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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-26 City Council Minutes Approved OSS Y Off' Council Study Session Minutes—April 26, 2010 At 7:30 p.m. Mayor Maxwell called the regularly scheduled study session of April 26, 2010 to order. Councilors Kevin McKeown, Nick Petrish, Erica Pickett, Brad Adams, Bill Turner, Cynthia Richardson and Brian Geer were present. Anacortes Hospital Presentation Mayor Maxwell announced that this agenda item had been postponed to a future date. San Juan Passage NGPE Update Parks Director Gary Robinson reminded those present that the Parks Department had been working with Gilbane Company on the view clearing in the native vegetation buffer along the bluff edge at San Juan Passage. Mr. Robinson introduced Parks and Forestlands Manager Jonn Lunsford who showed slides of the building lots before any clearing was done and then after the selective clearing in the NGPE. Mr. Lunsford reported that Parks staff met on site with Gilbane staff and consultants at the beginning of the process to clarify expectations. Subsequently Parks staff measured alders on site to identify the 8-inch diameter or greater trees at the edges of the building lots to retain. Gilbane hired Dan Olson as their certified arborist who skillfully performed the tree trimming as directed by Mr. Lunsford and Mr. Vaux. Mr. Lunsford demonstrated that view corridors have now been established in front of the building lots for the enjoyment of the future homeowners as well as the general public while also maintaining some sizable trees for diversity, allowing more light into the understory and maintaining native plants and seed stock in the Native Growth Protection Easement. Mr. Lunsford reported that Gilbane has planted hundreds of additional native understory plants from 4th Corner Nursery. Gilbane also hired biologist Jim Wiggins of ATSI to recommend plants and planting strategies to maintain and enhance wildlife habitat in the NGPE. Mr. Lunsford called the operation very successful and said it was a model that could be used on future projects to maintain integrity of an NGPE while allowing developers to enhance their lots. He thanked Gilbane for acting as a willing and cooperative partner in the process. Mr. Lunsford then thanked and introduced Bob Vaux who served as the third party consultant hired by Gilbane to monitor the clearing on the City's behalf. Mr. Vaux underscored that the process and goals that Council, Gilbane and staff envisioned have been achieved. He said the NGPE has been protected which preserves habitat for the flora and fauna and enhances the value of the building lots. He applauded the care taken by Gilbane and its consultants to preserve the health of the standing trees and the surviving understory. Mr. Vaux noted that the NGPE also enhances the experience along the Guemes Channel trail and buffers the trail from the future houses and vice versa. Mr. Vaux called the process a positive experience that moved expeditiously for the developer. Mr. McKeown asked what the public feedback has been. Mr. Vaux said the people he has talked to have been very positive. Mr. McKeown agreed that this is a good model for future projects. Mr. Robinson noted that Mr. Lunsford, Mr. Vaux and George Borque of Gilbane worked deliberately to build a successful working relationship and bring about the desired results. Mr. Robinson also complimented Gilbane on the attractive path and park it has built that connects to the Guemes Channel Trail. Mr. Adams thanked Mr. Lunsford for the careful oversight of the operation and asked if any of the large maple trees were retained in the NGPE. Mr. Lunsford replied that the maples on the slope were retained but the few up on top of the narrow bank had to be removed. Mr. Adams asked if the view clearing was a one-time event or if it would have to be repeated. Mr. Lunsford said that in the future the homeowners will work with the City once every three years for permission to maintain the view corridors that have been established at this point. Roundabout Sculpture Kathy Clarke, co-chair of the Anacortes Arts Commission, presented the plans for artwork at the new SR20/Commercial Avenue roundabout. She reported that a committee of Arts Commission and community members was formed to gather input and raise funds. The committee agreed it would be most productive to go out for proposals from artists, select a piece of artwork and/or an artist, and then work to raise the funds to acquire the art. Ms. Clarke referenced the draft Request for Qualifications/Proposals in Anacortes City Council Study Session Minutes April 26, 2010 1 the Council packet and said the call to artists will go out widely throughout the region. The recommendation of the Selection Jury would come back to the Arts Commission and then to Council for approval. Mr. Turner asked if the artist will be given any direction on the size, theme, etc. Ms. Clarke said the artists will be given the site specifications but the goal is for the selected artist to bring his or her creativity to the project. Mr. Robinson then reviewed with Council the draft RFQ and solicited feedback. Mr. Robinson noted that the artwork might not be a single sculpture in the center of the roundabout but could involve pieces dispersed around the intersection. He said the project has received $10K from the Anacortes Arts Festival and will also solicit City and private funds towards the budget of $40,000-$70,000. Mr. Robinson explained that as is customary for public art projects of this size, the Selection Jury will narrow the pool to three artists, then pay them each $500 to develop more detailed proposals. The timeline envisions installation in early 2011. To keep the focus local the jury will include representatives from the City, the Anacortes Arts Festival, and the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce as well as artists from Anacortes, Fidalgo/Guemes Islands, Skagit Valley and a regional artist. Mr. Turner expressed support for adding art to the roundabout and urged that the art reflect the history of the city from native Americans through fishing, logging, etc. He suggested expanding the funded proposal pool beyond three if required to get the best art possible. Mr. Petrish asked how the call to artists will be published. Mr. Robinson said the Commission has an extensive database of artists who have replied to prior calls and will also post the RFQ on well known art websites. Mrs. Richardson praised the draft RFQ because it allows for artists to submit either an existing piece or a commissioned piece. She recalled 36- 38 submittals being received for the loaned sculpture project. Mr. McKeown asked if the goal is to have an artist from the Northwest. Mr. Robinson said yes, the RFQ is open to artists from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska or British Columbia. Mr. McKeown volunteered to serve on the jury. Mr. Petrish expressed concern about selecting a Canadian artist. Mayor Maxwell expressed support for soliciting proposals from artists throughout Cascadia. Mr. Turner reminded that the 1855 economic boom locally was created by the gold rush in the Frazier River valley so Anacortes does have historical connections to British Columbia. Mr. McKeown agreed with Mr. Turner. Mrs. Pickett pointed out that inviting participation from British Columbian artists fits in with the recent naming of the Salish Sea which spans the U.S./Canadian border. Mayor Maxwell thanked Ms. Clarke, Courtney Orrock, Mr. Robinson and the rest of the Arts Commission for their work on this project. Trestle Update Mayor Maxwell reported that truss installation would likely be completed the next day and that Nels Strandberg is mobilizing to place the joists and decking over the next few weeks. He said an official opening date will be announced soon and will likely include the raising of the Samish healing pole. There being no further business, at approximately 8:05 p.m. Mayor Maxwell adjourned the regularly scheduled study session of April 26, 2010. Anacortes City Council Study Session Minutes April 26, 2010 2