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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-02 City Council Minutes ApprovedAnacortes City Council Minutes - March 2, 2026 1 Anacortes City Council Minutes - March 2, 2026 Call to Order Mayor Ryan Walters called to order the March 2, 2026, Anacortes City Council meeting at 6:02 p.m. Councilmembers Marcia Hunt, Luke Currier, Anthony Young, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton, Bruce McDougall and TJ Fantini were present. Pledge of Allegiance The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance. Announcements and Committee Reports Mayor Walters announced that this Friday, March 6th, is "Dress in Blue Day" in observance of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, that there would be a Parks and Recreation Open House at 6pm on March 10th at the Senior Activity Center, and that project information can be found on the city's website. Finance Committee Ms. Hunt reported from the Finance Committee meeting held February 26th. The topics discussed included a preview of the budget and capital facilities amendments coming up on tonight's agenda and possible courses of action the council could take and January revenue figures for retail sales tax, utility tax, and real estate excise tax. The committee also discussed the near-term schedule for the Tyler enterprise resource planning software implementation, enhanced reporting tools to provide departments with intuitive means of monitoring expenditures versus budget, procedures for councilmembers to question individual expenditures on the voucher list, and that the committee would continue to meet the second and fourth Thursday of each month. Public Works Committee Mr. Fantini reported from the Public Works Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The topics discussed included a presentation on the alternatives' analysis for the Wastewater Treatment Plant that will come before the council, after which a form will be provided to the council to provide goals and aspirations for the plant moving forward that would inform a council work session on that topic to be held within the next month. Mr. Young mentioned that he, Mr. Currier and Mr. Fantini attended the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County Economic Forum, where they received a presentation on the regional economic outlook. Mayor Walters added that on April 6th he would provide the State of the City address prior to the regular meeting and on April 13th the council would have a work session where each department director will provide an update on work over the last quarter and plans for the coming year. Public Comment Mayor Walters invited the public to comment on any item not on the agenda. Public comment was given as follows: Linda Martin of Ward 3 in Anacortes asked about liability related to a homeowners' association making sidewalk repairs independent of the city. Consent Agenda Mr. Fantini removed Item 5.f., Contract Award: 2026 Anacortes Community Action Office & Care Specialist #26-096-PLN-001, from the Consent Agenda. Mr. McDougall moved, seconded by Mr. Young, to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion Anacortes City Council Minutes - March 2, 2026 2 carried unanimously by voice vote. a. Minutes of February 23, 2026 b. Approval of claims in the amount of $364,503.75 The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment: EFT numbers: 114969 through 115002, total $245,294.83 Check numbers: 115003 through 115022, total $118,666.31 Wire transfer numbers: 385026 & 385051, total $542.61 c. Special Event: Anacortes Waterfront Festival Car Shows d. Contract Award: Fiber Network Infill Project #26-105-FBR-001 e. Contract Award: Downtown Anacortes Alliance 2026 Downtown Beautification and Main Street Support #26-095-PLN-001 g. Contract Award: EvidenceOnQ - Evidence Management Software Subscription #25-266-APD-001 h. Special Event: Open Streets i. Special Event: Uncorked Contract Award: 2026 Anacortes Community Action Office & Care Specialist #26-096-PLN-001 Mr. Fantini asked about the expected duration of funding related to the Office and Care Specialist position. Mayor Walters responded that it was not intended to be temporary, but that it is only ever a one-year agreement. Mr. Young added that this funding is related to the organization having an office in Anacortes to better serve the community. Ms. Moulton remarked that the contract requires the Community Action staff to come before the council to report on what un-duplicated services they are providing to the community that increases accessibility and awareness of available programs to the local community. City Attorney Darcy Swetnam added that it was a pilot program that commenced in 2023. Mr. Fantini moved, seconded by Mr. Young, to approve the 2026 Anacortes Community Action Office & Care Specialist #26-096-PLN-001. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Other Business Interlocal Agreement 26-092-PRK-001 with Port of Anacortes for the 4th of July Fireworks Display Contribution Parks and Recreation Director Jonn Lunsford introduced the proposed interlocal agreement 26-092-PRK-001 with the Port of Anacortes for the 4th of July fireworks display, referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Mayor Walters added that the Parks Foundation will accept donations for the event. Anthony Young moved, seconded by TJ Fantini, to authorize the mayor to execute interlocal agreement 26-092- PRK-001 with the Port of Anacortes. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Interlocal Agreement 26-109-APD-001 with Port of Anacortes for the Police Vessel Moorage Police Chief Dave Floyd introduced proposed interlocal agreement 26-109-APD-001 with the Port of Anacortes for police vessel moorage, remarking that the agreement is structured like the Fire Department boat moorage agreement with the port. He added that the port would benefit from increased public safety presence at the marina and consultations between police officers and port staff on how to more safely interact with individuals at the facility. He added that electricity costs are approximately $15 per month, and that the slip will be available once a derelict boat has been moved within the next week. Bruce McDougall moved, seconded by Carolyn Moulton, to authorize the mayor to execute interlocal 26-109- APD-001 with the Port of Anacortes. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Ordinance 5023: First Quarter Budget Amendment & Ordinance 5024: Amending the Capital Facilities Plan Anacortes City Council Minutes - March 2, 2026 3 Finance Director Steve Hoglund introduced Ordinance 5023 that would enact a first quarter budget amendment and Ordinance 5024 that would add several projects to the 2026 Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) that were started in 2025 and are not yet complete, referring to a slide presentations that were included in the packet materials for the meeting and a real estate excise tax (REET) projection slide that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. The projects included pedestrian crossings on Q Avenue between 11th Street and 13th Street, the Tommy Thompson Trail and T Avenue, 32nd Street at Storvik Park, and D Avenue and 23rd Street. The budget amendment would also provide a separate line item for tracking in-house equipment repairs due to a higher insurance deductible for 2026. He added that there is a two-week comment period requirement with a public hearing scheduled for the regular March 16th meeting for these amendments. Discussion topics included: • The components of REET. • Real estate market conditions and impact on REET revenues. • Change from real estate excise tax to grant funding for the 32nd Street at Storvik Park crossing project. • The 2025 REET for these projects was put back into the fund for 2026, and the council must approve the rollover. • New CFP software will allow staff and the council to plan more effectively for the future. • The city does not currently have adequate funding for the South Commercial Avenue project even with state grant funding. • The public can submit comments on the proposed amendment via the city website. • The CFP can only be amended with a public comment period. • South Commercial Avenue should be the first project to be considered. • A need to understand the priorities of the new mayor and public works director at the next public works committee meeting. • REET budget deficits are a projection and will be adjusted if necessary. • The budget situation allows the council to reconsider priorities and find innovative ideas for positive change. • Council options for changing the amended budget amount or the capital facilities plan. • Grant funds timing and their effect on long term planning and budgeting. Mayor Walters invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item. No one present wished to address the Council. Contract Award: Pedestrian Crossing Improvements #25-087-TRN-002 Public Works Director Logan Lee introduced proposed contract #25-087-TRN-002 with E & E Contracting to perform the new pedestrian crossing improvements project at T Avenue and Tommy Thompson Trail and D Avenue and 23rd Street, referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Discussion topics included: • Example of responsible infrastructure spending. • Under the engineer's estimate. Carolyn Moulton moved, seconded by TJ Fantini, to authorize the mayor to sign contract 25-087-TRN-002 with E&E Contracting. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Contract Award: Q Avenue Pedestrian Crossings #24-018-TRN-002 Anacortes City Council Minutes - March 2, 2026 4 Public Works Director Logan Lee introduced proposed contract #24-018-TRN-002 with Earthwork Solutions, LLC to perform the Q Avenue Pedestrian Crossings, referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Discussion topics included: • There will be a direct connection of the crosswalk at the 12th Street exit from Safeway to the Tommy Thompson trail for bicycles and pedestrians. TJ Fantini moved, seconded by Luke Currier, to authorize the mayor to execute contract 24-018-TRN-002 with Earthwork Solutions. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Adjournment There being no further business, at approximately 7:06 pm the Anacortes City Council meeting of March 2, 2026, was adjourned.