HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-16 City Council Minutes Approved 9 c ,,
City Council Minutes—AEril 16, 2012
At 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dean Maxwell called the regularly scheduled Anacortes City Council meeting of
April 16, 2012 to order. Roll call found present: Eric Johnson, Ryan Walters, Erica Pickett, Brad Adams,
Bill Turner, Cynthia Richardson and Brian Geer. Roll call was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Mr. Johnson moved, seconded by Mr. Geer, that the minutes of April 2, 2012 and April 9, 2012 be
approved as if read. Vote: Ayes—Walters, Pickett, Adams, Turner, Richardson, Geer and Johnson.
Motion carried.
Citizen Hearings
No one present wished to speak.
Mayor/Council Communication and Committee Reports
Proclamation: Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month: Mayor Maxwell read a statement proclaiming April
to be Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month in Anacortes.
Appointment to Board of Adjustment: Peggy Flynn (Alternate): Mayor Maxwell requested Council
confirmation of his appointment of Peggy Flynn as an alternate to the Board of Adjustment. Mrs.
Richardson moved, seconded by Mr. Geer, to approve the appointment of Peggy Flynn as an alternate
member of the Board of Adjustment. Vote: Ayes— Pickett, Adams, Turner, Richardson, Geer, Johnson
and Walters. Motion carried.
Mayor's Award of Merit: Steve Lange: Mayor Maxwell presented the Mayor's Award of Merit to
Engineering Technician Steve Lange for his outstanding and diligent performance in the Public Works
Engineering Division. Mr. Lange was honored with a gift certificate to a local restaurant and addition of his
name to the award plaque that hangs in City Hall. He received a standing ovation from the audience.
Unfinished Business
Water Treatment Plant Financing Plan
Finance Director Steve Hoglund presented plans for the final round of funding for the WTP improvement
project. He identified the members of the financing team: Mayor Maxwell, Mr. Hoglund, Alice Ostdiek of
Foster Pepper, the city's bond counsel, Susan Musselman of SDM Advisors, the City's financial adviser
for the bond issue, and Jane Towery of Piper Jaffray, the bond underwriter. Mr. Hoglund summarized the
history of the phased project financing including $40M of cash from utility revenue bonds issued in 2010
and a$10M Public Works Trust Fund Loan. He said final construction costs are now estimated to be
$62M and that in 2012 the city will need to issue an additional $12M in utility revenue bonds to complete
the project. Ms. Musselman explained the bond issuance process and the timeline for the next bond issue
during the summer of 2012. Ms. Ostdiek outlined the provisions of the bond ordinance which she said will
be similar to the bond ordinances for utility revenue bonds issued in 2007 and 2010. Ms. Ostdiek
explained two changes since 2010: City Council may now, prior to the date of the bond sale, set
parameters and delegate authority to the mayor to sign the bond purchase agreement; and the reserve
requirement will be lowered to recognize the benefits of the federal BABs subsidy. Ms. Musselman
advised that the financing team would come back before Council with a draft of the bond ordinance and
answer questions prior to the meeting at which Council would be requested to take action.
Close 30-Day Public Comment Period for 2012/2013 CDBG Action Plan
Planning Director Ryan Larsen said that the March 5, 2012 regular City Council meeting opened the 30-
day public comment period to obtain community input on the 2012/2013 Community Development Block
Grant Action Plan. He said the present meeting, the second of two required public meetings, was
intended to respond to proposals and questions and review and approve the funding distribution outlined
Anacortes City Council Minutes April 16, 2012 1
in the plan. Mr. Larsen reported that during the comment period one request for public services funding
was received but not accepted and one comment letter was received. He added that both of those
communications were listed in the Appendix of the Action Plan. Mr. Larsen then summarized the projects
included in the Action Plan and the timeline for plan approval and funding distribution by HUD. Mayor
Maxwell invited public comments. No one wishing to speak, Mayor Maxwell closed the 30-day public
comment period.
Review Final Draft of 2012/2013 CDBG Action Plan
Mr. Adams inquired about administrative costs. Mr. Larsen replied that the City can allocate up to 20% of
its CDBG funding for administrative costs, which it has done. Mrs. Richardson inquired about$15,000 of
carry forward funding from previous years which were not included in the 2012/2013 plan. Mr. Larsen
explained that the amount of CDBG funding that can be allocated to public services is limited to 15%,
which has been fully allocated to Skagit County Community Action Agency, and that the carry forward
funds will likely be allocated to accessibility improvements at City Hall.
Ordinance: Amending AMC Title 6, Animals
Assistant Planning Director Don Measamer presented a draft ordinance amending Anacortes Municipal
Code Title 6 and summarized the changes addressed in the ordinance including service animals,
impound fees, penalties and appeals process for violations of the chapter, and transport of exotic animals
through the city. Mr. Measamer reported that since the January 9, 2012 City Council meeting at which the
first draft of the ordinance was introduced it was reviewed by the City Council Public Safety Committee on
March 19, 2012 and was also reviewed by City Attorney Brad Furlong and City Prosecutor Craig
Cammock who all recommend adopting the ordinance. Mr. Cammock spoke in support of the proposed
ordinance and said it would be very helpful in resolving barking dog issues. Mrs. Richardson mentioned
two additional items in Title 6 to consider for revisions in the future. Mr. Geer moved, seconded by Mrs.
Pickett, to approve Ordinance 2878 amending Title 6, Animals, of the Anacortes Municipal Code. Vote:
Ayes—Adams, Turner, Richardson, Geer, Johnson, Walters and Pickett. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Mr. Turner moved, seconded by Mr. Adams, to approve the Consent Agenda. Mr. Walters requested that
the Street Fair Application for the Anacortes Antique Machinery Show and the Forest Ridge Native
Growth Protection Area Agreement be removed from the Consent Agenda. Councilmembers and the
mayor agreed. Vote: Ayes—Turner, Richardson, Geer, Johnson, Walters, Pickett and Adams. 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 April 5, 2012 and April 12, 2012 are approved for payment as of April 16, 2012.
Claim Checks: April 2012: Check Numbers 64150 through 64331 in the total amount of $526,402.57
EFT Claims: April 2012: Check Numbers 64138 through 64149 in the total amount of$3,271.37
Prewritten Claims: April 2012: Check Numbers 64136 through 64137 in the total amount of$53.99
Payroll for April 5, 2012 in the total amount of$930,951.33:
Check Numbers 37044 through 37083 in the total amount of$51,234.29
Direct Deposit Numbers from 43849 through 44050 in the total amount of$603,297.40
EFT Numbers from 1399 through 1403 in the total amount of$276,419.64
Cancelled Checks: April 2012: Check Number 64001 in the total amount of$53.99
In the same motion Council:
Approved a Street Fair Request for the Anacortes Waterfront Festival on Saturday, June 2 and
Sunday, June 3, 2012, and
Approved a Street Fair Request for the 4th of July Extravaganza on July 4, 2012.
Mr. Walters inquired if the antique machinery show use of the madrone grove at the Depot would damage
the grove. Mr. Buckenmeyer replied that the event will have the same format as in prior years and has not
Anacortes City Council Minutes April 16, 2012 2
damaged the grove before. Mr. Adams said the event typically sites only display tables in the grove, not
equipment. Mr. Walters moved, seconded by Mrs. Richardson, to approve the Street Fair Request for the
17th Annual Anacortes Antique Machinery Show on September 8, 2012. Vote: Ayes— Richardson, Geer,
Johnson, Walters, Pickett, Adams and Turner. Motion carried.
Mr. Walters thanked Mr. Measamer for the final revisions made to the Forest Ridge Native Growth
Protection Area Agreement. Mrs. Richardson moved, seconded by Mr. Adams, to authorize the mayor to
sign the Forest Ridge Native Growth Protection Area Agreement. Vote: Ayes—Geer, Johnson, Walters,
Pickett, Adams, Turner and Richardson. Motion carried.
Ordinance: Complete Streets
Public Works Director Fred Buckenmeyer introduced a proposed ordinance to make complete streets
practices a routine consideration for transportation projects. He recognized Evergreen Islands
representatives Tom Glade and Ralph Bennett for bringing the ordinance forward for consideration. Mr.
Buckenmeyer noted that the city has taken a complete streets approach to project planning for years but
that more and more grant applications ask if a city has a Complete Streets Ordinance as part of its
municipal code so it is in the city's best interest to codify those practices. Mr. Geer moved, seconded by
Mr. Johnson, to adopt Ordinance 2879 adding Chapter 12.60, Complete Streets, to Title 12 of the
Anacortes Municipal Code, making complete street practices a routine consideration for transportation
projects as an opportunity to improve public streets for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users
regardless of age or ability. Vote: Ayes—Johnson, Walters, Pickett, Adams, Turner, Richardson and
Geer. Motion carried.
Contract Award: Backhoe Purchase
Mr. Hoglund advised that the city needs to purchase a replacement for a 1991 Case 580K backhoe and
that staff would like to use a cooperative purchasing agreement with the Houston-Galveston Area Council
so that entity's bid can satisfy the competitive bidding requirements. He noted that the bid price is
reasonable, less than an independent quote and less than the amount budgeted. He requested that City
Council approve the interlocal agreement with H-GAC and declare the 1991 backhoe surplus so it can be
auctioned off. Mr. Turner asked if a used backhoe could be purchased for less. Council discussed this
option. Mr. Walters pointed out that Council could approve the interlocal and surplus request without
obligating staff to close the sale using the interlocal. Mrs. Richardson moved, seconded by Mr. Turner, to
approve an interlocal agreement to allow purchase of a backhoe subject to staff checking for less
expensive but suitable used equipment first. Mr. Hoglund clarified with Mrs. Richardson that her motion
also approved the request to surplus the 1991 backhoe. Vote: Ayes—Walters, Pickett, Adams, Turner,
Richardson, Geer and Johnson. Motion carried.
Street Fair Applications: Garden Art Fair, Anacortes Farmers Market
Mr. Buckenmeyer said that owners of the Croatian restaurant at 5th Street and R Avenue had expressed
concern about access for their customers during the street closure requested by the Anacortes Farmer's
Market. Mr. Buckenmeyer said he had met with the owners to discuss signage that could address this
concern. He said Anacortes Farmers Market manger Keri Knapp and city staff both have concerns about
pedestrian safety if the street is not closed during the farmer's market and concluded that staff supports
the street closure. Mr. Turner moved, seconded by Mrs. Pickett, to approve a Street Fair Request for the
Anacortes Farmer's Market on Saturdays from May 12 through October 27 excepting July 14 and August
4 and a Street Fair Request for the Garden Art Fair on May 4 and 5, 2012. Councilmembers discussed
the applications at length. Vote: Ayes— Pickett, Adams, Turner, Richardson, Geer, Johnson and Walters.
Motion carried.
There being no further business, at approximately 8:30 p.m. the regularly scheduled Anacortes City
Council meeting of April 16, 2012 was adjourned.
Anacortes City Council Minutes April 16, 2012 3