HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-27 City Council Minutes Approved City Council Study Session Minutes— May 27, 2014
At approximately 7:00 p.m. Mayor Laurie Gere called the regularly scheduled Anacortes City Council
study session of May 27, 2014 to order. Roll call found present City Councilmembers Eric Johnson, Ryan
Walters, Erica Pickett, Brad Adams, Liz Lovelett, John Archibald and Matt Miller.
Executive Session (15 Minutes) regarding Potential Litigation per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)
Mayor Gere announced that Council and legal counsel would convene in Executive Session for
approximately fifteen minutes regarding potential litigation and that no action would be taken. At
approximately 7:17 p.m. Council reconvened in regular session.
Anacortes Farmers Market Update
Keri Knapp, Director of the Anacortes Farmers Market, updated Council on the 2014 season which
opened on May 10. Ms. Knapp reported that since the Anacortes Farmer's Market began in 1989 it has
grown to almost 70 vendors including farmers from Skagit and neighboring counties as well as bakers,
artisans, and vendors of mushrooms, live plants, prepared foods and many other locally produced wares.
Ms. Knapp explained the collaborative effort of the Skagit Valley Farmer's Market Coalition and generous
donors to assist EBT card users to shop at the Market and receive double value for their EBT cards. She
said the Market offers live music each week and weekly skills workshops. She added that in addition to
the weekly Saturday markets May through October, the Wednesday evening markets run June 18
through August 27 from 4-7 p.m. including a wine and beer garden hosted by Anacortes Brewery. Ms.
Knapp described the annual holiday market, the monthly winter markets, and the Art of Gardening event
in April. She shared vendor sales figures which continue to climb and thanked local sponsors whose
contributions help support the 501(c)(3) organization. She invited everyone to come down to the market
and enjoy the lovely surroundings of the Depot Plaza.
Samish Indian Nation Water Quality Report
Public Works Director Fred Buckenmeyer provided some background on the City's stormwater system
and NPDES permit. He said City Engineer Matt Reynolds oversees the City's compliance with the permit
and its reporting requirements and added that the City has always been in complete compliance with the
permit. He said Anacortes will be shifting its focus from conveyance to water quality and low impact
development requirements and contracting with the Dept. of Ecology Regional Stormwater Management
Program to do so, beginning in August 2014.
Erin Licata from the Samish Indian Nation Dept. of Natural Resources updated Council on the Samish
Fidalgo Bay Water Quality Monitoring program which was last reported to Council in 2013. Ms. Licata
described the outfall sampling program that has been in place since 2005 including twice monthly
sampling at 38 different sites around Fidalgo Bay, 29 of which belong to the City of Anacortes. She said
the program is funded through 2015. She explained the importance of water quality in Fidalgo Bay which
is one of the State's seven aquatic reserves and which provides important habitat to wildlife and
vegetation including eelgrass as well as aesthetic and recreational value to residents. Ms. Licata
described the water quality parameters measured including the focus on fecal coliform as the primary
parameter of concern. She reported that during the 2013-2014 sampling period 94% of the outfalls
monitored exceeded state water quality standards for fecal coliform. She added that all monitoring data is
available for analysis on request. Ms. Licata described potential non-point sources of pollution identified in
the City's 2007 stormwater management plan and described two examples including the dog park and a
private property where livestock reside. Ms. Licata stressed that the Samish would like to work together
with the City going forward to reduce the response time to rectify identified sources of surface pollutants.
Mr. Johnson and Mr. Miller questioned how the City can be in compliance with its NPDES permit but still
exceed state standards at the outfalls. Mr. Buckenmeyer explained the scope of the NPDES permit and
that it will likely expand in the future to require outfall testing. Mr. Miller confirmed with Mr. Buckenmeyer
that the City is not currently taking measurements at any of its outfalls. Mr. Adams asked Ms. Licata if the
Samish are sampling any of the outfalls where the City has installed filtration or Baysaver devices. She
replied that she didn't know if those outfalls were included in the sample sites but that the DNR would be
happy to test them. Mr. Archibald urged that the City begin monitoring water quality at its outfalls before it
becomes an NPDES permit requirement and that Anacortes go above and beyond to ensure water quality
Anacortes City Council Study Session Minutes May 27, 2014 1
in the bay. Ms. Pickett inquired about the septic system inventory and whether Skagit County Dept. of
Health shares information about failing septic systems, which Mr. Buckenmeyer said it does. Mayor Gere
observed that the historical statistics from the Samish monitoring program can jump start City efforts to
put Anacortes ahead of the pack, setting a new standard for the State. She said she'd like to see
Anacortes work with the Samish and the all work they've done. In response to a question from Ms.
Lovelett, Ms. Licata gave examples of how specific problem sites might be addressed to reduce surface
runoff and pollutants. In closing, Samish Indian Nation Dept. of Natural Resources Director Christine
Woodward described their data collection and analysis QA/QC Plan which she said has been approved
by the U.S. EPA.
Samish Indian Nation Services Agreement Presentation
Mr. Buckenmeyer presented a draft agreement between the City and the Samish Indian Nation and said
the City has been collaborating with the Samish for a number of years regarding the future development
of their property near the intersection of Thompson Road and Stevenson Road. Mr. Buckenmeyer said
the agreement addresses utility and emergency services and voluntary contributions from the Samish to
compensate for revenues that will not be collected if the property is placed in Trust.
Leslie Eastwood, 3801 West 4th Street, General Manager for the Samish Indian Nation, introduced tribal
leader Dave Blackinton and attorney Lea Ann Easton and said they were available to answer questions
Council might have about the agreement which has been under development for several years. Ms.
Eastwood suggested that the proposed agreement is in best interest of both parties. She explained that
the Samish own approximately 15 acres which they are applying to put in Trust status, at which point the
tribe will have sole jurisdiction over the property. She said now is the time to establish fair and equitable
compensation for services purchased from the City for infrastructure for the site (stormwater, sewer,
water, and emergency services). She said the agreement outlines a method of valuing the services so the
Samish will fairly pay the same as any business within the city limits.
Ms. Pickett thanked tribe for being so responsible about paying in lieu of taxes. Mr. Adams agreed. He
asked if the City sign ordinance would apply to Trust land. Ms. Eastwood said Section 13.5 of the
agreement addresses signage, which includes one exception to the Anacortes Municipal Code.
Councilmembers discussed that clause. Mr. Walters observed that other than the one large sign the
agreement seemed to be a good deal for the City of Anacortes.
Transportation Benefit District Discussion
Mr. Buckenmeyer resumed the discussion of the proposed TBD and presented a modified proposal for
Council consideration. He summarized the issues and proposals discussed during prior Council meetings
including budget adjustments of$600K/year, $200K/year of utility tax increase (raised from 3.4% to 12%),
a $1.00/1000 property tax increase for ten years, and a $20 vehicle tab increase, all designed to raise
$40M for street maintenance over the next ten years and bring arterials and collectors up to an average
PCI of 85 and residential streets up to an average PCI of 70.
To address councilmember questions from past meetings, Mr. Buckenmeyer said staff had found two
previous pavement condition reports, one from 1988 and one from 1998. He said the latter calculated an
average PCI of 76, compared to the average PCI of 64 calculated by the City's consultant in 2013. Mr.
Walters and Mr. Miller requested to know how much the City spent on street maintenance after 1998 to
understand how the funding levels over the past fifteen years have resulted in the current pavement
condition.
Mr. Buckenmeyer said staff's modified proposal removes the property tax increase but does implement
$20 tabs and the other funding elements previously proposed. He said that would raise $1.1M/year for
street maintenance. Mr. Buckenmeyer said he would like to work with that funding level for 3-5 years,
then come back to Council with new PCI ratings to see if improvement is proceeding at a pace the public
wants or if it wants something more aggressive. He summarized that the Council action required to
implement that recommendation would be establishing the Transportation Benefit District, establishing
$20 vehicle tabs, and increasing the solid waste tax to 12%, all via ordinance.
Anacortes City Council Study Session Minutes May 27, 2014 2
Mr. Walters was not entirely in favor of that proposal. He asked how much the overall average PCI would
fall if$1.1 M/year was spent on streets and said he needed to know which streets would be worked on
and which would not be addressed. He asked about using cash reserves to get significant chunks of
funding for large projects such as D Avenue or to invest in street maintenance equipment. He urged
dedicating all the REET to streets, not just half of it. He requested a public hearing on the latest proposal.
Mr. Miller said he did like the new plan, better than the $40M plan or the $60M plan. He reiterated his
request to know how much has been spent on streets since 1998 and how that has affected the condition
of the streets before spending the taxpayers' money. He agreed on the need for a public hearing,
particularly on the car tabs. He added that the other funding elements need to be discussed in the context
of the overall budget.
Mr. Adams agreed that the utility tax increase and the vehicle tabs need a public hearing and said the
other budget allocations can be worked on with staff and the mayor. He asked about using cash reserves
for street maintenance. Ms. Lovelett said she liked the phased approach and asked to know which roads
would be fixed when. Mr. Buckenmeyer indicated he needed some idea of what the overall funding level
would be to plan the improvements. Mr. Archibald said he liked the latest proposal. He said he'd also like
to see a list of which streets would be addressed when. Mr. Johnson asked what the outcome of
spending $1.1 M/year would be and observed that might just barely maintain the current PCI but said he
was also concerned about raising taxes. Mr. Buckenmeyer suggested that after three years staff would
have the consultant re-rate the streets to show the effect of that spending level on the overall PCI.
Mr. Walters said he wanted to hold the public hearing on a defined proposal and that he wanted to see
that proposal at a meeting before the public hearing. Mr. Buckenmeyer said staff would bring a proposal
back to Council before the public hearing.
Storvik Park Restroom and Spray Park Grant Discussion
Parks and Recreation Director Gary Robinson described a proposed resolution to allow staff to apply for
State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant funding for a spray pad and new restrooms at
Storvik Park. He explained where the state funding comes from and said it is a 50% matching program.
Regarding the timeline, Mr. Robinson said final applications are due July 18, project presentations are in
August, projects are prioritized in October and grants are awarded in June, 2015.
Mr. Robinson discussed the current and proposed restrooms at the park and the maintenance challenges
of the current facilities. Recreation Manager Nicole Johnston then described the proposed layout with the
old playground structure yielding to the spray pad in a central location with good sight lines for caregivers
and the restroom location moving slightly. She described the marine adventure theme for the spray pad,
the sitting wall for caregivers who don't want to get wet, and the motion activated spray features. She also
described the proposed restroom layout with three stalls for each gender and ADA access. Mayor Gere
pointed out that the existing restrooms are at least 40 years old.
Mr. Robinson presented the preliminary budget estimate from the consultant. The total project cost is
estimated at$652K. The City would apply for$320K of grant funds and spend $332K of City funds. The
latter would include $150K of donations, $100K in impact fees, and $82,000 in REET. Ms. Lovelett asked
if Tourism Fund Balance could be used since the spray park would draw visitors from outside of town and
tourism funds had been used for other public restrooms in Anacortes.
Mr. Walters asked how much it would cost to run the spray park. Mr. Robinson estimated $10-$15K of
water cost per year. He said the consultant calculates a high return on the investment in terms of number
of kids served. Mr. Walters observed that the Mt. Vernon spray park is hugely popular but said this is one
of the last things he would fund. He said the restrooms need to be done regardless and sooner rather
than later. Mr. Robinson discussed whether the city matching funds could be used for the restroom. Mr.
Walters requested that the new bathrooms use all available best practices for water and energy
conservation. Mr. Robinson said the building would be designed to minimize operating costs.
Mr. Miller asked how much of the budget was for the bathroom and splash park. Mr. Robinson said
approximately$185K was for the restroom, $300K was for the spray park, and the remainder was for site
work, permits and design.
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Mr. Archibald asked if the water could be recycled or reclaimed for landscape uses. Mr. Robinson said
yes but that would cost two to three times as much so was not currently part of the design. Mr. Adams
asked the duration of the spray park season. Mr. Robinson said generally May through September but
that other than when the pipes are winterized the park could be activated on nice days during the
shoulder seasons. Ms. Lovelett pointed out that the water features are on motion sensors so the water is
not running when the park is not in use.
Mr. Walters suggested that the $185k for the bathrooms should be included in the 2015 budget
regardless of the outcome of the grant application. Mayor Gere agreed. Mr. Johnson suggested that the
Mount Vernon spray park might provide some data on operating costs.
There being no further business, at approximately 8:55 p.m. the regularly scheduled Anacortes City
Council study session of May 27, 2014 adjourned.
Anacortes City Council Study Session Minutes May 27, 2014 4