Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-25 City Council Minutes Approved City Council Minutes—April 25, 2016 Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the regular Anacortes City Council meeting of April 25, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. Councilmembers Eric Johnson, Ryan Walters, Erica Pickett, Brad Adams, Liz Lovelett and John Archibald were present. Councilmember Matt Miller was absent. The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance. Announcements and Committee Reports Police Chief Bonnie Bowers updated Council about the protests scheduled for May 13-15, 2016 at the Anacortes refineries. She stressed that the Police Department would guarantee protection of the public's right to free assembly and speech. Chief Bowers described joint planning efforts with the Skagit County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies to safeguard the area and its critical infrastructure. She advised that possibly 1000 participants would visit from out of town for the events and that extra officers would be on duty for the weekend to ensure public safety. Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee: Mr. Johnson reported from the affordable housing and community services symposium held April 21 from 1:30-4:30 with approximately 50 attendees. He said the committee would recap the results at its next meeting. Mr. Johnson reported much interest in affordable housing and in the disconnect between people needing services in Anacortes and services available in Mount Vernon, which participants would be addressing. He thanked Dr. Ann Hutchison Meyers for facilitating the event. Ms. Lovelett added that the session would be broadcast on Channel 10. Personnel Committee: Ms. Pickett reported from the committee meeting earlier in the evening where the group discussed hiring a new engineering technician, the city's Sustainable Cities application, and the revised Emergency Operations plan. Mayor Gere reported that she, Fire Chief Richard Curtis and Councilmember Matt Miller had attended a meeting of the Skagit EMS Delivery Model Advisory Group earlier in the day. She said the group would be meeting for the next several months towards the end of developing the best comprehensive collaborative EMS system in the state. She added that the Anacortes delegation also met with Fire District#13 in support of their BLS transport implementation. Mayor Gere announced a meeting of the Anacortes Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force at 6:30 p.m. on April 26, 2016 in the Council chambers. She advised that Eric Jacobs of Compass Health would speak about community-based outreach teams with the ability to respond to and provide services in the community 24 hours-a-day. Mr. Walters reported from the Skagit Council of Governments (SCOG) meeting the prior week at which SCOG's 2015 Annual Report was distributed. He said the meeting focused on housing and that there were no votes of substance to report. Mr. Johnson reminded the public about the Port of Anacortes public meeting regarding the Anacortes Airport fencing improvements and obstruction removal 6:00-8:00 p.m. on April 26, 2016 at the Port Transit Shed. Public Comment No one present wished to address the Council. Consent Agenda Ms. Lovelett removed Item C from the Consent Agenda. Mr. Johnson moved, seconded by Mr. Archibald, to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. a. Minutes of April 18, 2016 b. Approval of Claims in the amount of: $240,738.49 Anacortes City Council Minutes April 25, 2016 1 The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment: Voucher(check) numbers: 80027 through 80284, total $320,099.77 EFT numbers: 202775 through 203116, total $6,902.13 Payroll for April 20, 2016 in the total amount of$834,272.39 Check Numbers 41259 through 41279 in the total amount of$17,683.52 Direct Deposit Numbers from 63380 through 63597 in the total amount of$545,611.86 EFT Numbers from 1947 through 1954 in the total amount of$270,977.01 c. Contract Amendment: Waste Management, Residential Recyclables and Organics Collection Ms. Lovelett asked Public Works Director Fred Buckenmeyer for more information on the new services and whether any future amendments were planned. Mr. Buckenmeyer recalled that during initial contract negotiations interest had been expressed in adding restaurant-based food scrap service and also a dumpster alternative to multiple recycling totes for multi-family customers. The amendment would add those services to the Waste Management contract, both as elective options for customers. He responded to questions from the mayor and councilmembers about the details of the new services. Ms. Lovelett moved, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to approve the contract amendment with Waste Management for residential recyclables and organics collection. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. OTHER BUSINESS Open Streets 2016 Presentation Warren Tessler reported to Council on the third annual Open Streets event which would close Commercial Avenue between 101h Street and the Port dock to non-motorized activity of all types, essentially turning Commercial Avenue into a linear park for a day. Mr. Tessler said the event would be held on Sunday, August 28, 2016, several weeks earlier than in previous years. He reported that he had met with the Chamber of Commerce to address concerns expressed about the date. Mr. Tessler noted that the event is local and non-commercial and encourages participants to visit local merchants along the route. He thanked the city for its support and expressed appreciation for sponsorship from both area hospitals and other groups. Oakes Avenue 30 MPH Speed Limit Mr. Buckenmeyer advised that following the discussion of the Oakes Avenue speed limit, WSDOT personnel were present to update Council about SR20 intersection improvements at Sharpes Corner. He said Anacortes has been actively participating in the multi-agency committee reviewing the Sharpes Corner design alternatives and staff wanted to keep Council apprised of the next steps in the process. City Engineer Eric Shjarback shared a slide presentation regarding potential changes to the speed limit on the 40 MPH section of Oakes Avenue, from Kansas to Ferry Terminal Road. Mr. Shjarback advised that while the Traffic Safety Committee had been considering changes for some time, WSDOT makes the final determination of speed limits on state highways. He described the 85th Percentile methodology typically used by traffic engineers for determining the appropriate speed limit for a stretch of roadway. Mr. Shjarback noted that the methodology does not consider the non-motorized users of the roadway and adjacent shoulders. He recapped the connection between car speed and survivability of pedestrian- vehicle collisions, then described a number of recent and upcoming changes to Oakes Avenue including the new stairway access to the Guemes Channel Trail at Kansas Ave and the planned flashing crosswalk at that location, the planned roundabout at Glasgow Way and Ship Harbor Boulevard, the WSDOT paving project on the SR20 spur in 2017 which may include restriping to reduce lane width and increase shoulder width, and continued residential development along the corridor. Mr. Shjarback advised that lowering the speed on the 1.55 mile section in question from 40 MPH to 30 MPH would increase the travel time by 46.5 seconds. Anacortes City Council Minutes April 25, 2016 2 Mr. Shjarback introduced Barbara Briggs from WSDOT who discussed the factors considered when determining appropriate speed limits and shared the results of the speed study conducted by WSDOT in the area. She noted that the 85t" Percentile speeds measured in the sample were 40 MPH in the 40 MPH zone and 36 MPH in the 30 MPH zone, so some additional enforcement and/or traffic calming measures would likely be needed to achieve compliance with a reduced speed limit. Ms. Briggs responded to councilmember questions about potentially changing all of Oakes Avenue to a 35 MPH zone, measuring speeds during peak ferry traffic periods, and the next steps that would be required by City Council and WSDOT staff to process a speed limit change. Councilmembers Walters, Johnson, Lovelett, Pickett and Archibald expressed support for establishing a 30 MPH speed for the entirety of Oakes Avenue. Mr. Adams noted the value of consistent speed limits throughout town and asked Police Chief Bonnie Bowers to address the impacts of the proposed change. Chief Bowers noted that the current fluctuating speed limit along the roadway presents enforcement challenges and confuses ferry visitors. She commented on the collision statistics between cars, pedestrians and bicycles in the area and said that the Police Department was very much in favor of a consistent 30 MPH speed limit on Oakes Avenue. Mayor Gere invited Council to address at a future meeting whether it wished to initiate a speed limit change via ordinance. Jay Drye of WSDOT then updated Council on the Sharpe's Corner project following a number of well attended open houses and much public comment. Mr. Drye reported that WSDOT met the previous Friday with the multi-agency interdisciplinary team representing many local stakeholders and that the group unanimously recommended a preferred alternative. He said on May 11, WSDOT staff would present its recommendation and supporting documentation to the Statewide Practical Solution Committee in Olympia. After review by that committee, a preferred alternative would be rolled out to the public in June, including additional open houses and public outreach. Mr. Drye advised that WSDOT's goal was to construct the improvements in 2018. Ms. Lovelett confirmed with Mr. Drye that the alternatives under consideration included a non-motorized trail connecting Sharpes Corner with March Point and also a second roundabout at Miller/Gibraltar Roads. At 7:09 p.m. Mr. Walters excused himself from the remainder of the meeting and left the chambers. Contract Award: 2016 Waterline Project Mr. Buckenmeyer requested Council approval to award a contract for the 2016 waterline replacement project. He displayed the locations of the project: adjacent to Anacortes High School prior to its expansion project and on 4t" and 5t" Streets between Commercial and R Avenues. Mr. Buckenmeyer said five bids were received with the low bid from C. Johnson Construction, Inc. in the amount of$532,057.42. He recommended awarding the contract to C. Johnson. Councilmembers confirmed that the project was funded by water rates per the 2016 budget. Ms. Pickett moved, seconded by Ms. Lovelett, to authorize a contract award to C. Johnson Construction, Inc. in the amount of$532,057.42 to construct the 2016 Waterline Replacement Project. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Library Update Library Director Sheri Miklaski reported to Council on the Anacortes Public Library Foundation use of the Legacy Endowment funds transferred into its care by Ordinance 2948 adopted May 18, 2015, subject to the Agreement to Provide Library Support Services between the City and the Foundation dated May 22, 2015. Ms. Miklaski summarized the Foundation's 2015 and 2016 budgets. She advised that in 2016 the Foundation anticipated dedicating $1,500 of interest from the Legacy Fund to fund development of the 2016-2020 APL Strategic Plan and that an amendment to the city's agreement with the Foundation may be forthcoming to address that expenditure. Ms. Miklaski announced that a survey had been launched earlier in the day to solicit public input on the strategic plan. She said the survey was available in hard copy and also on line at https://goo.gl/KNuAFS and would remain open until May 24. She invited everyone to take the survey and to encourage other community members to do so, including both those who are and are not regular library users. In closing, Ms. Miklaski honored the passing of three longtime library supporters, Naomi Hollister, Margaret Yeoman, and Helen Vincent. There being no further business, at approximately 7:20 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of April 25, 2016 was adjourned. Anacortes City Council Minutes April 25, 2016 3