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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-25 City Council Minutes Approved City Council Study Session Minutes—January 25, 2016 Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the regular Anacortes City Council study session of January 25, 2016 at approximately 6:11 p.m. Councilmembers Eric Johnson, Ryan Walters, Erica Pickett, Brad Adams, Liz Lovelett, John Archibald and Matt Miller were present. The Girl Scouts led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. Interlocal Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement with the Central Skagit Rural Partial County Library District Library Director Sherri Miklaski recalled that Council had previously approved reciprocal borrowing agreements with a number of other libraries in Skagit County. She advised that the Central Skagit Rural Partial County Library District had since acquired a building and begun building a collection including electronic resources not currently available at the Anacortes Library. Ms. Miklaski presented a proposed reciprocal borrowing agreement between Anacortes and the District. Councilmembers engaged in discussion of library services for non-Anacortes residents of Fidalgo and Guemes Islands. In response to a question from Mr. Johnson, Ms. Miklaski reported that over 90% of reciprocal users of the Anacortes Public Library come from La Conner and Mount Vernon, very few from Sedro-Woolley. In response to a question from Mr. Adams, Ms. Miklaski explained the mechanics of reciprocal borrowing between libraries and library districts and confirmed that there was no financial impact to either party from these agreements. Mayor Gere advised that the interlocal agreement would come back to Council for action on the Consent Agenda at the February 1, 2016 regular meeting. Chamber of Commerce Brand Strategy Presentation Anacortes Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stephanie Hamilton introduced a presentation of the results of the Experience Anacortes Destination Strategy which had been under development for over a year. Ms. Hamilton invited councilmembers and the community to participate in the next phase of the strategy including monthly Promise Learning Sessions. She introduced Chamber President Chris Long of Jolly Mon Charters. Mr. Long introduced Duane Knapp, a worldwide brand expert, author and founder of BrandStrategy, Inc. Mr. Long summarized Mr. Knapp's extensive experience and expertise with public and private sector clients worldwide. Mr. Knapp reported on the branding strategy that had been developed over the past year and a half. He thanked Mayor Gere and Planning Director Don Measamer for their leadership and partnership. He stressed that the result was a genuine community brand for the entire city and that it was not just a tourism strategy but a strategy for optimizing the economic opportunity for all of Anacortes. Mr. Knapp then shared a lively slide presentation addressing the basics of brand science and the five phases of the branding process: Brand Assessment, BrandPromise®, Brand Blueprint, Brand Culturalization, and Brand Advantage. He reported on the extensive surveys performed to determine both local and visitor impressions of Anacortes and the strategy's goal of changing the perception of Anacortes from a gateway destination to a getaway destination. He then described and elaborated on the commitment each guest in Anacortes should be able to count on: "An authentic, vibrant seacoast community with wonderful weather and real people." Next Mr. Knapp shared the building blocks of the brand blueprint, including its name, byline and tag lines, logos and symbols and the brand story. He unveiled the new logo designed by Industrious Industries incorporating the brand name "experience Anacortes" and the byline "your island getaway". Mr. Knapp concluded by describing the process of brand culturalization, so that the entire community can embrace the commitment to making guests to Anacortes feel welcome and special. Councilmembers were presented with hats bearing the new logo and invited to participate in upcoming Promise Learning Sessions. Ms. Lovelett cautioned about inviting too much additional use of the forestlands due to delicate ecosystems. Mr. Johnson inquired about Mr. Knapp's work with Estes Park, Colorado, which had also Anacortes City Council Study Session Minutes January 25, 2016 1 been best known as a gateway community. Mr. Archibald asked about maintaining the individual character of local businesses and institutions while supporting a common brand promise. Mr. Knapp acknowledged that everyone would welcome guests in their own creative way. Mr. Adams agreed that friendliness of locals is a characteristic frequently remarked upon by travelers. Mr. Walters provided extensive feedback on the presentation. Ms. Pickett praised the Getaway focus. Ms. Hamilton summarized the schedule for Promise Learning Sessions, coming up February 4, 2016, 1-4 p.m. at the Majestic Inn, then March 16, 2016 1-4 p.m. at the Majestic Inn, with more to follow. She said any community member was welcome to register. Mr. Johnson spoke in favor of beautifying the entrances to the city. Mr. Miller thanked Mr. Knapp for sharing his international expertise in the service of his home town. At approximately 7:10 p.m. Mayor Gere called a two minute break. At 7:12 p.m. the mayor called the meeting back to order. Port of Anacortes Airport Tree Removal Project Planning Director Don Measamer recapped the history of the current airport zoning and planning policies which culminated in the 2005 Anacortes Airport Development Agreement between the Port and the City. He advised that the Agreement addressed specific vested uses at the airport including FAA Part 77 Obstruction Removal regarding topping or removal of trees that protrude into the air space. Mr. Measamer said the Port is required to notify the City before it begins topping or removing trees and the City then investigates the mitigation called for by the agreement. Mr. Measamer introduced Larry Lehman, Senior Biologist consulting with the Port of Anacortes on the project. Mr. Lehman provided an overview of the Port's 2016 Airport Fencing and Obstruction Removal project, referring to the materials included in the evening's Council packet. He said the purpose of the project was to ensure the continued safe operation of the airport in compliance with FAA and other state, local and federal regulations. Mr. Lehman advised that none of the airport uses were changing and that the 2016 project would be carried out in compliance with the 2005 Development Agreement. Mr. Lehman responded to councilmember questions about limbing or topping trees vs. removing them, the locations of planned tree removal, and the replanting plan that would be part of the mitigation required under the 2005 Agreement. He demonstrated that the Agreement specifies the mitigation for tree removal depending on tree size, location and species, usually replacing trees with lower growing shrub species. Mr. Walters requested a copy of the 2005 Agreement. Mr. Measamer advised that staff would post that document and the airport zoning regulations on the city website. He responded to Mr. Walters' questions about permitting requirements, noting that activities identified as vested uses including tree removal, clearing and grading required no additional permits or SEPA review, simply notification to the city, and that no action was required on the part of city staff, Planning Commission or City Council. Ms. Pickett suggested that the Port hold a neighborhood meeting to inform area residents about the project. Josh Beaner, Port Director of Operations, advised that ample notification would be mailed out and said a meeting could be considered. Mr. Johnson urged adequate supervision to ensure that the execution of the plan complied with the Agreement. Mr. Measamer confirmed that vigorous oversight would be provided by Port staff. Mr. Lehman reviewed at some length the mitigation plan including the number and species of trees that would be removed and the count and species of vegetation that would be replanted in each area. He explained that removal of trees larger than 8" diameter at breast height(DBH) required additional off site mitigation and advised that the Port had worked with city staff to identify target areas at the Ship Harbor Interpretive Preserve and along the Guemes Channel Trail for that mitigation work. In response to a question from Ms. Pickett, Mr. Lehman confirmed that the tree removal would occur after bird breeding and fledging, at the end of summer. Mr. Walters asked where the Washington State Ferry holding lanes drain above the Ship Harbor property. Mr. Measamer said he would investigate that. Mr. Lehman reported that Parks staff would be involved in watering those mitigation plantings to increase their survival rate. In response to a question from Mr. Walters, Mr. Lehman advised that the Port was going through a NEPA Anacortes City Council Study Session Minutes January 25, 2016 2 process as well as SEPA for the project. In response to a question from Mr. Adams about the city's tree ordinance, Mr. Measamer explained that the airport is governed by FAA regulations. At approximately 7:51 p.m. Mayor Gere invited public comment on or questions about the presentation. Robert Kitson, 4427 Glasgow Way abutting the airport, informed Council that he received no notice when the chain saws started in 2005. Mr. Kitson expressed concern about property line delineation. He said the 6-foot fence installed doesn't match the original plan, which he considered a safety problem, and that the planned plantings had not occurred, either. Mr. Kitson asked what would guarantee that the work would proceed as planned in 2016. Mr. Kitson referenced his lawsuit against the Port which he reported was dismissed with prejudice because the statute of limitations had expired. He expressed concern about long term enforcement. Mr. Kitson stated that lack of vegetation had caused the water table to rise and flood his basement, and that his sump pump was now reducing the water table below the wetlands. Marilee Huffman, 806 Commercial Avenue, encouraged any safety measures possible to remove trees near airports. She reported that her father was killed in a small plane accident near Sisters, Oregon when she was a child. Ms. Lovelett asked if the Port would like to respond to citizen input. Port Executive Director Dan Worra declined to comment about litigation matters. There being no further business, at approximately 7:57 p.m. the Anacortes City Council study session of January 25, 2016 was adjourned. Anacortes City Council Study Session Minutes January 25, 2016 3