HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-12 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - April 12, 2021
Call to Order
Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of April 12, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers Jeremy Carter,Anthony Young,Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton
and Matt Miller all participated in the meeting in absentia via video conference. Councilmember Bruce
McDougall joined the meeting in absentia at 6:02 p.m.
Announcements and Committee Reports
COVID-19 Update: Mayor Gere advised that earlier in the day three Washington State counties had moved back
to Phase 2 but that Skagit County retained its Phase 3 designation. The mayor shared current case statistics and
vaccination progress for Anacortes, Skagit County,Washington State, and the nation.
Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee: Ms.Moulton reported from the committee meeting
held the previous Wednesday. The topics discussed included the Bellingham down payment assistance program
which did not appear to fit Anacortes,progress on the social services strategic plan, and an upcoming round
table meeting for stakeholders regarding same.
Planning Committee: Ms.Moulton reported from the Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The topics
discussed included the proposed vacation at l lth Street and B Avenue,the critical areas ordinance update
coming back to Council the following week, stormwater infrastructure, and traffic analyses.
Personnel Committee: Ms. Cleland-McGrath reported from the Committee meeting held the previous Thursday.
The topics discussed included potential new hires for the Parks Department and Senior Center,current
recruitment efforts in many departments,a study of non-represented employee advancement opportunities and
elected officials,updates to the personnel policies, and achievement of the Well City Award.
Public Comment
No one present wished to address the Council on any topic not already on the agenda.
Consent Agenda
Mr. Miller moved, seconded by Mr. Young,to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
a. Minutes of April 5,2021
b. Approval of claims in the amount of$411,323.08
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 99771 through 99824,total$366,379.27
Check numbers: 99825 through 99833,total$35,912.16
Wire transfer numbers: 282280 through 282837,total$8,644.15
c. Contract Award: 2021 Cape Seal Preparation#21-058-TRN-001
d. Contract Award: Server Room/Fiber Room Fire Suppression System#21-085-FAC-001
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Ordinance 3088 An Interim Ordinance Extending Ordinance 3076,3069, and 3054,A Moratorium on the
Acceptance of Certain Land Use Applications in the R4 Use Zone West of Commercial Avenue
Anacortes City Council Minutes -April 12,2021 1
Planning Director Don Measamer introduced Ordinance 3088 which would immediately extend the moratorium
enacted by Ordinance 3054 for a period of six months on the acceptance of applications for land use permits or
building permits in the R4 zone west of the Commercial Use Zone that propose to use the bonus height
provisions of AMC 19.42.050.C. Mr.Measamer shared highlights from the detailed packet materials for this
agenda item.
RYAN WALTERS moved, seconded by MATT MILLER,to approve Ordinance 3088 extending the
moratorium on accepting certain land use applications in the R4 Use Zone West of the Commercial Use Zone.
Mayor Gere opened the public hearing.No one wished in attendance wished to comment. Mayor Gere closed
the public hearing.
Vote: Ayes -JEREMY CARTER,ANTHONY YOUNG,RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-
MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL,MATT MILLER.Nays -None. Result:
Passed
OTHER BUSINESS
Thompson Train Static Display Planning
Mayor Gere presented a course of action to develop a static display for the Tommy Thompson train,as directed
by City Council. She described the participants who assisted in developing the document presented. City
Attorney Darcy Swetnam elaborated on the planning efforts. Ms. Swetnam's slide presentation was added to the
packet materials for the meeting.
Mr. Young expressed his objections to the plan as presented.
Mayor Gere invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item.
Headen Thompson spoke on behalf of the Thompson family and Ann Thompson.He requested that the city
return the train to the Thompson family because the conditions of the 2012 donation agreement had not been
met. Mr. Thompson objected to the Anacortes Railway Group's involvement and said that group had publicly
disrespected the Thompson family. Mr. Thompson said that the Thompson family had endorsed a proposal to
transfer the train to Bret Iwan,but shortly after that the Council declined to do so. He said the family had been
misled,betrayed and outraged. Mr. Thompson expressed the family's vehement objection to the document
presented. He said the only way to properly honor the Thompson family and Thomas Thompson was to return
the train to the Thompson family.
Lisa Carney, attorney for the Thompson family, clarified that no one from the Thompson family had in any way
contributed to the proposal just presented by the mayor and Ms. Swetnam. Ms. Carney urged the city to consider
the option of returning the train to the family,which would avoid significant cost and the risk of lawsuit for
breach of contract.
Dave Sem,representing the Anacortes Railway Group,attempted to address the Council but was unable to due
to technical difficulties.
Councilmembers each expressed their individual preferences for next steps.
Dave Sem said that the proposal presented was an ongoing process and the Anacortes Railway Group looked
forward to its turn at the table to respond to the draft. He said the group's plan called for no city staffing or
funds.
Anacortes City Council Minutes -April 12,2021 2
Lisa Carney questioned how the City Council could rationalize disregarding the conditions of the 2012 donation
agreement.
After considerable additional discussion,Mayor Gere concluded that staff would attempt to bring a more
specific proposal back to Council within a month.
Adjournment
There being no further business,at approximately 7:33 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of April 12,
2021 was adjourned.
Anacortes City Council Minutes -April 12,2021 3