HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-23 City Council Minutes Approved City Council Minutes—December 23,2019
Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of December 23,2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers Eric Johnson,Ryan Walters,Brad Adams, Carolyn Moulton and Bruce McDougall were
present. Councilmembers Anthony Young and Matt Miller were absent.
Announcements and Committee Reports
Board and Commission Appointments: Mayor Gere announced her appointment of Darlene Klister to the
Anacortes Arts Commission for a term effective January 1,2020 until December 31, 2021.
Mayor Gere requested Council confirmation of the following appointments and reappointments:
•Sarah Reuther to the Planning Commission for a term effective January 1, 2020 until December 31,2025
•Mike Cortright to the Planning Commission for a term effective January 1, 2020 until December 31, 2023
•Nick Stowe to the Forest Advisory Board for a term effective January 1,2020 until November 30,2023
•Richard Storwick to the Anacortes Housing Authority for a term effective January 1,2020 until
December 31, 2025
Mayor Gere recommended that Council reappoint Bunny Heiner to the Anacortes Historic Preservation Board
for a term effective January 1, 2020 until December 31, 2022.
Mr. Johnson moved, seconded by Mr. Adams,to confirm all the appointments as presented. The motion carried
unanimously by voice vote.
Confirmation of Human Resources Director: Mayor Gere requested confirmation of her appointment of Vanessa
Bronsema as Human Resources Director effective January 1,2020. The mayor summarized Ms. Bronsema's
qualifications as detailed in the packet materials for the meeting.
Mr. Johnson moved, seconded by Ms.Moulton,to confirm the appointment of Vanessa Bronsema as Human
Resources Director. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Mayor Gere thanked Administrative Services Director Emily Schuh for her nearly 20 years of service as Human
Resources Director.
Public Comment
Doug Thurber demonstrated a reusable woven shopping tote made entirely of single use plastic bags,then
demonstrated the convenience of carrying the thicker 2.25 mil plastic bags allowed under the new plastic bag
ordinance. Mr. Thurber next displayed photos of a car bearing a large number of stickers and slogans which he
said demonstrated the connection between the anti-war symbol used in a Parks&Recreation promotional flyer
earlier in the year and liberal political opinion. In closing,Mr. Thurber said he hoped the city could renegotiate
the height of the proposed 5-story building behind Starbucks to a lower level.
Ben Marshall, 8th Street, a senior at Anacortes High School,thanked Council for the recently adopted plastic bag
ban but said we need to take the next step and accept the truth of global climate change and recognize it as an
emergency. Mr. Marshall asked Council to make a municipal declaration of a climate emergency in January. Mr.
Marshall noted that a draft resolution to that effect had been submitted to councilmembers for consideration.
Marie Burnett,2026 M Avenue,read from her prepared remarks on the topic of climate and environmental
emergency. Her comments were added to the packet materials for the meeting. Ms. Burnett said that declaring a
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climate and environmental emergency was a natural next step towards becoming a clean city and continuing to
lead in Washington state.
Julia Frisbee,4001 West 4th Street,read from her prepared remarks urging Council to declare a climate
emergency at the municipal level. Her comments were added to the packet materials for the meeting.
Allie Perez, 2218 32nd Street, a junior at Anacortes High School,read from her prepared remarks expressing her
fear about the future in the face of climate change. Her comments were added to the packet materials for the
meeting. Ms. Perez urged Council to take immediate action.
Mr. Walters expressed his support for the draft Resolution Declaring a Climate Emergency that had been
submitted by Extinction Rebellion prior to the meeting. He requested that it be added to a City Council agenda
early in 2020.
Mike Pearl read from his prepared remarks expressing community displeasure for the proposed 65'tall
apartment house project at 18th Street and 0 Avenue and the possibility to challenge the so called"Bonus
Height Ordinance."His comments were added to the packet materials for the meeting.
Consent Agenda
Mr. Adams moved, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
a.Minutes of December 16,2019
b. Approval of Claims in the amount of: $563,611.27
c. Interlocal Modification:NPDES Phase II Public Outreach and Education with Skagit Conservation
District#20-012-STM-001
d. Interlocal Agreement:Use of Whatcom County Plantation Rifle Range 2020#20-011-APD-001
e. Interlocal Agreement: Mutual Assistance on Minor Projects with City of Oak Harbor#19-199-ENG-001
f. Interlocal Agreement: Student Card Program with the Anacortes School District#19-201-LIB-001
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 95668 through 95716,total$330,088.65
Check numbers: 95667 and 95717 through 95759,total$192,915.38
Wire transfer numbers: 260666 through 260985,total$39,339.65
OTHER BUSINESS
Oath of Office: City Councilmembers Ryan Walters,Christine Cleland-McGrath,Jeremy Carter and
Carolyn Moulton
City Clerk Steve Hoglund administered the oath of office to incoming City Councilmembers Ryan Walters,
Christine Cleland-McGrath,Jeremy Carter and Carolyn Moulton for their terms beginning on January 1,2020.
Honor Outgoing Councilmembers Brad Adams and Eric Johnson
Mayor Gere honored outgoing councilmembers Brad Adams and Eric Johnson whose terms expired
December 31,2019.
Mr. Adams shared his thoughts on his 20 years on the Council. He thanked his colleagues and community
members for sharing the work of making Anacortes a great place. Mr. Adams passed a symbolic baton to
Christine Cleland-McGrath who had been elected to represent Ward 2 beginning January 1,2020.
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Mr. Johnson shared his thoughts on his eight years in office offered his thanks to his colleagues on the dais and
to city staff. He praised the Council's efforts to arrive and consensus solutions,noting that working together is a
strength of this town. Mr. Johnson passed his City pin to Jeremy Carter who had been elected to represent Ward
3 beginning January 1, 2020.
Mayor Gere thanked Mr. Adams and Mr. Johnson for their leadership and presented them with plaques
commemorating their service on the Council.
There being no further business,at approximately 6:45 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of
December 23,2019 was adjourned. Mayor Gere invited the public to join the councilmembers at a reception in
the chambers immediately following the meeting.
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