HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-17 City Council Minutes Approved City Council Minutes—February 17, 2015
At 7:00 p.m. Mayor Laurie Gere called the regularly scheduled Anacortes City Council meeting of
February 17, 2015 to order. 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.
Citizen Hearings
No one present wished to address the Council.
Mayor/Council Communication and Committee Reports
Ms. Pickett updated Council on the Auto Magic program started in 2008 to encourage reduction of single
occupant vehicle trips. She described the competition between non-profit organizations to save the most
SOV miles and the public amenities funded during past award cycles. Ms. Pickett announced that the
2014 winner was Transition Fidalgo and Friends. Mayor Gere awarded TFF the right to allocate $1000 to
a city project of the group's choosing. Eric Shen accepted the award behalf of Transition Fidalgo and
Friends.
Mr. Archibald reported from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee which met the prior month to set goals
for the coming year, hear a presentation from the Chamber of Commerce Executive Director regarding
the Tourism Fund contract to be discussed later on the evening's agenda, and brainstorm ways to
encourage new ideas for events to be funded by the Tourism Fund.
Mr. Adams reported from the Parks and Recreation Committee which met earlier in the evening and
discussed ivy removal at various locations in town, the status of the grant competition to fund the spray
pad and restrooms at Storvik Park, a future small boat facility near Rotary Park, and the Udd property
purchase.
Mr. Miller reported from the Traffic Safety Committee which met earlier in the day and discussed
improving the truck routing in town, timing for addressing parking issues in Skyline, the new 4-way stop
sign at 17th Street and K Avenue, and possibly revising the speed limit in the vicinity of the high school.
Mr. Johnson added that the group had also discussed the eventual installation of a crosswalk at 9th Street
or 10th Street and M Avenue.
Consent Agenda
Mr. Johnson removed the minutes of February 2, 2015 from the consent agenda. Mr. Adams removed
Item C, Resolution 1910, from the consent agenda.
Ms. Lovelett moved, seconded by Ms. Pickett, to approve the following Consent Agenda items. Vote:
Ayes—Walters, Pickett, Adams, Lovelett, Archibald, Miller and Johnson. Motion carried.
Approval of Vouchers/Cancellation of Checks
Council voted unanimously that the following vouchers/checks audited and certified by the City's Auditing
Officer(Finance Director)and subsequently reviewed and approved by the Council Finance Committee
on February 5, 2015 and February 12, 2015 are approved for payment as of February 17, 2015.
Claims
Check Numbers 75219 through 75385 in the total amount of$559,647.42
EFT Number 75217 through 75218 in the total amount of$2,463.62
Payroll for February 5, 2015 in the total amount of$648,597.06
Check Numbers 40227 through 40265 in the total amount of$32,966.72
Direct Deposit Numbers from 57404 through 57598 in the total amount of$374,375.34
EFT Numbers from 1765 through 1770 in the total amount of$241,255.00
Cancelled Checks
Check Number 74672 in the total amount of$86.80
Check Number 74823 in the total amount of$2,100.68
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In the same motion Council approved the minutes of February 9, 2015 as if read.
Mr. Johnson noted the February 3, 2015 email from Administrative Services Director Emily Schuh that
was attached to the minutes of the February 2, 2105 City Council meeting and reported a revision to the
IAFF wage schedule that had been adopted by Council as part of Resolution 1911. Mr. Johnson moved,
seconded by Mr. Adams, to approve Ms. Schuh's emailed memorandum dated February 3, 2015
including the revised contract and wage schedule attached to that memorandum. Vote: Ayes—Pickett,
Adams, Lovelett, Archibald, Miller, Johnson and Walters. Motion carried.
Mr. Johnson moved, seconded by Ms. Lovelett, to approve the minutes of February 2, 2015 as if read.
Mr. Miller corrected the spelling of Captain Nortier's name on the first page of those minutes. Vote: Ayes—
Adams, Lovelett, Archibald, Miller, Johnson, Walters and Pickett. Motion carried.
Regarding proposed Resolution 1910, Mr. Adams referenced remarks by Mark Watkinson at the February
9, 2015 study session explaining why manmade disasters weren't included in the NHMP but advising that
those could be addressed in the next update if other jurisdictions agreed. Mr. Adams encouraged doing
so. Mr. Adams moved, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to adopt Resolution 1910 adopting the Skagit County
Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan dated October 2014 as the official Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan for the
City of Anacortes. Vote: Ayes— Lovelett, Archibald, Miller, Johnson, Walters, Pickett and Adams. Motion
carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Authorize Mayor to Purchase Equipment: Solid Waste Drop Box Collection
Public Works Director Fred Buckenmeyer introduced Sandi Andersen, Operations Division Manager, and
Matt Koegel, Solid Waste Supervisor. Mr. Buckenmeyer recapped the presentation on this topic from the
February 9, 2015 study session. He reiterated the City's longstanding goal to take over provision of this
service and the current opportunity to do so given the upcoming expiration of the contract with the current
service provider, Waste Management. Following additional discussions with the Finance Department and
with Will Ibershof of Waste Management, Mr. Buckenmeyer elaborated on the anticipated benefits of
providing drop box service with City forces. He then summarized the financial implications of the proposal
and reported a revised estimated return on investment of 5.3 years based on a more realistic .4 FTE
position to provide the service and lower actual equipment costs. Mr. Buckenmeyer reported a fund
balance of$1.8M in Sanitation Fund 450 and recommended funding the initial capital investment of
approximately$295,000 from that fund balance. He advised that the lead time to take delivery on the new
vehicle and the drop boxes was six to eight months so the actual service transition would happen
approximately October. Mr. Buckenmeyer recommended providing drop box solid waste collection with
City forces and authorizing the mayor to proceed with the purchase of the drop box collection vehicle and
the necessary drop box containers and bring back a budget amendment to Council later in the year.
At approximately 7:25 p.m. Mayor Gere invited public comment on this topic. No one present wished to
address the Council.
Mr. Walters established with Mr. Buckenmeyer that Waste Management does not currently pay anything
to the City of Anacortes for the privilege of operating the service nor was it interested in doing so. Mr.
Buckenmeyer explained that the storm and sewer utility comprehensive plan updates currently underway
would demonstrate a need for additional staffing in those utilities and that combining that need with a .4
FTE position for the drop box service would allow an additional hire without impact on the general fund.
He added that additional drop boxes would be purchased depending on customer demand, with an
average cost of approximately$5K each, and would be stored at the Operations facility.
Mr. Johnson moved, seconded by Ms. Pickett, to provide drop box solid waste service in Anacortes using
City forces. Mr. Walters moved, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to amend the motion to also authorize the
mayor to proceed with the purchase of the necessary vehicle and containers for a total amount not to
Anacortes City Council Minutes February 17, 2015 2
exceed $295,000. In response to a question from Ms. Lovelett, City Attorney Brad Furlong opined that the
original motion would include authorization of the additional .4 FTE.
Vote on amendment: Vote: Ayes—Archibald, Miller, Johnson, Walters, Pickett, Adams and Lovelett.
Motion carried.
Vote on amended motion: Ayes—Miller, Johnson, Walters, Pickett, Adams, Lovelett and Archibald.
Motion carried.
Authorize Mayor to Execute Contract Modification: TDR Feasibility Study-Comp Plan
Senior Planner Libby Grage requested Council approval to amend Contract 13-039-IDS-001 with Makers
Architecture & Urban Design in the amount of$39,970 to conduct a Transfer of Development Rights
(TDR)feasibility study in accordance with the scope of work dated January 20, 2015. She also requested
Council authorization for the mayor to sign an interlocal agreement with Skagit County to consider TDR
programs. Ms. Grage explained that Skagit County had received a grant from the Washington State
Department of Commerce to help support consideration of a transfer of development rights (TDR)
program and that the County proposed in the interlocal agreement to dedicate up to$40,000 of that grant
to the City of Anacortes to have Makers complete the Commercial Core Redevelopment and TDR
Analysis described in the contract amendment. Ms. Grage and Ms. Pickett provided some examples of
how TDR programs can achieve higher densities in urban cores while protecting lands that provide
economic and environmental benefits such as farmlands, forestlands, ecologically significant areas and
open space. Ms. Grage answered questions from councilmembers about the scope of work for the
amendment to the Makers contract.
At approximately 7:40 p.m. Mayor Gere invited public comment on this topic. No one present wished to
address the Council.
Mr. Johnson moved, seconded by Ms. Pickett, to authorize the mayor to sign the interlocal cooperative
agreement with Skagit County to consider transfer of development rights (TDR) programs. Mr. Walters
disclosed that he is a fixed salary employee of Skagit County and under RCW 42.23.040 has a remote
interest in the interlocal agreement so his vote could not be counted. Vote: Ayes—Johnson, Pickett,
Adams, Lovelett, Archibald and Miller. Abstain: Walters. Motion carried.
Mr. Johnson moved, seconded by Mr. Miller, to authorize the mayor to amend Contract 13-039-IDS-001
with Makers. Mr. Walters encouraged illustrations to accompany Item C.3. Mr. Adams noted that following
the feasibility study any TDR program would come back to Council for action before implementation.
Vote: Ayes—Walters, Pickett, Adams, Lovelett, Archibald, Miller and Johnson. Motion carried.
Resolution 1914: Tourism Promotion Fund Contract
Mr. Archibald described an opportunity to promote Anacortes on the new Washington State Ferry, the
MN Samish. He said the Chamber of Commerce had presented a proposal to the Lodging Tax Advisory
Committee for$2600 to fund nine framed photographic images which would be permanently displayed on
that ferry. Mr. Archibald said the LTAC recommended Council approval of the contract with the Chamber
of Commerce. Mr. Walters observed that the San Juan Chamber of Commerce would be providing
matching funds and endorsed the proposal.
At approximately 7:45 p.m. Mayor Gere invited public comment on this topic. No one present wished to
address the Council.
Mr. Johnson moved, seconded by Ms. Lovelett, to approve Resolution 1914 authorizing the contract with
the Chamber of Commerce for the Samish ferry project. Mr. Furlong clarified that none of the voting
councilmembers were non-salaried board members or officers of the Chamber of Commerce. Vote: Ayes
—Pickett, Adams, Lovelett, Archibald, Miller, Johnson and Walters. Motion carried.
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Resolution 1913: 2015-2016-2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement by and between the City of
Anacortes and the Anacortes Commissioned Police Guild
Administrative Services Director Emily Schuh requested Council approval of the three-year 2015-2016-
2017 collective bargaining agreement with the Commissioned Anacortes Police Guild. Ms. Schuh recalled
that Council had been briefed on the provisions of the contract in a previous executive session but offered
to answer questions from Councilmembers. She noted that Guild President Terrence Clifford was also
present in the audience. In response to a question from Mr. Johnson, Ms. Schuh explained the new
corporal classification which would come before the Civil Service Commission.
Ms. Lovelett moved, seconded by Mr. Archibald, to adopt Resolution 1913 approving the 2015-2016-
2017 collective bargaining agreement between the City of Anacortes and the Anacortes Commissioned
Police Guild.
At approximately 7:50 p.m. Mayor Gere invited public comment on this topic. No one present wished to
address the Council.
Vote: Ayes—Adams, Lovelett, Archibald, Miller, Johnson, Walters and Pickett. Motion carried.
Authorize Modification to Guemes Channel Trail Construction -Phase VII
Mr. Buckenmeyer announced that the trail construction project was going very well. He requested Council
approval of a change order in the amount of$50,140 to Contract 13-016-TRN-002 with Strandberg
Excavation &Commercial Construction, Inc. to substitute rip rap for shot rock to suit the wet winter
construction conditions. Mr. Walters confirmed that the new rock was allowed under the existing permits.
He asked how the increased cost would be funded. Mr. Buckenmeyer said the project would be funded by
the Department of Commerce grant, real estate excise tax, park impact fees and possibly donations from
the Parks Foundation. Mr. Walters asked if the non-grant sources had been budgeted. Mr. Buckenmeyer
said the grant and the REET funding were in the approved 2015 budget. Mr. Walters asked how much
REET had been budgeted. Mr. Buckenmeyer said he would find that figure and provide it after the
meeting. He responded to councilmember questions about the reason for the change and the overall
project cost. Ms. Pickett moved, seconded by Mr. Walters, to authorize in increase to the contract with
Strandberg in the amount of$50,140 to provide a line item for rip rap as fill material.
At approximately 7:59 p.m. Mayor Gere invited public comment on this topic. No one present wished to
address the Council.
Vote: Ayes—Archibald, Miller, Johnson, Walters, Pickett and Adams. Nays—Lovelett. Motion carried.
Executive Session: Real Estate Discussion per RCW 42.30.110(1 b, 1 c)
At approximately 8:00 p.m. Mayor Gere announced that Council and City Attorney Brad Furlong would
convene in Executive Session for approximately 15-20 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 8:30 p.m. the regularly scheduled Anacortes City
Council meeting of February 17, 2015 was adjourned.
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