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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-27 City Council Minutes ApprovedAnacortes City Council Minutes - April 27, 2026 1 Anacortes City Council Minutes - April 27, 2026 Call to Order Mayor Ryan Walters called to order the April 27, 2026, Anacortes City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. Councilmembers Marcia Hunt, Luke Currier, Anthony Young, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton, Bruce McDougall and TJ Fantini were present. Pledge of Allegiance The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance. Announcements and Committee Reports Mayor Walters made announcements regarding the 104th anniversary of the ferry route between Anacortes and Sidney, British Columbia, 4th of July Parade and registration requirements, upcoming Senior Activity Center activities, spring and summer Parks and Recreation programs, Library programs, and the Guemes Ferry haul out maintenance period from 4-17 May, referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Library and Museum Committee Ms. Hunt reported from the Library and Museum Committee meeting held April 23rd. The topics discussed included observing the ongoing Maritime Plaza expansion project and plans and funding options to add a deck or performance stage across the south wall of the Maritime Heritage Center, museum visit statistics that are up significantly over the prior year, a contract with cruise lines to encourage history tourism, the collaborative work with the Samish Indian Nation and the Port of Anacortes to tell the story of Fidalgo Island with signage throughout the community, the museum storage and workshop space project, and a tour of WT Preston. Mr. Young mentioned the self-guided tours offered by the museum and other historical buildings. North Star Housing Task Force Ms. Cleland McGrath reported from the North Star Housing Task Force meeting held earlier in the day. The topics discussed included the countywide housing call to action and how Burlington is dealing with restrictions on middle housing, flexibility with associated parking requirements, and access to public transportation for multifamily housing. The task force also discussed a request for proposals for affordable workforce housing with financial support of up to $1 million for each project of the $3 million total available in .09 funds from Skagit County with applications due May 21st. She also mentioned that there are two available units at the Skagit Habitat for Humanity housing area on 29th Street near Storvik Park, and the North Star Connect Symposium on May 21st, with a morning housing session with the Swinomish Housing Authority, and an afternoon session about three recent housing projects in the county and two keynote speakers on behavioral health and continuum of care. Appointments Resolution 3214: Confirmation of Planning Commission Appointment Mayor Walters introduced proposed Resolution 3214 that would confirm the appointment of Tarn Ohana to the Planning Commission through January 31, 2029. TJ Fantini moved, seconded by Carolyn Moulton, to approve Resolution 3214 confirming the appointment of Tarn Ohana to the Planning Commission. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Public Comment Mayor Walters invited the public to comment on any item not on the agenda. Dan Maul of Anacortes thanked the council for passing Ordinance 5027 that prohibits virtual cryptocurrency Anacortes City Council Minutes - April 27, 2026 2 kiosks in the city and will help to protect vulnerable residents of the community from financial fraud and scams. Allen Bush of Guemes Island spoke about the parking challenges for island residents due to parking regulations that will be in force during the upcoming maintenance haul out period from 4-17 May and the impact of ferry fee increases over the last several years. Consent Agenda Bruce McDougall moved, seconded by Anthony Young, to approve the following consent agenda items as presented. a. Minutes of April 20, 2026 b. Approval of claims in the amount of $259,589.94 The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment: EFT numbers: 115430 through 115465, total $117,820.26 Check numbers: 115429 & 115466 through 115475, total $128,577.90 Wire transfer numbers: 387653 through 387874, total $13,191.78 c. Contract Award: 2026 ADA Improvement Project #26-146-TRN-001 d. Contract Award: Pressure Reducing Valves Cleaning, Rebuilding, & Installation Project #26-047-WTR-001 e. Ordinance 4081: Creating AMC 8.14 Grand View Cemetery Vote: Ayes - Carolyn Moulton, Anthony Young, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Bruce McDougall, TJ Fantini, Luke Currier, Marcia Hunt. Nays - None. Abstentions - None. Result: Passed Public Hearings 2026 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan Planning, Community, and Economic Development Coordinator Stephanie Snyder re-introduced the 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan, pointing out that she had not received any public comments during the public comment period that was open through April 23, 2026. At 6:21 pm, Mayor Walters opened the public hearing. Public comment was given as follows: Trina Wherry of Anacortes echoed the comments Dustin Johnson would give. Anacortes Family Center Executive Director Dustin Johnson spoke about the historical allocation of CDBG funding for public benefit among the local community service organizations, requesting that the council amend the public benefit portion of the CDBG allocation to match what has historically been allocated to his organization. Community Action of Skagit County Chief Strategy Officer Sandi Phinney spoke about her organization's Anacortes Resource Center service statistics over the past year and CDBG funding request for employment services offered in Anacortes, and the associated services that would be offered in the coming year with CDBG funding. Walt Guterbock of Anacortes supported the comments of Mr. Johnson and asked why intense employment placement services were needed in Anacortes when he noted many help-wanted signs throughout the city. At 6:29 pm, Mayor Walters closed the public hearing. The council discussed the proposed funding allocation for 2026. Anacortes City Council Minutes - April 27, 2026 3 Discussion topics included: • Multiply the funds' effectiveness by triggering funding through other programs. • Impact of the allocations on the nearby community. • Finding a balance between regional support and local focus. • Possibly amending the allocation to shift 15% of public service funds to the Anacortes Family Center emergency shelter. • The need in Skagit County is greater than the limited funds available. • Clarifying the number of Anacortes residents that Community Action serves. • Fairness in distribution of funds. • Merits of the applications of Community Action of Skagit County and the Anacortes Family Center regarding economic development. • Distinguishing between economic development and public services funds. • Significant impact of the annual funds on community welfare for housing and social services. • The funds allocated to Community Action will be used in support of citizens in Anacortes. • Parameters of how funds could be allocated. • Management objectives of the grant. Ms. Cleland-McGrath announced that, as a board member of the Anacortes Family Center, she would abstain from discussing the merits of the funding allocation and voting on the matter because of the competitive nature of the contract. Carolyn Moulton moved, seconded by Anthony Young, to approve the 2026 CDBG Annual Action Plan as presented. Vote: Ayes - Carolyn Moulton, Anthony Young, Bruce McDougall, Marcia Hunt. Nays - TJ Fantini, Luke Currier. Abstentions - Christine Cleland-McGrath. Result: Passed Other Business Settlement Agreement for Growth Management Hearings Board Case 26-2-0008 with William Turner City Attorney Darcy Swetnam introduced the proposed settlement agreement for Growth Management Hearings Board Case 26-2-0008 with William Turner, pointing out that it was achieved through the mediation between the parties on April 2, 2026. She outlined the principal elements of the settlement including the timeframe for updating the stormwater plan by the end of 2027, the public participation process, to have an open house at the Planning Commission level, ensuring that information about the stormwater plan update process was readily available to the public via the city's website, and that staff would evaluate public comments on an inventory of shoreline areas in the city. Marcia Hunt moved, seconded by Anthony Young, to authorize the mayor to sign the settlement agreement with William Turner to resolve Growth Management Hearings Board case 26-2-0008 as presented and authorize the City Attorney to execute any legal pleadings consistent with the settlement agreement on the city's behalf. Vote: Ayes - Carolyn Moulton, Anthony Young, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Bruce McDougall, TJ Fantini, Luke Currier, Marcia Hunt. Nays - None. Abstentions - None. Result: Passed SEPA DNS Appeal of Stormwater Plan Ms. Swetnam laid out the procedures for the appeal of nonproject actions in accordance with AMC 18.04.250 and Resolution 3189, referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Discussion topics included: • No substantive changes to the stormwater plan were made on Friday, April 24th. Anacortes City Council Minutes - April 27, 2026 4 • Nothing was added to the packet regarding this item. Anthony Young moved, seconded by Marcia Hunt, to deny the appeals of Ian Munce and William Turner of the City's SEPA Determination of Nonsignifiance regarding the Stormwater Master Plan update and direct staff to prepare Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Decision consistent with this decision and bring it back on the consent agenda for adoption at the next meeting. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Resolution 3212: Adopting the Stormwater Plan Stormwater Manager Aaron Esterholt introduced Osborn Consulting Principal and President Tarelle Osborn, who provided an overview of the proposed 2025 Stormwater Master Plan, referring to a slide presentation that was included in the packet materials for the meeting. Discussion topics included: • Public participation and comments regarding the plan. • (Capital Facilities Projects slide) Projects denoted by red stars. Marcia Hunt moved, seconded by TJ Fantini, to adopt Resolution 3212 adopting the Stormwater Master Plan. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Ordinance 5028: Amending regulations for vehicle and boat repair and boat sales in the Industrial zone Planning Manager Libby Grage introduced proposed Ordinance 5028 that would amend regulations for vehicle and boat repair and boat sales in the Industrial zone, 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: • Vehicle repair and oil changes are allowed, but quick turnover businesses are not. • Prohibited the most vehicle intensive activities. • Public comments given at the Planning Commission. • Appreciation of the work of staff to clarify regulations and integrate public input. • Framing regulations to encourage economic development. • Businesses from all sectors are needed Mr. Fantini moved without objection to having the ordinance placed on the consent agenda for approval at the next regular meeting. Adjournment There being no further business, at approximately 7:57 pm, the Anacortes City Council meeting of April 27, 2026, was adjourned.