HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-26 City Council Minutes Approved OS�:Y(0et,i
City Council Minutes—March 26, 2012
At 7:04 p.m. Mayor Dean Maxwell called the regularly scheduled Anacortes City Council study session of
March 26, 2012 to order. Eric Johnson, Ryan Walters, Erica Pickett, Brad Adams, Bill Turner, Cynthia
Richardson and Brian Geer were present.
Invasive Plants
Parks and Forestlands Manager Jonn Lunsford announced four work parties on April 21, 2012 to remove
invasive plants from parks around the city: on Cap Sante, on Mt. Erie (the second annual Dallas Kloke
Memorial work party), at Washington Park, and at Kiwanis Waterfront Park. Mr. Lunsford introduced
Hershel Janz who has volunteered in the Anacortes Community Forestlands for 12 years removing
invasive plants. Mr. Janz described the history of work parties in the forestlands and the optimal methods
for long term removal of invasive species. Mr. Lunsford next introduced Susan Alaynik who volunteers
pulling invasive plants at Washington Park and the ACFL. Ms. Alaynik described the distribution of
various invasive species at Washington Park and efforts to remove them. Mr. Lunsford then introduced
Harold Mead who with Maggie Sullivan has volunteered to remove Scotch broom on Mt. Erie. Mr. Mead
described his long term efforts to remove broom on the mountain and his research to document the
effectiveness of different control strategies. Mr. Turner asked if glyphosate could be used on other
invasive species. Mr. Mead said herbicides can sometimes be both more effective and more efficient than
mechanical methods.
Mr. Geer asked if work party participants need to sign up in advance and if children can participate. Mr.
Lunsford said there is no need to sign up and that children are welcome though perhaps not well suited to
the Mt. Erie work party.
Viva Farms— Launching New Sustainable Farmers
Human Resources Director Emily Schuh introduced Sarita Schaffer, founder of Viva Farms, a non-profit
organization developing programs to train new farmers. Ms. Schuh added that city employees have the
option to subscribe to the Viva Farms CSA as part of the city's Wellness Program.
Ms. Schaffer said Viva Farms works in partnership with Washington State University. Its mission is to
launch a new generation of farmers. She described the work of the program which focuses on immigrant
and first generation farmers. Ms. Schaffer said Viva Farms provides affordable access to education, land,
equipment, loans and markets for agricultural products. She provided case histories of new farmers who
have thrived in the Viva Farms program. Mr. Turner asked if courses are offered in Spanish and English.
Ms. Schaffer said yes, they are simultaneously translated though she noted that many farmers in the
program are already bilingual or trilingual. Ms. Schaffer said the public can cultivate a relationship with
Viva Farms by referring new farmers to the program, volunteering at the farm, subscribing to its
Community Supported Agriculture food delivery, shopping at the Viva Farms farm stand on State Route
20, and directly investing in local farmers.
Mr. Turner asked how Viva Farms started. Ms. Schaffer said USDA grants administered by WSU fund a
large share of the program but support also comes from local social investors as well as product sales.
Public Safety Jail Facility Update
Architect Marc Estvold provided an update on Skagit County's Public Safety Jail Facility project. He
introduced Chief of Corrections Charlie Wend, Sheriff Will Reichardt, and County Administrator Tim
Holloran. Charlie Wend spoke about current conditions and costs at the Skagit County Jail. He said the
jail was built in 1984 to house 83 inmates and now houses 195-205 inmates in custody with additional
inmates serving time in the Jail Alternatives Program. He said overcrowding is the primary issue and said
the jail turns away 75-85 prisoners per week because there is no room at the jail. He provided statistics to
councilmembers.
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Mr. Estvold then described the sites under consideration for a constructing a new facility including one
location at the Port of Skagit and three locations in downtown Mount Vernon. He described the permitting
issues to be resolved and the timeline for those. Mr. Estvold added that a fifth option that is being
explored is renting beds at facilities outside Skagit County for prisoners who don't need frequent transport
to and from the courthouse.
County Administrator Tim Holloran then spoke on behalf of the Skagit County Commissioners. He said
the county has been studying the jail question since 1995. He described the current situation as a public
safety issue. He announced a meeting on March 29, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. including the county, cities and
tribes to look for a solution. Mr. Geer endorsed constructing a facility as soon as possible. Mayor Maxwell
said that there are serious public safety issues that need to be addressed in Skagit County. Mr. Turner
asked how the decision would be made. Mr. Halloran said it will likely be a ballot issue and ultimately the
County Commissioners will make the decision. Mr. Johnson asked about private prison contractors. Mr.
Halloran said that model is also under consideration.
At approximately 8:03 p.m. Mayor Maxwell called a five minute break. At 8:09 p.m. the mayor called the
meeting back to order.
Continued 2010 Development Regulations Amendments: Anacortes Municipal Code Chapters
17.52 through 17.75 and Title 18
Council continued its review of the 2010 proposed development regulations amendments. Mr. Larsen and
councilmembers reviewed each of the proposed changes in AMC Title 17, Zoning (Sections 17.52
through 17.75) and Title 18, Environmental Protection, as outlined on pages 30-42 of the memorandum to
City Council from Senior Planner Libby Grage dated February 3, 2012 that was provided as part of the
March 12, 2012 council packet.
Assistant Planning Director Don Measamer and Senior Planner Libby Grage recorded councilmember
feedback on each proposed change, marked several items for redrafting and consideration at a
subsequent review session, and noted councilmember requests for future consideration of code changes
not proposed for amendment as part of the 2010 cycle.
Mr. Larsen said he would bring the proposals back before City Council in two to three weeks with the
requested revisions and additional information and that Council would begin its review of Title 19 towards
the end of April. Mrs. Richardson asked how Title 19 would be reviewed. Mr. Larsen suggested a full
series of revisions, publication and public input on both options before Council decided between Option A
and Option B. Mayor Maxwell agreed. Mrs. Richardson was concerned that would result in wasted effort
to fully edit Title 19 for both options. Mayor Maxwell said a determination on the order of events could be
made at a later date.
There being no further business, at approximately 9:15 p.m. the regularly scheduled Anacortes City
Council study session of March 26, 2012 adjourned.
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