HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-27 City Council Minutes Approved City Council Minutes—February 27,2017
Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the regular Anacortes City Council meeting of February 27,2017 at
6:00 p.m. Councilmembers Eric Johnson,Ryan Walters,Erica Pickett,Brad Adams, Liz Lovelett,John
Archibald and Matt Miller were present. The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcements and Committee Reports
Finance Committee: Finance Director Steve Hoglund reported that at its meeting the prior Wednesday the
committee began reviewing year end figures for 2016. He said he would report on that topic to the full
Council in March.
Planning Committee: Mr. Walters reported from the committee meeting earlier in the evening at which
the members reviewed hearing examiner applications. He said two of the applicants would be invited to
interview.
Following her trip to southern California,Ms. Lovelett expressed her appreciation for the clean water and
air Anacortes enjoys.
Public Comment
No one present wished to address Council on any topic not already on the agenda.
Consent Agenda
Ms. Lovelett removed Item 5d from the Consent Agenda. Mr. Johnson moved, seconded by Mr. Adams,
to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
a. Minutes of February 21, 2017
b. Approval of Claims in the amount of. $433,807.89
C. Contract Award: Heart Lake Road Repair
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 83862 through 83933 and 83977,total $181,547.11
Check numbers: 83934 through 83976,total$219,403.06
Wire transfer numbers: 212695 through 213468,total $32,314.58
d. Findings of Fact,Conclusions of Law and Decision: CUP-2016-1004, Conditional Use Permit
Application to Permit Lot#2 of a Proposed Two-lot Short Plat to be Served by a Twenty Foot
Wide Private Street within a Twenty-two Foot Wide Private Easement
Ms. Lovelett said that because she had not been present at the February 21,2017 meeting at which
Council voted to approve the subject CUP application, she would abstain from voting on the Findings of
Fact, Conclusions of Law and Decision. Mr. Johnson moved, seconded by Ms. Pickett,to approve
Consent Agenda Item 5d. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote with Ms. Lovelett abstaining.
OTHER BUSINESS
Conservation Easement Program Update
Operations &Forestlands Manager Jonn Lunsford presented a proposal to prepare Conservation
Easement documents for an additional 124 acres of the Anacortes Community Forest Lands. Referring to
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his memorandum included in the packet materials for the meeting,Mr. Lunsford recalled Council
discussions in 2013 and 2014 regarding protection of 160 acres purchased from the sewer fund. He
reported that recent generous bequests to the CEP had provided sufficient funding to also issue easements
for the Udd and Van Buren properties that had been purchased and added to the ACFL since that time.
Ms. Pickett summarized the history of the easement program and explained the dual aims of the program,
to permanently protect the ACFL from sale or development and to build an endowment to generate future
revenue to support forestland stewardship. Mr. Lunsford responded to councilmember questions
regarding the current size of the endowment fund, annual forestland operating expenses, and opportunities
for future land purchases. He said that if Council concurred, staff would work with the Skagit Land Trust
to create easement documents for the 124 acres,then bring those back to Council for final approval prior
to recording them with Skagit County.
Mayor Gere invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item.
Rick Haley, 6001 Sands Way, a member of the Forest Advisory Board when the CEP was instituted in
1998, called the program one of the best ideas the town had ever had. He said the intent was to build the
endowment so that its interest earnings could help support forestland expenses if the city's finances were
one day to require that but that current interest rates did not allow that. Mr. Haley said the program
continued to mirror the community's support of the forestlands and he thanked Council for supporting it.
There being no further business,at approximately 6:30 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of
February 27,2017 was adjourned.
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