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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-23 City Council Minutes Approved City Council Minutes—March 23,2020 Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of March 23,2020 at 6:00 p.m. Councilmembers Jeremy Carter,Anthony Young,Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton, Bruce McDougall and Matt Miller all participated in the meeting in absentia via video conference. The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance. Announcements and Committee Reports Mayor Gere reviewed the Governor's Stay Home and Stay Healthy Order delivered earlier in the evening. Mayor Gere then read her directive to the community issued earlier in the day in response to the COVID-19 epidemic. The Mayor's directive was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Public Comment Per Section 3 of Resolution 2082 Ratifying Proclamation of Emergency and Providing Temporary Procedures to Respond to the COVID-19 Epidemic, adopted by the Anacortes City Council on March 16, 2020, the public comment portion of Council meetings and any scheduled public hearings were temporarily suspended to discourage public in person attendance of City Council meetings. The public was encouraged to comment via email or written comment addressed to: City Clerk, P.O. Box 547,Anacortes, WA 98221. Public comments received prior to the meeting become part of the record for the meeting,just as if presented in person. Mr.McDougall noted that the city's website now offered additional opportunities for citizens to submit comments electronically prior to City Council meetings. Consent Agenda Mr. Miller moved, seconded by Mr.McDougall,to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. a. Minutes of March 16, 2020 b. Approval of Claims in the amount of: $246,699.01 The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment: EFT numbers: 96643 through 96690,total$201,979.19 Check numbers: 96691 through 96710,total$32,497.18 Wire transfer numbers: 265781 through 265971,total$11,343.88 OTHER BUSINESS Resolution 2080: Amending City Council Committees and Committee Assignments to Add Library, Museum,and Information Technology Committees for 2020-2021 Mr. McDougall presented Resolution 2080 to establish committees for the Library,Museum and Information Technology which had not previously had committee representation.After some discussion of the rationale for adding the new committees,Mr.Miller moved, seconded by Mr.Young,to approve Resolution 2080. Vote: Ayes—Young,Walters,Cleland-McGrath,Moulton,McDougall,Miller and Carter. Motion carried. Mr. Walters reported from the Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee meeting earlier in the day. He indicated that the group discussed how to communicate to the community which services are available to help citizens during the COVID-19 epidemic. Mr. Walters said the committee compiled some informational slides which had been posted on Channel 10.He noted that not all citizens have internet access so alternative Anacortes City Council Minutes March 23, 2020 1 avenues of disseminating information were vital. Ms.Moulton added that the committee had looked at a list of seven priorities going forward. Ms. Cleland-McGrath urged establishing videoconferencing capability for City Council committee meetings as well as City Council meetings. Mr. Walters urged a City Council conversation in the very near future about investing in infrastructure required to enable employees to work remotely, about enforcement mechanisms for social distancing, and about assisting citizens with immediate needs. There being no further business,at approximately 6:30 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of March 23,2020 was adjourned. Anacortes City Council Minutes March 23, 2020 2