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City Council Minutes—July 16, 2012
At 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dean Maxwell called the regularly scheduled Anacortes City Council meeting of
July 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.
Mayor Maxwell announced that the final item on the agenda, Item 7g, an ordinance for condemnation of a
portion of Tyler Way right-of-way, had been postponed to a future meeting.
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Mr. Adams moved, seconded by Mr. Geer, that the minutes of July 2, 2012 be approved as if read. Vote:
Ayes—Walters, Pickett, Adams, Turner, Richardson, Geer and Johnson. Motion carried.
Citizen Hearings
Sandra Spargo, 1408 11th Street, spoke about the importance and value of public engagement in
government decision making. She asked Council to accept citizen comment on agenda items during
regular City Council meetings and to accept written comments after study sessions. Ms. Spargo
referenced her written request to City Council on this subject.
Mayor/Council Communication and Committee Reports
Skagit Conservation District Stormwater Awareness Poster Contest Awards: Cindy Pierce from Skagit
Conservation District (SCD) described the 2012 poster contest for K-8 students in Anacortes schools
based on the stormwater theme "When It Rains It Drains". Ms. Pierce explained that SCD has a contract
with the City to provide the educational component of the requirements of the city's Phase II Stormwater
Management Permit through the Department of Ecology and described her work in the public schools.
Ms. Pierce and Mayor Maxwell presented awards to contest winners Joseph Pesaturo, Mike Cain, Jake
Romag, and Ava Hawkins, all 4" grade students at Fidalgo Elementary School.
Mayor Maxwell observed the passing of Board of Adjustment member George Mehler and thanked his
family, including his wife, Sue, and his son, Eric, who were in the audience, for Mr. Mehler's decades of
service to the community.
Mayor Maxwell observed the passing of former dispatch supervisor Donna Chiabia Stamos and
announced memorial services would be held July 19, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.
Mr. Geer announced an Anacortes Improv fundraiser performance at 8:00 p.m. on August 20, 2012 at
Brodniak Hall to support the Anacortes Sister Cities Association and Anacortes High School.
Mr. Johnson said he and Planning Commissioner Sherri Muntean have been attending the WCIA land
use decision making courses.
Consent Agenda
Mr. Johnson moved, seconded by Mr. Turner, to approve the following Consent Agenda items. Vote:
Ayes— Pickett, Adams, Turner, Richardson, Geer, Johnson and Walters. 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 July 5, 2012 and July 12, 2012 are approved for payment as of July 16, 2012.
Anacortes City Council Minutes July 16, 2012 1
Claims
Check Numbers 65195 through 65332 in the total amount of $368,002.77
EFTs
Check Numbers 65184 through 65194 in the total amount of$3,145.37
Prewritten Claims
Check Numbers 65181 through 65183 in the total amount of$385.99
Payroll for July 5, 2012 in the total amount of$929,985.55
Check Numbers 37318 through 37384 in the total amount of $43,812.34
Direct Deposit Numbers from 45020 through 45230 in the total amount of$608,849.03
EFT Numbers from 1431 through 1435 in the total amount of$277,324.18
In the same motion Council:
Authorized the mayor to sign the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Decision for Jacob's
Meadow Preliminary Plat (Re-Plat) and Planned Unit Development (PUD);
Approved a Street Fair Application for the Anacortes Eagles Poker Run on July 21, 2012 from
9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and
Adopted Ordinance 2883 vacating a Right-Of-Way of certain portions of E Avenue and 29th
Street adjacent to the Pleasant Slope Addition and the Plat of Pleasant View, Records of Skagit County
Washington.
EMS Levy Renewal (Proposition #1) Presentation
Fire Chief Richard Curtis presented information about Proposition #1 on the August 7, 2102 ballot for the
Skagit County EMS levy renewal. He explained the levy rate of 37.5 cents per$1,000 of assessed
property value and dispelled some common misconceptions about the levy. The Chief described the
service areas of the three ambulance service providers in Skagit County including Anacortes Fire
Department. He described the mix of funding sources for Emergency Medical Services, including the
EMS levy, and the distribution of levy proceeds among the ambulance service providers. The Chief
explained the percentage of revenue AFD receives from patient billing. He said if the levy did not pass or
if AFD stopped providing ambulance service the Anacortes Fire Department budget would be drastically
cut and Guemes Island and South Fidalgo Island would be without emergency medical service response.
Chief Curtis described the other services funded by the EMS levy that are not direct subsidies for
ambulance services. He then reported falling revenues in recent years due to declining property values to
which the current levy rate of 25 cents per$1,000 of assessed value is applied. Chief Curtis outlined
actions that have been taken county-wide to reduce costs in the face of reduced funding. The Chief said
that reserves, sales tax and property taxes have been subsidizing the levy shortfall. He predicted that if
the levy fails on August 7 the AFD will cut 1/3 of its budget, will have to return its ambulances to the EMS
Commission, and will have to close the March Point Fire Station and likely cut other services as well. He
then described what the levy will pay for if it passes, including deferred capital expenditures. He closed by
inviting the public to an informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. on July 19, 2012 at the Anacortes Senior
Activity Center.
Ordinance: Second Quarter Budget Amendment
Finance Director Steve Hoglund presented a proposed amendment to the 2012 budget and explained the
line items included in it, all of which are included in the text of the budget ordinance. Councilmembers
discussed uncollectible patient billings for ambulance services and the full accrual method of accounting
now used the reflect those. Mr. Geer moved, seconded by Mrs. Richardson, to adopt Ordinance 2884
amending Ordinance No. 2864 adopted on November 21, 2011, entitled "An Ordinance Adopting the
Budget and Salary Schedule For All Municipal Purposes and Uses For the Year 2012". Vote: Ayes—
Adams, Turner, Richardson, Geer, Johnson, Walters and Pickett. Motion carried.
Anacortes City Council Minutes July 16, 2012 2
Contract Award: 38th Street Waterline Replacement
Public Works Director Fred Buckenmeyer requested Council approval to award a contract to install 1800
LF of 16"ductile iron waterline in the vicinity of 38th Street to replace aging 14"waterline located in a
narrow easement on private property adjacent to residences. He added that this line is a major
transmission line to the Skyline reservoir. Mr. Buckenmeyer noted that a copy of the contract had been
provided to councilmembers prior to the meeting. Mr. Walters asked if the project specifications and
scope of work could also be provided. Mr. Buckenmeyer advised that information is available on line and
said he would provide a link. Mr. Buckenmeyer said nine bids were opened on July 10, 2012 and the low
bid was from Strandberg Excavation and Commercial Construction, Inc. for$357,679.45. The Engineer's
Estimate was $414,563.51. Mr. Buckenmeyer recommended awarding the contract to Strandberg. Mrs.
Richardson moved, seconded by Mr. Turner, to award the contract to Strandberg Excavation and
Commercial Construction, Inc. in the amount of$357,679.45. Vote: Ayes—Turner, Richardson, Geer,
Johnson, Walters, Pickett and Adams. Motion carried.
Contract with Cascade Natural Gas for Service to Water Treatment Plant
Assistant City Engineer Matt Reynolds described the need to provide natural gas at the water treatment
plant to heat the plant when the improvement project is complete. He presented a comparison of natural
gas, electrical, and propane costs prepared by HDR which shows that natural gas is the most cost
effective option. Mr. Reynolds said Cascade Natural Gas (CNG) would issue and manage a contract to
construct a new supply line and estimates costs of$200-$250K for that work. Mr. Reynolds asked Council
to authorize the mayor to enter into a contract with CNG based on actual cost to install the gas supply line
for an amount not to exceed $250,000. Mr. Johnson moved, seconded by Mr. Turner, to authorize the
mayor to execute a contract with Cascade Natural Gas to provide natural gas service to the water
treatment plant for an amount not to exceed $250,000. Vote: Ayes— Richardson, Geer, Johnson, Walters,
Pickett, Adams and Turner. Motion carried.
Contract Modification: Water Treatment Plant Improvement Project
Mr. Reynolds requested approval to issue Change Order No. 4 in the amount of$303,881.01 including
sales tax and a 38-day contract extension to IMCO General Construction, Inc. for contract 05-014-WTR-
012, Water Treatment Plant Improvement Project. Mr. Reynolds said the change order resolves 27
individual issues that have been encountered, negotiated and resolved. Mr. Reynolds described the
largest items including changes to the Actiflo pre-treatment system for$152,011.49 and the addition of 12
VDC backup battery power for six switch-gear units for$54,322.14. Mrs. Richardson commended staff
and the contractor for maintaining such a low change order rate and moved, seconded by Mr. Geer, to
approve Change Order 4 to Contract 05-014-WTR-012 with IMCO General Construction, Inc. in the
amount of$303,881.01 including sales tax. Vote: Ayes—Geer, Johnson, Walters, Pickett, Adams, Turner
and Richardson. Motion carried.
Contract Award: N Avenue Park Improvement Project
Mr. Reynolds requested Council approval to award a contract for N Avenue Park improvements for
stormwater management. He described the scope of work which is 100%funded by the Washington
State Department of Ecology Grant Program. Mr. Reynolds said the City solicited five contractors for bids
under the Small Works Roster and received two bids which were opened on July 10, 2012. The low bid
was from Strandberg Excavation and Commercial Construction, Inc. in the amount of$92,020.00. The
Engineer's Estimate was $107,000. Mr. Reynolds recommended awarding the contract to Strandberg. Mr.
Adams moved, seconded by Mr. Pickett, to award a contract to Strandberg Excavation and Commercial
Construction, Inc. in the amount of$92,000.00. Vote: Ayes—Johnson, Walters, Pickett, Adams, Turner,
Richardson and Geer. Motion carried.
Ordinance: Condemnation of a Portion of Tyler Way Right-of-Way
Mayor Maxwell announced that this item had been postponed to a future meeting.
There being no further business, at approximately 8:25 p.m. Mayor Maxwell continued the regularly
scheduled Anacortes City Council meeting of July 16, 2012 to July 23, 2012 for review and potential
approval of a contract for a Mobile Live Fire Training System.
Anacortes City Council Minutes July 16, 2012 3