HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-04 City Council Minutes Approved City Council Minutes—February 4,2019
At 6:00 p.m. Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the regular Anacortes City Council meeting of
February 4,2019. Councilmembers Eric Johnson,Ryan Walters,Anthony Young,Brad Adams,Liz Lovelett,
Bruce McDougall and Matt Miller were present. The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcements and Committee Reports
Public Works Committee: Mr. Adams reported from the committee meeting earlier in the evening. He
elaborated on topics discussed including fiber optic-based leak detection technology that would be presented to
Council for consideration at its next regular meeting,new earthquake warning"shake alert"technology being
piloted but the U.S.G.S. that could help staff prepare infrastructure for immanent seismic events,a potential
acquisition of property north of the Water Treatment Plant to allow for future expansion, and sewer rate
increases discussed in principle by Council in November 2018 that would be coming back to Council for
consideration and action at regular meetings in the near future.
Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee: Mr. Johnson reported that the draft Human
Services Strategic Plan would soon be posted city's website. He summarized the highlights of the committee's
recommendations in the plan for taking a more holistic approach to allocating spending for human services.
Those recommendations include amending the 2016 Comprehensive Plan to include a Human Services Element
and establishing an Anacortes Human Services Commission; initiating a Community Needs Assessment, and
establishing strategic priorities. Mr. Johnson described the ongoing research into measures of human services
spending by similarly sized cities. He also explained the concept of decriminalizing homelessness and said that
topic would initially be addressed at the Public Safety Committee meeting the following day. Finally Mr.
Johnson said that the draft plan calls for initiating a public/private partnership to fund a Community Resource
navigator and invited Ms. Lovelett to address that subject. Ms. Lovelett contrasted human services spending the
City had already committed to, including pass through CDBG funds,with new potential general fund
expenditures for human services to achieve some target level to be determined. She also recalled that during the
2019/2020 biennial budget discussion Council had discussed budgeting general fund dollars equal to the amount
of administrative cost allocated in the CDBG grant(roughly$17-20K) and dedicating that amount to provide
partial salary and benefits for an employee to staff a community services center for which the Anacortes Family
Center had already reserved space. Ms. Lovelett noted that in spite of general support for the notion,no funds
had been included in the budget. She urged her colleagues to find that$20K and amend the 2019 budget to
include it for a pilot year during which metrics for effectiveness would be developed.
Mayor Gere invited Parks and Recreation Director Jonn Lunsford to report on winter storm impacts at
Washington Park. Mr. Lunsford reported that a steel piling failed and the boat launch float broke free during the
high winds and swell earlier in the day. He said city staff had retrieved and secured the float but that the boat
launch would be closed until further notice. Mr. Lunsford advised that staff was working with state and federal
agencies to expedite permitting to replace the float and the pilings if necessary. He alerted Council that this
would significantly hasten the need for dock repairs that had been envisioned for later in the year. Ms. Lovelett
urged a media campaign to alert the public to the launch closure including press releases to the Anacortes
American and the Skagit Valley Herald. Mr. Lunsford said he would keep the public updated as information
became available. Mr. Johnson confirmed with Mr. Lunsford that the city would pursue any available insurance
coverage and state funding to help cover the cost of the repairs. Mr. Miller reminded that the Army Corps of
Engineers does offer emergency permitting options. Mayor Gere acknowledged Parks Maintenance staff Jim
Rains for retrieving and securing the float.
Mayor Gere reported that Thursday evening and all day Friday seven Norwegian businesses had visited
Anacortes on a regional tour and that two of those companies were very interested in business opportunities in
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Anacortes. Mayor Gere also reported that on Saturday F/VAmerica's Finest was dedicated at Dakota Creek
Industries following successful waiver of the Jones Act.
Public Comment
Ward MacKenzie, 1302 7th Street, asked about the fiber optic business plan which he had been unable to locate
on the city website. Specifically,Mr. MacKenzie asked if the impacts of the development of 5G wireless had
been incorporated into the fiber optic business plan. He noted the potential opportunity to sell fiber capacity to
the phone companies and also the potential business risk if phone companies built out their own infrastructure
for high speed connectivity. Mr. McDougall acknowledged that both of those questions were central to the
business plan that was currently under development. He advised that the committee envisioned that the plan
would be finalized soon in conjunction with the fiber manager being hired. Mr. McDougall discussed in more
detail the revenue opportunity and competitive risk involved with 5G technology, likely timing of adoption of
that technology locally, and the service advantages that would make the city's fiber utility attractive to
customers even in the context of 5G.
Consent Agenda
Ms. Lovelett moved, seconded by Mr. Johnson,to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
Mr. Young commented that he looked forward to the upcoming discussion of the revised purchasing policy and
asked that councilmembers be given an opportunity to review the draft policy before the meeting. Mayor Gere
assured Mr. Young that the policy would be included in the packet materials for the meeting at which it would
be considered.
a. Minutes of January 28, 2019
b.Approval of Claims in the amount of: $154,938.07
c. Contract Award: 2019 Waterline Replacement Project 19-001-WTR-001
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 92087 through 92111,total$36,607.93
Check numbers: 92086 and 92112 through 92138,total $101,801.01
Wire transfer numbers: 244387 through 244523,total $20,120.52
There being no further business,at approximately 6:25 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of February 4,
2019 was adjourned.
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