HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-27 City Council Minutes Approved 08. o ti'
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City Council Minutes—August 27, 2012
At 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dean Maxwell called the regularly scheduled Anacortes City Council study session of
August 27, 2012 to order. City Councilmembers Eric Johnson, Ryan Walters, Erica Pickett, Brad Adams,
Bill Turner, Cynthia Richardson and Brian Geer were present.
Cascade Natural Gas Project Discussion
Assistant City Engineer Eric Shjarback reported that Cascade Natural Gas has been working with the city
to prepare for a maintenance project to replace aging gas pipes in town between 3`d Street and 12th Street
between U and K Avenues. Mr. Shjarback said the $2.8M project will involve five CNG crews for three
months. Mr. Shjarback reported on the phasing of the project, most of which will occur in alleys, and said
the work began today along 5th Street. He said most of the work involves trenching with minimum 3-foot
cover except for directional boring at several crossings of Commercial Avenue. He added that services to
homes in the project area that have natural gas will also be updated. Mrs. Richardson asked that the
project map be posted on the City website. Councilmembers asked that representatives from CNG be
invited to a future study session to answer more specific questions.
Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee
Fire Chief Richard Curtis reported on the regional fire authority planning process that has been underway
for several years. He described the ongoing cooperative efforts among west Skagit County fire districts
and the exploratory committee process to consider an RFA which included representatives from the Town
of La Conner, City of Anacortes and Fire Districts 11, 13 and 17. The Chief discussed the goals of
consolidation including eliminating duplication of services and optimizing response times. He explained
the four different ways fire protection services can be consolidated including the formation of regional fire
authorities and reported the results of a survey of fire protection districts that had consolidated under any
of the models. The Chief then outlined the formal steps required to form an RFA which would require
approval from the City Council as well as a majority of voters in the affected area. Chief Curtis asked
councilmembers if they wished to approve a resolution to participate in the Regional Planning Committee
Process and said that La Conner and Fire District 13 have both passed such resolutions.
Police Department Annual Report
Police Chief Bonnie Bowers presented the Anacortes Police Department 2011 Annual Report which is
available on the City website. She reviewed local crime statistics and showed that Anacortes continually
has the lowest crime rates of any city in the county. The Chief highlighted the drop in traffic offenses and
reportable collisions in 2011. She demonstrated the rates of clearance of reported misdemeanors and
felonies and reminded that reported crimes are not always committed crimes. Chief Bowers reported on
the work crew program which she said is working very well. She also reported on the successful
prescription drug disposal program, Safe Routes to Schools program, Lunch Buddies program, and the
department's Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs accreditation. The Chief closed by
noting the challenges posed by the loss of significant state funding for training officers at the Criminal
Justice Training Commission and other unfunded mandates. Chief Bowers thanked Council and mayor
for their continued support which allows the department to respond to every call.
There being no further business, at approximately 8:03 p.m. the regularly scheduled Anacortes City
Council study session of August 27, 2012 adjourned.
Anacortes City Council Study Session Minutes August 27, 2012 1