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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-05 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - April 5, 2021 Call to Order Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of April 5,2021 at 6:00 p.m. Councilmembers Anthony Young,Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton,Bruce McDougall and Matt Miller all participated in the meeting in absentia via video conference. Councilmember Jeremy Carter was absent. Announcements and Committee Reports COVID-19 Update: Mayor Gere shared a press release from Skagit County Public Health announcing an alarming uptick in local cases. The mayor reported on current case statistics and vaccination progress for Anacortes, Skagit County,Washington State, and the nation. She also announced additional rental assistance funding available in Skagit County. Confirmation of William"Bill"Harris as Anacortes Fire Chief: Mayor Gere requested confirmation of her appointment of William"Bill"Harris as the City of Anacortes' Fire Chief effective Tuesday,April 6, 2021. Mr. Walters moved, seconded by Ms. Cleland-McGrath,to confirm the appointment of William"Bill"Harris as Fire Chief effective April 6, 2021. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Chief Harris thanked Council for the opportunity to serve the city. Port/City Liaison Committee: Ms. Cleland-McGrath reported from the committee meeting held the previous week. The topics discussed included coordinating an approach to community events and reopening, a potential interlocal regarding 2nd Street right of way,the Washington State Ferry Terminal,the Maritime Strategic Plan and the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area. Public Works Committee: Ms. Moulton reported from the committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The topics discussed included public participation at City Council committee meetings,the wastewater treatment plant outfall project and the Whistle Lake dam. Mr. Walters elaborated on outfall locations that had been evaluated. Fiber Committee: Mr. McDougall reported from the committee meeting held on March 25. The topics discussed included active and pending customer installations, a construction update for the west end of Anacortes in 2021, and the pending EDA grant. Finance Committee: Mr. Walters reported from the most recent committee meeting. The topics discussed included a proposed amendment to the interlocal agreement for the Skagit County Justice Center and optimizing use of Federal American Rescue Plan funding, Library Committee: Mr.Young reported from the most recent committee meeting. The topics discussed included in person appointments that began April 1 and the scheduling and protocols involved for that increased public access to the library, a memorandum of understanding with the Library Foundation,remodeling plans, and an electric vehicle charging station planned for the library. Mr. McDougall moved, seconded by Mr. Miller,to excuse the absence of Mr. Carter. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Anacortes City Council Minutes-April 5,2021 1 Public Comment June Steen said she wished to speak in response to the notice she had received in the mail about the petition to vacate a portion of 11th Street. Mayor Gere invited Ms. Steen to address that topic when it occurred later on the agenda. No one else present wished to address the Council on any topic not already on the agenda. Consent Agenda Mr. Young removed Item 4b,Approval of Claims, from the Consent Agenda. Mr. Young moved, seconded by Mr. Miller,to approve Consent Agenda Item 4a,Minutes of March 22,2021. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Mr. Young reminded staff how important it is,when possible,to make local purchases,particularly given the economic impacts of the pandemic. Mr. Young moved, seconded by Mr. Miller,to approve Consent Agenda Item 4b,Approval of Claims in the amount of$533,725.57. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment: EFT numbers: 99692 through 99745,total$287,427.17 Check numbers: 99746 through 99770,total$201,550.07 Wire transfer numbers: 212191 through 282526,total $44,748.33 PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinance 3087: Vacating right-of-way of a portion of 11th Street adjacent to blocks 242 and 243, "Map of the City of Anacortes" together with the West 10 feet of B Avenue adjacent to Lot 1 of block 243 City Attorney Darcy Swetnam advised that staff had received a reque+287427.15+201550.07+44748.33 st from approximately 30 neighborhood residents asking that this advertised public hearing be continued to April 19 to allow time for responses to the group's questions. She said that staff and Mayor Gere had determined that continuing the hearing would be the best course of action. Mayor Gere said the public was invited to comment on April 19, and was also welcome to contact the Mayor's office or the City Attorney prior to that time. Mr. Walters encouraged allowing public comment at the present meeting. Ms. Moulton concurred. Mr. Young said having staffs introductory presentation prior to public comment would be more useful. Mr. Miller encouraged all speakers to submit written comments as well. At approximately 6:41 p.m. Mayor Gere opened the advertised public hearing. Ms. Swetnam explained the context of the proposed vacation in exchange for easements for the Guemes Channel Trail. She said staff was recommending granting the vacation. Mayor Gere invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item. June Steen said she lives on the alley behind the Ortman property. Ms. Steen said she was in favor of the Guemes Channel Trail and thus of the trade. Ms. Steen said she could understand vacating the 11th Street strip, but said the B Avenue strip was overkill and that curbs and sidewalks would be desirable there. Ms. Steen said she was also concerned that the Ortman family would build closer to the bank if it were to acquire the Wynn property. Anacortes City Council Minutes-April 5,2021 2 Jessica Guzik echoed Ms. Steen's concerns. Mayor Gere continued the public hearing to April 19,2021. OTHER BUSINESS Waste Management Annual Report Public Works Director Fred Buckenmeyer introduced Michelle Metzler,Waste Management's Public Sector Manager,to present Waste Management's 2021 annual report. Ms. Metzler's slides had been included in the packet materials for the meeting. Her presentation focused on the company's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and on the ongoing challenges in the global market for recyclables. Resolution 3027: Opposing Imperial Metals' Minerals Exploration Permit in British Columbia's Skagit Headwaters City Attorney Darcy Swetnam introduced Resolution 3027 opposing Imperial Metals' Minerals Exploration Permit in British Columbia's Skagit headwaters. Ms. Swetnam said the resolution had been prepared based on Council's direction at its March 22,2021 meeting. Ms.Moulton asked if the letter accompanying Resolution 3027 would be addressed to additional parties besides David Caughill, as other jurisdictions had done. Ms. Swetnam indicated staff would copy the letter to as many parties as possible. Mr. Walters asked that the resolution be revised to reflect the cost of the Water Treatment Plant as $70M,not$60M, in the 4th recital, and that Section 2 of the resolution be reworded to request extinguishment of mineral extraction rights. Mayor Gere invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item.No one present wished to address the Council. MATT MILLER moved, seconded by BRUCE MCDOUGALL,to approve Resolution 3027 with the two changes suggested by Mr. Walters. Vote: Ayes-ANTHONY YOUNG,RYAN WALTERS,CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL,MATT MILLER.Nays-None. Result: Passed Adjournment There being no further business, at approximately 7:10 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of April 5, 2021 was adjourned. Anacortes City Council Minutes-April 5,2021 3