield$1.7 million/year for technology, facility and capital improvements at the hospital. His presentation summarized the history of the hospital and its associated health care system in the community, its extensive service area,the types of improvements that would be funded by the levy,the rationale for increasing the levy in the face of uncertain healthcare reimbursements,the proposed tax rate and the resulting estimated cost for a$400K home. Mr. Tessler emphasized that the levy provides only 3%of the hospital's $100M budget and that it is used exclusively for capital projects. Mr. Tessler reminded that the hospital had not asked the voters to increase the regular levy for more than thirty years. He urged support for the 31-cent per$1000 property increase on the August 1 ballot to keep quality health care close to home in Anacortes. Mr. Tessler concluded by summarizing some of the many awards earned by the hospital in recognition of its quality service. Mr. Walters emphasized that the hospital and city are separate entities and taxing districts and pointed out that as property values go up,the resulting rate for each property decreases. Mr. Johnson observed that the overall tax rate in Anacortes remains lower than in surrounding areas but suggested a more holistic view to let taxpayers know what to expect in terms of overall tax burden in the years ahead. Mr. Miller concurred,noting that a school district M&O levy and an EMS levy were both due in the near future. Ms. Lovelett offered a shout out to the Service Industry Employees Union for their role in lowering the readmission rate. She praised the hospital for managing to remain unaffiliated in line with community values. She also observed the very low Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement rate in Washington state and suggested that Council might want to engage in legislative advocacy on that subject. Mr. Adams observed that the proposed levy rate looked reasonable for the value provided. Bike/Pedestrian Committee Presentation Carolyn Moulton, co-owner of BikeSpot and member of the Anacortes Bike/Pedestrian Advisory Committee,reported on ongoing success of Open Streets events in Anacortes including the first Friday Artwalk Pedestrian Plaza over the weekend. Ms. Moulton noted the city's designation as a Bicycle Friendly City at the Silver level and raised the question of where to park bikes as cycling becomes more and more popular. She presented a series of photos demonstrating the bike corral parking concept used in other cities to safely park more bikes in less space convenient to local businesses. Ms. Moulton said that on street bike corrals also unclutter sidewalks and provide more room for pedestrians. She demonstrated how corrals could be installed in yellow zones adjacent to street corners without reducing existing on street vehicle parking spaces. Ms. Moulton added that corrals are relatively inexpensive to build. She proposed three corrals along the CBD and depicted possible locations which would need to be reviewed with public works and public safety staff and with adjacent business owners. Mr. Johnson called the positioning brilliant. Ms. Lovelett suggested that the Public Safety Committee consider the suggestion at its regular meeting the next day. She reported enthusiastic support for similar options in Tacoma and noted the value of cycling infrastructure in Anacortes. Independence Day Celebration Update Parks&Recreation Director Gary Robinson updated Council on the plans for the upcoming Independence Day celebration. His slide presentation was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Mr. Robinson described the Patriotic Community Event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on July 3 at the Heart of Anacortes,the traditional town photo at 10:00 a.m. on July 4 at 5"'&Commercial,the parade on July 4 beginning at 11:00 a.m.,the Rock the Dock food and music event at Seafarer's Park at 3:30 p.m. on July 4, and the fireworks show beginning at approximately 10:00 p.m. on July 4. Mr. Robinson provided contact information for each event for those who were interested in becoming more involved and invited donations to support the fireworks show. In response to a question from Mr. Johnson,Mr. Robinson suggested that those wishing to register a float for the parade could obtain registration forms from the Parks Department or contact staff lead Sylvia Cooper. Anacortes City Council Minutes June 12,2017 2 Interlocal Agreement with Skagit County for Annual EDASC Membership Finance Director Steve Hoglund requested Council approval of the annual interlocal agreement with Skagit County to obtain$7,200 of funding towards the city's $20,500 membership dues with the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County(EDASC). Ms. Lovelett encouraged additional meetings with EDASC to better articulate the type of economic development being slated for Anacortes. Mayor Gere reported that EDASC had met with the port and city earlier in the day to finalize the steps for the Maritime Strategic Plan and said conversations would continue. Mr. Walters disclosed that as a fixed salary employee of Skagit County, one of the contracting parties to the agreement,under RCW 42.23.040 he had a remote interest in the agreement and for the city to enter into the agreement his vote could not be counted. Ms. Lovelett moved, seconded by Mr. Johnson,to approve the interlocal agreement with Skagit County. Vote: Ayes—Pickett,Adams,Lovelett,McDougall, Miller and Johnson.Abstain—Walters. Motion carried. Executive Session per RCW 42.30.110(1)(b) At 7:00 p.m. Mayor Gere announced that City Council would convene in Executive Session for approximately 20 minutes to discuss a potential real estate transaction about which open discussion could result in terms unfavorable to the City and that immediately following the executive session the meeting would adjourn with no action being taken. There being no further business,at approximately 7:25 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of June 12, 2017 was adjourned. Anacortes City Council Minutes June 12,2017 3