HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-15 City Council Minutes ApprovedAnacortes City Council Minutes - December 15, 2025
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Anacortes City Council Minutes - December 15, 2025
Call to Order
Mayor Matt Miller called to order the December 15, 2025, Anacortes City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers TJ Fantini, Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton, Bruce McDougall
and Amanda Hubik were present. Councilmember Anthony Young was absent.
Mr. Walters moved, seconded by Mr. Fantini, to excuse the absence of Mr. Young. The motion carried
unanimously by voice vote.
Closed Session
Collective Bargaining topics per RCW 42.30.140(4)(b) (30 minutes)
At approximately 6:01pm Mayor Miller announced that the Council would enter a closed session pursuant to
RCW 42.30.140(4)(b) regarding collective bargaining topics. The closed session lasted 40 minutes and no
action was taken.
Mr. McDougall moved, seconded by Mr. Fantini to add item 8.a. Resolution 3198 Authorizing the Signature of
a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the City of Anacortes and Teamsters Local Union 231 from
January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028, to the agenda.
Pledge of Allegiance
The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcements and Committee Reports
Mayor Miller thanked Public Works staff and department directors for their efforts during the recent flooding
event, mentioning the Water Treatment Plant stayed above the flood level and that Public Works staff
responded to some issues with excessive stormwater runoff and sewer system backups in town during the event.
He commended the Water Treatment Plant for continuing to produce clean drinking water despite severely
elevated turbidity in the Skagit River. He then thanked Parks and Recreation staff and volunteers who
participated in the Winter Wonderland Walk at Washington Park over the weekend. He then announced
upcoming quasi-judicial decisions that would be coming before the council, including the January 5th
Framework Development Plan and Shoreline Substantial Development Plan related to the Port of Anacortes
West Basin Project and the February 9th Unit Lot Subdivision for a 21-unit cottage development on 17th
Street.
Public Works Committee
Ms. Moulton reported from the Public Works Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The topics
discussed included quick thinking and decisive actions of department staff in response to the recent rainstorm,
including the sanitary sewer overflow condition on Q Avenue, for which occurrences in future years will be
mitigated by a combined sewer overflow pump station project that the council recently approved. She added
that project is expected to be completed in July 2026. She also mentioned a sewer line failure on M Avenue that
damaged two homes, adding that the contractor who had installed the pipe would replace the faulty section, as it
is under warranty, and a pipe failure on West 5th Street near Kansas Avenue. She commended the Public Works
team and particularly Stormwater Manager Aaron Esterholt for his participation in the Skagit County
Emergency Operations Center and the Water Treatment Plant team for their efforts during the recent flood.
Ms. Moulton then mentioned that she had attended the opening of the Museum's new Music of Anacortes
exhibit over the weekend, and encouraged the public to check out the exhibit.
Mayor Miller also mentioned that roads were still closed throughout the county due to flooding, and urged
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drivers to pay attention to posted signs to ensure public safety.
Public Comment
Mayor Miller invited the public to comment on any item not on the agenda.
Public comment was given as follows:
Stan Durey of Anacortes commented on the Winter Wonderland Walk and safety concerns regarding the 12th
Street and Commercial Avenue intersection turn lanes.
Mayor Miller responded that the advanced lighting system that will be installed would hopefully improve the
safety conditions at the intersection.
Robert Knoll of Puget Sound Energy, headquartered at 1660 Park Lane in Burlington, commented on the
electrical system situation in the area due to recent extreme weather conditions and the lease agreement that the
council would consider later in the agenda.
Consent Agenda
Ms. Moulton moved, seconded by Mr. Fantini, to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
a. Minutes of December 8, 2025
b. Approval of claims in the amount of $631,262.38
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 114291 through 114340, total $549,222.99
Check numbers: 114341 through 114353, total $61,840.56
Wire transfer numbers: 380839 through 81219 total $20,198.83
c. Resolution 3188: City Council Procedures
d. Resolution 3194: City of Anacortes Legislative Priorities — 2026
e. Resolution 3195: Setting the Date for a Public Hearing
f. Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law on the SEPA Appeal
g. Contract Award: CivicPlus Web Services Consolidation #26-023-ITS-001
h. Contract Modification: Whistle Lake Road Pipe Arch Modifications - Design #25-044-WTR-001
i. Contract Award: WWTP Technical Support Master Services Agreement #26-029-SEW-001
Public Hearings
Public Hearing on Resolution 3199: Relinquishment of an Easement to the Port of Anacortes
City Attorney Darcy Swetnam introduced Resolution 3199 that would relinquish an easement to the Port of
Anacortes, referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting.
At 6:55 pm, Mayor Miller opened the public hearing.
Mayor Miller invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item.
Adam Morrow of Pacific Surveying and Engineering and representing the Port of Anacortes spoke about the
easement being relinquished and items related to the project that would be coming before the council in the
future, adding that the city public works department and the port would be able to work directly to adjust
easements as necessary for future development without having to come before the council for every change. He
then added that the Port Commission would consider these same documents at their regular meeting on
Thursday, December 18th.
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At 7:02 pm, Mayor Miller closed the public hearing.
Bruce McDougall moved, seconded by Amanda Hubik, to adopt Resolution 3199 granting the Port of Anacortes
request to relinquish the retained utility easement in exchange for the Port granting the City a water and storm
easement and authorizing the mayor to execute the relinquishment.
Vote: Ayes - Carolyn Moulton, Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Bruce McDougall, Amanda Hubik,
TJ Fantini. Nays - None. Abstentions - None. Result: Passed
Other Business
Resolution 3198: Teamsters Collective Bargaining Agreement
Human Resources and Labor Relations Director Kendall Moyle introduced Resolution 3198 that would
authorize a collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Union Local 231, referring to a slide presentation
that was added to the packet materials for the meeting.
Bruce McDougall moved, seconded by TJ Fantini, to adopt Resolution 3198 authorizing the signature and
execution of a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Anacortes and Teamsters Union Local 231
from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028.
Vote: Ayes - Carolyn Moulton, Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Bruce McDougall, Amanda Hubik,
TJ Fantini. Nays - None. Abstentions - None. Result: Passed
Resolution 3197: Rejecting All Bids for Public Safety Building A/C Replacement Project #25-268-FAC-
001
Interim Public Works Director Logan Lee introduced Resolution 3197 that would reject all bids for the Public
Safety Building air conditioning replacement project #25-268-FAC-001.
Discussion topics included:
• Current system design.
• Project has high priority for employee welfare and safe working conditions.
• Discussion item at the public safety and / or public works committees.
• Ensure the budget allows for possible increased cost for a different type of system.
TJ Fantini moved, seconded by Amanda Hubik, to adopt Resolution 3197 rejecting all bids received on
December 2, 2025, for the Public Safety Building A/C Replacement Project #25-268-FAC-001.
Vote: Ayes - Carolyn Moulton, Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Bruce McDougall, Amanda Hubik,
TJ Fantini. Nays - None. Abstentions - None. Result: Passed
Interlocal Amendment: NPDES Phase II Public Outreach & Education #25-005-STM-001
Stormwater Manager Aaron Esterholt introduced the proposed amendment to interlocal agreement #25-005-
STM-001 with the Skagit Conservation District that would revise the Scope of Work to better align with current
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements.
Bruce McDougall moved, seconded by Ryan Walters, to authorize the mayor to sign amendment 1 to the
interlocal as presented.
Vote: Ayes - Carolyn Moulton, Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Bruce McDougall, Amanda Hubik,
TJ Fantini. Nays - None. Abstentions - None. Result: Passed
Contract Award: APD Model 10 Tasers Purchase #26-027-APD-001
Police Chief Dave Floyd introduced the proposed contract award #26-027-APD-001 with Axon Enterprise, Inc.
for the purchase of Model 10 Tasers, referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for
the meeting.
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Discussion topics included:
• De-escalation and verbal techniques.
• Sound capabilities associated with the weapon.
• Instances of annual deployment.
• Choice of model.
• Virtual reality training system compatibility.
• Expense spread over five years.
Christine Cleland-McGrath moved, seconded by Bruce McDougall, to authorize the mayor to sign contract #26-
027-APD-001 with Axon Enterprise Inc. in the amount of $136,435.20 for the APD Model 10 Tasers purchase.
Vote: Ayes - Carolyn Moulton, Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Bruce McDougall, Amanda Hubik,
TJ Fantini. Nays - None. Abstentions - None. Result: Passed
Ordinance 5013: Adoption of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update
Planning, Community, and Economic Development Director John Coleman re-introduced proposed Ordinance
5013 that would adopt the 2025 Comprehensive Plan update. He extended his thanks to Planning Manager
Libby Grage for her exceptional efforts in accomplishing the update.
Discussion topics included:
• Appreciation for the community effort that went into the update.
• Compulsory versus amendable items in the update.
• Distinction between goals and policies.
• Need for additional housing.
• Amendments will come.
Ryan Walters moved, seconded by Amanda Hubik, to approve Ordinance 5013 as presented.
Vote: Ayes - Carolyn Moulton, Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Bruce McDougall, Amanda Hubik,
TJ Fantini. Nays - None. Abstentions - None. Result: Passed
Ordinance 5014: Adoption of the 2025 Development Regulation Amendments
Planning, Community, and Economic Development Director John Coleman re-introduced proposed Ordinance
5014 that would adopt the 2025 Development Regulation Amendments, thanking the public, Planning
Commission, and the Climate Team for their efforts in accomplishing the update.
Discussion topics included:
• Street design that is realistic and affordable.
Ryan Walters moved, seconded by Amanda Hubik, to adopt Ordinance 5014 adopting the development
regulation amendments.
Vote: Ayes - Carolyn Moulton, Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Bruce McDougall, Amanda Hubik,
TJ Fantini. Nays - None. Abstentions - None. Result: Passed
Puget Sound Energy Lease Agreement
Ms. Swetnam and Parks and Recreation Director Jonn Lunsford introduced the proposed lease agreement with
Puget Sound Energy for use of cell towers on Mount Erie, referring to a slide presentation that was added to the
packet materials for the meeting.
Discussion topics included:
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• $100k covers the cost of the consultant.
• Enforceability of additional sub-lessee clause.
Amanda Hubik moved, seconded by TJ Fantini, to authorize the mayor to execute the PSE ground lease
agreement as presented.
Vote: Ayes - Carolyn Moulton, Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Bruce McDougall, Amanda Hubik,
TJ Fantini. Nays - None. Abstentions - None. Result: Passed
Contract Award: Wireless Services with Related Solutions #25-293-FBR-001
Administrative Services Director Emily Schuh introduced proposed contract #25-293-FBR-001 with Mobile
Communications America, Inc. (MCA) for the purchase of Nokia support and materials for the Fiber
Department.
Bruce McDougall moved, seconded by Amanda Hubik, to authorize the mayor to sign contract #25-293-FBR-
001 with Mobile Communications America, Inc. to provide the wireless services and related solutions.
Vote: Ayes - Carolyn Moulton, Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Bruce McDougall, Amanda Hubik,
TJ Fantini. Nays - None. Abstentions - None. Result: Passed
Adjournment
There being no further business, at approximately 7:57 pm the Anacortes City Council meeting of December
15, 2025, was adjourned.