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Home My WebLink About2021-01-19 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - January 19, 2021 Call to Order Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of January 19, 2021 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. Announcements and Committee Reports COVID-19 Update: Mayor Gere shared current case statistics for Anacortes, Skagit County,Washington State, and the nation. The mayor noted the increase in cases in Skagit County over the prior month. Mayor Gere reported on current vaccination progress in the county and shared instructions for obtaining vaccinations for currently eligible phases. Skagit County Law and Justice Council: Mr.Miller reported from the LJC meeting held electronically the previous week, for the first time in over a year. He quoted from RCW 72.09.300 explaining the purpose and rules for local law and justice councils. Mr. Miller said the council received an update on inmate loads, staffing and COVID management at the justice center(jail). He reported that County Commissioner Lisa Janicki is chairing the LJC now and that the group discussed countywide resources for providing social worker services to those in the criminal justice system. Finance Committee: Mr. Carter reported from the committee meeting held the previous week. The committee discussed various park and campground fees which Mr. Carter said would be presented to full Council in the near future. Fiber Committee: Mr. McDougall reported from the committee meeting held the previous week. The topics discussed included staff monitoring of the fiber network during the winter storm the prior week with no down time encountered for Access Fiber. Mr.McDougall also reported on the impact of allocation of IPV4 addresses. Public Works Committee: Mr.Walters reported from the committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The topics discussed included the$1M grant received for the 32nd&M roundabout which would nearly fully fund that project and free up transportation impact fees for other projects;Waste Management's proposal to reduce curbside recycling to every other week collection which the committee did not endorse; staffs recommendation to use an RFQ process rather than straight bid for the wastewater treatment plant outfall project, a proposal that would come to full Council for consideration later in the spring; confirmation that FEMA will partner on that project and participate in cost sharing; and an upcoming presentation to full Council on the full range of potential replacement technologies for the wastewater treatment plant incinerator. Civil Service Commission Appointments: Mayor Gere announced her reappointment of William Kalin, Jon Stables and Vicki Stasch(as Chairperson)to the Civil Service Commission for terms running from January 1,2021 until December 31, 2021. Mr.Miller asked what role the Civil Service Commission plays in the city.Administrative Services Director Emily Schuh summarized the Commission's role in providing oversight for police and fire department positions. Public Comment No one present wished to address the Council on any topic not already on the agenda. Anacortes City Council Minutes-January 19,2021 1 Consent Agenda Mr.Miller corrected the minutes of January 11,2021,under Public Safety Committee Report, to replace the words"the COVID leave policy"with"fire sprinkler code. Mr.Miller moved, seconded by Mr. McDougall,to approve the following Consent Agenda items with the noted correction to the minutes. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. a. Minutes of January 11, 2021 b. Approval of claims in the amount of$1,174,245.95 The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment: EFT numbers: 99097 through 99132,total$299,778.26 Check numbers: 99133 through 99149,total$731,777.37 Wire transfer numbers: 278561 through 279056,total$133,391.76 Other Business Ordinance 3082: Establishing a$4,500,000 line of credit with SaviBank to provide resources for the continued build out of the City Access Fiber network. Finance Director Steve Hoglund presented Ordinance 3082 which would authorize the City to draw on a line of credit(LOC)with SaviBank up to $4,500,000 to provide resources for the City to continue build out the Access Fiber Network.Mr. Hoglund referred to the packet materials for the meeting. Ms. Moulton requested that Council receive periodic updates on the level of indebtedness.Mr. Hoglund agreed that would be accommodated in regular finance and fiber updates. Mr. Hoglund and Note Counsel Alice Ostdiek of Stradling Yocca Carlson&Rauth responded to councilmember questions about draw down authority and note terminology. RYAN WALTERS moved, seconded by MATT MILLER,to Approve Ordinance 3082 as presented. Vote: Ayes -JEREMY CARTER,ANTHONY YOUNG,RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND- MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL,MATT MILLER.Nays -None. Result: Passed Access Anacortes Fiber Internet Update Administrative Services Director Emily Schuh provided the regular monthly update on Access Anacortes Fiber Internet. Ms. Schuh's slides were added to the packet materials for the meeting. She reported on customers in service,pending orders and revenue received,celebrating 524 customers in service at close of business earlier in the day. Ms. Schuh emphasized the stringent COVID-19 safety protocols being observed by the installation crews. She noted the take rate by district,which was exceeding 31%in the current combined service area including the aerial expansion areas. Ms. Schuh also reported on special projects with the Port of Anacortes,the Anacortes Senior Center, and Rock Island Communication; network expansion projections for 2021 and 2022; ongoing customer outreach; and the pending$2.25M EDA grant for which a decision was expected in February. Resolution 3013: Providing for Employee Leave Benefits in Response to the Covid-19 Epidemic Mr. Hoglund presented Resolution 3013,following up on adoption of Resolution 3012 at the regular City Council meeting on January 11,2021. Resolution 3013 would authorize City staff an additional amount of Emergency Paid Sick Leave(EPSL)that would be in addition to the City provided sick leave accruals already in place. Mr. Hoglund's slide presentation was included in the packet materials for the meeting. Councilmembers and Mayor Gere discussed with Mr.Hoglund leave used for Covid-19 related absences Anacortes City Council Minutes-January 19,2021 2 during 2020 and the likelihood of additional federal funding being made available in 2021. Councilmembers agreed to postpone action on this item pending potential Congressional action. Mayor Gere and Mr. Hoglund were tasked with investigating whether any city employees were at risk of exhausting all available paid leave in the near term and reporting back to Council if so. Executive Session Potential Liti2ation or Liti2ation per RCW 42.30.110 (i) (45 minutes) Mayor Gere announced that City Council and the City Attorney would convene in Executive Session per RCW 42.30.110(i) for approximately 45 minutes to discuss potential litigation or litigation. The mayor advised that the regular meeting would then adjourn with no action having been taken. Councilmembers Jeremy Carter,Anthony Young,Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton,Bruce McDougall and Matt Miller attended the executive session. Adjournment There being no further business,at approximately 8:20 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of January 19,2021 was adjourned. Anacortes City Council Minutes -January 19,2021 3