HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-17 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - May 17, 2021
Call to Order
Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of May 17, 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 relayed the Governor's announcement that the entire state would move to Phase
3 of the Roadmap to Recovery effective May 18,to be followed by full reopening statewide on June 30, and that
the state would fully adopt CDC masking guidance. The mayor shared current case statistics for Anacortes,
Skagit County,Washington State, and the nation.
Skagit County Law&Justice Council: Mr. Miller reported from the LJC meeting held virtually the previous
week. The group received a report from Compass Health on the embedded social worker program in the county.
Finance Committee: Mr.Walters reported from the Committee meeting held the previous week. The committee
received a demonstration from Domo of its budget data presentation software.
Public Works Committee: Ms. Moulton reported from the committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The
topics discussed included the WWTP solids handling presentation later on the agenda, and also the risk and
resiliency assessment and emergency response plan for the water system.
Public Comment
Julie Gold stated her continuing support of allowing and promoting bicycling on all trails in the city. She
enumerated the environmental and health benefits of cycling. Ms. Gold also supported making trails accessible
to all users including wheelchair users.
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 May 10,2021
b. Approval of claims in the amount of$536,027.16
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 100085 through 100144,total$284,472.94
Check numbers: 100145through 100170,total $110,782.51
Wire transfer numbers: 248282 through 284421,total $141,425.99
c. Contract Award: 2021 Pedestrian Improvements Project#21-092-TRN-001
OTHER BUSINESS
Legislative Update
Representative Alex Ramel and Senator Liz Lovelett provided an update on the 2021 Legislative Session. Rep.
Ramel reported four identified priorities for the session: public health response to COVID, economic recovery
from the pandemic,responding to systemic racial injustice and responding to the climate crisis. Senator Lovelett
addressed police reform and accountability,the Blake decision,the new 988 emergency call number for citizens
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in mental health crisis, eviction reform,broadband, and local capital projects. Rep. Ramel highlighted legislation
supporting increased flexibility of local spending of dedicated revenue streams, childcare,clean energy,
affordable housing, and electric ferry procurement.
Resolution 3028: Updating the Work Plan Adopted in Resolution 3005 Regarding Bonus Height
Provisions in the R4 Zone West of the Commercial Zone Related to Ordinance 3088
Planning Director Don Measamer introduced Resolution 3028,companion legislation to Ordinance 3088.Mr.
Measamer reviewed the proposed work plan. He recommended approval of the resolution.
ANTHONY YOUNG moved, seconded by RYAN WALTERS,to adopt Resolution 3028,updating the work
plan for the bonus height provisions in the R4 zone west of the Commercial zone.Vote: Ayes -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 720 customers in service at close of business earlier in
the day. She noted the take rate by district and the overall 36%take rate in the current service areas. Ms. Schuh
also shared current financials, fiber provisions in the American Recovery Plan Act,projected network
expansion, and progress on special projects.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Solids Handling Report
Public Works Director Fred Buckenmeyer advised that the selection process for solids handling options had
been accelerated due to a funding opportunity for hydrothermal liquefaction. Mr. Buckenmeyer introduced
Brown and Caldwell staff Rick Kelly,Brinlee Frinzel and John Willis to present the firm's analysis of all known
solids handling options. The consultant's slide presentation was added to the packet materials for the meeting.
Ms. Frinzel described each of the non-fatally flawed technologies. Mr. Kelly reviewed the scoring of the
options.
Councilmembers requested time to review the options presented after the slide presentation had been provided
to them. They requested clarification on the timing for making a decision on which option(s)to pursue. Mr.
Willis explained that the DOE grant application due June 20 would pay for half of the HTL project if that option
were to be selected. He elaborated on several different funding scenarios. Mr. Willis indicated that if HTL were
one of the two alternatives Council wished to consider, and if Council determined that at its May 24,2021
regular meeting,Brown and Caldwell would still have sufficient time to prepare a grant application by the
deadline. Mayor Gere directed staff to bring the topic back to Council for scoring and potential decision at the
May 24,2021 meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business,at approximately 8:30 p.m.the Anacortes City Council meeting of
May 17,2021 was adjourned.
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