HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-13 City Council Minutes Approved C.)
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City Council Minutes— February 13, 2012
At 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dean Maxwell called the regularly scheduled Anacortes City Council study session of
February 13, 2012 to order. Eric Johnson, Ryan Walters, Erica Pickett, Brad Adams, Bill Turner, Cynthia
Richardson and Brian Geer were present.
Forest Ridqe/B Avenue Native Growth Protection Easement Proposed Draft
Assistant Planning Director Don Measamer presented a proposed Native Growth Protection Agreement
between the City and the Forest Ridge Homeowners Association for portions of B Avenue and 20th Street.
He displayed an aerial photo of the area from the Council packet. Mr. Measamer explained that the
Forest Ridge PUD was recorded in 2003 with a 30-foot native growth protection easement (NGPE) on its
west, north and east sides (displayed in blue on the map). Mr. Measamer said a subsequent NGPE
agreement was entered into for a portion for the 40-foot B Avenue right-of-way abutting the southern
portion of the project (displayed in orange on the map). He said the intention of the proposed agreement
was to establish guidelines for view corridors and maintenance in the remaining 40-foot unopened
B Avenue and 20th Street right-of-ways (shown in green on the map). He advised that staff would like to
bring the agreement back for City Council approval on the consent agenda at a regular meeting. He
added that the draft had been reviewed by staff in the Parks and Public Works departments and by City
Attorney Brad Furlong and that suggested changes from those staff members would be incorporated
including language to address the presence of existing ACFL Trail 100 through the proposed NGPE and
incorporating the stub end of the 22nd Street easement in the new NGPE.
Councilmembers discussed the draft agreement, the ownership of each layer of the surrounding property,
current practice governing vegetation management on unopened street right-of-ways in the city, and the
successful use of a similar NGPE agreement process at the San Juan Passage development. Parks and
Forestlands Manager Jonn Lunsford briefly addressed the Council in response to questions about ACFL
trail access points surrounding Forest Ridge. In response to a question from Mr. Johnson, Mr. Measamer
explained that there is no procedure or policy for establishing an NGPE over a right of way so Mr. Furlong
suggested formalizing the subject agreement and seeking City Council approval for the mayor to sign it.
Mr. Walters observed that the final agreement language would require City Council approval but the
landscape plan would not so he would prefer to see some more specific guidelines for the landscape plan
included in the agreement. Mr. Measamer indicated he would work with counsel for the Forest Ridge
HOA in that regard.
Public Works Update: Performance Measures, 2011 Recap and 2012 Look Forward
Public Works Director Fred Buckenmeyer presented a slideshow featuring highlights from the
department's 2011 performance measures and performance indicators, an overview of the various
divisions of Public Works and what each is responsible for, and highlights of each department's projects
and awards over the past year and plans for the year ahead. Mr. Buckenmeyer introduced upcoming
projects including pedestrian safety improvements at various locations that will be funded by a Safe
Routes to School (SRTS) grant, a roundabout at 22nd Street and R Avenue that will be funded by$622K
of STP-R funds, and a WSDOT safety grant that will be used to fund improvements at four different
locations chosen by the granting agency. Mr. Turner reminded the audience that other cities are
considering a car tab tax to pay for street improvements and he complimented the Anacortes Public
Works Department for so successfully pursuing grants to accomplish infrastructure improvements. Mr.
Buckenmeyer agreed that Anacortes has done very well compared to other cities in the county and gave
credit to the mayor and City Council for their support.
Councilmembers thanked Mr. Buckenmeyer for the informative presentation and complimented Public
Works staff for their excellent work. In response to a question from Mrs. Richardson, Mr. Buckenmeyer
indicated that the presentation would be available to the public on the City website.
There being no further business, at approximately 8:15 p.m. the regularly scheduled Anacortes City
Council study session of February 13, 2012 adjourned.
Anacortes City Council Study Session Minutes February 13, 2012 1