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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-20 City Council Minutes ApprovedAnacortes City Council Minutes - April 20, 2026 1 Anacortes City Council Minutes - April 20, 2026 Call to Order Mayor Ryan Walters called to order the April 20, 2026, Anacortes City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. Councilmembers Marcia Hunt, Luke Currier, Anthony Young, Carolyn Moulton, Bruce McDougall and TJ Fantini were present. Councilmember Christine Cleland-McGrath was absent. Pledge of Allegiance The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ms. Moulton moved, seconded by Mr. Fantini, without objection to excuse the absence of Ms. Cleland- McGrath. Announcements and Committee Reports Mayor Walters made announcements about the Anacortes Earth Day Celebration, recognizing Interim Engineering Supervisor Jeff Beltramini for completing the Boston Marathon, upcoming events at the Senior Activity Center, Parks and Recreation, the Anacortes Museum, and the Library. He also reminded the public about the Guemes Island Ferry maintenance period from 4 to 17 May, announced coming legislation regarding the safe use of e-bikes and e-motorcycles, measures being taken by city staff to reduce fuel usage due to rising costs, and how to safely store or dispose of unwanted firearms or other weapons, referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Economic Development Committee Mr. Young reported from the Economic Development Committee meeting held April 14th. The committee discussed coordination of activities in conjunction with the FIFA Men’s Soccer World Cup and the summer tourism season with Downtown Anacortes Alliance Executive Director Jordan Hay, Anacortes Arts Festival Executive Director Meredith McIlmoyle, Anacortes Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jesica Kiser, Skagit Tourism Bureau Chief Executive Officer Kristen Keltz, and Port of Anacortes Properties and Events Coordinator Kristy Southard. Housing Affordability and Community Services and Planning Committee Ms. Moulton reported from the Housing Affordability and Community Services and Planning Committee meeting held April 14th. The topics discussed included a discussion with Anacortes Housing Authority (AHA) Interim Executive Director Brian Carroll about his experience in child welfare and willingness to come out of retirement to run AHA while the search for a permanent director is undertaken, and the Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program grant that will assist with infrastructure and stormwater improvements for a 4-story development (commercial first floor and three stories of residential) including 15 1-bedroom apartments, 9 studio apartments, 3 2-bedroom apartments (2 ADA accessible), that will be available to people making at most 60% of area median income. The committee also discussed available units in the Skagit Habitat for Humanity housing area on 29th Street across from Storvik Park. Mr. Fantini asked about revisiting a discussion regarding accessory dwelling units to increase the inventory of housing within the city and assist those seniors who would like support to remain in their homes. Mayor Walters pointed out that the conversation is always open and that the challenges with this issue revolve around the production and certification of a stock plan that would be compliant with the development code. Public Safety Committee Ms. Moulton reported from the Public Safety Committee meeting held April 14th. Police topics discussed included the presence of motorized scooter and bicycle riders around school zones and possible code changes regarding the required use of helmets, submission of a grant application to fund the Community Justice Training Center for officer wellness programs, current recruitment and training updates, possibly having the School Anacortes City Council Minutes - April 20, 2026 2 Resource Officer covering the Anacortes Community Forest Lands during the summer months, and the proposed ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wild animals. Fire topics included overtime and the search for a replacement for the Community Paramedic who will be retiring in June. Public Works Committee Mr. Fantini reported from the Public Works Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The topics discussed included the 12th Street and Commercial Avenue intersection project, the Doon Way waterline replacement contract, use of the pavement improvement program funds, the increased cost of fuel, the coming fleet review in accordance with the mayor's executive order 2026-01, and adding right-of-way code to the existing code regarding homeowner maintenance responsibilities. Ms. Hunt recounted her positive experience on the Anacortes Historic Tours that is supported by the Anacortes Museum, and includes a three-hour boat tour that circumnavigates Fidalgo Island. Arbor Day Proclamation Mayor Walters read a proclamation entitled 'Arbor Day 2026', proclaiming April 24, 2026, as the celebration of Arbor Day in Anacortes Public Comment Mayor Walters invited the public to comment on any item not on the agenda. Public comment was given as follows: Tim Schmidt of south of Island Health in Anacortes spoke about the need to regulate the use of e-bikes and e- motorcycles, especially in school zones, to ensure public safety. Linda Martin of Ward 3 in Anacortes expressed appreciation for the uniform financial statements in the recent quarter 1 departmental updates. She then commented on budget increases for several departments in the current year despite the acknowledged fiscal challenges and the lack of mention of the planned West 6th Street Park in departmental presentations at the April 13th work session. Consent Agenda Mr. McDougall moved, seconded by Mr. Young, to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. a. Minutes of April 13, 2026 b. Approval of claims in the amount of $550,705.27 The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment: EFT numbers: 115361 through 115399, total $294,560.39 Check numbers: 115400 through 115424, total $240,145.02 Wire transfer numbers: 387389 through 387642, total $15,999.86 c. Special Event: Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage d. Special Event: Samish Indian Nation Missing Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Walk e. Special Event: Pride Parade f. 2 Special Events: Anacortes Farmers Market Multi-Month - Bier Near the Pier: Single Day October 3rd g. Special Event: Anacortes Bloom Run h. Special Event: Kiwanis Club of Anacortes 100-Year Anniversary Other Business Ordinance 5026: Prohibiting the Feeding of Wild Animals City Attorney Darcy Swetnam re-introduced proposed Ordinance 5026: Prohibiting the Feeding of Wild Animals, referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Anacortes City Council Minutes - April 20, 2026 3 Mayor Walters invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item. No one present wished to address the Council. Discussion topics included: • Acknowledgment of views opposing the ordinance, but it is the best policy for the city. • Community education is key to the success of implementing the legislation. • Addresses concerns related to feeding of wild animals at Anacortes Community Forest Lands trailheads. TJ Fantini moved, seconded by Carolyn Moulton, to approve Ordinance 5026 as presented. Vote: Ayes - Carolyn Moulton, Anthony Young, Bruce McDougall, TJ Fantini, Luke Currier, Marcia Hunt. Nays - None. Abstentions - None. Result: Passed Ordinance 5027: Prohibiting Virtual Currency Kiosks Ms. Swetnam re-introduced proposed Ordinance 5027: Prohibiting Virtual Currency Kiosks, referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Mayor Walters invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item. No one present wished to address the Council. Discussion topics included: • Method of informing businesses that would be in violation. • Modules in machines that could be turned off. • Trade of cryptocurrency by individuals in the city is permitted. • Defending citizens who are susceptible to scams with the rise of artificial intelligence Anthony Young moved, seconded by Bruce McDougall, to adopt Ordinance 5027 prohibiting virtual currency kiosks as presented. Vote: Ayes - Carolyn Moulton, Anthony Young, Bruce McDougall, TJ Fantini, Luke Currier, Marcia Hunt. Nays - None. Abstentions - None. Result: Passed First Quarter Library Update Library Director Jeff Vogel provided the first quarter update for the Library, referring to a slide presentation that was included in the packet materials for the meeting. Mr. Vogel answered questions from the council. Discussion topics included: • Contributions and donations are for the re-design contract for the circulation desks with Underwood and Associates from the Library Foundation. • Non-resident fees are on track. • Assessment of offering passport services for the next year. o The post office also provides the service but is unstable as an institution. First Quarter Finance Update Finance Manager Rhonda Peck provided the first quarter finance update, referring to a slide presentation that was included in the packet materials for the meeting. Discussion topics included: Anacortes City Council Minutes - April 20, 2026 4 • Executive order and staff work to streamline the permitting process to improve building revenues. o Leads to increased sales tax. o Building revenues only fund the Planning Department and do not address the general fund challenges. • Prefer operating cash balance to be $15 million. • Drought conditions affect water consumption. Anacortes Community Forest Lands Plan Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Bob Vaux re-introduced the Anacortes Community Forest Lands Plan, referring to a slide presentation that was included in the packet materials for the meeting. Discussion topics included: • Adopting the plan in the next couple of months to work toward code amendments for enforcement of rules regarding motorcycles and pedaled bicycles. • The Forest Plan is not tied to budget development or obligations. • Funding needed for staffing and maintenance with increased use. • Updated signage for motorcycle and e-bike use after any code amendments are passed. Resolution 3211: Authorizing the Parks Department to Apply for a Grant from the State Recreation and Conservation Office for the Volunteer Field Artificial Turf Conversion Project Recreation Manager Dustin South introduced proposed Resolution 3211: Authorizing the Parks Department to Apply for a Youth Athletics Facilities Grant from the State Recreation and Conservation Office for the Volunteer Field Artificial Turf Conversion Project, referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Discussion topics included: • No city funding for the project. Bruce McDougall moved, seconded by TJ Fantini, to approve Resolution 3211. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Ordinance 4081: Creating AMC 8.14 Grand View Cemetery Parks and Recreation Director Jonn Lunsford introduced Parks and Recreation Administrative Assistant Darby Jordan, who introduced proposed Ordinance 4081: Creating AMC 8.14 Grand View Cemetery, referring to a slide presentation that was included in the packet materials for the meeting. Mayor Walters invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item. No one present wished to address the Council. Discussion topics included: • Pets playing or walking are not appropriate uses in the cemetery. • Expanding offerings to meet community needs. Mr. Fantini proposed, without objection, to have the proposed ordinance placed on the consent agenda for the next regular meeting. Anacortes City Council Minutes - April 20, 2026 5 Contract Award: 2026 Doon Way Waterline Replacements #26-093-WTR-001 Public Works Director Logan Lee introduced proposed contract #26-093-WTR-001 with Raw Land Construction for the 2026 Doon Way Waterline Replacements project, referring to an electronic map of the project area that was included in the packet materials for the meeting. Discussion topics included: • Under engineers' estimate. • Ensures system redundancy. • Limited time out of service Anthony Young moved, seconded by Marcia Hunt, to authorize the mayor to sign contract #26-093-WTR-001 with Raw Land Construction LLC in the amount of $1,028,192.96 to perform the 2026 Doon Way waterline replacements project. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Contract Award: Microsoft Enterprise Agreement - Office 365 Renewal #26-140-ITS-001 Information Technology Manager Jose Cervantes introduced proposed contract #26-140-ITS-001 with SHI International Corp. for the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement — Office 365 Renewal, referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting.. Discussion topics included: • Adjustable for actual number of licenses and addition or subtraction of applications. TJ Fantini moved, seconded by Luke Currier, to authorize the mayor to sign contract #26-140-ITS-001 with SHI International Corp. for the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement — Office 365 Renewal. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Adjournment There being no further business, at approximately 8:22 pm, the Anacortes City Council meeting of April 20, 2026, was adjourned.