HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-09 City Council Minutes Approved City Council Minutes—May 9, 2016
Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the regular Anacortes City Council meeting of May 9, 2016 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.
Mr. Walters requested unanimous consent to add to the Consent Agenda Item 5E, Street Closure
Application: Procession of Luminaria—The Salmon People. Ms. Pickett requested that this item be
considered immediately following the Consent Agenda instead to allow for discussion.
Announcements and Committee Reports
Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee: Mr. Johnson reported that the committee met
the previous Thursday to review the results of the recent symposium and would be meeting again to
develop work plans. He advised that staff from Skagit Community Action Agency and Home Trust of
Skagit would be addressing the committee in the near future.
Planning Committee: Mr. Walters reported that the committee met earlier in the evening regarding AMC
Title 19 and assisting small businesses.
Ms. Lovelett reported that she had participated in Fire Operations training and commended the firefighters
for their service to the community.
Public Comment
Brian Jo, spearhead for the Anacortes Food Co-Op, invited the public to a barbeque fundraiser on
Memorial Day with local food, music, games and a silent auction at 818 Commercial Avenue.
Consent Agenda
Mr. Johnson moved, seconded by Ms. Pickett, to approve the following Consent Agenda items.
a. Minutes of May 2, 2016
b. Approval of Claims in the amount of: $252,585.61
c. Accept as Complete: 2016 Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project 16-001-SEW-001
(Bianchi Construction)
d. Amendment to Interlocal Cooperative Agreement C20140640 with Skagit County for
Emergency Medical Services
Mr. Miller asked to remove Item B from the Consent Agenda. Mr. Johnson and Ms. Pickett consented to
amend the motion accordingly.
Regarding Item 5D, Mr. Walters disclosed that as a fixed salary employee of Skagit County, one of the
contracting parties, 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.
Consent Agenda Items A, C and D were then unanimously approved by voice vote.
b. Approval of Claims in the amount of: $252,585.61
Mr. Miller questioned the amount of the vinyl cutting machine on the voucher list and asked that staff
report back to the Finance Committee on what was included in that price. Finance Director Steve Hoglund
said he would provide that information. Mr. Miller also questioned the number of purchases from
amazon.com and encouraged local purchasing. Mr. Miller moved, seconded by Mr. Archibald, to approve
Item B, Approval of Claims in the amount of$252,585.61. Mr. Johnson noted his email to his colleagues
earlier in the day reporting staff responses to a number of Finance Committee questions about items on
the voucher list. Consent Agenda Item B was then unanimously approved by voice vote.
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The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
Voucher(check) numbers: 80384 through 80451, total $214,142.36
EFT numbers: 203491 through 203641, total $996.79
OTHER BUSINESS
Street Closure Application: Procession of Luminaria—The Salmon People
Mayor Gere described the parade to take place on Saturday evening, May 14, between the Port Transit
Shed and the Depot. Ms. Pickett asked if insurance was required for this type of event. Police Chief
Bonnie Bowers advised that insurance was not typically required for this type of small and/or
spontaneous celebratory parade. Ms. Lovelett moved, seconded by Mr. Archibald, to approve the street
closure application for the luminaria. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
Historic Preservation Board Update
Ken Hansen, chairman of the Anacortes Historic Preservation Board, presented the board's annual report
to Council. Mr. Hansen's slide presentation was included in the packet materials for the evening. Mr.
Adams and Ms. Pickett applauded the board's work. Mr. Hansen responded to councilmember questions
about the home history program. Mr. Walters encouraged a pictorial display in the Planning Department
of historic home renovations that would highlight alternatives to demolition of existing homes. Mr. Hansen
announced the preservation awards the Board wished to present to Roy and Darlene Martin and to Jan
O'Leary for their renovation projects.
Planning Committee Update: AMC Title 19
City Attorney Darcy Swetnam updated Council about ongoing work by staff and the Planning Committee
to update the Anacortes Municipal Code relating to land use decisions including Titles 15 through 19. Ms.
Swetnam's slide presentation was added to the packet materials for the evening. She requested
councilmember feedback on the proposed approach of sequentially replacing Titles 15, 16, 17 and much
of 18 with a new Title 19 that would form the development code. She also sought Council approval to
begin drafting the first phases of Title 19, starting with procedures and general provisions. She
emphasized the opportunities for public input. Ms. Swetnam responded to councilmember questions
about timing and sequence. Mr. Walters elaborated on the rationale for the proposed approach
envisioned by the committee. Mr. Johnson asked about the role of the Planning Commission in the
process and potentially the role of a communications specialist to develop a public engagement plan. Mr.
Adams asked staff to report back on how extensively other communities rely on conditional use permits.
Mr. Miller, Mr. Archibald, Ms. Lovelett and Ms. Pickett all spoke in support of the proposed approach.
At approximately 7:00 p.m. Mayor Gere invited members of the public to comment on this agenda item.
Marilyn Derig, 1302 K Avenue, read prepared remarks on behalf of her husband, Gene Derig, who was
not able to attend the meeting due to his work schedule. Mr. Derig's comments were added to the packet
materials for the evening. Mr. Derig supported the incremental approach to updating the codes but
presented questions relating to installing a hearing examiner at the present time.
Tom Glade, 210 Mansfield Court, spoke representing Evergreen Islands. He spoke against adopting a
hearing examiner, noting that an attorney is typically required to appeal a hearing examiner decision and
that the associated costs constitute a huge impediment to public participation. Mr. Glade advised that he
would be submitting a letter detailing Evergreen Islands' objections. Mr. Glade also commented on the
proposed decision processes matrix.
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Patrick O'Hearn, 11039 Post Drive, said the current land use code is complex and confusing. He spoke in
support of the proposed framework but said the devil is in the details. Mr. O'Hearn said all stakeholders
must have a seat at the table and that the proposed schedule of addressing procedures by the end of
summer would not allow a lot of time for public input. He added that safeguards should not be removed
from previous locations before new safeguards were in place in Title 19.
Vernon Lauridsen, 2219 32nd Street, spoke in support of the proposed approach and echoed many of Mr.
O'Hearn's comments. He urged careful review before eliminating the Board of Adjustment and also
sparing use of conditional use permits.
Richard Storwick, 1510 9th Street, noted the willingness of Anacortes citizens to serve on boards and
commissions and suggested that while the latest hearing examiner proposal was more palatable than in
the past, the position still would reduce the role of citizens in decision making. Mr. Storwick, a member of
the Board of Adjustment, disagreed with the characterization of that board in the packet materials and
summarized the board's activity year to date.
Wil Houppermans, 3412 K Avenue, said that the City Council, not lawyers, represents the citizens. He
applauded the work of the Board of Appeals and suggested expanding its role. He expressed concern
that a hearing examiner would increase costs to citizens.
Mr. Walters suggested soliciting public comment on the Potential Decision Processes Matrix as drafted
early on. Mr. Johnson suggested first adding some footnotes to reference the location of relevant
definitions in the code. Ms. Pickett asked if hearing examiner fees would be set by the city rather than by
State law and Ms. Swetnam said yes.
Mayor Gere summarized that staff should continue on the proposed path and continue to solicit public
comment. Ms. Swetnam offered that staff could prepare additional briefing specifically on the hearing
examiner question.
Robert Hogan, 3616 West 10th Street, spoke in support of the matrix but asked for more detail as to what
"Level 2 variances" encompasses.
There being no further business, at approximately 7:37 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of May 9,
2016 was adjourned.
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