HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-23 City Council Minutes Approved City Council Minutes—May 23, 2016
Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the regular Anacortes City Council meeting of May 23, 2016 at
6:00 p.m. Councilmembers Ryan Walters, Erica Pickett, Brad Adams, Liz Lovelett and Matt Miller were
present. Councilmembers Eric Johnson and John Archibald were absent. The assembly joined in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcements and Committee Reports
Parks & Recreation Committee: Ms. Lovelett reported from the last meeting of the Parks & Recreation
Committee that the women's side of the Washington Park upper restroom was nearly complete within
budget and that work would begin on the men's side next, that staff was working on purchase of a new
payment kiosk in the campground, that recreation programs are filled and running successfully, and that
the Storvik Park spray pad project was on schedule.
Mr. Miller reported on the Incident Command System (ICS)training held on May 19-20, 2016 in the
Council Chambers. He thanked the approximately 30 city staff who attended the extensive training and
completed the required prerequisite coursework on line, noting that completion of ICS training is valuable
preparation for emergency response and is also required to apply for FEMA grants and for expense
reimbursement from FEMA in the event of a disaster. Mr. Miller reminded citizens of the importance of
earthquake preparedness at home and at work.
Mr. Walters reported that the Planning Committee meeting earlier in the evening had been cancelled due
to conflicting events.
Mayor Gere announced that on May 26, 2016 she would be traveling to Sidney, British Columbia to
celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Sister Cities tie between Anacortes and Sidney.
Public Comment
No one present wished to address the Council.
Consent Agenda
Ms. Pickett moved, seconded by Mr. Adams, to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The
motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
a. Minutes of May 9, 2016 and May 16, 2016
b. Approval of Claims in the amount of: $1,027,608.40
C. Street Fair Application: Anacortes Food Co-op BBQ Fundraiser
d. Resolution 1959: LTAC Contracts for 98221 Artists Studio Tour and Women &Junior
National Lido Sailboat Regatta
e. NoaNet Services Agreement
f. Resolution 1961: Waiving Competitive Bidding Requirements for Washington Park
Campground Pay Machine
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
Voucher(check) numbers: 80538 through 80647, total $987,955.67
EFT numbers: 204104 through 204311, total $16,209.90
Anacortes City Council Minutes May 23, 2016 1
OTHER BUSINESS
Skagit Community Action Update
Bill Henkel, Executive Director of Community Action of Skagit County, presented the agency's 2015
Community Impact Report, focusing the agency's work in Anacortes. Mr. Henkel thanked the city for the
$5,000 in the 2015 budget that was directed to Community Action's critical needs program and thanked
the mayor and Planning Assistant Joann Stewart for serving on the agency's board. Stressing that the
heart of Community Action is creating a spirit of hope by helping people help themselves and each other,
Mr. Henkel shared stories about clients and volunteers assisted by Community Action, including many
veterans. Referring to his slide presentation included in the packet materials for the evening, Mr. Henkel
shared statistics of residents served by the agency, both countywide and in Anacortes. He shared the
agency's 2015-2017 strategic priorities and measures of outcomes, including veterans services,
expanding the quality and quantity of food in the food bank stream in the county, and reducing
homelessness in the face of increasing demand and a virtual absence of vacant rental housing. Mr.
Henkel described the agency's goal of changing attitudes and practices towards the poor and steps taken
to achieve that. In conclusion, Mr. Henkel described the Community Resource Center in Concrete and
suggested that model for Anacortes as it works toward coordinating services for vulnerable citizens. He
stressed the value of making existing services more visible and accessible to those in need. Ms. Lovelett,
a member of the Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee, thanked Mr. Henkel for his
collaboration and supported the idea of establishing a satellite community resource center in Anacortes.
Emergency Operation Plan
Administrative Services Director Emily Schuh presented the draft Emergency Operation Plan that was
included in the evening's packet materials. She suggested that Council formally adopt the plan at a future
meeting following any requested revisions. Ms. Schuh explained that the plan, which had been in
development since 2014, provides a framework for handling emergencies that might arise and
incorporates the Skagit County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan adopted in 2014. She reported that the
draft had been extensively reviewed by staff, the Skagit County Dept. of Emergency Management, Skagit
911, CERT volunteer Brock Ward, and both the Public Safety and Personnel committees. Ms. Schuh
requested any feedback from councilmembers so it could be incorporated before final adoption.
Mr. Miller said the draft EOP was far improved over the prior version and commended the identification of
the primary natural hazards in Anacortes: high winds, winter storms, and earthquakes. He indicated that
he would submit further suggestions to Ms. Schuh. Mr. Walters requested more specific task lists for
specific types of emergencies. Mr. Miller concurred. Mr. Walters requested that the plan provide specific
direction to councilmembers in the event of emergencies and a detailed succession plan in the event that
the mayor and the mayor pro tem were both unavailable during an emergency. Mr. Miller noted that
pages 13 and 22 of the draft EOP address City Council's role.
Mayor Gere invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item. No one present wished to
address the Council.
Contract Award: Furnish & Install 2 Traveling Screens at WTP Intake Pump Station
Public Works Director Fred Buckenmeyer requested Council authorize a contract to furnish and install two
traveling screens at the Water Treatment Plan intake pump station, across the river from the treatment
plant. Mr. Buckenmeyer described the function of the screens, which were installed in 1969 and were now
in need replacement. He reported that the Engineer's Estimate for the project was$300K and that the city
received five bids for the work with the low bid from Tiger Construction in the amount of$263,655. Mr.
Buckenmeyer recommended awarding the contract to Tiger Construction. Mr. Miller confirmed with Mr.
Buckenmeyer that the project would be funded through water rates.
Ms. Pickett moved, seconded by Mr. Walters, authorize contract award to Tiger Construction in the
amount of$263,655 to furnish and install two (2)traveling screens at the WTP Intake Pump Station. The
motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
Anacortes City Council Minutes May 23, 2016 2
Resolution 1960: Waiving Competitive Bidding Requirements for Outfall Construction Project
Assistant Public Works Director Matt Reynolds requested Council approval of Resolution 1960 to
authorize reconstruction and improvement of the Wastewater Treatment Plant outfall without following
competitive bidding requirements. Mr. Reynolds described the outfall project and the complicated nature
of the work which could result in high bids or a high change order rate depending on how bidders chose
to avoid the risk involved with uncertain conditions. He added that the continuous operation of the plant
also makes the project more challenging. Mr. Reynolds explained the benefit of selecting a contractor to
work with the design team to develop the optimal methodology for pursuing the work and minimize risk. In
response to a question from Mr. Miller, Mr. Reynolds advised that the preliminary cost estimate from the
design consultant was up to $1 M but that after design the city would negotiate a price with the selected
contractor. He cited RCW 70.95A.090 which allows an exemption from competitive bidding for pollution
control facilities. City Attorney Darcy Swetnam advised that following her review and consultation with
attorney Steve DiJulio of Foster Pepper she had confirmed that the exemption applied to the subject
project. In response to a question from Mr. Miller, Mr. Reynolds reported that the Dept. of Ecology had
agreed to certify the exemption. Mr. Reynold recommended approval of Resolution 1960.
Mayor Gere invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item. No one present wished to
address the Council.
Ms. Lovelett moved, seconded by Mr. Miller, to adopt Resolution 1960 authorizing the reconstruction and
improvement of the City Wastewater Treatment Plant Outfall without following competitive bidding
requirements in awarding the contract. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
Executive Session (30 Minutes) per RCW 42.30.110 (b, c)
At approximately 7:06 p.m. Mayor Gere announced that Council would convene in Executive Session for
approximately 30 minutes to discuss a potential real estate transaction about which open discussion
could result in terms unfavorable to the City and that there would be no action taken following the
executive session.
There being no further business, at approximately 7:40 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of
May 23, 2016 was adjourned.
Anacortes City Council Minutes May 23, 2016 3