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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-04 City Council Minutes Approved 8.1Y Off'. 4111010,41'. City Council Minutes—April 4, 2011 At 7:30 p.m. Mayor Maxwell called the regularly scheduled Anacortes City Council meeting of April 4, 2011 to order. Roll call found present: Nick Petrish, 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. Petrish moved, seconded by Mr. Geer, that the minutes of March 21, 2011 be approved as if read. Vote: Ayes— Pickett, Adams, Turner, Richardson, Geer and Petrish. Motion carried. Citizen Hearings Dan O'Donnell, 328 North 3rd, La Conner, asked to address the last item on the agenda. Mayor Maxwell advised that the Citizen Hearings were limited to items not already on the agenda. Mr. O'Donnell requested the names of the councilmembers on the utilities committee. The mayor said he would supply them the following day. Mayor/Council Communication Proclamation: Arbor Day Mayor Maxwell proclaimed April 13, 2011 as the celebration of Arbor Day in Anacortes. He announced that the City would be planting a tree at Causland Park and that the City's 10-year award as a Tree City USA had recently arrived. National Healthcare Decisions Day Mayor Maxwell announced two free upcoming workshops on health care and living wills, the first at McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon on April 16 and the second at the Anacortes Senior Activity Center on April 26. He provided contact information for both events. Anacortes and Local National Guard Unit Partner for Community Clean-Up (April 9) Mayor Maxwell announced that the local national guard unit is partnering with Anacortes Parks on trail clean up in the ACFL from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. He said more than 20 citizen-soldiers, veterans and City employees will be working together and he invited community members to help as well. Proclamation: Energy Stewardship in Honor of Earth Day Mayor Maxwell read a proclamation committing Anacortes to community leadership in the responsible use of natural resources and to fiscal responsibility in the use of energy, challenging City employees to continue efforts to be Good Energy Stewards in honor of Earth Day 2011 and offering special recognition to individuals and City departments that are most successful at reducing energy utility usage necessary for daily operations. Mayor Maxwell reported that the combined Kiwanis Clubs of Anacortes joined in a clean-up effort the past Saturday at Kiwanis Waterfront Park where they weeded, spread bark, and removed invasive non-native plants. The mayor also thanked the many volunteers who have been working so hard at Volunteer Park. Unfinished Business: Interview Finalists for Ward 3 City Council Seat Mayor Maxwell asked finalists John Archibald and Eric Johnson to come forward to answer four questions in an order determined by coin flip. 1) Why is this a good time in your career to hold an elected office, specifically a City Council position? Mr. Johnson responded that the Anacortes Family Center recently held a board retreat addressing how the board should work with the new executive director and that he expected to have more free time to devote to City Council now. Anacortes City Council Minutes April 4, 2011 1 Mr. Archibald responded that he joined the Board of Adjustment a couple of years prior to learn how the City runs. He added that when he started his business five years ago he told himself he'd give it five years and then get more involved and that anniversary recently occurred. 2) What is it like to work with you and how would others describe your leadership style? Mr. Archibald responded that he is a good listener, very easy to get along with, plays devils advocate and can see both sides of issues, has had the opportunity to work with lots of different groups of people and learned that everyone has strengths and weaknesses and needs to get along. Mr. Johnson responded that he is a good listener, is able to build coalitions on projects that people thought were undoable, and that rather than saying follow me he invites people to move forward together. 3) What would you like to accomplish during the first 90 days in office? Mr. Johnson responded that in the Air Force he had a new job every three years and it took about 90 days each time to catch up, find out what's going on, find out who the players are, learn the background of the issues, and determine what is in the realm of the doable, what is actually achievable. Mr. Archibald responded that he would get to know all the councilmembers, learn how the thought process works, learn their philosophies, and also focus on connecting with people in the ward and finding out what their needs and concerns are and building relationships. 4) Regardless of whether you are appointed to this position, is it your intent to file to run for office for the Ward 3 position later this year? Mr. Archibald responded yes, that was his long range plan two years ago when he joined the Board of Adjustment. Mr. Johnson responded yes, after all the training he gains during this short term he owes it to the ward and the City to pay that back. Executive Session: Review Qualifications of Candidates for Appointment to Elective Office At approximately 7:45 p.m. Mayor Maxwell announced that he and councilmembers would convene in executive session for approximately fifteen minutes to evaluate the qualifications of the candidates for appointment to elective office. Appointment of Ward 3 City Council Member Mayor Maxwell called the meeting back to order at approximately 8:02 p.m. He expressed appreciation to all nine candidates who applied for the position, explained that City Council asked two of those back to interview this evening and then asked councilmembers, by show of hands, to indicate which candidate they supported. Mr. Petrish, Mrs. Pickett, Mr. Turner and Mrs. Richardson indicated support for Mr. Johnson. Mr. Adams and Mr. Geer indicated support for Mr. Archibald. Mr. Turner moved, seconded by Mrs. Richardson, to appoint Eric Johnson to the vacant Ward 3 City Council position. Vote: Ayes— Adams, Turner, Richardson, Geer, Petrish and Pickett. Motion carried. Mayor Maxwell thanked Mr. Archibald for his work on the Board of Adjustment and in the community with the Boys and Girls Club and other groups and urged him to continue with leadership roles in the future. Mr. Archibald thanked the mayor and Council for the opportunity to apply and said he will continue his public service. Oath of Office: Ward 3 City Council Member City Clerk Steve Hoglund administered the oath of office to Eric Johnson. Mr. Johnson then joined the councilmembers on the dais. Mr. Adams suggested that Mr. Johnson abstain from voting at this meeting since he had not been able to study the packet materials in advance. Mayor Maxwell agreed that Mr. Johnson could abstain on any issue if he felt it appropriate to do so. Consent Agenda Mrs. Richardson asked to remove Items (d), (e) and (f) regarding street fair applications from the Consent Agenda. Anacortes City Council Minutes April 4, 2011 2 Mr. Turner moved, seconded by Mr. Adams, to approve the following three Consent Agenda items. Vote: Ayes—Turner, Richardson, Geer, Johnson, Petrish, Pickett and Adams. Motion carried. Approval of Vouchers/Cancellation of Warrants Council voted unanimously that the following vouchers/warrants audited and certified by the City's Auditing Officer (Finance Director) and subsequently reviewed and approved by the Council Finance Committee on March 24, 2011 and March 31, 2011 are approved for payment as of this date April 4, 2011. Claims Warrants March 2011: Warrant Numbers 59669 through 59847 in the total amount of$3,118,894.01 EFT March 2011: Warrant Numbers 59666 through 59668 in the total amount of$322.00 Prewritten Claims March 2011: Warrant Numbers 59664 through 59665 in the total amount of$3,650.00 Cancellation of Warrants March 2011: Warrant Number 58708 in the total amount of$13.32 March 2011: Warrant Number 58718 in the total amount of$84.07 March 2011: Warrant Number 56344 in the total amount of$3,680.00 March 2011: Warrant Number 59429 in the total amount of$25.00 March 2011: Warrant Number 55425 in the total amount of$400.00 March 2011: Warrant Number 59372 in the total amount of$21.63 In the same motion Council: • accepted as complete the Ship Harbor Trail— Phase I contract with Northwest Trails, Inc. (10- 013-TRN-001); and • authorized the Mayor to sign the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Decision for the shoreline substantial development permit application for the Port of Anacortes Pier 2 Stormwater Project. Mrs. Richardson asked for clarification on exactly which streets would be closed for the Garden Art Fair because the application was contradictory. The Mayor and Public Works Director Fred Buckenmeyer advised that the closure in question would be R Avenue from 5th Street to 7th Street. Mr. Buckenmeyer said to strike the reference to the Farmer's Market. Mrs. Richardson also asked why the applications for the Waterfront Festival and the Oyster Run did not include certificates of liability insurance. Mr. Buckenmeyer assured that both events would provide insurance. Mrs. Richardson moved, seconded by Mr. Turner, to approve the following three street fair applications. Vote: Ayes— Richardson, Geer, Johnson, Petrish, Pickett, Adams and Turner. Motion carried. • Garden Art Fair on April 30 and May 1, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; • Anacortes Waterfront Festival on May 21, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and May 22, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and • Oyster Run on September 25, 2011 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Review/Approve 2011/2012 Action Plan Senior Planner Libby Grage introduced the one-year Action Plan for the 2011/12 CDBG fund allocation. She stated that the City has to hold two public meetings each year to obtain citizen input and respond to proposals and questions. The first meeting on February 2, 2011 opened the 30-day public comment period. The second meeting being held this evening is to respond to proposals and questions and to review and approve the funding distribution. Ms. Grage said City received no public comments except Anacortes City Council Minutes April 4, 2011 3 minor corrections from councilmembers which have been incorporated into the Plan. All applications received during the open application period of December 1, 2010 through January 31, 2011 were considered. Staff recommends approval of $15,000 to Skagit County Community Action Agency (SCCAA) for public services, $38,000 for storm drain installation in the lower Cap Sante neighborhood, and $80,000 for playground renovation at the 28th Street playground. Ms. Grage asked Council to close the comment period, approve the recommendations for funding and approve forwarding the 2011/2012 Action Plan to HUD. Mrs. Richardson so moved, seconded by Mrs. Pickett. Vote: Ayes—Geer, Johnson, Petrish, Pickett, Adams, Turner and Richardson. Motion carried. Annual Surplus of Vehicles and Equipment Public Works Director Fred Buckenmeyer presented a list of 24 vehicles and other equipment ranging from cars to weed whackers which staff is requesting that Council declare surplus. Mr. Buckenmeyer said all the items on the list have served well past their useful lives. Mayor Maxwell advised that surplus equipment will be auctioned on line at governmentsurplus.com so anyone can bid. Mr. Petrish inquired about the year and mileage of the vehicles. Mr. Buckenmeyer said he would provide that information in the future. Mr. Geer asked if the surplus process is the same as last year. Mayor Maxwell said the City used to send surplus vehicles to Murphy's auction but the on-line auction has lower fees and buyers transport the items. Mr. Turner moved, seconded by Mr. Geer, to declare the listed items surplus and to authorize their sale by the most beneficial method. Vote: Ayes—Johnson, Petrish, Pickett, Adams, Turner, Richardson and Geer. Motion carried. Contract Award: North Texas Road Waterline Consultant Services through Construction of Phase II (Gray& Osborne) Mr. Buckenmeyer presented a consultant agreement with Gray& Osborne for consultant services for Phase II of the North Texas Road waterline which will be constructed by Jennings Northwest this year. Mr. Buckenmeyer said Gray& Osborne designed the project and has worked on many other projects for the City over the years including the recent trestle repair structural design. He said the contract is a typical scope of services for similar projects including submittal review, permitting, and record drawings. Mr. Buckenmeyer recommended approval of the agreement for actual hours not to exceed $46,350. Mr. Turner asked if there will also be City staff monitoring the project. Mr. Buckenmeyer clarified that the City is performing construction management, inspection and contract management in house and that Gray & Osborne will be consulting on design-related tasks. Mrs. Richardson called the proposed contract very appropriate and moved, seconded by Mr. Turner, to approve the consultant service agreement with Gray &Osborne for an amount not to exceed $46,350. Vote: Ayes— Petrish, Pickett, Adams, Turner, Richardson, Geer and Johnson. Motion carried. Ordinance: Adopting Regional Water Rates Mr. Buckenmeyer said the City revises water rates every three years for regional customers based on projected operating and capital costs and customer volume commitments. Due to the significance of the Water Treatment Plant project costs legal counsel at Foster Pepper recommended adopting the 2011-2013 rates by ordinance so that they become part of the municipal code. This gives the City more options if it should need to enforce the water contracts. Mr. Buckenmeyer requested one revision: on Page 5, the period of the water charges for each of the six contracts should be changed to begin March 1, 2011 rather than February 1, 2011. Mr. Turner reminded the audience that these rates have been discussed extensively in committee and said he is thankful the City is able to undertake the WTP upgrade to ensure a safe and steady supply of water. Mr. Turner moved, seconded by Mr. Geer, to adopt Ordinance 2851 relating to the City water utility and water supply system, setting rates and charges pursuant to water supply agreements with certain regional wholesale and industrial customers, amending Chapters 13.20 and 13.32 Anacortes Municipal Code, and ratifying and confirming prior acts. Mrs. Richardson asked if the motion included Mr. Buckenmeyer's revision of the dates on pages 5 and 6 of the proposed ordinance. Mr. Turner and Mr. Geer both agreed. Vote: Ayes— Pickett, Adams, Turner, Richardson, Geer, Johnson and Petrish. Motion carried. There being no further business, at approximately 8:30 p.m. Mayor Maxwell adjourned the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of April 4, 2011. Anacortes City Council Minutes April 4, 2011 4