HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-16 City Council Minutes Approved City Council Minutes—March 16,2020
Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of March 16,2020 at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers Ryan Walters, Carolyn Moulton and Matt Miller were present. Councilmember Christine
Cleland-McGrath participated in the meeting in absentia via telephone.
The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Walters moved, seconded by Ms. Moulton,to suspend City Council Rule of Procedure 4.3 in order to allow
more than two councilmembers to participate in the meeting in absentia. The motion carried unanimously by
voice vote.
Mayor Gere read a statement updating the community on the COVID-19 epidemic and the city's response to
ensure provision of essential services in spite of facility closures.
City Attorney Darcy Swetnam introduced Resolution 2082 which introduced streamlined processes to allow the
city to respond to the COVID-19 epidemic. Ms. Swetnam reported on the mayor's proclamation of emergency
earlier in the day. She then reviewed each section of the proposed resolution. Councilmembers discussed various
sections of the resolution with Ms. Swetnam and considered alternatives to the language presented.
Mr. Walters moved, seconded by Mr. Miller,to adopt Resolution 2082 with two changes from the version
presented:
•Section 3B: Insert"and",thus"Council and committee meetings may be held
telephonically ..."
•Section 5: Suspend the ban on plastic bags indefinitely.
Vote: Ayes—Walters,Cleland-McGrath,Moulton and Miller. Motion carried.
Announcements and Committee Reports
Thompson Family Statement regarding Thompson Train: Museum Director Bret Lunsford read into the record a
statement from Headen Thompson in response to the discussion regarding the Thomas G. Thompson, Jr. train,
which took place at the Anacortes City Council meeting on Monday,March 9,2020. Mr. Thompson's letter was
added to the packet materials for the meeting. Mayor Gere then read into the record a letter from Anne
Thompson in response to the same Council discussion. Ms. Thompson's letter was added to the packet materials
for the meeting. Both letters supported transferring ownership of the train to Mr. Bret Iwan.
Port/City Liaison Committee: Ms. Cleland-McGrath reported from the committee meeting on March 10,2020.
She described topics discussed including Port lobbying in Washington,D.C.,Maritime Strategic Plan review,
the boat show scheduled for May,the Northwest Basin redevelopment plan, and the city's combined sewer
overflow project. Mr. Walters added that the City Council Planning Committee had also discussed the Port's
Northwest Basin project and that committee members were not comfortable with eliminating the view corridor
down 9th Street. Mr. Walters said the Planning Committee suggested more collaborative work on the design and
asked Mayor Gere to convey that message to the Port of Anacortes.
Finance Committee: Mr. Walters reported from the committee meeting the prior Wednesday.He advised that
the committee discussed implementation of the Affordable Housing sales tax and related contracts with the
Anacortes Housing Authority and the Anacortes Family Center. Mr. Walters said the committee had
suggested sunsetting the sales tax after 20 years,which would require adoption by ordinance.
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Fiber Committee: Mr. Walters reported that the committee meeting scheduled for the prior Thursday had been
cancelled.
Public Works Committee: Mr. Walters reported that the committee meeting scheduled for the earlier in the
evening had been cancelled in conformance with recommendations for public health.
Public Comment
No one present wished to address the Council on any topic not already on the agenda.
Consent Agenda
Mr. Walters removed Item 5e, Resolution 2081: An Emergency Declaration of the Mayor: Request for Public
Assistance Due to February 2020 Heavy Rainfall Event, from the Consent Agenda. Mr. Miller moved, seconded
by Ms. Moulton,to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion carried unanimously by voice
vote.
a. Minutes of March 9, 2020
b. Approval of Claims in the amount of: $642,274.68
c. Interlocal Agreement with City of Marysville: 2020 Outdoor Video Services#20-095-PRK-001
d. CDBG Salvation Army Rehab Contract: Walk-In Refrigerator for Food Bank
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 96555 through 96606,total$225,013.55
Check numbers: 96607 through 96642,total$257,205.44
Wire transfer numbers: 265134 through 265658,total$14,837.42
e. Resolution 2081: An Emergency Declaration of the Mayor: Request for Public Assistance Due to
February 2020 Heavy Rainfall Event
Mr. Walters referenced his earlier emails to staff raising substantive and structural objections to the resolution as
proposed. Mr. Buckenmeyer explained the necessity for both a declaration of emergency and authorization to
expend funds in order to qualify for FEMA reimbursement of extraordinary expenses related to the storm event.
After some discussion with Mr. Buckenmeyer and Ms. Swetnam,Mr. Walters moved, seconded by Ms.
Moulton,to approve Resolution 2081 with the following revision:
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED;that the Mayer City Council of the City
of Anacortes does hereby declare that an emergency exists ratifies the Mayor's declaration of
emergency existing effective February 6,2020 and hereby does authorize the expenditure of
funds as required to meet the emergency. This action is in accordance with RCW 35.33.081
and RCW 38.52.070(2).
The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Continued Public Hearing: Approval of a Master Permit for Telecommunications Use of Right of Way
for City of Anacortes/ACCESS Anacortes Fiber Internet Installation in accordance with AMC Chapter
5.38.040
Public Works Director Fred Buckenmeyer presented a Master Permit Application from City of
Anacortes/ACCESS Anacortes Fiber Internet to allow for the deployment of a fiber optic network for every
business and residence within the City of Anacortes. Mr. Buckenmeyer mentioned the newly adopted Chapter
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5.38 of the Anacortes Municipal code,which governs Public Utility and Telecommunications Right-of-Way
Use, and said the subject application constituted the first master permit application the City had received
pursuant to the new code requirements. Planning Director Don Measamer then summarized the series of steps
under the new code to approve master permits for telecommunications use of right of way. Mr. Measamer
emphasized that once a permit was issued,an agreement with the applicant would be prepared and returned to
Council for authorization.
Mayor Gere invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item as part of the public hearing that
had been opened at the City Council meeting on March 9,2020 and continued to the March 16 meeting.No one
present wished to address the Council. Mayor Gere then closed the public hearing.
Ms. Moulton moved, seconded by Mr.Walters,to approve the master permit application as presented.Vote:
Ayes—Moulton,Miller,Walters and Cleland-McGrath. Motion carried.
OTHER BUSINESS
Plastic Bag Ban Implementation
In light of the provisions of Resolution 2082 adopted by City Council earlier in the meeting,Ms. Swetnam
recommended that this item be pulled from agenda for additional review. The councilmembers present
concurred.
Doug Thurber said he had spoken with the manager of the local Safeway store and that the store manager said
he would continue to use plastic bags unless people come into the store officially and tell him to stop.
There being no further business, at approximately 7:06 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of
March 16,2020 was adjourned.
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